Category Archives: Diocesan News

Success story demonstrates need for veteran housing program

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By Chamon Williams
GREENWOOD – Catholic Charities’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program is continuing to provide assistance to the veteran community within the Diocese of Jackson. One of the challenges has been finding adequate housing in the more rural parts of the state. The program has offices located in Natchez, Jackson, Greenwood and Vardaman. Through the support of Father Gregory Plata, OSF, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Francis of Assisi Parishes, Catholic Charities is able to have a presence within the Mississippi Delta Region. Melissa Ivory is the Delta Region Case Manager housed at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
On February 6, Ivory met Mr. Ballentine, a 59 year old male from Tallahatchie County. He initially contacted the SSVF program after losing his job and discovering he was ineligible to draw unemployment.  Although the federal government shutdown had the SSVF program on hold for a while, Ballentine did not give up hope.
In the initial visit, Ballentine, was not living in the most stable home. When he ran out of propane, he used electrical heaters and removed the oven door to warm his home. To help with his delinquency in rent, the client offered to help his landlord with much-needed work to his home and other properties.
Due to the conditions of his current home and wanting to have a safe environment to spend time with his son, Ballentine decided that he wanted a place to call home where there was warmth, character, and beauty.
“Through the SSVF program, we have been able to give Mr. Ballentine a ray of sunshine through his seemingly dark journey. After having his home burglarized, we assisted with getting his ID card to obtain a copy of his social security card, birth certificate and car tags,” said Ivory.
Ballentine was very dedicated and proactive about finding a new job, even visiting a former employer who helped him secure his delinquent driver’s license. He is currently working on his CDL to return to truck driving. “In the meantime, he has secured a job with the local saw mill working six days a week. He has moved into a remodeled three bedroom mobile home and is very ecstatic to have his son visit and decorate his own room,” said Ivory. Mr. Ballentine desires to be a motivational speaker/mentor for the youths in Tallahatchie County and hopes to bring more activities/programs to help bring a more positive image to his hometown.
The SSVF program is funded in part through a federal grant from the Veterans Administration aimed at finding stable housing for veterans and their families.
Those wishing to assist with donations of money, clothes and materials can contact Michael Thomas at michael.thomas@ccjackson.org. Those who have rental property in the Delta who would like to offer it to the program should contact Chamon Williams at chamon.williams@ccjackson.org. Both can be reached at 601-355-8634.
(Chamon Williams is a program specialist with Catholic Charities, Inc.)

Diocese welcomes Lavelle as faith formation director

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Fran Lavelle, former director of the Office of Campus Ministry, will move into the Office of Faith Formation as director this fall. She replaces Jeanne Howard who left fulltime ministry this July. This is just one of a couple of changes that started in February of 2014 when that office added Libby Antici and Melissa Smalley to lavellethe staff to help coordinate programs in different deaneries.
“What we wanted to do is go to more of a team model,” explained Catherine Cook, director of the Department of Formational Ministries for the diocese. “We wanted to make sure parishes in all the deaneries were represented and getting the attention they need for the ministry of faith formation,” she added.
To that end, Antici was brought on board to focus on the needs of the northwest area, Deaneries 3 and 4. Melissa Smalley to focus on the central-southwest area, Deaneries 1 & 2.  Lavelle, in addition to overseeing the Office of Faith Formation, will give attention to the needs of the northeast-east central area, Deaneries 5 and 6.  Fabvienen Taylor completes the team as the administrative assistant. Howard continues to teach online classes from her home in Kentucky.
Lavelle comes to the diocesan office from Starkville where she has served as campus minister to the Catholic Student Association at Mississippi State University. In Starkville, she has been involved in parish ministry at St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1999.  Additionally, for the past six years she has served as the diocesan director of campus ministry for the colleges and universities across the state. Fran will surrender her duties as campus minister for MSU effective October 1 and become the Director of Faith Formation.
Lavelle, an Ohio native, came to Mississippi in 1999 after a stint as a lay Glenmary missioner. She said in an email to Mississippi Catholic that ending up in Mississippi is something of a surprise for her. She started her career in politics with a BA in Political Science from Ohio University. She worked her way from the state to the national level when her life suddenly changed.
“In 1993, my dad died unexpectedly from a massive heart attack. The ensuing few years gave me an opportunity to reflect, pray and discern where God was leading me. While I would never trade those years in politics, I recognize God was calling me to more fully live my faith as my vocation,” she said.
In 1996 she took a job as a lay missioner with the Glenmary Sisters in Western Kentucky. “Glenmary was a great opportunity to shed the frantic pace of life in the nation’s capital and open myself to God’s will. The first three months of ministry experience involved what I fondly referred to as ‘Glenmary boot camp.’  The formation program was set up to prepare me for working in mission ministry,” explained Lavelle. “It was deeply rooted and centered in fully living the gospel among God’s people.  My formation was very Christ-centered as we were called to serve the poor without judgment or discrimination. There is a saying in Glenmary that the most important thing you might do in any given day is go to the post office.  What they were referring to is the ‘ministry of presence.’  It is a gift and challenge to keep oneself in the present moment.  I hope to never lose my awareness of its importance,” she went on to say.
After three years with the Glenmary Sisters, Father Mike O’Brien invited Lavelle to come to Mississippi to serve the students at Mississippi State University as a campus minister.  In 2008, Bishop Joseph Latino appointed Lavelle to serve as the diocesan Director of Campus Ministry in a part time capacity.  “Working at the diocesan level has given me the opportunity to collaborate with the priests and campus ministers who serve at other colleges and universities,” said Lavelle.
That ministry, according to Cook, is one of the greatest assets Lavelle brings to her new position. “She can really enhance our ministry to young people, who we know are the future of the church” said Cook. The Office of Faith Formation will continue to operate the current catechist and lay ministry training programs in place and Cook said she is proud of the team currently involved in that training on every level.
“The opportunity to serve the diocese in this new capacity is challenging and exciting.  I am eager to carry on the legacy of service to all of the parishes of our Diocese.  It was not ‘my plan’ all those years ago to come to Mississippi and make it my forever home. What has transpired both in ministry and my personal life has been a blessing and an amazing gift. I pray that I may continue to serve with the same gratitude and love that has brought me this far,” said Lavelle.

Historic documents receive climate control

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By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – The diocesan archives is getting a new climate control system to assist in maintaining the historical documents and artifacts it houses. The vault where the archives has been stored since Bishop Richard Gerow brought the historical records from Natchez to Jackson in the late 1940s is located on the ground floor of the diocesan chancery

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William Johnson of Upchurch pulls wire as part of the installation process for the Archives’ new climate system. (Photo by Mary Woodward)

office in Downtown Jackson. The vault has never had its own climate system and depended upon the overall building system to keep it regulated.
Archives should be kept at a constant temperature and dryness. The ideal for archive preservation, according to Forrest Galey of the Mississippi State Department of Archives and History, is a constant temperature of 60 degrees and 40 percent humidity.
“The most important condition for archive preservation is providing a stable environment,” Galey said. “Humidity is the enemy of paper and other artifacts. Mold will grow very quickly on paper in a humid environment,” she added.
A new HVAC system based on zones was installed  in the chancery office building by Upchurch Services Company. Due to structural and mechanical issues, the archives was not able to be zoned. Therefore, a smaller system, which cools and dehumidifies was added in the vault itself. Moisture is drained into a front flower bed. The entire archives had to be covered to protect it from the dust created by drilling through 10 inches of concrete.

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William Johnson (left) and Jeffery Williams of Upchurch Services install the new inverter and drain for the diocesan archives’ climate control system. (Photo by Mary Woodward)

Now the system will be monitored in order to maintain a constant and stable environment for diocesan historical and sacramental records. The diocesan archives holds original documents dating to the 1790s when the Spanish governed Natchez and its surroundings. These sacramental records written in Spanish and signed by early pioneer clergy from Ireland are maintained in the vault along with microfilm records of all the parishes from the beginnings of the diocese.
Parishes keep the actual registers on site, but the diocese microfilms these books every 10 years for long term records management. Because of TV shows such as “Who Do You Think You Are?,” the archives has seen a growing interest in genaeolgical research.
The diocesan archives retains a professional researcher to assist those seeking their ancestors through these records. Dr. William Ashley Vaughan is available to trace family histories back to the late 18th century. These requests must be submitted  in writing and are processed as they come. Dr. Vaughan charges a fee for his time.

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The new dehumidifier/cooling equipment sits above a section of the diocesan archives. The entire archives was covered while the equipment was installed. (Photo by Mary Woodward)

Because the archives functions mainly as records retention for the church, the archives is open only to researchers working on doctoral dissertations, masters theses and various historical projects. Our biggest research topics are for the church in the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. From this one is able to see the broad spectrum of materials in the archives.
We recently hosted a young man from the National University of Ireland in Galway who was writing his dissertation on antebellum Irish immigration in the dioceses of Charleston and New Orleans. He spent three days pouring over original documents and correspondence from Bishop William Henry Elder’s papers.
Again, all research requests must be submitted in writing with a basic outline of materials sought. It often takes several months to complete requests.

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Diocesan director of archives, Mary Woodward, removes plastic sheeting used to cover the archives during the installation of a new climate control system. (Photo by Contyna McNealy)

If you are seeking your own sacramental records or more recent ones, please contact the parish where you were baptized or married. It is much easier for them to get you a copy than for us to do that. Due to privacy issues and identity theft please be prepared to provide identification in order to receive records.
For genaeology or for historical research send all requests to: Diocesan Archives, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS 39225-2248; or email to chancery@jacksondiocese.org. Requests should include contact information with telephone, mailing address, and email.

Law enforcement seeks input, offers crime prevention at workshop

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JACKSON – The City of Jackson Police Department’s (JPD) Crime Prevention Unit in conjunction with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department is presenting a Multicultural Awareness Training workshop in hopes of better communicating with the population the department serves. This training is free and open to the public.
“We are seeking a diverse population to give out helpful crime prevention information as well as to listen to concerns,” wrote Officer Jeremey Gordon, a crime prevention specialist, in an invitation to the event.
Those who attend will learn about safety, crime prevention and rescources available to them in the event of a crime. Spanish-speakers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Members of the Catholic Charities Migrant Resource Center are supporting this training effort.
Earlier this year the center’s director Teresita Turner told Mississippi Catholic immigrants are sometimes reluctant to report crimes.
She has been working with law enforcement agencies throughout the state to educate people about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to helping police catch criminals.
Officers also want to hear how they can better serve people.
The training is set for Wednesday, August 13, at 10:00 a.m. at the Jackson Police Training Academy, 3000 St. Charles Street in Jackson. For details or questions contact the JPD patrol operations at 601-960-1808 or the Sheriff’s Department at 601-974-2900.

Foundation grants available for parish projects

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Summer camps, day trips and health checks for the elderly, new computers for schools. These are just a handful of the projects made possible by grants from the Catholic Foundation. Every year parishes and schools are invited to submit requests for programs or special projects they would like to do, but can’t cover in their usual budgets.

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GREENWOOD – Students gather around a computer at St. Francis School to watch a webcast of the ordination of Bishop Joseph Kopacz in February. A grant from the Catholic Foundation helped put new computers in classrooms at the school for this and other educational activities. (file photo by Sr. Mary Ann Tupy)

Mound Bayou’s St. Gabriel Mercy Center uses a grant for a senior outreach program. A group of 20 seniors took more than a dozen field trips last year, including a couple to the B.B. King museum for fun, and some to health care centers for health checks. The grant report stated that some of the participants have lost weight and improved their blood pressure since starting the program. The group also meets weekly for conversations, birthday parties, art and jewelry projects and continuing education. Grant money helps pay for healthy meals for the seniors, even when they are on their field trips.
At Camden Sacred Heart, 45 young people had the opportunity to go to two different summer camps. The first, in June, focused on academics, helping the kids prevent what teachers call the “summer slide” of losing skills when they are out of class. The second camp, in late July, was all about human development. Campers and counselors talked about conflict management, anger and how to solve problems. In his grant progress report, Father Raul Ventura, ST, pastor, thanked the Foundation for its contribution to the camps.080814foundation
“Our children need this program, especially in this isolated part of the country where they are often forgotten,” he wrote. The camps also provide opportunities for young people in the area. This year two former campers worked as youth leaders and a third acted as a leader in training. These are new positions for the program and they let the teens get much-needed leadership experience.
Students at Greenwood St. Francis School took advantage of new computers for their classrooms thanks to Foundation grant money. The school used a grant and money from a fund raiser to put eight new machines in use before Christmas last year. Sister Mary Ann Tupy, OSF, principal said the teachers really appreciate the speed and ease of access the new equipment offers.
Other grants funded advanced training in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Stacy Wolf at Pearl St. Jude Parish, food pantries, walkway coverings and other property improvements at other parishes and communities.
“No project is too big or too small for consideration,” said Rebecca Harris, Foundation executive director. “We have found that there are lots of creative ideas out there that could get done with a little help,” she added. The foundation accepts applications through the end of August. A progress report on each project is due by the following August. Parishes and schools can find the application and the progress report forms on the Catholic Foundation website, https://foundation.jacksondiocese.org.

Tupelo St. James celebrates centennial, follows Camino de Santiago

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TUPELO – On July 9, 1914, then Bishop John Gunn dedicated St. James the Apostle church. In July, 2014, hundreds of parishioners, many descendants of founding families, gathered to celebrate 100 years of faith.
The parish organized a weekend of activities, starting on Friday, July 25, the feast of St. James the Major, with a pilgrimage meant to mimic the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, a famous pilgrim’s trail in Spain. Parishioners boarded a bus to Chickasaw Village and walked back into town praying and singing.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated two of the weekend Masses which drew almost 700 people. The parish has been served by traveling priests, Benedictines and diocesan priests since its founding.
“We are very thankful for all who helped with our celebration of our patron saint, James the Apostle, and our parish’s 100th anniversary. Bishop Kopacz mentioned to me how pleased he was with the two liturgies he celebrated with us over the weekend,” wrote Father Lincoln Dall, pastor, in the bulletin.
“There are so many people to thank, that the list of names would be endless. But we thank those on the 100th anniversary committee, led by Christi Houin. We thank those who were in special roles in our liturgies last weekend: our wonderful musicians, the liturgy committee, and the lectors who provided us the readings in different languages. Raquel Thompson and the kitchen team; and those who planned the pilgrimage walk did a fantastic job. The Apostle James would be proud of the celebration we had in his honor.  Thanks to all who attended our festivities this past weekend,” he added.
In the mid 1800s, Irish immigrants founded the community when they settled in the area once most-likely trekked by Hernando deSoto and his company in the 16th century. Descendants of those early Irish families are still there while new immigrants from Mexico and Central America are also now members of a vibrant Catholic community there.

Catechist resources abound

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By Maureen Smith
Catechetical Sunday, which is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in September in parishes across the United States, falls this year on the weekend of September 21, the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is a day to recognize and honor those who teach the faith as well as a time for Catholics to recommit themselves to study, prayer and practice.
On Saturday, August 16th, the office of Faith Formation will host a Faith Formation Day at Madison St. Francis of Assisi in their Family Life Center. All catechists are welcome. “We feel it is necessary to provide all catechists with opportunity and exposure to life-long formation in the faith of the church and we need to provide the catechist with the necessary skills to prepare for the practical aspects of catechetical ministry,” wrote Melissa Smalley, associate director of the Office of Faith Formation, in her invitation. Cathechists have the opportunity to take five workshops throughout the day. The schedule also includes lunch. The cost is $10 per person.
The speaker, Tom Ryan, Ph.D., the director of the Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM) of Loyola University New Orleans, will talk about how Pope Francis, a pope of many firsts, is quite traditional, but he has also lived and taught that tradition in new ways. “This multi-media presentation focuses on how the actions and words of Pope Francis can inspire and challenge catechists in their work of communicating ‘the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel’ in new times and to new audiences,” wrote    Smalley. The Department of Formational Ministries has embraced the theme of joy for this year, in keeping with Pope Francis’ exhortation, the “Joy of the Gospel.” This workshop, along with the theme for Catechetical Sunday this year all fits within that framework.
The theme for 2014 Catechetical Sunday is “Teaching about God’s Gift of Forgiveness.” Bishop David Ricken, chairman of committee on evangelization and catechesis for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote a reflection about the special day for the USCCB website. “Even before anyone of us can consider seeking forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance, we know God is already at work in our hearts. God the Father pursues us down the byways of our life, intent to restore and share with us in greater measure a life of grace and union with him, which was secured at so great a cost through the saving death of his Son. The Spirit helps us to discern where sinfulness has wounded and enslaved us, and creates in us, the penitents, a readiness to embrace ongoing conversion of life through sorrow for sins, sacramental confession through the ministry of the priest, and a firm purpose of amendment,” wrote Bishop Ricken.
The artwork distributed by USCCB, seen on the previous page, depicts the end of the story of the Prodigal Son, a model of forgiveness for the Christian community. In 1935, the Vatican published “On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education,” a document that asks every country to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists. For the first few years after Catechetical Sunday was established, national catechetical congresses were held in conjunction with the celebration.
Beginning in 1971, the USCCB’s Department of Education began producing materials to help parishes celebrate the event at the local level. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated the third Sunday in September as Catechetical Sunday.
As in past years, the theme for Catechetical Sunday often becomes a base for programs put in place by pastors, parish catechists, Catholic school teachers and the faithful in celebrating Catechetical Sunday, not only in September, but also throughout the 2014-2015 year. The USCCB has posted on its website resources related to the theme for catechists, parishes, families and individuals. The site has downloadable prayer services, bulletin inserts, reflections and more.
“Whether you confess regularly, or this is the first time in a long time, may this be your moment to draw near to the confessional with confidence to celebrate the tender loving mercy of God. May you experience again and again God’s gift of forgiveness and healing through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation,” said Bishop Ricken.
Those who wish to register for the Faith Formation Day should contact Fabvienen Taylor at fabvienen.taylor@jacksondiocese.org or 601-960-8470.
(Material in this story adapted from www.usccb.org)

March for Life dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe

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By Charlotte A. Koestler
JACKSON – Catholic Charities’ Pro-Life Working Group has dedicated the diocesan high school students’ annual pilgrimage to the national March for Life to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, and in doing so simultaneously thanks her for sending her son, Bishop Kopacz, to the Jackson Diocese.080814guadalupe
“It seems as if Our Lady of Guadalupe graciously reached out to our diocese as Bishop Kopacz was appointed to serve us on her feast day, December 12,” stated Barbara Mustain, working group member.  Bishop Kopacz’s deep devotion to the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe is prominently displayed as a red rose on his coat of arms. The red rose the symbol for the pro-life movement represents all stages of human development from conception until its fulfillment in eternity.
Blessed Mother’s miraculous image produced on Juan Diego’s tilma is abounding in symbolism. The bow on her dress and its high placement and the strategically placed four petal flower, indicate that the virgin is with child making Our Lady of Guadalupe the picture-perfect icon of the pro-life movement. It is interesting to note that Bishop Kopacz selected the Latin phrase Fiat Lux, or “Let there be light,” for his motto since the word, LUZ, Spanish for light, is seen in her garment.
“By this dedication, we are doubly blessed to be under the protection of our mother’s mantle and our bishop’s shield,” said Mustain.
The Catholic Charities Jackson Pro-Life Working Group organizes the annual diocesan high school pilgrimage to the national March for Life. All diocesan high school seniors and juniors are encouraged to go to jacksonmarchforlife.org to learn more about their participation in the 2015 pilgrimage.(Charlotte A. Koestler is a program specialist for parish based ministries for Catholic Charities)

IN MEMORIAM

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lukingDUBUQUE, Iowa – Sister Mary Francile Luking, BVM, 92, died May 7 at Caritas Center in Dubuque. Burial took place in the Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dubuque. She would have celebrated her diamond jubilee in September.
In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister Luking was principal at Jackson Christ the King Elementary School and served for many years as Montessori school volunteer in Jonestown, Miss.
She is survived by a sister, Anne Luking, Louisville, Ky., nieces, nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 74 years.

 

SALTILLO, Mexico – Father Benny Piovan, pastor of the San Miguel mission in Saltilllo, Mexico, died early Monday, August 4, of an apparant heart attack.piovan
Father Piovan retired as a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 2006, but decided to take on the job as pastor in Saltillo, where he pastored seven parish churches as well as dozens of rancho churches serving some of the poorest people in Mexico.
Father Piovan founded Ascension of Our Lord Parish in Laplace, Louisiana. In fact, he celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination there in August. “I love Laplace, but  this is where I need to be and I  thank  God  every day for  giving  me the opportunity to serve Him through the poor of  Saltillo,” said Father Piovan during his anniversary Mass.
Arrangements were still pending as of the time of press time.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

  • BATESVILLE St. Mary Parish, class on the sacraments at Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish once a month, beginning Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Contact St. Mary Parish, (662)563-2273.
  • MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, summer adult class, “How to explain the Mass,” Sunday, Aug. 31, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. in the Family Life Center lounge.
  • McCOMB Women’s luncheon for Chatawa St. Teresa and Magnolia St. James Parishes, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. in Liguori Hall.
  • SOUTHAVEN Breakfast, prayer and fellowship for men 18 and older, Saturday, Aug. 9, 7 – 8:30 a.m. and every second Saturday of each month, at the Social Hall. RSVP: food4thejourney4men@gmail.com. Details: Ted Schreck, 901-833-3663.

MASS AND LITURGY CHANGES

  • BATESVILLE St. Mary Parish Installation of the stained glass windows should begin this month
  • CHATAWA St. Teresa Masses on Tuesday-Friday moves to11:15 a.m. Saturday Mass remains at 5 p.m.
  • COLUMBUS Annunciation Parish, blessing of the newly refurbished chapel of the Annunciation, Friday, August 15, following 5:30 p.m. Mass for the Feast of the Assumption.
  • McCOMB St. Alphonsus Parish’s Wednesday Mass moves to 12:10 p.m.

PARISH AND FAMILY EVENTS

  • CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish Knights of Columbus family night, Wednesday, Aug. 13. Bocce, bingo and dinner. Contact Brady Pate, 662-721-0198.
  • MAGNOLIA St. James, welcome party for Father Suresh Reddy, Sunday, Aug. 10, after the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

  • GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, lists of school supplies for underprivileged students in Canton available in the back of the church. Supplies due Aug. 10.
  • Parish-wide sign up days for new volunteers, Sundays, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17.
  • GREENWOOD Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Francis parishes friars do not have a cook. Volunteers willing to prepare and deliver a meal once a month at noon contact the parish office.
  • MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish seeks volunteer catechists and leaders to teach youth from Pre-K through 12th grade. Contact: Mary Catherine George 601-856-5556.
  • SOUTHAVEN The Knights of Columbus, “Best Books in Town” coupon books for sale in the gathering space, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10.
  • TUPELO St. James Parish organizational meeting for potential volunteers to prepare and maintain the church for services. Wednesday, August 20, 6:30 p.m., in the church. Details: Kris Ivancic 601-791-9643

CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS NEW MINISTRY
MOUND BAYOU St. Gabriel Center welcomes three Franciscan Sisters – Mary Beth Kornely, who served as parish secretary at Greenwood St. Francis Parish for 10 years, Jude Ann Stratman, and Monica Mary DeQuardo – who will be living in Mound Bayou beginning mid-August. They will continue the mission first established by the Sisters of Mercy at St. Gabriel.
Sister Charlotte LeBoeuf of the Marianites of Holy Cross, serves the Hispanic community of the parishes.

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080814burkhart OLDENBURG, Ind. – Sister André Burkhart, OSF, is celebrating her 60th year as a Sister of St. Francis, Oldenburg. Much of her ministry years were in the inner city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in Meridian.
Sister Burkhart served as pastoral associate at St. Patrick and St. Joseph parishes for 11 years. During that time she was responsible for the beginning of the city-wide interfaith Way of the Cross on Good Friday. Sister Andre’ retired from active ministry in July 2011 and now resides at the Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse in Oldenburg, Ind.