Category Archives: Diocesan News

Junior Knights, Daughters gather in Jackson

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – About 300 young men and women gathered at the Marriott in downtown Jackson the weekend of March 8, for the regional conference of the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters of Peter Claver. The conference draws from North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The gathering was sponsored in part by the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry.

The participants ranged in age from six-18. The theme, “Worship Like a Rock Star, Through Christ Who Strengthens Me,” drove all the presentations and activities, which included a talent contest of musicians, vocalists, dancers and steppers, a science fair, debate and speech competitions as well as business meetings and, of course, prayer and Liturgy.

At all of their conferences the participants engage in a service project. This year, junior knights and daughters selected literacy as their issue and they all brought books to donate to a local shelter.

At the conference Mass Saturday, March 8, celebrant Father Vernon Huguley, the chaplain for the Gulf Coast District and a pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Birmingham, Ala., was joined by Father Darrell Kelly, SVD, of Jackson Holy Ghost Parish and Father Ricardp Phipps of the Catholic Community of West Jackson. Father Huguley challenged the congregation to go to confession by the following Sunday. He reminded them that confession is a great way to root out negativity. “When we have something negative in our hearts, we block a blessing,” he said.

He also reminded them that the season of Lent is about sacrifice and challenged them to give up something that might be hard, such as texting or watching a favorite television show. After Mass the group gathered for a spirited awards banquet and then a dance.
The Knights of Peter Claver is a Catholic organization founded specifically for African Americans. They do service and evangelize as well as support one another in their faith. Matthew Amos, president of the Junior Knights, 18, came from Atlanta for the convention. “The Knights run deep in my family, my grandmother is the Grand Lady in my parish and Director Hutchens is like a second father to me. It’s like one huge family,” he explained. Amos plans to attend Clark Atlanta University next year, but will continue to work with the group. In fact, he’s hoping to pull more juniors into the senior knights with him. “I feel like I have gained so much knowledge over the years through this group. I hope I can use it to get more juniors to transfer to the senior division,” he said.

Junior Daughters president Kennedy Blanchard also described the group as a family. She joined after seeing her brother participate at their home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in downtown Atlanta, but continued through the ranks as she got older. “I felt like it was my duty to God to serve and I felt called to serve (in the Junior Daughters).” Amos and Blanchard grew up together.

Supreme Knight DeKarlos Blackmon closed the banquest by urging those in attendance to make each gathering bigger. “We go back to those baptismal promises. We need to evangelize, we need to be the salt and the light, we need to be the hope,” he said. He added that every member is a leader, even if they are not an officer or group leader. They are, by their faith, called to be community leaders.

The senior members of the organization in the Gulf Coast Conference will gather in Jackson on the first weekend of May.

Bishop welcomes elect on journey to Easter

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JACKSON – More than 50 catechumens from 13 parishes signed their names into the Book of the Elect at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Sunday, May 9, during the Rite of Election. During the ritual, repeated in every diocese, the bishop asks the directors of Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) programs if the catechumens have been studying and praying and if they are ready for baptism. He then accepts them as the elect and they continue their journey to Easter.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz welcomed the crowd at the service and reminded them that Lent is a time to remember the power of God’s grace. “The grace of God far surpasses any sin, any evil,” he said in his remarks. He also encouraged them and told them they are an important part of all Catholics’ preparation for Easter. “Your part in this is profound. Your journey of faith for all of us ‘old-time’ Catholics is a renewal. It reminds us of the treasure we have. And we influence each other,” he said.

The bishop, who had celebrated a Mass in New Albany St. Francis of Assisi Parish that morning, also urged those in attendance to “relax in the presence of Jesus,” as they came up individually to sign the book and meet the bishop. A reception followed the ceremony.

Stations of the cross

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– Booneville St. Francis, Fridays at 5 p.m.
except on March 21.
– Brookhaven St. Francis, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
– Chatawa St. Teresa, Fridays at 4:30 p.m.
– Clarksdale St. Elizabeth, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
alternating with Immaculate Conception.
– Cleveland Our Lady of Victories, Fridays
at 6 p.m.
– Columbus Annunciation, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
– Corinth St. James, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
– Forest St. Michael,  Sundays at 8:30 a.m.
– Gluckstadt St. Joseph, Wednesdays,
through April 2, at 6 p.m.
– Greenville Sacred Heart, Fridays
after the 6 p.m. Mass.
– Greenville St. Joseph, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
– Grenada St. Peter, Fridays at 6:15 p.m.
– Greenwood Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Fridays at 6 p.m.
– Hernando Holy Spirit, Fridays at 6:30 p.m.
– Iuka St. Mary, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
– Jackson St. Therese, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
– Jackson St. Peter, Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m.
– Jackson St. Richard, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
– Madison St. Francis, Fridays at 6 p.m.
beginning with the rosary.
– Magnolia St. James, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
– McComb St. Alphonsus, Fridays at 6 p.m.
– Oxford St. John, Fridays at 5 p.m.
– Pearl St. Jude, Fridays at 6 p.m.
– Shaw St. Francis of Assisi, Fridays after the 6 p.m. Mass.
– Southaven Christ the King, Fridays at 7 p.m.
– Tupelo St. James, Fridays — in English after the 12:10  p.m. Mass and at 6 p.m. The Spanish stations are at 7 p.m.

Conference features health partnerships, art

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Bob Willis’ hands started shaping and carving a lump of clay as be began a 45-minute talk to a group of nurses and health care workers and they never stopped. Willis was just one of the presenters at a day-long workshop organized by the Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Health Ministry. Other presentations focused on healthcare partnerships and faith-based healthcare groups.

More than 60 attended the event, held at  St. Richard Parish Thursday, March 6. Willis, a sculptor from Oklahoma who works in hospice ministries, was speaking on grief and caregivers. He spoke about how nurses, as caregivers, deal with lots of grief. All people grieve change, he explained, and often those in a hospital or hospice situation need help with that grief.

His presentation was aimed at giving caregivers some tools to use in their ministry. One of his strategies is to honor the relationship between the caregiver and the one needing care. He suggested asking about the relationship to get the caregiver talking. “I tell them to think about what they would say if they could speak to the person again. What would you thank them for? What happy memories do you have? For what would you forgive them,” he said.

Forgiveness, he explained, is a big part of the grief and mourning process. “In grief work, forgiveness is giving up the hope of a different yesterday,” he said. People can’t change what happened in the past, but they can let go of old hurts. “When you don’t forgive it’s like a big heavy coat – and it stinks,” he said. The longer a person ‘wears’ the coat and the more anger and other emotions they pick up the heavier it gets. When a person forgives, they can lay down that burden. “Sometimes forgiveness is for things you did not hear,” he added, explaining that people sometimes wanted to hear ‘I love you’ or some similar sentiment from a loved one, but never did.

Sculptor and grief counselor Bob Willis carves a broken heart while he speaks about grief among caregivers (Photos by Maureen Smith)

Sculptor and grief counselor Bob Willis carves a broken heart while he speaks about grief among caregivers (Photos by Maureen Smith)

As he spoke, he shaped a heart with a fissure cut through it out of the clay. He said that grief expressed is mourning and explained that organizing and expressing grief will help people heal. The last part of his sculpture is adding stitches and a bandage to the fissure in the heart. He uses this symbol to speak to those who are caregivers or those who work with them. He said in his work in hospice he learned that “bandages don’t heal things, they just hold things together while you heal. You can’t fix a griever, but you can be a bandage – holding them together while they heal,” he said.

Prior to his presentation different community nursing representatives, including groups from Magee St. Stephen and Brookhaven St. Francis of Assisi presented information about their collaborative efforts. The gathering was organized by the Parish Health Ministries Office, headed by Ann Elizabeth Kaiser. Nurses who attended were able to earn continuing education credits.

The following day, Willis led a workshop for caregivers in Natchez at the St. Mary’s Basilica Family Life Center and Monday, March 10 he met with the grief and loss group from the parish.

CRS visits diocese

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – The regional director of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Cullen Larsen, along with the relationship manager for this region, Martha Gaynoe, visited the headquarters for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Jackson on Monday, March 10, to talk about what’s happening with CRS, what’s new with the CRS Rice Bowl program and to share resources on global solidarity with parish and diocesan leaders. Bishop Joseph Kopacz joined parish leaders from Jackson St. Therese and the Catholic Community of West Jackson as well as several diocesan representatives for the meeting.

Although CRS is best known for disaster intervention and the Rice Bowl program, the organization also engages in peacemaking and sustainable community projects. Larsen explained that the group, which serves in 91 countries, wanted to go beyond responding to violence and incorporate Catholic social teaching into its service. Larsen explained that the organization wants to support the idea of integral human development. “When we look at a community we are looking for ways to affect it holistically. We don’t just want to put a band aid on a wound, we want to find the causes,” he said. This led to peacemaking, sustainable agriculture and health programs.

The Rice Bowl program has added several features this year to appeal to a younger audience. There is an app that can be downloaded to both Apple and Android devices with daily reflections and encouragement. There is also a photo challenge encouraging groups or individuals to post their photos of how they are using Rice Bowl on Twitter, Instagram or the CRS facebook page tagged #VivaLent.

While CRS Rice Bowl does provide money aid around the world, it is important to note that a quarter of that money stays in the Diocese of Jackson to help the poor close to home. It’s not too late to join the effort. The CRS collection will be taken up March 29-30 in the Diocese of Jackson. Last year, this diocese collected $51,818.49. Those interested can also still get a rice bowl for Lent from www.crsricebowl.org.

St. Dominic’s expands Telemedicine

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By Margaret Mays
Patients at several hospitals throughout the state of Mississippi will now benefit from remote consultations with pulmonary physicians at St. Dominic Hospital.

St. Dominic’s expanded partnership with REACH Health, Inc. connects lung specialists with acute care pulmonary patients – such as those suffering from collapsed lungs, severe asthma attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary embolisms.

“Our multiservice telemedicine platform will give our rural hospital partners direct access to a pulmonary specialist,” said Cris Bourn, PT, DPT, MHS, St. Dominic’s Neuroscience/Orthopaedic Service Line Administrator. “This means that pulmonary patients will be able to receive excellent specialty care at their local community hospital, near their families and loved ones.”

Intubation and mechanical ventilation are commonplace in hospital intensive care units (ICUs). Because ventilators carry the risk of serious lung damage and delayed negative effects, consultation with a pulmonologist is especially valuable. Of particular relevance for pulmonary patients is ventilator management – determining the proper airflow, pressure and volume for each patient to ensure the optimal respiratory rate.

The REACH Access Platform allows emergency department clinicians and consulting physicians to conduct joint examinations and share critical medical data and images. REACH Health was a pioneer in telestroke and now provides one enterprise telemedicine solution for multiple specialties.

“Forward-looking partners like St. Dominic’s can use REACH Access to provide the best possible care and make critical time-sensitive decisions for emergency department and ICU patients,” said Steve McGraw, President and CEO of REACH Health.

St. Dominic’s launched its telemedicine program last year with REACH Health, a leading supplier of enterprise telemedicine software. Initially, the program focused on treating stroke patients in three affiliated hospitals: Montfort Jones Memorial Hospital in Kosciusko, Bolivar Medical Center in Cleveland and King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. These affiliated hospitals are able to directly consult with neurologists to help make critical determinations such as the type and severity of the stroke, available treatment options and whether to transport the patient.

Day of Reflection features artist

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By Maureen Smith
MADISON/TUPELO – Artist Brother Mickey McGrath, OFSF, will lead “Cloud of Witnesses,” a Lenten day of reflection in both Madison and Tupelo the weekend of April 5-6. He is an artist, writer and speaker. In addition to 11 books he has also published work in St. Anthony Mess

Brother Mickey McGrath, OFSF

Brother Mickey McGrath, OFSF

enger, USA Today, and America Magazine and has designed materials for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“I will be sharing my paintings of saints and holy people and talking about their stories and how they have touched my life,” said Brother McGrath of the program. He will focus on American saints and holy people, including one of his greatest inspirations, Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, who came from the Diocese of Jackson.
Brother McGrath came to know Sister Bowman and his current vocation in the midst of crisis. He was visiting his dying father at home when he came across Sister Bowman’s last interview in U.S. Catholic. “I thought it was so beautiful, so parallel to what I was going through,” he said. “I loved how she had learned to see her cancer and her illness as a gift. Through it she found new ways to be compassionate and to just be present,” he added.

About a year later he saw a video detailing the nun’s life from her upbringing in rural Mississippi to her conversion and vocation to religious life. Her story, “completely turned things upside down for me,” he said. By then, Brother McGrath’s father had died. He had asked his community to allow him to stop teaching art, which he had been doing for more than a decade, while he was searching for what might be next. “Over the next two weeks nine paintings emerged that were different than anything I had ever done before. I tell people it’s the little black nun inside of me,” he explained.
Brother McGrath pursued art fulltime and began producing books, one on Pope John XXIII, another on Sister Bowman, one on Mary and more about other holy people. He began speaking about art and leading workshops.

Jeanne Howard, the diocesan director of Faith Formation, met Brother McGrath at the Hoffinger Conference in New Orleans where she was tasked with introducing him. Howard noticed one of his paintings of Sister Bowman and the two began to chat about her. She decided he would be a good fit to present in the Diocese of Jackson.
“I wanted to find something in line with the theme of Catechetical Sunday, ‘Open the Door to Faith,’” she said. “We are all called to recognize the call of all people to holiness through Baptism so Brother McGrath will use his images of saints and holy people from the Americas, who were ordinary people like us, who did extraordinary, holy things,” she said.
Brother McGrath said he likes to speak about the saints to inspire people. “We are taught to imitate the saints, I don’t think it’s always about that. It’s about being our true selves. The patron of our order is St. Francis de Sales and he says ‘be who you are and be that perfectly well,’” he said.

He also hopes to expose people to new and different ways to pray. “I will use art as a tool to meditate with inner peace. Touching our creative spirit always calms us down,” he explained. The program will also include a short, non-threatening drawing exercise. He believes art can be transformative. “There’s always beauty and beauty saves us.”

Cloud of Witnesses will start at  Madison St. Anthony School Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This workshop includes a box lunch and costs $25 for individuals or $20 each for groups of three or more who register together. Join Brother McGrath Sunday, April 6,  at St. James Parish in Tupelo, from 1 – 5 p.m. This workshop costs $20 for individuals or $15 per person in groups of three or larger. All those attending the Tupelo workshop are asked to bring a snack to share. Registration is required. Call Fabvienen Taylor to register, 601-960-8470.

Caregivers invited to grief and healing conference

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By Maureen Smith
NATCHEZ – Bob Willis fell in love with “grievers” when he suffered a devastating loss in his own life. At the time, he was a Baptist minister. His own grief led him to work with others in pain. This, he said, is how his current ministry found him. He went on to work for 17 years in hospice ministry and became a sculptor along the way. He now uses the skills he has developed in both fields for his grief ministry.
Willis is bringing his unique presentation to the Diocese of Jackson for three events. The first, a one-day Faith

Community Nursing event was scheduled March 8 at Jackson St. Richard. Look for coverage of it in the next issue of Mississippi Catholic. The other events are set for Sunday and Monday, March 9-10, in Natchez. Sunday is a conference from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the St. Mary Basilica Family Life Center. Monday he will present to the monthly meeting of the parish grief and loss support group from 6 – 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
During Sunday’s conference, called Caregiver stress, coping with change, Willis will carve a bust of Christ while he speaks about the grief involved in being a caregiver. “My goal is to give people some tools to communicate their

Bob Willis

Bob Willis

feelings,” he explained. He says everyone grieves change, but caregivers are faced with some especially tough changes and their grief can become internalized.
“I want them to know grief is what they are feeling, but no one can see that. It’s inside them. When they express it, it becomes mourning and Christ says ‘blessed are they who mourn.’ I want to help them mourn in healthy ways,” he said. He calls caregivers care-grievers and encourages them to move beyond being isolated in their feelings.
Willis explained that he offers tools to help people organize their feelings and put them into words so they can better communicate what they are feeling and then develop a support system around those feelings. “When we organize our grief, we take control of our grief so it doesn’t control us,” said Willis. This process can help caregivers express their feelings and love with those for whom they are caring and can sometimes even help those who need care better communicate.
He calls his vocation “a God thing,” saying he knew very soon after starting this work that he was where he needed to be. “I did some grief counseling with groups and I felt like it was the right work. I have a comfort level dealing with grief, loss and death. That’s why it’s easier for me to share in this way, I feel that comfort level with it,” he said.
He uses the sculpting because creative expression “feeds” him when he feels drained. He most commonly sculpts the bust of Christ or a bandaged broken heart with the scripture “He heals the brokenhearted, he binds up their wounds,” from Psalm 147.
Ann Elizabeth Kaiser, a Health Ministry Specialist for Catholic Charities, organized both events. She said he saw Willis sculpting while she was attending a conference last year and felt drawn to watch, even though she did not know anything about him or his presentation. She left with 10 copies of his book to give to friends and colleagues. Kaiser said she hears so many health care workers and caretakers talk about how much stress they feel and she knew Willis’ presentation would fill a need.
In addition to his work in hospice, Willis owns the Rocking W art gallery in Oklahoma City and has written a book, “The Ultimate Caregiver,” about his work in grief ministry. His books will be available for purchase at the events. To read more about Willis’ work visit www.godhealshearts.com.

Catholic Day at Capitol focuses on criminal justice

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – About 60 people from across the diocese came together Wednesday, Feb. 19, to talk about crime, punishment and healing at the 2014 Catholic Day at the Capitol sponsored by the Catholic Charities Poverty Task Force. The task force selected House Bill 585 (HB-585) as its main focus this year.
HB-585 is a comprehensive criminal justice reform bill addressing minimum sentencing, drug treatment and other approaches to redress crime, consider victims’ rights, rehabilitate offenders and heal the community. The day started with a pair of keynote speakers, Father Fred Kammer, SJ, of the Jesuit Social Research Institute based at Loyola University, New Orleans and Deacon Allen Stevens, a community organizer and advocate from New Orleans St. Peter Claver Parish. Attendees left with a packet of information and talking points about the issues.

Father Kammer explained what Catholic social teaching says about crime, specifically about embracing a system of restorative justice in which victims, offenders, the families of both and whole communities are part of the process of restoring the common good. “Attention must be paid to victims healing and recovery, but we can’t give in to punitive policies,” he said. He also pointed out statistics that indicate states in the Gulf South, especially Louisiana and Mississippi, lead the nation in incarceration, but have seen diminishing returns on those policies.

He urges communities to include drug treatment programs in jails and communities, end minimum sentencing and ‘three-strikes’ policies, address racism in both the criminal justice system and society at large and concentrate on building strong family structures, embrace community policing methods, challenge the culture of violence and offer rehabilitation to all offenders.

Deacon Stevens works with the Micah Project, a faith-based organization established by clergy in New Orleans to think of new and innovative solutions to problems in that city. He said they take a real grass-roots approach, asking community members what “keeps them up at night,” and building solutions from there. He said education and incarceration were constant themes in this effort. He pointed out that although drug use is consistent across all demographic groups, African Americans in Louisiana are three times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana than their counterparts. Incarceration rates in New Orleans are among the highest in the nation, but, according to Deacon Stevens, locking up all those people is not helping address the root issues of crime. He urged attendees to join in the process of speaking up for reform, but warned them to be patient. “The effort of organizing is slow and arduous, you have to have the patience of Job,” he said,
Andre de Gruy, a member of the Criminal Justice Task Force, spoke about the specific bill working its way through the legislature. The 205-page bill has already been approved by the house, but de Gruy pointed out it is always good to contact legislators to let them know what issues are important to voters and thank legislators for their support.

The bill has passed out of committee and now faces a March 12 deadline for action.
Leslie Lee, a state defender who attended the day said this is not a Republican or Democratic issue, its an issue that impacts everyone. She has seen both sides of this debate, having been a prosecutor. She now works on a reintegration task force to help those getting out of jail get back to productive lives.

“We need to distinguish between the people we are scared of and the people we are mad at,” she explained. Violent, repeat offenders do not need to be treated in the same way as all offenders. She said in her work she sees many people with mental health issues, addiction and other challenges who could be helped back into society with rehabilitation, but would not benefit from incarceration with no treatment.

After Mass celebrated by Bishops Joseph Kopacz of Jackson and Roger Morin  of Biloxi and lunch the group gathered on the steps at the capitol for a press conference.
Advocates explained that Catholics can still contact their lawmakers to support HB-585. In fact, meeting with lawmakers while they are in their home disctricts might be a better way to get their attention.

To get a copy of the talking points and information on Catholic social teaching on criminal justice, email Monique Davis at Monique.davis@catholiccharitiesjackson.org.

Celebrating the gift of marriage

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By Elsa Baughaman
JACKSON – John and Camille Barranco say they owe the success of their marriage to the ability to get above their differences and to know what God wants in their relationship. “With all the ups and downs we have gone through during these many years, the sadness and the joy, he has brought us through,” said Camille.

The Barrancos are members of Jackson St. Richard Parish and are celebrating 64 years of marriage this year. They were one of the 36 couples who attended a Mass in honor of World Marriage Day at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle on Sunday, Feb. 9.  They have five children, 12 grandchildren and a great-grandaughter.

Late last year, the Office of Family Ministry mailed 103 invitations to couples in 24 parishes in the diocese. Present at the ceremony were five couples celebrating their 60th anniversary, 11  celebrating their 50th, 15 celebrating their 25th, one each celebrating their 65th, 64th, 52nd, 49th, and 20th.

Jennifer Eidt, coordinator for the Office of Family Ministry, said the church teaches  when a man and woman vow to be true in good times and bad, they are confirming a decision to love one another. “And, as married couples have taught us, this decision to love one another is one we have to make over and over again.”

She said in the marriage preparation program for the newly engaged offered by her office, one of the many lessons they discuss with the couples anticipating marriage is that “marriage requires work and work is not always fun.”

“A marriage cannot be built in a day. It requires a lifetime of love, effort, joy and pain, and the constant hope of what is yet to come. It is a decision to look, act and pray for the good in the people we say we love.”

Eidt pointed out marriage is a pledge of fidelity. “Our world desperately needs living witnesses to fidelity. These are the most convincing signs of the love that Christ has for each of us. The sacrament of marriage is meant to be a sign of God’s love for humanity and Christ’s love for his church.

“Couples and families who are living faithful lives of mutual love and support, though not without difficulties, have the gratitude of the whole church.”

Eidt finished her presentation by telling the couples they are each truly a light to the world.
Juan and Maribel Melo said unconditional love, patience, understanding and knowing what to argue about has kept them together for 26 years.  During the special anniversary Mass, celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, the couples made the covenant renewal of Christian commitment and the renewal of marriage vows.

In his homily, Bishop Kopacz pointed out that marriage is successful through perseverance coupled with togetherness in experiences during stressful and joyful times. “A sense of humor is a key component,” he said while reminiscing about his parents married life. “Reflection of your parents’ actions can lead to success with your children and family.”

Bishop Kopacz mentioned his parents were married 51 years and in those days,  he said, things were stressful but they did everything together, that was important, he noted.

He also reflected on the Gospel of Matthew telling them their lives as couples are like the salt and light of the world and should be an example for others and for their own families. “Few days ago I deepened the union I shared with Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Holy Orders. Bishop Kopacz presented each couple a certificate of recognition.

At the reception, John Barranco, looking at his wife and daughter, wittily said their marriage has prevailed because of his obedience to his wife. “I say ‘yes’ to everything she says,” he said with a big smile.