Category Archives: Diocesan News

Reflection: 25th Anniversary of San Miguel – Saltillo, Mexico

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By Msgr. Michael “Padre” Flannery

Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Bishop Louis Kihneman, Terry Dickson, Juliana Skelton (both of the Diocese of Biloxi) and I, (Msgr. Michael Flannery), have just returned from a faith and joy filled experience of the 25th celebration of the moving of the Saltillo Mission headquarters, from Perpetual Help parish to San Miguel. In truth, one would have to be present to witness the joy, faith, hope and enthusiasm of the people of the mission. For me personally, it was a moving experience. One could compare it to a spiritual retreat. Also, it provided me an opportunity to go down memory lane and relive the experience I had at Saltillo 50 years ago.

Gathering in Church of San Miguel for noon Mass

Bishop Kopacz and I traveled by United Airlines on Monday, Sept. 25. We were met by the delegation from Biloxi in the Houston airport and from there we traveled to Monterrey, Mexico where, Father David Martinez, pastor of San Miguel, was there to greet us and bring us on the last leg of our journey. We had a little bit of time to rest before joining the novena celebration the evening Mass at San Miguel at 7 p.m. For the whole novena, each day was designated to recognize some group within the parish for special attention.

The following morning (Tuesday), we were already on our way to the mountain villages at 7 a.m. Our first stop was La Cabaña (the Hut) to bless a hall under construction at the last outpost on the road to Zacatecas and to celebrate Mass there. It is estimated that it will take another year to complete the building project of the hall. Then they will have a place to celebrate wedding receptions, funerals and quince años. After the blessing, we were fed breakfast by the villagers. At 10:30 a.m. we were on the road again to San Jose, La Ventura to celebrate a funeral Mass. La Ventura is about 30 kilometers from the highway, and the entrance road is good. After the funeral Mass at La Ventura, we started our journey back to the highway and stopped on the way at La Presa de San Pedro (The Water Tank of St. Peter). There the bishops blessed the new statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, purchased for the chapel. The church is a beautiful church cut from rock found on the mountain side. After Mass there we had lunch with the villagers and drove on to San Jose, La Brecha (The Breach), to celebrate another funeral Mass. After the funeral Mass we returned to Saltillo about 5 p.m. The last Mass of the day was at San Miguel.

Wednesday saw us on the road bright and early (7 a.m.), to head for the ranchos. After an hour by highway we traveled on a gravel road to have breakfast at San Jose in the municipality of Parras. We also had a Mass there. Our next stop was at Our Lady of Guadalupe chapel in Garambullo (meaning a fruit that grows on cactus). The village of Garambullo is 2 hours from the highway. At each stop after the Mass celebration, there was always time set aside for the blessing of statues, images and holy water. Then we returned to Saltillo and we had been invited to go to the home of Yolanda for a merienda (snack) which turned out to be a full meal. After that meal we returned to San Miguel for adoration at 6 p.m. followed by the last Mass of the day at 7 p.m. Another delicious meal was served to us and we were ready for bed at 9:30 p.m. The hospitality shown to us was overwhelming.

Father Quinn’s tomb

On left, Bishop Louis Kihneman, Father David Matinez and Bishop Joseph Kopacz visit the tomb of Father Patrick Quinn at the Church of Perpetual Help during their trip to visit the Saltillo Mission in September 2023. On right, Bishop Kopacz can be seen at center during the grand procession of San Miguel on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photos by Msgr. Michael Flannery)

On Thursday, we had a little break in that breakfast was served at 8 a.m. Then we set off to visit some of the chapels served by the priests of San Miguel. Our first stop was the Church of Christ the King. This church was constructed by Father Bill Cullen who was stationed at the time at San Miguel. It is a beautiful church in the round. Our next stop was St. William Church which was constructed by Msgr. Michael Thornton (Diocese of Biloxi) and the church was dedicated by Bishop Latino of happy memory.

I would like to share a special memory with you the reader. Last year, when I went to visit San Miguel, I went to celebrate an evening Mass at St. William Church. We were just about to begin when a lady came in. After saluting her, I asked her if I knew her. She responded no. Then I asked her if she was always from that locality. She said no. I asked her where she was born and she responded, La Rosa (The Rose). I asked her what year she was born? She responded 1972. Then I announced to her that I was the one who baptized her. The village of La Rosa is 70 miles from Saltillo. It was one of the ranchos served by the mission. I do not know what possessed me to say her, do I know you? It must have been the Holy Spirit. I did have a spiritual relationship with her since I had baptized her 50 years before. God does work in mysterious ways. I was now reliving that memory.

Continuing our tour, we went to visit the church of the Holy Mexican Martyrs. The martyrdom of these men took place during the persecution of the church between 1926-1934. At the beginning of the persecution there were 4,500 priests serving the whole of Mexico. At the end, there were only 334 priests licensed to serve 15,000,000 by the government.

Our next stop was at the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the colony of The New Image. This happened to be the favorite chapel for Father Patrick Quinn (of happy memory) to visit. From there, we went to visit the church of Divine Mercy. Bishop Kopacz assisted Bishop Raul Vera, Bishop Emeritus of Saltillo, in the dedication of this church.

Bishops Louis Kihneman and Joseph Kopacz are pictured at our Lady of Guadalupe chapel in Garambullo, one of the ranchos of the Saltillo Mission.

Our next stop was at the church of San Juan Diego. (Our Lady appeared to San Diego in Tepeyac 1531). For us, no tour of churches and chapels in Saltillo, would be complete without a visit to Perpetual Help Church which was the original headquarters of the mission and the final burial place of Father Patrick Quinn founder of the mission.

The pastor of Perpetual Help was there to greet us. We had a few moments for prayer there. Then we went to the home of Maria Elena and Armando for another delicious meal. We returned to San Miguel that evening for adoration and the celebration of evening Mass. This was followed by a meal with the parish staff.

Friday was the grand festival of San Miguel. After breakfast, we joined the procession of 400 people who had come from the villages served by San Miguel. The procession began about a kilometer from the church. It was led by a pickup truck carrying an image of San Miguel and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Then came various groups of danza from the villages. The tradition of danza goes back to the time of the Aztec Indians and had remained a tradition of the Mexican people.

Arriving at San Miguel we celebrated Mass. After Mass we were had time to share a meal and greet the people and enjoy the music of the danza performed by the different groups. The Bishop of Saltillo, Bishop Hidalgo Gonzales Garcia joined us for the meal. He was appointed Bishop of Saltillo on Nov. 21, 2020. He had met Bishops Kopacz and Kihneman last year. We had a very informative meeting with him as he shared with us his pastoral plan for the Diocese of Saltillo and his vision of how we could participate in that plan.

At 4 p.m. the three bishops imparted the Sacrament of Confirmation to 50 candidates. It showed the unity of the Catholic Church working together. It was now time to get ready for the final celebration of the Feast of San Miguel.

Dancers from various villages performed at the Church of San Miguel for a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the moving of the Saltillo Mission headquarters from Perpetual Help parish to San Miguel. (Photos by Msgr. Michael Flannery)

The procession into the church that evening was led by the young children of the parish, dressed as angels. There were approximately 120 or more children dressed in white, as angels complete with wings. This was followed by the Mariachi band and groups of danza. The procession into the church of San Miguel took at least 10 minutes and it was a joyous faith filled experience. The church was packed with people standing outside. The pews of center aisle on one side contained, photos of the bishops associated with the parish, both Mexican and American. On the other side of the aisle were the photos of all the priests who had served in the parish since its inception. After Mass we moved to the courtyard for the crowning of the queen of the parish, entertainment provided by the mariachi band, the singing of the serenade to San Miguel and the sharing of birthday cake of San Miguel.

In my visit to San Miguel, I had an opportunity to renew many old acquaintances of people I have known over the years. One of these experiences was to bring the Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion to an elderly lady who was a catechist at the mission over 50 years ago. She was an inspiration to me during my time there from 1971-1974. During the whole visit, my big regret was, Msgr. Michael Thornton was not there to enjoy it. He passed away last July. May he rest in peace. He was the founding pastor of San Miguel. I know he was with us in spirit.

At 10 p.m. it was time to say our last farewell to the people and return to our rooms to pack for an early start to the Monterrey Airport the following morning and to return home.

Bishop Houck
120 angels for the final Mass
Church of Divine Mercy
Perpetual Help original headquarters of the mission
Bishop of Saltillo Hilario Gonzalez with Fr. Anthony Menez and Fr. David Martinez

Diocese enters second phase of “Pastoral Reimagining” process

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson began a yearlong pastoral reimaging process at Pentecost 2023 and will conclude on Pentecost 2024. This process was initiated as a result of the diocesan Synod on Synodality in 2021.

During the Synod process three priorities were articulated across the diocese which included all demographics (age, gender, race, etc.). They were a call for healing and unity; greater catechesis at all levels; and a deeper understanding of scripture.

“In evaluating how we developed these three themes across the diocese we discerned a pastoral plan for parishes and missions was in order,” says Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation for the diocese and member of the core team who are working on the pastoral reimagining process.

“The current reality in our post-Covid world provided additional motivation to look at where we are as a church and how we are called to serve our communities.”

The process is divided into five major phases. The first phase ran from Pentecost this year through early September, with each pastor or lay ecclesial minister (LEM) establishing a pastoral reimagining committee and having the committee view four ecclesiology video sessions and answer a series of questions designed to guide conversation on who we are as a church, said Lavelle.

JACKSON – Pastoral reimagining process participants gathered in the rectory of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle to view the last video of phase 1 – apostolic. The diocese is currently entering phase two of the pastoral reimagining process. It is expected to conclude at the end of the year. (Photo by Father Nick Adam)

The four video sessions, led by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, focus on the four marks of the church – one, holy, Catholic and apostolic; and are available for anyone to view on the diocese website. (https://jacksondiocese.org/pastoral-reimagining)

Father Nick Adam, rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, felt great about the parish meetings for the pastoral reimagining process with the guidance of the video series.

“A couple of high priority items came forth from the gatherings,” said Father Nick.

“We need a much bigger social media presence; we are very good at being welcoming, but our evangelization can be even stronger; and we need to develop a youth group.”

Bishop Kopacz said that phase one, “set the table in reminding ourselves what it means to be a church and what our identity as Catholics requires of us in the world. Our desire was to create a common understanding from which to grow a vision for the Diocese of Jackson.”

During phase two, that runs through Dec. 31, 2023, each parish will undertake a parish assessment which will include the current situation at the local parish, the growing edges, the areas that are diminishing, the opportunities for collaboration with other parishes in the area and other local realities.

“In phase two, we will reimagine the responsibilities of each parish and mission to foster a sense of unity, underscored by the four marks of the church and grounded in data,” said Bishop Kopacz.

This phase also includes a detailed report on diocesan demographics by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) of Georgetown University. The report summarizes the overall demography of the diocese, as well as a profile of the Catholic population living in the confines of the diocese. The data sources include the Decennial Census, The American Communities Survey (ACS) and other data sources from the Census Bureau. It also relies on the Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Survey, and the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB) Decennial Religion Census.

“After analyzing the demographic data, parishes will look for opportunities for growth; evaluate ministries and evaluate challenges that can be addressed,” said Lavelle.

Beginning in 2024, the third phase of the reimagining process will consist of guided and facilitated sessions for deaneries to work through challenges, both the growing edges and diminishing areas of ministry locally and within the deanery.

“The goal of phase three is to gain a realistic perspective of the health and well-being of the deanery within the setting of the individual parishes; and to look at areas of redundancy and potential areas for sharing resources,” shared Lavelle.

The fourth phase will include a period of discernment on reports from the six deaneries in the diocese and a pastoral letter from Bishop Kopacz, outlining the finding in each deanery and set forth parameters for implementation of an overall diocesan vision.

“In order for a comprehensive vision to be developed, each parish and mission is charged with engaging the parishioners to best understand the needs and opportunities in each location,” Lavelle says.

The final phase concludes the pastoral reimagining process with a diocesan celebration at Pentecost 2024, the details of which are still being worked out, said Lavelle.

Happy Ordination Anniversary

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October 13
Father Justin Joseph
St. James Tupelo & St. Christopher Pontotoc

November 10
Deacon Mark White
Deacon Emeritus, Queen of Peace
Olive Branch

November 19
Father Jack Kurps, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi & Sacred Heart Southern Missions

November 27
Father Tim Murphy
St. James Tupelo & St. Christopher Pontotoc

Thank you for answering the call!

CARA study shows positive signs of Catholic belief in Eucharist,but underscores need for revival

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By Maria Weiring

(OSV News) – Almost two-thirds of Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but only 17% of adult Catholics physically attend Mass at least once per week, according to a newly published survey from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The survey also revealed a high correlation between belief in the Eucharist and weekly or even monthly Mass attendance.
The 2022 survey of self-identified Catholics published Sept. 26 and titled “Eucharist Beliefs: A National Survey of Adult Catholics” found 64% of respondents provided responses that indicate they believe in the Real Presence, that the Lord Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine in the Eucharist.

That conclusion was drawn from both open-ended and closed-ended questions respondents were asked about their understanding of church teaching about the Eucharist and additional questions to clarify their beliefs.

This is the logo for the U.S. bishops’ three-year National Eucharistic Revival. The National Eucharistic Congress organizers describe the routes pilgrims will walk with the Eucharist to the NEC in 2024. The National Eucharistic Congress organizers have set the routes pilgrims will walk with the Eucharist to the NEC in 2024. (OSV News photo/courtesy USCCB)

According to the CARA study, 49% of respondents correctly identified that the church teaches that “Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine.” The other 51% incorrectly identified the church’s teaching as “Bread and wine are symbols of Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper, meaning that Jesus is only symbolically present in the consecrated bread and wine.”

“Results of this question indicate that there is substantial confusion about what the church teaches about the Eucharist with slightly more adult Catholics not knowing this correctly than those correctly identifying the teachings,” the report stated.
The survey report noted the data from the responses to the questions indicated “most who do not believe in the Real Presence are not rejecting the teaching, as they do not know this is what the church teaches.”

The survey aimed to test or clarify the findings of a 2019 Pew Research Center survey that found one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with the church that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ. According to Pew’s analysis published in August 2019, “nearly seven-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion ‘are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.’ Just one-third of U.S. Catholics (31%) say they believe that ‘during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.’”

The 2019 Pew survey was part of the impetus for the National Eucharistic Revival that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops launched last year, and which will include a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July. The initiative aims “to inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist – and who are then sent out on mission ‘for the life of the world,’” its website states.

In a review of previous surveys asking Catholics about their belief in the Real Presence beginning with a 2008 American National Election Study, CARA indicated that the Pew Research Center’s phrasing for its question on the topic may have been confusing to respondents. CARA aimed to be as clear as possible with its survey’s approach, which is why it opened with an “unaided and open-ended question”: “In your own words, what do you believe happens to the gifts of bread and wine after Consecration during Mass?”
The new CARA study, while showing more Catholics believe in the Real Presence than in the Pew study, still underscores the need for the Eucharistic Revival, said Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, which is supporting the revival.

“It’s still not good news,” Bishop Cozzens, who also serves as board chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress nonprofit formed in 2022 to plan the national event, told OSV News. “What it reveals is that there’s … people who say they believe in the Eucharist, but they don’t go to Mass. In that sense, they obviously haven’t had a real encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.”

“This is what we’re about with the Eucharistic Revival, this encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist that lets me realize he’s a living person and that changes the way I live,” he continued.

The survey, however, “might actually show us we have more low-hanging fruit than we thought,” he said. “In other words, there are people who say they believe in the Eucharist, but they don’t go to Mass every week. … How do we invite them into an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist so that their lives can be changed?”

The survey found that knowledge of the church’s teaching on the Eucharist and belief that teaching is true is highest among Catholics who attend Mass at least once per week, at 95%. Among Catholics who attend less than weekly but at least once per month, it was 80%.

It also found that weekly Mass attendance has dropped seven percentage points during the COVID-19 pandemic from 24% in 2019 to 17% in 2022 – around 5% watch Mass on television or online due to the pandemic. An additional 18% attend less than weekly but at least once per month. Twenty-six percent attend Mass a few times per year and 35% rarely or never attend Mass.

“What we need is not just good catechesis – we do need that – but we also need to invite people to a relationship,” Bishop Cozzens said. “Helping people understand that it (lack of belief in the Real Presence) is not just an intellectual problem, it’s a problem of the heart in that sense of relationship with Jesus. What we’re really seeking is inviting people to an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.”

The national study was commissioned by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, “to better understand what the current Catholic population (self-identified) believes about the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Eucharist,” the report stated. The survey included 1,031 respondents ages 18 or older with a margin of error of 4.45 percentage points. It was offered in English and Spanish, and administered via online form or live telephone interview from July 11 to Aug. 2, 2022.

The McGrath Institute commissioned the CARA study because of its collaboration with the National Eucharistic Revival and the importance of having clearer data on Catholics’ beliefs regarding the Real Presence, Bishop Cozzens said.

Affiliated with Georgetown University in Washington, CARA is a national, nonprofit, research center that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church.

NOTE: A copy of the CARA survey is available here: https://bit.ly/CARAEucharistStudy2023.

Diocesan Catholic Schools still have job openings in 2023-2024 academic year

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The Diocese of Jackson is proud of the outstanding educators and support staff in our schools. Several of our Diocesan Catholic Schools still have job openings during the 2023-2024 academic year. Visit https://jacksondiocese.org/employment for an opening near you.

The Catholic schools and learning centers of the diocese are required to comply with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws. They hire employees and admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, age, religion or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to all individuals at the school/center.

The educational institutions of our diocese do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, age, religion, or disabilities in the administration of their educational policies, admission policies, personnel policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school/center administered programs.

Trunk or treat/fall festivals

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COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 4-6:30 p.m. on College Street in Downtown Columbus. We are joining with First Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for a huge event. No pets, please. Enjoy trunk or treat, cake walk, games, crafts, door prizes, face painting, costume contest, hall of saints and food. Details: church office (662) 328-2927.

CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Halloween Carnival, Sunday, Oct. 29 following 5 p.m. Mass. Candy donations needed. Details: Natalie at (228) 861-7253.

FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up your trunk today! Help us bring the best and safest Halloween event to all. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.

GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph Lourdes parking lot. Trunks are needed! Details: Olivia at (601) 906-3902.

GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, CYO Spaghetti Supper and Halloween Festival, Monday, Oct. 23. Spaghetti supper $15 – starts at 4:30 p.m. Dine in, carry out or drive-thru. Carnival on the green at 5:30 p.m. Bingo begins at 6 p.m. Cakes needed for cake walk. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 in the parking lot from 3-5 p.m. Sign your trunk up today! Adult prizes for most creative trunk display. Event for ages up to fifth grade. Enjoy games, face painting and treats! Costume awards for children. Details: Kim at (662) 719-4116.

HOLLY SPRINGS – St. Joseph, Harvest Festival, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. Youth led Mass and fun! Join us for an afternoon of fun, games, music, dancing, food and fellowship as we celebrate being Catholic. Details: church office (662) 252-3138.

JACKSON – St. Richard School, Cardinal Fest, Sunday, Oct. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Purchase a $20 wristband for all the fun! Includes food, games, entertainment and one cake walk ticket. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.

MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi, Knights of Columbus Trunk or Treat event, Oct. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the parking lot in front of St. Thomas. Join us for food, fun and fellowship! Prizes awarded for best decorated trunk, best costumes for kids and adults and best decorated pumpkin. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.

St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the campus parking lot. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Fall Festival, Friday, Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Games, costume contest, cake walk and more. Food and drink available for purchase. Volunteers needed, contact Kasey at (601) 692-6360. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.

NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Trunk or Treat, Monday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the corner of S. Union and State Streets. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

NEW ALBANY – St. Francis of Assisi, Trunk or Treat from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Best dressed Saint wins a special gift. Details: church office (662) 534-4654.

OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Halloween Bash, Sunday, Oct. 29 beginning at 5 p.m. Enjoy games, food, trunk or treat and more. All are welcome! Details: church office (662) 895-5007.

PHILADELPHIA – Holy Rosary, Halloween Party, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 5-7:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Costume, mummy wrap and pumpkin carving contests. Also enjoy food, music and treat bags! Details: church office (601) 656-2880.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Halloween Bash, Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. for youth through fifth grade. Cost: One large bag of candy. Concessions available. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

TUPELO – St. James, Fall Fest, Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy trunk or treat, games, activities and food. Be sure to wear your saint costume. Details: church office (662) 842-4881.

St. James, High School Fall Lock-in, from Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in the St. James gym. Cost: $40. Enjoy pizza, bon fire, pumpkin painting, movies, fellowship and more. Details: youth director (662) 871-6277.

VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall (310 Fisher Ferry Road). Details: call (601) 636-8372.

ADULT HALLOWEEN GATHERING
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Cocktails & Cadavers, Saturday, Oct. 28 in the social hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and party from 7-10 p.m. Join us for an adult Halloween fright night of dancing, food, fellowship and music by DJ Fernando. Tickets are $25 per person. BYOB. Costume and door prizes. Details: Loretta at (901) 634-8157 for tickets or more information.

Calendar of Events

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PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Life Chain for Respect Life Month, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Participants will be located on Brookway Boulevard sidewalks east of Hwy 51 and will be provided appropriate Respect Life posters to exhibit. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.

FLOWOOD – Homegrown Harvest Fest, sponsored by office of vocations, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul parish. Proceeds support our seven diocesan seminarians. Evening includes dinner, silent auction and fellowship. Details: Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/HGHarvest2023.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph School, Homecoming Tailgating, Friday, Oct. 20. Fee is $50. Tent setup at 5 p.m. Details: cmandolini@stjoeirish.org or John at (601) 415-1551.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Veterans Mass, Sunday, Nov. 12 after 9:30 a.m. Mass. Information needed by Oct. 29 – rank, branch, veteran of war and photo in uniform. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Knights of Columbus “Coats for the Community” drive. Donate new or gently used coats before Mass on Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 4-5. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.

Catholic Charities, Purple Dress Run, Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at The District at Eastover. Grab your best purple dress and join us for a 5K run/walk to benefit Charities Shelter for Battered Families. Register at raceroster.com/78874. Details: Rachel Travis at (601) 326-3703.

St. Richard, Special Kids Golf tournament at Deerfield Country Club in Canton on Thursday, Oct. 19. Details: church office (601) 366-2335, saintrichard.com or Kristin at thedohertyteam@gmail.com.

St. Richard School, Cardinal Booster Club Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 9 with Coach Mike Bianco of Ole Miss. Cost $250 per ticket (admits two). Enjoy Mass at 5:15, then cocktail social, silent auction and “meet and greet” with Coach Bianco, catered dinner at 6:45 p.m. with address by Coach. Deadline for ticket purchase is Friday, Oct. 20. Details: Coach Nelson rnelson@saintrichardschool.org.

Theology of Tap, Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Downtown. Guest speaker is Father Nick Adam. For adults, 21+. Details: email amelia.rizor@jacksondiocese.org.

MADISON – St. Joseph School, Bingo Games, Sunday, Oct. 22 in the cafeteria. Early bird games at 1:30 p.m.; regular games at 2 p.m. Must be age 25 to play but all ages welcome to attend. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.

MAGNOLIA – St. James, Garage Sale, Saturday Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (125 E Bay Street) Details: call (985) 665-0868.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Candy Cane 5k Dash and Fun Run, Saturday, Dec. 2. Details: register at https://bit.ly/CandyCane2023.

OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Men’s Club Fellowship Card Night, Friday, Oct. 20 from 6-10 p.m. All parishioners and guests welcome. For $10 each, participant will receive dinner, a non-alcoholic beverage and 100 poker chips. Beverages available for donation. Sign up today! Details: Tracy at (901) 828-4848.

PEARL – St. Jude, Day-trip Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 28. Tour the Shrine, Mass, Adoration and more. Cost est. $75. Details: email kmcgregor@stjudepearl.org or call (601) 939-3181.

Smokin’ fundraiser for Young Apostles group, holiday meat sale after each Mass through Nov. 5. Details: Lauren at roberts0677@bellsouth.net.

SHAW – St. Francis of Assisi, Spaghetti dinner, Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets $15. Drive-thru only from parish hall. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Details: church office (662) 754-5561.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Pumpkin Patch through Oct. 30. Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

Christ the King, Gala Dinner with World Youth Day Community, Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m. in the religious ed building. Delicious food, keynote speeches by youth leaders, live performances, inspiring stories of personal triumph, door prize religious articles from Fatima and Lisbon and more! Cost: family ticket $50 (3 adults and 2 or more kids); Adult ticket for one $20. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

TUPELO – St. James, Rummage Sale, Saturday, Nov. 4 from 7:30-11 a.m. in Shelton hall. Details: Bobbie at (662) 372-1087.

VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus 898, Holiday smoked meat sale. Butts, turkey and loins $50; Half Chicken 2 for $8; Turkey breast $35; and Half ham $40. Order by Nov. 15 at https://kc898.square.site. Pick up Sunday, Nov. 19 from 12-4 p.m. at KC Hall, 310 Fisher Ferry Road. Details: Paul at (601) 529-1710.
Knights of Columbus 898, Food drive for Storehouse Community food pantry on Sat. Nov. 4 at the Corner Market.

WINONA – Sacred Heart, Communi-tea Festivi-tea event, Saturday, Nov. 11 from 12-3 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Cost: adults $15 and children (under 12) $12. Tickets available at Crossroads Jewelers or call Marlene at (662) 307-0831. Details: Barbara at (256) 506-5007.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CHOCTAW – The Choctaw Bible Translation program is having a week long program of Choctaw Bible Stories the week of Oct. 16-20 at 5 p.m. in the Pearl River CERF building. Choctaw singing, with bible stories in English and Choctaw! Mark your calendar and plan to enjoy this special program. Details: https://choctawbible.com.

GREENWOOD – Locus Benedictus, Healing Retreat with Maria Vadia on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no fee to attend. A love offering will be taken. Details: to register email contactlocusbenedictus@gmail.com or call (662) 299-1232.

Wreaths Across America participation deadline approaches – a patriotic program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554 –

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By Staff Reports

CLINTON – Knights of Columbus Assembly 554 is once again participating in the Wreaths Across America program.

This patriotic program has grown from humble beginnings during the Christmas season of 1992, when wreaths were placed on veteran graves in an older section of Arlington Nation Cemetery, into a national event.

In 2022 on Wreaths Across America day 2.7 million wreaths were placed on veteran graves with the help of over 2 million volunteers at 3702 cemeteries nationwide.

CLINTON – A member of the Knights of Columbus from Holy Savior parish places a wreath on the grave of a veteran for the 2022 Wreaths Across America event. (Photo courtesy of Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554)

Assembly 554 sponsors two locations, the Clinton Cemetery Association and Cedar Grove cemetery. Both cemeteries are located on East College Street in Clinton. The assembly has identified upwards of 300 veteran gravesites and is looking for individuals, small businesses or corporations to sponsor wreath purchases.

Wreaths can be purchased online at kofc554.org, by downloading a sales form and mailing to listed address, or from members of Assembly 554.

Wreaths can also be purchased for a specific veteran at either of our sponsored locations, or for veterans buried at other locations. (Wreaths purchased for veterans at other locations may be picked up at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Holy Savior Catholic Church on the corner of Lindale Street and Old Vicksburg Road Clinton.)

The wreaths are made with Maine balsam with a red, hand tied, weatherproof velveteen bow approximately 22” in diameter. The cost per wreath is $17.

This year Wreaths Across America day is Saturday, Dec. 16. In Clinton, the program will begin with a ceremony honoring veterans at 12 p.m. at the War Memorial in the Clinton Cemetery, 500 East College Street followed by wreath placement on veteran graves at both the Clinton Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to participate in the laying of wreaths is welcome. There is no parking in the cemeteries, but Pleasant Green Mission Baptist Church, located across the street from the cemeteries, allows volunteers to park in their lot.

For more information about this event or for assistance purchasing wreaths please contact Bill O’Connor at (601) 906-8890.

The deadline for all wreath purchasing for Wreath Across America Day 2023 is Saturday, Nov. 25.

Get ready for #iGiveCatholic 2023 – November 28

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By Rebecca Harris
JACKSON – Kick off the charitable season on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 28, with #iGiveCatholic – a crowdfunding event that brings the Catholic community together to give thanks and give back. The Diocese of Jackson is once again joining dioceses and Catholic foundations across the country for the ninth annual #iGiveCatholic campaign. The #iGiveCatholic Giving Day is held annually on #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and generosity.

The Diocese of Jackson will be participating in #iGiveCatholic – a crowdfunding event that brings the Catholic community together to give thanks and give back – on #GivingTuesday on Nov. 28. (File photo)

Last fall, 42 partnering dioceses raised over $18.5 million for 2,400+ participating parishes, schools and ministries. The Diocese of Jackson had 50 participating organizations and ministries that collected over $207,000 in donations. The amount that is collected increases each year as more and more people become familiar with the #iGiveCatholic campaign. Since its inaugural year in 2015, the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day has yielded continued growth in the number of participating dioceses and their participating non-profits as well as total donations, both online and offline, and average gift amount.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Catholic communities nationwide to unite to promote generosity and celebrate our Catholic heritage,” said Cory Howat, president of #iGiveCatholic. “Every donation makes an impact and has a positive effect on the life of the church as a whole. We are thrilled the Diocese of Jackson is partnering with #iGiveCatholic to raise funds for all of the participating parishes, schools and ministries in their community and around the country.”

When an diocese or foundation participates in #iGiveCatholic, their webpage hosts individual profile pages for each Catholic parish, school, and non-profit ministry (organizations) within that arch/diocese wanting to participate on #GivingTuesday. Each profile page features personalization capabilities, including video, photos, custom copy and a donate button to tell that organization’s story, their impact on the community and the church, and what the organization will do with the funds raised. The organization page includes a thermometer and scrolling ticker-tape updating total donations on the Giving Day in real time, affording parishioners, alumni, parents and supporters the opportunity to track how their favorite parish, school or ministry is doing during #iGiveCatholic.

Individuals can also get involved, ensuring the success of their favorite parish, school or ministry by hosting and personalizing individual fundraising pages on behalf of their favorite organization, and/or by providing a gift that can match other donations during the event.

For more information about supporting organizations and ministries withing the Diocese of Jackson on Tuesday, Nov. 28 during the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day, please contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477.