By Maureen Smith
GREENWOOD – Parishioners from half a dozen parishes across the diocese gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, for “Many Saints, One Church,” a black Catholic day of reflection. The weekend featured a music workshop Friday evening and a whole day of reflection Saturday.
Friday night was all about music with a presentation by Roger Holland, the current artist in residence at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Saturday, Will Jemison, coordinator for the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry, gave an update on the sainthood causes for four American black Catholics, urging those gathered to pray, donate to the cause of their choice and educate others about the causes, which include Father Augustus Tolton, Mother Henriette DeLille, Pierre Toussaint and Mother Mary Lange.
Annie Richardson of Indianola St. Benedict the Moor Parish said she always learns something new when she attends conferences. “I was unaware of the black Catholics who were up for sainthood. I did not know there is not a black Catholic saint from the United States so now I know I have something to work for and something to pray for,” she said.
Dr. Timone Davis, an instructor at the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program, part of the Catholic Theological union of Loyola University, Chicago, led two sessions Saturday. In the afternoon session, she encouraged people to make a desert in their lives and find some time to spend there. This was the first in her three steps to becoming a disciple. Step two is to get to know yourself. This step, said Davis, takes what she calls detox, stepping away from things that distract you such as games, electronics and anything that keeps you busy, but are not fruitful.
She challenged the audience to describe themselves in 10 words or less, focusing on questions such as ‘what gives you hope, how many other people know what gives you hope?’ The final step is “living your purpose in this world,” said Davis. It comes out of a guiding principle and could be art, teaching, doing service, whatever it is a person is called to do.
The congregational health ministry team from Greenville Sacred Heart Parish set up inside the school and offered a free basic health screening to anyone who wanted one. The screening included a check of blood pressure, weight, waist size, body mass index, cholesterol and blood glucose. Marilyn Williams, who heads up the team, said the checks help not just the individuals getting them, but the community as well. The program is funded through a grant from the Mississippi Health Collaborative. The data gathered goes to the Centers for Disease Control to help paint a picture of how people in different communities are faring.
“If you look at statistics as far as health in the state, Mississippi always falls near the bottom, if not at the bottom so this is a way of knowing where people are. We give them follow up instructions if they have a doctor or if they need to get in to one,” said Williams. Her team includes nurses and a social worker who can help refer people to services they may need.
Richardson said she is taking her enthusiasm back home. “Many years ago we black Catholics gathered at Sacred Heart in Greenville and as a culminating event we attended the National Black Catholic Congress in Chicago,” she explained. “It was such a dynamic experience and I wanted to be a part of it again and I want my children and grandchildren to be able to share the experience that I had – so I have already told them that we are all going to attend the National Black Catholic Congress this summer wherever it is and we will have our family reunion there,” she added.
“I was always trained that you have to know where you came from in order to plot your course and know what your responsibilities are, to know where you are going and how to get there,” said Richardson, who converted to Catholicism after she married a Catholic.

By Helen Phillips
VICKSBURG – “Give me five or six guys like me around a campfire and that’s all the therapy I need.” That comment, made by wounded veteran Gregory Charles Williams to Dan Fordice was just the beginning of an organization dedicated to helping combat-wounded veterans. Fordice, an avid outdoorsman and hunter himself, saw the need to pull together wounded veterans, get them active, and get them talking. He founded the Warrior Bonfire Program in an effort to help veterans break the barriers of injuries sustained in combat and remind them that they do have a purpose. The experience can also lead them to seek help they may need in other aspects of their lives.
Fordice, a member of Vicksburg St. Paul Parish, recognized this as a call from God that would allow him and many others to perform works of mercy. He felt that if he could save souls from the loss of hope and despair, perhaps he could prevent suicide. “Too many of our men are taking their own lives and we must, we have to stop it!” said Fordice.
The Warrior Bonfire Program began with hunting, skiing and fishing trips but has grown to provide opportunities of all varieties including sporting events, NASCAR driving, whitewater rafting, zip lining and more.  The organization makes accommodations for wounded vets, helping those in wheelchairs or prosthetic devices participate with creative problem solving. On one hunt, a wheelchair was taken in a bulldozer out to the field.
“We will take them anywhere to do anything that gives them excitement, which opens the door for the conversations that heal,” stated Fordice. Talk therapy is becoming more and more understood and needed to help those with injuries, particularly for those veterans with invisible scars from traumatic brain injuries or post traumatic stress disorder. The Warrior Bonfire Program is designed to help in the healing process, physically, mentally and spiritually. Not getting help with these scars can lead to despair and hopelessness. “You are saving lives at the Bonfire” stated Purple Heart Veteran and member Mike Chesne.
Every meal and every bonfire is opened with a prayer inviting God into our circle to do His will and it is at these times the most powerful breakthroughs occur. I am Helen Phillips, the director of veteran services for the organization, and raised in St. Paul Parish. Time after time, we witness small miracles on these trips, where a veteran is helping another or as a group they rush to aid another. It is truly God’s work and a joy to see them find hope and direction.
The bonfire component of the organization is a sacred circle of six Purple Heart recipients gathered around a bonfire on the final night of the trip. At the bonfire, an American flag is properly retired using instructions set by Congress and done so in honor of fallen servicemen or women that served with the individuals present. Each soldier is able to retire a part of the flag, the red stripes representing blood, the blue field representing the sky, etc. They can dedicate the parts of the flag to specific fallen comrades.
When a soldier is injured, he or she is quickly evacuated for treatment. During that time some of their military brothers may lose their lives. This can mean that survivors never had the opportunity to say goodbye, find closure, honor their friend or grieve. This is the purpose of the bonfire and it has proven to be very healing. Ashes from every bonfire are collected and carried to the next bonfire, creating a new bond between the soldiers at the events. LTC Dave Grossman uses a phrase which captures completely what we do at the bonfire, “Pain shared is pain divided, joy shared is joy multiplied.”
The Warrior Bonfire Program gathers Purple Hearts from around the country at various events. Immediately upon introductions these veterans appear to be lifelong friends, all due the knowledge that everyone present as suffered similar traumas. They feel comfortable and safe with each other. In this environment, the core value taught in the military, “no man left behind” comes full circle. They begin to work with each other, push each other, teach each other and pick up each other. They are reminded of when they give of themselves to help others and lead others, that they do in fact still have a purpose in life. Knowing their brothers depend on them gives them life and direction.
Participants often go home to their families and share their combat experiences. Until now, many have wanted to protect their families from the horrific situations in which they were involved, but they learn at the bonfire that families want and need to understand. Purple Heart veteran Jeremy Johnson stated after a bonfire weekend, “You have changed my life, my wife’s life, and my children’s lives forever.”
The Warrior Bonfire Program works among a network of other vetted organizations that support veterans across the country. Once a veteran has become receptive to the idea of healing and therapy, the program will refer those that attend our trips to other organizations that specialize in specific ways to help whether it is recreational therapy, health and wellness programs, financial programs or family therapies.
The Warrior Bonfire Program is a 501c3 organization that provides four or five day excursions for Purple Heart Veterans to rebuild the brotherhood that many of our veterans injured in combat have lost.To learn more, please visit the website at www.warriorbonfireprogram.org.
(Helen Phillips is the director of veteran services and special projects for the Warrior Bonfire Program)

By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – A group from the Diocese of Jackson contributed to a book to be used by the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI) nationally during Lent and Easter Season in 2016. Veronica López, an associate in the diocesan Office of Hispanic ministry, and 11 other young Hispanic adults from the diocese traveled to Shreveport in September to finish writing and submit chapter six of the book “Mercy:  Seeing all with God’s eyes.”
Each one of them wrote a part of chapter six, titled “Mercy Missioners,” during several meetings and then gathered and edited the text for the book that will be presented to them already published in a workshop to be held in St. Augustine, Fla., in February 2016.
On Oct. 3, Izamar Mazy, a member of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, on behalf of the Jackson diocese, presented a copy of chapter six to Dr. Juan José Rodríguez, SEPI’s Hispanic regional youth and young adults coordinator. He will take all the chapters back to SEPI where they will be integrated into one book. Each year since 1980, SEPI has coordinated the preparation and publication of a book in which young people apply the paschal mystery to a topic that they themselves choose and that they believe to be of importance and relevance in their own    lives.
To initiate the process of writing, adult counselors and some youth representatives meet in the spring to select a topic. During two more meetings participants worked on the text of their specific chapter coached by adult counselors who guide them to study different aspects of the selected topic, looking into the subject to which the pascal mystery will be applied.
In previous years they have dealt with different subjects such as freedom, love, community, identity and evangelization.
This book will be used in dioceses throughout the southeastern United States who use SEPI for catechesis and leadership training during the Easter of 2016. Each week consists of dynamics and activities that are carried out in the group to better understand the message.
The book uses church documents on the subject studied, testimonies, thoughts or ideas offered by the young people to delve into the issue selected. It also includes prayers, songs, activities and projects to be conducted outside of the meetings.
When the finished book is presented to them in February, the youth will be trained on how to use it and how to promote it in their own parishes during the Easter season. This helps the young people go from being parishioners to contributors and eventually to community leaders in their faith communities.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Jackson, during a meeting of Hispanic leaders in which pastors, lay eccesial ministers and Bishop Joseph Kopacz participated, López gave an overview of the process of writing, editing and using this Lenten resource which will be published both in English and Spanish. She encouraged Hispanic leaders to use the book and told them if they are interested she would visit their communities and show them how to use it.

By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – Amelia McGowan is the new program director of Catholic Charities’ Migrant Support Center.
Previously, McGowan worked at the immigration program for Catholic Charities in Baton Rouge and at her own law firm in Vicksburg mainly dealing with immigration cases.
Since she is an attorney, the center will be able to represent people in court regarding their immigration cases, such as removal proceedings, especially children who entered the United States alone and were caught at the border, or for those who are here without proper documentation.
“We can now represent them in court and try to protect them from deportation and if possible, help them to get permanent residence or asylum,” she said. Chances of being able to stay in this country are higher if people are represented by an attorney because many who go to court don’t know how to navigate the system, they are scared and don’t speak the language.
“In some cases there are special options for adults, those who are being abused or are victims of a crime. We can help them with their immigration status,” she said.
The center also has two new bilingual associates, Elizabeth Adams who is a case manager, and Margaret Drummond as the administrative assistant.
Both will be able to assist with translation of documents such as marriage licenses, birth certificates, divorce papers and death certificates.
McGowan is also excited because in January of 2016 the center will begin a partnership with Mississippi College School of Law. She is going to hold an immigration law clinic for students and after that three or four of the students are going to assist at the center with some cases.
She also noted that the center received a grant from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), an organization that promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs. With the grant, she said, the center was able to hire Mathew Young, who will help with outreach and case management.
McGowan said the center is available to offer workshops on any immigration issue at the parishes. “We want to increase our outreach and let people know we are here to help them with their cases.”
The cost of the initial visit for casework is $40 and the total cost depends in each particular case but McGowan said their services are less expensive that those of other immigration attorneys. “We are very affordable.”
Other services the Migrant Support Center offers include: petition for alien relative, adjustment of status, affidavit of support, visitor’s visa, work authorization renewal, extension of stay, self-petition of domestic and Temporary Protected Status.
The office is located in the Catholic Charities building at 200 North Congress Street in Jackson. For information call 601-948-2635.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz joined with Methodist Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr., to support the passage of Initiative 42 on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot. The bishops released a letter detailing why they would like to see an amendment added to the state constitution that would enforce the Mississippi Adequate Education Act.
There has been some controversy about how the ballot is set up. Voters must essentially approve the initiative two times. First, for approval of Initiative Measure No. 42 or Alternative Measure No. 42A, which was passed by the Legislature and then, further down the ballot vote again for Initiative Measure No. 42.
Here is the text of the bishops’ letter:
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Any long-term solution to poverty in this country must pay serious attention to education, public and private, in school and out of school.  Lack of adequate education, especially in inner city setting, prevents many poor people from escaping poverty.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote these words in a document called Economic Justice for All, but they are especially apt to a discussion of education in Mississippi.
The bishops go on to say, “Since poverty is fundamentally a problem of powerlessness and marginalization, the importance of education as a means of overcoming it cannot be overemphasized.” We affirm this notion and wish to put our full support behind Initiative 42, the ballot initiative meant to ensure full funding for education in the Magnolia State.
We find equal support from the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline.
“We believe that every person has the right to education. We also believe that the responsibility for education of the young rests with the family, faith communities, and the government. In society, this function can best be fulfilled through public policies that ensure access for all persons to free public elementary and secondary schools and to post-secondary schools of their choice.”
Education is the path out of poverty. It empowers individuals and communities, helps people get better jobs and helps equal the playing field for everyone. We cannot have strong schools unless we provide the resources the schools need to properly educate students, pay for good teachers, supplies and training. Initiative 42 is a way to do that.
We know that racial inequalities manifest themselves in the education system in Mississippi. Approximately three-quarters of majority white school districts are rated A or B while in majority African American Districts less than 10 percent of the schools are rated A or B. Advocates attempted to equal the playing field by passing the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP), but lawmakers have consistently refused to follow the law they themselves passed.
The MAEP has only been fully funded twice since its inception. Over time, the cumulative effects of underfunding the formula have had disproportionate effects on schools in low-income communities, which are typically minority communities experiencing population loss that have limited means to make up the difference through local property taxes.
Initiative 42 simply asks lawmakers to follow the law already in place. We know the MAEP formula was designed to address inequities in education funding, ensuring that children in the most impoverished and vulnerable communities have the same access to education as every other Mississippi child.
We would like to urge the faithful in our communities to support Initiative 42 on Nov. 3, and encourage you research the ballot itself, which could be misleading. Voters must approve the amendment to the constitution and then vote in favor of the initiative. This is an opportunity to move Mississippi forward as a united community.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Joseph Kopacz
Catholic Diocese of Jackson, Miss.

Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.
Resident Bishop
Mississippi Area
The United Methodist Church

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By Elsa Baughman and Maureen Smith
JACKSON/CANTON – Representatives from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration and Refugee Services spent five days in the Diocese of Jackson in October. They went out into the fields and production facilities in and around Bruce, Houston, Canton, Vardaman, Greewood and other sites in the Delta as well as paying a visit to Jackson. Bishop John R. Manz, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, led the team. He was joined by Sister Joanna Okereke and David Corrales of the USCCB and Sister Miriam Bannon of the Catholic Migrant Farmworkers Association. Sisters Maria Elena Mendez and Josefina Garcia of the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Jackson accompanied the team on their tour and Bishop Joseph Kopacz was able to join them a couple of times during the visit.
“Every year, usually in the fall, we go somewhere we know migrants are working,” said Bishop Manz. “We want to be supportive to the local church. Sometimes the local church is unaware of migrants in their area, sometimes they are and we support the bishop in his efforts.”
Bishop Manz was complimentary of the work being done in this diocese both by the Office of Hispanic Ministry and the ministers he met during his visit. “Your bishop impresses me. His Spanish is good. His way with people is good. People respond to someone who is open and any effort to learn the language is good. You don’t have to speak it perfectly, if you try it makes a difference,” said Bishop Manz.
Bishop Manz started the tour in Canton on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 11. He celebrated Mass at many of the places he visited, often setting up in a field or community center since the migrants he was visiting were in the fields working. “We go to listen to the people, to find out what they are going through and hear their challenges and to hear the good things,” he said.
At one site the workers were harvesting mustard greens. Bishop Manz described it as back-breaking ‘stoop labor.’ “The foreman let them stop so we could sit down and talk to them,” said the bishop.
Sister Méndez said she was impressed by the many hours and the conditions in which these migrant workers labor. “They start working very early in the morning and they usually don’t know at what time they will finish.” The hours they work depend on the weather and the production, she noted. They don’t have days to rest, unless it rains, she said.
Deborah Holmes, lay ecclesial minister at Bruce St. Luke the Evangelist hosted one of the visits. She said this spring the weather made planting very difficult and some farms were running 24-hours a day in shifts to try and get the crops planted. “I think it was important for the ministers to see this group and be able to say ‘someone who speaks my language is interested in what I am doing,’” Homes said. “It is important for them to know someone cares,” she added.
At the places they visited in Vardaman, Bruce, Cleveland and the Delta area, Bishop Manz spoke mainly with a manager or foreman since the migrants were harvesting. According to Sister Méndez, they stopped briefly for the bishop to greet them and give them a blessing in one of the fields. In Bruce, Mass was at 6 p.m. “Many of our people came right out of the fields. Others could not come because they had to stay and keep working so they sent a child to represent their family. They felt it was important enough to send a child to represent the family. We didn’t expect that, “said Holmes. Those who could come are still talking about it. “They hung on every word. The fact that he stayed to talk to them after Mass – well, many of them just came up to hug him (Bishop Manz),” said Holmes.
Later they visited a catfish farm where they learned about the process of growing catfish. In Cleveland they toured a vegetable farm.
Sister Méndez said these migrants come to the United States with working visas and after about 10 months have to go back to their countries and reapply to come back the following year.
“I would like for all of us to remember, especially during this Thanksgiving celebration, all these people who work so hard and often under deplorable conditions to grow what we eat without even thinking or knowing about their efforts,” Sister Méndez said.
Sister Garcia said she felt bad to see them so sad and looking tired. “We wanted to talk to them using nice words but seeing their faces so sad I thought that there were no words that could bring them joy,” she said, noting that the bishop’s visit was like a ray of light, like a consolation, it said ‘somebody cares about us, they come to see the place where we work, we matter.’ “At the end we saw many of them smiling and they thanked us for visiting them.”
Holmes said this visit really helped her community. “They try to be invisible, to not draw attention to themselves, but this visit reinforced the message of the Holy Father,” said Holmes. “This was not just our parish, not just this diocese that’s interested in them, but someone on a higher level knows about them and cares about them,” said Holmes.
Bishop Manz, who has been making these visits all across the country for 13 years, agrees. “These people are off the radar. You have to go out and meet them. A lot of them work 10-12 hours a day so pastoral care is difficult — even just to get them to Mass,” he said.
The sisters made a point to also speak with the supervisors at the worksites to remind them that the workers deserve to be treated with dignity. “They work hard and suffer from being away from their families, in a place unknown to them,” she said. “They are also isolated from the rest of the world, they don’t have freedom or time to go any places.”
The sisters are very grateful of all the communities who hosted and collaborated with them during this visit of the USCCB personnel to listen about the immigrants concerns about work and safety related issues.

Msgr. Elvin Sunds is appointed pastor of Jackson St. Therese Parish effective immediately.
+ Bishop Joseph Kopacz
Diocese of Jackson

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

• CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth Parish, sign up days for six-week small group retreat, “33 Days to Morning Glory,” Nov. 3-4. The program begins the week of Nov. 5.
• GREENWOOD – Diocese of Jackson Black Catholic Day of Reflection, Nov. 6-7, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Sessions with Dr. Timone Davis, retreat minister, youth sessions, prayer, Liturgy, vendors. Cost is $15 for pre-registration and $20 at the door.
• MERIDIAN St. Patrick Parish, book club discussion of “Leading by Listening” by Luis Antonio Tagle, Monday, Nov. 2, at 10:30 a.m. in the parish center.
• TUPELO St. James Parish, men’s retreat, Nov. 20-22 at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Ala. Led by Father Henry Shelton. Registration is $95 per person for double rooms; $150 for private rooms. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and is open to all men of the parish and friends. Contact: David Friloux, 662-21-3742, davidfriloux@comcast.net

PARISH, SCHOOLS & FAMILY EVENTS

• BATESVILLE St. Mary Parish, Thanksgiving Fare,  Sunday, Nov. 8, at noon.
  – Parishioners are invited to participate in the  Christmas Parade this year on Dec. 8. Floats are to be in line by 6 p.m.
• BOONEVILLE St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Sunday, Nov. 15, Mass with Father Henry Shelton at 11 a.m. followed by lunch and a continuation of the mission, “How Accessible Am I to God?” On this Sunday only Sunday School will be at 9:15 a.m. and there will be no 8:30 a.m. Mass.
• BROOKHAVEN St. Francis Parish, health walk and pancake breakfast every Monday following the 7:30 a.m. Mass.
• CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth Parish, Knights of Columbus meeting to decide future of this organization in Clarksdale, Thursday, Nov. 5, beginning with dinner at 6:30 p.m. in St. Elizabeth School cafeteria.
• CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, “A Taste of Italy,” lasagna plate and bake sale, Thursday, Nov. 5, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Plates are $10 in advance, and $11 at the door.
• CORINTH St. James Parish, family movie night, Friday, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m.
  – The Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary needs donations of crafts and baked goods to be sold at the Green Market Holiday Sale on Nov. 21.
• GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, All Souls Day Mass, Monday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel.
  – The burial of pre-term babies from St. Dominic Hospital will be in the cemetery at 5:30 p.m.
  – New and very gently used coats and blankets drive, Sunday, Nov. 8, from 5 – 8 pm. Sponsored by the youth group.
• GREENVILLE Father Tom Mullally, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, will bless the cemeteries: Delta Memorial Gardens, Nov 8 at 3 p.m.; Lakewood at 3:30 p.m. and Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens at 3:45 p.m.
  – Free healthy eating class on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. in the hall. Open to everyone.
• GREENWOOD Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish,   Time and Talent Stewardship pancake breakfast, Sunday, Nov. 15, after the 9 a.m. Mass in the Parish Center.
• GRENADA St. Peter Parish, altar guild selling raffle tickets for a Fontanini Nativity (valued at more than $300). Tickets are $1 each or 12 for $10. Proceeds will be used to repair the altar and purchase linens. Details: Irene Stark, 662-417-0968, Krystal Hogan 251-362-1091.
• JACKSON St. Dominic Hospital, “Making the holidays joyful (again),” Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 11:30 a.m. in St. Dominic Centre. Free. Details: 601-200-6698.
  – “A tribute to Bob Hope and USO,” Monday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. in St. Dominic Centre. Free. Refreshments will be provided. Details: 601-200-6698.
• JACKSON St. Richard Parish, Hunger Banquet, Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 – 9 p.m. in Foley Hall. The theme is “My big fat St. Richard wedding.”
• MERIDIAN All Souls Day Mass, Monday, Nov. 2, at 12:05 p.m. at St. Patrick Cemetery. In case of inclement weather the Mass will be celebrated in St. Aloysius Chapel.
  – 16th annual Fall Musical and Variety Show, Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Reserved tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children through high school. Proceeds benefit St. Patrick School. Details: reserved tickets, Mary Yarger, 601-482-6014.
• MOUND BAYOU St. Gabriel Mercy Center, Harvest Festival, Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, blood drive, Tuesday, Nov. 17, from noon to 5:45 p.m. Online sign-up at www.bloodhero.com.
  – Healing Hands is collecting baby blankets for distribution in a hospital in Haiti run by Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Place donations in the box in the O’Connor Family Life Center by Dec. 1.
  – Assumption Parish, Hispanic altar for the Day of the Dead will be on display until Nov. 25.
• TUPELO St. James Parish, Ladies Club rummage sale, Saturday, Nov 7, from 8 a.m. – noon in the Catholic Life Center. Donations for the food bazaar are needed. Details: Kathy Weatherford, 662-322-2556.
• YAZOO CITY St. Mary Parish Prayer Shawl Ministry will make scarves for the homeless in Yazoo City for Christmas. Parishioners can participate by donating scarves or giving money for supplies. Scarves are due by Dec. 3. Details: parish office, 662-746-1680.

FALL GALA
JACKSON – The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Fall Gala, Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Capitol Inn. Tickets are $60 per person and $100 per couple and includes food, cocktails, 50/50 split pot raflle, silent auction and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit the renovation of the cathedral. Details: 601-969-3125.

SQUAT & GOBBLE
JACKSON Catholic Charities annual Squat & Gobble, Thursday, Nov. 13, at Old Capitol Inn (new location). Benefits Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Office. Details: Tommy, 601-955-1677.

STARRY NIGHT GALA
MADISON St. Anthony School’s 2015 Starry Night Gala, “Embrace the Moment,” Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. on the school’s campus, 1585 Old Mannsdale Road. Guests will enjoy music and dancing with “D-Play Band,” live and silent auctions, food from the Knights of Columbus and area restaurants, and the $5,000 drawdown. Tickets are $150 per couple. Details: Theresa McMullin, 601-607-7054, www.stanthonyeagles.org.