Category Archives: Diocesan News

From the archives: an introduction

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By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – November is designated as Black Catholic History Month by the U. S. Bishops’ Conference. As Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson, I wanted to share some of the vast treasures the archives hold in regards to the development of the church in our state and the church’s role in race relations and seeking racial justice.

In November 2018, in addition to endorsing the cause for canonization for Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, the U.S. Bishops published the document Open Wide Our Hearts – The Enduring Call to Love: A Pastoral Response to Racism. This document is a Pastoral Letter from the full body of bishops to the lay faithful and all people of goodwill addressing the evil of racism.

Students at Immaculate Conception School in Clarksdale, circa 1948. (Photo from archives)

The pastoral letter asks us to recall that we are all brothers and sisters, all equally made in the image of God. Because we all bear the image of God, racism is above all a moral and theological problem that manifests institutionally and systematically.

Only a deep individual conversion of heart, which then multiplies, will compel change and reform in our institutions and society. It is imperative to confront racism’s root causes and the injustice it produces. The love of God binds us together. This same love should overflow into our relationships with all people. The conversions needed to overcome racism require a deep encounter with the living God in the person of Christ who can heal all division.

Over the next few months, in conjunction with a diocesan effort to address racism led by Bishop Joseph Kopacz and the Office of Intercultural Ministry, our archives will be offering a series of articles highlighting particular moments, organizations and individuals that played a key role in shaping the diocese and Mississippi. Some of the material will inspire you and make you smile; other material may challenge you and make you uncomfortable. This is what opening the chapters and wounds of history does and if we do not study our history and be open to its contexts and settings, we will not be able to truly heal and move forward in a way that is just and honest.

One topic that many diocesan archives in the South are addressing are the sacramental records of slaves and how to preserve and present them for research. Our own archives have records from Spanish Colonial times in Natchez. The records are from 1789-1806 and hand-written in Spanish.

Felicite Giradeaux, the grand dame of Natchez and a free woman of color, will give us insight into Natchez Catholic life between 1802 and the establishment of the diocese in 1837. Our collection contains a hand-written interview with her by Bishop William Henry Elder, who is another story we will explore as he was our bishop during the Civil War.

Another topic will be education in the African American communities beginning with the first efforts at this in the basement of St. Mary Basilica in Natchez in the 1840s and growing into schools staffed by religious orders throughout the State. The diocese’s move toward integration of its own schools will be documented as well.

How to exist as a universal church in a segregated society is a fascinating topic that will lead us into the Civil Rights Movement and the church’s role in that here at what many consider “ground zero.” This was a very volatile time, and we will share some key moments of grace under fire from without and within.

Bishop Richard O. Gerow at St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis, MS in 1936 for the ordination of Clarence Howard, SVD and Orion Wells, SVD as subdeacons; Also pictured are John Kist, SVD, Joseph Bowers, SVD, Walter Bowman, SVD Carmen Chachere, SVD, John Dauohine, SVD and Leo Woods, SVD. (Photo from archives)

And of course, we have Sister Thea, who challenged the whole church to honest dialogue about systemic racism in the church and the world. Her message is a guiding beacon for us as a church still today.

We have come a long way and we have built many bridges leading to healing. We have more to build. So, I invite you to be open to what is presented and embrace the opportunity to engage in this honest dialogue with others about race and how it affects our communities.

It is through the study of our history, our shared experience, and the understanding of our ancestors – warts and all – that we will be able to honor our Catholicity and truly by united in Christ as Christ intended. I hope you will find this series helpful and hopeful.

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

Diocese of Jackson racial justice survey report

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Exploring our traditionally African-American parishes

By Fran Lavelle
JACKSON – The mission of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson is to proclaim Jesus as Savior by living the Gospel, so all may experience the crucified and risen Lord. Our mission statement is supported by three priorities one of which is to create inviting and reconciling communities.
We are called to continuously seek ways to support our sacred mission and live out these priorities in our everyday lives. This summer we witnessed the call for racial justice not only in this country but around the globe. As a nation and a church, we are confronted with the sin of racism and are being called to eradicate it in all its deadly forms.

The Department of Faith Formation compiled a racial justice resource guide earlier this year. It can be viewed online at https://bit.ly/38uP6xh.

Historically the Catholic Church in Mississippi has not shied away from seeking racial justice, hope, and healing for all African Americans. As in the past we recognize the need to stand tall against racism. In looking at the ways we can embrace diversity in our diocese it became clear that to move forward we needed to specifically understand the current reality of racism and how it impacts our Catholic African American brothers and sisters.
Earlier this fall we sent a survey out to our traditionally African American parishes with the desire to better understand how the diocese can be an agent for change. The following is a summary report of those findings. This is the first step of many in the long and worthwhile journey to create inviting and reconciling communities.
The diocese includes thirteen traditionally African American parishes:
Sacred Heart, Camden
Holy Child Jesus, Canton
Immaculate Conception, Clarksdale
St. Anne, Fayette
Sacred Heart, Greenville
St. Francis of Assisi, Greenwood
St. Benedict the Moor, Indianola
Christ the King, Jackson
Holy Family, Jackson
Holy Ghost, Jackson
St. Joseph, Meridian
Holy Family, Natchez
St. Mary, Vicksburg
We received 99 completed surveys from eleven parishes. A majority of the responses were from women (70 female/26 male). The responses by age are ranked as follows 42 responses from individuals ages 46-65; 38 responses from individuals ages 66-80; nine responses from individuals over the age 80; six responses from individuals ages 30-45; two responses from individuals ages 18-29; and one response from and individual under the age of 18.
Survey participants were asked if they felt the diocese does a good job listening to the concerns of the traditionally African American parishes. Of the 81 people who answered this question, 39 answered “yes” and 42 answered “no.”
When asked about the top three challenges facing their parish the responses were fairly consistent across the diocese. Understandably the pandemic has affected the way in which parishes operate. There were, however, some challenges that were identified that existed before the pandemic and will require creative solutions. The top challenges overwhelmingly included: declining/aging membership; youth programs/activities; finances; community outreach; and evangelization.
In many ways the challenges facing our traditionally African American parishes are the same struggles that all parishes in the diocese and perhaps the country are grappling with. One thing is clear, as we plan for the future, the path forward must include meaningful ministry for young people of all ethnicities. We falsely state that the youth are the future of the church when in reality they are the church of today. In the Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit, To Young People and to the Entire People of God, Pope Francis acknowledges, “We also must give great thought to ways of incarnating the kerygma in the language of today’s youth. Reality is greater than ideas. Time is greater than space. The whole is greater than the part. Unity is greater than the division.”

Ever loving God, in your infinite goodness,
you inflamed the heart of your servant and religious,
Sister Thea Bowman with an ardent love
for you and all people.
May her prophetic witness continue to inspire us
to share the Good News with all, but especially
with the poor, oppressed and marginalized.
May Sister Thea’s life and legacy compel us to walk together.
Gracious God imbue us with the grace and
perseverance that you gave your servant, Sister Thea, for in turbulent times of racial injustice, she sought equity, peace, and reconciliation. In times of intolerance and ignorance, she brought wisdom, awareness, unity, and charity.
May her light be a beacon of goodness and holiness
in our troubled times. We make our prayer
through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Pope Francis is very clear that young people “are the now of God.” They are influencing and impacting the church and the world today, and all persons of faith should be walking alongside them: as peers, as mentors, as guides, and as fellow travelers on the road toward Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Contextualizing that call in practical and effective ways is not only our greatest challenge but our ultimate responsibility.
When asked what the diocese can do to address racism, the clarion call was for greater dialogue among all of God’s people especially with White Catholics. Some of the young responders felt a need to be more integrated and celebrate our diversity. As we continue to develop a vision for racial justice in the diocese, we must ensure that everyone at the table is seen, valued and heard.
A question about what racial justice looks like in our churches, schools and organizations garnered some very thoughtful responses. Far and away most people’s view of racial justice comes down to dignity and respect. One respondent noted, “Racial justice should be visible, practiced, and discussed by all races coming together recognizing problems, developing solutions, and moving toward resolving those problems together.” The sense that we cannot create racial justice in a vacuum was quite clear. If we are to achieve this goal, we must do it together.
When asked how Sister Thea Bowman inspires individuals to be the disciples Jesus Christ desires us to be, her presence is still prominent in many of the responses. Sister Thea was undoubtedly a great inspiration to many people. What made her exceptional was her authentic embrace of the call to love one another.
One older woman stated, “Her legacy of love for God and humankind kindles in me a stronger will to serve, not to be served and do it abundantly. And, to love my brother as Jesus loves me.”
We are using the USCCB’s document “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism” as a framework to direct our conversations and actions. It was developed by the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the church and was approved by the full body of bishops as a formal statement at its November 2018 General Meeting. We encourage parish leaders to consider undertaking a study of the document.
In Mark 4:8, the parable of the sower, we are reminded for things to grow it is necessary to sow our seeds on good soil, “And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” Moving forward we will undertake a survey of all the parishes in the diocese. It is our hope that we can find fertile soil where the seeds of justice and racial harmony can grow.
There is not a better day than today to begin the difficult but necessary work of creating inviting and reconciling communities. We are in desperate need of hope, healing, and reconciliation in our church and in our world. Formed by the four marks of the church may we truly be a One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic people. As always, the journey begins with One.

(Fran Lavelle is the director of the Department of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Father spreads joy of own priesthood to others hearing call to religious vocations

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Editor’s note: National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated Nov. 1-7, 2020 is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. This edition is dedicated to those “hearing the call.” Please read about all of our seminarians on pages 8 and 9; and keep them in your prayers.

By Joe Lee

MADISON – Father Nick Adam, who moved into the role of Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Jackson in early 2020, offers an interesting take on how he viewed studying for the priesthood before beginning his seminarian journey over a decade ago.

“I always thought seminary training looked like something from a movie: a bunch of sad-looking men marching in formation or falling to their knees constantly,” Father Adam said. “Really, it is a vibrant community of believers who are seeking to live their faith in a way that is joyful and life-giving.”

Recently a parish priest at St. Richard of Jackson, Father Adam’s sole focus is now on cultivating more vocations among Catholics in Mississippi. The Homegrown Harvest Gala and Fundraiser took place for the first time in October and, with the help of a $25,000 matching grant from the Catholic Extension Society, brought in $100,000 to support seminarian tuition costs.

“The live-streamed event featured videos I produced while visiting our seminarians and included a keynote presentation from Rev. James Wehner, rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans,” Father Adam said. “Priests from India, Ireland (and many other countries) have served us so well, and I believe the best way to thank them is to produce an abundance of ‘homegrown’ vocations.”

At present, six seminarians are studying to be priests for the Diocese of Jackson. Their hometowns include the Mississippi cities of West Point, Brandon, and Philadelphia, and Father Adam says he’s ‘in the thick’ of the recruiting season – though he’s hardly knocking on doors asking for donations.

“With this large fundraiser in the books, I am moving toward more personal interaction with men who are wrestling with the Lord’s plan for them,” Father Adam said. “I am taking small groups of these ‘discerners’ to the seminary so they can see what studying for the priesthood really looks like. These personal tours are my best way to encourage men to ‘be not afraid’ and to courageously discern the priesthood.”

“Father Nick had a great seminarian experience and has a great love for formation,” said Bishop Joseph Kopacz. “He wants to stir the flame in those who aspire to the priesthood. His is an integrated position: vocations director, and director of seminarians. He is unleashed in vocation ministry, a ministry that needs someone like him, and I saw the love he had for it.”

“He talks with the seminarians regularly – right now they’re Zooming – and will accompany them on their journey. I’m excited about him serving full-time in this ministry. When folks are interested in marriage, he won’t take it personally and will go on planting seeds. Ninety percent of his energy is in relationships and those he encounters in vocation.”

Rhonda Bowden, director of liturgy and pastoral care at St. Jude parish in Pearl, worked alongside Father Adam on the Homegrown Harvest campaign and has watched him mentor her son, Andrew, a student at Notre Dame Seminary of New Orleans who will be ordained a priest in spring 2022 (see accompanying story).

She feels strongly about the need to grow priests within the Diocese of Jackson as well as parents being open to their children entering religious life. That sentiment is shared by Msgr. Michael Flannery, who believes the secret to vocations lies not in creative fundraising but in the home.

“That is where the seeds are sown and fostered by family prayer. It is not a question of money – if we had vocations we would find the money to sponsor them,” Flannery said. “I believe Father Nick is a tremendous choice as a vocation director. He is charismatic and relates very well to the youth ministry. He is doing everything he can (to bring in new seminarians).”

Adam, now in a wonderful position to mentor those who will follow in his footsteps, remains grateful to Father Frank Cosgrove, his priest at St. Patrick of Meridian when Adam worked full-time in television.

“I had stopped attending Mass while in college (at the University of Alabama) because I thought I knew everything, as college kids tend to think,” Adam said. “I went to Mass at St. Patrick about a year and a half after moving to Meridian. The feeling I had while sitting in the pew was like returning home after a long trip.”

“I just felt peace and contentment, and from that point forward I think the seed was planted for the priesthood. That really became solidified in me once I started speaking with Father Frank, who gave me a wonderful example of priesthood and always encouraged me to be open to the call.”

“Father Nick is a servant priest and exudes being a regular guy,” Father Cosgrove said. “He runs. He plays basketball. He puts on jeans and helps builds Habitat houses. He’s living a prayerful life – God works through that. He will make a great vocations director because of the joy of his own priesthood.”

JACKSON – In 2019, Father Nick Adam and Seminarian Tristan Stovall speak to St. Richard School sixth graders about the joy found in the journey to priesthood after playing a heated game of dodgeball during Vocation Awareness Week. (Photo courtesy of Father Nick Adam)

Father Clement Olukunle Oyafemi joins chancery as Coordinator of Intercultural Ministry

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By Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – Father Clement Olukunle Oyafemi (a.k.a. Clemente de Dios) joined the chancery office as the Coordinator of Intercultural Ministry for the Department of Faith Formation on Oct. 19.

The Office of Intercultural Ministry is tasked with the primary goal of “cultivating the empowerment of Black Catholic, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Native American and other culture communities throughout the diocese.”
Last year, Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation, saw a growing need to combine the mission of the Hispanic and Black Catholic ministries to better serve the needs of emerging cultural communities in the diocese. This vision connected to the past with Sister Thea Bowman.

Father Clement Olukunle Oyafemi – “Father Clem”

In 1978, Sister Thea was appointed by Bishop Joseph Brunini to direct the Office of Intercultural Affairs for the diocese to sow the seeds of promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity. Sister Thea’s example of mission and life showed Catholics in Mississippi and nationwide how “to embrace our common faith while celebrating our diverse cultural heritages.”

Father Clem’s background fit the vision to continue Sister Thea’s mission. His goal during his mission to the Diocese of Jackson is to collaborate and engage with God’s people in an ongoing effort to see each other as members of the same family of God. “He truly sees the work of this new role as a calling,” says Lavelle.

Father Clem was born and raised in Southwest Nigeria, into an ecumenical family, and is one of six living children. Ordained in 1994, Father Clem is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo. He served in the chancery office and parishes for 18 years before he was called to a full-time hospital ministry in 2013. He served as a staff chaplain, manager and director of pastoral care until the summer of 2019 when he returned home briefly after 18 years of missionary service in the United States.

Father Clem has studied and lived with people from various ethnic groups not only in Africa but also in England, Puerto-Rico, Mexico and the United States and it shows. His impeccable Spanish has accents, mainly Mexican with Latin American and Nigerian flavors. Father Clem enjoys singing, dancing, telling jokes, cooking, walking, playing table tennis, volleyball and soccer. He looks forward to visiting all of the parishes and meeting with the people from all across the diocese.

“Raised in a multi-ethnic, an intercultural, and interfaith environment, Father Clem is a people person who sees God in every human being regardless of race, color, ethnicity, language, age or orientation,” said Lavelle. “Father Clem is compassionate, hardworking and has a great sense of humor. He sees life as a short journey and believes that his calling is to serve and not to be served.” (Cf Matt. 20:20-28)

Federal government Deferred Prosecution Agreement update

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By Mary Woodward
As part of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) the Diocese of Jackson has entered with the Federal government, a Compliance Board has been established to guide the diocese through the next 12 months. The board consists of financial and legal experts along with pastoral and diocesan curia consisting of Father Lincoln Dall, vicar general; Carolyn Callahan, diocesan finance officer; and Mary Woodward, diocesan chancellor.

The board, which will gather quarterly, met for its initial meeting on Oct. 13, to discuss ideas and ways to move forward in implementing the steps listed in the DPA to ensure greater transparency and better communication between the diocese and parishes.

Initial steps proposed by the board included establishing dual compliance officers for the process with Callahan as compliance officer for fraud and Woodward as compliance officer for ethics. Callahan and Woodward will initiate investigations of complaints made through Lighthouse services, the diocesan hotline for reporting ethical and financial violations.

Complaints through this system may be made anonymously by individuals who have witnessed violations of financial policies and/or ethical conduct by church personnel, including parish or diocesan staff and clergy. For each complaint there are three site administrators who receive notification of that complaint. If one of these site administrators is mentioned in a complaint, the complaint goes to other two administrators.

To register an official complaint access the Lighthouse hotline by contacting: https://www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese or emailing reports@lighthouse-services.com.

The Compliance Board asked for Lighthouse reports to be presented to the Diocesan Code of Ethical Conduct Review Board, which was established by Bishop Joseph Kopacz in July 2019 to address abuse of vulnerable adults by church personnel. This is an independent review board made up of psychological, medical and legal experts that functions in a similar fashion to the Diocesan Fitness Review Board, which addresses sexual abuse of minors by church personnel.

The Ethical Conduct Board will review the completed investigations of reports and make a recommendation to the Compliance Officers and Bishop for follow up, including possible removal from office and a supervision protocol for an offender. If the investigation reveals a criminal or civil violation, the case is turned over to law enforcement as well. Updates on numbers of reports will be made in Mississippi Catholic.

The Compliance Board also asked for the annual financial audit summary of the diocese to be published in Mississippi Catholic and a link to the full report on the diocesan website. Another layer of oversight discussed was the internal audit program planned and in process by Temporal Affairs and the possibility of independent audits or reviews for larger parishes.

The next meeting of the Compliance Board will be in January 2021 to review progress made in the areas mentioned above and to look at ways to foster avenues of reconciliation and trust among parishes and the diocese.

www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese

Formando la Conciencia para ser Ciudadanos Fieles

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Como nación, compartimos muchas bendiciones … la libertad religiosa y la participación política. Sin embargo, como pueblo, afrontamos serios retos que son tanto políticos como morales.
Como católicos, somos parte de una comunidad con una herencia rica.
Nosotros, los obispos, no tenemos la intención de decir a los católicos por o contra quién votar. Nuestro objetivo es ayudar a los católicos a formar sus conciencias de acuerdo con la verdad de Dios.
Una conciencia bien formada
… es la voz de Dios que resuena en el corazón humano, revelándonos la verdad, llamándonos a hacer el bien y rechazar el mal.
La Virtud de la prudencia
La doctrina de la Iglesia es clara al decir que el bien no justifica medios inmorales. Al buscar todos nosotros el avance del bien común — defendiendo la santidad inviolable de la vida humana desde el momento de la concepción hasta su muerte natural, promoviendo la libertad religiosa, defendiendo el matrimonio, alimentando al hambriento y dando techo al desamparado, dando la bienvenida al inmigrante y protegiendo el medio ambiente — es importante reconocer que no todos los proyectos de acción posibles son moralmente aceptables.
Hacer el bien y evitar el mal
Hay cosas incompatibles con el amor a Dios y al prójimo, que nunca debemos hacer ni como individuos ni como sociedad, …
La dignidad de la persona humana
La vida humana es sagrada.
Tomar decisions morales
Un católico no puede votar a favor de un candidato que toma una posición a favor de algo intrínsecamente malo, como el aborto provocado, la eutanasia, el suicidio asistido, el sometimiento deliberado de los trabajadores o los pobres a condiciones de vida infrahumanas, la redefinición del matrimonio …, o comportamientos racistas
La subsidiaridad
La persona humana no es sólo sagrada, sino también social. El desarrollo humano pleno se lleva a cabo en relación con los demás. La familia — basada en el matrimonio entre un hombre y una mujer — es la primera y fundamental unidad de la sociedad y es un santuario para la creación y crianza de los niños.
El bien común
… es promovido sólo si se protegen los derechos humanos y se cumplen las responsabilidades básicas.
La solidaridad
Amar a nuestro prójimo tiene dimensiones globales. Somos una sola familia humana, independientemente de nuestras diferencias nacionales, raciales, étnicas, económicas e ideológicas.
La promoción de la paz
Los católicos también se deben esforzar en evitar la guerra y promover la paz.

Pro-life demonstrators in Washington are seen on Capitol Hill Oct. 13, 2020, during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who currently sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. (CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters)

El matrimonio y la vida familiar
La institución del matrimonio se ve socavada por la ideología del “género”, que rechaza la diferencia sexual y la complementariedad de los sexos.
La libertad religiosa
La política de los Estados Unidos debe promover la libertad religiosa con vigor, tanto en nuestro país como en el extranjero.
La opción preferencial por los pobres y la justicia económica.
Las políticas … deberían promover la creación de puestos de trabajo para todos aquellos que puedan trabajar, con condiciones laborales decentes y salarios justos … la discriminación injusta debe ser erradicada … el derecho de los trabajadores a elegir si quieren o no organizarse y la libertad económica, la iniciativa y el derecho a la propiedad privada.
La atención de la salud
La atención médica asequible y accesible es una garantía esencial de la vida humana y un derecho humano fundamental.
La migración
El mandato evangélico de “acoger al forastero” requiere que los católicos cuidemos y nos pongamos del lado de los recién llegados, autorizados y no autorizados …
La educación católica
Los padres — los primeros y más importantes educadores — tienen el derecho fundamental a elegir la educación que mejor responda a las necesidades de sus hijos.
Promover la justicia y contrarrestar la violencia
con … la responsabilidad moral, … respuestas efectivas contra el crimen, reducir la violencia en los medios de comunicación, apoyar restricciones razonables al acceso a armas cortas y de asalto y oponerse al uso de la pena de muerte son particularmente importantes a la luz de la creciente “cultura de la violencia”. Una ética de responsabilidad, rehabilitación y restauración debería ser el fundamento de una reforma de nuestro defectuoso sistema de justicia penal.
Combatir la discriminación injusta
… basada en la raza, la religión, el sexo, la etnia, la condición de incapacidad o la edad, ya que son injusticias y ataques graves a la dignidad humana.
El cuidado de nuestra casa común
… es una cuestión moral. Proteger la tierra, el agua y el aire que compartimos es un deber religioso de corresponsabilidad …

Las comunicaciones, los medios y la cultura
Para proteger a los niños y las familias, hace falta una regulación responsable que respete la libertad de expresión a la vez que también tenga en consideración las políticas que han rebajado los estándares, que han permitido material cada vez más ofensivo, y que han reducido las oportunidades de programación religiosa de carácter no comercial.
La solidaridad global
En las palabras de San Juan Pablo II, “la solidaridad es una determinación firme y perseverante de empeñarse por el bien común.” (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, no. 38)

“Cuando la acción política tiene que ver con principios morales que no admiten derogaciones, excepciones o compromiso alguno, es cuando el empeño de los católicos se hace más evidente y cargado de responsabilidad. Ante estas exigencias éticas fundamentales e irrenunciables, en efecto, los creyentes deben saber que está en juego la esencia del orden moral, que concierne al bien integral de la persona. Este es el caso de las leyes civiles en materia de aborto y eutanasia … que deben tutelar el derecho primario a la vida desde de su concepción hasta su término natural.” (Nota doctrinal sobre algunas cuestiones relativas al compromiso y la conducta de los católicos en la vida política, no. 4)

Tome Nota

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Vírgenes y Santos.

Día de Todos los Santos. Fin Horario de Verano. Domingo, nov. 1
Día de los Fieles Difuntos. Lunes, nov. 2
Día de Elecciones. Martes, nov. 3
Virgen de los Treinta y Tres. Patrona de Uruguay. Domingo, nov. 8
Día de los Veteranos. Miércoles, nov. 11
Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá. Patrona de Colombia. Miércoles, nov. 18
Señora de la Divina Providencia. Patrona de Puerto Rico. Jueves, nov. 19
Presentación de la Santísima Virgen María. Nuestra Señora del Quinche, Patrona de Ecuador. Sábado, nov. 21
Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo. Santa Cecilia y Nuestra Señora de la Paz del Salvador. Domingo, nov. 22
Día de Acción de Gracias. Jueves, nov. 26
San Andrés. Lunes, nov. 30

Santo Rosario en Plaza pública

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Por Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – Para recordar el 103 aniversario del Milagro del Sol por la Virgen de Fátima, un grupo de católicos, organizados por Diego Fernando Salazar, se reunieron en el portal y jardín de la rectoría de la Catedral de San Pedro.
El Santo Rosario logra milagros, y rezado en plazas pública es una forma de producir el acercamiento de muchas personas a la Virgen de Fátima y con ella a la fe católica. 23 mil grupos en todos los Estados Unido estuvieron juntos, personal y virtualmente para rezar juntos a la misma hora el Santo Rosario.

JACKSON – Parroquianos rezaron el Santo Rosario , Erick Turcios(guitarra) y Claudia Sorto animaron musicalmente el Rosario, el sábado, Oct. 10. (Foto cortesía de Diego Fernando Salazar)

Los participantes se reunieron, guardando distancia y usando mascarillas y muchos más se unieron en la transmisión en vivo a través de Facebook. Imágenes de la Virgen de Fátima y la Virgen de Guadalupe presidieron el rezo.
Salazar, parroquiano de la Catedral de San Pedro, Master de Administración de Negocios, graduado de Belhaven University en Mississippi, organizó el rezo del Santo rosario respondiendo a la convocatoria de la organización América Necesita a Fatima (América Needs Fatima, por su nombre en inglés). A Salazar lo acompañó un grupo de feligreses de diferentes parroquias, en medio de un día lluvioso, debido a la influencia del huracán Delta, qu recordó a todos la semejanza con el 13 de octubre de 1917, día del milagro del Sol.
Durante el rezo del Rosario, entre Misterios, y liderados por Salazar. los fieles hicieron peticiones generales y personales: por los religiosos, matrimonios y familias; enfermos, familias con difuntos recientes y por la conversión de todas las almas.

A special friendship – St. Joe’s Father Williams helps Kansas City Kicker Harrison Butker grown in his Catholic faith

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By David Healy (Delta Democrat-Times)
GREENVILLE – Father Aaron Williams of St. Joseph Catholic Church said he was not nervous at all as he watched his good friend, Harrison Butker, line up to kick a 58-yard field goal in overtime on Sept. 20 against the San Diego Chargers.
“I know Harrison’s range, and I know that it is a lot farther than that,” Father Williams said. “And each of those do-over kicks were good practice for him.
Father Williams was right not to worry. Butker’s kick, his second made 58 yarder in the game, sailed right through the uprights to give the defending Super Champion Kansas City Chiefs their second win to open the season.
After the game, the two texted each other.
Father Williams — “Can’t get over it. Charger coaches trying to throw you off with those time outs. You were just getting started. Haha”
Butker — “Don’t play with me! Lol, just added fuel to the fire.”
Father Williams — “I wasn’t even worried.”
Father Williams’s friendship with Butker began when Father Williams was a seminary student in New Orleans. Butker was the place kicker for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at the time and was in New Orleans to visit their mutual friend, Grant Aasen, who was the Georgia Tech punter.
Butker and Williams struck up a quick friendship, based largely on Butker’s hunger to learn more about the Catholic faith.
“We immediately hit it off with our shared interest in liturgy,” Butker said. “From there he has grown close with my family and me. We are able to discuss difficult subjects pertaining to the faith. He has helped me understand the faith more fully, including stuff like Canon Law, Church Tradition, Doctrine, and Scripture. “It is important to use our priests as resources to be better husbands and fathers, and ultimately challenge us to be saints.”

Harrison Butker and Father Aaron Williams pose for a photo after serving Mass on New Year’s Day 2020.

Said Father Williams, “Harrison is very Catholic, and we had a lot of conversations about the church. We had many great conversations over the phone, and then his wife, Isabelle, invited me to come up to a game. And we hit it off. They are both my age, and they are a great couple.”
Butker is an altar server at his local parish in Kansas City and is in charge of the younger altar servers.
“A lot of our early conversations were about Mass and how you serve Mass, and I would get videos from him showing his feet walking, and he would ask me, ‘Am I walking at the right angle here?’,” Father Williams recalled. “It was very exact, and I would joke with him that ‘You don’t have to watch film after mass to see if you played well.”
Father Williams has visited Butker many times once he became a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, he was in attendance for five games.
“The coolest experience was I was at the AFC Championship this past year, and we all went out to the field because I was with the family group,” Father Williams said. “When I am at the games, I always dress as a priest. Harrison likes me to dress as a priest when I go to games, and there were like random players who would come up and grab me and pick me up and say, ‘Father, I am so happy that you came to our game. So that was a cool experience for me.’”
While Father Williams was not a football fan before meeting Butker, he said he now loves watching the sport, especially at the high school level. Father Williams is on the sidelines of every St. Joseph football game, donning his No. 33 St. Joseph jersey. He chose No. 33 because that is the number of years Jesus Christ lived on the earth.
“I did not know anything about football, but when you sit next to Harrison’s dad at the games, he teaches you everything that you need to know in football. Now, I can sit there and watch his form and know what is going on. And during football practice everyday (at St. Joseph), after stretching I will go off and watch the kickers. I have never kicked myself, and I can look at them and know when they are doing something wrong. I may not be able to communicate that effectively, but I can tell.”
The relationship between Father Williams and Butker continues to be one of mutual admiration.
“I admire Harrison because he is an extremely sucessful and talented athlete, and he is probably one of the best kickers out there. And the priority for him is his faith first, and then his family and then football,” Father Williams said.
Said Butker, “My faith is the most important thing in my life, followed by my vocation as a husband and father. Football is my job, it’s what I love to do.
But at the end of the day, my main concern is not on how good of a football player I am, but on how well I followed God’s will for my life.”

St. James Tupelo parishioners pray for end to abortion on national Remembrance Day

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By Berta Mexidor
TUPELO – Every September since 2008, the community of St. James Tupelo has gathered to pay respects to the souls of aborted babies, and to pray for the end of the abortion and mercy for the mothers. This year, on Sept. 12 at St. James parish, the National Day of Remembrance for the Unborn, began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Father Tim Murphy.
Father Tim said this day is “to acknowledge all the unborn children whose lives were ended by abortion and to provide the opportunity to those in need the embrace of Christ for healing and forgiveness.”

TUPELO – Pictured left to right, David Friloux, Tanya Britton and Bishop Joseph Kopacz visit the Memorial to the Unborn on the campus of St. James parish on the National Day of Rememberance for the Unborn on Saturday, Sept. 12. (Photo courtesy of Father Tim Murphy)

After the annual Mass, it has become a tradition to walk to the northwest side of the parish’s campus to view the Memorial for the Unborn, donated by the Robert Reitmeier Knights of Columbus Council #8848 in May of 2008.
The overcast, drizzly day did not stop the group of more 125 people from spending “some quiet private time [in] prayer,” and to share a moment of reflection at the memorial site, said Father Tim.
This moment of remembrance is prepared each year by the committee for the memorial Mass, consisting of Father Tim Murphy; Michelle Harkins, director of parish life; David Friloux, chair for pro-life with the Knights of Columbus Council #8848; Erin Bristow, director of youth choir and music minister; and Tanya Britton, St. James parishioner.
During the vigil Mass, Britton, past president and board member of Pro-Life Mississippi, delivered a speech on why this day is so important.
“This is a day to remind us that the fight continues to save lives,” said Britton. “And to invite people to come and pray together at our Memorial to the Unborn, which is, as far as I know, the only permanent memorial in our state.”
Britton told Mississippi Catholic that she began her work for the defense of the unborn in July of 1987 after she was “delivered” from a four-year battle with drug addiction due to her personal experience with abortion.
“I spent three years praying the Miserere, for no other prayer seemed to quell my great sadness and suffering,” said Britton. “During this time my confessor and spiritual director, Father Richard Somers, spent countless hours binding my wounds and I thought my wounds were mortal. I found healing and peace in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. St. Augustine’s Confessions was a constant companion.”
In 1990, Britton was attending Mass at St. Richard Jackson and was invited to pray the Rosary at the abortion facility, at the time, which was one of 10 in the state. “So, began my pro-life missionary work,” stated Britton.
“The Lord has led me for 30 years, to witness for life from Mississippi to Montana, Arkansas to Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, Cairo, and Rome.”
Britton invites all to pray at the Memorial to the Unborn at St. James Tupelo.
”There are mass gravesites throughout the country where babies, who have been rescued from dumpsters or storage containers, have given a decent burial. We believe [that] Corporal works do Mercy and if we can’t bury these babies, we can at least remember them.”