Category Archives: Diocesan News

Obituary for Sister Mary Joan Mike

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Sister Mary Joan

NEW ORLEANS – Sister Mary Joan (aka Sister Mary Jo) Mike, the long-time principal of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Elementary School, passed away on January 2, at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans after a second battle with cancer. Sister Mary Jo was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on November 30, 1951.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Agnes Mike.
Sister Mary Jo is survived by her sibling sister, Judi Berger; her nieces and nephews; and her dearest friends, Margy and Dale Van Lerberghe of Port Clinton, Ohio.
Sister Mary Jo came to the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, from her Presentation Parish in St. Paul in 1970. She made her First Profession of religious vows in 1972 and her Final Profession in 1975. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the former Mary Manse College in Toledo and her Master’s from the University of Detroit. She taught in schools in Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Louisiana and served as principal in Ohio and Mississippi. She served on the Sylvanian Franciscan Health Board for several years. She also held leadership positions in the Diocese of Biloxi where she was the beloved Principal of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) Elementary school for 27 years. Sister Mary Jo mentored several generations of children in Biloxi and beyond.
Attesting to her superior work in education, Sister Mary Jo received the highly acclaimed Principal of the Year Award given by the National Catholic Education Association in 2015 held at their annual convention in Orlando. That same year, Sister Mary Jo served as a liaison to the Holy See in a symposium held for Catholic Education throughout the world.
She was awarded for her 25 years of service at Nativity BVM Elementary School in 2017 with a plaque and a ticket to the Saints/Viking opening game (being an avid football fan). Not only did Sister Mary Jo excel in leadership in our Catholic Schools, she was a valuable community leader in Biloxi highly respected for her willing cooperation with the City. Sister Mary Jo came to the assistance of the City of Biloxi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when she opened her school to the City’s first responders, whose facilities were heavily damaged and turned it into a “M.A.S.H. unit.” By her cooperation, the City’s firemen and policemen operated out of the school in the immediate days following the catastrophe. Despite the chaos, and amidst damaged buildings, Sister Mary Jo managed the school’s reopening for regular classes within only a few weeks after the storm.
Sister Mary Jo was an outstanding school principal. She helped develop Nativity BVM Elementary school as a premier Catholic elementary school excelling in academics, child health, sports, robotics, and faith. She was instrumental in developing the only Special Education component within the Catholic School System in the Diocese of Biloxi. Over the years, she built up a highly qualified and stable staff of teachers which the school enjoys even to this day.
To know Sister Mary Jo was to know someone who loved her vocation as a religious Sister and educator. She loved her God, her religious community, her students, co-workers and the many families she served. Her sense of humor, her ready smile, her bravery under duress (cancer and hurricanes) are just some of the characteristics of Sister Mary Jo Mike that will be dearly missed by the Sisters in her community, her sister, her family as well as the beloved people of Nativity BVM Mary Parish in Biloxi.
A visitation for Sister Mary Jo was held at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday evening, January 3. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, January 4. Sr. Mary Jo will be sent to Sylvania, Ohio for interment in Porta Coeli Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Sister Mary Jo requested that donations be made to The Nativity School Foundation. The proceeds from this perpetual foundation go directly to tuition reduction of the parents of school children. Donations should be mailed to Nativity School Foundation, P.O. Box 453, Biloxi, MS 39533-0453.

Diocesan Catholic Day at Capitol seeks restorative justice

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By Sue Allen
STARKVILLE – On Wednesday, February 27, Catholic Charities Office of Parish Social Ministry will again host a Catholic Day at the Capitol in Jackson. This day is an opportunity for Catholics to interact with their legislators as well as learn about key topics of interest from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching. The topic this year is reform aimed at restorative justice – especially in the criminal justice system. The diocesan Faith in Action Team (FIAT) works for months to organize this event annually.
Laws in the United States and here in Mississippi follow the traditional legal system inherited in part from English common law, which is adversarial and retributive in nature. That is, when a lawsuit is filed or a crime is thought to have been committed, a victim, through his lawyer, brings charges of wrongdoing against an offender, who, usually with the help of his lawyer, makes a defense. The two sides present their cases before a neutral judge and/or jury which makes a determination as to guilt. If found guilty, the offender is sentenced to an appropriate punishment. In Retributive Justice, punishment, retribution or retaliation is considered morally justifiable if the punishment is proportional to the offense. Even in this system, factors such as criminal intent, and competence are supposed to be taken into consideration. The mentally ill, intellectually disabled and children are not to be subject to punishment, although compensation of victims is still sought. Under a retributive system, individuals found to be guilty are required to be punished, to “pay their debt to society,” usually by “doing time” in facilities in which inhumane conditions exacerbate the problem, at great expense to society and which are ineffective as a deterrent to crime.
Restorative justice follows the model presented in the gospel and is more focused on restoring the community, and individual relationships to where they were before a crime was committed. In a restorative justice system, the truth about what happened and who is responsible is still sought. But the search for truth does not end there. Restoration of the health, wellbeing and/or material possessions of the victim – a relief of the victim’s spiritual and emotional suffering is sought, but not in a way which diminishes the dignity of the offender, who is helped to return to a condition of wholeness, holiness and reconciled participation in the community when that is possible. Christians are commanded to deal with injury, real or perceived, in ways that are loving, and non-judgmental, that is with forgiveness and mercy. And so real opportunities to ask for forgiveness and to be forgiven are provided when possible. This is truly a way to see and implement justice according to Gospel principles. It is also an approach to justice which happens to result in a number of other positive outcomes such as a reduction is recidivism, a reduction in the the overwhelming cost of running overcrowded prisons, finding and addressing the root causes of crime, and the of strengthening of families and communities as a whole.
Catholic Day at the Capitol will cover several aspects of this topic: prison reform, re-entry, ending the the death penalty and how to practice restorative justice in families, parishes and communities. Speakers include John Koufos, national director of reentry initiatives for Right on Crime and Haley M. Brown, Oktibbeha County prosecutor and law professor at Mississippi State University. The day starts at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle and wraps up with networking at 3 p.m. It will include Mass and lunch as well as a visit to the capitol building. Registration will be available soon on the Catholic Charities of Jackson website. Look for more detail on the topic of restorative justice in upcoming editions of Mississippi Catholic.

(Sue Allen is the coordinator for the Office of Parish Social Ministries for Catholic Charities of Jackson.)

Calendar of events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

Assisi Prayer Chain, The power of prayer is available to all those in need through the Assisi Prayer Chain. Details: (601) 937-5943 or (601) 214-3093 between 5-7 p.m.
BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, Feel the need to get away for one or several days of solitude and self-care? The Dwelling Place is a place of hospitality and prayer open to people of all Christian traditions. Treat yourself to an overnight, a weekend or longer to let God in. It can be a life-changing experience. They have everything you need – a beautiful quiet setting, a lovely chapel, library and good food! No stress! Just rest in the Lord. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com for more information.
CHATAWA St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center, “The Lenten Journey: A Couple’s Response to Christ’s Call” for married couples, Friday, March 8, through Sunday, March 10. Begins Friday at 4 p.m. until Sunday morning. Presenters: Lloyd and Jan Tate, both trained spiritual directors of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Suggested donation: $360 per couple. Details: Sr. Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 retreatcenter@ssndcp.org.
Saturday, March 9, A Lenten Day of Reflection – Chosen, Blessed, Broken and Shared, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Eucharist is the very pattern of our lives. Listen to the wisdom of Pope Francis as he calls us all to be sent in holiness. Presenter: Christine Ingrassia, who is a lay minister, graduate of Loyola Institute for Ministry and spiritual director. Suggested donation: $40, includes lunch. Details: Sister Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 retreatcenter@ssndcp.org.
CULLMAN, Ala., Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, Hildegard of Bingen: A Woman for Our Times, February 1-3. Explore the life and gifts of Hildegard of Bingen, a Benedictine visionary, artist, composer and physician who lived in the 1100s. Will include reflection on many of her visions, using her remarkable paintings and writings. Retreat Director: Sister Mary McGehee, OSB. Cost: $245; Shared room $205 per person. Details: (256) 734-8302, retreats@shmon.org or www.shmon.org.
VICKSBURG Prayer Ministry, The Mercy Associates are a group of lay men and women who work with the Sisters of Mercy to further the charism of mercy in our parishes and community. The group of 20 women is committed to pray for each intention several times each day for seven days. All prayer requests are held in complete confidentiality. Details: Contact Mercy Associate, Karen Harrison at (601) 397-7879 to submit a prayer request.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, 2019 Beginner Italian Language Class starts Thursday, January 17, at 6 p.m. at Delta State Ewing Hall. The class fee is $40 for the eight-week course. Professors Franco and Matteo Zengaro will teach the class. This is sponsored by the Italian American Cultural Society of the Delta. Details: contact David Malatesta at malatesta565@yahoo.com or the church office (662) 624-4301.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, “Awaken Our Hearts” Parish Mission by Father Joe Sica, January 27-30. The mission kicks off with a Family Concert featuring Matt Daniels on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Mission talks will be Monday through Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesdays there will be a meal served in the Parish Center at 5:30 p.m. Details: church office (662) 846-6273 or visit www.faithonfiremissions.org.
Spaghetti Supper, Thursday, February 7. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, January 27-29 Parish Mission by Jon Leonetti, author of the book, “The Art of Getting Over Yourself and Why You will Be Happier when you do” about discovering the freedom Christ offers by way of his life and love. Details: parish office (601) 856-2054.
GRENADA, St. Peter, Lifeline Screening, Thursday, February 7. They are offering this preventive health event. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems. There are three ways to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced about $129. Details: 1-888-653-6441 or visit https://lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to 797979 or the church office (662) 226-2490.
JACKSON St. Richard, Renewal Weekend by Gus Lloyd Friday, January 25, from 7-8 p.m. and Saturday, January 26, from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Gus is a national radio host, author, speaker and host of “Seize the Day” on Sirius XM’s The Catholic Channel. There is no charge, but registration is helpful for meal planning. A love offering will be collected. Details: church office (601) 366-2335 or www.saintrichard.com.

YOUTH BRIEFS

CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, Bible Adventure for Pre-4 through 2nd graders meets Sundays from 9:40-10:20 a.m. in the daycare room at St Elizabeth School. Details: church office (662) 624-4301
JACKSON St. Richard School Krewe de Cardinal, Friday, March 1, 7-11 p.m. at the Railroad District. Mardi Gras party with silent and live auction, live music and Creole Cusine. Tickets are $100 per couple. Details: www.strichardschool.org or (601) 366-1157.
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, St. Richard Parish gym. Saturday, Jan. 19 10:30 a.m. Open to boys and girls age 9-14. Participants do not have to attend St. Richard. Competition is free. Details: Rusty Haydel, (601) 953-9711.
MADISON St. Joseph School, “Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues,” Annual Draw Down, Saturday, February 23, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $130 and admit two adults; second chance insurance may be added for $20. Each ticket includes a chance to win $10,000. Scholarship opportunities available. Details: school office (601) 898-4800, tharris@stjoebruins.comor www.stjoebruins.com.

SAVE THE DATE

World Marriage Day, the Catholic Diocese of Jackson and the Office of Family Ministry is pleased to announce that the diocesan World Marriage Day Celebration will be held Sunday, February 24, at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. There will be Mass with a reception immediately following. The Mass honors all married couples, but invites those celebrating their 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries or any significant anniversary. Please contact your parish office for registration details. : For additional information, or questions, please call the Office of Family Ministry at 601-960-8487 or email Charlene Bearden at charlene.bearden@jacksondiocese.org .

U.S. bishops take part in weeklong retreat about clergy sex abuse crisis

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By Carol Zimmermann (CNS)
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Catholic bishops, including Bishop Joseph Kopacz of the Diocese of Jackson, took part in a closed-door retreat Jan. 2-8 at Mundelein Seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake near Chicago to prayerfully consider ways to rebuild trust over the clergy sex abuse crisis.

U.S. bishops receive Communion during Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Mundelein Seminary Jan. 3 at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Illinois, near Chicago. The U.S. bishops are on retreat Jan. 2-8 at the seminary, suggested by Pope Francis in September, which comes as the bishops work to rebuild trust among the faithful as questions continue to revolve around their handling of clergy sex abuse. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

“We are honored to welcome the bishops of the United States to Mundelein as they prayerfully unite to reflect on the urgent issues facing the Catholic Church today,” said Father John Kartje, rector of Mundelein Seminary in a statement.
He said it was fitting that the bishops were gathered where “seminarians come from around the nation to be formed into the next generation of parish priests and hundreds of lay men and women are trained for parish service.” He added: “The people of God deserve servant-leaders who are holy, joyful and competent in their ministry.”
Mundelein Seminary is the major seminary for the Archdiocese of Chicago and is the largest Catholic seminary in the United States. It currently has more than 200 seminarians from 34 dioceses across the country and around the world.
The structure of the retreat will emphasize quiet reflection, including silent meal times, and will offer daily Mass, time for personal and communal prayer before the Eucharist, vespers and an opportunity for confession. No ordinary business will be conducted.
Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household, led the retreat with the theme, “the mission of the apostles and their successors.” This time of prayer came at the suggestion of Pope Francis and was planned largely in response to last summer’s revelations of sex abuse that reached the highest levels of the U.S. church.
In a letter distributed to the bishops at the start of the gathering, Pope Francis said he was convinced their response to the “sins and crimes” of abuse and “the efforts made to deny or conceal them” must be found through “heartfelt, prayerful and collective listening to the word of God and to the pain of our people.”
“As we know,” he said, “the mentality that would cover things up, far from helping to resolve conflicts, enabled them to fester and cause even greater harm to the network of relationships that today we are called to heal and restore.”
Prior to the retreat’s start, Msgr. Jeffrey D. Burrill, associate general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told CNS that more than 200 bishops were expected to attend. Active U.S. bishops number 271 and there are 185 retired bishops.
A few bishops have tweeted about the retreat and asked for prayers. Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, tweeted en route to the retreat: “Pray for us that our response to the call to holiness will be renewed and that we will be faithful shepherds according to the mind and heart of Christ and his apostolic Church.”
New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan asked for prayers in his tweet, which described the retreat as means to “respond to important matters facing the Church. Our first reliance is upon the Lord’s grace (and) mercy. Without intense prayers for healing, guidance, in reparation, we will not be successful.”
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Connecticut, tweeted praise for the opening remarks of Father Cantalamessa, which he said focused on the “need to choose the right priorities around which we can live our daily lives. Of course, a central priority is daily prayer.”
During the retreat, many Catholics were joining in prayer for its success.
The website of Mundelein Seminary encouraged people to “join our seminary community in an online prayer chain for the healing of the Catholic Church,” suggesting that Catholics pray the rosary, attend daily Mass, engage in an act of penitential sacrifice or simply offer the prayer posted on their website – https://bit.ly/2VrAlST – called “Prayer for the Healing of Our Church.”
St. Maximilian Kolbe Shrine, adjacent to the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Libertyville, Illinois, was conducting its usual 24-hour adoration during the bishops’ retreat with specific emphasis on praying for the bishops.
Its website urged Catholics who could not pray at the shrine to pray at their own parish adoration chapel that the bishops’ retreat would be “truly guided by the Holy Spirit.”
Conventual Franciscan Father Benedict La Volpe, the shrine’s rector, told Catholic News Service that the shrine, where perpetual adoration “has been nonstop since 1928” has had more participants since the bishops’ retreat began Jan. 2.
He stressed that abuse victims are always in the church’s prayers but during this time of retreat, there is an urgency to pray for the bishops, specifically, that they “understand what happened and what needs to happen.”
The priest, who was going to hear confessions during the retreat, said he hoped the bishops would take away from this gathering the importance of taking time to “pause, pray, reflect and convert.”

Follow Zimmermann on Twitter: @carolmaczim)

Faith Formation conference registration open

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All those involved in leading formational ministries are invited to attend the Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference to be held in New Orleans, January 10-12, 2019. The theme for this year’s regional conference is “Go Forth: That All May Be One”. This conference is for anyone involved with religious education, adult formation, RCIA, youth ministry, music ministry, liturgy or Catholic schools. Featured keynote presenters include Jason Angelette and Dr. Joann Paradise as well as multiple breakout sessions covering a variety of topics and disciplines. Please visit the event website for registration information and conference schedule – https://go4th.faith/

Our Lady of Guadalupe holds special place in Diocese of Jackson

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Por Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz and dozens of priests celebrated Masses to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe around the entire diocese in early and mid-December. Guadalupe is not the only Marian feast this month.December, 8 marks the Immaculate Conception of the blessed Virgin. The next day, December 9 is dedicated to St. Juan Diego, the man she appeared to in Mexico. The feast for the Virgin of Guadalupe is on December 12.
Miracles, love, fulfillment and hope are some of the symbolic “roses” the Virgin of Guadalupe gives to each of her children when they are coming for her help. These roses of faith are found in the path of each Guadalupano.
The love and admiration of St. Juan Diego have been passed down to his spiritual children. While most reside in Mexico, in Mississippi, many immigrants have brought their devotion to the parishes in the Diocese of Jackson. Mississippi Catholic staff members traveled to a number of these celebrations to showcase the variety of cultures and celebrations.
“Divine consolation, light of all roads”
Pearl. Ismael and Nadia Garcia paid their respects to the Virgin, whose love “has strengthened my faith, the virgin is my adoptive mother” Luis said, and Nadia danced for her with joy.
“Her name is Guadalupe and she’s my brunette virgin”
Forest. “It is a pride to celebrate our mother,” said María Aurora García, who prepared the costumes and the dancers for a cross-city procession.
“I know that your mantle covers us with zeal”
Pontotoc. Hilda Morales and her grandson Sammy Almeida carried the images of the Virgin of Guadalupe and San Juan Diego in the procession. “For us it is very significant to see how traditions are passed from grandparents to grandchildren. Sammy is very devoted to the Virgin of Guadalupe thanks to the examples of faith of his mother and grandmother,” explained Danna Johnson of St. Christopher Parish.
“White dove, mother of the creator, … you charm my heart “
Cathedral of St. Peter. Dancing, a sea-shell trumpet, incense and faith without shoes: these are some of the attributes of the” Aztec Dance” group created in 2012 and led by Celia Alemán. Their celebration included a rosary procession during which “… a sea shell is blown to the four winds, as a sign of gratitude for the goods received,” and as a signal to begin the next dance explained Alemán. “I’m also brown-skinned and I come to sing”
The five Guadalupean Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit working in the diocese: Sisters Obdulia Olivar, María Eugenia Moreno, Magdalena Carrillo, María Josefa García and María Elena Méndez, celebrated this day with the renewal of their vows inspired by the Liberating Message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“In heaven, you listen to my song”
Father Anthony Quyet of Vietnam, pastor at the Cathedral, joins in the procession of faith and love for the Virgin every year.
“I cannot leave without telling you a thousand thanks”
Msgr. Michael Flannery, in his homily at St. Francis, Madison, explained: “For Latin Americans, Mary is doubly our Mother: spiritual mother for being the mother of the Church and for giving us Jesus Christ and mother in second place for having inspired and protected the birth of our peoples. The Latin people are united by many things: the earth, the past, the language, the Christian faith and in a special way, the devotion to Mary.”

MADISON

CARTAGE

HAZELHURST

CLEVELAND

INDIANOLA

KOSCIUSKO

SOUTHAVEN

TUPELO

MERIDIAN

JACKSON

FOREST

 

PEARL

 

Tome Nota

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Semana Nacional de la Migración

Tupelo, St. James. Domingo, 6 de enero de 2 p.m. a 4 p.m. Inauguración con celebración de la epifanía. Presentación con el Prof. Carlos Horacio Toro Escobar, SEPI.
Corinth, St. James. Martes 8 de enero de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. Clínica Jurídica Gratuita por Caridades Católicas
Tupelo, St. James y Vardaman.Viernes 11 de enero de
10 a.m. a 2 p.m. Conversación del padre Sean Carroll, S.J. de Kino Border Initiative con miembros de la comunidad en Vardaman
De 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. Misa juvenil conmemorativa por la Semana Nacional de la Migración con el p. Carroll y el obispo Kopacz
Tupelo, St. James. Sábado, 12 de enero de 9 a.m. a 2 p.m. Celebración de clausura “Cultura de encuentro” con Misa y cultura hispana.

Las Rosas de la Virgen Morena

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Por Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – El Obispo Joseph Kopacz y decenas de sacerdotes celebraron misas a la Virgen de Guadalupe alrededor de toda la diócesis. Desde el día 9, día de San Juan Diego, los feligreses dieron gracias a la Virgen de Guadalupe. El día 12 de diciembre estuvo colmado de rosarios, procesiones, y rosas que adornaron los altares de varias parroquias. Las celebraciones culminaron el pasado domingo 16 de diciembre.
Milagros, amor, cumplimiento y esperanza son algunas de las rosas simbólicas que la Virgen de Guadalupe regala a cada uno de sus hijos cuando se acercan a ella para ir al encuentro de su hijo Jesucristo.
Estas rosas de fe son encontradas en el camino de cada Guadalupano. El amor y admiración de San Juan Diego a su niña, como el la llamaba, se transmitió a cada uno de sus hijos, repartidos hoy por todo el mundo. Versos llenos de poesía, en las canciones de amor dedicadas a ella, translucen el significado de su nombre y el llamado a seguir sus consejos.
“Se llama Guadalupe y es mi virgen morena”
Pearl. Alba Ruiz, colombiana y católica, es dueña de una de las tres tiendas “La Guadalupe” fundadas por Hernán Bermúdez y Cristina Garcera en honor a la virgen. Las tres ‘La Guadalupe’ se han convertido en un centro de referencia para los latinos.
“Virgen morena, reina de la esperanza”
Forest. “Es un orgullo celebrar a nuestra madre”, así dice María Aurora García quien elaboró los trajes y preparó a los bailarines “…queremos que nuestros hijos no pierdan la tradición” concluye.
“Consuelo divino, luz de todos los caminos”
Pearl. Ismael y Nadia García le presentan sus respetos a la virgen. Los dos se han encargado por dos años de preparar esta celebración en St. Jude cuando recibieron todo el apoyo del padre Lincoln. Luis dice que el amor a la virgen “ha fortalecido mi fe, la virgen es mi madre adoptiva” y Nadia baila para la Virgen.
“Sé que con celo nos cubre tu manto”
Pontotoc. Hilda Morales y su nieto Sammy Almeida portan las imágenes de la Virgen de Guadalupe y San Juan Diego en la procesión. “Para nosotros es muy significativo ver como las tradiciones son pasadas de los abuelos a sus nietos. Sammy es ahora un joven, nacido aquí en los Estados Unidos, y muy devoto a la Virgen de Guadalupe gracias a los ejemplos de fe que ha visto en su madre y en su abuela”, cuenta Danna Johnson del Decanato Cinco.
“Paloma blanca, madre del creador, … a mi corazón encantas”
Catedral de San Pedro. Danza azteca, llamado del caracol, incienso y fe sin zapatos. Estos son algunos de los atributos del grupo de baile dirigido por Celia Alemán. Desde el 2012 este grupo presenta, además de la danza azteca, bailes folclóricos mexicanos. La celebración incluye una procesión simultánea con el rosario, incienso y en cada reposo” …se suena el caracol a los cuatro vientos, en señal de agradecimiento por los bienes recibidos… y se comienza a bailar” explica Celia
“Yo también soy morena y te vengo a cantar”
Las cinco Hermanas Misioneras Guadalupanas del Espíritu Santo que trabajan en la diócesis: Obdulia Olivar, María Eugenia Moreno, Magdalena Carrillo, María Josefa García y María Elena Méndez celebran este día de forma muy especial, con la renovación de sus votos y compartiendo luego con los feligreses de las parroquias donde sirven. Ellas llevan el nombre de Guadalupanas “inspiradas en el Mensaje Liberador de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe” según su carisma Misionero Sacerdotal-Guadalupano. Ellas sirven en Estados Unidos, México, República Dominicana, Bolivia, Colombia y en Misisipi por los últimos 16 años. Ellas son testigos de la extensión del amor guadalupano en los diversos lugares adonde llegan y muy en especial en la Diócesis de Jackson. La hermana Ma. Elena en su tesis de grado escribió “Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe sigue estando presente en las vidas de quienes entran en relación con ella…. integró en ella a dos razas en una, la indígena y la española y unió a todo el continente americano.”
“En el cielo, tu escuchas mi canto”
El padre Anthony Quyet, de Vietnam, ha estado con los latinos celebrando misas en español en la catedral. Cada año los acompaña en la procesión de fe, respeto y amor por la Virgen y ellos se lo agradecen.
“No me puedo ir sin decirte mil gracias”
Monseñor Flannery, mariano y de espíritu latino, en su homilía resumió” Para los Latinoamericanos, María es doblemente nuestra Madre: madre espiritual por ser ella la madre de la Iglesia y por habernos dado a Jesucristo y madre en segundo lugar por haber inspirado y protegido el nacimiento de nuestros pueblos. En realidad, a los pueblos latinos nos unen muchas cosas: la tierra, el pasado, la lengua, la fe cristiana y de manera especial, la devoción a María.”
(Maureen Smith, Danna Johnson, Francis and Tereza Ma, Hermana María Elena Méndez, MGSpS, Ismael García, Blanca Peralta, Antonio Espino, Elsa Baughman, Janice Stansell, Celia Alemán, Laura Mendoza y José Hernández contribuyeron con este reportaje.

MADISON

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HAZELHURST

CLEVELAND

INDIANOLA

KOSCIUSKO

SOUTHAVEN

TUPELO

MERIDIAN

JACKSON

FOREST

 

PEARL

 

In memorial

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Deacon Ted Klingen

Deacon Theodore J. Klingen (Ted), 87 years old, died December 15, 2018, in Oxford. A funeral Mass was set for Wednesday, December 19, at Oxford St. John the Evangelist Parish.
Dr. Klingen served on active duty as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from St. Louis University and a doctorate from Florida State University. He joined the faculty of the University of Mississippi in 1964. He served as a Professor of Chemistry until he retired in 1999. He also served as Director of the Department of Health and Safety from 1980 to 1999. He held numerous patents in the field of physical and nuclear chemistry and published 30 scientific papers. In 1992 he was appointed by the Governor as the Mississippi representative on the Southeast Compact Commission and to the State Department of Health Radiation Advisory Council. He served in these capacities until his retirement. In July 1982, he was ordained by the late Bishop William R. Houck as permanent deacon in the Diocese of Jackson. He served in this capacity at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford until his death. He also served as a volunteer chaplain for the Oxford Police Department and Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi.
Dr. Klingen is survived by his wife of 60 years, Maura. He is also survived by his daughter, Anne M. Klingen, and his son, Joseph Klingen (and Mary Anne Klingen) of Houston, TX, and two grandchildren, Dr. Joseph T. Klingen and Mary Helen Klingen. Donations or memorials in honor of Dr. Klingen may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 416 South 5th Street, Oxford, MS 38655 or the charity of your choice.
In honor of Dr. Kingen’s service to his country, the flag of the United States Air Force will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.

Mother, daughter find comfort, care camaraderie at St. Catherine’s Village

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MADISON – A Last year, when Lynette Hegwood lost her husband to cancer, she decided it was time to consider alternatives to assist her with the challenges of living alone. And she could think of no better place than where her mother, Flora “Flo” Mullins, has lived for more than a decade — St. Catherine’s Village. Now, daughter and mother live just one floor apart at the all-inclusive life care community in Madison, Mississippi.
“I was familiar with St. Catherine’s Village’s respected reputation,” said Lynette. “In 2004, when my husband’s mom was living with Parkinson’s disease, we accompanied her when she looked at several senior living communities. We kept coming back to St. Catherine’s Village because it offered multiple levels of care — independent living in apartments and garden homes, assisted living in Marian Hall, memory care in Campbell Cove, and skilled nursing in Siena Center.”

MADISON – Flo Mullins, her daughter Lynnette Hegwood and Hegwood’s service dog Prophet all enjoying independent living at St. Catherine’s Village (Photo courtesy of St. Catherine’s Village)

“My mother-in-law did not immediately warm up to the idea of moving, but she made the decision on her own,” said Lynette. Part of the reason was because St. Catherine’s Village offered a mission-focused environment that encourages residents in all levels to enjoy fullness of life, health and faith.
At this same time, Lynette’s own mother, Flo, became ready to leave the hassles and maintenance of her old home behind and gain more freedom.
“They were both living alone in their own houses and my husband and I were going back and forth to help them take care of yards and chores. It kept us busy,” Lynette explained. With the promise of a family Alaskan cruise after their moves as an incentive, Lynette’s mother and mother-in-law packed their belongings and the two women moved into St. Catherine’s Village between May and July, 2004.
“Over the next 14 years, I got to know so many residents and employees at St. Catherine’s Village. They all hold your hand whenever you need them. They became — and continue to be — our extended family,” she said.
It was only natural, then, when Lynette felt it was her time to consider benefits offered to residents at St. Catherine’s Village, she chose the life care community, too, even though her son and his family offered to move both Lynette and Flo near them in Pennsylvania. Plus, Flo knew so many people at St. Catherine’s Village that Lynette immediately had a built-in network of friends.
“If anyone here isn’t happy, I haven’t met them,” she laughed. “This is such a caring environment, you’ll never get as many hugs as you do here.”
When deciding which apartment to choose, Lynette thought, “I want to be close to mom,” adding that “it would be nice if she could bring me some chicken noodle soup every once in a while.”
Lynette’s one-bedroom apartment, which has been described as a showplace for Ikea furniture, is in the same building as her mother’s. However, Flo recently had hip surgery and is recovering in another level of care until she is able to return to her apartment in independent living.
“We have a bit of a role reversal now,” said Flo. “But we are thankful to have each other.”
Lynette was quick to point out that the independent living apartments “aren’t your mother’s nursing home!” As a second-generation St. Catherine’s Village resident, she has — with the help of her neighbors — energized the atmosphere on her floor by creating a gathering place set up for card games or happy hour with a Keurig coffee bar and an Alexa that plays relaxing music. This casual gathering spot allows everyone to get together spontaneously.
“Planned activities are good, but we like to do our own thing, too,” said Lynette.
Flo agreed. “I worked as an activity director in a nursing home before … and I’ve had enough Bingo.”
Now, Flo crochets clothes for American Girl dolls and leads the singing at Sunday morning church service. And she plays the dulcimer — an Appalachian mountain string instrument. She also has a green thumb and is pretty handy.
Beyond their living arrangements, both women also appreciate the care and security of St. Catherine’s Village. No one gets past the front gate without authorization by a resident or staff. And St. Catherine’s Village emergency responders have first-hand experience addressing health needs.
“I am a Type 1 diabetic and contend with low glucose,” said Lynette. “In the wee hours one morning I called security and they — along with nursing — arrived to assist me. They were top notch, even better than 911. It’s reassuring to have a registered nurse and security available 24 hours each day.”
Lynette also had committed to having a service dog for her diabetes prior to coming to St. Catherine’s Village. Complying with the Americans with Disability Act, management happily worked with Lynette to ensure her service animal was welcome and accommodated. The one-year-old black lab, Prophet, was delivered in November.
“The hole in my heart that arose after my husband passed away has been filled by the people at St. Catherine’s Village,” said Lynette. “You never have to be alone if you don’t want to be.”
Even though there are on average 475 residents at St. Catherine’s Village, the staff makes each and every one feel like the most important person. It is the first all-inclusive life care community in Mississippi to earn accreditation by CARF-CCAC. This “commitment to excellence” seal signifies that the campus exceeds the standards established by the only international accrediting body for CCRCs.
“I can’t talk to anyone without finding out how much they love it here,” said Lynette.
St. Catherine’s Village is a service of St. Dominic Health Services, Inc. and is sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. The private, gated community boasts 160 acres of wooded grounds, protected and beautiful outdoor spaces, and unparalleled facilities that provide the right care at the right time for those in their retirement years.
Speaking from experience — her mother-in-law went through every level of care at St. Catherine’s Village — Lynette noted that “at whatever stage or age, St. Catherine’s Village has something for everybody.”
To learn more about St. Catherine’s Village, log onto www.StCatherinesVillage.com or call (601) 856-0123 to schedule a tour.