Category Archives: Featured

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.

St. John parishioners ‘adopt’ students

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OXFORD – New and current University of Mississippi students at times need a local contact or friend who can help them connect with the Oxford, University or church communities. At times these young people may need someone to just talk to, attend Mass and church functions with someone familiar, contact local professionals, share a good home-cooked meal, or even celebrate holidays or birthdays when they can’t travel home.
To meet this need, Mille Smith of Oxford St. John Parish, is recruiting volunteer parish families willing to adopt Ole Miss students and provide information, activity and mentoring services. The families would be available to students as a friend and local contact.
Both students and parishioners complete a questionnaire asking for information such as contact phone number and email address, birthplace, Alma-mater, scholastic major and degrees, occupation and hobbies and interests. Mille will match students with families based on commonalities in the questionnaire.
Approximately 40 St. John families have already volunteered to serve as student families. Ole Miss students, parents of students or St. John parishioners with questions may email Millie Smith at millesmith@yahoo.com or call her at 901-848-1335.

Local advocates decry ruling

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By Maureen Smith
GREENWOOD – Amelia McGowan, head of Catholic Charities’ Migrant Support Center, was disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to put a halt on new applications for immigrants seeking work permits and protection from deportation.
“Hopefully this is just a temporary setback,” said McGowan. She and her staff were so hopeful they would get a favorable decision, they hosted a workshop for parish leaders in Greenwood Saturday, June 18, to train them on the issue.
The Migrant Support Center partnered with Texas-based advocacy organization “United We Dream” to provide the free, eight-hour training. Speakers Carolina Ramirez and Adonias Arevalo presented an overview of DACA/DAPA, “Know Your Rights” training, screening for immigration remedies, understanding and combatting the unauthorized practice of law, and the importance of client engagements/retainers. United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation. The network, made up of more than 100,000 immigrant youth and allies and 55 affiliate organizations in 26 states, advocates for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status.
Forty-two people from Clarksdale, Greenville, Greenwood, Jackson, Vicksburg and members of the Redemptorist community serving in the Delta attended the workshop. They included pastors, community leaders and catechists. “One of the problems we are having is that many people don’t even know or understand their rights,” said Nancy Sanchez, a staff member at the Migrant Support Center. She and McGowan said despite the Supreme Court ruling the center hopes to continue to offer training on immigration rights.
“We will keep working, keep collaborating. It is really important to build these networks and build and strengthen our partnerships,” said McGowan. Her office has been working for several years to educate not only the immigrant community, but also collaborate with law enforcement and the business community to make sure all the communities understand the complex issues involved. In an earlier interview, she explained that when immigrants are scared to report crimes or seek help, the whole community suffers.
Many immigrants in Mississippi live under constant threat of removal from the United States. The president’s proposed expanded Deferred Action program (otherwise known as “Expanded DACA” and “DAPA”) could have provided relief to many undocumented Mississippians by allowing them to obtain work permits and receive limited protection from deportation.
On June 24, the nation’s high court upheld an earlier ruling that determined President Obama did not have the constitutional authority to enact DAPA and expanded-DACA, two executive actions designed to provide temporary deportation relief and work permits for four million undocumented immigrants.
Immigrants granted protection in 2012 are not impacted by this ruling.

Community garden starts in Clarksdale

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By Maureen Smith
CLARKSDALE – A community empowerment group based out of Clarksdale Immaculate Conception Parish is seeking volunteers for its first project, a community garden. The Community Engagers, led by Henry White plans to make use of a six-acre plot behind the old school on Ritchie Avenue.
White approached Father Scott Thomas, pastor, about starting a non-profit community empowerment group. The garden was the first project. “When he said he was willing to head it up, I was all for it,” said Father Thomas. “I love when parishioners are ready to take on a project like this one,” he added. White is a Delta native, but just moved back to the area and is ready to make a difference.
Local farmer Bowen Flowers has agreed to prepare the land for planting. White is appealing to parishioners and community leaders to subdivide and plant the plots and maintain the garden. He sent out a flyer seeking volunteers and donations of cash or seeds. “I employ my fellow Catholic brethren to stand with us to provide this wonderful opportunity to serve the poor and underserved residents of Clarksdale by offering affordable and healthy accessible food choices,” wrote White in the flyer.
White has been working on this project for some time, seeking help from both local and state resources. “He had a meeting at City Hall and has been speaking with other groups,” said Father Scott. “This could turn into a nice ecumenical effort, which would be great,” he said.
“Alcorn State University Farm Extension agency conducted a site visit and helped us develop a plan to pretreat the soil and prepare for planting,” wrote White in an email to Mississippi Catholic. “My pastor, Father Scott Thomas and fellow parishioners from Immaculate Conception and St. Elisabeth along with Catholic Charities-North West offered invaluable resource,” he wrote. “I thought nothing else could top my sense  pride in seeing a community pull together for the good to start and outreach campaign that would be beneficial to the Upper Brick Yard and essentially our bordering neighborhoods of Magnolia Courts and Willow Park Apartments,” he added.
White paid a visit to the community garden Sister Kay Burton, SNJM, coordinates in Jonestown.  Her garden provides residents a place to grow produce to sell at the Clarksdale Farmer’s Market and other venues. She and the children in her summer school program also plant their own vegetables along the edges. She said she was happy to host White to show him a sample of how her program works.
Anyone who wants to donate time, seeds or money can contact White at 443-939-0575 or by email at community.engagers@gmail.com.

Catholic press faces ‘double mandate’

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By Julie Asher
ST. LOUIS (CNS) – Catholic communicators “have a double mandate: the First Amendment of the Constitution and the Gospel,” Greg Erlandson told the Catholic Media Conference in St. Louis.
Erlandson, former president and publisher of Our Sunday Visitor, (OSV) received the Bishop John England Award June 2 from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.
“These are perilous times,” he said in his acceptance remarks. “We are looking at competing ideological agendas that too often are incompatible with the Gospel and that too often threaten the weakest among us – both born and unborn – the undocumented, the terminally ill, the poor and neglected.”
Catholic communicators’ vocation “is to be their voice,” said Erlandson. “Our vocation is to be the voice of the church. That is our responsibility and our privilege.”
Our Sunday Visitor, based in Huntington, Indiana, was founded 104 years ago “to be a voice for the church and the rights of Catholics.” he said.
He said that in that role, he “sought to defend the church’s right to speak out on all the issues of the day, to defend the church’s right to participate in the debates that animate the public square, but to do so without rancor or histrionics, to do so without blinders or defensiveness, but in the spirit of loyalty, honesty and intelligence that I hope has defined all that we published.”
In editorials and articles, OSV Newsweekly “has spoken out in defense of religious liberty and supported – both in court and in our pages – the opposition to the HHS (Health and Human Services) mandate regarding contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. We have addressed religious freedom issues worldwide, and defended the rights of migrants and refugees.”
The publication also has addressed the sex abuse crisis, he said, “both saluting the church for the policies it has instituted in the wake of the crisis, but also addressing the failures of leadership that occurred and that so wounded our church.”
He noted the publication’s defense of Catholic organizations “that have endured unjust attack,” he said, pointing in particular to Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency. CRS “has been the target of malicious and shameful witch hunts,” Erlandson said.
The England award is named for the Irish-born bishop of Charleston, South Carolina, who founded The Catholic Miscellany in 1822. As publisher of the newspaper, Bishop England defended separation of church and state, saying it was good for both entities. He also espoused freedom of religion. Presented annually, the award recognizes publishers in the Catholic press for the defense of First Amendment rights, such as freedom of the press and freedom of religion. It is the CPA’s highest award for publishers.
In 2015, Erlandson received the CPA’s St. Francis de Sales Award.
Mississippi Catholic production manager and creative services coordinator Contyna McNealy was recognized at this year’s Catholic Media Conference with a second place award for the design of the diocesan Saltillio Mission collection ad. Editor Maureen Smith attended the conference on behalf of the department of communications.

Bishop: pray for Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla. (CNS) – Orlando Bishop John G. Noonan urged people of faith “to turn their hearts and souls” to God and pray for the victims, the families and first responders following the worst mass shooting in U.S. history June 12.
“A sword has pierced the heart of our city,” he said in a statement.
“The healing power of Jesus goes beyond our physical wounds but touches every level of our humanity: physical, emotional, social, spiritual,” he said. “Jesus calls us to remain fervent in our protection of life and human dignity and to pray unceasingly for peace in our world.”
The shooting rampage at a gay nightclub in Orlando left 50 people dead, including the gunman, and 53 wounded.
Police said a lone gunman identified as 29-year-old Omar Mir Seddique Mateen – opened fire inside the Pulse club in Orlando in the early morning hours. News reports said that Mateen, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group, died in a gun battle with SWAT team members.
Across the nation, reaction from church and community leaders was swift, and in cities large and small, people organized candlelit vigils for the victims and their families the night of the shooting.
“Waking up to the unspeakable violence in Orlando reminds us of how precious human life is,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“Our prayers are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this terrible act,” he said in a statement June 12. “The merciful love of Christ calls us to solidarity with the suffering and to ever greater resolve in protecting the life and dignity of every person.”
“Our prayers and hearts are with the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, their families and our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters,” said Chicago Archbishop Blase J. Cupich.
In Orlando, priests, deacons and counselors from the Diocese of Orlando and Catholic Charities of Central Florida were serving at an aid center established by city officials.
Throughout the day June 12, church personnel were helping victims and families “on the front lines of this tragedy,” Bishop Noonan said. “They are offering God’s love and mercy to those who are facing unimaginable sorrow. They will remain vigilant and responsive to the needs of our hurting brothers and sisters.”
In his statement, Archbishop Cupich expressed gratitude to the first responders and civilians at the scene of the shooting.
“In response to hatred, we are called to sow love,” he added. “In response to violence, peace. And, in response to intolerance, tolerance.”
In a letter to the Chicago archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach, Archbishop Cupich said: “For you here today and throughout the whole lesbian and gay community, who are particularly touched by the heinous crimes committed in Orlando, motivated by hate, driven perhaps by mental instability and certainly empowered by a culture of violence, know this: The Archdiocese of Chicago stands with you. I stand with you.”
He also urged Americans to “find the courage to face forthrightly the falsehood that weapons of combat belong anywhere in the civilian population.”
In Washington, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl said in a post on his blog said that “the love of Jesus Christ will prevail,” and while all too often “it appears it that our civilization is walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil.”
He said all people of goodwill must stand together “in making another impassioned appeal for peace and security in our communities and throughout the world.”
Another Florida prelate, Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St. Petersburg, expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and also addressed the gun rights issue.
“Our founding parents had no knowledge of assault rifles which are intended to be weapons of mass destruction. … It is long past time to ban the sale of all assault weapons. … If one is truly pro-life, then embrace this issue also and work for the elimination of sales to those who would turn them on innocents.”
Bishop Lynch also said that “sadly, it is religion, including our own, which targets, mostly verbally, and also often breeds contempt for gays, lesbians and transgender people.”
Courage International, a Catholic organization that provides support for people who experience same-sex attraction, condemned “the atrocious violence” at the gay night club, adding that “in the face of such outrageous violence and loss of life, human words and explanations fall short.”
“So people of faith look to the everlasting mercy and compassion of almighty God, who ‘is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit,’” the group said, quoting Psalm 34.
The Courage statement also reminded people of what the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said 30 years ago about violence toward gay people: “It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the church’s pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.”

Rogation Days still part of rural Mississippi faith

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By Father Scott Thomas
May 24 marked the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si, in which he spoke to humanity about its relationship with creation. In rural Mississippi, especially in the Delta, people still depend on the yield of the land. So many jobs are based on farming, so naturally the Holy Father’s encyclical is very relevant to our diocese and state. Towards the end, the Holy Father says, “The rich heritage of Christian spirituality, the fruit of twenty centuries of personal and communal experience, has a precious contribution to make to the renewal of humanity.” One of those contributions is the celebration of Rogation Days in the month of May.

Father Thomas blesses St. Elizabeth parishioner, Mark Agostinelli's field in Clarksdale. In rural Mississippi, especially in the Delta, people still depend on the yield of the land.

Father Thomas blesses St. Elizabeth parishioner, Mark Agostinelli’s field in Clarksdale. In rural Mississippi, especially in the Delta, people still depend on the yield of the land.

Rogation Days within the Christian church can be traced back to the days of St. Mamertius (d. 475). His diocese suffered different natural disasters so he recommended the faithful to turn to fasting in asking for divine assistance and protection over the course of the three days before the Ascension. This continues today, but unfortunately with less participation since the reform of the Roman Calendar following the Second Vatican Council.
During that reform, Pope Bl. Paul VI asked that during Rogation Days prayers for vocations to the priesthood be added. After all, the flock of Christ is seen as a harvest in Sacred Scripture (Luke 10:2), and many laborers are needed to work this harvest. Paul VI’s interest in these days shows that he himself intended for Rogation Days to still be celebrated in some fashion because he saw the value in them.
The church teaches us through her social doctrine that our work can be a participation in the creation of the world. Pope Francis recently said that Jesus “sanctified human labor and endowed it with a special significance for our development.” Thus, as St. John Paul II stated, through our work humanity “in a way collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity.” God blesses our work in a number of ways, most visibly through the church and her priests as farmers take their pastor into the fields during the Rogation Days.
St. Elizabeth parishioner, Richard Noe, has farmed in the Clarksdale area for 55 years. These days he farms with his son Richard and is joined by his grandson Zachary during the summers. According to Noe, during the days of Msgr. McKenna, one or two retired farmers would pick up the priest and take him around to all of the farms in the parish boundaries. But today each individual farmer meets the priest or picks him up and escorts him to a patch of fledgling crops. This way more are involved and the pastor greets his flock on their turf, in their “natural habitats” away from the parish rectory.
Jude Watts, also a parishioner of St Elizabeth who farms with his son Thad, says that the farmer learns very quickly to trust in God’s providence. “Farming is good proof that God is in control. We can’t control the rain so of course God’s blessing on our crops is needed,” said Watts. There is a lot that farmers have to contend with, whether it be a lack of rain, high winds blowing sand on the crops, a scorching sun, or pests such as wild hogs.
While we can till the ground more efficiently, improve seeds, and have access to beneficial chemicals, even as technology grows, we are still dependent upon God and His grace for us. Rogation days are a marvelous reminder of this as we fast and pray for God’s blessing on our farms and gardens. Of course, we in no way should limit these prayers to just three or four days. Rather, we should always pray to God for favorable weather and a good harvest for the benefit of the farmers, their community and beyond.
(Father Scott Thomas is the pastor of Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish)

Magazine details Sisters’ Mississippi mission

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Although the Sisters of St. Joseph of the third order of St. Francis no longer serve in Mississippi, their legacy remains, especially in Meridian and Greenwood, where they were integral in starting a hospital and school. The school, St. Francis of Assisi, is still operating in Greenwood, although it is now served by a different Franciscan community.
This spring the school’s founders dedicated an issue of their magazine, Peace and All Good, to their time in Mississippi to commemorate the 70th anniversary of coming to the state. “Mississippi Ministry, 1945-1996,” is packed full of stories and photos from both communities. A digital issue will be available on the order’s website, www.ssj-tosf.org. Those who would like to order a hard copy should send $10 to Sister Angelora Grossman, SSJ-TOSF, P.O. Box 305, Stevens Point, WI 54481-0305. To speak with Sister Angelora, call 715-341-8457.

Graham calls for conversion, prayer in politics at rally

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JACKSON – Franklin Graham, son of iconic televangelist Billy Graham, stopped in Jackson on Wednesday, April 13, for the Mississippi leg of the Decision America Tour. Graham is making stops in every state capitol to call people to prayer and political activism.
The preacher reminded people they cannot depend on any political party to save the country. That, he said, would take faith in Jesus and hard work. In addition to inviting people to give themselves to Christ, Graham invited them to make a pledge to consider running for office or working for a campaign each person thought would advance Christian ideals.
The rallies combine old-fashioned music and prayer with a high-tech element. People who needed prayer or who wanted to sign the pledge could text their support to a number and someone from Graham’s organization would get back to them with local contacts and information. Several thousand people braved threatening skies for the noon-time rally on the Capitol steps.