Seeking new innocence

IN EXILE
By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
Some years ago, I officiated at a wedding. As the officiating priest, I was invited to the reception and dance that followed upon the church service. Not knowing the family well and having church services the next morning, I left right after the banquet and the toasts, just as the dancing was about to start. When I was seemingly out of earshot, I heard the bride’s father say to someone: “I’m glad that Father has gone; now we can celebrate with some rock music!”
I didn’t take the remark personally since the man meant well, but the remark stung nevertheless because it betrayed an attitude that painted me, and others like me, as religious but naïve, as good to sit at the head table and be specially introduced, but as being best out of sight when real life begins; as if being religious means that you are unable to handle the earthiness and beat of rock music, as if church and earthy celebration are in opposition to each other, as if sanctity demands an elemental innocence the precludes human complexity, and as if full-blood and religion are best kept separate.
But that’s an attitude within most people, however unexpressed. The idea is that God and human complexity do not go together. Ironically that attitude is particularly prevalent among the over-pious and those most negative towards religion. For the both the over-pious and the militant-impious, God and robust life cannot go together.
And that’s also basically true for the rest of us as is evident in our inability to attribute complexity, earthiness, and temptation to Jesus, to the Virgin Mary, to the saints, and to other publicly-recognized religious figures such as Mother Teresa. It seems that we can only picture holiness as linked to a certain naiveté. For us, holiness needs to be sheltered and protected like a young child.
As a result we then project such an over-idealization of innocence and simplicity onto Jesus, Mary, and our religious exemplars that it becomes impossible for us to ever really identify with them. We can give them admiration, but very little else.
For example, the Virgin Mary of our piety could not have written the Magnificat. She lacks the complexity to write such a prayer because we have projected on to her such an innocence, delicacy, and childlikeness so as to leave her less than fully adult and fully intelligent.
Ultimately this has a negative effect religiously. To identify an unrealistic innocence and simplicity with holiness sets out an unattainable ideal that has too many people believe that their own red blood, with its restless stirrings, makes them bad candidates for the church and sanctity.
In the Roman Catholic Rite of baptism, at a point, the priest or deacon pronounces these words: See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven. That’s a wonderful statement celebrating the beauty and virtue of innocence. But it celebrates an innocence that has yet to meet adult life.
The innocence of a child is stunning in its beauty and holds up for us a mirror within which to see our moral and psychological scars and the missteps we have taken as adults, not unlike the humbling we can feel when we look at bodies in a mirror when we get older. The beauty of youth is gone. But the disquiet and judgment we feel in the presence of a child’s innocence is more a neurosis and misconception than a genuine judgment on our sanctity and moral goodness.
Children are innocent because they have not yet had to deal with life, its infinite complexities, and its inevitable wounds. Young children are so beautifully innocent because they are still naïve and pre-sophisticated. To move to adulthood they will have to pass through inevitable initiations which will leave more than a few smudges on the childlike purity of their baptismal robes.
A friend of mine is fond of saying this about innocence: As an adult, I wouldn’t give a penny for the naïve purity of a child, but I would give everything to find true childlike innocence inside the complexity of my adult life. I think that what he means is this: Jesus went into the singles’ bars of his time, except he didn’t sin. The task in spirituality is not to try to emulate the naive innocence and non-complexity of our childhood.
That’s an exercise in denial and a formula for rationalization. The task is rather to move towards a second-naiveté, a post-sophistication which has already taken into account the full complexity of our lives. Only then will we have again the innocent joy of children, even as we are able to stand steady inside the rawness of rock music, the power and complexity of human sexuality, the concupiscent tendencies of the human heart, and the uncanny and wily maneuverings innate inside the human spirit. From there we can write the Magnificat.
(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.)

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates contributions of many cultures

By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – The celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States just ended.  It’s observed each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to recognize the contributions of the Hispanic presence in the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.
For Tito Echiburu, from Chile, who has lived in this country for 54 years, this celebration has a special meaning. “My wife, also from Chile, and I, are very proud of our heritage and what it means,” he said. “We have tried to install Hispanic values to our children, like family, hard work, a good education, etc.
Echiburu, who is a member of Morton St. Martin Center, said they will never forget where they came from, “but at the same time, we are so proud to be part, and citizens of the United States. We are extremely grateful for the opportunities we have received in this country.”
According to the 2010 Census, there are 50.5 million Hispanics living in the United States, representing 16 percent of the population. This figure shows a significant increase compared to the 2000 census which register the Hispanic population at 35.3 million, representing 13 percent of the American population.
Alejandro Banda, president of the Mississippi Hispanic Association and member of Madison St. Francis Parish, noted Hispanics have participated in the history of this nation. “They have excelled in several fields or art and culture, science, technology, politics, entertainment, sports and even in business. It’s evident that Hispanics have had a remarkable and very positive influence in our nation, especially because our solid family values, our deep attachment to our faith, our loyalty and our sense of citizenship and service,” He said.
Banda indicated this month is not exclusively a celebration for Hispanics. “This is a national celebration and everybody is invited. Together, let us enjoy a “margarita” or maybe a “mojito.” Together, we can fill our ears, and delight our senses with the sweet words of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Pablo Neruda. Let us enjoy the spicy rhythms of Salsa, Cumbia and Bachata.
“It is a fortunate coincidence that Pope Francis is visiting our country now. Our first pope from Latin America, let us follow his example of love and brotherhood and let us enjoy this time together,” he added.
The circumstances by which Hispanics have come to this new land vary greatly from person to person. Some came to visit or to study and then decide to stay while others have come through the border without legal papers.
Their achievements are reached little by little, day by day. A minority start their own business, others work as professionals in their field of study, and the vast majority work in a wide variety of occupations, all very honorable because as the saying goes, all jobs have dignity.
Several parishes in the Diocese of Jackson, those with a Hispanic community, usually have festival, dinners and dances to celebrate their heritage in September or October. Hispanic members of three communities gathered in Tupelo recently to celebrate together as a family: New Albany St. Francis, Pontotoc St. Christopher and St. James parishes.
Jackson State University  (JSU) invited officers of the Mississippi Hispanic Association to make a presentation about the Hispanic culture and their contributions to the U.S. at its Welcome Center Tuesday, Sept. 21. Esperanza Velásquez, a board member, was the presenter.
Shirley Pandolfy, an attorney from Peru, attended the event at JSU. Her comments echoes Echiburu’s beliefs that Hispanics provide a positive influence on American culture “with our strong commitment to family, faith, and service,” she said. For all this reasons, she added, “we celebrate this month with pride and renew our commitment to continue strengthening our nation.”
Also in September, several Latin American countries celebrated the anniversary of their independence: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile and Belize. Before the end of the celebration, Columbus Day was observed on Oct. 12 which is also a big day in the Hispanic world.
Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 when President Lyndon Johnson declared a week-long observance. In ensuing years it was expanded to a month-long celebration.
On Sept. 23, Pope Francis during his speech at the welcome ceremony at the White House in Washington said that as the son of an immigrant family he was happy to be a guest in a country built largely by immigrants.

Lopez family represents region, brings home hope for young people

Veronica López and her family represented Hispanic families in Region V of the United States in the First Hispanic/Latin American Encounter of Families. She is an associate for the Office of Hispanic Ministry.
The pope’s visit was truly a blessing and a great lesson, because the joy and love with which the pope encouraged us to be courageous, to form united families generous in Christ, and to be merciful, left a large inspiration in our lives.
My mom was happy to know that the presence of Hispanics is increasing, that our voice is being heard and that we can be part of the processes (V Meeting, Pastoral of the CELAM, etc.) that are marking history to form and grow families well-grounded, in culture within our Catholic faith that we can pass down from generation to generation.”
The presence of the pope also left an important footprint on my dad, because for him this experience is unforgettable and unique. The most important thing for him was to share it with his wife, daughter and his grandson, and also to share it with a group of brothers in Christ, which made this experience something that can be very difficult to live it again.
For me, personally, to have listened to speeches from people so humble and filled with the love of God, to have shared with other families from the southeast, making new friends and above all to see Pope Francisco so close twice, left me a footprint that will change the history of my life.
I have always known that God had an important mission for me when he gave me a second chance to live, and seeing Pope Francis, I felt the presence of God, telling me, “Here I am.”
Despite my son’s young age, I am sure he will never forget this. He shares with everybody what he felt when he saw the pope: “the Pope saw me, greeted me and blessed me. He gave me his blessing and smiled at me, it was amazing.”

Sister sees renewal of missionary zeal in trip

SISTER MARIA ELENA MENDEZ,
Our first encounter with the Pope was at the Independence Hall, where he spoke from the podium where President Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most famous speeches in the history of the United States: the Gettysburg Address. I knew about Gettysburg because I lived there for four years before coming to Mississippi. There Pope Francis spoke on the importance of human dignity, religious freedom, about immigrants, presenting himself as the son of immigrants. He said, “Please, don’t ever feel ashamed of your traditions. Don’t forget the lessons you learned from your elders which can enrich the life of this American land.”
The Hispanic people were shouting “Viva el papa.” “Francisco, friend, the church is with you.” Something very significant was to hear Spanish, both by the people and the pope, to see so many flags flying, among them the Argentinian that fluttered with pride like so many others. Hispanics, in the midst of so many policemen felt safe because the “father,” the pope was present and he was the focal point of all the attention. The atmosphere was of joy, happiness, surprise of what the pope would do or what he would say spontaneously and simply that would make us laugh. He although tired, drew energy from the people that were in the thousands.
To see him closer from first row, both Saturday and Sunday I had to get up early, walk for miles and spend many hours standing or sitting on the floor waiting for those two minutes he passed in front of me. At the Independence Mall, as in the Festival of  Families, in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, and in the closing Mass of families, the pope valued and reaffirmed the importance of the family and the need to work to keep it united.
There is a lot to say, but I will conclude by saying that this was a great family celebration in which all or the majority savored a word, a phrase, a sign, a gesture, a moving attitude of the pope and, I dare say, that some people who are not catholic were impact in some way.
I hope it is God’s will that this missionary spirit renew our hearts and inspire us to “come out” of ourselves to embrace what he calls “the culture of the encounter.” The messages are here to continue deepening on them now and then put them into practice.

“Love is the measure of our faith,” says pope …

Editor’s Note: Many Diocese of Jackson families, pastors and groups attended the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia during the Papal visit. The staff asked Group leaders and attendees to reflect on the trip. In this issue, the staff has selected excerpts from their reflections on the meeting, the Festival of Families and the Papal Mass to conclude the meeting.

Barbara Rivers, Tupelo St. James
My husband and I were married on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.  I have  had  a desire  to see Pope Francis ever since he became Pope. We got that opportunity when we discovered that Proximo Travel was offering a tour to Philadelphia.
It was also very emotional when we joined hands and sang with Aretha Franklin   “We are Family.” (at the Festival of Families) Even though we were from different places in the world, we felt like family. Philadelphia, the city where the foundations for our right to freedom of religion were laid, showed that we can be a people of hope for a broken world.
Barbara Rivers – Tupelo St. James

Cory Head, Flowood St. Paul
This was such a rare, historic event (a once-in-a-lifetime event for many) that we wanted to create the opportunity for our parish to go.  As a Youth Director, it was especially important to me for the youth in our church to have every opportunity to go as possible.
The favorite part of the trip for many of us was receiving the Eucharist that had been blessed by the Holy Father.

Monica Walton, Flowood St. Paul
The message I got from the World Meeting was to celebrate life with your unique blessings, gifts, talents and personality. We are a diverse world and embracing our differences brings us together. We don’t all speak the same language but we can still communicate through our actions. I felt unity through Christ and our Catholic worship with people from across the globe.
The message I got from Pope Francis is that families are a blessing. Happiness isn’t always at the forefront. Times can be difficult. Life can be challenging. But, we can all do something to make the world better. We are all responsible for each other. He summed it up very simply….. just do the right thing. Act out of love in all we do and the world will be better place!

Linda Gamble, Jackson Christ the King
I decided to go at the last minute because as the time get closer something was pulling me to go. I think it was very spiritual because I really couldn’t afford the trip but at the end I sacrified the money and make arrangements to go. And I am so glad I did.
Also, as a bonus, I made a friend-for-life, Mary Hazlett, from Franklin, Maryland, who was my roommate at the hotel where they stayed. We had a wonderful time together touring the city, eating, and attending the different events planned for us. I hope we can travel again together, maybe to Rome?

Teresa Preuss, Jackson St. Therese
It was an incredible experience to see so many people gathered in one place, to hear his message of love and forgiveness, especially to see them so anxious to get a glimpse of the pope, to hear his message about family unity. I like the way he talks about  family and the importance to be together and have an open communication with their children. All families have problems but he says that with love and communication everything can be handle in a Christian way.

Esperanza Velásquez, Jackson St. Therese
What message did you get from the Pope?
Nothing touched my heart in the most profound way than his last sermon during the Mass celebration at the closing of the World Meeting of Families 2015 taking place throughout this fantastic week in Philadelphia. There, at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Holy Father expressed his concern for the family, specifically, the challenges this institution is facing in today’s dangerous world.  He talked about marriage, love, and children. “I understand,” he said, “how children can be difficult some times, but talk to them with love, softly and be patient.”  It has not escaped my notice the very special manner in which he loves the children, and how, in turn, the children return his genuine love.  I find it so endearing. To me, Pope Francis is my Holy Father, but, for all those children, Pope Francis is a loving Holy Grandfather. Who does not love grandpa?  May God guard and protect him for many years to come.

Sheila Przesmicki, Booneville St. Francis
What is your reaction to the Papal visit overall? As several people said to me, “Pope Francis is a rock star!” But he isn’t a star in the passing sense of the word. His energy, enthusiasm and “Joy” in spreading the Gospel seems to have stayed with people. He has left a positive impression on most people, whether they agree with Church teaching. His arms are mercifully open to all, with compassion and understanding, and this apparently is drawing people back to the church, even if it is in an exploratory manner.
What message did you get from the World Meeting? Families are churches, and churches are families. Within families there is joy, pain, suffering and healing. If we would remember that we are all brothers and sisters, and at the end of the day we all must live together, we might have more compassion and willingness to reach out and help each other, no matter as family, neighbors, citizens or church members.

Kim Turner,  Jackson St. Richard
I traveled to Philadelphia with my husband and 5 boys, a 13 year old, two 11 year-olds, a 7 year-old and a 3 year-old.
From the World Meeting I got the message that family is so important.  How you react to each other comes from the seed we start in the family.
From Pope Francis I heard we should treat all people with kindness and generosity.  We should respect our grandparents and be there for our children, that families are the foundation of society.
Also on our way to the train one day we saw a priest helping a homeless man.  These are the small experiences that my children will remember, they will have no question on what to do in these situations because they have seen it.

Thomas Turner, (11-years old)
I thought it was really cool and fun. The message I got was be good to each other. My favorite part of the trip was seeing him say the Mass while we were all in the streets and meeting new people

Amy Topik, Flowood St. Paul
Pope Francis’ visit was very positive, and energizing to all Christians, Catholic and Protestant. For me personally, this trip was just the spiritual renewal I needed. Pope Francis has such enthusiasm for his work, and it is evident in every word he spoke on this trip. I was so blessed to be a part of his visit.
The message I received from Pope Francis is that we are all called to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth, no matter what our vocation is. We must be our brother’s keeper.
Since the trip I made a commitment to be more sensitive to the needs of others around me, and to pray more deeply that everyone I come in contact with can see Jesus in me through my actions.

Ana de Lange, Madison St. Francis of Assisi
We traveled as a family.  My husband Aad and I, and our four children:  Sophia (13), Stephan (11), Carolina (9) and María José (7). I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to nurture and to celebrate the universality of our faith.
The meeting…it surpassed my expectations.  Excellent speakers addressing different topics, all relevant to our reality.  The Youth Congress…the opportunities to provide service as a family to pack meals for Burkina Faso… all that was meaningful.  If I were to choose a message, I would probably rephrase the words of Pope Francis:  “Love is the measure of our faith.” A faith that is universal, in time and in space. Yes, the meeting itself spoke to me about the “UNIVERSALITY” of our faith. Very few times in my life I have been part of such diversity: so many nations, so many cultures, so many different backgrounds, yet all united. More than 2,000 years ago Jesus said to one of His disciples: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16,18). Those words which I had heard and read over and over, suddenly became alive when we were part of the many thousands celebrating the Eucharist together.

Aad delange, Madison St. Francis
I think this pope has a mission and a vision to be there for everyone, and try to unify.
The message I got from the World Meeting was that we should strive forstrong and solid family life, the cornerstone of society, and it should be our inspiration to get to a better world.
The message I got from Pope Francis is that there clearly is hope for the world, and it doesn’t seem to take a lot. Try to set aside differences.

Maria delange, 9-year-old
It’s good that Pope Francis came to the U.S.A. to tell people what is good and bad.
At the World Meeting I learned that it’s important to pray the rosary.
What message did you get from Pope Francis? To be nice to others.
Have you made any changes to your prayer or faith life because of the trip?
Pray and try to help poor people. I saw some living on the streets in Philadelphia.  My favorite part was filling food baskets for Africa through Catholic Relief Service.

Carolina deLange, 13-year old
The message I got from the World Meeting of Families was love others. Treat others how you would want to be treated.
What message did you get from Pope Francis? We all have the duty to do good.

Stephan deLange, 11-year-old
What message did you get from the World Meeting? To go on God’s path.
What message did you get from Pope Francis? To be kind to others.
What was your favorite part of the trip? – Seeing Pope Francis.

Sophia delange, 8-year-old
What was your reaction to the trip?
It was very cool but I especially loved the meeting. The World Meeting of Families taught me so much about suffering, three-letter-word, sin. That God didn’t create bad people. He gave us freedom. And other people chose sin.
Pope Francis’ message to me is to love your family not matter what.

Youth trip turns into parish pilgrimage: St. Paul parish finds joy in trip

By Father Gerry Hurley
What a wonderful and exciting trip. Initially our trip was conceived as a plan to bring our youth to see Pope Francis, but in checking among our youth we found there was a great measure of interest among the parents, as well as other adults in our parish.
We ended up with 17 Youth and 30 Adults on a bus. The best word to describe our trip is enthusiasm. The enthusiasm of the Holy Father himself, and the delight he had in being with his people, the enthusiasm of the crowds who gathered and welcomed him, and the enthusiasm of our group in being able to be part of such an historic event.
The message that I took from the gathering was that the Holy Father was presenting one singular message, it was a message of hope, of trust, of determination. It was the message of Jesus Christ. It is the same message he preached in Rome, it was the same message he preached in Cuba, and the same message he preached here in our United States. A message of peace, and love, and freedom for all people, and an invitation to use all the resources that God has placed at our disposal for the betterment of our whole world.
I find it really ironic that the press and the media in many instances didn’t seem to get that message. They attempted to morph the Pope’s message into some form of political agenda. Their attempts showed a real lack of understanding of the length and enormity of Catholic social teaching, down through the history of the church.
There was really nothing new about the teaching, because after-all it was the teaching of Jesus Christ.  However there was something very special about the one who was presenting it. It was totally congruent with his own simple lifestyle.
One of my favorite parts was being in line for 3 hours to go through security in preparation for the Papal Mass. I was so impressed by the patience of people as they moved slowly along in the lines. There was just something so special about the integrity of that. A sense that we were really preparing for something really large – and we were – Mass with Our Holy Father presiding.
Our group told me later they decided to begin reciting the Rosary as they moved along in the line, I think they may have been a little shy about it in the beginning but as they found others joining in immediately, they were touched.
It is a small world, or so they say, in this instance we met a fellow parishioner in the midst of that whole crowd. She is a native of Philly, and she and her sister were working there helping out both of them were guiding priests to their communion stations at the Papal Mass. She knew many of our youth because she had taught them in school, and knew many of our adults because of her involvement in our parish. It was a great reunion.
It was a once in a lifetime experience, and everybody in our group felt blessed to be a part of it. The only question left now is whether we go for Dublin in 2018. (Father Hurley is the pastor of Flowood St. Paul.)

Diocese of Jackson pilgrims reflect on attending World Meeting of Families, papal Mass

Editor’s Note: Many Diocese of Jackson families, pastors and groups attended the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia during the Papal visit. The staff asked Group leaders and attendees to reflect on the trip. In this issue, the staff has selected excerpts from their reflections on the meeting, the Festival of Families and the Papal Mass to conclude the meeting.

Father Gregory Plata
The word “Catholic” was first used by Ignatius of Antioch in 107 AD, meaning universal, to describe the nascent, but quickly growing Christian church. That description could not have been more pointed than what was witnessed during September’s World Meeting of Families and visit by Pope Francis to the city of Philadelphia. Catholics from around the world, representing every country, race and culture, came to share ideas of how to strengthen family bonds, and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in their every day life. This gathering also included 17 pilgrims from Greenwood, representing the Catholic families of St. Francis of Assisi and Immaculate Heart of Mary parishes.
I have to say I was very proud of my home city and the way they presented themselves. Everyone, from the police force to the public transit workers to street cleaners could not have been more accommodating. Philadelphians don’t always have a good reputation due to the vociferous nature of their sports fans, but I think this week changed that perception.
Led by Father Greg Plata, OFM, who pastors both parishes, the pilgrims arrived on Thursday evening, September 24, staying in Wilmington, DE, a stone’s throw from Central Philadelphia. On Friday, the group spent the day following Father Plata, a native of Philadelphia and history buff, who showed them around the historical area of the city. The group also had an opportunity savor the iconic Philadelphia cheese steak, as well as other Philly foods such as soft pretzels with mustard.
On Saturday, September 26th, the group from Greenwood merged with thousands of people of various denominations and cultures who converged on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Festival of Families event. Before the presentations and concert began that evening, Pope Francis traveled through the central part of Philadelphia, greeted by thunderous applause and shouts of joy from thousands after addressing the various dignitaries and a large crowd gathered at Independence Mall. That evening’s concern included songs performed by Aretha Franklin, who did a rousing rendition of Amazing Grace, to Italian tenor Andrea Boccelli. Mixed between the concerts were families representing five continents, who shared with Pope Francis their joys and struggles. The pope warmly welcomed each. One of the most touching was a family from the Ukraine, who brought their handicapped son in his wheelchair, stating that their son, Boris, was the joy of their life, and how they felt blessed by God to have such a child despite his physical disabilities.
On Sunday, September 27th, the group from Mississippi headed out early for the Papal Mass. Dropped off at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia, the group traveled by subway to a designated point, and then walked to one of the security check points for entrance into the Parkway. Once again, a throng of thousands had converged on the city, some waiting for hours to gain entrance into the Parkway. Despite the long wait, there was a true sense of peace and patience as one of the greatest gathering of Christians joined for this historic event.
Before Mass, Pope Francis had visited one of the area prisons, bringing a message of hope to the inmates
Crowd size was hard to estimate for the Mass, but a figure was put as high at one million, which included those who were not able to get into the Parkway and were on the periphery. Large screens were set up throughout the Parkway, giving thousands access to sight and sound during the Mass.
“As Catholics, we are taught from an early age to show respect and reverence of worship during the Mass,” commented Fr. Plata. “I was amazed at the silence of so many people, and their participation at Mass through singing and responses to the prayers.”
Responses to the Mass were sung in Latin, which proved a universal language still remembered by many in the church and allowed more participation by people who spoke various languages and were in attendance.
While security was tight, those involved ranging from the local police department to the Secret Service could not have been more amenable and helpful. It seemed as if the pope’s visit created an infectious attitude of serenity and respect among all people.
“I think our group was profoundly affected by this experience, and the positive messages of Pope Francis during his many talks,” stated Fr. Greg. “It made me even more proud to be a part of the Catholic church, and to have had the privilege of sharing these joy filled days with my Catholic sisters from Mississippi.”
(Father Plata is the pastor of Greenwood St. Francis of Assisi and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishes.)

Digital citizenship workshop offered encouragement, warnings

By Elsa Baughman
MADISON – Paul Sanfrancesco, a consultant for Sadlier Publishing, was invited by the diocesan offices of Education, Child Protection and Faith Formation to present “Catholic Citizenship in the Digital Age,” to pastors, DRE/CREs, youth ministers, teachers, principals, lay ecclesial ministers, parents and catechists at St. Joseph School on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Sanfrancesco started with an overview of apps and social media channels available today. He said that today’s technology is overwhelming and that many people, including teachers, are apprehensive about it, but, he told participants, “you know faith formation, you know how to be a parent, how to be a good Christian. Nothing has changed, the foundation of everything we believe in still applies to technology.”
Sanfrancesco who is also an adjunct professor in the graduate education department at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and Neumann University in Aston, Pa., advised participants to not be afraid to use it. “Embrace it and learn its value in education. Go to YouTube to watch a video, use Twitter. If you don’t know how to use it, ask your children, grandchildren, a neighbor or a friend to show you.”
“When reaching out to your children on social media, how you communicate is going to be key to them,” he said, noting that children need to hear encouraging messages from their parents and teachers. “Give them positive feedback, thumbs-up in Facebook. It’s great because they are receiving something that the TV generation didn’t.” Words like, ‘good job,’ and ‘I love you’ mean a lot to them,” he said.
There are some pitfalls to modern digital life. As a cautionary tale, he told the story of a 22-year-old senior at a university in Pennsylvania studying to be a high school English teacher. Two weeks before graduation she posted a picture on her Facebook page in which she appeared drinking from a cup and wearing a Halloween pirate hat. The caption reads, “drunken pirate.”
When the university found out, she was denied the teaching degree and teaching certificate. She sued the university and lost. In Pennsylvania, every educator or student teacher  has to sign an ethics and morality clause that reads, “I will be a responsible, model citizen when I am teaching young adults in the schools in Pennsylvania.” Her profile picture violated this clause.
He said people in some professions such as teachers, doctors, clergy, lawyers and law enforcement, can’t have this kind of post, ever. “Even if the picture is in social media for just a minute, it’s always going to be there, you lose ownership of it.”
He warned, “we live in a world today where everybody is constantly judging you and sometimes assumptions lead to reality, even if the statement is not true.”
Sanfrancesco said we can’t control people’s messages, but we can control our own. He encouraged participants to focus on the positive ones and avoid controversy.
“I have learned about things I didn’t even know existed, at all. I am going home and check with my children,” said Jackson St. Therese parishioner Ingrid Piernas.
Piernas pointed out that with today’s technology, everything boils down to the choices we make, like in the case of the Pennsylvania student. “Even though we may not post pictures of ourselves, we have to be cautious because there are other people with cameras around us, so we should be mindful of our conduct,” she said.”
She also indicated that the speaker also made a great point noting sometimes there might be a disconnect between our Catholic faith and how we conduct ourselves on social media. “We say we are Catholic and we try to follow our faith and values but the way we present ourselves or the things we post in social media may not necessarily reflect that Catholic faith.”
For Shae Robinson, principal of Jackson Sister Thea Bowman Elementary School, knowledge about some of the apps available was also very helpful. “I didn’t know they were out there. That information opened my eyes to a lot of new things,” she said. “We need to be aware and monitor what our children are doing at home and at school,” she added.
Robinson agrees with Piernas that people need to be careful what they post on social media and how others may perceive what is posted because it can be viewed negatively and could cause people to lose a job or prevent them from gaining employment.
“To me it was very interesting about the picture of the young university student drinking from a cup. It was our perception of what was in the cup and how she came to lose her teacher’s certificate.”
Roland Powell also left invigorated with new ideas about what is in the internet, Facebook, Twitter and all the other sites available today. He acknowledged he was glad to attend because there was a lot he didn’t know, especially about the impact the internet has in the young generation. “We need to focus on the positive side of all this new technology, in generating new ideas, new approaches that would nurture and improve our kids and adults and move them in the right direction,” he said.
Powell is a board member of Sister Thea Bowman School.

Catholic history display blessed at Natchez basilica

NATCHEZ – Bishop Joseph Kopacz blessed and unveiled 22 history plaques at the O’Connor Family Life Center of St. Mary Basilica Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m.
“These plaques highlight significant events, people and institutions in the story of Catholicism in the Natchez area, a story that extends beyond 300 years,” said Father David O’Connor, pastor. An invitation was extended to individuals and groups who are interested in church and local history.
The purpose of these plaques is to present a visual overview of the beginnings and the growth of Catholicism in the south west part of Mississippi. It is the hope and aim of the designers of these plaques that these will offer information and inspiration for many people. These plaques will be hung on the walls of the great hall in the Family Life Center. The series begins with reference to the first documented Mass in Fort Adams in 1682, traces many moments of growth and struggle through the years and concludes with a glimpse of St. Mary congregation in 2014.
This visual history gives recognition to the impact of the French, the Spanish and English immigrants as well as the impact of outstanding bishops, priests and lay leaders. It also tells of the formal establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Natchez in 1837 as well as the local impact of the Civil War. It recognizes the ministry of the Daughters of Charity, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the role of orphanages and schools in the area.
Father O’Connor said that the missionary nature of Catholicism is highlighted by plaques on the beginnings and continued growth of Holy Family and Assumption congregations, on the centrality of education, and on social service to the poor and needy of the community through orphanages and community programs.
“For many Natchezians who have listened to the bells of St. Mary toll over the years since 1850, one plaque depicts the bell and its history in a way not available before now,” said Father O’Connor.
The service of unveiling was be led by Bishop Kopacz but each plaque was unveiled by parish members representing different generations of parishioners. This series of plaques serve as a memorial for Garland Michael Lyell, son of Dr. Linda Wilbourn.
Father O’Connor expressed his thanks for the research assistance he received from the St. Mary Archive committee, Dr. Charles Nolan, parish and school staffs, St. Mary pastoral council and the archives of the Daughters of Charity and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Lorraine Hampton designed the plaques and Michael Murphy and Stephen Flowers provided photography.