Category Archives: Diocesan News

Knights bring Wreaths Across America to Clinton Cemetery

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By Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – This year the Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554 of the Knights of Columbus, has gotten involved in the Wreaths Across America program by sponsoring the Clinton Cemetery. They have identified approximately 250 veterans’ gravesites which they hope to lay wreaths on Dec. 18 at noon. The mission is to remember, honor and teach.
“What a beautiful and meaningful way to remember and honor our veterans during the Christmas season,” said the Knights of Columbus.

The wreaths are made of live greenery with a red velvet bow and cost $15. Wreaths can be purchased for an unspecified veteran at the Clinton Cemetery, for a specific veteran at the Clinton Cemetery, or for a veteran buried somewhere other than the Clinton Cemetery. Wreaths purchased for placement at other cemeteries will be available for pick up at Holy Savior Church at 714 Lindale Street in Clinton on Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. Wreaths must be purchased prior to Nov. 19, 2021, so orders can be placed.

Wreaths can be purchased online at https://kofc554.org/wreaths or by mail – just visit their website for details.

Honoring veterans buried at the Clinton Cemetery this holiday season is the mission for members of the Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554, which are participating in the annual Wreaths Across America sponsorship drive. The national wreath-laying remembrance effort is planned for Dec. 18. (Photo WAA Staff)

Catholic Build continues to give families place to ‘call home’

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By Joe Lee
MADISON – How hard has Habitat for Humanity/Mississippi Capital Area (HHMCA) been hit in 2021 by the ongoing COVID pandemic and the skyrocketing costs of building materials? The numbers are sobering.

“It cost $80,000 to build before. Now it’s $120,000,” said HHMCA executive director Merrill McKewen. “None of that (increase) was in our 2021 budget.”

That’s a whopping 50 percent leap, and over a very short period of time. When combined with COVID safety measures reducing on-site volunteers at builds from 15 at a time to only seven, McKewen and her board of directors faced serious challenges in keeping their tradition of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.
The way forward, at least temporarily, lies in touching up previously-built Habitat homes.

“This was an unusual year,” McKewen said. “We had a cluster of homeowners who wanted to live in recycled Habitat houses. Not much big stuff is involved in recycling them – not much gutting – we’re getting the home up to standards with electrical, painting, plumbing, and clearing the property.”

HHMCA hopes to close on five safe, recycled homes before Christmas. Among them is the annual Catholic build, located this year on Gentry Street off Bailey Avenue in west Jackson. Hard-working volunteers have spent several Saturday mornings on the property and will wrap up before Thanksgiving.

“I started volunteering on the Catholic builds about 12 years ago,” said Allen Scott, incoming HHMCA board president and a parishioner at Holy Savior of Clinton. “For several years that was my total involvement — a few Saturdays a year on the Catholic build.”

JACKSON – Arthur Ring, Allen Scott and Brett Fitzgerald work on rehabbing a ‘recycled’ Habitat for Humanity home for a family that needs a place to ‘call home.’ As COVID hit and construction prices skyrocketed, Habitat has had to limit the number of volunteers and are now rehabbing homes to save on costs. (Photo by Callie Ainsworth)

“The staff at HHMCA asked me to chair the Catholic Build committee for a couple of years. When I met the families that were going to live in the houses – especially the children – and saw how happy they were, it just gave me a real feeling that I was helping somebody.”

The Catholic build tradition goes back more than three decades, as parishes in Jackson, Pearl, Madison, Clinton, Gluckstadt and Canton have all contributed monetarily as well as providing volunteers.

“HHMCA informs us of the amount that will be needed to do the work, and in turn we ask our parishes to contribute at the level that is feasible for them, depending on the population of the parish community,” said Bishop Joseph Kopacz.
“Most parishioners are familiar with the annual project and the invitation to contribute and respond generously. The Habitat for Humanity organization is a trusted brand, and all know that the prospective homeowners are carefully screened to assure success with their lifelong dream of home ownership.”

“We don’t give houses away,” McKewen said. “But anyone, regardless of income, can apply with us for a home if they’re willing to do the work and pay for a thirty-year zero-interest mortgage. We function as a mortgage lender with a Christian attitude.”

What drives McKewen is getting people out of poverty and into safe homes, where they have greatly improved chances of putting roots down, learning marketable skills, attaining an education and, ultimately, giving back to the community.

In addition to the thorough vetting the homeowners receive before being approved, all help physically build their new Habitat homes. That sweat equity is crucial in developing the pride the owners have in their new residences, and it’s not uncommon to witness deeply touching moments when families take ownership.

“I would encourage all HHMCA volunteers, and anyone interested in the ministry, to attend a house dedication,” Scott said. “The new homeowners are so genuinely appreciative that it is hard not to feel their emotions. My favorite memory was a house on Greenview (in south Jackson) where the four-year-old ran into the master bedroom and shouted, ‘This one’s mine!’ I truly believe that anybody who ever volunteers one time and meets the family will be hooked.”

McKewen has high hopes for a smoother 2022 and plans to return HHMCA to the beloved Broadmoor neighborhood in north Jackson, where a number of the memorable homes built during the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations have fallen into disrepair and been abandoned.

“We are changing the neighborhood and will be completely rehabbing those houses, as in gutting to the studs,” she said. “We are putting homeowners into homes for $650/month and getting people out of deplorable conditions where they were paying as much as $800/month.”

“This commitment has endured the test of time,” Kopacz said. “We want families to have a place to call home, and in the process see the restoration of the blighted areas of the City of Jackson, one house and one block at a time.”

Want to help Habitat?

“There are many ways to help in addition to volunteering on a worksite,” said incoming HHMCA board president, Allen Scott. “Pray for the families and the ministry. Encourage your parish council and finance committee to financially support HHMCA. Individual donations add up, so no gift is too small.”

“The volunteer crews have to be fed so meals have to be prepared and delivered to the home site. Basically, if a person wants to be involved, we can find some way to include them in a build.”

JACKSON – Pictured left to right: Arthur Ring, Allen Scott, Bo Bender, Demetrica Clincy (homeowner), Lechen Tyler (homeowner), Polly Hammett and Marc McAllister. The group stands outside of the home Catholic Build made possible for the family. (Photo by Callie Ainsworth)

Calendar of events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus Retreat Center is hosting a Healing Retreat, “Learning How to Thrive,” on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The presenter is Maria Vadia. Details: for more information, call (662) 299-1232.

PEARL St. Jude, MARIAN SERVANTS® of Jesus the Lamb of God, will be offering the Marian consecration on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. in the St. Jude parish hall through Dec. 7 with consecration on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Join us as we strengthen our love for Jesus Christ with the aid of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Details: Maureen Roberts at 601-278-0423 or msofjlog@gmail.com.

St. Jude, Sung Mass in Extraordinary Form, first and third Sundays of each month at 6 p.m. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.

PINEVILLE, La. A.C.T.S. Retreats at the Mary Hill Renewal Center, Men’s retreat Jan. 13-16. 2022 and Ladies retreat Feb. 10-13, 2022. Opportunity for spiritual renewal and fellowship beginning Thursday evening at 5 p.m. and concluding with 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday at St. Patrick Church in Ferriday, La. Cost of the retreat is $50 deposit plus $125 due at retreat check-in. Open to persons 18 years or older. Details: To register contact St. Patrick Church at (318) 757-3834.

Vocation Retreat Do you know of any man discerning the call to enter priesthood or religious life? A special Quo Vadis retreat is being held Friday, Nov. 19 – Sunday, Nov. 21 in the Diocese of Jackson. Details: nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.

PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Feast Day weekend, Nov. 12-14. Friday, Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m.Mass with Bishop Kopacz; Saturday, Nov. 13, Adoration 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. followed by Mass; Sunday, Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m. Mass and St. Elizabeth Feast Day luncheon at 12:15 p.m. Call church office to make reservations for luncheon. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.

HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Cooking for the Holidays Sale, Nov. 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Get your frozen casseroles, vegetables and desserts for the holidays. Baked goods are available, too. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.

JACKSON St. Richard, Volunteers are needed for Stewpot lunch and Stewpot pantry. St. Richard Meals-on-Wheels delivers meals from an assigned menu to the Jackson area the second Tuesday of every month. They also send volunteers to Stewpot lunch to serve and Stewpot pantry to help one week per quarter. Details: call Tommy Lamas at the church office (601) 366-2335 or email lamas@saintrichard.com.

41st Annual Squat & Gobble, Thursday, Nov. 11 5:45-10 p.m. at the Mississippi Trade Mart, part of the proceeds go to help victims of human trafficking and domestic violence through programs of Catholic Charities. Enjoy food, beverages, door prizes and live and silent auctions. Entertainment by Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster. Cost: tickets $65 available at www.friendsforacause.com. Details: Tommy Turk (601) 955-1677.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Save the Date, St. Patrick School Candy Cane 5K Dash, Saturday, Dec. 4 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Details: Registration is now open at www.time2run.net.

MAGEE St. Stephen, Parish Health Ministry members will be selling raffle tickets for a beautiful handmade bench with lap blanket and a lovely handmade quilt. You get two chances for one ticket. These items would make wonderful Christmas gifts. Cost: Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Drawing will be Nov. 21 during their parish Thanksgiving dinner. Details: church office (601) 849 3237.

NATCHEZ Assumption of BVM, Bible Study on Fridays at 8:30 a.m. in Tuite Hall with Roseminette. Everyone is welcome. Details: (601) 442-7250.

St. Mary Basilica, Line Dancing, Mondays 9-10 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

St. Mary Basilica, Poinsettia sale fundraiser for the CYO. Plants are from Fred’s Nursery in 6 inch foil sleeved pots. Cost $15, or order 10 or more for $12.50 each. Available for pickup first week of Dec. Quantities are limited, so place your order early. Details: stmaryyouth@cableone.net.

OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace, Blood Drive, Sunday Nov. 28, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. All donors will receive a $5 Amazon gift card and are entered to win a $500 gift card. Schedule your appointment at donors.vitalant.org and search by blood drive code: queenop. Details: Gretchen (662) 895-5007.

YAZOO CITY St. Mary, Garage Sale, Saturday, Nov. 6 at the parish hall from 7-11 a.m. Money collected will be used to purchase a refrigerator for the office. Details: (662) 746-1680.

YOUTH BRIEFS
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Wednesday night “Open Gym” 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Make plans to come Wednesdays and enjoy food, fun and games. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.

JACKSON St. Richard School, Open House, Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 9:30-11 a.m. Details: RSVP to tconrad@strichardschool.org.

SAVE THE DATE
JACKSON St. Richard, Save the date, Special Kids Art Show, Saturday, Dec. 4 from 5-7 p.m. in Foley Hall.

St. Richard School, Save the Date, Krewe de Cardinal, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. This festive evening features a brass band, premium silent and live auctions, a cash drawing, dancing, and New Orleans-style cocktails and cuisine. Tickets are just $50/per person or $100/per couple in advance. Host Couple and Event Sponsorships are available and come with special amenities like reserved seating and an invitation to the pre-event VIP cocktail hour. Details: development@strichardschool.org.

MADISON St. Joseph School, Save the Date, Jeans, Jazz & Bruin Blues $10,000 Draw Down, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at the Country Club of Jackson. To sponsor or purchase a draw down ticket visit www.stjoedrawdown.com.

VICKSBURG Vicksburg Catholic School, Save the Date, $10,000 Drawdown on the River, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.

iGiveCatholic on #GivingTuesday, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. You can be part of the celebration by giving to your favorite Catholic organization or parish. Advanced giving opens on Nov. 15. Details: https://jackson.igivecatholic.org/ or Julia.williams@jacksondiocese.org.

Synodal process looks to hear from voices on the margins of the church

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By Dennis Sadowski
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis is inviting Catholics both in the mainstream of church life and on the margins to voice their dreams, ideas and concerns in preparation for the Synod of Bishops in 2023.

The process launched Oct. 17 in parishes and dioceses worldwide. The pope formally opened the synod process at the Vatican Oct. 9-10.

Under the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission,” the pope is calling the church to practice synodality, that is listening to – and hearing – one another in all facets of church life, two of the coordinators of the effort at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops told Catholic News Service.

The October opening “is just the first step in a larger, longer-term process of really incorporating the fruits of Vatican II and becoming a synodal church,” said Julia McStravog, a former USCCB employee who is a consultant to the bishops on the process.

“We’re going to have consultation. It’s also going to be a learning process about how to actually engage in a synodal way,” McStravog explained.

The launch begins a two-year process that culminates in the Synod of Bishops in October 2023. The synod is expected to adopt a final document that will guide the continuing development of a synodal church going into the future.

The pope’s call to synodality is rooted in his deep involvement as a cardinal in 2007 in drafting a document for CELAM, the acronym for the Spanish name of the Latin American bishops’ council, which met in Aparecida, Brazil. The document issued repeated calls for a “continental mission,” a church that goes out in search of ways to proclaim the Gospel to all.

Starting in October, dioceses and parishes will be engaged in nearly six months of discussions, or consultations, in which people from across the church will be invited to participate, said Richard Coll, executive director of the bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, who is coordinating the effort for the USCCB.
Each diocese is being asked to submit a summary of local discussions by April 1 to the USCCB, which will then take a month to synthesize in a final written presentation for the Vatican.

Pope Francis celebrates a Mass to open the process that will lead up to the assembly of the world Synod of Bishops in 2023, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters)

Coll said each diocese is being encouraged to let the Holy Spirit guide discussions.

“The Synod of Bishops is saying don’t focus on what the ultimate product is going to be. Focus on the process itself and how the Spirit will guide the church, represented in part through subsidiarity in the work that you are doing at the diocesan level,” Coll said.

The diocesan consultations also are an invitation to creativity, McStravog said.

“This is a moment to be co-creators with the Spirit. … It is a chance for reinvigorating an engaged community through creativity and the call to be open. There’s a chance to reaffirm the good and reimagine some things that could be better,” she explained.

To facilitate the effort, the Synod of Bishops, under Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general, introduced documents Sept. 7 to guide the process in dioceses. The USCCB followed up by quickly developing a supplemental document as well.

The primary document is a “vademecum,” or handbook, offering support for diocesan teams “to prepare and gather the people of God so that they can give voice to their experience in their local church.”

It also explains the objectives of the synodal process, principles of the process, the timeline for the two-year process, and resources for organizing the process.

A complementary preparatory document offers background to the development of the process, which is rooted in Pope Francis’ often-made invitation for “journeying together” in the world.

It states, “This journey, which follows in the wake of the church’s ‘renewal’ proposed by the Second Vatican Council, is both a gift and a task: By journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the church will be able to learn through her experience which processes can help her to live communion, to achieve participation, to open herself to mission.”

The USCCB document further defines the Vatican’s documents. It a checklist of actions, proposed timeline for dioceses to follow, and a listing of background materials to help walk parishes and dioceses through the initial process and ensure wide participation.

An addendum, developed by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship, offers ideas for liturgical celebrations to mark the opening and closing of the synodal process in dioceses and suggestions for Scripture readings and musical themes.

Coll said the USCCB has been communicating with dioceses since May about forming teams to coordinate participation in the listening sessions. The Vatican documents were forwarded to dioceses soon after they were received by the USCCB.

At its meeting Sept. 14-15, the USCCB Administrative Committee, which includes the USCCB’s officers and the chairmen of the bishops’ various committees, reviewed the materials. It agreed to allot time for discussion on the synodal process during its fall general assembly in November, Coll said.

As dioceses prepare for the listening sessions, McStravog said the discussions present an opportunity for “gentleness and grace” to take hold within the church.

“This is a spiritual exercise,” she said. “It’s not just a bureaucratic or ecclesial exercise. It’s a spiritual exercise for the individual, for the parish, for the community, for the diocese and for the church in America at large.”

Coll and McStravog also echoed the pope’s Sept. 18 call to members of his diocese, the Diocese of Rome, to go to the margins to ensure that “the poor, the homeless, young people addicted to drugs, everyone that society rejects are part of the synod.”

“One of the questions is listening. How do we actually listen? It goes back to the invitation. The onus is on the diocese to really think through who is often excluded from our table. The church needs to go out and invite people back in,” McStravog said.

The vademecum also recognizes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the church.

The document explains that the pandemic “has made existing inequalities explode” and shows that the entire human family is affected, requiring a unified response.

Secondly, the document continues, the pandemic poses logistical challenges for participation in diocesan listening sessions. It calls on dioceses to look for ways such as online gatherings, small group meetings or other safe means to gain insight from church members.

Once the Vatican receives the synthesized reports of diocesan meetings from bishops’ conferences around the world, the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops will draft by September 2022 the “instrumentum laboris,” or working document, to guide continental or regional ecclesial assemblies that will take place by March 2023.

Those assemblies will produce another set of documents that will help in the drafting of a second working document for the Synod of Bishops in October 2023. The synod is expected to produce a final document on synodality throughout the church.

(Editor’s note: Bishop Joseph Kopacz will formally open the synod process in the diocese on 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 with Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson.)

Bishop Kopacz celebrates Red Mass at St. John Oxford

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Editor’s note: Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated a Red Mass at St. John Oxford on Sunday, Sept. 26. Below is a excerpt from his homily.

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.

During the time that the Diocese of Jackson was preparing to introduce Sister Thea Bowman’s Cause for Canonization in 2018, I discovered that she had done her doctoral dissertation at Catholic University, Washington, D.C. on St. Thomas More’s final masterpiece while imprisoned in the Tower of London for 15 months prior to his execution. There are more than a few blessings in this discovery, and one in particular is the universality of the Catholic Church. A preeminent Englishman of the 16th century, who had reached the heights of the legal and political professions of his time before becoming a saint and martyr, captured the imagination of a 20th century Servant of God, Sister Thea Bowman.

What is the bond that linked these two disciples of the Lord Jesus from over a span of 400-500 years? The English barrister died in 1535 and the Religious Sister was born in 1937.

OXFORD – Bishop Joseph Kopacz delivers his Homily at a Red Mass at St. John Oxford, organized by the St. Thomas More Society at The University of Mississippi School of Law. (Photos by Gene Buglewicz)

More was a confidant and favored companion of Henry VIII until he refused to take the Oath of Allegiance to the King who was declaring himself as the head of the Catholic Church in England. His refusal earned him lodging in the Tower of London, but his imprisonment was not time wasted. In the Spring and Summer of 1534 while he waited in the Tower for formal trial and sentencing More began the writing of A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation. He wrote the dialogue to stir and prepare the minds of Englishmen to withstand courageously and not to shrink at the imminent persecution which he foresaw and immediately followed, against the unity of the Church and the Catholic Faith.

More died in physical poverty and worldly disgrace. In A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation he left his last testament and the final legacy of his wisdom. Following the example of Jesus at the Last Supper when he consoled his apostles in anticipation of the tribulation to follow with his crucifixion, this intrepid martyr understood the power of words as a lasting legacy when coupled with witness.

Sister Thea removed from the shelves of academia A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation in order to breathe new life into a masterpiece, whose pages still reach out to us, urging enduring solutions to perennially recurring human problems, she stated at the conclusion of her thesis in 1972.

She entitled her scholarly work, The Relationship of Pathos and Style in A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation: A Rhetorical Study, her successful doctoral project to elevate pathos into the realms of logos and ethos.

She contended: “More’s attempt to reach the needs of his audience, to reach their hearts as well as their minds, to fire their imaginations with images of Christ’s suffering, yelping devils, damned souls, or the protective care of God, and to delight them so as to make them more receptive of his message, is conscious and deliberate. Pathos, the endeavor to stir the emotions of his hearers, in large measure determines the distinctive character of A Dialogue.”

Red Mass at St. John Oxford, organized by the St. Thomas More Society at The University of Mississippi School of Law.

Red Mass Facts

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• The Mass is celebrated in honor of the Holy Spirit with those present seeking wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude in the courtroom.

• The first documented Red Mass was celebrated in 1245 in Paris; however, it is believed the Mass was celebrated as far back as 1200.
As of 1310 the Mass had become an annual tradition in England to commemorate the beginning of each new Court term. From England the tradition of a yearly Red Mass spread throughout Europe. The tradition was adopted in the U.S. in the early 20th century.

• The name comes from the red garments worn not only by Royal Judges of the Vatican tribunal, but also by the celebrant. The first Red Mass to take place in the U.S. was held at the Church of St. Andrew in New York City in 1928 with Cardinal Patrick Hayes presiding.

• Beginning in 1953, a Red Mass has been said annually in Washington, D.C. with Supreme Court justices, members of Congress and other government departments and occasionally the president in attendance. Today, the Supreme Court include six Catholic justices – Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

(From George Washington University, History News Network and America Magazine)

Photos play major role in solving archive ‘mysteries’

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From the Archives
By Mary Woodward

JACKSON – “A picture says a thousand words” is an age-old adage that we often use to describe many situations. In archives, that saying is very true. The photos included this week tell many stories, but more importantly these images, along with thousands of others like them in our diocesan archives collection, help us document history and artifacts.

In looking at the image of three bishops strolling down the street how can I conclude who is in the photo and what is happening? The main evidence fortunately is a date in the lower right corner of the photo is given as on Oct. 15, 1924. Please always date photographs and identify the people in them.

Taking the photograph by itself, I can deduce many things. It is of Bishop Gerow, it appears to be in Mobile because the columns in the background look a lot like the ones of the Cathedral there. But after that for those not familiar with the date on the photograph or Bishop Gerow the trail goes cold.

This photo portrait of Bishop R.O. Gerow displays the pectoral cross he used. Through photographs we know that the same cross was worn by Bishop Thomas Heslin before him.

However, as archivist and chancellor, knowing the importance of that date in diocesan history, I can confirm that the photo is from Bishop Gerow’s ordination as bishop, which occurred on Oct. 15, 1924, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile. How then can I identify the two other bishops? In order to do that, I need to look no further than Bishop Gerow’s meticulously maintained diary. All the information I need is right there on the page in a beautiful passage:

“The ceremony was in the Cathedral of Mobile, and this was proper. Within its shadow I had been born; within its walls, baptized; here I served for many years as Altar boy; here I had been confirmed; and since my ordination to the priesthood here had been my only appointment; here was the only parish in which I had ever had a domicile.

The Consecrating Prelate was Bishop Allen, who had always been to me a father. He had sent me to college to try my vocation; he had kept me near him during my years as a priest; and I feel that his example and training have done much to mold my priestly life.

The Co-Consecrators were Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard and Bishop James A. Griffin, the latter a close companion during my years of study in Rome. A magnificent sermon was preached by Very Reverend Edward Cummings, S.J. Provincial, with whom I had been closely associated during his years at Spring Hill College.”

From this description, one can be almost certain that the two other bishops are Bishops Jeanmard and Allen. To further solidify this, I can search the internet for images of these two men and see if they match up and determine which is which. Jeanmard is on the left for the viewer and Allen is on the right.

I can only deduce that the man on the far left is a Knight of Columbus in formal attire – sword, sash, top hat. This attire was customary for such an occasion in the early 1900s.

Photographs also help us identify various episcopal symbols such as rings and pectoral crosses. In the image of Bishop Gerow we can see a pectoral cross. That cross is kept in the vault of the archives.

The cropped image, which is of Bishop Thomas Heslin (1889-1911), has the same cross. Therefore, we can date that particular cross in the vault to 1889. It could go back further but the two previous bishops went on the become archbishops and would have taken most of their crosses and rings with them.

The ring in the cropped photo also is in the vault and is engraved as a gift from St. Michael Parish, which was the parish Bishop Heslin was pastor of in New Orleans when he was named Bishop of Natchez in 1889. Therefore, we can date and assign that ring to Bishop Heslin.

So, archives can often be a scavenger hunt and an archaeological expedition. Portraits and photos play a major role in solving so many mysteries. In 2016 our diocesan archive was awarded the Cultural Heritage Digitization Award by the Mississippi Digital Library. The award allowed 600 images from our collection to be digitized and uploaded to the MDL.

You can view this sampling of our collection on their website https://msdiglib.org/. We are a partner listed as Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson. I hope you will visit the collection and enjoy the journey through diocesan history.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)

(Above) Ordination of Bishop R.O. Gerow (center) on Oct. 15, 1924 at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile.
(Inset) This cropped image shows the pectoral cross and ring of Bishop Thomas Heslin (1889-1911). (Photos from archives)

In memoriam: Sister Mary Gianini, OP

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dominican Sister Mary Gianini, OP, died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, at St. John’s Hospital in the 66th year of her religious profession. Known for a time as Sister M. Mystica, she was born in Greenville, Mississippi, in 1930, to Philip and Rosa (Aguzzi) Gianini. She joined the Dominicans in 1954 and professed her vows in 1955 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Illinois.

Sister Mary taught first and second grade children for 36 years, preparing them for the sacraments. In Illinois, she taught at parochial schools in Granite City, Evergreen Park, Odell, Bethalto, Chicago, Springfield and Jacksonville. Sister Mary also taught grades 1-2 in Brawley, California, and served a year each at the religious education centers in Hillsboro and Arcola, Illinois. For a dozen years after leaving classroom teaching, she provided hospitality for visitors to Benincasa Renewal Center, Riverton, and later at Siena Hall in Springfield.

Proud of her Italian heritage and her Mississippi roots, Sister Mary often spent summers assisting in the medical records department at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, allowing her time with her sister Ann (Jack) Mellott in Columbus, Mississippi and brother Gus Gianini, Cleveland, Mississippi, both survive her. She is also survived by three nieces; three nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews and cousins.

Sister Mary’s funeral Mass was held on Oct. 11, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Dominican Father Michael DeTemple, as celebrant. She is buried at Calvary Cemetery.

Mass and graveside services can be viewed at https://springfieldop.org/sister-mary-gianini-op/.

Memorials to honor the memory of Sister Mary may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.

Lay Carmelites reflect and pray at annual retreat

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By Tom Head, Ph.D. and Dorothy Ashley, OCDS

JACKSON – The Lay Carmelites of Jackson participated in their annual retreat at the Visitation Monastery in Mobile, Alabama from Oct. 1-3, 2021. The Mobile Community of Lay Carmelites (aka “Carmelite Seculars”) were the hosts of this silent retreat. They were well-represented along with Carmelite Seculars from the Gulf Coast area and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They all belong to the Order of Discalced Carmelites Seculars (OCDS).

Father Stephen Sanchez, OCD, a Discalced Carmelite priest led spirited conferences on the theology of St. John of the Cross, with emphasis on his minor works. Particular attention was given to St. John’s practical admonitions that could be used to avoid the snares of the world, the flesh and the devil. Retreatants also attended daily Mass, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, had Exposition/Benediction, participated daily in the Liturgy of the Hours and gathered for meals. There was also time for silent prayer and reflection.

MOBILE – Carmelite Secular Aspirants and their Formators with Father Stephen Sanchez, OCD after being clothed in ceremonial brown scapulars. Front, left to right: Billy Yost of Mobile, Jill Therese Hisaw of Jackson, and Tom and Deirdre Head of Jackson. Back, left to right: Robert Gareri (formation director, Mobile) and Anita DeRouen (formation director, Jackson). Blocked from view are Gena Middleton and Kathleen Williams both of Fort Walton Beach. (Photo by Dorothy Ashley, OCDS)

Three Jackson members, Jill Hisaw (St. Therese) and Deirdre and Tom Head (Christ the King) completed their Aspirancy period and were clothed in the large ceremonial Brown Scapular of the Order during evening prayer on Saturday of the retreat, thus advancing to a period of deeper commitment and formation. During Mass on Sunday, one Jackson member, Elmina Johnson, OCDS (Holy Ghost) made her Definitive Promise to the Superiors of the Order of the Teresian Carmel and the local community. Her Promise was entrusted to the Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel.

Discalced Carmelite Seculars are members of the Carmelite family of the 16th-century reform of St. Teresa of Avila. These followers are present in the modern world as friars, enclosed nuns and seculars. These lay, third order, seculars come from all walks of life, from every level of education and from every type of work. They are Catholic lay men and women over the age of 18 (married or unmarried) or they can be ordained diocesan priests or deacons. They gather in canonically erected communities monthly for study, prayer, formation and community bonding under the guidance and leadership of the Order.

The local Jackson community, St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux Discalced Carmelite Seculars was founded by Father Josiah Chatham in 1952. It became dormant in 1969 but was revived in 1997 and has met continuously ever since. They have a fraternal and supportive relationship with the Discalced Carmelite nuns of Jackson and often participate together in praying Novenas particularly leading up to the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The two groups support each other in prayer and celebrate major Carmelite Feast Days together. The three Branches of Carmel, priests, nuns and seculars, are of the same Order with the same Holy Mother Foundress, St. Teresa of Avila. The monthly meetings for the remainder of the year will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at St. Jude Parish Hall in Pearl at 10:15 a.m. The Jackson community has 20 members from various parishes throughout the diocese including one diocesan priest and one member who lives outside of our diocese.

Those who may be interested in learning more about the vocation of an OCDS are welcome to visit the monthly meetings as part of their discernment. For more information, please contact Dorothy Ashley, OCDS, President at (601) 259-0885 or carmelite57@yahoo.com.

Sister celebrates 50 years as School Sister of Notre Dame

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RIPLEY – On Sunday, Oct. 10, at a 1:30 in the afternoon bilingual Mass, Sister Carol Ann Prenger, School Sister of Notre Dame, celebrated 50 years of vowed life with the parish community where she serves as Lay Ecclesial Minister in Ripley, Mississippi. Parishioners from the St. Matthew Parish community had prepared for the liturgy with special music and decorations.

Sister Jane Wand, who lives in community with Carol Ann, as well as Sisters, Roseanne Mock from Ellington, Missouri, and Kathryn Frank and Sandra Helton from Montgomery, Alabama joined in celebration.

Father Jesuraj Xavier, sacramental minister for the parish was the celebrant, joined by Father Tim Murphy, dean of the northeast deanery.

Father “Raja” had invited Sister Carol Ann to speak to the congregation, sharing a commentary on the Sunday readings and applying them to her own life and to that of School Sisters of Notre Dame.

After Carol Ann spoke, the four other Sisters shared briefly some of their story or meaning of religious life. Then all five Sisters renewed their vows and sung the familiar “Receive me as You have promised, that I may live. Disappoint me not in my hope.”

Following the celebratory Mass of thanksgiving, the congregation was invited to the parish hall to view a display of photos and articles of Carol Ann’s and SSND life and to take any of the SSND vocation resources that were displayed.

The St. Matthew parish community congratulated Sister Carol Ann and shared a delicious potluck meal, conversation and fellowship. Gratitude and praise was given that day for the gift of sharing in the parish of St. Matthew, in Tippah County and the Diocese of Jackson. Mutual support will continue between parishioners and their Lay Ecclesial Minister. The work has not ended for anyone, and the struggles of spirit, service and education will continue.