By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson recognizes April as Child Abuse Awareness Month to spread awareness of the importance of protecting children. Child abuse is an unthinkable crime, yet it happens to hundreds of thousands of our children every year.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) states on their website “The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a Promise to Protect, and a Pledge to Heal.” The same is true for the Diocese of Jackson.
Since, 1986 the diocese has had a policy to respond to credible allegations of sexual abuse, long before the USCCB released the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002. The early document was less detailed than today’s version but delineated the commitment of the diocese on responding to abuse, removing offenders, assisting victims and promoting a safe environment. The policy was revised in 1994 when an Independent Review Board of lay Catholics was established.
The review board is a consultative body that assesses the credibility of all allegations of sexual abuse against minors and advises the bishop accordingly. This board remains an essential resource for Bishop Joseph Kopacz, as it was for Bishop William Houck and Bishop Joseph Latino. The current board includes one pastor, two physicians, two lawyers and one professional businessperson, one of which also serves on the National Review Board of the USCCB on the protection of children and young people.
The diocese, as well as Catholic Charities, requires that all employees and volunteers working with children and young people undergo a criminal background screening and participate in a safe environment training session with a training facilitator, including clergy. Nationally, over 2.65 million background checks were conducted on those working within the Catholic church in 2019.
Many of the trainings mentioned above are now virtual explained, safe environment coordinator, Vickie Carollo. “With COVID restrictions, virtual trainings have worked well,” said Carollo. “To accomodate adults who work during the day, virtual trainings can be scheduled in the evenings. Training sessions are facilitated through the local parish or school.”
The diocese also provides ongoing training in a monthly safe environment bulletin format through VIRTUS, a program and service of The National Catholic Risk Retention Group. All clergy, religious, employees and volunteers having contact with children and young people are required to participate in ongoing training. The safe environment monthly bulletins provide adults the education and prevention information they need to keep our children safe. Bishop Kopacz says that the monthly bulletins are helpful in learning about the changing landscape of threats to children, especially due to our “mushrooming digital world.”

Bishop Kopacz brought the idea of using VIRTUS to the diocese in 2014 soon after being ordained and installed as the 11th bishop of Jackson.
“The Diocese of Scranton, where I was a priest for 36 and a half years, incorporated the VIRTUS Safe Environment program soon after the Dallas Charter and norms were promulgated for the Catholic Church in the United States. At that time, I served as Vicar for Priests and pastor, and it was opportune for me to become a trainer in order to promote this excellent program throughout the diocese. It was evident to the leadership in the Diocese of Scranton, ordained and lay, that the VIRTUS package was excellent for fostering and maintaining safe environments in service to our children and young people, and their families,” said Bishop Kopacz.
The diocese also uses VIRTUS for safety training geared to children, that includes material that is developmentally appropriate for each age group and includes content and activities that reinforce the message. Some of the topics include what to do and how to react when someone’s touch is confusing, scary, or makes the child feel uncomfortable; learning about personal boundaries and giving the self-assurance needed to speak up; learning about who to tell when something or someone makes them feel uncomfortable or confused; and how to recognize grooming by an abuser.
On June 16, the diocese will be holding a “train the trainer” workshop with VIRTUS executive director, Pat Neal. “With the upcoming workshop, we look forward to reviewing with facilitators the most notable updates within the latest 4.0 version of the Protecting God’s Children program for an ease of transition in facilitating the material during awareness sessions,” says Neal.
“The most fundamental update throughout the 4.0 program is an overall focus to relay the essential concept of hope that all of us work for in our various positions – that hope is an element of child protection, that healing for survivors is possible, and that all of us are part of the solution to prevent child abuse. An always-present goal of the Protecting God’s Children program is to provide every organization with the tools needed to prevent abuse, respond appropriately if it does occur, and, in this latest version, review boundaries and how to address inappropriate behavior before it can escalate.”
This latest version maintains the core message of teaching caring adults about the context and prevalence of child sexual abuse, as well as equipping caring adults to follow five research-based steps to protect the vulnerable in any environment. The steps have been revitalized with clearer messaging and easy to follow protocol for any caring adults. The steps are: know the warning signs of adults; screen and select employees and volunteers; monitor all environments, including activities involving technology; be aware of children and youth; and communicate your concerns.
Now, seven years after bringing VIRTUS to the diocese, Bishop Kopacz said “We can say unreservedly that our decision to transition to the VIRTUS program has been of great benefit to our diocese. It is the cornerstone for our commitment to maintain safe environments for our children and young people.”
Additionally, the Protection of Children program at the diocese goes through an onsite audit process every three years, of which the diocese has been in compliance with every year.
Along with the program and audits, Carollo also travels to parishes and schools monitoring their programs and loves to share how powerful the program is at protecting God’s children. “Child abuse is certainly a challenging topic to address but we keep in mind that providing education and safe environment education to our adults and children – if we can save one child from a horrific incident, we are certainly doing our job. It is a collaborative effort in our churches and in our schools in providing a safe environment for all of our children,” says Carollo.
Before long, Carollo will cease her traveling and monitoring of the program as she will retire in June after working with the diocese as the safe environment coordinator since 2003. When asked why, Carollo said, “It is just time. I am convinced that the Protection of Children program is in good hands. Everyone has strengthened my faith through their work to provide a safe environment for our children. We all play a part in the eradication of child sexual abuse.”

(If you suspect abuse or are a victim of abuse, please call victim assistance coordinator, Erika Rojas, who is here to assist in making a report. Contact her at (601) 326-3760. Additional information regarding how the Diocese of Jackson addresses child abuse may be found at https://jacksondiocese.org/offices/child-protection.)

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – On April 15, a small group gathered near the St. Dominic Medical Mall building, close to the northeast corner of the parking garage to mark a significant moment in history – the hospital’s 75th anniversary. As has been done on previous milestone anniversaries, St. Dominic’s planted a white oak, the state tree of Illinois, on its campus in honor of the founding Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. At the same time in Springfield and in Baton Rouge at the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady convent, magnolia trees were planted to signify the shared mission and ministry with St. Dominic Health Services.
“The significance of today is to recall our roots, the dedication and the sacrifices of those early sisters. [And] the foundation that they laid for a successful ministry,” said Sister Karina Dickey, O.P., vice president of mission integration.
St. Dominic Hospital traces its history to 1946, when the Dominican Sisters of Springfield purchased the Jackson Infirmary in the center of the city of Jackson on Amite Street. The infirmary was the foundation for a health system that today includes the acute care hospital, a continuing care community, and a full range of outpatient and community services.
“Today creates a great length all the way back to Bishop Gerow when in the mid-1940s … [he] invited the sisters to come begin this ministry, which is just so very special. Here we are 75 years later and Catholic healthcare throughout the central region of Mississippi is just blossoming. I’m in a way representing that line of bishops going back to Bishop Gerow, Bishop Brunini, Bishop Houck, Bishop Latino and myself. It is an honor really to be here in their names, but also be with the sisters here, who are just a remarkable presence of our Catholic faith in many ways, especially healthcare,” said Bishop Joseph Kopacz.
At the simultaneously magnolia tree planting ceremony in Springfield, Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, O.P., the prioress general of the Springfield Dominican Sisters, said that the sisters were gathered with “deep gratitude in their hearts,” at the planting of the 75th anniversary magnolia.
“For 75 years our sisters have co-created God’s mission in Jackson, Mississippi. … For all of you who have served in God’s mission at St. Dominic’s, those that are here, those that are with our God, and for those who will come in our future, we take this time of prayer with deep gratitude for the abundance of God who is with us.”
Healthcare is truly a vehicle for lifting people up for St. Dominic Health Services. Sister Karina said, “Healthcare is the method, not the end of what we are about. Because we are here to minister to the human spirit, not just the human body.”

(St. Dominic Health Services is sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, and is a part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. St. Dominic Health Services, Inc. is the parent company for a large group of subsidiary organizations and programs dedicated to providing compassionate care and hope as a healing ministry. These include St. Dominic Hospital, the Community Health Clinic, St. Dominic Medical Associates (physician network), New Directions for Over 55, MEA Clinics, The Club at St. Dominic’s, the School Nurse Program, St. Dominic Health Services Foundation, St. Catherine’s Village and Care-A-Van. St. Dominic Behavior Health Services will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on Friday, May 14. )

By Deacon John McGregor
JACKSON – Do you think that God might be calling you to be a permanent deacon? Do you see yourself as an ordained minister in the church, called to the functions of Word, Sacrament, and Charity? As ministers of Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services. As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the church’s resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs. But no matter what specific functions a deacon performs, they flow from his sacramental identity. In other words, it is not only WHAT a deacon does, but WHO a deacon is, that is important.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz has given his permission to begin the application process for a new cohort of permanent deacons for the Diocese of Jackson.

Applicants will only be accepted into the program if there is evidence that the community needs the service of the applicant and is willing to support the applicant through his formation period. The local pastor’s recommendation is also necessary because he will be working closely with the applicant before and after ordination. The applicant’s wife must also give her consent to his participation in the program and later to his ordination.
The screening process includes the following elements:
• The applicant must be at least 35 years of age at the time of ordination. Bishop Kopacz may waive the upper age limit at his discretion.
• A letter of recommendation from the local pastor or LEM stating impressions about the applicant’s service in community and potential as a deacon is required. Additionally, the pastor or LEM and Sacramental Minister must complete his/her part of the deacon’s application.
• Psychological testing will be conducted by a licensed psychologist to help determine emotional health and stability of both the applicant and his wife.
• A series of interviews with the applicant and his wife will be conducted once the completed application has been received at the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. A final interview with the applicant only will be conducted by the Deacon Advisory Board. The purpose of these interviews will be to determine the attitudes of the applicant and his wife about the church, pastoral care, and program requirements.
• After the interview has been completed, the Director of the Diaconate Program will forward to the diocesan bishop a recommendation to accept or reject the application of the applicant for admission to study for the diaconate. The diocesan bishop has the final authority as to who will be accepted.
Applications must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate no later than July 31, 2021. If you are interested in learning more about the permanent diaconate, contact Deacon John McGregor at john.mcgregor@jacksondiocese.org.

(Deacon John McGregor is the Director for the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson.)

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
GRAND COTEAU, La. Our Lady of the Oaks, Ladies Annual Retreat, Dec. 2-5 for ladies of the Natchez area. Would you like to grow closer to God? Do you need some time away to listen to Him, to grow, to rest? Experience the natural beauty of oak trees and the beautiful setting of nature. You are invited to join us to rest in the care of the Lord in silence, solitude, deep prayer and reflection. $50 deposit due as soon as possible to hold room as they fill up quickly. Details: Please contact Kot Morris at (601) 334-8339.
NEW ORLEANS Our Lady of the Cenacle Retreat Center, Women’s Retreat, “Blessed are the Peacemakers,” April 30 – May 2. Preventing and Resolving Conflicts from our Christian Faith Perspective Jesus preached and lived love, forgiveness, peace and unity. In this retreat we will be offered a deeper understanding of and commitment to Christian peacemaking as well as practical and effective human relationship skills to prevent and resolve conflicts. Presenter: Father Doug Doussan, who is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is serving as Chaplain of the Archdiocesan Retreat Center. He has given countless training workshops locally and nationally in inclusive parish organization, lay leadership formation, and consensus decision making. The retreat center’s capacity is limited due to COVID-19 and they are currently accepting registration on a first come first serve basis. A non-refundable deposit is required. Details: to register, contact the retreat office at (504) 267-9604 or www.neworleansretreats.org/retreats.
MOBILE, Ala. Spring Hill College, Summer Institute of Christian Spiritualty is offering courses that are appropriate with our current world situation. Those interested do not have to be enrolled in their Theology programs to take courses either for credit, audit, or easy listening. They offer both in person and virtual courses, as well as on-campus housing. One of the courses is “Black and Catholic, Faithful and Free” on Sister Thea Bowman and M. Shawn Copeland, on June 14-17, 6:30-9:30 p.m. (also available online). Emily Reimer-Barry, Ph.D. is the guest lecturer. It will explore the Black Catholic experience in America, with the goal of recognizing the impact of bias, and fostering genuine-if-imperfect-solidarity in the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Details: Visit the online catalogue at: https://springhill.catalog.instructure.com/browse/sics.

PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS
CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, Intercessory Prayer Group meets in the meeting room on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. All are invited to come and pray and praise God. You can write prayer requests and place in the prayer boxes at church. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
NATCHEZ Cathedral School, Save the Date, 27th Annual Crawfish Countdown, Friday, May 7 from 6-10 p.m. Join them for crawfish, jambalaya, cold beverages, and a chance to win $5,000! Live music from the band Parish County Line. Details: school office (602) 442-1988.
JACKSON Catholic Charities Run Foster Run, 5K Run, Walk. Event kicks off with a children’s 1 mile fun run at 5:30 pm, followed by a 5K sunset run/walk at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 6. It will take place at the Township at Colony Park, Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland. All race participants receive a t-shirt, swag bag, and a free drink ticket (age 21 or over). There will be music, libations and fun. This is a dog-friendly race. All proceeds will benefit the foster care programs of Catholic Charities. Details: Michael Thomas at michael.thomas@ccjackson.org or (601) 331-1152.
St. Richard, Bereavement Support Group, Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Foley Hall. This group is for those who are hurting from the loss of a loved one or for those who are trying to comfort and understand the grief of a family member or friend, no matter how long ago the loss. All are invited. Details: Nancy McGhee at (601) 942-2078 or ncmcghee@bellsouth.net.

YOUTH BRIEFS
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Faith Formation meets Wednesday, May 5 from 6-7 p.m. with a meal beforehand at 5:30 p.m. We will continue to follow diocese guidelines. Face masks must be worn. Details: church office (601) 833-1799
MADISON St. Anthony School is currently enrolling new students for the 2021-22 school year. St. Anthony serves children in Pre-K3 to 6th grade. Several classes are nearing capacity, so please make plans to visit us today. Details: For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (601) 607-7054 or go to www.stanthonyeagles.org.
St. Francis of Assisi, Senior Recognition Mass for all high school seniors on Sunday, May 16 at 5 p.m. Be sure to complete the senior profile sent through Flocknote. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
St. Joseph School, Now enrolling students for the 2021-22 school year, grades 7-12. Details: contact Tricia Harris, Advancement Director at (601) 898-4803, tharris@stjoebruins.com or www.stjoebruins.com.
SOUTHAVEN Sacred Heart School, recognized by Today’s Catholic Teacher as one of three most innovative Catholic Identity Schools in the U.S., provides a small, close knit family atmosphere with students representing 25 different countries. They are now accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year. Details: (662) 349-0900 or bmartin@shsm.org.

By Father Clement “Clem” Olukunle Oyafemi
JACKSON – There was a man named “Kokumo,” who lived for 99 years and died. He was not able to receive the “Last Sacrament” because the only priest serving his 4,500 member parish was in the hospital for a surgery at the time of his death. “Kokumo” gets to heaven and complains to God saying, “God, there are so many problems in the world; sickness, conflicts, catastrophes, and even in the church, there are so many believers with no priest to serve them. What are you doing about that?” God smiles and says to him, “My son, I did something.” What did you do?” the man says. God responds to him, “I created you!”

April 25 was been designated as “World Day of Prayer for the priesthood and religious life.” In many parts of the world today is also called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Universal Church encourages us to “pray to the Lord of the “harvest” to send laborers into his harvest.” (cf Matthew 9:38) In today’s gospel passage Jesus presents to us a teaching about himself using the image of shepherd, “I am the good shepherd and I know mine, and mine know me” (John 10:14). The whole Gospel of St. John gives us a summary of the Paschal Mystery, which we celebrate at this holy season. It alludes to the suffering servant of God sacrificing his life for others (cf Isaiah 53:1-12). What is the significance of this message? What challenge does it give us today?
The image of the shepherd manifests the various aspects of the person of Jesus. The role of a shepherd is multiple; the shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, cares tenderly the wounded sheep, protects the sheep at the cost of his/her own life and feeds them. What does that mean for us as a church?
Jesus is the real, authentic, ideal, perfect, or Good Shepherd, and we are his flock, or sheep. He teaches, sanctifies, and governs us. He cares for us and guides us always. There is a hierarchy of “shepherds.” In the family, parents are the shepherds; in the Church, priests; and in the diocese, the bishop: in the Universal Church, the pope is the shepherd. Every family is a “domestic church” and the parents have the duty to teach, sanctify, and govern their children. If parents, who are shepherds in the family, fail in their Christian duties, it will have an adverse effect on the entire church and society.
Today’s gospel passage challenges us, especially parents, to see ourselves as shepherds for our families. We need to pay more attention, not only to the material, but more seriously to the spiritual and moral needs of our children. We as parents need to sacrifice whatever it takes to care for our children. In carrying out the task of shepherding/parenting, Jesus is the only ideal and model for us to follow. Shepherding is a calling (vocation) but not a job. It is a vocation, which demands nothing less than the sacrifice of one’s life for others. Today’s world however does not seem to celebrate a life of sacrifice. And that is why we have very few shepherds both in the domestic and the community churches.
Hence, today’s liturgy enjoins us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let us all also pray for those who have already been called as shepherds on domestic and community levels that they may serve faithfully, following the example of Jesus who is the perfect, ideal and Good Shepherd. Today’s church needs shepherds just like Jesus, who lay down his life for his flock. Preaching on the pulpit alone would not do it. We need to start talking about vocation to the priesthood and religious life at dinner tables. We need to pray that God may choose from our families to answer this special calling. I have been to some parishes where people complain so much about not having enough attention from the priest. But this priest is only one person and has 3,500 or 4,000 members to shepherd! At times, the question is about shortage of priests. We need three priests in this parish, but the bishop only gave us one. My question is “What are you doing about it?” complaining, criticizing, etc.? That would not help the church at all. We need to pray for vocations, and also encourage our kids to consider giving their lives to God to serve as priests.
There is no substitute for parents in the family. Similarly, there is no substitute for the priesthood in the church. Let us pray that parents may sacrifice whatever it takes to raise their children in a way that is pleasing to the living God. Let us also pray that the Lord may inspire young men and women of our time to answer the call to sacrifice their lives to serve the church as priests and religious.

(Excerpt from the book Theological Reflections for Sundays and Solemnities of Liturgical Year B, 2011 by Father Clem-alias Clemente de Dios, Coordinator of the Intercultural Ministry of the Diocese since 2020. Father Clem has two master’s degrees, one in theology and the other in religious education, and a BA in Philosophy. Sharing with Sister Thea a passion for the Lord and music, Father Clem founded the Rejoice Ministry of African Worship Songs -AFRAWOS- in 2002.)

MEMPHIS – Father David Knight, beloved priest, writer and friend to many across the world, died of congestive heart failure on March 21, 2021, at the Poor Clare Monastery in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, a religious community of cloistered sisters that he helped establish 40 years ago. He celebrated his 90th birthday just days before his death and was proud to be the oldest priest in the Catholic Diocese of Memphis.
Born on March 16, 1931, to the late Marion and Elizabeth (Buell) Knight in Dallas, Texas, Father Knight was one of three brothers raised in the Catholic faith. Another brother passed away as an infant. Father Knight entered the Jesuit Novitiate in France in 1948. He earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., in 1952. He was ordained a Catholic priest at the Cathedral of Saint Jean in Lyon, France, on September 2, 1961.
After ordination, Father Knight served as a Catholic missionary in the African nation of Chad for three years. Upon his return to the United States, he pursued a doctorate in theology from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Throughout his life, he taught at various universities including Catholic University, Loyola University in New Orleans, where he served as spiritual director of the Jesuit community, Christian Brothers University (CBU) in Memphis, and Memphis Theological Seminary.

Father Knight co-founded the House of the Lord in Memphis, a religious community, in 1979. He spent the remainder of his life as a priest serving the faithful in Catholic Diocese of Memphis in various roles. During his active ministry, he served as Diocesan Director of the Cursillo movement, Diocesan Spiritual Director of the Hispanic Catholic community and campus minister at CBU. He served as Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Memphis for 14 years before he retired from active ministry on July 26, 2002. He resided at the Monastery of St. Clare, a contemplative community of cloistered sisters, in the Memphis community of Frayser until December 2019 when the monastery closed. While he lived there, he served as Chaplain to five different Women’s religious communities. Upon the monastery’s closure, Cardinal Alvaro Rammacini invited Father Knight to assist the Poor Clare community in Guatemala, where he is now buried.
A prolific writer, Father Knight published more than 40 books on the Catholic faith and teachings, which inspired both lay people and theologians. His first book, His Way: An Everyday Plan for Following Jesus, which is a collection of reflections on the spirituality of the laity, sold more than 150,000 copies. The book was a catalyst in creating parish missions, retreats and discussion groups across the world. His book, Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life, led to his creation of the non-profit organization, Immersed in Christ, which encourages people to respond to the call to live a Christian life. In addition to writing, Father Knight conducted more than 500 missions, retreats and workshops across the U.S. and in 20 countries during his lifetime, including Australia, Canada, England, Ecuador, Germany, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Ireland, Japan, Korea and Spain.
Father Knight spent his religious life focused on helping people understand God’s love. He often told people during his spiritual retreats at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, “Our happiness is not dependent on anything on this earth.” He leaves behind his brother, Robert, of West Tisbury, Mass., Manuela Knight, the widow of his brother, Mickey, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
After Easter, the Catholic Diocese of Memphis will look to offer a Mass in remembrance of Father David Buell (Maria) Knight. More details on the Mass will be forthcoming on the CDOM.org.

(Courtesy of the Diocese of Memphis)