Category Archives: Diocesan News

2017 Diocese of Jackson Seminarians

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The Diocese of Jackson currently has 10 men in discernment for the priesthood serving in parishes or studying at one of three seminaries. Please keep them in your prayers. Anyone interested in learning more about vocations in our diocese can find contacts and details on the vocations page of the website: www.https://jacksondiocese.org/about/offices/vocations/

Deacons to be ordained May 31, 2018
Deacon Nicholas Adam
Deacon Aaron Williams

Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, La
Mark Shoffner
Adolfo Suarez Pasillas
César Sánchez Fermín
Franklin Eke
Andrew Nguyen

Sacred Heart Seminary, Franklin, Wis.
Carlisle Beggerly

St. Joseph Seminary College, St. Benedict, La.
Andrew Bowden
Tristan Stovall

L-R bottom: Adolfo Suarez Pasillas, Mark Shoffner, Deacon Nicholas Adam, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Deacon Aaron Williams, Andrew Nguyen, 2nd and 3rd row Andrew Bowden, Franklin Eke, group of Knights of Columbus 2nd row on left Tristan Stovall.

New Hope Village relaunched with new name, ownership, management

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By Maureen Smith
HOLLY SPRINGS – The Diocese of Jackson, Sacred Heart Southern Missions (SHSM) and a newly formed 501c-3 charity have partnered to create a new ministry in Marshall County. Bishop Joseph Kopacz joined Father Jack Krups, SCJ, executive director of Sacred Heart Southern Missions, Father Thi Pham, pastoral leader for the area, and the SHSM board on Friday, Nov. 3, to bless and dedicate the Bishop William Houck New Hope Village.
The village has been in the community for many years. According to Lyle Hennen, one of the original founders, a group of business owners and community leaders came together in 1996 to purchase a motel complex and turn it into a homeless shelter. The collection of small cottages offered separate housing units for homeless men and women as well as a clothes closet and small food pantry. The group let businesses or church groups sponsor one building at a time for renovations.
The Knights of Columbus and Mens’ Club from Olive Branch Queen of Peace Parish would often help with donations. “Two years ago we decided to renovate a couple of the units,” said Jeff Bell, who was just a volunteer at that time. He is now the manager of New Hope Village. “We had to gut them to the studs because we found black mold and water damage throughout,” he explained. The volunteers also discovered that the charity was having a hard time keeping its doors opened.
The Diocese of Jackson stepped in to help create the new partnership. The diocese purchased the property. Bell acts as director under the new 501c-3. SHSM took over the food pantry and offered to help with some social services. “The work of Sacred Heart Southern Missions and Bishop Houck New Hope Village complement each other well,” said Father Krups. “We both offer vital services to support those who are most vulnerable — thus strengthening the fabric of the entire community,” he added.
“New Hope can put a roof over their heads, which is a good start, but we can help with the bigger picture,” explained Laura Grisham, SHSM development director. The missions already runs several food pantries so its employees are familiar with federal rules and best practices. They have a social service office at Holly Springs St. Joseph Parish so they can offer the long-term assistance many people need to step out of an emergency situation and into a recovery plan.
“Once we get them in the shelter, then they can come to the food pantry and get some food. We have training programs and resume help so we can assist them in getting a job. We can do more than just house them. This partnership can help people get back on their feet,” said Grisham.
Last summer the diocese took over the property and offered Bell the job of fixing it up and getting the operation back up and running. He lives in one of the units and has committed to live onsite for a year. He said the next step is to get community support. “We are trying to get the facility to a point where we can show it to the community and share our vision of what it could be so we can get the local churches, civic and county leaders involved.” The operation has a board at the diocesan level, but Bell is working to create a local advisory board. These board members would help with volunteers and fund-raising to hire more staff.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz blesses Bishop William Houck New Hope Village on Friday, Nov.3. A new partnership between the Diocese of Jackson, Sacred Heart Southern Missions and the community is giving new life to the homeless shelter. (Photos by Vickie Stirek)

Bishop Houck village

“This will continue the vision we had for the outreach to the poor of five counties in northern Mississippi,” said Hennen.
Currently two families and a handful of single men and single women are staying on the site. New Hope offers immediate overnight housing to anyone, but people can request to stay for 90 days. “During that time, the residents meet with me every week to tell me what they are doing to find a job,” said Bell. They can also take advantage of the social service office. If someone secures a job, but just can’t afford housing yet, they can apply to stay for up to nine months while they save money and seek housing.
“We are trying to give people a little breathing room – let them get a job and get a little money in their pockets without having to worry about rent or utilities for a little while,” said Bell. Several units on the site are still under renovation and Bell has plans to turn a larger building into a larger-capacity shelter for women and children. He takes on each renovation as its own project so he can continue to expand as he builds partnerships with the community and his board.
Bell is a general contractor. His daughter has volunteered to help with intakes and paperwork while she finishes school, but he hopes to add staff as funding sources come online. The charity can now accept donations to an account housed at the Bank of Holly Springs. Look for a facebook page in the coming weeks to keep up with progress.

Bishop Kopacz schedule

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Saturday, Nov. 10-19 – U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, General
Meeting, Baltimore, Md.
Saturday, Nov. 25, 4:30 and 5:15 p.m. – Confessions and Mass,
Jackson Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle
Sunday, Nov. 26, 9 a.m. – Feast Day Mass, Jackson Christ the King Parish
Thursday, Nov. 30 – Senior class visits, Natchez Cathedral School
Monday, Dec. 4 – Senior class visits, Madison St. Joseph School
Tuesday, Dec. 5 – Mass and visitation, Parchman Federal Penitentiary
Thursday, Dec. 7 – Senior class visits, Vicksburg Catholic School

Only public events are listed on this schedule and all events are subject to change.
Please check with the local parish for further details

Parish calendar of events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BROOKSVILLE Dwelling Place Retreat Center, “Praying Scripture through Lectio Divina,” an ancient practice of reading and praying Scripture, November 10-11, begins with 6:30 p.m. supper. There will be group time and periods of silence. Presenters: Mary Louise Jones and Claudia Addison. They facilitate a Lectio group at St. Richard. Donation: $180. Details: (662) 738-5348 or dwellpl@gmail.com.
CULLMAN, Ala., Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, Intensive Centering Prayer Weekend, November 10-12. Develop further the discipline of Centering Prayer and deepening your relationship with God. Prerequisite: Introduction to Centering Prayer. Cost: Private room $245. Details: contact Sister Magdalena Craig, OSB at (256) 615-6114, www.shmon.org.
LAFAYETTE Louisiana, Holy Spirit Women’s Retreat, January 26-28, 2018, Dr. Mary Healy and Father Bill Henry will be featured at the annual Holy Spirit Women’s Retreat at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lafayette, LA. The theme is “Gather in Upper Room with Mary.” There will also be a Life in the Spirit Seminar presented by Deacon Larry Oney, his wife Andi, and the CCRNO Team. Patti Mansfield will also be featured. This retreat is sponsored by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO) and serves hundreds of women from throughout the Gulf South. Weekend and Saturday commuters are welcome. Register online at www.ccrno.org or call (504) 828-1368.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

AMORY St. Helen, Parish Christmas dinner for all adults, Saturday, December 9. Annual celebration and honoring of grandparents will be at Mass on Sunday, December 10. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis of Assisi, Knights of Columbus spaghetti dinner, Thursday, November 16, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Pick up or dine in, Serio Hall. Cost: $9.00 per plate. Local delivery for six or more plates. Details: church office (601) 833-179.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Angel Tree. Outreach committee invites all to take part in this benefit for needy families for Christmas. During Advent, the tree with names and needs will be set up in the church entry. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
GRENADA St. Peter, Couples Gathering beginning monthly in January, possibly on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. rotating houses where the meeting is held. We will start with a book study on “Climbing the Mountain,” one of the Lay Apostle books. Books will have to be ordered by Dec 1. Details: Annette Tipton (662) 226-2490.
JACKSON St. Richard, Father Edward “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., will speak December 8-9 in Glynn Hall on “Christian Perspectives on War and Peace.” Father Malloy served as the 16th president of the University of Notre Dame from 1987 to 2005. He now serves as President Emeritus and is a full professor in the Department of Theology. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
LELAND St. James, Benefit Fish Fry for James “Jamie” Rutland, Jr., Thursday, November 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the parish hall. Cost: $10 per plate. Donations may be mailed to the church or dropped off at the church office. Details: church office (662) 686-7352.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, High School seniors are invited to take a Bible Break every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at M7 Coffee House in Ridgeland. Seniors are also invited to choose WOW on Wednesdays 6:30 – 8 p.m. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
– St. Anthony School, 9th annual Starry Night Gala, Saturday, December 9, 7-11 p.m. Live music, live and silent auctions, raffles, food. Details: Jennifer Schmidt, (601) 214-9656 or Jenniferschmidt819@yahoo.com
MERIDIAN St. Patrick, 20th Annual Musical and Variety Show, fashion show and dinner, Saturday, November 18, 6 p.m. Tickets: Reserved seating, $20; Adults open seating, $10 and children through high school, $5. Proceeds benefit St. Patrick School. Tickets available in the parish office or school office. Details: Dan Santiago (601) 917-7364 and Mary Yarger (601) 482-6044 for reserved tickets.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Parish Blood Drive, Tuesday, November 28, 12-5:30 p.m. at the O’Connor Family Life Center, Details: Regina Mardis at church office (601) 445-5616; Susan Nielsen (504) 258-6940 or online sign-up at www.unitedbloodservices.org.
PEARL St. Jude, Women’s Retreat, Saturday, November 18, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. “Spirituality for our Everyday Lives.” Retreat Leader: Father Lincoln Dall. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Sign-up sheets after Masses. Details: call Kelly at the church office (601) 939-3181.
YAZOO CITY St. Mary, History and implementation of the RCIA catechist certification class begins Tuesday, November 14, in the Parish Office from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Details: church office (662) 746-1680.

CORRECTION

A caption in the Oct. 27 Mississippi Catholic incorrectly identified a speaker at the diocesan Encuentro. Seminarian César Sánchez Fermín was leading the presentation in the photo. We apologize for the error.

Lunardini to join Catholic Charities as COO

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By Maureen Smith

John Lunardini, Catholic Charities COO

JACKSON – John Lunardini will step into the role of Chief Operating Officer at Catholic Charities, Inc., in Jackson on Monday, Nov. 20. Lunardini comes from the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association where he was the communications and business development director. Prior to his work in healthcare, he managed grants and programs for the Hinds County Human Resource Agency as the vice president of community programs.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz will remain at the agency as executive director, while Lunardini takes over much of the day-to-day work of operations and supervision. “John brings with him a wealth of experience in management, communications, IT and business development,” said Bishop Kopacz. “We are so glad he responded to the call,” he added.
Bishop Kopacz has been the executive director for about a year-and-a-half. “I am grateful that I got this opportunity to get an inside view of the operations at Charities. It is a good thing for a bishop to truly be immersed in the ministries of his diocese,” said the bishop. While he has enjoyed his tenure, Bishop Kopacz is happy to welcome a partner in the work.
Lunardini is a Jackson native and graduate of St. Richard and St. Joseph Catholic schools, but was not raised Catholic. His two children currently attend St. Richard and he and his wife love the community there. “We started digging down into ourselves to try and discover what we really wanted in our life,” he explained. They completed classes for the rite of Christian initiation for adults (RCIA) at Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish and entered the church a few years ago. “It was one of the best things we have ever done as a family,” he said.
Lunardini was not looking for a job, but his wife saw an announcement about the Catholic Charities position in their bulletin and urged him to apply. “Not only am I looking forward to being able to serve the greater good, but to be able to combine that with my faith – that’s not something everyone gets to do.”
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) has had a tremendous impact on Lunardini’s faith development. He says integrating the seven principles of CST is at the core of what he believes Catholic Charities does. He believes they transcend politics and give the faithful a way to connect with the world at large.
“I think we should be asking how we can talk to people about these seven core issues – they are not just Catholic issues, they are issues of life, they are for everybody,” he explained. The seven principles proclaim the life and dignity of the human person; a call to family, community and participation; rights and responsibilities; preferential option for the poor and vulnerable; the dignity of work and the rights of workers; solidarity and care for God’s creation.
Lunardini’s approach to management comes from an African proverb popularized by Boston Celtics player Doc Rivers, Ubuntu. It roughly translates to “I am because we are.” To Lunardini, this means the success of Catholic Charities is predicated on the success of each person and program in the agency. Part of the philosophy calls for individuals to consciously and actively encourage one other and find ways to partner to make the overall organization stronger. Since Catholic Charities operates a number of diverse programs, this support is crucial.
(Editor’s note: the press deadline for this edition of Mississippi Catholic was too close for complete coverage of the Journey of Hope events. Look for stories in the next edition.)

Students urged to consider vocation during campus ministry retreat

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By Maureen Smith

College students play an ‘icebreaker’ game with marshmallows as part of their fall retreat at Tishomingo State Park the last weekend in September. (Photos by Dawn McGinley)

TISHOMINGO – Three dozen college students from Mississippi State University and the Mississippi University for Women spent the weekend of Sept. 30- Oct 1 in Tishomingo State Park participating in the campus ministry fall retreat. Father Rusty Vincent, diocesan coordinator for college campus ministry, planned the weekend around the theme GPS, guidance, purpose, sent.
“The way myself and the team came to the theme was a discussion about many of the students need help finding direction in life,” explained Father Vincent. “Guidance was about discernment and how God is seeking to guide us in our lives. For purpose we divided the students into men and women, and we had talks about who we are and how that comes together with our discernment.”
“Being sent was meant to show that once we get clarity with our purpose, we are called to go into our world and our lives and share that joy with others,” he wrote in an email to Mississippi Catholic.

More than 30 students participated in the retreat with the theme GPS, guidance, purpose, sent.

He said the retreat team was hoping the students would consider the idea of discerning God’s will as they make decisions about their next steps in life. Dawn McGinley, coordinator for campus ministry at Mississippi State, said she feels blessed every day to work with Father Vincent and was excited to present the retreat.

 

 

Tishomingo

Parishes take celebrations outside to honor Mary in October

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By Maureen Smith
October is the month of the rosary and this year marked the 100th anniversary of Mary’s appearances in Fatima. Many parishes took advantage of cooler weather and clear skies to host outdoor celebrations honoring the Blessed Mother.
On the feast of the Holy Rosary, members of Grenada St. Peter Parish dedicated a new outdoor rosary garden. Their celebration included a rosary procession.
In Crystal Springs, Jackson and Natchez, several parishes took their beads outside, offering rosaries the weekend of Oct. 14-15 in honor of the Fatima anniversary. Even the cloistered community of Carmelite sisters in Jackson offered a rosary from their lawn.
A few pastors tied their prayers to the consecration of the diocese to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, which took place Sunday, Oct. 8. Bishop Joseph Kopacz urged pastors to consecrate their parishes as well. The effort places the new Pastoral Priorities in the care of Mary as parishes and pastors convene teams to work on their goals for thier communities.

NATCHEZ – Catholics from all area parishes gathered at the park near the Basilica of St. Mary to honor the Fatima anniversary with a rosary on Saturday, Oct. 14. (Photo courtesy of Regina Mardis)

GRENADA – Father Aroika Savio, pastor of St. Peter, leads the rosary procession to the new rosary garden behind the church. He was assisted by parishioner Madeline Liberto. (photo by Michael Liberto)

CRYSTAL SPRINGS – The community from St. John and St. Martin parishes prayed the rosary in downtown Crystal Springs on Saturday, Oct. 14, to mark 100 years since Mary appeared to a trio of children in Fatima, Portugal. More than three dozen parishioners participated in the procession and rosary. (Photo by Janice Stansell)

Foundation dinner honors Upchurch family

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – The Catholic Foundation continues to grow in membership and managed trusts. That was the message Foundation members received at the annual meeting and dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Jackson Country Club.
Executive director Rebecca Harris wrapped up the evening by presenting the Good Steward award to Loyce Upchurch Dykes and her children Cynthia Upchurch Hawkins; David, Michael and Robert Upchurch. The Upchurch family has been involved with the Catholic Foundation for many years. In 1997 they started the Vennis Ladell Upchurch Memorial Trust and then in 2014 they started the Loyce Upchurch Dykes Trust. Both trusts benefit Greenwood Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. The family has faithfully given to both trusts each year to help them grow.
The Good Steward Award was established in 2002 and named after the late Bishop William Houck in honor of his giving spirit.
Harris also recognized Pam McFarland, a longtime Foundation administrative assistant who is leaving her post to move closer to family.
Earlier in the evening, board members heard proposals for changes to the bylaws and received detailed annual reports. The Catholic Foundation manages trusts and endowments to benefit parishes and schools throughout the diocese.

 

Upchurch family photos by Maureen Smith

Upchurch family

Bishop Kopacz participates in Share the Journey campaign

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By Dennis Sadowski and Maureen Smith
JACKSON – A prayer here, a share on social media there, a voice of support in a letter to the editor, even a get-to-know-others potluck.
Supporting refugees and migrants can take many forms, and Pope Francis is hoping Catholics around the world will act over the next two years to encounter people on the move.
In the U.S., the church’s leading organizations have developed a series of activities, including prayers that families, parishes, schools and individuals can undertake during the Share the Journey campaign.
Share the Journey is an initiative of Caritas Internationalis, the global network of Catholic charitable agencies. It is meant to urge Catholics to understand and get to know refugees and migrants who have fled poverty, hunger, violence, persecution and the effects of climate change in their homeland.
U.S. partners in the effort are the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and its Migration and Refugee Services, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities USA.
Much of the effort will be focused on sharing stories about migrants and refugees, the struggles they face and why they chose to seek a better life elsewhere, said Kristin Witte, coordinator of domestic Catholic educational engagement at CRS, which is the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency.
“The hope is that through the stories that are presented, the images presented, that people will be moved from their place of comfort to a place of encounter. That’s what the church is calling us to. That’s what the pope is calling us to,” she said.
The coalition of Catholic organizations has developed a toolkit in English and Spanish that includes prayers, suggestions for activities for families, prayer groups, classrooms and clergy, and utilizing social media with references to #sharejourney.
One of the suggestions in the toolkit is for bishops to meet with refugees living in their dioceses. Bishop Joseph Kopacz took up the challenge, hosting a meet and greet with Edgar Lopez and Mariamparo Arias de Lopez in the Catholic Charites office near downtown Jackson on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
The Lopez family fled their native Venezuela two-and-a-half years ago. Edgar Lopez lost his job as a chemical engineer and he says political turmoil left him unable to get a new one for 12 years. The couple’s son was a baseball standout and had landed a scholarship to Belhaven University so they decided to come to Mississippi.
“I always felt that God was leading my journey to this country. After all we lived through in our country and when we came here we would always pray, ‘OK God, it’s in your hands, show us the way, and help us to find the better person who can help us,’ because we want to stay legally in this country,” said Mariamparo. That person ended up being former Mississippi Católico editor Elsa Baughman, who urged the couple to seek help from Catholic Charities’ Migrant Resource Center.
With help from attorney Amelia McGowan, they have received work permits and both have found jobs at different restaurants. They are waiting on approval of their political asylum. Bishop Kopacz commented on how hard they have worked to assimilate into the culture in America – working to learn the language and fit into their new home. Both say working in restaurants has helped them get over their fears of speaking English.
“We want to learn everything, we want to get involved in the culture and the community and we want to give back too,” said Edgar. He said the staff at the Migrant Resource Center has become family.
“It was an act of faith that brought us here. Because we are not young. But you have to make a decision to leave everything behind. We left our property, we left our family, we left our friends,” he added. The couple has two grown children. One still lives in Venezuela where she works as a translator.
Despite their struggles, the pair credit their faith and help from their new ‘family’ at Catholic Charities with their success. “Here, we have security, stability and freedom that we don’t have in our country, but the most important thing I have now is my new rela

Edgar Lopez and Mariamparo Arias de Lopez meet with Bishop Joseph Kopacz in the Catholic Charities. The family moved from their native Venezuela two years ago. (Photo by Maureen Smith)

tionship with God, a more powerful one. I see God acting in my life and my son’s life and my daughter’s life,” said Mariamparo.
Mark Priceman, communications for the bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services, said the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that about 22 million people are on the move around the world, making the Christian community’s awareness and response to their situation critical.

 

Workshop explores how technology, addiction impact ministry

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Sister Lynn Levo, CSJ, presented a two-day workshop on internet addiction to three dozen priests, deacons and lay ministers Oct. 10-11 in Jackson. Sister Levo spent a decade at St. Luke Institute, a psychological treatment center for priests and religious. As a psychologist, her specialty is human development, especially as it relates to technology and sexuality.
“We have to look at the time in which we are living,” said Sister Levo. She explained that two major movements are happening right now – societal chaos and rapidly evolving technology. “We are seeing not change, but a deconstruction (of cultural institutions). This is a time of chaos and endings and real desire and need for new beginnings,” she explained. Set within this context, technology, including social media and what kind of content is available on the internet, is exploding. “Technology is not a bad thing. The challenging part is that it is coming so quickly, changing almost daily,” she said.
She hopes her workshop helped ministers realize that technology and this rapid evolution is here to stay and that it can “enhance a person’s life, but not be a substitute for it.” Sister Levo has seen the impact technology can have on ministry and ministers as their congregations grapple with some of the darker aspects of it.
The ministers brought their own concerns and issues to the workshop – even impacting some of the material presented. “One of the things I most appreciated about her was that she would go away from her prepared material to address questions or remarks,” said Pam Minninger, lay ecclesial minister for Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish.
Minninger said she and her fellow ministers really opened up to talk about topics they may not have brought up unless this opportunity presented itself. Topics ranged from pornography and its impact on men and young people; how to address same-sex marriage; transgender questions and social media challenges. Sister Levo was able to use her background in social science to speak about these issues from both scientific and pastoral viewpoints. She said she tries to run a relaxed workshop so ministers would feel comfortable bringing up any topic impacting their ministry or community.
“Technology is affecting our lives and our relationships. It affects our families and our ability to communicate,” said Minninger.
The committee plans to offer a workshop on homiletics in January and will continue to seek topics to assist those in ministry throughout the diocese.

JACKSON – Priests from across the diocese listen to a presentation on internet addiction on Oct. 11. (Photo by Maureen Smith)