Category Archives: Featured

New Carmelite leader gives parents credit for deep faith

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In this file photo from 2015, Sister Mary Jane of the Resurrection (right) shares a laugh with Sister Cor Christi Abenio and Lloyd Chatham during the art show of Sister Mary Muriel Ludden, a Discalced Carmelite nun who died in 2013.(Photo by Elsa Baughman)

In this file photo from 2015, Sister Mary Jane of the Resurrection (right) shares a laugh with Sister Cor Christi Abenio and Lloyd Chatham during the art show of Sister Mary Muriel Ludden, a Discalced Carmelite nun who died in 2013.(Photo by Elsa Baughman)

By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – Before she came to the United States from the Philippines to serve at the Carmelite Monastery, Sister Mary Jane of the Resurrection had been a Carmelite nun for 35 years. She says her calling began to develop at a very young age when her neighbor would come to her house to read her and her siblings children’s books about the life of the saints. “I was about seven years old, and these stories, which were very easy to follow, taught us about how to practice virtues such as acts of love, kindness,” she remembers. “These hidden messages stuck with me.”
One of the books she loved the best was the life of St. Therese of Avila. Later in life, Sister Mary Jane was attracted to silence and solitude, something she thinks is a gift from God because while she was surrounded by all the noise she was able to feel the presence of God. “I think I got this feeling from St. Therese.”
She learned a lot from reading the life of St. Therese but she attributes her faith to her parents who were devoted Catholics.
She had a normal life growing up in the Philippines. She had friends, went to parties, joined clubs, was a ballet dancer. But her calling was haunting her. “I wanted to put this feeling aside because I wanted to enjoy the life I was having but the calling kept haunting me,” she noted. “I even considered marriage life in the future but then I thought if I married there was not coming back.
“With time I began to feel the need to address God’s will for me and when I made my decision to answer His call there was this feeling of liberation, of peace, it was a confirmation that God was going to protect me.”
She grew up with the Columban Sisters from Ireland who ran the school she attended. Remembering her childhood, when she started to hear the Lord’s calling, Sister Mary Jane said she was attracted to their mission but at the time she was looking for something that she didn’t find in that congregation.
At the age of 15, she thought about applying at the Carmelite congregation and without telling anyone she went to their monastery to speak to the prioress, a French nun who could barely speak English. When she told her about her intentions to enter the monastery the nun told her, “Oh my child, there is only one St. Therese.” Sister Mary Jane had a good laugh reminiscing this scene.
The prioress encouraged her to go back home, to continue her high school studies and to return after she was sure about her vocation. “And I just did that. I really wanted to ‘taste’ how their life was.”
At 18 she returned to the monastery to begin her religious life. She said she thought that if she didn’t like it she would go back home to start college.
“Here I am, 45 years later and enjoying my life as a Carmelite nun. She says she could have gone the other way but this was a special call. “I have always felt I am one of the few chosen. Everything comes from him and I did his will. I am happy where I am. My life as a Carmelite nun is a life of prayer. We spend much of our life praying not only for the church but for all people of the world, for peace, for refugees, for the unborn. We do it for our love for him, to save souls, to save sinners. This is my great joy, praying.”
In fact, the sisters gather seven times a day to pray as a community and they are required to have individual prayers in the morning and in the evening as well as spend time in silence.
Sister Mary Jane, who has been living in the Carmelite Monastery for 10 years, was elected as prioress of her community on May 24 of this year and installed by Bishop Joseph Kopacz during a special Mass at the monastery.
About her new role in the community she says that it’s a big responsibility. “I do my part to serve the community and I feel myself as a servant of the servants.”
There are five sisters living in the monastery at his moment.

West Point closes Year of Mercy with homecoming celebration

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Father Sam Messina, former pastor, and Father Channappareddy Basani, present pastor, concelebrated. (Photo courtesy of Lynn Kyle)

Father Sam Messina, former pastor, Father Jeffrey Waldrep, native son, and Father Channappareddy Basani, present pastor, concelebrated. (Photo courtesy of Lynn Kyle)

By Lynn Kyle
WEST POINT – Immaculate Conception Parish celebrated a homecoming Mass and brunch Sunday, Oct. 16, as the last of many events centered around the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Father Channappareddy Basani, pastor, and the liturgy committee, offered a variety of activities such as including the Year of Mercy Prayer following Communion, works of charity for those in need, a pilgrimage to Hanceville, Ala., providing copies of biblical materials on the Year of Mercy, special reconciliation services and the Homecoming Mass.
The homecoming was set in order to renew the faith of the community, welcome former parishioners to celebrate the history and growth of the parish and to invite people become more involved in their faith.
Former parishioners were welcomed to the Mass, celebrated by Father Jeffrey Waldrep. Former pastor, Father Sam Messina, and current pastor, Father Basani, both concelebrated. The crowd of 160 included visitors from Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.

Father Jeffrey Waldrep, former pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, speaks about his childhood in the community at the homecoming Mass celebrated to close the Year of Mercy. Father Sam Messina, former pastor, and Father Channappareddy Basani, present pastor, concelebrated. (Photo courtesy of Lynn Kyle)

Father Jeffrey Waldrep, former pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, speaks about his childhood in the community at the homecoming Mass celebrated to close the Year of Mercy. Father Sam Messina, former pastor, and Father Channappareddy Basani, present pastor, concelebrated. (Photo courtesy of Lynn Kyle)

Father Waldrep, who was born and raised in West Point, shared memories of his childhood in the parish. He reflected on those who had inspired him and who had taught him the importance of prayer. He also shared the importance of lifting each other up in prayer. He reminded the congregation the Holy Year of Mercy, set forth by Pope Francis, encourages us all to seek God’s love and mercy.
Father Messina spoke about his time as pastor when the current renovations to the main church were completed. He also shared fond memories of the many families he got to know and friends he made while here. He encouraged members to continue to work hard to follow the word of the Lord and to dedicate time to his service.
Father Basani thanked all those who traveled long distances and expressed his appreciation for their sense of belonging to the parish. He encouraged everyone present to remain steadfast in sharing their time and talents with others and active participants in this faith community.

AlliMichel Foster decides what to eat at the luncheon.

AlliMichel Foster decides what to eat at the luncheon.

Members of the Gonzalez, Ricon and Garcia families at the luncheon

Members of the Gonzalez, Ricon and Garcia families at the luncheon

Following the Mass, the guests and congregation were invited to a brunch prepared by the ladies of the parish. The parish hall was decorated with a fall theme. Attendees were asked to place an autumn leaf on the Parish Family Tree as they entered the hall.
As a memento of the event, each family was given a booklet about the history of the Catholic Church of West Point, a Year of Mercy prayer card and writing pen as a gift from the parish.
(Editor’s note: more photos are available online at www.mississippicatholic.com)

Becky Mitchener, Stan "Tinker" Lauter, Father Jeffrey Waldrep, Danny Waldrep and Matthew Garcia chat at the reception.

Becky Mitchener, Stan “Tinker” Lauter, Father Jeffrey Waldrep, Danny Waldrep and Matthew Garcia chat at the reception.

Envisioning team continues discernment of vision, priorities

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The Envisioning Team includes members from across the diocese including (l-r) Msgr. Elvin Sunds, Jackson St. Therese pastor, Danna Johnson, Pontotoc St. Christopher; Kris Ivancic, Tupelo St. James; Thomas Harris, Flowood St. Paul. At the back table Terry Casserino, Madison St. Joseph School sits with Jane Letchworth, Joyce Hart and Father Kevin Slattery, Vicar General. Lorenzo Aju, Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary and Thomas Welch are visible to the right. Other members are not pictured.

The Envisioning Team includes members from across the diocese including (l-r) Msgr. Elvin Sunds, Jackson St. Therese pastor, Danna Johnson, Pontotoc St. Christopher; Kris Ivancic, Tupelo St. James; Thomas Harris, Flowood St. Paul. At the back table Terry Casserino, Madison St. Joseph School sits with Jane Letchworth, Joyce Hart and Father Kevin Slattery, Vicar General. Lorenzo Aju, Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary and Thomas Welch are visible to the right. Other members are not pictured.

GRENADA – The members of the diocesan Envisioning Team have been meeting for several months to reflect on the results of the diocesan listening sessions, learn about strategic planning and discern a new set of priorities for the Diocese of Jackson. The work will result in a Mutually Shared Vision Statement and plan.
The team has a draft with three priorities in the works. Wednesday, October 19, members of the team met at St. Peter parish to continue their work. Maureen Smith, diocesan director of communication, attended to present an outline of the strategic plan for communication her team spent several months writing. The Envisioning team then discussed ways to best communicate and implement the plan and the timing for that implementation.

Diocesan Youth gather for retreat

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By Abbey Schuhmann
Teens from all across the diocese gathered at Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, Miss., on October 15-16 for the 2016 diocesan high school fall retreat. The retreat was led by a team from National Evangelization Ministries (NET), a Catholic ministry program out of St. Paul, Minnesota. NET Ministries was established 35 years ago and has grown over the years. NET was very popular in our diocese in the 1980s and we are excited to have them serving here once again.
The mission of NET is to spread the Gospel message of Jesus Christ through prayer, sacraments, fellowship and service. NET Team #2 led the retreat along with a middle school retreat at Southaven Sacred Heart School. Each NET Team is made of eight-12 young adults usually ages 18-24 years old. The leaders commit to a year of missionary retreat ministry by traveling around the country hosting retreats for parishes and schools.
The theme of our retreat was “Fully Alive” and teens had the chance to reflect on what really brings about true happiness. Ultimately, only Christ will fill our deepest desires of happiness. Our happiness motivates every decision that we make and our youth had the chance to discuss this important concept.
The overnight retreat provided the youth with a high-energy, faith-filled program throughout the weekend. The youth were able to hear powerful witness talks from members of the NET Team, engaged in several small group discussions, experienced a powerful prayer ministry Saturday evening that included the opportunity to go to Reconciliation and participate in praise and worship.
The NET Team also performed funny skits throughout the weekend that the teens and adult leaders alike enjoyed; along with two very touching dramas as well. Our teens also had the chance for some fun and fellowship on Saturday afternoon by participating in some friendly competition including games of ping-pong, dodgeball, sand volleyball and basketball.
On Sunday we celebrated Mass outdoors at the amphitheater with the beautiful lake as our backdrop, Father Jose de’ Jesus Sanchez, director recruitment for the Office of Vocations, served as our principal celebrant. Three seminarians from our diocese were also present throughout the weekend; Aaron Williams, Hayden Schmitt, and Cesar Sanchez participated in the small group sessions and shared their own personal vocation stories with our youth and assisted with the liturgy.
The adult youth leaders had the opportunity to meet one another and discuss the youth ministry programs at their respective parishes.
The Office of Youth Ministry looks forward to offering valued, faith-filled, meaningful experiences for the youth of our diocese moving forward through retreats, rallies, and other related activities.
If you’d like more information regarding diocesan youth events, contact Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for the office of youth ministry for the Diocese of Jackson at abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org or 601-949-6934.

Seminarian Aaron Williams, center, shared some of his vocation story in small group settings.

Seminarian Aaron Williams, center, shared some of his vocation story in small group settings.

Young people broke into small groups for reflection activities. At left, a group of boys has a discussion about faith. The team also led an icebreaker with (l-r) Austin Cabral, NET member from Hilmar, Calif.; Cori Matsumiya, NET member from Orange, Calif.; Aaron Williams, seminarian from Jackson and John Baladi, from Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish. (Photos courtesy of Abbey Schuhmann)

Young people broke into small groups for reflection activities. At left, a group of boys has a discussion about faith. The team also led an icebreaker with (l-r) Austin Cabral, NET member from Hilmar, Calif.; Cori Matsumiya, NET member from Orange, Calif.; Aaron Williams, seminarian from Jackson and John Baladi, from Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish. (Photos courtesy of Abbey Schuhmann)

Lake Forest Ranch in Macon provided a beautiful backdrop for presentations and reflections.

Lake Forest Ranch in Macon provided a beautiful backdrop for presentations and reflections.

Members of NET's team organized sporting activities such as basketball.

Members of NET’s team organized sporting activities such as basketball.

The young people divided into small groups for discussions and sharing.

The young people divided into small groups for discussions and sharing.

Habitat, Catholic neighbors continue Greenview transformation

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Volunteers Polly Hammett of St. Francis of Assisi and Msgr. Elvin Sunds of St. Therese help position the trusses for the 2016 Catholic Build House on Greenview Drive in Jackson. (Photos by Peggy Hampton)

Volunteers Polly Hammett of St. Francis of Assisi and Msgr. Elvin Sunds of St. Therese help position the trusses for the 2016 Catholic Build House on Greenview Drive in Jackson. (Photos by Peggy Hampton)

By Peggy Hampton
JACKSON – As he prepared for Saturday evening Mass, Msgr. Elvin Sunds gazed through the trees near St. Therese Catholic Church and his eyes fixed on a rooftop. He realized it was the same roof of a Habitat for Humanity house on Greenview Drive, on which he was working that day with parishioners from St. Therese, St. Richard and Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parishes.
“The family who will call this house home will be our next door neighbors,” he said. “I look forward to welcoming them.”
The Greenview home is part of a neighborhood in South Jackson being revitalized by Habitat for Humanity. The street filled with blighted, decaying and abandoned homes is being transformed into a beautiful, safe neighborhood where working families live, grow and thrive.
This is due, in great part, to the hard work and commitment of their “neighbors” at St. Therese and the many volunteers from area Catholic churches, who have given their time and resources to improve housing.
Every fall parishes in the Jackson area pool resources and volunteers to build a Habitat house for a family. This is the 31st year for Catholic churches to partner with Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area and a local family in need of a decent, safe, affordable place to live. Partner churches this year are Flowood St. Paul, Madison St. Francis of Assisi, Clinton Holy Savior, Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish and Jackson St. Therese, St. Richard, Christ the King and St. Peter the Apostle Parishes along with St. Dominic’s Health Services and the Catholic Diocese of Jackson,
The Catholic community has played a significant role in the transformation by partnering with Habitat on the first two houses built on the street – the Pope Francis House and the 2015 Catholic Build home – and now the 2016 Catholic Build Home. Habitat has acquired 27 properties on Greenview Drive, demolished 17 derelict houses and by the end of 2016 will have built 12 new Habitat homes on the street. More Habitat builds are planned for 2017.
Msgr. Sunds worked with volunteers recently on the 2016 Catholic Build house on Greenview, which is just west of St. Therese Church. “It is wonderful to see Habitat building so many homes on Greenview Drive,” Msgr. Sunds said. “They are not just building homes. They are building a neighborhood. On behalf of St. Therese Parish, thank you!”
The new neighbors of the 2016 Catholic Build Home are Ariel and Chris Jones and their three children ages seven, eight and nine. The Joneses have worked on the Habitat homes, investing “sweat equity” and will purchase the home with a no-interest loan. Ariel thanked all the volunteers and Habitat, which also assisted them in learning more about budgeting and home-ownership.

Homeowners Ariel and Chris Jones have worked on other Habitat houses to earn ‘sweat equity.’

Homeowners Ariel and Chris Jones have worked on other Habitat houses to earn ‘sweat equity.’

“I am so grateful for the energy, the love and the care that the Catholic Build volunteers and sponsors have shown our family,” said Ariel, who is a medical assistant at a local clinic. “My family is so grateful for the love they are putting in building our home. They are the most loving people I have ever met. This is a great build!”
Chris, a house painter, said the new home is a blessing. “From the bottom of my heart, we appreciate it and thank you!” The Catholic Build volunteers have been dedicated in their efforts throughout the years and are motivated by service and love of others.
“Why am I here? I enjoy the community coming together to do something that will make our community a better place to live and worship,” said Ben Mokry of St. Therese. One Catholic Build volunteer family worked on several Greenview homes.
“I think everyone deserves decent housing, volunteering on a Habitat house is one small way that I can help,” said Ibby Joseph of St. Francis. “My husband likes to volunteer and he encouraged me to volunteer as well. I have worked not only on the Catholic Build houses but also the Habitat house the Episcopal community built on Greenview Drive.”
Mike McElroy of St. Francis said he volunteers “because it is fun!” “That’s why God made it fun,” responded Polly Hammett of St. Francis.
Kerryn DeVerteuil of St. Therese agrees. “It’s good to meet and work with parishioners from different churches and develop a special relationship with them,” he said. “It’s uplifting as well to work with the homeowners and see their joy and happiness in getting their first home.”
Msgr. Sunds said building homes to help others is “living out Jesus’ command to love one another and show love through our actions.”
“It is wonderful to be building a neighborhood next to our church and have people who will be living here as our neighbors,” he said. “It is great to see the community coming together to provide housing for someone who otherwise not be able to afford a home.”
(Peggy Hampton is the Public Relations, Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator
for Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area.)

Habitat volunteer Ben Mokry of St. Therese Parish works on the roof.

Habitat volunteer Ben Mokry of St. Therese Parish works on the roof.

David Joseph of St. Francis of Assisi adds insulation.

David Joseph of St. Francis of Assisi adds insulation.

Tallahatchie General Hospital to aquire Tutwiler Clinic

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TUTWILER — Tallahatchie County General Hospital is in the process of acquiring Tutwiler Clinic. Dr. Ann Brooks, SNJM, and her staff will continue caring for patients, but they will now have support from the hospital and its staff in what Sister Brooks is calling a ‘win-win’ situation. Administrators hope to complete the transition in early November.
“We were running everything ourselves,” said Sister Brooks. She said while she loves her patients and the community, she welcomes help with day-to-day operations and marketing.
“They have already sent someone from their IT department to work on my computer,” she said. The hospital’s communications department designed a new logo and website for the clinic. The website should be online in the coming weeks.
Tutwiler Clinic is a full-time health care clinic for patients in this underserved area of the Mississippi Delta. Thirty staff members, including two nurse practitioners and two physicians, care for the patients from babies to the elderly. The staff includes Sister Joann Blomme, OP, a counselor, Sister Cora Lee Middleton, RN, clinic coordinator, several case workers and even a van driver for patients who need transportation to appointments. Donated equipment allows the staff to perform lab tests, X-rays and EKG tests. Patients pay based on a sliding scale and the care his holistic, not just symptom management.
“Dr. Brooks’ mission is to make everyone responsible for their own health,” said Cindy Herring, co-director of public relations. She told the story of when she had a headache and Dr. Brooks showed her how to use pressure points instead of medications to relieve it. Herring said since learning the technique she has stopped having to take sinus medications.

Three Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary with Sister Anne Brooks, D.O., stand by the sign on opening day of the Tutwiler Clinic on August 15, 1983.

Three Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary with Sister Anne Brooks, D.O., stand by the sign on opening day of the Tutwiler Clinic on August 15, 1983.

Three Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary joined Sister Anne Brooks, D.O., in opening the Tutwiler Clinic on August 15, 1983. That morning then Bishop William Houck offered the Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at the home of the sisters and then went with them to bless the Clinic.  In the 33 years since the Tutwiler Clinic has opened, the staff has logged 253,741 patient visits – 7,289 of those were in 2015 alone.
“We’re never sure what medical problems we’ll see each day, but diabetes and hypertension are always on the list,” said Dr. Brooks. She remembered one patient who came in after a tornado passed through the town in December of 2015. “A thin man, who looked pretty dejected was seated on the treatment table. A blood scab was forming on his head. I sat beside him, resting my arm on his shoulders. ‘What can we do for you today,’ I asked softly. He sat a little taller and then, looking straight at me he said, ‘I came to hug everyone on your staff, because my wife is alive and I’m alive.’ What could I say?” she said as she swallowed hard.
Early in the development of the clinic, Sister Maureen Delaney, SNJM, joined the staff to help with outreach and social concerns. Her work expanded and outgrew the clinic. She ended up founding the Tutwiler Community Education Center, which is still going strong today under new leadership since Sr. Delaney was elected Provincial Superior of her order.

Photographer Andy Levin made a trip to Tutwiler in 1987 to photograph the work at the clinic. Many of these patients, and even their children, are still patients at Tutwiler. (Photos courtesy of Andy Levin and Tutwiler Clinic).

Photographer Andy Levin made a trip to Tutwiler in 1987 to photograph the work at the clinic. Many of these patients, and even their children, are still patients at Tutwiler. (Photos courtesy of Andy Levin and Tutwiler Clinic).

Television shows such as “Good Morning, America” and “Sixty Minutes” aired  documentaries in 1990 on Dr. Brooks and the work of the staff at the Clinic, and the ensuing donations from many caring folks helped enlarge the clinic and its scope of services. The clinic still depends on donations to fulfill its mission. Learn more online at www.tutwilerclinic.org.

Explore the Call

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JACKSON – SEARCH Retreat is a unique retreat experience designed for youth who have a strong desire to deepen their faith and relationship with Christ. It’s a retreat “for teens, led by teens” with a strong focus on vocations. Youth in 11th and 12th grades are encouraged to register for this event set for Nov. 11-13 at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman. Spaces are limited. SEARCH engages youth in a special way and calls them to live out their Catholic faith in a bold, real, active and healthy way. This retreat is intended for youth who are looking to “go deeper” in their faith. Register at www.jacksonsearch.com.

St. Anthony’s Moorehead wins presidential award

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By Maureen Smith
MADISON – Vickie Moorehead, a science teacher at St. Anthony School was honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Thursday, Sept. 8, in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country.
The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process at the state level. Each nomination year of the award alternates between teachers in the kindergarten through sixth grade level, and those teaching seventh through 12th grades.
Winners of this presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion, and are invited to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony, as well educational and celebratory events.
Moorehead, a Canton native, has been teaching for 28 years in Catholic schools for the Diocese of Jackson. Both at Jackson St. Richard and St. Anthony, she embraced the Whole Schools Curiculum, using the arts as a key part of instruction. According to the biography posted on the presidential award site, “her classroom is an active learning center where her students’ enthusiasm for science is evident. By teaching using the arts, Vicki feels she is able to reach all learners.”
Stephanie Brown, assistant principal at St. Anthony agrees. “Vicki Moorehead is a shining example of a teacher who truly understands and utilizes arts integration in the classroom.  It is not unusual to walk into her science class to see students performing drama productions or utilizing various forms of media to create a visual art piece that demonstrates their understanding of a scientific concept.  Vicki’s classroom is a place that fosters creativity while helping students to master curriculum objectives,” said Brown. “She encourages collaboration while simultaneously helping students develop independence and self-confidence. Moorehead helps her students find a place to shine, whether that is visual art, music, engineering, or traditional academics,” she added.
Moorehead told a Madison newspaper she believes her love for her subjects help make her a better teacher. “I absolutely love science, and I think my excitement is contagious to the students which helps to keep them interested and motivated.  It’s my job to find out what my students love, what they are passionate about or interested in, and then help find the science within that area,” she explained. “If a child loves dance or baseball, then I focus on the physics behind it.  If their passion is weather, we track hurricanes. There are so many abstract concepts in science, and I try to make it as concrete as possible by making sure it has a real-world application and doing lots of hands-on and inquiry-based learning,” Moorehead added.
“Vicki Morehead has devoted her life to teaching in Catholic schools. She is totally devoted to her students and their achieving success, not only while they are in our school, but in their futures as well,” said Jim Bell, principal at St. Anthony. “She is an outstanding science teacher and her classes are an ‘essential’ in any student’s experience while at St. Anthony School. We are very proud of Vicki and congratulate her on this tremendous honor,” he added.
She told Mississippi Catholic her faith plays a role in her teaching as well. “Teaching science is the perfect subject to integrate my faith. Every aspect of science can be a teachable moment as to how everything doesn’t just happen randomly but according to God’s design and plan,” said Moorehead. “I can also help them connect their own faith lives to science. As a teacher my job isn’t just to teach science but to teach the whole child, and teaching in a Catholic school allows me to do that every day,” she said.
The students, she says, are not the only ones who benefit from Catholic education.  “I think I’m most thankful that I can share my faith daily and also be on the receiving end of learning about my faith through the examples of those around me. The students and staff have played a tremendous role shaping my own faith life. I’m thankful that my faith can be at the core of what I am teaching as well as my interactions with my students and the staff. It’s evident that God has me right where He wants me right now,” she said. During her trip to Washington, Moorhead said she was hoping to go to Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with her husband.
Moorehead said she does integrate technology in her teaching, she still lets the kids take the lead in many ways. “What I do in my class is give my students a place where they have the time to slow down, think, and process. Children need time for their brains to slow down and receive information in order to problem solve on their own. As a science teacher, I take full advantage of the natural inquisitiveness and wonder a child has to guide my instruction,” she said.
“The recipients of this award are integral to ensuring our students are equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are vital to our nation’s success,” President Barack Obama said in a statement released before the award ceremony. “As the United States continues to lead the way in the innovation that is shaping our future, these excellent teachers are preparing students from all corners of the country with the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills that help keep us on the cutting-edge,” the president added.
Moorehead received the National Catholic Educational Association’s Distinguished Teacher Award in 2013. She is one of two Catholic school teachers in the nation to receive the Presidential award this year, but not the first in the Diocese of Jackson. Cathy Tebo, currently teaching at St. Richard, was an honoree in the past.

Jonestown, Tutwiler announce new directors

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By Maureen Smith
A pair of Mississippi natives have taken over community centers in the Delta, marking a new generation of leadership. Carla Ross is the new director of the Tutwiler Community Education Center and Stanley Lang is the director of the Jonestown Family Center for Education and Wellness.
Both centers were started by women religious. Sister Maureen Delaney, SNJM, left to become the provincial of her community while Sister Teresa Shields, SNJM, retired and went home to Seattle.
Ross is no stranger to a Catholic community center. The Mound Bayou native is the former assistant director of the St. Gabriel Center there. She continues to serve on the board for St. Gabriel, which was started by the Sisters of Mercy and is now home to a community of Franciscan Sisters.
Ross holds a bachelor’s degree in family and human development and a master’s in community development. She believes Tutwiler already has a lot to offer. “I have never seen a community center so tied to the community,” said Ross. “The programs here are based on the town’s needs. I think that’s unique.” Tutwiler offers a variety of intergenerational programs from senior programs to after-school care, teen programs and summer education all the way to a gym where young people can have sports teams. A computer lab, music lessons and the quilters round out the offerings.
Ross said she is taking her first couple of months to learn about the programs and communicate with her staff so they can collaborate on broadening what is already in place and talk about where there may be gaps. “We have a teen program already where we discuss important topics. I would love to see that expand into a shadowing or mentoring program,” she said. This expansion would allow teens to interact with professionals so they could explore a career they may be interested in pursuing.
“Sustainability is important to me,” said Ross. “We will celebrate our 25th anniversary in June 2017 and I want to make sure this place is around for another 25 years,” she added. One of the key components of that is listening to the people in Tutwiler. “Given that I come from a small town I know how important places like this are,” she said. “I want people to know I am open to suggestions and input,” she said.
Lang grew up in Marks, Mississippi, just down the road from Jonestown. The opening at the Family Center fulfilled his wish to “get back home.” He has been the pastor at Anderson Street Church of Christ in Marks for 20 years, but has been commuting  from Tennessee for his ministry. He graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a bachelor in sociology with a concentration in social work and received a masters in child protection and juvenile justice from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has 22 years of experience in social work through the Department of Children’s Services in Shelby County, Tenn., and spent an additional six years of counseling in the prison system in Holly Springs and at Parchman State Penitentary.
While he is pleased with the services Jonestown offers, he would like to look at ways to expand services to better fit community needs, such as extending the hours for the toddler program. He would like to offer his staff more professional development opportunities and empower them to become community ambassadors for the Family Center.
Jonestown offers a half-day toddler program as well as a Montessori pre-K program, parenting classes and a fitness center. “I go to the fitness center as much as I can and I would love to see other members of the staff there to help spread the word about it,” said Lang. He explained that he wants to take a holistic approach to community development, helping strengthen minds, bodies, spirits and community connections. Recently eight local churches donated money so their members could work out in the gym run by the family center.
Coming home, he said, “means everything. For years, even when I talk to members of my graduating class, we talk about how our home is suffering because educated people have left so the services are lacking. Having an opportunity to come back home before my retirement age – to be able to do something for my community, means a lot to me. Jonestown is the vehicle for me to do that and I am just so blessed,” said Lang. He has been married for 20 years and has two grown children, a grandson and a “grand-dog.”
Both Tutwiler and Jonestown raise their own operating funds. To learn more about the programs they offer or to support the programs, visit their websites: www.tutwilercenter.org and https://jonestownfamilycenter.com.

Registration open

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By Maureen Smith
Pastors, DREs/CREs, catechists, youth ministers and pastoral leaders have until Thursday, Sept. 15, to take advantage of the early bird discount for GO!, the Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference. The conference is set for Jan. 12-14, 2017, at the Pontchartrain Center in New Orleans.
“We are extremely pleased with the new direction the conference is taking this year” said Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation for the Diocese of Jackson. GO! is planned by all of the faith formation and evangelization directors in this region. “We have national speakers as well as tapping into the tremendous talent and experience of folks in our region,” she said.
The theme this year, “Prayer: the Faith Prayed and Lived,” is based on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ catechetical theme for the year.  The keynote speakers will focus on prayer, reflection and witness. Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie, OSB, JD, JCL, presents prayer.
A Benedictine Sister at Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, Ala., for more than 35 years ago, Sister McKenzie seeks to live a balanced life of prayer and work in keeping with the Benedictine motto of “Ora et Labora.” Sister McKenzie will share her experience of how prayer helps her as she tries to be a faithful seeker of God in her daily journey, intending and hoping to live a life of fidelity, but realistic about the challenges.
Dr. Brant Pitre is professor of sacred scripture at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, and a multimedia author. He is an extremely enthusiastic and engaging speaker who lectures regularly across the United States.
He has produced dozens of Bible studies on CD, DVD, and MP3, in which he explores the biblical foundations of Catholic faith and theology. He will offer his reflections on how the faithful can “pray the Scriptures.”
Bishop Fernand Cheri, OFM, will present the witness portion of the weekend. Bishop Cheri is a Franciscan Friar and is auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He has dedicated years of his life to developing and supporting African-American liturgy and communities in the church. His strength and testimony comes from God’s Word in Scripture, “My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection.” (2Cor 12:9) Participants will be inspired as Bishop Cheri encourages them to “Go forth and witness.”
In addition to the keynotes, participants can select a one-day leadership option or select a liturgy or lights of hope track. The liturgy track is for anyone who serves the church through planning and participation in the various aspects of liturgy. However, catechists, teachers and catechetical leaders are also invited to participate in these sessions.
The lights of hope track is dedicated to those who work with high school-aged students in Catholic schools or parish programs.
A significant portion of the lights of hope sessions will be spent sharing best practices and approaches to concerns that are relevant to adolescents and teenagers.
Leadership Thursday is a new feature of GO! This day is designed for principals, clergy, lay ecclesial ministers and other leaders in schools and parishes.
The three themes are spiritual leadership, evangelization and the digital world. Speakers include Father David Caron, OP, vicar of evangelization, Archdiocese of New Orleans, Dr. Daniella Zsupan-Jerome and Paul Sanfrancesco.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz will celebrate the closing Mass for the conference. Register online at https://go4th.faith.