By Joanna Puddister King

MADISON – A crowd of about 200 people gathered July 17 to celebrate the completion of The Clarence and Sue Smith Rehabilitation Center and The Tuscany Skilled Nursing Center at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, Mississippi with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.

Among the crowd, were several distinguished guests including First Lady Deborah Bryant, wife of Phil Bryant, governor of Mississippi, who is dedicated to improving health care services in Mississippi as part of her office held since 2012. Guests also included Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Dominican and Franciscan sisters, Madison Chamber of Commerce members and residents and staff of St. Catherine’s retirement community.

Lisa Wilburn, executive director of St. Catherine’s Village, introduced the crowd to the facility. The three-floor tower with 59,000 square feet of floor space features 54 private rooms, with in-room showers and a skilled nursing staff. Wilburn stated that the center has the advancements to give residents the best care with state-of-the-art lighting and activities, a daily living center, a walking path and a spacious rehabilitation gym.

In addition to the state-of-the-art facilities, the nursing center also boasts a collection of beautiful artworks, which grace the walls throughout the building. Most of the pieces come from the collection of the Clarence Smith family, former resident of St. Catherine’s. Featured at the building entrance are two large art instillations on either side of a grand fireplace made possible through generous donations of St. Catherine’s Village employees. The pieces titled Angel in Disguise one and two, are by local artist Ginger Thomas. Full of beautiful hues of blue and gold, the powerful pieces induce a state of calm and peace upon entering the building.

Dominican Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth was thankful for the gift of former St. Catherine’s residents, Clarence and Sue Smith, “a brother and sister with philanthropic hearts,” she said blessing the celebration in their loving memory. To “all of those who gave of their time, talents and treasure to make [the] Tuscany center a beautiful place for residents to enjoy life and for the staff in which to minister,” she offered her gratitude and blessing as well.

Serving as mayor of Madison since 1981, Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler reflected on the vision of St. Catherine’s Village and her over 30-year history with the facility in her city. Hawkins-Butler said that “there is a sweet spirit in this place. . . . This is where God has laid his hands and blessed it in a mighty way.”

Thanking the staff of St. Catherine’s Village for providing such a caring and loving environment, Hawkins-Butler in her powerfully poised voice stated of St. Catherine’s, “There is none like it in this state. There is none like it in the Southeast. And Madison is honored and proud to say that this place belongs not only to Madison, but to those who want to come experience the true healing spirit and the faith of Jesus Christ, because it was built on a vision and a mission of mercy and kindness and hope.”

Bishop Joseph Kopacz, on hand to bless the new facility, said to the crowd that the facility “brings to mind the work of creation. . . . We’re extending really the work of creation when we collaborate with God’s gifts in this world and build something that is for the sake of others, for the sake of community, for the sake of caring for people. Especially this, what they say (is) the last and best chapter of life. Getting ready to return to God, who brought this all into being.”

Housing options at St. Catherine’s Village include independent living in apartments and garden homes, assisted living in Marian Hall, memory care in Campbell Cove and Hughes Center and skilled nursing in Siena Center.

The all-inclusive life care community also offers 160 acres of wooded grounds, unparalleled facilities, a caring staff, companionship, 24-hour on-duty security, protected and beautiful outdoor spaces, access to on-site resident-centered care and a mission-focused environment that encourages residents in all levels to enjoy fullness of life, health and faith.

St. Catherine’s Village is a service of St. Dominic Health Services, Inc. and is sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. The private, gated community is dedicated to providing the best care for seniors as they gracefully age and their needs change in their retirement years.

By Rebecca Harris
JACKSON – Are you interested in a charitable gift that provides you income? It is not often that a person can give a gift to a charitable organization and receive income in return. However, the Catholic Foundation can work with an individual on a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). Some people are scared by the idea, but the staff at the Catholic Foundation can walk anyone through the process. Simply put, a CGA is a simple contract where a donor makes a gift and in return receives fixed payments for life. The remaining balance of the gift benefits a designated parish, school or Catholic organization in the Diocese of Jackson.
A CGA is a contract between an individual and The Catholic Foundation where, in return for a gift, the Foundation agrees to pay the individual a fixed amount of money annually for the donor’s lifetime. After the individual’s lifetime, the balance in the annuity account is given to the Foundation to support a ministry, parish or school in our diocese. The Foundation will work with a donor to determine what is meaningful to them.
The Foundation follows the rates set by the American Council on CGA’s, an independent nonprofit organization that recommends charitable gift annuity rates for use by charities nationwide. Life expectancy is one factor used in determining the rates. Therefore, older donors qualify for higher annuity rates compared to younger donors. Gift annuity payments are a general obligation of the Foundation. Even if an individual gift annuity account is exhausted, the Foundation will still make annual payments for life to the annuitant.
There are tax benefits associated with a charitable gift annuity. In the year that a donor establishes a gift annuity, he or she is eligible to claim a charitable contribution income tax deduction for that tax year. The deduction amount is equal to the present value of the gift amount. If the donor cannot use the entire deduction amount in the first tax year (because the deduction exceeds the amount of income that may be offset), the deduction may be carried forward for up to five years. Donors should always consult their own tax advisers before making a gift. Each payment is partially tax-free for several years, a period measured by the donor’s life expectancy. After that period, the entire payment will be treated as ordinary income to the donor. If the donor funds the gift annuity with appreciated securities (whose market value exceeds the cost basis) that have been owned for more than one year, a portion of the capital gains tax (that would be due if the donor sold the stock) is avoided. The rest of the capital gains tax is paid ratably (proportionally) over the donor’s life expectancy period.
The process to set up a CGA is simple. All the staff needs to get started is the donor’s name, date of birth including the month, day and year, address and the amount with which he or she wishes to fund the CGA. If a donor is going to include a spouse, the foundation will need their information as well.
Once the CGA is established, the donor will receive a monthly payment. Donors can even defer payments. In fact, the longer someone waits to receive payments, the higher the percentage will be, thus the higher the income will be. Seed funds for CGAs can come from cash, stock and securities. Donors can use an IRA or retirement account; however, the IRS will not allow an investor to simply roll those over into a CGA without paying taxes on those monies since the donor will be receiving the tax deduction for the CGA. Once the CGA is established the donor may not withdraw funds. The IRS sees this to be a charitable gift that is irrevocable.
For more information, please contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477 or Rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org. A staff member is a phone call away. He or she will provide you with a detailed illustration showing a personalized payment rate, income tax deduction for the year and capital gains savings before the donor makes the gift.

(Rebecca Harris is the Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Deacon John McGregor, having forty years of experience in management and organizational systems, has been named the Director of Operations for the Catholic Diocese of Jackson. 
In the newly created role, Deacon McGregor will be responsible for overseeing and organizing daily operations of the diocese. He will oversee and coordinate the priorities, systems, services and inter-departmental relations of the department directors and other administrative staff consistent with the bishop’s priorities and vision.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz is delighted that Deacon McGregor is joining the diocesan chancery staff. “[He] will guide us to close the gaps that hamper our capacity to serve diocesan ministries more effectively as faithful stewards of diocesan resources, while building upon the strengths that are already at work,” said Bishop Kopacz. “Truly, he is engaging in a ministry of service that is the heart of the diaconate in order to strengthen the Lord’s body in the Diocese of Jackson.”
Deacon McGregor was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson in June 2016. He currently serves as a deacon in Pearl, Mississippi, where he and his wife, Kelly, minister together to the people of St. Jude. He is also the Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese.
Passion to look for new and creative ways to help adult Catholics share and deepen their faith, motivated Deacon McGregor to study theology at the graduate level, earning a master’s degree in biblical studies, a certificate of spiritual direction (Ignatian), as well as, a doctor of ministry degree, with an emphasis in spiritual formation in the local community.
He will begin his duties as Director of Operations, initially by focusing on three questions: Where are we now? Where do we wish we were? How are we going to close the gap?
In his new position, Deacon McGregor is “looking forward to being a member of the diocesan team, forging new ways to serve the parishes and their missions as they work to carry out the mission of the diocese, which is ‘to proclaim Jesus as Savior by living the Gospel, so that all may experience the crucified and risen Lord.’”
John McGregor is married to his high school sweetheart, Kelly Myers. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

MADISON – Joseph Patrick Murphy, Jr., 97, of Madison died at St. Catherine’s Village on July 1, 2019.
Murphy was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on November 20, 1921, to Joseph and Louise (Stubblefield) Murphy, Sr. He graduated from St. Clara’s Academy in Yazoo City, Mississippi and attended Millsaps College. He worked as a ticket agent for the Illinois Central Railroad in Jackson, Mississippi and retired after many years of dedicated service. Following his retirement, he volunteered for Catholic Charities of Jackson and eventually became employed due to his loyalty and hard work. He later worked for the Diocese of Jackson where he assisted with editing the Mississippi Catholic newspaper and served as a receptionist. He loved his many years working in the chancery where he created many wonderful, lifetime friendships.
Murphy was a longtime, active parishioner of St. Peter Cathedral in Jackson where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and also served on the Pastoral Council. He was beloved by all who knew him. His gentle mannerisms and dry sense of humor were a delight.
Murphy knew everyone and had a unique insight on everything. He was a founding member of the JMJ supper club.
Murphy is survived by his sister, Louise Murphy Andy; his brother, John Marlin Murphy; his nieces and nephews: Maria Andy Scarbrough (Richard), Orlando Andy, Jr. (Hope), Patrick Andy, Jack Andy (Crystal), Paul Andy (Krista), Cathy Murphy Davis (Glenn), Maureen Murphy, Patricia Murphy Bennett (Larry) and Marlin John Murphy; and many great nieces, great nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Mary Eliza Murphy Lanning.

MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN – Sister Judith Norwick, age 79, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, died Tuesday, June 25 at Holy Family Convent.
The former Judith Ann Norwick was born April 26, 1940 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, daughter of the late John and Dorothy (Schneider) Norwick. She entered the convent in 1956 and professed her vows in 1959. Sister Judith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Holy Family College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Sister Judith ministered as an elementary teacher at St. Joseph, Oneida; St. Joseph, Sturgeon Bay; and St. John, Antigo, all in Wisconsin and at St. Francis de Sales, Manistique, Michigan. Sister Judith was also involved in parish ministry at Sacred Heart, Point Pleasant, West Virginia and St. Louis Catholic Church, Gallipolis, Ohio. She was the Mission Effectiveness Coordinator at St. Paul Home, Kaukauna, Wisconsin and was a staff member at St. Joseph Retirement Community, West Point, Nebraska. Sister Judith spent time at St. Francis of Assisi, Greenwood, Mississippi, helping in the school and parish. She also ministered to the Sisters at Holy Family Convent, particularly to the Sisters in St. Rita Health Center, assisting with various tasks.
Survivors include the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and her siblings: J. Thomas Norwick, Mary Jean (James) Nussbaum, Karen (Steven) Blatz, Stephen (Marge) Norwick, and Patrice (Michael) Pajerski. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents: John and Dorothy (Schneider) Norwick and one brother: David.