Category Archives: Diocesan News

Happy Ordination Anniversary

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June 1
Father Anthony Okwum, SSJ
Holy Family, Natchez & St. Anne, Fayette

June 2
Father Guy Wilson, ST
Holy Child Jesus, Canton & Sacred Heart, Camden

June 4
Father Joe Tonos
St. Richard, Jackson

Deacon Jeff Artigues
Deacon John McGinley
St. Joseph, Starkville

Deacon Denzil Lobo
Christ the King, Jackson

Deacon John McGregor
St. Jude, Pearl

Deacon Ted Schreck
Catholic Parishes of Northwest MS

June 6
Father PJ Curley
Retired

Father Daniel Gallagher
Retired

June 7
Father Kevin Slattery
St. Therese, Jackson

June 8
Father Thomas Delaney
Retired

June 9
Father Juan Chavajay
Sacred Heart, Canton

June 10
Father Robert Dore
St. Michael, Vicksburg

June 11
Msgr. Patrick Farrell
Retired

Father Thomas Lalor
Retired

Father Clifford Hennings, OFM
St. Francis, Greenwood

June 12
Father Kent Bowlds
Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland

Father Frank Cosgrove
Retired

Father Gerry Hurley
St. Paul, Flowood

June 13
Father Mike O’Brien
Retired

Father Mario Solorzano
St. James the Less, Corinth

June 14
Msgr. Mike Flannery
Retired

Father Tom McGing
Retired

Father David O’Connor
Retired

June 15
Father David Szatkowski, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of Northwest MS

June 16
Father Jeffrey Waldrep
Annunciation, Columbus

June 18
Father Anthony Quyet
Retired

June 26
Deacon David Gruseck
Annunciation, Columbus

June 27
Father Andrew Nguyen
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Greenwood

Father Cesar Sanchez
St. Jude, Pearl

Father Marco Sanchez, ST
St. Anne, Carthage & St. Therese, Kosciusko

Thank you for answering the call!

“Going home to God”: Father Noel Prendergast passes at age 90

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Just shy of sixty-six years a priest, Father Noel Prendergast entered eternal life on May 26, 2024.

He was born Jan. 1, 1934, the youngest of John and Mary Prendergast’s seven children. He was born at Christmastime, so that’s where Noel came from, Father Prendergast once told Mississippi Catholic.

He studied six years at St. Patrick’s College and Seminary in Carlow, Ireland; and was ordained in that city’s Catholic cathedral on June 7, 1958. It was Prendergast’s choice to spend his entire priesthood in Mississippi, giving up cold, wet winters and springs for the occasional snow and frequent hot temperatures native to the Deep South.

Father Prendergast and three other priests arrived in Mississippi in September 1958. His first assignment was to Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Biloxi as an associate pastor.

Four years later, he was moved to St. Mary’s Church in Jackson, where he served for two years as associate pastor. Father Prendergast once remarked that he “saw it more of an adventure,” since the parish also had a school.

From there, he was transferred to Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg, where he was chaplain. He left after three years for his first pastorate at Assumption Church in Natchez in 1967.

Father Prendergast became a U.S. citizen in the mid-1960s. “I figured if I was going to live here, I needed to be a citizen and take part in voting,” Prendergast recalled in 2018 for his sixtieth anniversary celebration.

CLINTON – Father Noel Prendergast stands in the sanctuary of Holy Savior Clinton in this file photo. He passed away at age 90 on Sunday, May 26. (Photo from archives)

Just two years after arriving in Natchez, Bishop Joseph Brunini assigned him as pastor of Gulf Coast Missions in Gulfport. He enjoyed returning to the coast, as he missed the sea, as he was only about 30 minutes from the ocean in his native Ireland.

Another two short years later, he was on his way to Annunciation parish in Columbus, where he served as pastor for 10 years. “You really got to know the people and appreciate them, and they appreciated what you did for them,” Father Prendergast once said.

His next stop was St. Michael’s Church in Vicksburg in September 1980, where he remained for 12 years. During his tenure, Father Prendergast helped oversee the construction of a new church structure, while the old church building became the parish hall.

His next assignment, in 1991, was Holy Savior in Clinton and Immaculate Conception in Raymond, where he remained 12 years.

In 2003, he found himself at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Yazoo City, where he remained until he requested retirement at age 75 in 2008.

Father Prendergast chose to come to Mississippi, and he chose to stay in Mississippi. At his 60th ordination anniversary celebration in 2018, Father Prendergast said that he came back to Clinton because he couldn’t “stand the weather over there” in Ireland and that he knew more people in Mississippi than he did in Ireland. Mississippi had become his home.

He enjoyed the life of a retiree, taking annual trips back to his homeland in Ireland to visit family; and also spending time on the golf course with his fellow priests and filling in occasionally at his home parish of Holy Savior Clinton. Father PJ Curley played golf with him nearly every Monday and Friday for 40 years, developing a deep friendship as fellow golfers and Irish priests.

“Imagine the eternal hug from God to Noel, who is in his image and in his likeness,” said Father Curley during the funeral Mass for Father Prendergast. “What a beautiful thought what a beautiful image. Going home to God.”

“Father Noel Prendergast is home, safe and sound.”

Bishop Kopacz ordains priest for Dehonians

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By Mary Gorski
HOUSTON – On June 1, in the sacristy of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Houston, Texas, Paul Phong Hoang, SCJ, was vested as a deacon for the last time. An hour later, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Dehonians, his parents would help to vest him as a priest.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz of the Diocese of Jackson, was the ordaining bishop. During Father Paul’s words of thanks at the end of the ordination, we learned that he and the bishop first met over a bowl of cereal in the kitchen of the Dehonian community house in Nesbit, Mississippi.

“Who was this guy eating in our kitchen?” thought Father Paul when he saw the bishop. The ministries of Sacred Heart Southern Missions fall within the Diocese of Jackson. When the bishop travels to the northern portion of that diocese, he often stays with the Sacred Heart community, where he regularly starts his day with a bowl of cereal.

When he met the bishop, Father Paul was in Mississippi as a student. Years later he would return to serve as a deacon and now as a priest in the Diocese of Jackson.

The man in the kitchen would one day travel to Houston to ordain Father Paul.

“I am so happy that Father Paul will continue to serve in our diocese,” said Bishop Kopacz.

When asked if he has advice for someone discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life, Father Paul talked about his religious community, but also about God’s call to each of us:

“Our community – the Dehonians – makes space for people from all different walks of life. Let us not be discouraged by a person, an incident, a thing that hurt or bothered us. The love of Christ and our charism are what unite us. There are still people in the world searching for the Truth, hungry for Christ, and wanting to be loved. Despite our personal human weaknesses, God continues to call us to serve His church and people.”

Calendar of events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
PRAYER – Locus Benedictus, Would you be willing to commit to one day per week to pray the Rosary for priests and religious? Details: email your day of choice to contactlocusbenedictus@gmail.com or call (662) 299-1232.

CHATAWA – Our Lady of Hope, Blessed Virgin Mary Day Retreat with Kitty Cleveland, Thursday, Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with speaker Roy Schoeman. Enjoy talks, music, Mass, prayer, lunch and more. Cost: $125. Details: 601-202-3137 or email retreatsoloh3167@yahoo.com.

GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Millions of Monicas: Praying with confidence for our children, each Tuesday, beginning July 2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church. Join with other mothers, grandmothers and step-mothers as we pray to grow in holiness and humility, and for our children’s faithful return to the church. Details: church office (601) 856-2054 or email millionsofmonicas@stjosephgluckstadt.com.

NEW ORLEANS – Directed Retreat with the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center at the Cenacle on Lake Pontchartrain, June 28-July 3. Cost $500 – includes lodging, meals and personal spiritual director. To register call (504) 861-3254. Details: for more information call Melinda at (601) 597-7178.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Vacation Bible School, July 14-17 from 5:30-8 p.m. for preschool through sixth grade. Supper and light snack provided. Registration forms available in vestibule. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.

CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Vacation Bible School – Scuba: diving into friendship with God, June 23-26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Open to all children entering Pre-K3 through fifth grade. Dinner provided. Deadline to register is June 16. Details: register at https://vbspro.events/p/f77396 or call Catherine at (662) 822-5025.

COLUMBUS – Annunciation School, Sportsmania Camp, June 10-14 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the school gym. Basketball, soccer, football and other fun activities for upcoming second through sixth grades. Cost: $135 per child. Details: register by emailing pfarrell@annunciationcatholicschool.org. $50 non-refundable deposit is due for registration.

Annunciation School, Dinosaurs to Luaus: Good Times! from June 24-28; Around the World from July 15-19. Camps from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for students entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Enjoy these hands-on camps focused on music, theatre and physical arts. Cost: $135 per child. All supplies and snacks included. Details: email Ms. Staggers at music@annunciationcatholicschool.org.

FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Bingo Night, Saturday, June 15 after 4:30 p.m. Mass. Play begins at 6 p.m. Enjoy a hotdog dinner celebrating Father’s Day. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.
St. Paul, Birthday Blast Vacation Bible School, July 15-19 from 6-8 p.m. for PreK-4 thorugh sixth grade. Details: register at https://bit.ly/3UJOtX2.

St. Paul Early Learning Center, Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, Sept. 20 at Bay Pointe Golf Club. Registration information coming soon. Save the date!

GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Vacation Bible School – Scuba: diving into friendship with God, June 24-28 from 6-8 p.m. in the parish hall, with dinner and games beginning at 5:15 p.m. Open to all children entering Kindergarten through sixth grade. Cost $15 per child/$30 max per family. Pick up registration card by the SCUBA display in the church foyer. Details: Karen at kworrellcre@hotmail.com or (601) 672-5817.

JACKSON – Christ the King, 50th Ordination Celebration for Father Joe Dyer, Friday, Aug. 16, with Mass at 11 a.m. and reception following in the Multi-Purpose Building. Please send RSVP by July 1. Details: ctkcatholicchurch@comcast.net or call (601) 948-8867.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Block Party, Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy music by Patrick Harkins, dunking booth, fire truck, games and food trucks. Be sure to bring your chairs and your family for fun and fellowship. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.

JACKSON – Catholic Charities, Bishop’s Ball, Saturday, July 13 at the Old Capitol Inn. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with auction and dinner at 7 p.m. Cost: $150. Details: tickets and more information at https://event.gives/bishopsball24.

MADISON – St. Francis, Come to the Table: Vacation Bible School, June 17-20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for all 4-year-olds through fifth graders. Register at https://bit.ly/4508VaP. Details: email mc.george@stfrancismadison.org.

St. Francis, Summer with the Saints, June through Aug. on Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. in St. Clare Hall. Bring your drink and dinner and join us for Word on Fire’s Pivotal Players series on the Saints and selections from Formed. All are welcome. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Vacation Bible School, June 24-28 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Kindergarten through fifth grades. Register online: vbspro.events/p/f7700f or pick up a form in the church office. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.

St. Patrick, Catholic Women’s Organization Luncheon, Sunday, June 30 at 12 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Enjoy some cheeseburger pasta salad, dessert and drinks for $10 per person. Family maximum of $40. Tickets on sale after Mass and at the door. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.

NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Vacation Bible School, July 15-19, evening hours. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Young Adults Tailgate Party, Saturday, June 22. Event begins with Mass at 6 p.m. with dinner and activities following. If you were invovled in past youth groups or attended classes at Queen of Peace we would love to see you. Come eat, have some fun and let us know how you are doing. Open to young adults age 18-35. Details: Vickie at (662) 895-5007.

RIPLEY – St. Mathew, Yard Sale, Saturday, June 29 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details: church office (662) 993-8862.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Out of this World Vacation Bible School, June 17-21 for grades Kindergarten through fifth; June 24-28 from 6-8:30 p.m. for grades sixth through eighth. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Black and White Gala, Saturday, Aug. 17 from 6-9 p.m. Tickets: $50 per person or $500 per table benefitting the food pantry. Keynote speaker: Cassandra Mobley of the Mississippi Food Network. Enjoy fabulous food, beverages, music and dancing. Must be 21 to attend. Details: call (662) 323-2257 or email andy.teresa93@gmail.com.

TUPELO – St. James, Featured speaker: Hosffman Ospino, Saturday, July 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Shelton Hall. Come be a part of engaging conversations to learn how we can foster more positive interchanges and relaitonships among our diverse family cultures. Details: church office (662) 842-4881.
St. James, Vacation Bible School, July 15-18 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for ages 4-years through sixth grade. Theme: “The Chronicles of Narnia – God’s Surely Alive!” Register before June 8 for a shirt. Details: register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6WHPDQQ or for more information email rhondaswita13@gmail.com.

JOB OPENING
DIOCESE – The Diocese of Jackson has an opening for a Senior Accountant. This role will report directly to the Director of Temporal Affairs and will involve continuous collaboration with internal teams and external auditors. For a job description and link to apply through Indeed, visit https://jacksondiocese.org/employment-1.

Community health clinic renamed to honor Dominican Sister

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By Meredith Bailess and Chris Eason
JACKSON – St. Dominic’s Community Health Clinic has been renamed to honor Sister Mary Trinita Eddington who started the clinic and served patients as a nurse practitioner for more than 25 years.

“Sister Trinita has been a cherished part of the St. Dominic’s ministry for more than 65 years and has truly left an indelible mark on both our community and the people we serve,” said Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP, associate executive director, St. Dominic’s Foundation. “As her Sister in Christ, long-time colleague, and friend for life, I can think of nothing more fitting than to name this beloved clinic in her honor.”

A renaming ceremony was held at Stewpot Community Services where the clinic is located. Beginning May 9, 2024, the clinic is now known as the Sister Trinita Community Clinic.

JACKSON – Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP speaks as the new sign for the Sister Trinita Community Clinic is unveiled at a renaming ceremony at Stewpot Community Services on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Photo courtesy of St. Dominic Health Services)

“What more could one dream of or ask for, to feel so needed, loved and appreciated,” said Sister Trinita Eddington, OP. “I wish to take a moment to give thanks to the Lord our God for the gift of this clinic. It is He who began this work, He who gave it guidance, and He who continues to bring it to fulfillment.”

After working for 36 years as a nurse at St. Dominic’s in a variety of settings from patient care to nursing leadership, including as vice president of patient care services, Sister Trinita earned her degree as a nurse practitioner and set about establishing a clinic dedicated to serving those who cannot afford basic medical care.

Through Sister Trinita’s efforts and close ties with Stewpot Community Services and the Central Urban Ministry Center, the clinic was established in 1996. Today, the clinic continues to provide healthcare services free of charge for the medically underserved in Jackson. The team is now led by Sister Trinita’s long-time colleague and fellow nurse practitioner Mary Watkins.

“The services provided by the clinic are such an important part of the comprehensive resources we aim to offer our community,” said Jill Buckley, executive director, Stewpot Community Services. “The Stewpot community has been blessed by Sister Trinita’s ministry, and we are happy to see her legacy continue for many years to come.”

Patients of the Sister Trinita Community Clinic are welcome with no appointment necessary. Primary health care services include:

  • Routine checkups, acute illnes treatment
  • Blood pressure and blood sugar checks
  • Sports or employment physicals
  • Limited chronic care, nutrition counseling
  • Waived lab testing, scheduling of lab
  • Specialty care referrals and social services
  • Assistance with prescriptions
  • Supplies and equipment
    In addition to primary care services, the clinic provides a variety of educational programs for children, adolescents, and adults to promote disease prevention and safety.

Learn more about how you can support this initiative and other community healthcare initiatives by contacting the St. Dominic Health Services Foundation at (601) 200-6910 or donate online at https://www.fmolhs.org/giving/foundations/st-dominics-foundation.

About St. Dominic Health Services
St. Dominic’s is more than just a hospital. It is a family of services focused on fulfilling a mission of Christian healing to those in need. These include St. Dominic Hospital, the Sister Trinita Community Clinic, St. Dominic Medical Associates (physician network), St. Dominic’s Fitness Center, St. Dominic’s Foundation, St. Catherine’s Village and Care-A-Van. As a Christian healing community, St. Dominic’s is called to provide quality, compassionate care and an exceptional experience every time. St. Dominic’s is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. Learn more at stdom.com.

Bishop Kopacz releases Reimagining process pastoral letter

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The year-long pastoral reimagining process undertaken by the Diocese of Jackson concluded with a pastoral letter by Bishop Joseph Kopacz released on Pentecost Sunday, May 19.

The Reimagining process spread across five major phases, that included establishing pastoral reimagining committees; parish assessments; reviewing data on diocesan demographics by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) and pastors, deacons and LEMs meeting; and Bishop Kopacz visiting each deanery to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and meeting with key people who worked on the pastoral reimagining process for each parish.

Spurred from the prayer and conversation from the Synod of Synodality process, the Pastoral Reimagining process was to deepen the understanding of what it means to be a church that is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. In his pastoral letter, Bishop Kopacz writes that, “these timeless marks served us well in order to reimagine and renew our relationship with the Lord who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

The pastoral letter is in response to the intentional work of parishes through the various phases of the Reimagining process and strives to honor the conversations, aspirations, struggles and dreams of the individuals who gathered for the process of the past year.

Touching on various topics, Bishop Kopacz first focuses on the desire for healing and unity, a topic brought about in the Synod process and then throughout the Reimagining process. He writes, “Fundamental to the healing within the church is the rebuilding of trust through transparency, collaboration and walking together as the Body of Christ.”

Other subjects include being more inviting to all and increased need for more bilingual catechist who can bridge the language gap between those serving in ministries in parish communities and those in large Hispanic communities around the diocese.

Bishop Kopacz writes, “The vast majority of the Hispanic children and young people are familiar with the English language and easily integrate into the flow of parish life … However, with older generations, there are pastoral realities that can marginalize, and it is incumbent upon diocesan and parish leadership, as well as parishioners to bridge the gaps in order to strengthen the bonds of the Body of Christ.”

The dignity of human life and the overcoming of hostile polarization and negative bipartisan politics are also topics addressed.

“Because our Synodal and Reimagining sessions were rooted in scripture and prayer, we did not fall prey to the landmines of divisiveness and polarization. It can be done, and it bodes well for the pastoral work that awaits us,” writes Bishop Kopacz.

Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation for the diocese, worked with Bishop Kopacz throughout the process. She says that the pastoral letter “isn’t the end [of the process] – it’s the beginning. Now we begin the hard work of … developing the things that we need to be successful.”

At the conclusion of his letter, Bishop Kopacz writes that the Chancery office is well equipped to accompany all parishes and missions to meet the challenges of their local communities and help explore ways to grow their ministries.

“There is much work to be done but together we can build a future of hope.”

To read the pastoral letter and learn more about the Pastoral Reimagining process visit jacksondiocese.org/pastoral-reimagining.

Happy Ordination Anniversary

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May 27
Father Carlisle Beggerly
Catholic Community of Meridian

Father Charles Bucciantini, retired

May 29
Father Guy Blair, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of
Northwest Mississippi

Father Hilary
Brzezinski, OFM
St. Francis, Greenwood

Father Sam Messina, retired


May 31
Father Lincoln Dall
Holy Savior, Clinton
Vicar General

Father Rusty Vincent
St. Paul, Vicksburg

Father José de Jesus
Sanchez
St. Joseph, Greenville

Father Binh Chau Nguyen
Immaculate Conception, West Point

Father Nick Adam
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson


Father Aaron Williams
Basilica of St. Mary &
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Natchez

June 1
Father Anthony Okwum, SSJ
Holy Family, Natchez; St. Anne, Fayette & St. John the Baptist, Cranfield

June 2
Father Guy Wilson, ST
Holy Child Jesus, Canton & Sacred Heart, Camden

Thank you for answering the call!

In memoriam: Father Pat O’Shaughnessy

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BILOXI – Father Patrick “Pat” O’Shaughnessy, age 80, of Hattiesburg, and a former resident of Long Beach, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024.

Father Pat was born on Feb. 11, 1944 in Limerick, Ireland. He was a naturally gifted athlete. In his youth he played rugby. He then went on to compete in many marathons and his greatest achievement was completing an IronMan Triathlon in Hawaii on Oct. 14, 1989, with a time of 12 hours, 53 minutes and 11 seconds. He loved all sports but had a deep passion for golf. He got a hole in one in Ballybunion.

Father Pat ministered in many different areas across Mississippi. Since his retirement, he was glad to be a part of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Margaret O’Shaughnessy; his brother, Jim O’Shaughnessy; his sister-in-law, Emma O’Shaughnessy; and an infant sister.

He is survived by numerous cousins in Ireland.

He will be mourned by Bishop Kihneman, all the Priests in Mississippi, many other Priests, and his previous parishioners who will miss him dearly and many other friends both in the United States and Ireland.
Father Pat was a native of Limerick, Ireland and completed his ecclesiastical studies at St. Patrick’s College, Thurles, County Tipperary. He was ordained to priestly ministry on June 8, 1968 at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles and arrived in the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson on Aug. 27, 1968.

His first assignment was as an associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Pascagoula, associate pastor of St. Michael Parish, Vicksburg, and St. John Parish in Oxford while he was continuing his graduate studies at the University of Mississippi, and then he was assigned to St. Alphonsus Parish in Ocean Springs.
He served as pastor of St. Michael Parish, Biloxi, Sacred Heart Parish, Hattiesburg, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hattiesburg, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Lumberton and St. Joseph Mission, Poplarville, and he retired to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Long Beach in 2009.

Father Pat was a gifted homilist that could get his point across in just a few words. His love for the outdoors was evident with his love of golf and bicycling. Father Pat also had a gift with children and caring for those with needs. He worked with the St. Vincent de Paul Society offering spiritual guidance to those in need. His impact on the Diocese of Biloxi will be remembered and celebrated for many years to come.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, April 29, 2024, at St. Fabian Catholic Church in Hattiesburg. A second Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Father Pat’s homeland in Ireland on Friday, May 3, 2024. He is interred in Loughill Graveyard, Newcastle, County Limerick, Ireland.

Pastoral Reimagining: Bishop discerns future of growth and collaboration

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The year-long pastoral reimagining process undertaken by the Diocese of Jackson continues with a period of discernment by Bishop Joseph Kopacz before concluding with a pastoral letter.

Spreading across five major phases, that included establishing pastoral reimagining committees, parish assessments, reviewing data on diocesan demographics by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) and pastors, deacons and LEMs meeting; phase three just concluded with Bishop Kopacz visiting each deanery to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and meet with key people who worked on the pastoral reimagining process for each parish.

KOSCIUSKO – Bishop Joseph Kopacz speaks to a packed parish hall at St. Therese parish on the Pastoral Reimagining process being undertaken by the diocese. He now enters a period of discernment before releasing a pastoral letter. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

In the month of March, priests, deacons and LEMs of each deanery of the diocese were asked to discuss the responses from the reimagining process from the parishes. Some of the questions discussed were what areas they saw growth; what challenges are associated with that growth; what areas of ministry are diminishing; what are the challenges with this decline; and what areas need greater collaboration with the Chancery offices.

After deanery meetings, Bishop Kopacz traveled to each deanery for a special Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrating “Eucharist and conversation,” with those who worked on the Pastoral Reimagining process in their respective parishes. Though each gathering had varied responses, they all were asked the questions: Where do we go from here? How do we animate and foster the growing edges? How do we address the challenges?

Across each deanery many highlighted the growing Hispanic population and raised questions as to how to serve the population faithfully and effectively, a sentiment Bishop Kopacz highlighted in meeting with priests during phase two of the reimagining process.

“I’m grateful to a number of our parishes that have opened up with inviting the Hispanic population through having Mass and liturgy. It’s just amazing to see the growth.”

After assessing needs through the Reimagining process, Father Manohar Thangundla of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Brookhaven recently added a weekly Spanish Mass on Saturdays to accommodate increasing numbers of Hispanics in the area. Additionally, he began learning Vietnamese to hold a monthly Mass for that growing community, as well.

Bishop Kopacz says that almost 30 of the diocese’s 72 parishes offer Mass in Spanish.

“It’s about bringing people into the community at a deeper level, but the challenge is the literacy [of our priests.] … Becoming confident enough to offer the Mass, even if you can’t preach the homily in Spanish,” said Bishop Kopacz.

“We have priests in the diocese who are bilingual and many who are willing to learn to celebrate the sacraments, so people can have that experience.”

Raquel Thompson, director of Hispanic ministry at St. James Tupelo, said that she and the parish’s director of faith formation, Rhonda Swita, are working to band together Hispanic and White communities, with the premise – ‘we are better together.”

“She [Swita] is working to create more activities we can do as families together. … So, we’ll be one whole Catholic Church,” said Thompson.

“We are one body of Christ, and no matter what language we speak, we have to be kind, respectful and have love for each other.”

As for additional challenges and fostering growth, many of the deanery gatherings brought up the availability of activities and involvement of youth and young adults in their respective communities, with an emphasis on having adults getting their children involved in the church community.

Lauren Codding, who served on the Pastoral Reimagining committee for St. Alphonsus McComb and attended the phase three session with Bishop Kopacz for deanery two, said that during the committee’s assessment, they identified faith formation for youth and young adults as an area for improvement.

“We want to start providing faith formation to our young adult community, so that they feel welcomed, and we can build community among that age group. Our hope is that they will start bringing their children to church and we can in turn feed the children through religious education,” said Codding.

The parish also hopes to start a campus ministry program to reach young adults at McComb’s local community college.

Campus ministry is an initiative that others around the diocese voiced during Reimagining sessions to reach the young adult demographic. In a proactive response to the growing demand for more opportunities for young adults, the diocese inaugurated its Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry in 2022. This effort was in response to the Synod on Synodality process, where the diocese heard concerns on evangelization to young adults.

“This is a ministry that will continue to grow as we make additional efforts in our parishes to reach our growing edges,” said Bishop Kopacz.

Members of Deanery I gathered at St. Francis Madison on Thursday, April 11, 2024 for a Mass of Thanksgiving with Bishop Kopacz for the Pastoral Reimagining process the diocese has undertaken since Pentecost last year.

A third area discussed at many of the deanery community gatherings for the Reimagining process is the importance of a sense of community and inviting non-Catholics to learn about the church.

Several parishes mentioned during various deanery gatherings that small faith communities have been successful in encouraging lifelong friendships and a sense of strong faith. Others, like Isaac Blakemore of St. Francis Madison, who just came into the church at Easter Vigil, felt that as Catholics we need to understand our faith and have the courage to share it with the community.

As a former ordained Methodist minister, Blakemore was drawn to the Catholic Church by the sacraments. He told members of the deanery one gathering at St. Francis Madison that when he received the Eucharist for the first time, it was like someone had him in on a secret.

“One thing I think all parishes could do is … to just be proud of what the Catholic faith offers and share it,” said Blakemore. “If you do believe that indeed this is the one, true church, you ought to believe that the Holy Spirit can move even through someone that is just a layperson. You can invite someone into learning about the Catholic faith … and be willing to discuss it.”

Phase four of the Pastoral Reimagining process is currently underway with Bishop Kopacz in a season of discernment, allowing time for the drafting of a pastoral letter to the people of God in the Diocese of Jackson.

When asked about the overall Reimagining process, Bishop Kopacz explained that it unfolded in stages due to its organic nature, rooted deeply at the grassroots level.

“We asked parishes to do their best thinking, reflecting and praying,” said Bishop Kopacz. “Focusing on the specifics of their settings and how to move forward in the context of the whole diocese and with the support and encouragement of the bishop’s office and the chancery.”

He plans to keep his pastoral letter as brief as it can be, but still have it substantial enough to address key areas of growth and concern.

“I see my ministry … as to keep mining and plowing this field; and seeing what we can do and how we can assist one another to make it happen on a local level; and with and through the diocese,” says Bishop Kopacz.