MADISON – Father Aaron Williams and Dr. Andrew Abide wait to see if Phil Mansour sinks his put at the Lake Caroline golf course for the 2020 Bishop’s Cup Golf Scramble. Funds raised from the tournament and silent auction went to support the Catholic Foundation Grant Trust. Congratulations to the tournament winners. The BankFirst team of Marcus Mallory, Chase Frazure, Walker Brown and John Oller for came in first place. Second place (tied) was the Tico’s Steakhouse team of Tico Hoffman, Jack Hoffman, Father Gerry Hurley and Joe Beall. Also in second was the Campus Dining team of Michael Prince, Barry Planch, Steve Shirley and Jimmy Bailey. (Photo by Julia Williams)

By Staff Reports The Vicksburg Post
VICKSBURG – Nearly 160 years ago, six ordained Sisters of Mercy arrived in Vicksburg with a singular goal in mind — to educate the children of the town and open the area’s very first school. Now, that legacy is being continued, and those women are being honored through the naming of the Vicksburg Catholic School Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center.
The new facility, which is under construction at the corner of Clay and Howard streets, will serve as a childcare center for infants through three-year-olds. The building itself will be named the Sherry J. Scott Building, honoring a graduate of St. Francis Xavier and a generous donor to the school, who learned the importance of giving back at a young age from the Sisters of Mercy.

“Without the support from Sherry and her husband, Sam Scott, fundraising for this project would have been daunting, especially in our current environment,” said Kristi Smith, development director at VCS. “Their generosity and commitment to the school is just another great testament to the incredible impression the Sisters of Mercy left on their students.”
But education wasn’t the only call the Sisters of Mercy answered during their time in Vicksburg. In addition to being remembered as great teachers in the area, the Sisters also became nurses when they encountered numerous sick and injured soldiers during the Civil War. That work led them to take over City Hospital in 1878 and the Vicksburg Street Hospital in 1943, which later became known as Mercy Hospital until it was bought by a corporation in 1991.
“When you talk about the history of Vicksburg, you have to talk about the Sisters of Mercy,” said Mary Margaret Edney, a member of the VCS advisory council. “I can’t think of a more appropriate way for us to honor their legacy and to remember the many sacrifices they made to better our community all those years ago. There are a lot of people who will tell you that they wouldn’t be where they are today if it weren’t for those women.”
Since the news of Scott’s donation, VCS has moved into Phase 2 of its capital campaign to raise $2.2 million for the center. This phase will fund construction completion and furnishings, a total of about $400,000.
The Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center is scheduled to open in 2021. For more information about enrollment, please contact the school at 601-636-4824.

(Editor’s note: Article re-printed with permission of The Vicksburg Post.)

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

VIRTUAL Dominican Sisters of Peace presents “Listening to God’s Call with Open Hearts,” a virtual discernment retreat for single women ages 18-45, Sept. 11-13. This retreat will give single Catholic women an opportunity to meet and talk with Sisters and women in formation, as well as other women who are discerning their own call to religious life. Details: Sister Bea Tiboldi, OP, (614) 400-1255 or BTiboldi@oppeace.org.
GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus Retreat Center, “Why am I Afraid to Change?” Friday, Sept. 25 to Saturday, Sept. 26. Presenters: Father Bill Henry and Janet Constantine, LMHC. The Retreat is on Friday from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admittance is by love offering; however, participants must register, since seating will be limited due to social distancing. Masks must be worn by all participants. Details: You may register online at www.locusbenedictus.org or call (662) 299-1232.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Healing Shrine in the Daily Mass Chapel. A healing shrine has been erected along the back wall of one side of the daily Mass chapel at Holy Spirit, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints. A petition book is available for you to write your petitions for healing of any illness of body, mind or spirit, for you, your relatives and/or friends. These petitions will be remembered and prayed for by our parishioners. You may light a small 5-hour candle (tea light) for $2 or a 7-day candle for $10. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Parish Fair, Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 5-7 p.m. This year the fair will be drive through food items only with some surprise booths. The sweet shoppe and frozen casseroles will only be offering their top five items to be purchased. Details: (662) 846-6273.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Germanfest 2020 cancelled. After consultation with the diocese, conversations with Father Kevin and our Germanfest Chairperson Eric Price, and much prayer, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel Germanfest this year. Due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID pandemic, the escalating numbers of illness, and the necessity of close and sustained contact during preparations, as well as the need to protect our parishioners and our visitors, we feel it is the best decision we can make at this time.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Adult Religious Education on Thursday mornings after daily Mass at 9 a.m. which will focus on scripture study. Grow in your spirituality and knowledge of our Catholic faith. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
Holy Spirit, along with the other SCJ parishes, Grandparents Day will be celebrated the weekend of Sept. 12-13. They will be honored with a special blessing at the Masses that weekend. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON St. Richard, Save the Date, Special Kids Golf Tournament, Thursday, Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Deerfield Golf Club, Canton. Almost 40 years ago, Father Patrick Farrell saw the need to provide a program designed to address the challenges of children with special needs. Every year, the funding raised by our golf tournament makes so many things possible for our students. Raffle tickets for a Mother’s Day Weekend in Florida are available at St. Richard Church and school offices for $5 or five tickets for $20. Details: Shannon Garner at the church office (601) 366-2335, garner@saintrichard.com or www.saintrichard.com.
St. Richard, Confirmation for 10th and 11th grades begins Sunday, Sept. 20 and meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the youth center. Pizza will be served from 6-6:30 p.m. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
JACKSON St. Peter Cathedral, Adult Faith Formation, Sundays, during 9:15–10 a.m. between Masses starting Sept. 13 in the Cathedral. Discussion will be on the book The Gospel of Mark by Mary Healy. It is part of a series entitled the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. The author teaches at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. The book is available at www.amazon.com and in the kindle format. Details: fathermatthewpricesimmons@gmail.com.
JACKSON Catholic Charities’ Journey of Hope has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 at 12 p.m. There will be a meet and greet the night before, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. The luncheon speaker will be Elizabeth Smart. Details: Catholic Charities (601) 355-8634.
JACKSON 40 Days for Life kickoff rally, 2903 North State Street, Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 12 p.m. Join in prayer and fasting as they go to the abortion facility to be a public witness for God. There will be no speaker this year, but they are asking that you pray and sing. Details: plm@prolifemississippi.org.
MERIDIAN Catholic Community of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, join in for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 p.m. and Vespers/Rosary at 4:45 p.m. (Monday-Friday). Details: Dial in by phone (769) 206-1927 to join in.
Catholic Community of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, Father Augustine leads a novena to the Lady of Our Perpetual Help on the parish’s Facebook page Saturdays at 11 a.m. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by Knights of Columbus, Sunday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the O’Connor Family Life Center. Due to COVID-19, all dinners will be to go and no brought-in containers will be allowed. Cost: Donation per ticket is $9. Details: Joe Garrity or Steve Nielsen at the church office (601) 445-5616.
SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, National Prayer Event, “Let’s Life Chain America,” Sunday, Oct. 4 from 2-3 p.m. Life Chain is a silent prayer vigil to communicate opposition to abortion. It is not political or confrontational. Details: Barbara Dean at (901) 486-6470; MaryAnn (662) 420-7851 or (662) 429-0501.
VICKSBURG St. Mary, Knights of Columbus Drawdown, Sunday, Oct. 11. This event will be a “virtual” drawdown with takeout food. Cost: tickets are $75 each. Details: church office (601) 636-0115.
VIRTUAL First Homegrown Harvest Gala and Fundraiser, Friday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. to raise awareness and funds for the Seminarian Trust. This will be a live online event. You can go to https://one.bidpal.net/homegrownharvest2020 to be a part. You will hear from the six men who are studying for the priesthood, as well as hear a talk from Father Jim Wehner, the President/Rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and throughout the evening you will hear from Father Nick Adam, our seminarians and more. Details: Father Nick Adam, vocation director (601) 969-4020 or nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.

YOUTH BRIEFS

CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, Faith Formation will resume on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 9:15-10:15 a.m. before Mass for the following grades: 9th-12th grades – meet in the church; 7-8th grades – meet in the school gym; 4th-6th grades – meet in McKenna Hall and 1st-3rd grades – meet in the school classrooms. Social distancing of at least six feet will be required and masks must be worn at all times. A teacher for 4th-6th grades is still needed. Details: call the church office to register your child (662) 624-4301.
MERIDIAN, Catholic Community of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, the Youth Group will be meeting every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Youth (6th-12th Grades) are invited. Please contact Angela Dove at 601 693 1321 Ext. 8 or by email angela@catholicmeridian.org.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, High School Youth Group, Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. at the Family Life Center youth wing. “Be Still …” not a class, not a meeting, but a journey. There will be pizza. Details: (601) 445-5616.

COVID-19 REMINDER

In person Masses are now open at many parishes within the Diocese of Jackson. Check with your local parish for details and follow guidelines in place for attendance. All over the age of two are required to wear a mask.
The obligation to attend Mass continues to be dispensed by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, so if you do not feel safe attending, or have an underlying health condition, or feel sick, please stay home. Be safe and stay vigilant!

JACKSON – The Catholic Foundation is accepting grant requests through Aug. 31. Each year the Foundation supports projects around the diocese in parishes, schools, Catholic Charities and ministries. The application can be found on the diocese website https://jacksondiocese.org/catholic-foundation-grant-application-form/.
Last year the Foundation funded 23 projects and awarded over $73,500. One of the recipients was St. Paul Early Learning Center. in Flowood The grant helped them to create an outdoor learning space to keep the children engaged in learning even when they are outdoors. Rebecca Harris, executive director stated, “We were excited to fund this grant. Since children at this age learn through play the Foundation grant committee felt like this was a unique opportunity for the Foundation to fund. We look forward to reading through the grant applications this year.”

By Sister Beth Murphy, OP
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Dominican Sisters of Springfield gathered in general assembly Aug. 6-7, 2020, and affirmed a statement in support of migrants that “heralds justice and non-violence” and that “speaks the urgent need for social equality and economic parity, for compassion and for reconciliation” of the world’s peoples on the move.
The full text of the corporate stance reads:
We, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., express solidarity with those individuals and families who find it necessary to leave their homes or homeland in order to secure their safety and future. We commit to welcome, support, and protect all migrants: immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons. We commit to assist in their integration. We advocate for policies that protect their human rights, including family unity.
In her presentation of the statement to the sisters gathered at Sacred Heart Convent and around the Western Hemisphere via teleconference technology, Sister Sharon Zayac answered a rhetorical question about why more words were necessary on this topic. “In a world inundated with words that deny others their rights to life, liberty, and the means to provide for the needs and the future of their families, we need more words,” she said. “We need alternate words, words that herald justice and non-violence, that speak the urgent need for social equality and economic parity, for compassion and for reconciliation.”

The process of affirming this new corporate stance, the twelfth since 1994, began earlier this year with a period of communal study by the sisters on issues facing migrants in the U.S. and around the globe.
“When our founding sisters arrived in Jacksonville in 1873, they came to teach the children of the Irish immigrants whose fathers made a living doing back-breaking labor on the railroad,” said Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, the congregation’s prioress general. “Many of our own sisters were also immigrants. This statement affirms our commitment to continued concern for, ministry to, and advocacy on behalf of immigrants so deeply rooted in our own story.”
The sisters work to fulfill Pope Francis’ goal of making the Catholic church a welcoming place for migrants. In a video statement from the pope viewed before their vote on this corporate stance, the sisters heard Pope Francis say “Unfortunately, in many cases people are forced to move by conflict, natural disasters, persecution, climate change, violence, extreme poverty, and inhuman living conditions. Our shared response can be expressed by four action verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote, and to integrate.”
The Springfield Dominican Sisters now work to welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants in a multitude of ways. They serve migrants at the Dominican Literacy Centers in Aurora and Melrose Park, Ill. and at Bethany House, a Chicago shelter facility for women and children seeking asylum or awaiting adjudication of their human trafficking cases.
Sisters engaged in parish ministry often serve migrants in those parishes, and migrants attend the congregation’s three sponsored high schools. Migrants are served by Springfield Dominican Sisters at counseling centers in Illinois and are among those cared for in health care facilities where our sisters work.
In many instances, Springfield Dominican Sisters volunteer time in service of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and can often be found advocating for more just immigration policies in the seats of government. In Springfield, many sisters are engaged with the work of the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN), an all-volunteer non-profit that provides service and advocacy for immigrants in central Illinois.
To learn more about how you can join the Dominican Sisters’ work in support of migrants contact Sister Marcelline Koch at 217-787-0481.

By Rashad Milligan The Clarion-Ledger
JACKSON – David “D.M.” Howie dedicated his life to baseball.
“He lived baseball. He didn’t have any hobbies really,” said his son, Chris. “He didn’t fish, he didn’t golf. He liked to work on the field. He loved baseball practices. A lot of coaches didn’t like that, but he loved it because then he could teach.”

Howie died on Monday, July 20. He was 90 years old.
Howie began coaching high school baseball in 1967 at St. Joseph. At St. Joseph, he built his first baseball field, the Bobby Jacquith Field. The venue, constructed by the help of parents and Howie’s friends, was one of the first fields in the Jackson-area to have lights.
In 1982, he became the first baseball coach in Northwest Rankin’s history. At Northwest Rankin, he also built the program’s first baseball field – the original Wesley Scarborough Field.
Howie also coached at Madison Ridgeland, before it consolidated into Madison Central, Tougaloo and had a second stint at St. Joseph. The current field at St. Joseph, is named in his honor. He had a career record of 495-231.
He was the first coach in the Mississippi High School All-Star Baseball Game in 1975. The all-star exhibition is now named after him. In 2011, the Mississippi Association of Coaches inducted Howie into its Coaches Hall of Fame.
“He was a well-respected baseball coach,” Johnny Mims, MAC executive director, said. “He was just a great person, and a big baseball fan. He loved baseball, that was his life.”
In retirement, he volunteered his services being an assistant coach and umpire. In 2016, Howie released his autobiography Rock & Fire: The Autobiography of the Coach Who Made a Difference in Mississippi High School Baseball.
“It was a life well lived,” Chris Howie said. “He was 90 years old. He worked two-thirds of those years. He took it seriously.”
No funeral service is planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Editor’s note: This article was originally published on July 22, 2020 in The Clarion-Ledger and is reprinted with permission.)

JACKSON – Bessie Wilburn was a native of Greenwood, Mississippi, graduating from Broad Street High School. She began coming to the St. Francis Center, meeting members of the Pax Christi Franciscans and the Franciscan Friars. She came to know and respect the work done by this Catholic community under the direction of Father Nathaniel Machesky, OFM and Kate Jordan.
She attended Xavier University in New Orleans, transferred to and graduated from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. She obtained her master’s degree from Delta State College in Cleveland. While a member of the Delta State concert choir, she traveled to England where the choir performed numerous concerts.
In 1957, inspired by the Pax Christi Franciscan community, Wilburn began her process of formation as a member of this group of dedicated women, known in Canon Law as a Pious Union. People who belong to such groups commit themselves to following Christ in a radical way, by living a life of poverty, chastity and obedience. In 1960, Bessie made her first profession as a member of the Pax Christi Franciscans making her a consecrated member of this group.
She spent her years at St. Francis Center serving the people in that area. For many years, she taught at St. Francis school, also teaching music and directing musical plays for the entire school.
Wilburn was the director of St. Francis Center for many years. Her favorite task at the center was offering parties and programs for the senior citizens of Greenwood.
She was a true Franciscan, loving and caring for many stray animals who found their way to her.
Wilburn left this earth and joined the choir of angels on Aug. 4, 2020.
A private Mass was celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 8 at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Greenwood.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Pax Christi Franciscans, 2108 Alta Woods Blvd., Jackson, MS 39204.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

VIRTUAL First Homegrown Harvest Fundraiser, Friday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. to raise awareness and funds for the seminarian trust. This will be a live online event. You can go to https://one.bidpal.net/homegrownharvest2020 to be a part. You will hear from the six men who are studying for the priesthood, as well as hear a talk from Father Jim Wehner, the President/Rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and throughout the evening you will hear from Father Nick Adam, our seminarians and more. Details: Father Nick Adam, Vocation Director (601) 969-4020 or nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.
VIRTUAL Dominican Sisters of Peace presents “Listening to God’s Call with Open Hearts,” a virtual discernment retreat for single women ages 18-45, Sept. 11-13. This retreat will give single Catholic women an opportunity to meet and talk with Sisters and women in formation, as well as other women who are discerning their own call to religious life. Details: Sister Bea Tiboldi, OP, (614) 400-1255 or BTiboldi@oppeace.org.
JACKSON Catholic Charities’ Journey of Hope postponed. Out of an abundance of caution, Catholic Charities has postponed its Journey of Hope for this year and has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 at 12 p.m. There will be a meet and greet the night before, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. The luncheon speaker will be Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted in 2002 as a 14-year old from her family’s home and was one of the most followed cases of our time. She was rescued nine months later. Through her traumatic experience, Smart has become an advocate for change relation to child abduction, recovery programs and legislation. She will appear to share her story of perseverance and hope. This inspirational event will raise money for the vital programs of Catholic Charities. Details: Catholic Charities (601) 355-8634.
JACKSON 40 Days for Life kickoff rally, 2903 North State Street, Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 12 p.m. Join in prayer and fasting as they go to the abortion facility to be a public witness for God. There will be no speaker this year, but they are asking that you pray and sing. Details: plm@prolifemississippi.org.
MAGNOLIA St. James Mission, you are invited to embark on a journey towards faith and racial healing sometime in the first week of Sept. via Zoom meetings. It is an opportunity to further and deepen our desire to follow the way of Jesus. This program is not specifically Catholic. It is universal. All are welcome. The program is not about religion; it is about human dignity and respect. If you are interested, please call or email. Details: Chris Ingrassia (301) 266-0433, gracie_eddie@yahoo.com. Website: https://justfaith.org/faith-and-racial-healing/.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Weight loss support group meets Tuesdays at 9 a.m. All are welcome to come each week to become healthier and happier. Details: Liz Brown (901) 331-3419.
JACKSON St. Richard, Save the Date, Special Kids Golf Tournament, Thursday, Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Deerfield Golf Club, Canton. Sponsorships and donation opportunities are available. Details: church office (601) 366-2335 or www.saintrichard.com.
MERIDIAN, Catholic Community of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, Father Augustine leads a novena to the Lady of Our Perpetual Help on the parish’s Facebook page Saturdays at 11 a.m. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
VICKSBURG St. Mary, Knights of Columbus Drawdown, Sunday, Oct. 11. This event will be a “virtual” drawdown with takeout food. Cost: tickets are $75 each. Details: church office (601) 636-0115.

COVID-19 REMINDER

In person Masses are now open at many parishes within the Diocese of Jackson. Check with your local parish for details and follow guidelines in place for attendance. All over the age of two are required to wear a mask.
The obligation to attend Mass continues to be dispensed by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, so if you do not feel safe attending, or have an underlying health condition, or feel sick, please stay home. Be safe and stay vigilant!