Category Archives: Diocesan News

Carmelites elect new prioress

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JACKSON – The Jackson Carmelites elected Sister Mary Jane Patricia of the Resurrection, OCD, as Prioress of the community Tuesday, May 24. Sister Margaret Mary Flynn, OCD, will step down from the position, but remain in the community in a prayer ministry.
The community gathered for Mass concelebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Kevin Slattery, the Vicar General, and Father Jeremy Tobin, OPraem, followed by a prayer service asking God to send His Holy Spirit and invoking the intercession of Carmelite Saints.
Members then cast secret ballots which were counted by two so-called scrutators. The ballots are burned after the election. Once elected, Sister Jane knelt in prayer while the community prayed aloud the confirmation prayers. Bishop blessed her and then all congratulated her.
Sister was born Mary Jane Agonoy in the Phillipines on Jan. 25, 1951, and entered the Carmelite order in her home country in 1977.

PERSONALITY PROFILE: Joseph Le

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Hai Long Le (Joseph Le) was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and is the youngest of five siblings. Joseph’s father was an officer in the Army of South Vietnam, and after the fall of Saigon in 1975, was sent to a labor camp for seven years. During this time, the rest of the family was forced to move to a town with no electricity or water.

Although Le and his family were forced to suffer through poor economic conditions, they were greatly blessed with a rich religious life, for it was “truly a Catholic town.” Almost 100 percent of the residents were faithful Catholics, and Le’s family lived within walking distance of their parish. Here, his days were filled with schoolwork, farming, working as a delivery boy and attending daily Mass.

When his father was released in 1983, Le and his family returned to Saigon, where he continued to serve in his parish. One of his duties, during his high school years, was to drive his pastor to Thanh Binh Lepers’ Camp and serve as an altar boy for their Sunday Mass. During this time, he also worked in a carpentry shop producing wooden chairs for export and he developed a love for the carpentry craft.

Le and his family moved to the United States in 1992, and he became a U.S. citizen in 2002. He became a Carmelite monk for 17 years and spent most of his time in various monasteries in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. Because of his love of St. Joseph, a humble and quiet carpenter, Hai Long Le legally changed his name to Joseph Le.

Q&A:
Home parish: I would consider my home parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greenville

Favorite Saints and why?
My favorite saints: St. Joseph the Worker and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. I chose St. Joseph because he is a quiet and humble man, a carpenter like myself. I try to imitate him. St. Thérèse has such a love for everything. Her praying method is quite simple, love.

Do you have a favorite devotion, religious image or prayer and why?
My favorite devotion is praying the rosary. Usually I pray only two decades before going to bed, not a whole rosary. It is such a beautiful form of praying if we focus and pay attention to its words.

Who vested you at ordination and why?
Father Anthony Quyet vested me at my priestly ordination. He was the reason I joined this Diocese of Jackson. I knew him when I decided to leave the Carmelite Order.

Do you have any hobbies?
My hobbies are: photography, carpentry, riding a bicycle and driving to visit different places such as national parks.

In what parishes have you served?
I have been in different religious monasteries instead of parishes. Our monasteries are located in San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Little Rock-Arkansas, New Orleans. So I served in those monasteries.

Can you tell me a little about your vocation story – when you felt called and how you responded?
Around 1995 while I was in college at the University of Oklahoma, I realized that I was called to be in religious life.

This happened after a parish retreat during Lent. After college, I joined the Discalced Carmelite Order in San Antonio, Texas, and I remained in religious life until I came to the Jackson diocese three years ago.

Can you share something about yourself people may not know?
I have a big appetite for photography. Also, I love driving to visit different places, our country in particular, to take pictures during my vacations.

I’ve driven from Key West to Alaska, from San Diego to Main. The only two states I haven’t driven to: Hawaii and North Dakota. Since our diocese is widespread, the love for driving probably is a good help for my ministry in the future.

What advice do you have for those discerning a vocation?
My advice is simple, be honest with yourself and with your spiritual director. Chose a good and holy spiritual director and trust in him/ her. Personally, I found that being happy in your vocation is the first sign of being called to priesthood!

Is there one part of priesthood in particular you are looking forward to?
I would like to serve in the area with the sick such as in the hospitals and nursing home.

What are you looking forward to about your first parish assignment?
I feel a lot of excitement and nervous at the same time. Fortunately I have many people to learn from – the pastor as well as the pastoral council, staff and people. I look forward to gaining more experiences from working with different organizations in the parish.

Can you share details on your first Mass and is it open to the public?
– My first Mass was  in Greenville at 10:30 a.m. Sunday May 15. I am very excited. Everything suddenly becomes a reality. I mean the consubstantiation, the bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of Christ.

I can’t get more excited than being a main part of the Holy Mass. Usually in the sacristy, there is sign saying, “Priest, celebrate this Holy Mass as if it was your First Mass, your last Mass and your only Mass.”
I have read and heard it so many times before and didn’t think much of it because the sign wasn’t for me. Now, it really applies to me!

PERSONALITY PROFILE: Jason Johnston

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Jason Kelly Johnston was born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He credits his parents, Dinnie and the late Sydney Johnston, for establishing his love of the Catholic faith from an early age by taking him and his brothers to Sunday Mass, instilling family prayer, celebrating the sacraments, and sending him to Catholic schools.
Johnston began hearing God’s quiet call to the priesthood while he was a student at Vicksburg St. Aloysius School, but he kept busy with his school work, football and track. As a teenager, he was also involved in the Boy Scouts – obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout– the Knights of Columbus Columbian Squires, and performed in plays in the local theater.
After high school, he attended Mississippi State University and graduated with a master of professional accountancy. Although he worked as an auditor for the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor, he continued hearing God’s quiet call.
This call became louder during a Cursillo weekend, in which Johnston was blessed to meet other men who were living their lives as authentic Christians by praying and openly discussing their faith.
While working on a Cursillo Rollo team, he began attending daily Mass, praying the rosary, and making small sacrifices. During this time, he began to feel a strong sense of peace, which he attributed as being a gift from God. Finally, in 2010, he left his job as an auditor and joined the seminary.
Q&A:
Home Parish: My home parish is St. Paul in Vicksburg.
Favorite Saints and why?
St. John the Baptist – I love John’s humility, his prayer life, his calling us all to conversion, and his defense of marriage (at the cost of his own life).
The Blessed Mother (of course!) and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. I love St. Thérèse’s Little Way, her love for the faith and her description of her own vocation: “At last I have found my vocation. In the heart of the church, I will be Love!”

Do you have a favorite devotion, religious image or prayer and why?
Since the Source and Summit of the Christian life is the Eucharist, I am a huge fan of Eucharistic adoration. I love the rosary and any devotion to Our Lady. This being the Year of Mercy – The Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Can you tell me a little about your vocation story – when you felt called and how you responded?
I began considering a call to priesthood when I was in high school, but I ignored it for a while when I went to college. While I was at Mississippi State University Father Jeffrey Waldrep had a discernment group of young men who were considering going to the seminary.
I did not have anything to do with it – but at the time, I felt I should have been. A few years later, I was getting more involved at St. Richard Parish in Jackson and the voice of the call became stronger. So, I ended up leaving my job and going to seminary in 2010.

Who vested you at ordination and why?
Msgr. Patrick Farrell. He was my pastor for 10 years in Vicksburg. When I was considering entering seminary I saw his example as one of great compassion. While he was in Vicksburg he got to know my family and he was a great pastor to me and my family at significant moments in my life.

Can you share something about yourself people may not know?
I went to Mississippi State and I graduated in accounting. I also worked for the State of Mississippi for two years before I left for seminary.

What advice do you have for those discerning a vocation?
I would recommend finding a priest or spiritual director who can help you as you discern the call to a vocation. I would read as much about vocations as I could.
There are plenty of great resources available like Father Brett Brannen’s “To Save a Thousand Souls.” I would also recommend they also speak with the diocese’s vocation director, Father José de Jesús Sánchez, 601-960-8484, or vocations@jacksondiocese.org

In what parishes have you served?
I’ve been at Our Lady of Victories in Cleveland, St. Joseph in Starkville, Holy Savior in Clinton and St. Joseph and St. Patrick in Meridian as a deacon.

Is there one part of priesthood in particular you are looking forward to?
I am very much looking forward to celebrating Mass, absolving sins, and living among a community of people in the parish as a priest.

What are you looking forward to about teaching and interacting with students at St. Joe?
I am looking forward to the adventure. I have never taught before in a professional sense, but I am looking forward to working with young people and taking part in the handing on of the faith.

Can you share details on your first Mass: Sunday, May 15, 10:30 a.m. St. Paul’s in Vicksburg.
The First Mass of Thanksgiving was  at my home parish, where I grew up and went to Mass with my family every Sunday.  It is going to be on Pentecost Sunday. I am very much looking forward to that occasion.

Jackson vocations office, New Orleans seminary both add staff

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JACKSON – In February of this year Bishop Joseph Kopacz reorganized the Office of Vocations, forming a team to promote religious vocations within and outside the Diocese of Jackson. The office now has three employees, Father José de Jesús Sánchez acts as the director of recruitment, Father Brian Kaskie is the director of seminarians and Melisa Preuss-Muñoz is an administrative assistant.
Father Sánchez’s ministry is to travel throughout the diocese visiting Catholic high schools, parishes and colleges, to promote the priesthood as an option for young men, and religious life for both men and women. These visits provide Father Sánchez with the opportunity to discuss what it means to hear and follow God’s call.
Meeting with young adults enables him to discern who, among these young people, shows the interest and skills to enter into the religious life. He also continues to serve as associate pastor for the Catholic Community of Meridian.
In addition, Father Sánchez makes himself available to counsel those who find it difficult to hear God’s call, whether it be to the priesthood, religious life, marriage or single life. He commits himself to meet with the young people to talk about their dreams and God’s dreams for them. The end goal is to give young adults the means to evaluate themselves and God’s desires for them, so that they may reach holiness and help others to become holy as well.
Finally, if a young man decides to begin his priestly formation or a young woman, the religious life, Father Sánchez will help them apply to the seminary or religious community.
Father Brian Kaskie, director of seminarians, walks closely with those who are in seminary formation either at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, La., where men pursue a college degree while going through initial discernment and at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans for graduate studies and final formation. Father Kaskie keeps in constant communication with the seminarians and helps to provide everything they might need during their years of discernment and formation.  He attends their evaluations and acts as a liaison between the seminary and Bishop Kopacz. He is also pastor of McComb St. Alphonsus Parish.
Melisa Preuss-Muñoz acts as a link between Father Sanchez, Father Kaskie, and the seminarians. She works in the chancery in Jackson. Her duties also include updating the vocations section of the website for the Diocese of Jackson, developing and distributing diocesan resources for religious vocations, and organizing and implementing various activities, such as Vocation Awareness Days, at schools.
“We are eager to answer any questions you may have about religious life and would like to help you in any possible. God calls us to the religious life in mysterious ways. If you feel you might hear the call or if you would like to speak with Father Sánchez about discerning God’s call, please call the office,” said Preuss-Muñoz.
Anyone can reach the Religious Vocations office by phone at 601-960-8484 or email at vocations@jacksondiocese.org.  Anyone can support the efforts to promote vocations by prayer and on social media by following Jackson Vocations on Facebook, Twitter (@jxnvocations), and the website (vocations.jacksondiocese.org).

Encuentro retreat focuses on mercy

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By Elsa Baughman
GREENWOOD – At the beginning of his presentation on the mercy of God, Juan Pablo Chavez told those who attended the Encuentro, sponsored by the Office of Hispanic Ministry, that sometimes we act like the characters in the Bible, in particular the Prodigal Son, when he left, in the steps he took before leaving his family, and when we tell God to give us what is ours, “and to hurry,” he said. “We are alike in the way we squander our life, when we waste our time.”
But, he added, “you are here today because you want to experience the mercy of God, you want to be healed  you want to change and be sent to be merciful to others.” These were the three points covered in the theme of the day, “God calls us, heal us and sends us to proclaim his mercy.”
The retreat, held Saturday, April 30, had all the necessary elements for a party, said Chavez, because at the feast there were guests, a tablecloth which meant that it was a special moment to celebrate, flowers that were a sign of joy for those who were sad, there was a light to illuminate the dark areas of the souls of those present, and there was the Word represented by the Bible.
Chavez pointed out that the theme of the retreat was based on the three parables of mercy – the Prodigal Son, the lost coin, and the lost sheep – which according to him are the heart of the gospel because they accentuate the mercy of God.
“The parable of the Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32 – is the story that best explains the heart of God and describes in a beautiful way his love and mercy,” Chavez said. To illustrate this parable he showed the famous painting by Rembrandt, “The return of the prodigal son,” explaining the details of the painting.
He also spoke about the different possibilities that we, with our attitude, our behavior, can be like the father, or the older son, or perhaps the servant. “We all have a place, a space in this parable,” Chavez said.
While he was explaining the meaning of the embrace of the father to his son, who had returned repentant and asking forgiveness, Chavez asked the priests who were present to embrace each participant, “to represent the Father who wants to embrace you through the arms of this priest, to experience the love of a Father who does not accuse you, who forgives you and to receive his mercy,” he said.
Reading the passage in Luke 13, which recounts the story of Jesus when he was teaching in the synagogue and healed a sick woman who had been humpbacked for 18 years. Chavez explained that the message of this story is that to God it does not matter how long you have suffered or have been sinning.
“What Jesus did physically in that woman he can achieve with you spiritually,” he noted. “He can straighten all those things that are crooked in your life – your bad habits, laziness, addictions, ambition, overindulgences – flaws that don’t let you be upright. He can return the dignity and freedom to any physical or spiritual situation in which you may find yourself,” he said.
Meditating, with a soft voice, Chavez told the participants, “Today Jesus invites you to remove that hump and to be touched by his sacred hand to be healed,” and encouraged them to approach the table to touch the Bible – the Word of God – so He could cure that hump that shame them. “At the beginning He gave you a hug and now He wants to touch you to heal you because to serve the Lord you have to be healed,” he said. “The joy is a sign that God has healed you.”
Chavez noted that the message of the parables of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) and the lost coin” (Luke 15:8-10) is that God is not going to stop pursuing us until he find us, Chavez said. “And God not only welcomes sinners, he seek us out like the woman look for the coin she has lost and the shepherd went out looking for his lost sheep. Both invited their friends to celebrate what they had found, Chavez said. “Similarly, there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.”
Ending, a group represented the parable of the workers in the vineyard to illustrate where the Lord is calling us. Chavez said that there are many ways to work in the vineyard of the Lord – praying and being obedient to the hierarchy of the church, to do what He wants us to do, not what “I want to do” and specifically to search for those who are lost and prepare a feast for them.
The retreat concluded with the Eucharist concelebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz and several priests.

In Memoriam: retired Deacon Sam Baker

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JACKSON – Deacon Sam Milton Baker, 94, died Sunday, May 15, at home after having suffered a stroke. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 21, at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.
Deacon Baker was born Dec. 13, 1921. He was raised by two loving and doting parents, Sam and Pearl Baker. Deacon Baker spent most of his developmental years living and attending church in South Jackson.
He enrolled in the business program at Tougaloo College in 1940, but had to take a break to answer the call to military service during World War II. He served overseas in the European Theater of Operations earning the rank of Technical Sargent.
During his enrollment at Tougaloo, he met and immediately fell in love with Barbara Justine Willis, who became his wife of 71 years. Prior to their marriage on Aug. 18, 1942, he converted to Catholicism. The couple had four children, Carlyle (deceased), Sandra, Rhenolda and George. Upon his discharge from the military, he worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1952, he started working with the U.S. Postal Service where he served for 13 years as a letter carrier.
He was the first African-American to serve as district director of the Small Business Administration (SBA) from 1966 to 1978. During this period, he received numerous awards including Man of the Year by the National Business League in 1974. He retired, the first time from SBA in 1978. That same year he was appointed vice president of commercial lending at First National Bank of Jackson. He retired a second time to return to SBA as director of the Mississippi District of Southeastern Region. In 1991, Deacon began serving on the advisory board at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital and was later appointed to its Board of Directors.
He was ordained a permanent deacon at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle on July 11, 1982, serving at both Holy Ghost and the Cathedral. He retired from active ministry in 2008.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Willis Baker; his parents, Sam and Pearl Baker; one son, Carlyle J. Baker; one grandson, Mario Baker. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Baker of Stone Mountain, Ga.; two sons, Rhenolda (Barbara) of Jackson; and George (Nita) Baker of McKinney, Tex.; daughters-in-law Sarah Elizabeth Baker of Carrolton, Tex., and Mary Baker of Albuquerque, NM; niece, Lula B. Henry of Chicago, Ill.; a devoted grandson, Rodric, who served as his caregiver; thirteen grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends and his Holy Ghost Church family.

Welcoming Father Johnston, Father Le to brotherhood of priests

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[Show slideshow]

 

JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz ordained Jason Johnston and Joseph Le to the Priesthood Saturday, May 14, during a 10 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.
During the two-hour liturgy the men were ordained, promised loyalty to Bishop Joseph Kopacz and his successors, were anointed with Chrism Oil and allowed their fellow priests to call down the Holy Spirit upon them. Father Johnston is a Vicksburg native while Father Le was born in Vietnam. In the center section of this week’s Mississippi Catholic, read more about Fathers Johnston and Le in personality profiles on pages 10-11, see more photos from ordination and their first Masses on pages 12-13 and learn where they will be serving for their first assignments on page 7.
On Saturday, June 4, six more men will be ordained in the Cathedral during a 10 a.m. Mass. The six will become permanent deacons for the diocese. Their stories and photos will appear in the June 10th edition.
Seating for this Mass will be limited. There will be reserved seating for the men’s families only. Each deacon will also have a celebration in his home parish.

Remembering The Shepherd

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In this special edition, Mississippi Catholic honors the profound life and legacy of Bishop Emeritus William R. Houck. Compiled pages of the edition offer you a seamless reflection of our beloved Bishop’s life long journey of Proclaiming Jesus Is Lord!

Jubilee Celebrations

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Father Gerry Hurley: Mass at Flowood St. Paul, Friday, June 10, 7 p.m. Reception following.
Father Tom Lalor: Mass at Vicksburg St. Paul, 6 p.m., Thursday, June 9. Reception following.
Father Tom Mulally: Mass at Greenville Sacred Heart, Saturday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. Reception following.
Father Richard Somers: Mass at Jackson St. Richard Parish, Saturday, June 25, 11 a.m. Reception following.

Ordinations, an invitation to celebrate with church

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson celebrates eight ordinations this year, giving the faithful several opportunities to join in a special chapter in the life of the church.
Deacons Jason Johnston and Joseph Le will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. The ordination is open to all, but seating is limited so plan to arrive early. There will be reserved seating for family members. A reception will follow in the parish center.
Deacon Johnston, a Vicksburg native, will celebrate his first Mass in his home parish of St. Paul on Sunday, May 15, at 10:30 a.m.
Deacon Le will celebrate his first Mass in his adopted home parish of Greenville St. Joseph on Sunday, May 15, at 10:30 a.m. Both of the first Masses are also open to the public.
On Saturday, June 4, at 10 a.m. in the cathedral six men will be ordained to the permanent diaconate. All are welcome to the celebration.
Those in training are: Jeff Artigues from Starkville St. Joseph, Rick Caldwell from Vicksburg St. Mary, Denzil Lobo from Madison St. Francis of Assisi, John McGregor, from Pearl St. Jude, John McGinley from Starkville St. Joseph and Ted Schreck from Southaven Sacred Heart.
The men have spent five years preparing for their ordination, taking classes, making retreats and developing as a community. Their wives have joined them on this journey since they will play an important role in this ministry.
The Jackson diocese was one of the first in the nation to ordain permanent deacons after a Vatican II call for a revival of the ministry, but this is the first class of deacons to complete the training in many years.
Please keep all the candidates in your prayers as they prepare for their special day.