Father Pradeep Thirumalareddy is appointed pastor of Batesville St. Mary Parish effective June 11.
Father Raju Macherula is appointed associate pastor of Tupelo St. James Parish effective August 1.
Father Rusty Vincent has been appointed as coordinator of the office of Campus Ministry for the diocese. He remains associate pastor of Starkville St. Joseph Parish.
PEARL –Bishop Joseph Kopacz threw the first pitch in the Mississippi Braves baseball game on Thursday, June 8, during Catholic night sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. (Photo by Elwin Williams)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus Spirituality Center, “Then Sings My Soul” inner healing retreat, Friday, July 21, 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cost is $60. Details: Magdalene Abraham, (662) 299-1232.
GRENADA St. Peter, Save the Date, Saturday, October 7, Adult Retreat. More details will be forthcoming. Details: church office (662) 226-2490.
JACKSON Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Eucharistic celebration, Sunday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. Carmelite Monastery Chapel, followed by a reception on the front lawn. Father Jeremy Tobin, OPraem, will be the main Celebrant and Deacon Denzil Lobo will be the homilist. Join the sisters before the feast for novena Masses: Sunday, July 9 – 11 a.m.
Monday-Friday, July 10-14 – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday July 15 – 9:30 a.m.
Details: (601) 373-1460.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Save the Date, Fall Bazaar, Saturday September 30, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Volunteers needed to set up before and help the day of the bazaar. Details: Barbara Smith (662) 233-4833 or (901) 413-8102.
JACKSON Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, graphic artist needed to volunteer on a special project. Details: Cathedral office (601) 969-3125 or (601) 613-2430.
– St. Richard, monthly Bereavement Support Group “Life is Changed Not Ended”, Thursday, July 13, 6:30 p.m. in the Mercy Room. Speaker: Rev. Ann McLemore, associate rector at St. James’ Episcopal Church. Rev. McLemore has been an Episcopal priest for 20 years and has been devoted to helping those who have lost loved ones since her husband’s death eight years ago. Open to all. Details: Suzie Cranston, (601) 982-5464, Linda Lalor (601) 853-8840, or Nancy McGhee (601) 942-2078 or email ncmcghee@bellsouth.net.
MADISON 2017 Mississippi Drug Summit, July 11-13 at Broadmoor Baptist Church. Summit to focus on opioid and herion abuse. Open to counselors, advocates, social workers and attorneys. Continuing education credits available to clinicians. Details: www.drugsummit.com.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Blood Drive, Tuesday, July 18, noon – 5:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
– American Choral Association Directors Concert, Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m., free and open to the public. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
STARKVILLE St. Joseph Parish, Billings Ovulation Method, Natural Family Planning Teacher training, July 20-23, Registration fee covered by the Catholic Diocese of Jackson for Catholics. Deadline to register is July 11. Cost: Food/beverage – $50 per person (July 20 dinner included, other evening meals on your own). Details: Mrs. Carmen Wilder, (662) 341-8865, sue@boma-usa.org, (651) 699-8139 or www.boma-usa.org and select the Teacher Training tab.
VICKSBURG St. Michael, Meals on Wheels, the parish serves the elderly of their community on the second Friday of each month. Next service day is Friday, July 14 at 8 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Need volunteers to help with cooking, boxing, delivering meals or donating a dessert, salad or bread. Details: Carrie Meyer (601) 218-1007 or Jennifer Vincent at (601) 529-3230.
YOUTH EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen parishioners have been invited by First United Methodist Church to adult Vacation Bible School on July 10-12, 9 a.m. – noon, includes lunch. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
MADISON St. Joseph School, Summer Camps:
Basketball Camp: 3rd – 8th grades for girls and boys, July 17-19. Details: Coach West, (313) 355-3973 or St. Joseph School (601) 898-4800.
Cheerleader Camp: Rising 1st – 6th graders, July 17-19. Details Emily Toulomelis ebechtold@stjoebruins.com
Spirit Stepper Camp: rising 1st – 6th graders, July 17-19. Details: Leslie Ann Harkins lharkins@stjoebruins.com.
TUPELO St. James, Vacation Bible School “SUPER SAINTS”, July 17-21. Registration forms are in the back of the church and in the office. Details: Dori, (662) 316-1461 if you can volunteer.
Save the Date
MADISON Faith Formation Day, Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m – 3 p.m. at St. Joseph High School. The Department of Faith Formation invites parish and school catechists, RCIA team members, youth ministers, DREs/CREs, Adult Education Leaders and all who are interested in faith formation for a day of enrichment and education. Look for details in coming weeks.
IN MEMORIAM
Ursuline Sister Louise Marie Willenbrink, died June 21 at the age of 82 in Louisville, Kentucky. She entered the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in 1954. She earned a BA degree in English from Ursuline College, Louisville, in 1958 and a MA degree in English from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 1964. Sister also studied at Spalding University, Louisville; and Trinity Washington University (then Trinity College) in Washington, DC. Sister Louise taught at Saint Mary School and Saint Joseph High School in Jackson from 1965 to 1969.
Visitation was at the Ursuline Motherhouse June 26, followed by a Vigil Service. The Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on June 27 in the Motherhouse Chapel with burial in St. Michael Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Ursuline Sisters and mailed to the Mission Advancement Office, 3105 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
BROOKSVILLE Dwelling Place Retreat Center, Associate Weekend, August 18-20. It will be a time to share our common vision and ministry, support one another in prayer, renew our commitments for another year, welcome new friends and plan for the future. Begins with supper at 6:30. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com.
CULLMAN, Ala Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, Five-Day Directed Retreat, August 7-11. Enjoy silence, scheduled consultations with a spiritual director and personal reflection and prayer. Retreat Directors: Sister Mary McGehee, OSB, Sister Treva Heinberg, OSB and Sister Priscilla Cohen, OSB. Cost: private room $470. Details: Sister Elisabeth Meadows, OSB; Director, www.shmon.org or (256) 734-8302.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY
JACKSON St. Peter Cathedral, Bingo Party, Saturday July 15. Details: Laura Tarbutton, ltarbutton@cathedralsaintpeter.org..
– St. Richard, Save the date – Level II church history class, 9:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: August 15, 22 and 29, and September: 5, 12 and 19. Facilitator: Mary Louise Jones. The class will use “The Catholic Church through the Ages” by John Vidmar, OP. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Loyola Theology Study, first course begins Friday, September 15. Details: contact the church office (601) 445-5616 or Donna Martello, Program Coordinator@cableone.net by June 30.
TUPELO North Mississippi Health Services, Volunteers are needed in many areas of health care. Details: Jessica Vaughn at (662) 871-5033 or jvaughnii@aol.com.
YAZOO CITY McCoy Elementary Cafetorium, “Revive Yazoo” city-wide revival. June 26-30 at 7 p.m. Guest speakers include Bishop Edward Duke, Butterworth, South Africa; Pastor Rickey Musgrove, Edmond, Oklahoma; and Dr. Robert and Pastor Pam Armstrong, Springfield, Illinois. Flyers at the St. Mary church entrance. Details: church office (662)-746-1680.
– St. Mary, An eight-week Catholic Bible study will be offered in September. Details: Diane Melton at (662) 746-1680.
YOUTH BRIEFS
AMORY St. Helen, Vacation Bible School, held in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church, July 9-11, from 5-8 p.m. There will be a cookout on Wednesday, July 12, at 6 p.m. for both congregations. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
GRENADA St. Peter, If anyone is interested in organizing Vacation Bible School and getting a team together for one week this summer. The church can provide a program with all the details needed to pull it off. Details: Annette Tipton (662) 226-2490.
TUPELO St. James, Homework, July 26-29. Open to youth going into grades 6-12. They will have games, service projects, guest speakers and more. There is no cost. Forms are at the back of the church, in the church office, or available by email. Adult Volunteers needed. Details: Dori Stearns, (662) 842-4881 or st-james-cyo@comcast.net.
JUBILEES
Sister Patricia “Pat” Clemen
Sister Patricia “Pat” Clemen, a Sister of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa, is set to celebrate her Golden Jubilee on Saturday, June 24, at Mount St. Francis Center in Dubuque.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, and Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala. In 1978 Sister Pat moved to Mississippi and currently resides in Morton. From 1988-2008 she volunteered as DRE/RCIA Director at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. Presently, Sister Pat is Quality Improvement Director at Sta-Home Health and Hospice in Jackson and volunteers at Excel Learning Center in Morton teaching CPR.
The following School Sisters of St. Francis, Wilwaukee celebrated Jubilees on June 17:
Sister Noel (Renelle) LeClaire (70 years) was born in Escanaba, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Alverno College, Milwaukee, a Master of Religious Education degree from Regis College in Boston, a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Institute of Regina Mundi in Rome, and a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Marquette University, Milwaukee. In the Diocese of Jackson, she served in Holly Springs as a social worker at Sacred Heart Southern Missions (1992-1994) and at a social service agency (1994-2005). Sister resides in Milwaukee.
Sister Maria Ann (Esther) Raef (70 years) was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee and graduated as a certified nursing assistant from Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. She taught at Sacred Heart School, Walls (1959-1965). Sister resides in Milwaukee.
Sister Margaret Sue (Vincens) Broker (60 years) was born in Frankenstein, Missouri. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Alverno College, Milwaukee, a Master of Science degree in Education from Memphis State University, Tennessee, and a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala. She taught at Sacred Heart School, Walls (1961-1994) where she also served as principal (1994-1996) and worked as a member of the development staff (1996-1999). Sister is now a teacher at Sacred Heart School, Southaven (1999-present).
Sister Sheila (Charmond) Kloss (60 years) was born in Chicago, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Alverno College, Milwaukee, and a Master of Arts degree in Education from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago. She served as principal of CADET School, Holly Springs (1969-1986). Sister resides in Idyllwild, California.
Cards for the last four sisters may be mailed to the sister’s name, ATTN: Jubilee Committee, 1515 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53215.
NATCHEZ – Loyola Ministry Institute, New Orleans, will offer a graduate theology program under the sponsorship of St. Mary Basilica beginning September 2017, according to Father David O’Connor, pastor. The course work will be offered at the St. Mary Family Life Center, 613 Main St., Natchez.
Applicants may earn a master’s degree in religious education or pastoral studies, a diploma in theology and ministry or work on acquiring continuing education certificates in religious education or pastoral studies. Only those pursuing a master’s degree are required to do major research and write papers.
The entire program consists of 12 courses. The first six are presented in Natchez, and the remaining courses will be offered online. The later six courses may be done individually or in a local group setting. The course content, process and methodology is prepared by Loyola Institute of Ministry and will be facilitated by Ruth Powers on behalf of Loyola.
Participants will meet 10 times for each three-hour course. The day and time of these weekly meetings will be agreed on when the class members meet for the first time, possibly on a Monday evening. Library facilities are provided by St. Mary Basilica. Participants are expected to bring their life experiences to the study and will have the support of the study group. Each participant is expected to spend two to three hours of personal study between class meetings.
This program was offered 2009-2013 in Natchez. Members of that graduating class were: Gabriel Cassagne, Karen Verruchi, Charles Garrity, Ann Elizabeth Kaiser, Camille Durkin, Ginger Cowart, Wilbur Johnson, L.D. Lange, Valencia Hall and Sue Junkin.
“This study program not only gave me an in-depth understanding of the church teachings but also a new appreciation for my Catholic faith,” said Garrity.
Carrie Lambert, St. Mary Youth Director, is registered for the upcoming program.
“I want a master’s degree in religious education for my youth ministry so that I can be a better informed leader among the younger population,” she explained.
Father O’Connor commented, “This theology program is an opportunity for teachers to earn a master’s degree without leaving home, for clergy and parish leaders who are interested in continuing education, and for church members seeking personal updating and enrichment.”
The deadline for registration is July 15. Interested individuals should contact Donna Martello at St. Mary Basilica (601) 445-5616 or email her at ProgramCoordinator@cableone.net.
(Submitted by Father David O’Connor, pastor of Nachez St. Mary Basilica.)
By Fran Lavelle
LOUISVILLE – Another great week was had Lake Tiak O’Khata for the Pastoral Ministries Workshop. The workshop sessions, Mass, retreat opportunities and social time all provided a relaxed learning environment for catechists, parish leaders and those seeking to deepen their faith. This annual offering is part of the certification program for catechists offered by the Office of Faith Formation. Participants take classes together in a certain sequence in order to learn and form relationships and to support one another in their ministries.
A huge thanks to Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Kevin Slattery and Father John Bohn for celebrating Mass for us during the week. Many participants stated that being able to have Mass every day really added to the overall effectiveness of the week. This year included fifteen Year I participants, a big jump from years past. Their cohort certainly started strong and no doubt will finish strong.
We congratulate Rhonda Bowden of Pearl St. Jude Parish. Amy Brooks of Jackson St. Peter Parish, Dave Monts of Starkville St. Joseph Parish and Patti Greene of Canton Sacred Heart and Gluckstadt Parishes for completing the Pastoral Ministries program. Next year’s workshop is set for June 3-7, 2018. (Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)
CORINTH – Los niños que se preparan para la Sagrada Comunion disfruten un día de retiro y convivio en la parroquia de St. James.
WINONA – Un grupo de 22 adultos jóvenes de la Catedral de San Pedro y Santa Teresita en Jackson, Nuestra Señora de las Victorias en Cleveland, St. James en Corinth y St. James en Tupelo se reunieron el sábado 3 de junio para un taller de YouCat en el Misión del Sagrado Corazón en Winona.
WINONA – Una de las dinámicas que los adultos jóvenes utilizaron para trabajar con el YouCat y así poder hacer más divertido y profundo su crecimiento en la fe.
También asistieron el padre Ted Dorcey de Greenwood y el seminarista Josean Montoya de Nueva York, ahora parte de los sacerdotes redentoristas del Delta. El grupo aprendió acerca de lo que es el YouCat, por qué fue escrito, para quién fue escrito y la estructura de sus preguntas y respuestas.
YouCat, que es corto para el Catecismo Juvenil de la Iglesia Católica, fue escrito para jóvenes de escuela secundaria y adultos jóvenes. Fue distribuido por primera vez en la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud 2011 en Madrid, España. YouCat contiene gráficos agradables, está escrito en forma de pregunta-respuesta y ofrece explicaciones, resúmenes y definiciones. También incluye citas bíblicas y citas de santos y otros. En la terminología que atrae a los jóvenes, el YouCat explica lo que nosotros los católicos creemos y por qué (doctrina), cómo debemos vivir (vida moral), y cómo debemos orar (oración y espiritualidad).
Después de una mañana llena de aprendizaje y exploración, los jóvenes pasaron la tarde participando en actividades y juegos en grupos pequeños.
WINONA – El grupo de adultos jóvenes comparten sobre la estructura y formato del YouCat, el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, quien lo escribió y con qué motivo. Explican que el Papa Emérito Benedicto XVI tuvo la iniciativa de escribir el YouCat de una forma atractiva para los jóvenes en forma de preguntas y respuestas con símbolos, explicaciones y definiciones sencillas de comprender. (Fotos de Verónica López)
Por Maureen Smith
GREENWOOD – A medida que la Diócesis de Jackson desarrolle las nuevas Prioridades Pastorales, Mississippi Católico compartirá las metas, proyectos e historias de éxito de diferentes grupos. El primero proviene de un ministro de la juventud en el Delta. Los grupos de jóvenes del Corazón Inmaculado de María y San Francisco de Asís están centrando su año en la prioridad de “abrazar la diversidad”.
“Tenemos alrededor de 30 niños en nuestro programa LifeTeen entre las dos parroquias”, dijo Derrick Faucheux, ministro de la juventud de ambas parroquias. “Y son todos de diferentes culturas.” La mitad son hispanos. El resto son afroamericanos o caucásicos. El grupo se ha estado reuniendo y conociéndose, pero Faucheux estaba listo para dar un paso más.
Durante la Jornada de la Juventud de Guadalupe, los adolescentes participaron en deportes y actividades al aire libre, pero también exploraron la espiritualidad hispana de la devoción a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. (Fotos cortesía de Derrick Faucheux)
Cuando el grupo comenzó a reunirse, Faucheux dijo que los niños no se sentaban todos juntos, pero se sentaban en grupos. “No estábamos seguros de cómo íbamos a romper ese molde”, dijo. Una noche, los estudiantes y un grupo de líderes adultos jugaron un juego de rompehielos y todo cambió. “Ni siquiera recuerdo lo que era el juego, pero esa noche, había una electricidad. Los chicos comenzaron a hablar entre sí “. Este avance fue el primer paso en un proceso de un mes para unir a los miembros del grupo.
“Estos niños van a cinco o seis escuelas diferentes, públicas y privadas, vienen de diferentes orígenes culturales, raciales y socio-económicos. Si no fuera por este grupo juvenil, probablemente nunca se hubieran conocido.
Cuando los estudiantes se sintieron más cómodos juntos, Faucheux comenzó a trabajar en formas de explorar sus antecedentes diversos como un grupo. Empezaron con un retiro en el centro de retiro Locus Benedictus en el borde de la ciudad. La reunión, el sábado 6 de mayo, ofreció una vislumbre de la devoción hispana a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. La comunidad Redentorista en Greenwood ayudó con la Jornada de la Juventud de Guadalupe, proporcionando información y la ubicación. Los estudiantes participaron en un juego de fútbol, un picnic y otras actividades al aire libre, pero también pasaron tiempo explorando cómo las culturas hispanas honran a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
“La Iglesia Católica es universal. Aunque Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe es en su mayoría una devoción hispana, ella pertenece a todos”, dijo Faucheux. Quería que los adolescentes vean cómo pueden adorar o participar en devociones específicas de su cultura, pero también apreciar las devociones de otras culturas.
Faucheux planea ampliar estas lecciones durante el año, examinando la cultura y los líderes católicos afroamericanos, el catolicismo del sur, cualquier cosa que muestre a los estudiantes cómo pueden ser diversos, pero también unificados. “Quiero que los niños vean que la Iglesia es universal.” Algunos miembros del grupo de jóvenes fueron a Abbey Youth Fest juntos. El viaje permitió a los adolescentes pasar mucho tiempo juntos para conocerse mejor dentro de un contexto católico.
Faucheux asistió a una reunión nacional de ministros de jóvenes en la que preguntó a otros sobre sus desafíos con la diversidad. “Pocos tienen un grupo tan diverso como este”, dijo. El Delta de Mississippi es único en su mezcla de culturas. En lugar de sentirse desanimado, Faucheux considera que el reto es la manera perfecta de mostrar cómo la Iglesia Católica puede abrazar a todos. “Algo me decía que pusiera a todos estos niños juntos porque es un testimonio de la Iglesia Católica que podemos estar juntos, somos universales”.
GREENWOOD – El líder del ministerio juvenil Derrick Faucheux dijo que un rompehielos proporcionó una oportunidad para que sus grupos de jóvenes comenzaran a comunicarse unos con otros.
