FEATURE PHOTO: … Going once, going twice …
Category Archives: Diocesan News
Calendar of Events
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CAMDEN – Sacred Heart, Intercultural Competence Workshop for Parish Leaders, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Presenter: Deacon Juan Pagan of the Diocese of Lafayette. Explore what is culture and more. Details: Sister Amelia at amelia.breton@jacksondiocese.org.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Millions of Monicas – Praying with confidence for our children, each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church. Join with other mothers and grandmothers as we pray for our children’s faithful return to the church. Details: email millionsofmonicas@stjosephgluckstadt.com.
PEARL – St. Jude, “Women and the Power of Prayer” Women’s Retreat, Saturday, March 15 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by the St. Jude Artisan Group. Details: Linda at (601) 573-8583 or maria.l.tynes@gmail.com.
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION – The OCE hosts a Zoom Rosary the first Wednesday of each month during the school year at 7 p.m. The upcoming Rosary is on March 5, hosted by members at the Chancery office. Details: Join the rosary via zoom at https://bit.ly/zoomrosary2024.
VIRTUAL – Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Stay with Me: Lenten Prayer for Disciples virtual event, Wednesdays from March 5 through April 9 at 7 p.m. Event is free. Register once for participation in any or all of the sessions at springfieldop.org/events. Hear reflections on the theme, enjoy periods of silence and sharing, and build a community of prayer for Lent. Details: call Sister Denise at (217) 787-0481.
VOCATIONS – Come and See Weekend, April 11-13 at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana. Father Tristan Stovall is hosting an opportunity for young men age 16-18 to learn more about the priesthood, to begin discernment of a vocation and to connect with other teens who love their faith. Details: visit https://jacksonvocations.com/events for more information and to register. Deadline is April 3.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
CANTON – Holy Child Jesus, Musical Celebration in honor of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, Saturday, March 29 at 3 p.m. Details: “Cherie” Evans at arievans29@yahoo.com or (601) 259-1363.
GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mardi Gras Chili Fest, Tuesday, March 4 from 5-7:30 p.m. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Drawdown 2025, Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Grand prize is $5,000. Tickets cost $120; with additional $15 for second chance. Join us for fellowship, food, entertainment, silent auction and more! Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School, Trivia Night and Silent Auction, Saturday, March 22 from 7-9 p.m. in the school gym. Join us for trivia, door prizes, giveaways, split the pot raffle and more. Teams with max of eight players. Single players will be assigned a spot. Cost: $25 per player and $160 per table. BYOB and snacks. Doors open at 6 p.m. to decorate your table for a chance to win a prize. Details: register by emailing Allison at abaskin@shsm.org.
LENTEN MEALS/STATIONS
CLINTON – Holy Savior, Stations and Lenten Meals, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 6 p.m., Lenten meals follow except on March 14. Knights Fish Fry on March 7 and 28 with cost of $9 per plate or $40 for family of 5+. Please RSVP for meals: holysavior@att.net.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Stations and Fish Dinner, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel with dinner in Activity Center following.
CORINTH – St. James the Less, Soup Supper and Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5 p.m.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Fish Fry, March 21 and April 11. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, KC Fish Fry, March 28 and April 11. Details: church office (662) 335-5251.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Soup and Stations, every Friday during Lent at 6:30 p.m. Fish Fry on Friday, April 4 from 4-7 p.m.
JACKSON – St. Richard, KC Fish Fry, March 21 and 28, and April 4 and 11 from 6-7:30 p.m.
NATCHEZ – Knights Fish Fry, every Friday during Lent from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Eat in or take out. Cost: catfish $12, shrimp $12 or combo $14. Dinner includes fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. For grilled catfish, call 30 minutes ahead to Darren at (601) 597-2890.
PEARL – St. Jude, Fish Fry, Every Friday during Lent following Stations at 6 p.m. Dine-in only.
STATIONS ONLY
BATESVILLE – St. Mary, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 10:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m.
FOREST – St. Michael, Way of the Cross (Spanish), every Friday during Lent at 7 p.m.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 6 p.m.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5 p.m.
JACKSON – St. Richard, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:15 p.m.
NATCHEZ – Assumption, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m.
SARDIS – St. John, Stations, every Wednesday during Lent at 4:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 5 p.m.
PENANCE SERVICES
CLINTON – Holy Savior, Reconciliation Service, Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Penance Service, Monday, April 7 at 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
LENTEN MISSIONS
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Lenten Mission with Father Aaron Williams – Spirit and Truth: Understanding the Word of God, March 13 and 14 from 6:30-8 p.m.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, “Hope in Mercy” Lenten Mission, March 23-25 from 6-7:30 p.m. Retreat features Tim Mowdy, Scott Owen and Ken Woodward as speakers. Reconciliation offered Monday, March 24 from 5-6 p.m.
STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Parish Mission – Plating Grace with Father Leo Patalinghug (author, speaker TV-radio host and famous cook), March 2-3 at 7 p.m. Bring the whole family for inspirational, interactive presentations. Details: church office (662) 323-2257.
PILGRIMAGES
HOLY LAND – Pilgrimage to Holy Land: Join Father Mark Shoffner, pastor of St. John Oxford, July 21-31, 2025. Details: lpjp.org, then click on “All Pilgrimages” and “Holy Land.” Details: church office (662) 234-6073.
MARIAN SHRINES – Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines (Fatima, Spain and Lourdes) with Father Lincoln Dall and Deacon John McGregor, Sept, 15-24, 2025. Details: for more information visit www.206tours.com/frlincoln.
ROME/LISBON/FATIMA – Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, Lisbon and Fatima with Father Carlisle Beggerly, Oct. 4-15, 2025. Cost: $5,799 per person (includes airfare from anywhere in the U.S.) Details: contact Pat Nause at (601) 604-0412; Proximo Travel at (855) 842-8001 or proximotravel.com. Mention trip #1181.
CSA feature: Clergy Healthcare and Assistance: Giving back to those who have given so much to us
The dedication of clergy like Father Jeffrey Waldrep, a priest of our diocese for over 34 years, and the critical support provided through programs like the Catholic Service Appeal (CSA) highlight the profound importance of caring for our priests who have devoted their lives to serving others. Ensuring that retired and active priests have access to comprehensive healthcare and assistance honors their commitment and strengthens the communities they serve.
Clergy Healthcare: A Vital Priority
Father Jeffrey underscores the importance of comprehensive healthcare provided to diocesan priests, especially retirees like Father Sam Messina. Father Jeffrey said, “Now that I oversee Father Sam’s care, I had no idea of the costs of staying on top of a retired priest’s every day and long-term healthcare needs.” The CSA allocates $400,000 to support this effort, ensuring that priests like Father Sam receive essential care.
Clergy Assistance: Beyond Healthcare
In addition to supplementing clergy healthcare needs, the $400,000 also supplements other forms of clergy assistance. One of the substantial needs is keeping up with documentation for our foreign priests faithfully serving in our diocese. Father Jeffrey noted, “It can get substantially costly and tedious keeping up with the latest documentation the US requires from different countries our foreign priests have originated from.” Clergy Assistance also extends to helping some of our retired priests with living expenses, a vital aspect of their care.
A Call to Action
By contributing to the CSA, Father Jeffrey invites donors to actively participate in this mission of care and gratitude. The appeal is not merely a request for financial support but an invitation to join in expressing appreciation for our clergy’s lifelong service. The impact is heard every time Father Sam tells Father Jeffrey, “Thank you for taking care of me.”
Father Jeffrey stated, “Supporting the initiatives of CSA allows us to give back to those who have given so much. It is an opportunity to ensure that the physical, emotional and practical needs of our priests are met, enabling us to continue our mission with dignity and peace of mind.”
Happy Ordination Anniversary
February 6
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz
(ordained bishop)
February 7
Father Hendrik Ardianto, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi
February 14
Father Jofin George
Holy Cross, Philadelphia
February 19
Father Vijaya Madanu, SVD
Holy Ghost, Jackson
March 2
Father Henry Shelton
Retired
March 6
Father Albeenreddy Vatti
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
Thank you for answering the call!
Finance Annual Report 2024
CSW 2025
Happy Ordination Anniversary
February 6
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz
(ordained bishop)
February 7
Father Hendrik Ardianto, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi
February 14
Father Jofin George
Holy Cross, Philadelphia
February 19
Father Vijaya Bhaskar Madanu, SVD
Holy Ghost & Holy Family, Jackson
Thank you for answering the call!
Reflections on Dr. King’s impact on my life
(Editor’s note: This reflection by a local parishioner was read at an event organized by the Office of Intercultural Ministry in honor of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson on Saturday, Jan. 18. The theme was “On the Path to Fulfilling the Dream” with speaker Constance Slaughter-Harvey.)
By Dr. Ivory Phillips
I consider it a signal honor and a rare privilege to be able to share with you my reflections on how Dr. Martin King’s work has influenced my life. In order to do that, let me mention just a few events or situations between December 1955 and November 1967.
Two months into my eighth-grade year, Emmett Till was murdered. The news travelled rapidly, throwing many of us into feelings of anger, fear and helplessness all at the same time. We understood the history of such racial atrocities, but were isolated and unorganized. Then came an answer from Alabama. That December Martin Luther King headed-up the eventually successful Montgomery Bus Boycott.
From there he refined and imported the strategy of mass non-violent protests to others places and issues. As that idea spread and I became a student at Jackson State University, I was impressed and became an activist for civil rights. Martin Luther King and Medgar Evers influenced me in making that move. They stressed not just being non-violent, but protesting against the racial injustices. I, thus became an active protester.
Beyond that, King had an impact on many of us as citizens, acting on our behalf through the March on Washington, the Selma to Montgomery March and other nationally televised events. These events generated enough pressure until segregation in public places was brought to an end and voter registration became easier for Black citizens. King thereby helped us to become full-fledged citizens.
He became a protest leader because Black church-goers in Alabama lifted him up to such positions. He was able to remain an influential public figure because of his speaking and writing abilities and his charismatic personality.
Among his most lastingly impactful speeches was in April 1967 on why he opposed the war in in Vietnam. More than just the idea that the war was immoral was his demonstration that it was linked to a history of colonialism and imperialism, that it detracted from the civil rights movement and that it squandered resources that should be directed toward relieving hunger, housing, health care and other forms of poverty. That kind of understanding influenced the teaching of myself and many others for the rest of our careers.
Then just seven months later, in November 1967, he made a speech launching the Poor People’s Campaign, the march on Washington that culminated in a tent city of poor people in D.C. That speech and the efforts which followed caused many, teachers, news commentators and political leaders, among them, to more critically examine American capitalism. This too, was impactful in helping many of us to permanently become more liberal, compassionate or humanitarian when it comes to economic issues.
Finally, King impressed upon us the importance of unity and coordinated effort in the struggle for Black freedom and liberation. He deliberately sought out ways to undertake projects with Medgar Evers and the NAACP. He called on other civil rights leaders to join in completing James Meredith’s March Against Fear after the assassination attempt on Meredith. It also became big news when King met with Malcolm X to work on Black liberation. Throughout his career, he worked with and refused to criticize Stokley Carmichael and other Black leaders who may have promoted other tactics in their struggles.
In short, King impressed me as a brilliant and dedicated leader who is rightly honored and is a more than worthy role model for any and all who are concerned about democracy and racial justice.
(Dr. Ivory Phillips is a parishioner of Holy Ghost Church in Jackson.)
Calendar of Events
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Millions of Monicas – Praying with confidence for our children, each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church. Join with other mothers and grandmothers as we pray for our children’s faithful return to the church. Details: email millionsofmonicas@stjosephgluckstadt.com.
Knights of Columbus – Grow in your faith with five short videos produced by the Knights of Columbus called the “Mission of The Family.” The Mission of the Family” videos can be found at https://www.kofc.org/en/campaigns/into-the-breach.html. Videos are less than 14 minutes in length.
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION – The OCE hosts a Zoom Rosary the first Wednesday of each month during the school year at 7 p.m. On Feb. 5, Sacred Heart Catholic School will lead us in prayer. Join early and place your intentions in the chat. Details: Join the rosary via zoom at https://bit.ly/zoomrosary2024.
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. – Church of the Incarnation, Women’s Morning of Spirituality, Saturday, March 1 with breakfast at 7:15 a.m. and program beginning at 8:15 a.m. Keynote speaker is Beth Davis and witness speaker is Angela Edwards. Register at https://womensmorning.com.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – School Sisters of Notre Dame invite single women to a discernment retreat Feb. 21-23, 2025, at their Sancta Maria in Ripa campus. Details: Pre-registration by Feb. 7, is requested. There is no cost for participation. Private rooms with restroom provided; all meals included. Some assistance with transportation costs is available if needed. Details: email sisters@ssnd.org or call (314) 633-7026.
PEARL – St. Jude, “Women and the Power of Prayer” Women’s Retreat, Saturday, March 15 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by the St. Jude Artisan Group. Details: Linda at (601) 573-8583 or maria.l.tynes@gmail.com.
PILGRIMAGE – Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines (Fatima, Spain and Lourdes) with Father Lincoln Dall and Deacon John McGregor, Sept, 15-24, 2025. Details: for more information visit www.206tours.com/frlincoln.
PILGRIMAGE – Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, Lisbon and Fatima with Father Carlisle Beggerly, Oct. 4-15, 2025. Cost: $5,799 per person (includes airfare from anywhere in the U.S.) Details: contact Pat Nause at (601) 604-0412; Proximo Travel at (855) 842-8001 or proximotravel.com. Mention trip #1181.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, “Gathering in the Spirit” Women’s Retreat, Saturday Feb. 1, 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. Group and individual sessions and activities, as well as adoration and reconciliation opportunities. Morning refreshments and lunch provided. Details: RSVP at ctksdonna@gmail.com or sign up in the Narthex.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
COLUMBUS – Annunciation School, Mardi Gras Masquerade – Draw Down and Art Auction, Friday, Feb. 28 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Details: school office (662) 328-4479.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation School, Welcome Week, Feb. 18-21. Come see our school and meet our teachers. Tours available each day in 45 minute slots. Come tour and we will waive your application fee. Details: Register at https://bit.ly/3WAjfU6.
CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, 4th Annual Supper and Substance, Saturday, Feb. 15, directly following 5:30 p.m. Mass in the parish center. This is a special event for married couples! Mark your calendars. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
CLINTON – Holy Savior, Knights Gumbo fundraiser, Sunday, Feb. 9 after 10:30 a.m. Mass. Sign up in the vestibule.
Holy Savior, Garage Sale, Saturday, Feb. 1 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Details: church office (601) 924-6344.
FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Annual Drawdown, Saturday, Feb. 15 at The Ivy. Theme is “The Roaring Twenties.” Details: church office (601) 992-9547.
St. Paul, Bingo Night, Saturday, Feb. 7. Doors open at 6 p.m. with games beginning at 6:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of fun and fantastic prizes for adults only. Cost is $5 per card. Hot dogs and chili will be served with a suggested $5 donation. BYOB. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.
GREENWOOD – St. Francis of Assisi, Mardi Gras Ball 2025, Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Civic Center. Details: church office (662) 453-0623 or email sfgwparish@gmail.com.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, Feb. 14, doors open at 6 p.m. and talk begins at 7 p.m. Speaker is Janet Cupo on Saints in Waiting. Event is for 21+. BYOB. Sign up in the Narthex. Details: church office (662) 429-7851 or email holyspiritchurch@shsm.org.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Cathedral Music Series. Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Organist Buck McDaniel will present a program on the Cathedral’s magnificient Rieger tracker organ. A wine and cheese reception will be in the parish center at 5:30 p.m. before the program.
Cathedral of St. Peter, Cathedral Music Series. Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Organist Beau Baldwin of Little Rock will present a concert. A reception will be in the parish center at 5:30 p.m. before the program. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
JACKSON – St. Richard, Krewe de Cardinal, Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Westin Jackson. At this Mardi Gras inspired event, our parents, friends and supporters Laizzez le bon temps rouler in grand fashion! The food and drinks are second to none. The entertainment is top notch, and the auction items are out of this world! This is one party you definitely do not want to miss! Details: visit https://bit.ly/3E1y9Mr for more information and register for the silent auction at https://one.bidpal.net/krewe/welcome.
JACKSON – Holy Family, Black History Celebration, Sunday, Feb. 23 after 10:30 a.m. Mass. Join us for singing, presentations and a wonderful display of amazing African-American culture. All are welcome. Details: church office (601) 362-1888.
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Drawdown 2025, Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Grand prize is $5,000. Tickets cost $120; with additional $15 for second chance. Join us for fellowship, food, entertainment, silent auction and more! Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
MADISON – St. Joseph School, Bruin Burn 5k Run and 2k Walk, Saturday, March 1 at 9 a.m. Race held at 200 W Jackson Street in Ridgeland. Registration $30 for 5k run or 2k walk; $15 for fun run; $10 virtual run. Come enjoy music, fun and glow tunnel in your best 80s running attire. Details: register at https://runsignup.com/Race/MS/Ridgeland/BruinBurn.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Dinner and Dancing, Saturday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Tickets $30. Dress in your Sunday best for a Valentine’s weekend intimate night of fine dining and romantic melodies. Ages 21+. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
St. Patrick, CWO SOUPer Bowl Dinner, Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Tickets $10 each. Meal includes soup, bread, dessert and drink.
PEARL – Knights of Columbus Spaghetti dinner, Sunday, Feb. 9. Tickets will be sold after Mass and are available on the day of the dinner. Tickets are $12 each. To-go only. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
St. Jude, Family Fun Night, Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a fun evening with a potluck dinner, arts and crafts, soccer (weather permitting) and story time. Details: Kathleen at ccd@stjudepearl.org.
DIOCESE
STARKVILLE – Campus Ministry Winter Retreat, Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Starkville. Join college students from across the diocese for a day of fellowship, games, prayer, song, scripture, Mass and more. Cost: $20. Details: register at https://bit.ly/3OoES58.
WORLD MARRIAGE DAY – Event recognizes couples celebrating anniversaries in 2025 – 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th+. Celebration to be held in Tupelo at St. James on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. Details: debbie.tubertini@jacksondiocese.org.
YOUTH – DCYC, March 21-23, 2025 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Theme is “Here I am Lord Work in Me.” Register by Feb. 21, contact your parish to register. Details: contact your individual parish offices or contact Abbey at (601) 949-6934 or abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org.
OTHER EVENTS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Catholic Scouters Region 5 Conference, Feb. 21-22. The Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Nashville invites you to join Catholic Scouter’s from the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee to a special conference that includes current scouting topics and an opportunity to receive a special event patch with registration. Cost $65 per person. Meetings held at the Knights of Columbus Council 4972 Hall located at 3129 McGavock Pike. For more information visit https://www.ndccos.org. Register online at https://scoutingevent.com/560-93593. Details: email backpackergus@gmail.com.
Honoring Sister Thea Bowman: a monument of hope
By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – What began as a seed planted in 2007, became a reality in 2024. On a crisp Saturday morning in December, Catholics from several dioceses descended upon the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson to celebrate the installation and blessing of a life-size bronze statue of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA. Among those attending the celebration were Mary Ott Tremmel Davidson, the sculptor, and parishioners from several churches in the Montgomery and Mobile areas.
Led by Rev. Victor Ingalls, Director of Multicultural Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile and Rev. Manuel Williams, CR, Director of Resurrection Catholic Missions of the South in Montgomery, the two buses arrived in Jackson with more than 50 joyful pilgrims excited to mark the occasion honoring Sister Thea on her path to beatification and canonization.
The festivities included Mass followed by the blessing of the statue located on the Cathedral grounds then a reception at the Two Mississippi Museums.
In his homily at the Mass, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz welcomed as pilgrims those filling the cathedral to near capacity. He remarked that as Pope Francis prepares to open the Jubilee Year of Hope in a few days in Rome, today’s celebration was also filled with hope and that all present had come to honor a Servant of God who was as a beacon of light and hope in her time and who continues to inspire and challenge us to bring that light and hope to a world so in need of it.
Students from Sister Thea Bowman School in Jackson delighted the congregation when they sang “This Little Light of Mine” as the hymn of praise after Communion. Following this, the congregation processed out of the Cathedral to the statue where Bishop Kopacz blessed it with prayer and holy water.
Sister Thea is one of six African American Catholics currently on this path and many present at the celebration had known her prior to her death in 1990. Bishop Kopacz officially opened Sister Thea’s cause in November 2018.
The canonical process is in the middle of the diocesan phase which involves gathering and all her writings, interviewing witnesses, and compiling a historical and theological report on her virtues and piety. This detailed process is expected to be completed by the end of this year and then be sent to the Holy See for further examination.
The idea for the bronze statue was first planted in Mary Davidson’s mind back in 2007 when she was in Camden for the dedication of a large altar crucifix she had designed for Sacred Heart Church. A parishioner came up to Davidson during the dedication and remarked that she hoped she would create a statue of Sister Thea Bowman one day. The seed was planted.
When she heard about Sister Thea’s cause, Davidson contacted the diocese in the late summer of 2022 offering to sculpt the Servant of God if the diocese would cover the cost of materials and the foundry.
Davidson enlisted the support of her former eighth grade student at Our Lady of Lourdes in New Orleans, Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, who offered a generous donation to the project. Soon, Bishop Louis Kihneman of Biloxi and Bishop Stephen Raica of Birmingham committed funds to help complete the statue. These donations together with proceeds from the estate of Bishop Joseph Latino, Bishop Kopacz’s predecessor, made the statue a reality and a gift from the bishops of Alabama and Mississippi.
Bishop Kopacz commissioned Davidson to create the work of art in March of 2023. Over the next year, Davidson worked on the design. During that time, she lost her beloved husband, Kenneth, in August. It was a very difficult time but working on the project helped Davidson through some of her grief.
Davidson completed the clay mold for the statue in October 2023, from which a second mold was made by Inferno Art Foundry in Atlanta. The life-size bronze creation took a few more months to complete in the early spring of 2024.
Developing an appropriate space and pedestal for the statue on the Cathedral grounds in Jackson took several months due to the summer heat and availability of materials. Sister Thea in bronze arrived from the foundry on Dec. 12 and was installed in her new home.
Nine days later, on that crisp Saturday morning of Dec. 21, the Cathedral was filled with the spirit of Sister Thea as hymns from the Lead Me, Guide Me hymnal rang out – a hymnal she helped develop for African American Catholics. Voices young and old gave witness to her inspiration as a true servant of God.
“We are grateful to all those who have assisted in this wonderful project, especially Mrs. Davidson, who despite her personal tragedy has created an amazing work of art to honor the legacy and spirit of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman,” Bishop Kopacz said. “Many have come together to contribute to making this a statue a reality and today’s beautiful liturgy and dedication of this work of art are a testament to Sister Thea’s ministry in the church and the world,” he concluded.
(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)