JACKSON – Msgr. Michael Flannery sells a copy of his book “Saltillo Mission,” outside St. Richard Parish on Sunday, Oct. 8. Msgr. Flannery is touring parishes to speak about the book detailing the history of the Mexican mission under the care of the diocese for many years. Copies are available at the Carmelite gift shop. (Photo by Maureen Smith)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
BROOKSVILLE, Dwelling Place Retreat Center, “Praying Scripture through Lectio Divina” November 10-11, begins with 6:30 p.m. supper. an ancient practice of reading and praying Scripture. There will be group time and periods of silence. Presenters: Mary Louise Jones, retired teacher at Milsaps College and Claudia Addison, who has lead retreats and was associated with Spirit Lifting Ministries. Donation: $180. Details: (662) 738-5348 or dwellpl@gmail.com.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
BATESVILLE, St. Mary, Rummage Sale, Saturday, November 4, 7 a.m. Details: Daniel Brennflect (662) 801-3760 if you need help transporting items too large or the church office (662) 563-2273 for other information.
GREENVILLE, Sacred Heart, Harvest Festival fish fry, Saturday, November 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Take out or eat in. Donations are $10. Details: church office (662) 332-0891.
HERNANDO, Holy Spirit, Weight Loss Support Group, Tuesday mornings 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. for weigh-in and sharing. Details: Liz Brown, (901) 331-3419.
Holy Spirit, blessing of veterans at all Masses on the weekend of November 11-12. We encourage all veterans to wear something to indicate their branch of military service. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON, St. Peter Cathedral, Fall Gala, Saturday, November 11, 6:30 – 10 p.m. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
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 professor in the Department of Theology. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
Habitat for Humanity, work continues on Catholic Build #32 at 2839 Greenview Drive. Volunteers are needed on all shifts. Details: Tyna McNealy (601) 353-6060 or tmcnealy@habitat.mca.org.
MERIDIAN, St. Patrick, 20th annual Musical and Variety Show, Fashion Show and dinner, Saturday, November 18, 6 p.m. Tickets: Reserved seating $20; open seating: adults $10 and children thru 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
YOUTH BRIEFS
JACKSON, Sister Thea Bowman School, Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough fundraiser is underway. Proceeds to benefit instructional and operational activities. Last day to sell is November 3. Details: Shae Robinson or school office (601) 352-5441.
JACKSON, St. Richard, Young Adults meet every Tuesday 7-9 p.m. in the Mercy Room. If you are between the ages of 21-35 and would like to join or learn more, email strichardyoungadults@gmail.com.
MADISON, St. Anthony School, 9th annual Starry Night Gala, Saturday, December 9, 7-11 p.m., with a VIP cocktail hour and auction preview from 6-7 p.m. Live music, live and silent auctions, raffles, food by the Knights of Columbus and area restaurants. The attire will be cocktail, festive Christmas with a holiday atmosphere. Details: Jennifer Schmidt, (601) 214-9656 or Jenniferschmidt819@yahoo.com
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. Joseph School Open House: Sunday, November 5 at 2:00p.m. Details:: Tricia Harris, (601) 898.4803 or tharris@stjoebruins.com.
St. Joseph School, Save the Date, Jeans Jazz and Bruin Blues annual fundraiser, Saturday, February 3, 2018. The Draw Down team is needs both family and business sponsors. Details: Marcie Ralston, (601) 214-9809, Bobbie Simpson, (601) 953-6365 or Tricia Harris, (601) 898-4803 or tharris@stjoebruins.com).
PEARL, St. Jude, Catholic citizenship essay contest, sponsored by St. Jude Knights of Columbus, open to students in 8-12 grades. Theme: Going to the Peripheries, 500-750 word essay. Prizes: first place from each grade wins $50. Registration forms can be picked up from Stacy Wolf in the church office. Deadline: November 1. Details: dunaway.rooks@teamrevell.com.
JACKSON Catholic Charities, Solomon Counseling Center is in need of volunteer receptionists. Details: Kim Thomason (601) 326-3760.
PRO-LIFE MISSISSIPPI TRIP
JACKSON, Pro-Life Mississippi is sponsoring a four day, three night trip to Washington, DC., for the 45th annual 2018 March for Life event scheduled for January 19, 2018. The cost of the bus and hotel is $350 per person. Registration, including a deposit, is due Dec 8. Details: Please call or text Mary (914) 466-4627 or text Dana (601) 260-0746.
JACKSON – Catholic Charities is pleased to welcome Father Burke Masters to this year’s Journey of Hope meet-and-greet on Monday, Nov. 6 at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and then to the Journey of Hope lunch the following day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Jackson convention complex.
The two-day Journey of Hope event is one of the biggest fund-raisers staged by Catholic Charities every year. The Monday evening meet-and-greet is $25 per person and runs from 6-8 p.m. This gathering gives people a chance to get up close with the speaker and get a preview of the luncheon event. The lunch starts at noon and is free to anyone. Table captains host attendees, inviting them to make an offering at the end of the program. Michael Thomas, development director for Catholic Charities makes the promise every year to keep the event to an hour so working people can always attend.
Father Masters has strong ties to Mississippi – he was part of the Mississippi State Bulldog baseball team that played in the College World Series and was nominated as one of the top student athletes in the college’s history. His vocation story is unusual since he was not raised Catholic. According to an interview he gave to Our Sunday Visitor in 2016, he went to a Catholic high school in his home state of Illinois because it offered strong academics and the opportunity to further his ambition of becoming a professional baseball player.
Father Masters became Catholic his senior year of high school, but continued to pursue baseball, earning accolades throughout his college career. God, it would seem, had other plans. He played for one professional team, tried his hand at team management and then went into the business world. He had a girlfriend and was living what he thought was a pretty normal life. He told OSV his call to the priesthood started when his girlfriend took him to Eucharistic adoration for the first time. He describes it as God’s gentle, persistent call.
After seminary, he worked in parishes in the Diocese of Joliet, Ill. Now, he is on the vocations team, helping other young men respond to God’s call to the priesthood. He also serves as the chaplain to the Chicago Cubs so he can stay connected to his love for baseball.
Tickets for the meet-and-greet are still available as are positions for table captains and seats at the luncheon. Contact Julie O’Brien at 601-326-3758 to purchase or reserve a place at both events.
MADISON — Seminarian César Sánchez Fermín speaks to the presenters during the V Encuentro meeting in Madison. V Encuentro is a four-year process to advance Hispanic ministry in the church in America. See more photos in the Mississippi Catolico this week. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)
By Elsa Baughman
TUPELO/MADISON – The Office of Hispanic Ministry has offered two diocesan Encuentros as part of the national V Encuentro process. The first was Saturday, Oct. 7, at Tupelo St. James Parish. Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish hosted the second on Saturday, Oct. 21. About 200 people attended each event, many of them youth.
The V Encuentro is a four-year process. It starts at the parish level with teams who receive training to learn how to go into their communities and seek those living in the margins. The point is to find out what issues and concerns people are facing in their specific communities and come up with ways their parishes or dioceses can help address them. The teams then take their results to the diocesan level. The next step is a regional and then national Encuentro. (See page 11 for related story.)
Bishop Joseph Kopacz attended the Encuentro in Madison and concelebrated Mass with four other priests. In his homily, he said that the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Jackson are blessed with the presence of Hispanics in this country. “It is with great joy that I heard today that the Encuentro is in the heart of the mission of our diocese,” he said. “It is very important to inspire the disciples and embrace their diversity. I invite you to live the gospel in your hearts, with your families, in your places of work, in society, always looking for justice, peace, compassion, community and solidarity with our brothers.”
The basic program for the diocesan meetings was the same in both parishes. The first presentation was a short explaination of the Encuentro process, its spirituality and objectives. Participants go through a process of evangelization so they can contribute to the result and seek input from others. The Hispanic Ministry team wanted all Hispanic Catholics to feel welcome and all team members to become authentic missionary disciples.
Speakers also presented the ties between the Encuentro process and the new diocesan Pastoral Priorities. Bishop Joseph Kopacz presented the Priorities early this year. They include a new vision statement to serve others, inspire disciples and embrace diversity. The three priorities focus on creating, inviting and reconciling communities, facilitating the life-long formation of intentional disciples and proclaiming the gospel. In Tupelo, it was addressed by Father Octavio Escobar and in Madison by Maribel Melo.
The second presentation consisted of a personal testimony of conversion and missionary commitment. In Tupelo, it was presented in the form of an interview by Danna Johnson and Sandra Almanza. In Madison, Gerardo Hernandez, a member of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, shared how Jesus transformed his life.
Each of the two presentations were followed by small group sessions to discuss the obstacles and needs the parish teams brought to the meeting.
According to the organizers, the most important aspect of this V Encuentro is that Hispanics have been the protagonists in the process – participating actively in the parish groups, visiting the peripheries, sharing their faith and being authentic missionary disciples.
The process invites participants to share their aspirations, dreams and the gifts and talents they can offer in their communities to benefit the kingdom of God.
At the meeting in Madison, needs the groups identified included: youth groups, support and training for families, classes for adults and catechists, childcare, more priests who speak Spanish, and support groups in parishes in times of emergency.
In Tupelo pastoral care of youth, the need to work together with other cultures, the importance of formation classes for all ages were among the concerns.
For Reina Magaña the sessions of the V Encuentro were a process of conversion. “They have given me more confidence to speak in public and to see the reality around me,” she said. “Today I feel more confident about myself.”
Ana Mora de Lange, a member of Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish, mentioned that her parish is working to embrace diversity with events such as “the Taste of St. Francis” in which families prepare food from their countries of origin. “This makes us feel that in the church we are all one body, no matter where we come from.” She also noted that two years ago the parish began celebrating the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe and offering a Mexican Advent celebration called las Posadas in December.
Among other successful practices in their parishes attendees mentioned the Christian Family Movement, the prayer group Emmaus, catechism classes, and praise celebrations.
Eva Sanchez, from Jackson St. Therese Parish, shared that she was very happy to be participating in the V Encuentro. “It has helped me to deepen my faith and be a witness of the love of God,” she said.
By the end of the sessions, the groups selected the issues most important to them to send to the next step in the process. Their issues included: youth ministry, evangelization, vocation promotion, creation of inviting and reconciling communities and continuous life-long formation of disciples.
The diocesan Hispanic ministry team will present the results of these sessions first to Bishop Kopacz, then they and a team of local delegates will participate at the regional level in February 2018 and finally in the National Encuentro in September of the same year. Later, a national report will be submitted to the U.S. bishops.
Maria Susana de Mejía, a member of Corinth St. James Parish, participated in the Encuentro in Tupelo. “I liked everything, from the animation by seminarian Cesar Sanchez Fermin, Father Octavio’s presentation, the short dynamic played by the two women in the form of an interview and the sharing in small groups. The Lord amazed me,” she said.
For Mayra Martinez from Tupelo St. James Parish, the Encuentro was an unforgettable experience. “To be able to share with people from other communities, exchange our views and experiences, learn about each one’s needs and seeing how we can work on them was very important,” she said.
Sister Maria Elena Méndez, MGSpS, from the Hispanic Ministry team for the diocese, thanked all those, from the bishop to the pastors to the people in the parishes, for all they have contributed to the process.
“We have a lot of work to do on the basis of these needs and the diocesan priorities,” she said. “The V Encuentro has helped us to see the specific needs of Hispanics in this diocese and ways to integrate solutions in concrete ways through the Pastoral Priorities.”
(Editor’s note: Sister Maria Elena Méndez collaborated with this story. See more photos in this week’s Mississippi Católico.)
JACKSON – During the last weekend of September, Holy Family Parish celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding. Saturday evening parishioners, pastors, catechists and graduates gathered for a gala dinner. Sister Michele Doyle, sitting in the center, who teaches now sits with Corinne Anderson. Joyce Brasfield-Adams, who works in faith formation for the parish, is visible in the back. Harrison Hart, parishioner, and Msgr. Elvin Sunds, who lived at the parish for many years, catch up. At left, Johnnie P. and Houston Patton reminisced about sending their children to Holy Family School. (Photos by Art Pulliam)
By Maureen Smith
MADISON – Residents of Campbell Cove at St. Catherine’s Village enjoyed a day in their honor during a Paint the Town Purple event Friday, Sept. 29. October is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month so the staff wanted to host something to honor members of their community with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. Campbell Cove is dedicated to serving those with dementia.
Latoya Thomas, a social worker at St. Catherine’s, got the idea when she attended a Mississippi Department of Mental Health event several years ago. She said she wanted the residents to get a day just for them. The staff organized carnival-themed games, such as balloon volleyball and a bean bag toss. Everyone enjoyed carnival food including cotton candy and nachos.
In addition to celebrating current residents, the staff invited the families of those who have died of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia to honor their memories with prayer and a balloon release. Chris Young, a rehabilitation technician, read their names. “This event gave me a lot of clarity about the ones we have lost to Alzheimer’s. I personally know all the ones on the list because I helped them in their therapy so all of them meant a lot to me because I had one-on-one relationships with them,” he said.
“Today we enjoyed a wonderful event. Every day we get to spend with our seniors is just a joy and with our seniors who have dementia our motto is just to meet them where they are every day and celebrate moments of joy along their journey. It’s a blessing and a joy to be with our elders, said Lisa Wilburn, the director of Campbell Cove.
(St Catherine’s Village offers levels of care from independent living to nursing home care.)
Congratulations to the Bank Plus team from the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, winners of the 35th Annual Catholic Foundation Bishop’s Cup golf tournament, held on Thursday, Sept 15 at Lake Caroline.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will benefit the newly established George Roman Charitable Trust. This trust, established by the Bishop’s Cup Committee in honor of George Roman’s work, will fund grant projects from parishes, schools and organizations around our diocese. Through the guidance of George Roman, Executive Director of The Catholic Foundation from 1992-2008, the Bishop’s Cup golf tournament flourished.
Please mark your calendars for the 36th annual Bishop’s Cup September 13, 2018. Next year the proceeds will benefit the Reverend Patrick Noonan Memorial Trust. Father Noonan, who served in parishes all across the diocese, played in the Bishop’s Cup each year and was a huge supporter of the Foundation. His newly established trust will fund projects around our diocese for parishes and schools.
Congratulations Bank Plus – playing for the Cathedral of St. Peter
By Christopher Luke
JACKSON – #iGiveCatholic returns to the Diocese of Jackson on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The one-day giving blitz offers parishes, schools and organizations a chance to raise money online with support from the Catholic Foundation and the iGiveCatholic organization. Twenty-eight people completed the first training for participants on Wednesday, September 27, in Jackson. Training will continue until the final session, a webinar set for Tuesday, October 24, at 2 p.m.
During this mandatory training, representatives will learn how to register their ministry on the #iGiveCatholic website, promote the giving day using volunteers, social media, newsletters, emails, bulletin announcements, etc., and thanking and following-up with donors.
Trena Robinson, Director of Advancement and Communications/Public Relations for the Mound Bayou St. Gabriel Mercy Center is participating for a second year. “Attending the #iGiveCatholic training session was very informative. I learned about the new requirements as well as the updated technology guidelines. The marketing ideas session was very intriguing,” she said. “Examples of how to reach more donors through the use of social media were given.” Last year, the proceeds from #iGiveCatholic were used towards the renovation of the cafeteria at St. Gabriel. This year, the proceeds will be allocated to a new roof on the learning center.
#iGiveCatholic is a 24-hour online crowdfunding effort that is held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The Catholic Foundation has made this opportunity possible by paying the entry fee for the entire diocese. The campaign involves 16 total arch/dioceses with a goal to raise $3.5 million in gifts. The goal for the Catholic Diocese of Jackson is $150,000. #iGiveCatholic isn’t just a fund-raiser. It is also an opportunity for the Catholic community to affirm its faith as disciples of Jesus Christ by sharing gifts out of love for God and one another.
In 2016, the campaign included the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Biloxi, and Austin, Texas. This year the campaign has extended to the Archdioceses of Atlanta, Ga., Kansas City, Kan., and Mobile, Ala., the Dioceses of Helena, Mont., Knoxville and Memphis, Tenn., Lexington and Owensboro, Ky., Lubbock, Texas, and Paterson, N.J.
Last year, donors exceeded the $1.5 million goal, giving $1.8 million dollars with a total of 6,826 gifts. The Catholic Diocese of Jackson raised $132,736 from 1,019 givers.
How does #iGiveCatholic work? Donors will visit iGiveCatholic.org, the online platform and search for their participating parishes, schools, ministries, and not-for-profit organizations. From November 10-26, donors can schedule gifts to their favorite ministry. Donors can also donate on the actual giving day. Leaderboards on the website will keep track of donations to each organization. The minimum donation is $25.00 and there is no maximum.
Parish, school, or not-for-profit organization representatives have a little time left to sign up for the effort. All it requires is a training session and some enthusiasm. Contact Christopher Luke at 601-960-8481 or email at cluke@jacksondiocese.org to get details.
Rendering of shelter layout. (Graphic courtesy of Catholic Charities)
(Editor’s note: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Catholic Charities has offered a way out for those in abusive situations for decades through counseling, advocacy and a shelter for women and children hoping to break the cycle of abuse. Bishop Joseph Kopacz recently announced that the shelter will soon have a new home. The bishop submitted the following reflection to area publications describing the new operation and inviting the community to step in and help.)
We at Catholic Charities are excited to know that in the near future the goal of a new domestic violence shelter will be realized in the city of Jackson. Early 2018, a newly renovated building will be providing a safe haven for adults and children suffering from the trauma of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Catholic Charities has provided this critical service since the 1980s and very soon we will be able to do so in a building specifically designed to serve this vulnerable population. It is challenging enough for an adult to leave a destructive relationship, but it is daunting to do so with children and youth who may or may not understand the gravity of the situation.
Our new shelter will be able to serve the children at each developmental stage while their parent or caregiver receives the support to begin again. We are so grateful for our dedicated staff at Catholic Charities who accompany our brothers and sisters, as well as for our benefactors whose generosity allows us to further our mission to serve and empower. Together we are a visible sign of Christ’s love.
The facility will be divided into three main functions: the housing area, a childcare center and offices for the administrative staff. The shelter will include eight bedrooms beautifully designed to meet the individual needs of the family. Staff members will be housed on-site to assist victims 24-hours a day. Other amenities will include a therapeutic group and counseling area, a suite of offices to assist victims, a family room, dining area and bathing facilities. The shelter will be confidentially located and will serve Copiah, Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Issaquena, Sharkey, Simpson, Yazoo and Warren counties.
The childcare program will offer individual and therapeutic groups/intervention to 35 children ranging in ages from six weeks to 12-years old. Trained staff and teachers will work in the program. The childcare program will offer enrichment activities with a well-designed playground in the rear of the building. Finally, a commercial-grade food preparation area will be onsite to prepare meals and snacks for the victims and children.
Work continues to make the shelter both safe and welcoming. The next step is to find partners in that effort. Contact the program directors for more information on how your parish, school, youth group or office can help in the final touches by calling 601-326-3714 or 601-326-3758.
Those who wish to help can also participate in the Purple Dress Run, an evening 5-K walk and run, Thursday, Oct. 19, at Hal and Mal’s in downtown Jackson. Register online by clicking the icon at www.catholiccharitiesjackson.org.
