Category Archives: Featured

Ite ad Joseph – go to Joseph: patron inspires special devotion

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By Mark Shoffner

GREENVILLE – On Monday March the 20, St. Joseph parish celebrated their patron with a joint school Mass, Litany to St. Joseph and the construction of a St. Joseph Altar. The celebration was the first of its kind in Greenville. I was able to coordinate and construct with the support of our priests and the administration and faculty at the school to really do something special for our patron.

Building altars to those we venerate is not an unusual thing in Catholic tradition. We have altars to our Blessed Mother and her various apparitions, our patron saints in our parishes and altars are constructed along eucharistic processions as places to stop and pray. The history of St. Joseph altars go back to the Middle Ages on the island of Sicily.

The island of Sicily was struck by a great drought that devastated the local crops. Fields became so barren that nothing new could be cultivated for many years. The only crop that would grow was the humble fava bean. This large bean had been previously grown only as livestock feed, now it was seemingly the sole source of nourishment for the island and its starving people and animals. Such terrible conditions lead the Sicilian people to pray fervently to St. Joseph, their patron, to deliver them from the famine. And deliver them, he did.

The rains returned, the crops flourished and the people, once at risk of starvation, now rejoiced at the blessings God had granted them. In order to show gratitude to St. Joseph for his fatherly help in their time of great need, the Sicilians constructed an altar filled with fresh fruit and vegetables that the rains had enabled them to grow.

Over time, this tradition grew to its current form: colorfully decorated altars with fava beans, elaborate cakes, traditional Italian cookies, fresh produce, as well as statues and images of St. Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus and notable Italian saints such as St. Lucy, St. Francis and St. Benedict. This tradition made its way to the United States when masses of Sicilian immigrants came through the port of New Orleans and today this devotion to St. Joseph is still very active, especially in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Traditionally, all the food on an altar is donated and then distributed to the poor, ensuring that the blessings St. Joseph wins for us are passed on to others.

The elementary and high school children learned and practiced special music from old hymnals in honor of St. Joseph and joyfully sang out during the Mass. The school was led in the recitation of the litany of St. Joseph by Father Bill Henry, pastor of St. Joseph, and SGA Vice President Carson Mansour.

The big reveal came when the children gathered in the cafetorium and were led in the blessing of the altar by Father Tom Mullally, SVD, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Greenville. He blessed the altar and the children with a shower of holy water. The children wrote prayer petitions to St. Joseph and received a cupcake after they toured the altar to view all its components. Surrounding the altar were nearly 2,000 cans of food which the children had collected to go to our local St. Vincent de Paul Society to help the disadvantaged in Greenville. Just like centuries ago, St. Joseph fed the hungry who prayed to him.

It was truly a sight to behold. This kind of celebration for our patron had never occurred in our parish and I was glad I was able to bring something I learned down in Louisiana back to the parish. Our lives as Catholics involve more than praying and going to Mass. Our Catholic faith is full of traditions big and small that extend into our communities and cultures as well as help us grasp and understand the faith. This tradition I’m sure has helped us locally to reach out to the Protector of the Church and our patron, St. Joseph.

(Mark Shoffner helps with Faith Formation at Greenville St. Joseph Parish)

Patron Joseph inspires special devotion

Bishop tours ecumenical pregnancy test center

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By Gene Buglewicz

Bishop Joseph Kopacz, inspects hand-made infant blankets and caps in the Baby Boutique while visiting. Infant supplies are earned by clients who attend prenatal and parenting classes. Mothers can exchange points they earn for needed supplies in the Baby Boutique. Classes are given by volunteer staff at the Center. (Photo by Gene Buglewicz)

Bishop Joseph Kopacz, inspects hand-made infant blankets and caps in the Baby Boutique while visiting. Infant supplies are earned by clients who attend prenatal and parenting classes. Mothers can exchange points they earn for needed supplies in the Baby Boutique. Classes are given by volunteer staff at the Center. (Photo by Gene Buglewicz)

 

OXFORD – It isn’t often a Pregnancy Test Center hosts the bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, but Bishop Joseph Kopacz spent 90 minutes visiting with Rebecca Bishop, executive director of the Pregnancy Test Center of Oxford, two volunteer members of the center’s board of directors, Rosann Hudson and Louisa Arico, and volunteer consultant Marge Hinton. All three volunteers are members of St. John the Evangelist Parish.

Bishop Kopacz, invited by Knights of Columbus Council 10901, was able to schedule a visit to the Pregnancy Test Center before a scheduled meeting at St. John to outline the planning and implementation of the new mission, vision and diocesan priorities.

After listening to the mission of the Center and the emotional, physical and operational aspects of working with women who seek help there, Bishop Kopacz toured the facility, including the ultrasound clinic. Here the ultrasound technician can project a view of the unborn baby on a large screen for the mother and father and see the baby’s beating heart, face, fingers and toes to prove the tissue is truly a person. According to Ms. Bishop, this is the most crucial part of the counseling process. Overall, 70 percent of young parents will choose life for their baby, whether it be through adoption or as parents, after viewing the new life inside.

The center provides the couple support on their journey. One critical portion of the physical support given to client families is clothing and supplies found in the Pregnancy Test Center’s Baby Boutique. Bishop Kopacz learned that clients can attend prenatal and parenting classes and earn points which can be cashed in for newborn supplies such as diapers, clothing, blankets, even bibs.

According to Ms. Bishop, the most gratifying part of their ministry is welcoming the return of young children to the Pregnancy Test Center with their former client mothers.

The Pregnancy Test Center is supported by approximately 30 churches in the Oxford and Lafayette County area, including St. John the Evangelist and Knights of Columbus Council 10901. The Pregnancy Test Center employs three salaried staff members, with nine volunteer consultants who work directly with the clients. Many individuals and community organizations including the Rebels for Life student organization from the University of Mississippi provide on-call logistical support. The Center depends on donations and gifts from churches and organizations, and receives no state or federal funds.

Catholic Charities Migrant Resource Center leads know your rights workshops

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CANTON – Immediately after the Spanish-language Mass at Sacred Heart Parish, Nancy Sanchez, Matthew Young and Amelia McGowan put on a very short “know your rights” presentation about what to do in case of an encounter with ICE or the police. The three are all on staff at Catholic Charities’ Migrant Resource Center.

“We particularly spoke about what to do if ICE or the police come to your home or work, or if you are stopped in a roadblock, as most people seemed to be concerned about that,” said Amelia McGowan, attorney for the center. “We used a guide from the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC),” McGowan added. Close to 100 people attended the presentation.

“Because we have received a human trafficking grant, I also discussed human trafficking briefly, as some of our clients have fallen victim to labor trafficking, and many are particularly vulnerable to it,” McGowan explained.

After the presentation, Matthew and McGowan provided legal screenings for interested individuals. About 25 people stayed for the screenings.

“For those individuals, we reviewed their particular situations to see if they might qualify for an immigration benefit, such as a U visa for certain victims of violent crimes, a family petition, asylum, etc. We provided those screenings so that people would know what their legal options may be if they are undocumented and would like to stay in the United States,” said McGowan.

This presentation as part of a grant, the Legal Screening Pilot Project, the Migrant Resource Center received from CLINIC. The purpose of the grant is to provide outreach, education and legal screenings to immigrants – especially undocumented immigrants – throughout the state. Starting in the end of February, the center has conducted these presentations/screenings in Corinth, Greenwood, Jackson, Tupelo and Canton. The staff will host one more in Natchez on a date to be determined. “So far, we have spoken to about 550 in group presentations, and 175 individually,” said McGowan.

She said her staff is available to other communities who see a need for education and screenings. “If any parish or community organization is interested in a presentation/legal screening event, they can call us at (601) 948-2635 or email us at immclinic@catholiccharitiesjackson.org.”

Know your rights workshop

St. Richard breaks ground on Special Kids expansion

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JACKSON – St. Richard Catholic Church held a blessing and groundbreaking for the start of the new special kids’ and boy scout building on Sunday, March 26 after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.

The new 3,000 square foot building, located across the street from the church, will be completed for the start of the 2017 fall semester.

The area for special kids will contain a classroom with one-on-one areas, art room, kitchen and work room. The scout space will have a large room for meeting and group activity along with three smaller classrooms for meeting, and ample storage room for all their camping supplies.

Kim Turner is the director of the Special Kids Program at St. Richard. The program is designed to help high school students with developmental disabilities. Anthony Warren, senior staff writer for the Northside Sun recently interviewed her about the program the new facility.

What exactly is the Special Kids Program?

“It’s a ministry that provides individual programs to students with developmental disorders. The programs depend on each student. Each child’s goal is different. One might strive to study academics, while one strives to learn life skills and live alone. That’s the ministry.”

Is the program part of the St. Richard school?

“No; the elementary does have a ‘Special Kids’ program, but it’s separate from us. We are a separate ministry of the church.”

What ages do you serve?

“Ages 13 to 21, and we are looking at (expanding) to include an adult program as well.”

I want to go back and ask about the adult program. Why is St. Richard looking at doing that? Also, what age group will the new program serve?

“There seems to be a need. There are great places out there, but some of the students like our program and we just see a need. We’re just in the beginning process of it. We’re not sure where it’s going to lead yet.”

Is the program free for students?

“No, there is a tuition.”

Is Special Kids open only to Catholic students?

“Absolutely not. Anyone is welcome.”

What disabilities do you serve?

“We have a range of children with special needs. There’s not one specific.”

How many instructors do you have?

“We have three teachers, and then we have a lot of volunteers who come in and teach art, dance. Everything is very scheduled, so we have times for them to come in and work with (the students).”

In addition to tuition, how does Special Kids raise money?

“We have a golf tournament every year. This year, it will be October 5. We also have contributors (who give) throughout the year. We have a huge raffle for a weekend at Perdido Key that also raises money. The golf tournament is at Deerfield.”

Let’s switch gears and talk about the new building project. Why is a new facility needed?

“We were in a building that we have just outgrown. We have taken that property and are building the special kids building and also a Boy Scout building. We needed more space and that would be more of an educational space to benefit students.”

Is the building just for improving the experience for current students, or do you hope to expand Special Kids to serve more teens?

“Both; right now, we don’t have a limit of how many students we’ll take, but we have a goal of having 10 or 12. We are creeping up to that number now, and we just need more space. We’ve designed the new building to be the best for these students. There’s a kitchen area, a social area, a classroom area, and also – this is my favorite part – an open space that will provide for one-on-one interaction with students, where teachers can work with the children, and where children can have areas for iPads, art (and the like).”

How are students chosen to participate in Special Kids?

“We meet with parents and students and decide if it’s a good fit for them. We talk to parents about the goals they have for their children, and if our program fits those goals, they’re in.”

How long are students with the Special Kids program?

“Nobody’s left since I’ve been here, and I’ve been here four years now. (Students) finish out at 21. Hopefully, we’ll get an adult program next year and (graduates) will go into that, if that is their desire.”

Is Special Kids’ objective to make all of its students independent, in terms of being able to live on their own?

“I wish I could say there is one specific goal, but each child is different. If it is the desire of the student and parents that the student should live independently, then yes, that is what we’re going for. There may be some children where that is not the goal. They may want to learn (to prepare) their own food. We strive for students to be as independent as possible.”

(Interview reprinted from the Northside Sun Newspaper.)

Father John Bohn, pastor of St. Richard Parish, blesses the ground where a new building to house the Special Kids and Boy Scout programs will be built across from the church. (Photo by Maureen Smith)

Bishop, team roll out new plan, detail implementation structure

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By Maureen Smith

JACKSON – All of the rollout sessions for the new mission, vision and pastoral priorities are scheduled to be finished by Thursday, April 6. In all, Bishop Joseph Kopacz’ team led implementation sessions in nine parishes selected in hopes of making it possible for people from all parishes to attend if they would like. During the first seven sessions, more than 500 people representing more than half of the parishes came.

The point of the rollout sessions was two-fold. Bishop Kopacz wanted people who attended last year’s listening sessions to hear the data gathered and learn how it was turned into the new mission, vision and priorities. The other goal of the sessions was to work with the parish representatives who will be integrating the new material into their parish community life. The teams got a training session in how to write SMART goals and got time to practice how that is done.

In addition to parish presentations, Bishop Kopcaz and Father Kevin Slattery, vicar general for the diocese, presented the priorities to school administrators during their retreat. Catherine Cook, superintendent of Catholic Schools, said each school community will use the mission, vision and priorities as they plan their next couple of academic years.

From here, pastors will form teams and begin the process of writing and working on goals specific to their communities. Bishop Kopacz has appointed a resource person to each parish. This person has already undergone training in how to charter a team and what SMART goals should look like.

Members of the resource team are available to present workshops to the parish teams, but are not meant to direct the plans in any way. They will offer regular reports to Bishop Kopacz on how each parish is doing on writing and executing their goals.

Pam Minninger is one of the resource people. She said she is already seeing the fruits of this work. “Of course, it takes a bit of time to digest the idea of SMART goals and how to formulate them, but once the work begins the parish teams seem to be really energized and ready to set some good goals for their parishes,” she said. “In today’s world, we seem to move through our days, weeks, months, just ‘getting things done’ and forget to set goals and live our lives deliberately and with thought. I think teams are seeing the need, the wisdom, and the potential in taking the time to set goals and deliberately address the way the vision statements can be lived,” added Minninger.

This priority plan is meant to be a three to five year project. Parishes may decide to concentrate their efforts on one or maybe two priorities. Some larger parishes may be able to tackle all three at once. Each parish team learned that they should dream big, but concentrate their efforts on two or three SMART goals at a time. Once they meet those, the pastor can convene a new team, or keep the existing one to write new goals for another priority.

As the resource people report to the bishop, a new Envisioning team will consider how to adjust the priorities for the future.

Members of the parish teams each received booklets with the vision, mission and priorities outlined. The books include desired outcomes for the diocese as a whole and pages where team members can write their own thoughts or goals. Additional books are available to any parish who may need them.

The diocesan department of communications has developed an entire section of the website where anyone can read the new vision, mission and priorities and find resources for using them in groups or if an individual would like to take on a personal reflection of the plan. The new website is available from the homepage for the diocese, www.jacksondiocese.org. Look for Pastoral Priorities in the upper right corner.

Turn to pages 8-9 of this edition to see each priority and the detailed outcomes. In coming months, look in Mississippi Catholic for updates on the rollout and success stories.

 

VISION:

This is the new Vision Statement and logo. The Vision: Embrace Diversity, Serve Others, Inspire Disciples, is wrapped around the logo in a circular way to symbolize that they are all of equal importance. One part of the vision feeds into the others. The Envisioning Team wanted the vision to be broad so it captures what it means to be Catholic in Mississippi, but also wanted it to have some room so each community could embrace what each vision statement means in that specific parish, school or center. This will serve as the new logo for the Diocese of Jackson.

Logo

 

 

 

MISSION:

In a similar way, the Mission Statement will remain even if priorities change. It is meant to direct, guide and inspire the faithful as they live their lives and be a foundation for all the work of the individual parishes, missions, schools and service centers. The mission and each priority statement have Scripture versus associated with them. The Scripture for the Mission Statement comes from Matthew’s Gospel. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me (Matt 25:35-36).

Eng & Spa on paper

 

PRIORITIES:

The priorities are not numbered. All are of equal importance. Parishes may decide to focus on only one or two or may wish to tackle all three. What is important is that they find a shared vision to unify them. Bishop Kopacz and his Envisioning Team came up with outcomes to focus the work and assigned a scripture to each to help with discernment.

 

 

 

Seminarian summer assignments announced

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Every summer, seminarians studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Jackson are assigned to ministry in a parish or service center as part of their formation. Bishop Joseph Kopacz has approved the following assignments for this summer:

Deacon Nick Adam– Jackson St. Richard Parish
Deacon Aaron Williams – Meridian St. Patrick and St. Joseph Parishes

Andrew Bowden – Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland
Juan Carlos Camacho – St. Therese, Jackson
Andrew Nguyen – Institute for Priestly Formation, Creighton University

Adolfo Suarez-Pasillas and Cesar Sanchez-Fermin – St. Dominic’s hospital, Jackson
Hayden Schmitt & Tristan Stovall – Catholic Camp in Pontotoc

 

IMG_3013

Diocese welcomes two deacons on path to priesthood

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JACKSON – Deacon Nick Adam, left, Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Deacon Aaron Williams leave the cathedral after Williams’ ordination Saturday, March 18. See details of both ordinations on pages 8-9. (Photo by Maureen Smith)

JACKSON – Deacon Nick Adam, left, Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Deacon Aaron Williams leave the cathedral after Williams’ ordination Saturday, March 18. See details of both ordinations on pages 8-9. (Photo by Maureen Smith)

By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Friday, March 17, and again Saturday, March 18, the Diocese of Jackson gained two transitional deacons. Deacon Nick Adam, the youngest of eight, first pursued a career in broadcast journalism. Deacon Aaron Williams, a native of Jackson, became an altar server at age five and went to seminary directly out of high school.
The calls may have come differently, but the end result was the same. Deacons Adam and Williams both hope to be ordained into the priesthood next summer after spending a year in service to parishes.
Deacon Adam was ordained at Meridian St. Patrick Parish where he first discerned his call. He was working at television station WTOK as a sports and news anchor. He will spent the next year at Jackson St. Richard Parish.
Deacon Williams, ordained in his home parish of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, will spend his transitional year in Meridian serving at St. Patrick and St. Joseph Parishes.
See Bishop Kopacz’ shares his reflection on the ordinations here. Read more about Deacon Aaron Williams here and Nick Adam here and continue to pray for these men and the other seminarians preparing for the priesthood for the Diocese of Jackson.

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

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Ordination of Nick Adam to Deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

Ordination of Aaron Williams to deacon

SEARCHers reflect on retreat

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The Office of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Jackson offers the SEARCH retreat two times a year usually once in the fall and spring. High-school students gather for a weekend of faith and fun. Those who attend often return as retreat leaders. Several of this year’s attendees from
the March 3-5 retreat offered some reflections on their experience:

Emma Dieckman
Junior at Madison St. Joseph
Emma planned to attend with friends, but when they could not make it, she was not so sure about the weekend.SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES
As the weekend went on I just felt God with me the whole time. I’m not Catholic but I do go to a Catholic school so I was used to Catholic things. When people would share their stories about their life and spiritual journey they would just touch me so much. When we listened and sang songs it was like the first time I had ever listened to the words and the first time I realized how powerful the words of songs are.
The whole weekend my relationship with God strengthened and I really grew closer to him. I loved seeing young people and people I go to school with be vulnerable to God. This isn’t even the beginning of how much Search impacted my life, it is very hard to put that into words; you should just go and see it for yourself. I am forever thankful for the friend I made and old friends I rekindled my relationship with, the friends I grew closer to and how much closer I grew to God. Search is 10/10 and I highly recommend.

Olivia Patterson
Junior, Madison St. Francis of Assisi SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURESParish
I searched in November of 2016 and I could honestly say that it was the best weekend of my life. Throughout the entire weekend, I met so many amazing new people, learned how Christ has worked through others, and finally realized how he is working through me. I felt an overwhelming amount of love from absolute strangers but most importantly I felt love from God himself. I found myself becoming stronger in my faith everyday after that weekend. My main goal was to come back and staff the retreat, and on March 3rd, 2017, that dream became a reality.

Meredith McLaurin
College Freshman, Tupelo St. James Parish
This is McLaurin’s second time as a retreat leader.
March 2017, will forever be my favorite SEARCH though, we got the chance to dedicate the SEARCH to one of the girls who gave me the retreat. She passed away a month and a half before the retreat, it felt like the best way to honor her. This SEARCH was the most life-changing (event) for me, letting me feel more full of love and faith than before. I got the chance to give a talk again and lead a small group that made a profound impact on me.
My small group bonded together the first night in a way I had never seen before. It was our job as the leaders to help them with their SEARCH journey, but I believe that they helped us as much as we helped them. This small group opened my eyes to new things and how faith can get you through anything. This SEARCH gave me the strength to realize who I am and help me begin to start to figure out what I want to do after I graduate college.
It’s because of SEARCH that I hope to do something that impacts youth every single day, though I may not know now what I am going to do, I do know that I will forever be changed by the weekends I spend at SEARCH. I can’t wait to keep coming back and giving to the one thing that has helped guide me to God every time I wake up.
The next SEARCH retreat will be in the Fall 2017. For more information contact Abbey Schuhmann in the Office of Youth Ministry – Abbey.Schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org, 601-949-6934 or visit https://jacksondiocese.org/about/offices/youth-ministry.

SEARCHers reflect on retreat

Youth News

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SOUTHAVEN – Each year Sacred Heart School students buy paper links for a nickel each and donate the money to a different charity. The children raised a little more than $2,000. This year the money will help the United Way volunteer program. A group of United Way volunteers plans to install running water and electricity in the home of a client of Sacred Heart Southern Missions Social Services.  (Photos by Sr. Margaret Sue Broker)

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

JACKSON – St. Richard Pre-K students threw beads and candy to the crowd of spectators that lined up for their annual Mardi Gras parade.

JACKSON – St. Richard students

JACKSON – St. Richard students Annabelle Allen, Fallon Zimmerman and Estephan Choufani are ready for the St. Richard Mardi Gras parade (Photos by Chris Lombard)

JACKSON – St. Richard students

VICKSBURG – “King” Sam Armstrong and “Queen” Luella Lambiotte lead the preschool, Montessori and kindergarten classes in the annual Mardi Gras parade outside of Vicksburg Catholic School. Mardi Gras, celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, was traditionally a day to celebrate and eat sweets and meats before the fasting of Lent began. (photo by Ann Robertson)

MCCOMB– At left, preschool students use art to learn about the Bible in St. Alphonsus’ Parish School of Religion. In right photo, Jessica McMillan, at far right, St. Alphonsus Youth Minister begins Parish School of Religion with a song and dance. (Photos by Connie Harrington)

McComb, St. Alphonsus

McComb, St. Alphonsus

McComb, St. Alphonsus

McComb, St. Alphonsus

Rite of election welcomes candidates, catechumens

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JACKSON – Almost 70 catecumens signed the book of the elect at the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Sunday, March 4. Several dozen candidates also participated and got a special blessing from Bishop Joseph Kopacz.
The Rite of Election is when candidates seeking full communion in the church and catechumens seeking baptism publicly declare their intent, their sponsors speak on their behalf and the bishop of a diocese accepts them.
The tradition brings together people from across the diocese and begins an intense period of final preparation for these faithful as they approach Easter.

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book

JACKSON – A young catechumen signs the book