Category Archives: Diocesan News

Youth from diocese parishes gather in faith and as one church

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MACON – Middle school youngsters from across the Diocese of Jackson stepped away from phones, computers and the world this month to take part in a spiritual retreat and to spend some quality time with the Lord.
“The theme of our retreat was “One Church” focusing on the universality of the Catholic Church,” said Abbey Schuhmann, diocesan coordinator of the Office of Youth Ministry, who helped organize the annual diocesan Middle School Fall Retreat Oct. 12-13 at Lake Forest Ranch surrounded by 50,000 acres of pine forest in rural Noxubee County. “The overnight retreat provided the youth with a high-energy, faith-filled program throughout the weekend,” Schuhmann explained.

MACON – NET Missionary, Molly Shanahan speaks to middle school youth attending the “One Church” retreat at Lake Forest Ranch on Oct. 12. (Photo by Abbey Schuhmann)

The weekend gathering was led by members of the National Evangelization Team or NET, a Catholic ministry program established 35 years ago out of St. Paul, Minn. Net ministers are typically aged 18-24. They volunteer a year of their time to work as trained missionaries without pay and solely focused on creating relationships with young people through retreats and programs and bringing them closer to Christ.
“NET was very popular in our diocese in the 1980’s, and we are excited to have them serving in our diocese once again,” said Schuhmann about the team of young men and women, who visited two schools during their Mississippi mission. At Sacred Heart Southaven and St. Joseph Greenville they staged mini-retreats and shared their own personal encounters with Jesus Christ and their faith transformations, inspiring all in attendance.
The fall program in Macon included talks, small group discussions, prayer, adoration before the Lord in the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There were plenty of opportunities for the young people to socialize and have fun. Throughout the weekend there were games of friendly competition including ping-pong, basketball, volleyball and gaga ball, the latest craze. Saturday, there was a bonfire by the lake, and the NET Team performed funny skits throughout the weekend and a drama was also part of the entertainment lineup.
“Parishes from five of our six deaneries were represented at this year’s retreat,” said Schuhmann, pleased about the turnout. Adult youth leaders from the various parishes helped out where needed, and during the weekend, they had the opportunity to meet one another and discuss the youth ministry programs at their respected parishes.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz visited on Sunday morning and celebrated Mass bringing participants together in praise and worship and inspiring all with his message. In fellowship, he joined the teens and adult leaders after Mass.
For information on upcoming diocesan youth events and activities, please contact Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for the Office of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Jackson at abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org.

Missionary disciples respond with joy

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By Berta Mexidor and Linda Reeves
MOBILE – A 16-member delegation from the Diocese of Jackson attended Encuentro of Hispanic and Latino Ministry in October focused on the diverse, dynamic and changing realities of the ever-growing Hispanic/Latino population of the Catholic Church.
The Encuentro held for the Province of Mobile took place Saturday, Oct. 12 in the Archdiocese of Mobile, and it was organized by the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI) headquartered in Miami, an educational and service organization that assists the Catholic bishops of the southeastern United States.
The October meeting carried the theme: “responding with joy to be missionary disciples” and included talks, sessions, sharing, and reflections. Participants represented the Archdiocese of Mobile, Diocese of Biloxi, Diocese of Birmingham and Diocese of Jackson, all part of the Province of Mobile, and the day began with Mass celebrated at St. Catherine Siena in Mobile. Main celebrant Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, leader of the Archdiocese of Mobile, began the celebration by welcoming all. Concelebrating the Mass were clergy representing the various dioceses of the province.

MOBILE – Sister Claudia Ines Crisostomo of Biloxi (center-right) shared her experience of her vocation. (Photo by Berta Mexidor)

Father Rafael Capo, director of SEPI delivered the homily of the Mass during the Encuentro in Mobile. He explained that the motto of the national conference was “Missionary Disciples Witnesses of God’s Love,” a theme that is being continually carried forward. “We have not been chosen to keep knowledge for ourselves but to give the message to the whole Church,” he said calling all to action and discipleship.
At the heart of talks, was the final document with strategies and recommendations that came out of the National V Encuentro held in September 2018 called for by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops focused on ways in which the American Church can better respond to the growing population of Spanish-speaker’s presence, inspiring in them the call to evangelization and service. The working document, a result of the Encuentro process, focuses on including evangelization, stewardship and development, ministries to youngsters and adults, immigration, vocations, Catholic education and global solidarity among 13 areas.
This fall, a delegation of U.S. bishops and laypeople visited Rome to share with Pope Francis the same working document that came out of the national Encuentro. Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke to Catholic News Service (CNS) on Sept. 16 while in Rome saying that “Latinos in the United States are excited about their faith.”
According to the most recent census in 2010, the Hispanic population by 2050 could reach 132.8 million in the United States. That projected number would be 30 percent of the American population. The 2010 Census shows that 68 percent of Hispanics are Catholic. The census that is now 10 years old states that the population of Latino/Hispanic in Mississippi is 3.4 percent. Some experts dispute the accuracy of that number due to people in communities hesitating to supply information for the census.
Data from the Pew Research Institute, released in 2016, showed a 129 percent growth in the population of Hispanics in Mississippi since 2000, with around 85,000 Latinos with an average age of 26 in the state.
Jackson is the largest diocese at east of the Mississippi River. Catholics comprise 2.3 percent of the population and are served at 72 parishes and 26 missions and chapels spread across 38,000 square miles. At least 27 parishes offered Mass in Spanish. Bilingual priests, community leaders, and catechists are the source of reaching out to the increasing Spanish population in the state.
At the conclusion of Encuentro, talks shifted to the youngsters, for a consultation based on the conclusions of the Synod of Bishops on “Youth, Faith and Vocational discernment” held in Oct. , 2018, the Pope’s letter, Christus Vivit and the findings about young people from the National V Encuentro.
The opinions were collected generationally: active young leaders working with the Youth Ministry, people under 35 and the rest in a group of parents or laypeople in general concerned about the future of the church in the hands of the new generations no matter their heritage or culture.
Encuentro participants reflected on an inspiring message delivered by Franciscan Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, on a video presentation emphasizing “The mission of Encuentro is evangelization and transmitting the faith to the new generations,” he said.

In memorium: Father Frank Corcoran and Sister Loretta Beyer

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Father Jeremiah Francis Corcoran

GREENVILLE – The funeral Mass for Rev. Jeremiah Francis Corcoran, known as Father Frank, was held on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 at St. Joseph Greenville. He passed away Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 at Delta Regional Medical Center.
He was born Dec. 3, 1930 in Nenagh Co. Tipperary, Ireland to Jeremiah and Julia Mary Corcoran. He was one of eleven children (6 girls and 5 boys). He attended school in Nenagh but went to St. Flannan’s College Ennis, Co. Clare for his high school education and graduated from there in 1948.
His family were active Catholics and prayer, especially recitation of the Rosary, was very strong. Increase of vocations to priesthood was part of those prayers.
In 1948 Father Frank went to St. Patrick Seminary in Carlow to study for the priesthood and was ordained there on June 6, 1954. It was there he met a fellow student named Paddy Haugh who had signed for the Natchez diocese in Mississippi. Paddy had an uncle in that diocese named Monsignor Carey. Father Frank made the decision to study for the Diocese of Natchez. However, Paddy died a year before ordination.
When he came to Mississippi in 1954, he was assigned by his Bishop to Pascagoula, Miss. His first pastor was Monsignor Carey. Father Frank served throughout Mississippi beginning in 1954. He served as assistant at Our Lady of Victories Pascagoula; St. Peter Cathedral Jackson; St. Therese Jackson; and St. Paul Church, Vicksburg. He was Chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg and founding Pastor of St. Michael Vicksburg. Father Frank was Diocesan Director of C.C.D., Director of Vocations, Director of Irish Missionary Vocations and sat on the College of Consultors for 3 years. He was Pastor at St. Patrick Meridian; St. Joseph Greenville; St. Therese Jackson; St. John Crystal Springs and its mission St. Martin Hazlehurst. In 2004 he retired to St. Joseph Greenville and at the time of his death he had served for 65 years as a Priest.
Father Frank was preceded in death by parents Jeremiah and Julia Mary Corcoran; brothers, Michael Corcoran (Margaret), Maurice Corcoran and Willie Corcoran; and sisters, Olivia Hayes (James), Eva Creedon (Peter) and Joan Morris (Jimmy).
He is survived by 3 sisters, Mary Dagg, Patricia O’Brien and Ann Flannery (Frank) and brother, Danny Corcoran (Maureen).
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Joseph Greenville.

Sister Loretta Beyer

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – Sister Loretta Beyer, 82 died unexpectedly on Sept. 30, 2019, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minn.
Loretta Pauline was born on Nov. 27, 1936, in Brushvale, Minn. She was the second of 12 children born to the late Alphonse and Mary Gertrude (Miranowski) Beyer. She attended grade school in Campbell, Minn., and attended St. Francis High School in Little Falls, Minn. Her aunt, Sister Mary David Miranowski, was a member of the Franciscan Sisters.
Loretta entered the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls on July 31, 1954, was accepted as a Franciscan Sister on July 31, 1955 and given the name, Sister M. Loyola. She was a Franciscan Sister for 64 years.
Sister Loretta ministered in St. Cloud, Little Falls and Onamia, Minn. In 1972 Sister Loretta, along with Sisters Louise McKigney and Beverly Weidner, heard the Franciscan call to step out of the “safe zone” and work among the poor as they challenged racism in Holmes County, Miss. They joined a black-led community organizing effort to protest discrimination in hiring and police brutality. In 1982, she and Sister Louise McKigney spent 30 days in jail and received a taste of “justice” usually reserved for black prisoners. The three sisters received the Rural Organizing Worker Reward in 1988 and the Unsung Heroes, Mississippi, Award in 1989. In 2003 they received the Franciscan Federation Reconciler Award at the Federation Conference in Detroit, Mich. Another of Sister Loretta’s contributions was converting weedy vacant lots into gardens. With the help of children and other community members, they supplied vegetables to needy families.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place at St. Francis Convent on Oct. 8. Arrangements were by Shelley Funeral Chapel, Little Falls. Donations to Franciscan Sisters ministries preferred.

Bishop visit brings hope to families

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By Berta Mexidor and Linda Reeves
CARTHAGE – Bishop Joseph Kopacz travelled to Carthage and Kosciusko Sept. 29, World Day of Migrants and Refugees, to celebrate Mass and to visit Hispanic families of the two parishes affected by the federal immigration raids this past summer.
Mass celebrations were held at both St. Therese in Kosciusko and St. Anne in Carthage bringing families together in faith and as one big Catholic family. “I have been listening to every opinion, in favor and against, but everybody agrees the immigration system needs a change,” said Bishop Kopacz at one point, during Mass at St. Therese, as he talked about the broken immigration system and the call for change by people from across America.
Bishop Kopacz informed parishioners that only hours after the raids Aug. 7 on Mississippi food processing plants, people from around the country responded with support and concern for those family members involved. More than 700 workers, many undocumented immigrants, were jailed and separated from loved ones.
Donations poured into Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Jackson from 40 different states and several organizations. “The willingness to help reflects a fact,” said Bishop Kopacz. “A lot of people care. That is the heart of the United States of America.”
Several Catholic communities of the diocese have been facing the consequences of the immigration raids over the past months. In emergency response, the diocese has been working with parishes to provide assistance.
St. Anne Parish, which Bishop Kopacz visited as part of his trip, is a focal point for crisis management in the area with many parish families faced with hardships struggling to pay rent and food bills after heads of households lost jobs due to the raids. Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity Father Odel Medina, St. Anne pastor, is heading up long-term recovery efforts in Carthage as part of the diocese’s humanitarian aid efforts in coordination with Catholic Charities and other community organizations joining in the outreach.
Help is also being extended outside of the St. Anne parish family and other affected parishes and into the community-at-large to help families touched by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Father Mike O’Brien, pastor of Sacred Heart in Canton, and Father Roberto Mena, Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and pastor of St. Michael Parish in Forest, are also part of the diocese’s humanitarian aid initiatives.
During the Sept. 29 Mass at St. Anne, Father Odel highlighted the humanitarian task as a new way to encounter Christ and his mission. “We live in a rich country,” he said. “Each one of us has wealth, …we are called to share and practice the word of God…, each one of us can change our own heart to care for each other.”

Bishop Kopacz recognized Father Odel for his role and service to the Carthage community. He also promised his continued support and help to the congregation. “Everybody knows that Catholics care for people and Catholics take care of the poor and underserved communities,” said Bishop Kopacz totally committed to taking care of and helping his sheep as shepherd of the Diocese of Jackson.
At the end of Mass, Bishop Kopacz greeted and talked with people attending the celebration. Community members also had the opportunity to express their concerns and questions to Luis Arango-Petrocchi, a lawyer and program manager of Immigration Legal Services of Catholic Charities Dallas of the Diocese of Dallas, Texas.
Catholic Charities Dallas is in collaboration with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Jackson responding to the Mississippi communities most affected by the raids. At this time, both charities are working in Canton, Forest and Carthage providing social services.

Luis Arango-Petrocchi, program manager of Immigration Legal Services from Catholic Charities Dallas, answered questions about documents received on family member’s legal cases on Sunday, Sept. 29 at St. Anne Carthage.

Arango-Petrocchi explained that the charity’s Immigration Legal Services program is mainly focused on explaining and educating individuals about immigration rights. The charity is also helping families understand about possible legal outcomes depending on their individual case.
Arango-Petrocchi said that the crisis is ongoing explaining that involved legal processes and red tape takes time. “Some families will have to wait many years for the solution of their cases,” he said about the workers, part of parish families here in the diocese and once part of the local economy trying to work and make a better life for their loved ones. They will continue to be impacted for the long term.

All creatures of ordinary times

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Lucia Silecchia

ON ORDINARY TIMES
By Lucia Silecchia

Kittens have eyelashes. I distinctly remember the moment I first noticed this. Years ago, a cat welcomed a litter of kittens in my family’s backyard. Happily, they were unafraid of their accidental landlords but had a wide-eyed curiosity about us. As they let me approach them, I saw perfect, nearly invisible, rows of eyelashes above the bright yellow eyes that looked up at me.

I was well beyond the age when this sort of discovery should have struck me so deeply. Yet, it did. There was something about such minute detail on such tiny creatures that overwhelmed me with a sense of creation’s glory – and the far greater glory of the Creator. God had planned every tiny eyelash above every tiny eye on every tiny face of every tiny kitten throughout time.

Often, it can be overwhelming to think directly of the glory of God because it is so far beyond what I can start to comprehend. Indeed, it is also overwhelming to contemplate the great dignity of human persons created in the image and likeness of God. Thus, I am grateful for all the ways in which the more accessible, but often overlooked, everyday miracles of creation show a glimpse of the face of God.

Each autumn, October’s feast day of St. Francis of Assisi turns our attention to the particular way in which the creatures of this world reflect their awesome Creator. In so many churches, blessings of animals take place – perhaps with some trepidation! Household pets are blessed during these days in an expression of gratitude for the ways in which they brighten our ordinary times in so many ways.

Cats will come, with that look of disgruntled ennui that cats wear better than anyone else can. Good-hearted dogs will frolic joyfully at the chance to meet new two and four-footed friends. Fish will slosh around in their bowls when they are carried to church steps and gardens – and it is hard to fathom what they may be thinking as their serene existence is interrupted in this way. Birds will dart around in their cages as they go on this peculiar fieldtrip, and the turtles, toads and lizards will wear the inscrutable looks they always sport. Gerbils and hamsters may nervously burrow in their cages when they discover that they are in a crowd that includes cats and the occasional snake. More exotic and larger animals will be welcomed too, in the hopes that nothing unexpected happens as they assemble.

As people and pets gather in holy places, I hope it will be a chance to think again of the ordinary extraordinariness of the animals who share our world. If I had an eternity, I could never imagine into creation the octopus, the elephant, the starfish or the giraffe – or any of the creatures that dart in the depths of the sea and fill the sky with fluttering. Who but God could conceive of a butterfly, a dolphin, a porcupine or a sea urchin? Yet, they grace my world and for the gifts of them, I am grateful.

Paradoxically, there are circumstances in which it seems as though our animals are treated better than our neighbors are. Conversely, there are other times when animals are treated with cruel neglect and thoughtlessness. Yet, despite these failings in the ways we share our world with others, I hope that this year, our tributes to St. Francis are a time for gratitude.

It is a time for gratitude for the blessed gift of creation, and for the gentle power of God the Creator who brought humanity and all else that lives into creation. It is a time for gratitude for the animals who share our homes, hearths and hearts – and for all those creatures we do not know. Most importantly, it is a time to be grateful to a God who even gives kittens those eyelashes that to this day remind me to be thankful for the smallest of miracles in ordinary times.

(Lucia A. Silecchia is a Professor of Law at the Catholic University of America. “On Ordinary Times” is a biweekly column reflecting on the ways to find the sacred in the simple. Email her at silecchia@cua.edu.)

Parish calendar

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

HOLLY SPRINGS Hands–ON + Hearts–IN is a program is to assist women who are discerning a call to consecrated life through hands-on service to the needy throughout north Mississippi. Monday – Thursday, Oct. 21–24. This program, coordinated by the Sisters of the Living Word, is a collaborative effort between the Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association (CAVA) members and Sacred Heart Southern Missions (SHSM). The hospitality team will be the Sisters of the Living Word. They previously will be offering the meals and a comfortable home base for the prayer and discernment aspects of the experience. Details: contact Sister Sharon Glumb, SLW at handsonheartsin@gmail.com or (847) 577-5972 Ext# 233.
METAIRIE, La. Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO), Torrent of Grace, An Evening of Worship, Sunday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Benilde cafeteria, 1901 Division Street. The evening features “Overshadow Me” with Sean Tobin, composer and worship leader from Los Angeles. The sole purpose of this gathering is to seek God, to worship and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit. Everyone is invited who desires to spend an evening with prophetic, spirit–filled music and praise. There is no charge, but a love offering will be received. Details: www.ccrno.org; info@ccrno.org or (504) 828-1368.
MIAMI, Fl. Journeying with Pope Francis Conference Roots and Challenges, Pedro Arrupe Jesuit Institute, Nov. 8-10. Bilingual confernce touching on a variety of subjects and challenges. Cost: $160-$180 – Limited to 150 attendees. Details: https://ijpa.us or email Ramon Machado at rmachado@yahoo.com.
NATCHEZ Join Father Mark Shoffner on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land Feb. 12-21, 2020. Details: call Father Mark at the church office (601) 445-5616.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. National Catholic Singles Conference, Oct. 25–27. Join hundreds of single Catholics from across the country at the Diocese of Nashville Catholic Pastoral Center. The weekend includes talks by dynamic speakers (Sr. Helena Burns, Dr. Kerry Cronin, Damon Owens and David Clayton) as well as music, social events, prayer, food, fellowship and more. Space is limited. Enter promo code NASH19 for a $20 discount. Details: For more information and to register visit www.NationalCatholicSingles.com. or call Mirjana Northrop at (512) 766–5798 or email natcatsingles@gmail.com.
STANTON, Tenn, Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, Oct. 25–27 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center. Details: Norman and Barbara Sobota at (901) 373-7030 or email sobota@bellsouth.net.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

ABERDEEN St. Francis, Adult Bible Study, Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Studying the Gospel of John. Details: church office (662) 813-2295.
BATESVILLE St. John, Knights of Columbus are holding a Rummage Sale, Friday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please donate any clean, unbroken, gently used items that you no longer need. Details: church office (662) 563-2273.
OLIVE BRANCH, Queen of Peace, Prayer and Worship Course taught by Sister Emily, Thursdays, Oct. 3 until Nov. 21 at 6:45 pm. The focus of the classes will be a better understanding of the liturgy and of various prayer forms. The texts that will be used are Introduction to Christian Worship, third edition and We Worship: A Guide to the Catholic Mass. Details: ctksemily@aol.com or the church office (601) 895–5007.
JACKSON HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CAPITAL AREA CATHOLIC BUILD – The build for the next 5 years will be renovating existing houses in the Broadmoor Neighborhood in north Jackson. Sign-up sheets for Saturdays, Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 and Nov. 23 are available at participating parishes. Please consider helping with this very worthwhile ministry. No experience is necessary, just a desire to help someone less fortunate than yourself. In addition, they still need assistance in reaching their financial goal. Any size gift will be greatly appreciated. To donate, visit www.habitmca.org/support/donate; call (601) 353-6060 or mail to Humanity MS Capital Area, P.O. Box 55634, Jackson, MS 39296.
JACKSON Walk for Life to benefit Pro-Life Mississippi. Oct. 19 at 8 a.m. Details: www.prolifemississippi.org.
YAZOO CITY St. Mary, Bake Sale, Lunch, & Bingo, Tuesday, Nov. 26. Community will be invited to participate in the Bake Sale, as well as purchase a lunch and then play Bingo. If you have any items you would like to donate for Bingo prizes, please contact yazoocitystm@jacksondiocese.org

YOUTH BRIEFS

JACKSON Sister Thea Bowman School, registration is underway for the 2019–20 school year. If you are looking for a solid academic education rooted in Gospel values serving grades Pre K3 – 6th grades. Details: Shae Goodman-Robinson, principal at (601) 506-8998 for more information.
JACKSON St. Richard would like to ask you to continue to vote for in the Bank On Their Future contest. The school must be in at least third place to receive some sort of prize. You can vote daily until Oct. 15th. Details: www.bankontheirfuture.com.
MADISON St. Anthony, Open House and Fall Festival, Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2-5 p.m. There will be games, carnival food and hayrides. Details: school office (601) 607-7054.
RIDGELAND St. Francis of Assisi, Senior Bible Break, Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. at M7 Coffee House, 111 North Wheatley Street in Ridgeland, for all 12th graders for scripture sharing and fellowship. Bring a Bible and friends are welcome. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.

IN MEMORIAM

Miss Sturbaum served as the Lay Ecclesial Minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Louisville and St. Therese Catholic Church in Kosciusko for nearly twenty years. She was very involved in prison ministry, as well as her daily duties of ministering to the two parishes.

Pro-life supporters challenged by ordinance

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Pro-life supporters will now have barriers to their First Amendment rights to support women considering abortion at the Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Mississippi’s only abortion clinic. The Jackson City Council passed an ordinance on Tuesday, Oct. 1 preventing people from congregating, picketing or demonstrating within 15 feet of any entrance of a health care facility.
The ordinance also created a “buffer zone” prohibiting persons from approaching women with any sort of leaflet or speaking to her about saving the life of the unborn within a radius of 100 feet from the abortion clinic’s entrance.
On both Sept. 26 and Oct. 1, to a packed chamber, with standing room only in the hallway outside, Jackson city council members listened to those in favor and those against the ordinance. The ordinance passed with a vote of 3 to 1. The sole voting for the life of the unborn was Councilman Ashby Foote of Ward 1.

JACKSON – Also known as the “Pink House,” the Jackson Women’s Health Organization is located in the Fondren business district. (Photo from archives)

The ordinance states that the city council “recognizes that the exercise of a person’s right to protest or counsel against certain medical procedures is a First Amendment activity that must be balanced against another person’s right to obtain medical counseling and treatment in an unobstructed manner and that is free from increased health risks such as those associated with shouting or other amplified sound. The Jackson Police Department has been consistently called upon to mediate the disputes between medical providers, those seeking medical counseling and treatment, and those who would counsel against their actions. …”
The ordinance continued that, “It is the intent of this article to establish guidelines that will ensure that patients have unimpeded access to medical services that may be conducted in a calm environment while ensuring that the First Amendment rights of those seeking to communicate their message are not impaired.”
At the council meetings, business owners in the Fondren neighborhood in Jackson where the clinic is located reported that the atmosphere around the abortion clinic is “bad for business.” The position that resonated with council members when they voted for the “buffer zone” ordinance.
Lisa Duran, president of Pro-Life Mississippi, is concerned about the limitation “to exercise free speech [and] the right to share the Gospel on the streets of Jackson around ‘healthcare facilities.’”
Duran says that “all citizens should be concerned because now a Pandora’s Box has been opened.”
“The city council used the term ‘health care facility’ in the ordinance but the only facility mentioned in the city council meeting was the abortion facility … When did the killing of pre-born boys [and] girls become ‘healthcare’?”
Pro-Life Mississippi pledged to continue to be on the sidewalk near the facility to pray and share other options with expectant mothers. The organization invites all to respect life and join the group for their annual Walk for Life event on Oct. 19, where supporters march from St. Richard Jackson to the abortion facility and back. For more information visit www.prolifemississippi.org.

Day of golf supports special kids

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The weather has been perfect for the St. Richard Special Kids Golf Tournament since the tournament’s inception in 1981 and this year was no exception. On Thursday, Oct. 3 golfers, including several priests and Bishop Joseph Kopacz, teed-off for this special fundraiser, which is organized by students in St. Richard’s Special Kids program.

JACKSON –Caroline Hosey, Benjamin Morgan, Rashad Adams, Will Parker, Mary Catherine Vanderloo, Allyson Plunkett, Joshua Richardson and Eve Walsh thank golf tournament participants. (Photo by Shannon Garner)


Golfers ranging in age from 20 to 80 years young enjoyed a game of golf, fellowship over lunch and prizes sponsored by area businesses and restaurants.

This is the largest fundraiser for the Special Kids program at St. Richard Jackson, a program that was started almost 40 years ago when Father Patrick Ferrell saw the need to provide a program designed to address the challenges of children with special needs.

No matter their faith denomination, the program works with students that have a variety of special needs and each follows an individual plan for growth and learning. The Special Kids high school program serves students 13 to 20, while the adult program serves students age 21 and over.

Several businesses, including M7 Coffeehouse, Gina Diamond’s Flower Company and The Ramey Agency, support the adult program by offering weekly opportunities to work and learn valuable skills.

“As the mom of a special needs adult, your hope is a place for your child that helps him realize his full potential and his place in the community. St. Richard does that and more. It is a second home for Will and the place that helped us realize he could do so much more than we ever imagined,” says parent Melissa Parker.

In addition to the golf tournament, the Special Kids program hosts two student art shows, where students sell ceramics, candles, icons and photography. The next at show will be held on Dec. 5 at Foley Hall at St. Richard. Funds raised from these events provide the financial aid needed to make the Special Kids program possible.

Rusty Haydel, steering committee member for the tournament and longtime supporter of the Special Kids program, said “St. Richard’s special kids are an inspiration to all of us. What ever we do for them, we get paid back tenfold. God has blessed us with our special kids.”

For more information on the program or to volunteer time and talent with students, email program director, Kim Turner at sk@saintrichard.com.

Martínez joins chancery staff

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Daisey Martínez

JACKSON – Daisey Martínez joined the chancery staff as the Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the new Office of Intercultural Ministry on Monday, Sept. 30. She is a member of St. Jude Pearl, but also serves as a catechist at St. Martin Hazlehurst and as a co-leader for the young adults group at St. Richard Jackson. Martínez is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and has worked as an admissions counselor for the university.

Over the summer two events helped lead Martínez to apply for the position at the diocese. She had a beautiful, intimate experience with the Eucharist at the Southeast Pastoral Institute’s (SEPI) Young Latino Summer Leadership Institute at the end of July and then the occurrence of the ICE raids in Mississippi on Aug. 7.

As the child of immigrants, her madre from El Salvador and her padre from Mexico, Martinez’s “heart ached” after the raids.

“Members of the Body of Christ were hurting. I realized that God needed me here in Mississippi,” said Martínez, who had been considering moving out of state. “Then one Sunday after Mass, Angéle Bartholomew approached me and told me that the diocese was creating a new Office of Intercultural Ministry. She … believed I could make a difference in our community if I accepted the role.”

While the Office of Intercultural Ministry is new to the diocese, it is a connection to the past. In 1978, Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA was appointed by Bishop Joseph Brunini to direct the Office of Intercultural Affairs for the diocese. In this position Sister Thea was integral in renouncing racial prejudice and promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity. In that role, she balanced the challenge of encouraging Catholics to embrace our common faith while celebrating our diverse cultural heritages.

With Sister Thea’s example in mind the Department of Faith Formation saw a growing need to re-envision the offices of separate ministries to serve the needs of long standing and emerging cultural communities in the diocese. The Office of Intercultural Ministry is tasked with the primary goal of cultivating empowerment of Black Catholic, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Native American and other culture communities throughout the diocese.

The office will be staffed by two full-time employees, a coordinator for the office and an associate for youth and young adults.

Director of Faith Formation, Fran Lavelle is thrilled to have Martínez on board in the associate role.

“Daisey brings so many gifts to this ministry. She is a servant leader and is a natural at making people feel at ease and part of the group,” said Lavelle.
“She is deeply committed to her faith and deeply committed to serving God’s people. I am so excited to see how God uses her gifts serving the young people of our diocese.”

Martínez credits her mother for the deep faith she has today. “She introduced me to God, His love and so much more,” said Martínez.
The Department of Faith Formation hopes to have an announcement soon on the position of Coordinator for the Office of Intercultural Ministry.