Category Archives: Diocesan News

Legislative look-back: busy year for advocates

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – This Mississippi Legislature wrapped up the 2016 session Thursday, April 21. Bishop Joseph Kopacz and the Catholic Charities Poverty Task Force were very active on a number of issues this year including immigration, budget cuts and abortion. Here is a look at some of the key issues that came out of the session:
Abortion
A new law to prohibit dismemberment abortions in the state becomes effective July 1. On April 15, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law the Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act, passed by the state Senate in a 40-6 vote in March and by the state House 83-33 in February.
“We applaud any effort to end abortion in our communities and will continue to support women in crisis through our efforts with Catholic Charities, adoption services, parish-based ministries and supporting organizations such as Birthright,” said Father Kevin Slattery, vicar general of the Diocese of Jackson. “There are many faithful people out there working to give women the choice of life,” he said in a statement. “We hope we can continue to build and strengthen those ministries for people in need.”
Mississippi is the fourth state to enact the measure, after West Virginia, Kansas and Oklahoma. According to National Right to Life, the legislation – based on the pro-life organization’s model bill – also has been introduced in Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri and Nebraska and may be taken up in several other states.
The procedure is a form of second-trimester abortion that “dismembers a living unborn child and extracts him or her one piece at a time from the uterus.” It is called a D&E for “dilation and evacuation.” It is different from the partial-birth abortion method used in late-term abortions, which is now illegal in the United States.
Budget
During Catholic Day at the Capitol earlier this year, advocates spoke about the need to support mental health programs, education and foster care. The state’s foster care agency was being threatened with federal takeover due to a lack of qualified workers, seemingly insurmountable backlogs and several deaths which might be attributed to child abuse.
The budget passed by the Legislature cut seven million dollars from the budget to cover mental health, about three percent, but there was some good news.
The bright spot, according to Jeannie Donovan of Jesuit Social Research institute, is that the foster care system did get spun off into it’s own department with its own budget. “Foster care funding did get increased by $34 million to avoid a federal take over. Unfortunately, funding for Medicaid was decreased slightly despite a projected increase in costs,” said Donovan.
Another presentation at Catholic Day explained how regressive taxation disproportionately impacts the poor. This year, the Legislature approved cuts to almost every department while cutting taxes and, at the same time, borrowing money. The Clarion-Ledger newspaper printed a front-page editorial calling the proposed budget ‘madness.’ Other advocates expressed similar dismay about the way the combination of cuts and borrowing would impact the state in the years to come.
The Legislature passed several tax cuts to benefit large corporations, but did not pursue any tax reform that would lift the burden on lower-income families in Mississippi. Two-thirds of the tax cut passed will go to corporations.
According to the Hope Policy Institute, a non-profit advocacy group working to alleviate the causes of poverty in the region, “most corporations in Mississippi already pay very little in corporate taxes. The franchise tax, which is eliminated in this tax cut, currently makes up 44 percent of corporate taxes collected. Three out of four corporations currently pay less than $150 in corporate income taxes, and will thus pay zero when the three percent bracket is eliminated.
“The other one-third of the cut will go to Mississippians who owe personal income taxes. The maximum tax cut per individual is $150 from the cut.  However, many of the working families who need relief the most, will not benefit from the plan at all,” according to a Hope analyst.
Revenue for fiscal year 2016 fell short of projections, causing the Governor’s office to make cuts to the existing budget. The Mississippi Adequate Education Fund got level funding, but the amount is still an estimated $170 million below “full-funding” of the formula.
“The combination of the new tax cuts and existing lack of adequate funding for public services, it seems that this Mississippi Legislature put the state on a path a fiscal crisis similar to what we’re now dealing with in Louisiana,” said Donovan
Guns in Church
Despite a new law that would allow people to carry their firearms into church, the Diocese of Jackson will maintain its current policy banning firearms and other weapons inside places of worship, schools, offices and service centers.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz does not feel there is any need to have firearms, whether they are concealed or publicly displayed, inside church-owned property.
“We are here to worship and to serve,” said Bishop Kopacz. “I understand that some parishes have private security officers and off-duty law enforcement officers patrolling their property, and that’s fine, if those people are from licensed security agencies with proper training, background checks and gun permits, but I see no reason for a gun to be inside a sanctuary or school, especially an unpermitted one,” he added.
Governor Bryant signed a law that would allow churches and other religious institutions to allow select certain members to undergo training and carry firearms inside their buildings, even without concealed weapon permits, however it remains diocesan policy not to have any firearms in diocesan and parish buildings except in those cases where the parish or institution has hired a licensed security company. There are to be no parishioners or parents patrolling their facilities with guns.
Immigration
Senate Bill 2306, which Bishop Kopacz opposed, died Tuesday, April 19. The bill called for local law enforcement officers to detain anyone who is in the country illegally or who might be, regardless of why they were stopped by police. The local officers would have to notify federal authorities to come pick up the suspect.
“Our impetus in opposing the bill was to support our clients. Under this bill, if someone was stopped without their drivers’ license they could be detained and transferred to ICE (Immigration and customs enforcement) custody,” explained Amelia McGowan, program director and immigration attorney for the Migrant Support Center for Catholic Charities in Jackson. It also called for a ban on so-called “sanctuary cities,” which are places where local law enforcement are not allowed to ask any suspect about his or her immigration status. There are currently no sanctuary cities in Mississippi, but bill author Sean Tindal (R-Gulfport) felt the state should be doing more to enforce immigration laws.
McGowan joined an effort spear-headed by Church World Service to speak out against the bill. Noel Anderson, the national grassroots coordinator for the organization, contacted faith leaders from across the state, asking them to sign a letter to be hand-delivered to lawmakers. Bishop Kopacz joined the more than 40 pastors, community and religious leaders who signed the letter and McGowan hand-delivered it to Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves’ office. Other advocates delivered copies to Senate Judicial Chair Tindal and House Chair Mark Baker.
The letter criticizes the bill, saying it “would force state and local police to serve as immigration enforcement officers and comply with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers to hold immigrants in custody. SB 2306 strips local law enforcement agencies of critical discretion, in effect conscripting them to prioritize immigration enforcement over local public safety needs, and they will be forced to pick up the bill for it too.”
The letter goes on to caution that this bill puts immigrants at higher risk of being victims of crime repeatedly since many victims would be afraid to report crimes for fear the police would turn them over to ICE as well. “These provisions would not make communities or cities in Mississippi any safer. Rather, they would reverse community-based policing efforts that are vital to public safety in our neighborhoods. Safety increases for everyone when all individuals can report dangerous situations and seek protection from violence without the fear of being deported and separated from their families,” it reads. (EDitor’s note: coverage of other legislative issues, such as HB1523, the religious liberty bill, is available on www.mississippicatholic.com.)

Five priests celebrate jubilee years

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By Mary Margaret Halford
Three diocesan priests are marking significant ordination anniversaries this year while two order priests mark significant dates in their vocational journeys. A full listing of the public celebrations is on page 8. All of the priests are from out-of-state, most from out of the country, in fact, but all are beloved in their newly-adopted home-state of Mississippi.

Father John Gouger, CssR,
Redepmtorist Community, Greenwood
In his past 51 years as an ordained priest, Father John Gouger, CSsR, has made his way from the Midwest of the United States to Cajun Country in south Louisiana and lived along both the Amazon and the Mississippi rivers.
“If we go way back to when I was a child — I really enjoyed being in this little church with my parents, and I wondered ‘how can I always be here?’ I decided I could always be there by becoming a priest and religious,” the Iowa native said of his call to vocations.
After his first appointment in Houma, La., Father Gouger did missionary work for 30 years in Brazil, a place that holds some of the fondest memories of his priesthood.
“What I really enjoyed was river trips by houseboat, visiting communities along the Amazon River and in the rainforest and jungle area.”
Father Gouger, who is now part of the Redemptionist Hispanic Leadership Team in Greenwood, celebrated his jubilee last year, and recently took a trip back to Brazil to celebrate his 50 years in the priesthood.

Father Gerry Hurley,
pastor, Flowood St. Paul Parish
When Father Gerry Hurley was growing up on the outskirts of Cork City, Ireland, he was greatly influenced by the priests around him. And after making the decision that the priesthood was for him, he was ordained 40 years ago.
“I thought what a nice way to spend your life,” Father Hurley said of the religious he grew up around. “They all seemed like they were having fun.”
But while studying at the seminary, he decided his home diocese was a bit rigid for his taste, and he wanted to come to a place where he could live his priesthood “in a broader way.” At the urging of fellow priest and friend, Father Michael O’Brien, Hurley was looking at dioceses in the United States and visiting Virginia when he met the late Bishop Joseph Brunini, who suggested a trip to Mississippi.
“I came for two weeks and knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Father Hurley said. “I haven’t regretted it for a moment.”
“What stands out in my mind is that I’ve enjoyed every assignment I’ve had,” he said. “Every time I’ve moved, I’ve found a new invitation to learn and grow.”
Father Hurley will celebrate his jubilee with a public Mass at Flowood St. Paul Parish on June 10 at 7 p.m. A reception will follow.

Father Tom Lalor, pastor
Vicksburg, St. Paul Parish
Growing up in a family where choosing the path of religious life was common, Father Tom Lalor knew his vocation from an early age — and 50 years later he hasn’t looked back.
“If I had the ability to be anything else — an extraordinary academic or something — I would still choose to be a priest. That was all I ever really wanted to be,” Father Lalor said, adding that his brother, sister, and two uncles all chose a life of religious ministry.
When he first came to Mississippi from County Westmeath, Ireland, he began his ministry in Biloxi, where part of his assignment was teaching two classes daily at Sacred Heart Girls High School.
“I had no idea how to run a class, I didn’t know a thing about teaching. Sister Paulinus Oaks, RSM, inspired me and told me that I could teach,” Father Lalor said. “I have the greatest memories you could possibly imagine. I have a great respect for teachers because I found that teaching is very labor intensive.”
Since Biloxi, he has pastored in Jackson, Magee, Raleigh, Greenville, Natchez, Cleveland, Tupelo and Vicksburg. Father Lalor will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination with a Mass at Vicksburg St. Paul at 6 p.m. on June 9. A reception will follow.

Father Tom Mulally, SVD, pastor,
Greenville Sacred Heart Parish
A native of Emmett, Michigan, Father Tom Mulally , SVD, knew that he wanted a future that involved traveling and religious ministry, so his priest encouraged him to think about religious vocations. At the age of 18, he made up his mind, and 50 years ago, he took his first vows.
“I always wanted to work overseas as a missionary, my pastor knew about the SVDs and here I am,” Father Mulally said. “I went to work overseas long before the Peace Corps was even founded in 1960.”
Since becoming a priest, Father Mulally has spent 46 years in the south, in parishes across Louisiana, Arkansas and now at Sacred Heart of Greenville, as well as Shaw St. Francis of Assisi. He also celebrates Mass monthly at Rosedale Sacred Heart Parish and visits the state penitentiary.
“I would say working with the lay people has brought me great strength and great joy,” he said, adding that implementing Vatican II was one of the most memorable times of his priesthood. “We had to start from scratch, I went to a lot of seminars to learn new rituals for marriage, reconciliation, and RCIA. Vatican II was a very exciting time for me.”
Father Mulally will celebrate the anniversary of his vows Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. with a Mass at Sacred Heart followed by a reception that will be open to the public.

Father Richard Somers, retired
Father Somers, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, celebrates 50 years of ordination June 12. Father Somers, who suffers from a form of Parkinson’s disease, lives at St. Catherine’s Village where he is cared for by a veritable army of regular visitors. He has a hard time communicating these days, but his memory is still sharp and visitors who can listen closely can still get a taste of his sense of humor.
In 1994, Father Somers offered a talk on his vocation which was recorded for the diocese. In the recording he explained the great lesson he learned when God “chased me to Mississippi.”
He was one of six children and joked that he remembers his parents praying for his two brothers to become priests, “but somehow I always got skipped in that.”
During his time in Hattiesburg he began to minister to a group of college students. They offered every week to pray for him. This seemingly small gesture had a profound impact on his life. He said it was the first time he truly felt the deeply personal love God had for him.
“I went to Mississippi to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. I had to go to Mississippi to find out how much God loves me and I had to be convinced of it and convicted of it in my own heart. God really does.”
St. Richard will host a Mass of Thanksgiving and a reception in his honor on Saturday, June 25, at 11 a.m.

Magazine details Sisters’ Mississippi mission

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Although the Sisters of St. Joseph of the third order of St. Francis no longer serve in Mississippi, their legacy remains, especially in Meridian and Greenwood, where they were integral in starting a hospital and school. The school, St. Francis of Assisi, is still operating in Greenwood, although it is now served by a different Franciscan community.
This spring the school’s founders dedicated an issue of their magazine, Peace and All Good, to their time in Mississippi to commemorate the 70th anniversary of coming to the state. “Mississippi Ministry, 1945-1996,” is packed full of stories and photos from both communities. A digital issue will be available on the order’s website, www.ssj-tosf.org. Those who would like to order a hard copy should send $10 to Sister Angelora Grossman, SSJ-TOSF, P.O. Box 305, Stevens Point, WI 54481-0305. To speak with Sister Angelora, call 715-341-8457.

St. Dominic Hospital marks anniversary

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JACKSON –  St. Dominic Hospital celebrated its 70th anniversary on Friday, April 15. This marks the day when a group of Dominican Sisters from Springfield, Ill., came to Jackson  to assume responsibility for what was then known as the Jackson Infirmary. This original hospital was located on Amite Street in downtown Jackson.
Although St. Dominic’s, and the healthcare industry as a whole, has endured growth and change over the years, St. Dominic’s has remained true to the pioneer sisters’ vision of providing a Christian healing ministry to the people of Mississippi. Currently, seven Dominican Sisters serve locally in the St. Dominic’s ministry.
St. Dominic Hospital is a 535-bed tertiary care hospital located in Jackson,  serving all of central Mississippi and employs approximately 3,000 people, inclusive of nurses, physicians, and skilled caregivers. The medical staff, of nearly 500 leading physicians and specialists, makes St. Dominic’s one of the most comprehensive hospitals in Mississippi.
To commemorate the occasion, sculptor Tracy Sugg created a life-size bronze statue of a pioneer Dominican Sister titled, ‘Dominican Sister, A Life Given in Service,’ to honor the many donors who have supported the St. Dominic’s ministry over the years. In the past, grateful patients, families and friends helped to support St. Dominic’s by purchasing commemorative plaques placed on doors throughout the hospital. As the hospital changed to meet patient needs, many plaques were left with no place to be displayed. Sculptor Tracy Sugg used the bronze from these plaques to create the statue.
The sister in the sculpture is actually stepping off the plinth with one hand outstretched. This was done to help convey the essence of the Sisters’ desire to not be on a pedestal, but rather to serve in Christ’s love.
“This sculpture honors our many friends and represents the donor recognition plaques placed throughout the hospital in prior years,” said Lester Diamond, president of St. Dominic Hospital. “I cannot think of a better way to commemorate St. Dominic’s 70th anniversary than this distinctive representation of what we hope to embody as an organization.”
(Story and photo courtesy of St. Dominic)

Graham calls for conversion, prayer in politics at rally

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JACKSON – Franklin Graham, son of iconic televangelist Billy Graham, stopped in Jackson on Wednesday, April 13, for the Mississippi leg of the Decision America Tour. Graham is making stops in every state capitol to call people to prayer and political activism.
The preacher reminded people they cannot depend on any political party to save the country. That, he said, would take faith in Jesus and hard work. In addition to inviting people to give themselves to Christ, Graham invited them to make a pledge to consider running for office or working for a campaign each person thought would advance Christian ideals.
The rallies combine old-fashioned music and prayer with a high-tech element. People who needed prayer or who wanted to sign the pledge could text their support to a number and someone from Graham’s organization would get back to them with local contacts and information. Several thousand people braved threatening skies for the noon-time rally on the Capitol steps.

Pastoral Ministries’ workshop offers new opportunity for ‘easy listening’

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Every year lay pastoral leaders gather for a week-long series of retreats and classes offered by the diocesan Department of Faith Formation. Most of them are going through a five-year certification program for catechists in the diocese, but this year, the Pastoral Ministries Workshop is open to anyone who wants to attend one of the classes, even if that person does not wish to enroll in the certification program at this time.
While the classes were never formally closed to other students, Fran Lavelle, director of Faith Formation, wanted to make it especially clear this year that all are welcome.
“We heard at the listening sessions that people are hungry for good faith formation opportunities. We have some wonderful presenters and we want people who are interested in these topics to feel welcome,” said Lavelle.  Bishop Joseph Kopacz hosted a series of Listening Sessions in February to start the process of pastoral planning for the diocese. While the final results are still being processed, some departments are able to address some common themes that emerged immediately.
The workshop is at Lake Tia O’Kahata in Louisville, is June 6-9. Classes this year include:
– Effective communications in ministry taught by Leo Trahan, director of religious education for the Diocese of Biloxi.
– Developing, maintaining and balancing programs taught by Janet Masline, associate director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Mobile.
– Ministry and Canon Law, taught by Father Kevin Slattery, Vicar General for the Diocese of Jackson.
– Spiritual and Prayer Leadership in a Parish taught by Father John Bohn, pastor of Jackson St. Richard Parish.
– Lay Reflecting from a Prayerful Heart taught by Sheila Przesmicki, lay ecclesial minister of Booneville St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
The cost for the week-long workshop is $500, which includes a room, meals and materials. Those who wish to commute can pay $200 for meals and  materials. Scholarships to pay for a third of the cost are available to anyone who is in the diocesan lay ministry formation program.
In addition to classes, the Pastoral Ministries Workshop offers retreat opportunities for catechists. The Pastoral Ministries Retreat starts Sunday, June 5, at 3 p.m.  and ends Monday, June 6, after lunch. The cost is $120 for this guided retreat. This covers three meals, one night lodging, and program expense.
An extended retreat which begins Monday, June 6, after lunch will run through Thursday, June 9, after lunch.  Retreatants will meet as a group for guided reflections on the 2016 catechetical theme, “Prayer: The Faith Prayed.” Every year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) selects a different catechetical theme which parishes, schools and individuals can embrace and explore.
The cost for just this extended retreat is $400. This covers three nights lodging, 10 meals, and program expense. Participants may combine the Sunday/Monday retreat with the extended retreat for a reduced combo rate of $485. The retreat portion of this week is intended for catechists and those in the lay formation program.
Registrations for all classes are due May 23. To request a registration form, email Lavelle at Fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org or call her at 601-960-8473.

Birthright needs volunteers, offers free tour, training

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“I am sitting there, waiting for the phone to ring. No one has called in the past hour. I start thinking about all the productive things I could be doing at home. Then, there is a knock at the door. It’s a young girl in her twenties. She looks weary and sad. I welcome her and invite her to sit with me for a moment.
She looks into my eyes, sees the smile on my face, and bursts into tears. She has kept this a secret and feels all alone. She is tormented by her circumstances and fear of what to do next. She thought no one would understand or love her again. But, then she found her way to me. Somehow she knew, just by being in my presence, that I would help her. I am here for her. She will make it through this after all. She is not alone!” This is the picture of a day at Birthright painted by Monica Walton, a Birthright volunteer for 21 years.
The organization needs new volunteers so it is hosting a training session in May.
Birthright believes “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.” That has been the Birthright way since it was founded in 1968 by Louise Summerhill in Canada. Birthright of Jackson began in 1983. Every Birthright chapter adheres to the same charter which has remain unchanged since its inception.
“It’s a very narrow focus of helping a woman take care of herself so she can take care of her baby,” said Walton, who also serves as director of Birthright of Jackson. “We simply welcome each client as a friend. We run a free pregnancy test and sit with her, listening to her personal story. Whatever problem she feels is a stumbling block in the pregnancy, we help her make a plan to improve her circumstances. Then she feels better able to carry the child to term,” she added. Birthright offers love, hope, friendship, information, practical help and referrals for as long as a woman needs their services.
Last year, Birthright of Jackson had 350 counseling sessions with clients. Twenty-seven clients were considering abortion. Of the 16 pregnancy tests administered, 12 clients reported back with information on the birth of their child. The remaining four either had a miscarriage or abortion, or Birthright lost contact with the client.
“We don’t always get to hear the outcome of our interaction with these women,” said Walton. “Sometimes, their phone service is disconnected or they simply stop taking our calls. But, it is so wonderful when we do get to meet the babies and see the change of heart these mothers have experienced!”
“I had volunteered at the hospital and at hospice ministries, but I didn’t find either fulfilling,” said Lou Runnels, Birthright volunteer from Flowood St. Paul Parish. “Volunteering at Birthright filled a void in me, even though I didn’t know what was missing. Meeting clients makes me feel good. We make a connection and I know I have made a difference in their lives.”
Runnels, who has been a Birthright volunteer for two years, shared that she had an abortion at the age of 18. “I am able to give these girls information that wasn’t given to me 42 years ago when I had my abortion,” she said. “If I would have found a place like Birthright, I might have made a different decision,” she said.
“Helping with Birthright gives me peace of mind,” said Caroline Gaudet, who has been a Birthright volunteer, off and on for 20 years. “I know I am doing something for those who are very vulnerable, and I like Birthright because it’s non-judgmental and offers a sense of safety. That’s very important to me.” Gaudet is a member of Jackson St. Richard Parish.
Dennis Riecke has volunteered for Birthright as a board member for 20 years. He said Birthright is always in need of a variety of volunteers with different skill sets. “I wanted to do something in the pro-life movement, but I didn’t want to protest, lobby or be confrontational,” said Riecke, a member of Madison St. Francis Parish. “I’m not a counselor. I have taken minutes at board meetings and helped with fundraisers and other activities as needed.”
Volunteer training day will be Saturday, May 7, starting at 9 a.m. with coffee and a tour of the center at 644 Lakeland East Drive, Suite C in Flowood. We will discuss the services we offer, how easy and rewarding it is to volunteer, and conclude with a question/answer session and a light lunch. Everyone is encouraged to attend with no obligation. This is simply a chance to learn more, understand the needs of Birthright and their clients, and gauge your level of interest. Bring a friend!
Visit the Birthright website, www.birthright.org or contact Monica Walton by email:  birthrightofjackson@gmail.com or by calling 601-371-7711.

Vicksburg Parish kicks off anniversary year

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By Alana Norris
The Vicksburg Post
VICKSBURG – This year marks a milestone anniversary for a local church, rooted deep in the history of Vicksburg.
St. Paul Parish is celebrating 175 years in Vicksburg throughout 2016.
A Show-Snack-’n’-Share Party was the first event the church sponsored from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 10, on the third floor of Farrell Hall located on Crawford Street.
This party was for parishioners and anyone with connections to the church to share photographs, mementos, and memories of times they spent at the church.
“I’m hoping that these folks will bring their memories and at the same time bring photographs they might have and help identify some of the people,” Glenda LaGarde, chair of the 175th anniversary committee, said in an interview for The Vicksburg Post published prior to the event.
She said there are plenty of pictures and newspaper clippings provided by the church, Vicksburg Catholic Schools and the Old Court House Museum. Guests could look through those and help identify the individuals in the picture to keep a historical record of the people and events that have happened in the church over the years.
The pictures go all the way back to the beginning in 1841. She said there are many photographs in the archives where she isn’t sure what war the men seem to be leaving for or what occasion those pictured are dressed up to attend.
“The date of the anniversary is Oct. 14, but we’re trying to get started early so we can gather from the people themselves what their stories are and what mementos they might have so that will help us in figuring out how we’re going to plan the grand finale,” LaGarde said.
Another part of the celebration is a Parish Tree of Life posted on a wall at the church where parishioners can write a memory, wedding date, First Communion date, or a name in memory of a former member on a paper leaf and paste it to the tree.
“I’m hoping that we get everybody, at least every family, but I’m hoping that we get most everybody to have a leaf on that tree with some little bit of their experience,” LaGarde said.
She said the church began as a chapel in a two-story building on the east side of Walnut Street between South and Crawford streets in 1841. Around 1849, she said, Bishop Joseph Chanche, the first bishop of the diocese, donated $500 and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith made an additional donation so the priest and parishioners could purchase the land and built a gothic revival style church where it is located today at 713 Crawford St.
That building was heavily damaged by the 1953 tornado, and the current church building was built following the disaster. It was completed in 1956.
“A lot of the older parishioners around here in town can probably still see in their gardens remnants from that because when they had to take it apart the parish  let parishioners, if they wanted, to take something as a memento,” LaGarde said.
During the time before the new church was completed, services were held in the auditorium of what is now the Southern Cultural Heritage Center.
“You have to understand the past and the people that made it in order to guide what your choices are right now,” LaGarde said.
(This story ran prior to the event in The Vicksburg Post, it was edited and reprinted with permission.)

Mississippi bans dismemberment abortions

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Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a law banning dismemberment abortions. (CNS photo/Mike Blake, Reuters)

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a law banning dismemberment abortions. (CNS photo/Mike Blake, Reuters)

By Catholic News Service
JACKSON, Miss. (CNS) — A new law in Mississippi will prohibit dismemberment abortions, effective July 1.
“This law has the power to change how the public views the gruesome reality of abortion in the United States,” Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement.
On April 15, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law the Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act, passed by the state Senate in a 40-6 vote in March and by the state House 83-33 in February.
“We applaud any effort to end abortion in our communities and will continue to support women in crisis through our efforts with Catholic Charities, adoption services, parish-based ministries and supporting organizations such as Birthright,” said Father Kevin Slattery, vicar general of the Diocese of Jackson.
“There are many faithful people out there working to give women the choice of life,” he said in a statement. “We hope we can continue to build and strengthen those ministries for people in need.”
Mississippi is the fourth state to enact the measure, after West Virginia, Kansas and Oklahoma. According to National Right to Life, the legislation — based on the pro-life organization’s model bill — also has been introduced in Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri and Nebraska and may be taken up in several other states.
The procedure is a form of second-trimester abortion that “dismembers a living unborn child and extracts him or her one piece at a time from the uterus.” It is called a D&E for “dilation and evacuation.”
According to the National Abortion Federation Abortion Training Textbook, “D&E remains the most prevalent method of second-trimester pregnancy termination in the USA, accounting for 96 percent of all second trimester abortions.”
It is different from the partial-birth abortion method used in late-term abortions, which is now illegal in the United States.
“When the national debate focuses only on the mother, it is forgetting someone,” said Mary Spaulding Balch, National Right to Life’s director of state legislation. “Banning dismemberment abortion in Mississippi has the potential to transform the debate when people realize that living unborn children are being killed by being torn limb from limb.”

Parishes invited to national African-American evangelization conference

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The Office of Black Catholic Ministry for the Diocese of Jackson is one of the sponsors for the 2016 Interregional African American Catholic Evangelization Conference (IAACE) this summer and has a limited number of scholarships available to parishes.
The theme this year, ‘You are my witnesses,” is taken from Isaiah “You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen so that you may trust me and understand that I am the one.”
The conference brings together presenters from across the nation to talk about evangelization from a variety of perspectives. Organizers use the National Black Catholic Congress’ youth and young adult principles to structure and guide this conference every year.
Keynote topics include using social media, how to bring dying parishes back to life, becoming an inviting and welcoming church, apologetics without apology, reaching inactive black Catholics, and sacred movement. Will Jemison, director of the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry, is a featured speaker  along with ValLimar Jansen, Father Anthony Michael Bozeman, SSJ of New Orleans and Sister Gwynette Proctor, SSND, from Baltimore.
“Our major goal is to ensure that the common thread of what it means to be a witness will permeate every aspect of the conference. This conference will provide excellent resources and life-giving faith experiences,” wrote the conference founder, Annette Mandley-Turner in her welcome letter.
“This event is a wonderful opportunity to hear from some of the best voices in African American evangelization from across the country,” said Jemison. His office is encouraging all parishes to participate.
The conference will be held Friday June 10-Sunday June 11, at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. Registrations received before May 15 will cost $150. A hotel rate of $129 per night is also available until that time.
The day before the conference, ICCCE will offer a one-day institute for lay ecclesial ministers. The institute costs extra, but offers continuing education credits in three tracks: youth ministry, leadership for evangelization and formation.
To register, call J. Vincent Johnson, 901-634-0037, or email jvj6965@gmail.com. Those interested in getting financial assistance to attend should contact Jemison, 601-949-6935, or email at will.jemison@jacksondiocese.org. Scholarships will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.