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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MADISON – In observance of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the staff and residents of Campbell Cove at St. Catherine’s Village celebrated a “Paint it Purple” party on Friday, Sept. 27.
Much of the day centered on fun carnival-themed games and food, including cotton candy, popcorn, pizza and nachos. Employees honored all of those who are living with dementia, as well as those who have transitioned with a prayer service at which workers read the names of patients who have died. A bell is run for each person.
Residents helped with an eco-friendly balloon release after a prayer service.

By Berta Mexidor, Elsa Baughman and Linda Reeves
JACKSON – Parishioners of St. Therese in Jackson celebrated their patroness, St. Therese of Lisieux, Oct. 6 during a special bilingual Mass away from parish grounds at Camp Garaywa in Clinton.
This year marks the four-year anniversary of the celebration at the camp facilities to accommodate the large number of faithful wanting to participate in the parish celebration and to honor the saint. Padre Juan Chavajay, pastor of St. Therese, was main celebrant for the Mass held in the auditorium.

Padre Juan’s homily was mainly focused on the short life of St. Therese of the Child Jesus also known as the Little Flower, who continues to make a big impact on people from around the world. Therese, a role model of faith and love for Jesus, heard the call of God at age 15. It was only with the approval of her father and after special permission by Pope Leo XIII that the teen was allowed to enter the Carmelite congregation leaving her family, friends and possessions behind.
As a cloistered nun, she lived a simple life of prayer hidden inside the convent never going out on mission or ministry. After a short time, Therese became sick and tests revealed that she had tuberculosis. After a 10-year battle with the illness, Therese died at the young age of 24, but her life has lived on after the world came to know and love her through her autobiography.
At the center of padre Juan’s message was St. Therese’s great love for and faith in God. The young girl gave up everything to live a life of religious vocations and also turned to God during her most difficult times trusting in him as she suffered from her illness.
“Today we ask for her intercession so we can have the faith she had,” said padre Juan. “It’s easy to trust in God when things are going well but when problems arrive, we question our faith,” he said encouraging parishioners to continue to have faith in the Lord even during hard times.
At one point during the Mass, the children of St. Therese Parish processed to the altar with red roses in hand. They placed roses near the parish’s St. Therese image showcased at the front of the church. Padre Juan explained that the flowers were in memory of the great saint, who loved flowers and saw herself as a little flower of Jesus.

After the Mass, parishioners gathered for a pot-luck lunch in the dining hall made possible through the generous donors, who contributed dishes. Parishioners Eva Sanchez and Veronica Womack headed up the food committee and took care of all the details.
There were indoor and outdoor activities for the children arranged by Joel Montoya heading up the activity committee. At one point, the children hit piñatas with a large number four printed on them representing the fourth anniversary of the St. Therese celebration at Camp Garaywa.
Parishes everywhere celebrate St. Therese around Oct. 1 each year, the official feast day marked on the Church calendar. Bishop Joseph Kopacz recognized and paid tribute to the Little Flower during Mass celebration at St. Therese in Kosciusko on Sept. 29. Bishop Kopacz concelebrated Mass with Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity Father Odel Medina, pastor.
As part of celebrations, yellow and white roses adorned the Kosciusko parish’s St. Therese image, altar and church. Parishioners celebrated their patroness praying especially for the youth and family of the parish.
Bishop Kopacz explained that St. Therese was a model of faith and love in Christ and known for her spirituality of doing the ordinary with extraordinary love. Today, she is venerated around the world and takes on the title of co-patroness of missions, “because of her prayers and her way to reach others,” Bishop Kopacz said.

By Monsignor Elvin Sunds
JACKSON – One day a pastor was giving his fourth-grade religion class a tour of the church. As they went through the church, he pointed out the altar, tabernacle, pulpit, crucifix, baptismal font, book of Gospels, etc. He explained the significance and importance of each. Finally, at the end of the tour he said there was one more very important item.
He pointed to the exit sign at the main door of the church. He explained that if what we celebrate for one hour on Sunday morning does not make a difference in how we live the rest of the week, we have missed the purpose of our Sunday worship. As we exit the church, we cannot leave at the door what we celebrate in the Mass and read in the Scriptures. Our faith is not meant to be confined to the four walls of the church building. It is meant to be lived every day outside the walls of the church.
We find the same message in the Gospels. After giving us the Beatitudes Jesus says we are the light of the world. We must let our light shine before all “so that they may see the goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father” (Mt. 14-16). Likewise, in the Epistle of James (2:14-24), we read that faith without action is lifeless and worthless.

The Faith in Action Team of the Diocese of Jackson seeks to help Catholics and Catholic parishes put their faith into action. It supports the efforts of Catholic Charities to encourage and assist parishes in putting faith into action through service to the community especially to the marginalized and vulnerable. The Faith in Action Team also identifies and prioritizes issues that have an impact on human life and dignity in the diocese. It seeks to educate Catholics on those issues and solicit their support in addressing the issues.
A major activity of the Faith in Action Team of the Diocese of Jackson is organizing the annual Catholic Day at the Capitol. At the Catholic Day at the Capitol, Catholics gather to witness to our Catholic values concerning issues impacting the population of our state, especially the vulnerable and marginalized of the state. One to three priority issues are identified and addressed each year. Materials are developed to inform Catholics of these issues and how our Catholic values speak to the issues. This year’s Catholic Day at the Capitol is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2020. More information will be provided in the months ahead.
The Faith and Action Team is composed of volunteer laypersons, religious and clergy from around the diocese. Membership is open to all that desire to actively live their Baptismal call to be a “Visible sign of Christ’s love” to all, especially to the vulnerable and marginalized in our midst. The team meets monthly at the Jackson office of Catholic Charities. For more information on how you or your parish can be part of the Team or work with the Team, contact elvin.sunds@jacksondiocese.org.

(Editor’s Note: Frank Vollor is currently an attorney in Vicksburg. He felt moved to write a response to recent allegations of unfair treatment leveled against the Diocese of Jackson. His letter appeared in the Greenwood Commonwealth on Sept. 7 and the Clarion Ledger on Sept.15.

Contrary to the insinuation that the Catholic Church tried to cover up sexual abuse and was insensitive to the plight of the poor in the Clarion Ledger’s Sept. 5, 2019 article “Greenwood Man Struggles Still After Clergy Abuse,” the Catholic Church, in fact, aggressively pursued full disclosure of any abuse and attempted to provide spiritual, psychological and educational needs of the poor. In 1998, I was the Fitness Review Officer for the Diocese of Jackson when allegations of sexual abuse were first brought against Franciscan Brother Paul West by Rapheal Love, the brother of Joshua K. Love, the subject of the article. Paul West was the principal of St. Francis School in Greenwood.
I was asked to be the Fitness Review Officer on a volunteer basis because I had experience as an attorney prosecuting abuse cases and had helped establish the Child Abuse Prevention Center in Warren County.
In 1998, Rapheal Love first reported inappropriate touching and conduct by Brother Paul West to Brother Don Lucas. Brother Don Lucas in turn reported to others, who reported the allegation to me. I immediately contacted the Mississippi Department of Human Services who has an interest in child abuse cases. In addition, I reported the alleged abuse to the Greenwood police department. I have documents from the police department showing receipt of this abuse report. I then confronted Brother Paul West who strongly denied the allegation.
Even though Paul West was never prosecuted, indicted, tried or convicted and no judicial determination of abuse by civil authorities was made, the diocese proceeded as if the allegations were true. Brother Paul West was removed as principal and left Greenwood. He left the Franciscan order shortly thereafter. The diocese offered the entire Love family a liaison minister to meet their spiritual needs. In addition, the diocese offered professional psychological evaluation and counseling to Rapheal and the Love family to meet their psychological needs. At first, this psychological counseling was accepted by the Love family, but subsequently refused because they stated they were doing well.
After the reported abuse, the Diocese Review Committee authorized personal interviews to determine if there were additional allegations. The Diocese then arranged for an independent psychologist to conduct six workshops at St. Francis school. The workshops were age appropriate spanning four years old through 8th grade with visual aids including proper boundaries and where to seek help if boundaries are violated. These workshops where Joshua Love attended school did not reveal any further allegations of abuse. The diocese also sent a letter to all parents who had recently withdrawn their children from the school asking for their reasons and complaints. Again, no further abuse was identified.
When new allegations were made in 2018, 20 years later, I was not the Fitness Review Officer, but the official statement of the diocese indicates that the Franciscan Order of which Paul West was a member in 1998 is providing counseling, urged Joshua to have an attorney review any settlement, and settled with him. Again, that same year in 2018, the Diocese made public and published in the papers the new allegation as credible along with others. The Catholic Church aggressively pursued the allegations of sexual abuse and compassionately ministered to the families involved. The statements and insinuations concerning coverup and failure to hold church leaders accountable in that article are not true.
– Frank Vollor, Attorney at Law

The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that children served by the church are not at risk of sexual abuse by the Church personnel. Diocesan policies and procedures currently in place seek to protect, enhance and, in some cases, restore the trust that our faith calls for between agents of the Church and the children and adolescents entrusted to our care. The Diocese of Jackson wishes to encourage any victim of sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic Clergy to come forward and begin the healing process. We encourage any victim to contact Valerie McClellan, Victims Assistance Coordinator at 601-326-3728.

By Joanna Puddister King

MADISON – For 37 years golfers from around the diocese have come to compete in the annual Bishop’s Cup golf tournament hosted by The Catholic Foundation. This year, the tournament was held on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Lake Caroline and was chaired by Steve Carmody, who has chaired the event for the past 27 years.

Along with the tournament, a social, dinner and auction was held at the Mermaid Café for participants and Foundation supporters. Proceeds from the events assist the Foundation in funding grant projects around the diocese for parishes, schools and Catholic Charities. Some past projects supported have included vacation bible school supplies, parish building renovations, program supplies at the Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Shelter and Born Free programs, as well as STEM labs and playground equipment for schools.

“The tournament continues to grow each year, and we are always excited to see our golfers return. We would like to thank all of those that help to sponsor holes to make the tournament a success,” said Catholic Foundation executive director, Rebecca Harris.

This year Lester Diamond, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Paul Sego and David Sinclair sponsored by St. Dominic Health Care System came in first place with a score of 53. Tico Hoffman’s team came in second place with a score of 54 and the third-place winner was the Bank Plus team with a score of 55.

Ladies and gentlemen are encouraged to save the date for the next Bishop’s cup, set for Sept. 8, 2020.