Category Archives: Parish News

Knights join together to work with Carmelites

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By Joanna Puddister King and Tereza Ma
JACKSON – On a beautiful Saturday, May 30, Knights from various councils spent their morning in South Jackson at the Carmelite Monestery cutting grass and working on various projects for the cloisered community of nuns that pray for the Diocese of Jackson. But it doesn’t seem like work showing up every other Saturday to work on various projects, “it is very fulfilling,” says Calvin Torregano of St. Jude.

Calvin Torregano of St. Jude gets ready to tackle a project with other Knights of Columbus from around the area on Saturday, May 30.

Torregano set up an app for Knights from various councils to coordinate who can help and when. It has helped the councils chip away at the various projects at the property, built in 1836.
It all began with Father Lincoln Dall about two years ago with a conversation after Mass, says Torregano. Father Lincoln mentioned how many projects needed to be tackled at the monastery and then the idea “blew up” at a Knights convention on the coast.
In the past, individual councils from Holy Savior Clinton, St. Paul Flowood, St. Jude Pearl, St. Joseph Gluckstadt and St. Richard Jackson have worked to replace windows, rebuild a gazebo, to build two handicap accessible ramps, to clean and rebuild a wall and much more. Even the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Joseph Gluckstadt has jumped in to help with various cleaning projects starting three years ago with pressure washing and work inside the Carmelite gift shop. This past year, even a group of seniors from St. Joseph school in Madison came out to help to clean up the grounds. “It is the perfect place for service hours,” says Torregano.

JACKSON – Sister Dona Marie greets Grant Schirmer on his way to do some more trim work around the Carmelite Monestery property. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

For large projects, Victor Gray-Lewis of the St. Richard group of Knights and the Diocese of Jackson helps make sure all of the details are covered for construction. The Knights aim to complete a few projects before the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16. Torregano says they would like to finish spreading some dirt, get siding on the garage replaced and painted and a new roof on the gift shop, among others.

Featured photo . . .

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OXFORD – Father Joe Tonos passes the Baptismal Candle to Mary Earrey who was Baptized on Pentecost at St. John the Evangelist in Oxford. Mary was one of eight people to be brought into the faith through the Sacraments of Initiation on May 31, 2020. (Photo by Gene Buglewicz)

Calendar of events

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SAVE THE DATE

JACKSON St. Richard School, Save the Date Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, Krewe de Cardinal. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
NATIONAL Virtual 2020 Catholic Immigrant Integration Initiative, Oct. 1-2. The CIII seeks to understand, expand and strengthen the work of Catholic institutions with immigrant communities. Registration will open soon. To receive updates about registration, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/4gX2XS3enWoP9vAp9. Details: For details about the virtual conference visit https://cmsny.org/event/2020-catholic-immigrant-integration-initiative/

YOUTH/VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Virtual VBS, Monday July 6-10. You will receive a video playlist for each day of the week. Details: Call 662-624-4239 to reserve a spot.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, CYO Virtual Summer Camp, Tuesday June 23-25. Ten service hours will be awarded to those who attend all three days. There will be small group discussions, speakers, games and more. Details: Call Carrie Lambert, youth director at 601-445-5616.
PEARL St. Jude, Drive-in VBS: Crayons – The Colorful Life of King David. Families will park their cars and enjoy a Bible story about King David, a snack and a story of a saint. Monday evenings 6:30-7 p.m. on June 15, 22, 29 and July 6, 13, 20, 27. For children in K-6th grade. Registration is required for the days you plan to attend. Details: Register at https://signup.com/go/thDEvnX.

Live streaming Mass listings

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In person Masses are now open at many parishes within the Diocese of Jackson. Check with your local parish for details and follow guidelines in place for attendance.
Some parishes are still offering live streaming options to be present to their faith communities and bring Mass to the faithful.
The following is a listing of virtual Mass opportunities established by priests and parishes in the diocese.
The obligation to attend Mass continues to be dispensed, so if you do not feel safe attending, or have an underlying health condition, or feel sick, please stay hope. Be safe and stay vigilant!
All dates and times subject to change.

DEANERY I
CANTON Sacred Heart, Details: Saturday 4 p.m.; facebook @sacredheartcantonms
CAMDEN Sacred Heart, Details: Sunday 3 p.m.; facebook @sacredheartcamdenms
CLINTON Holy Savior, Details: follow YouTube – search Holy Savior Catholic Church Clinton
FLOWOOD St. Paul, Details: Sunday 10:30 a.m.; YouTube – search St. Paul Catholic Church and subscribe or facebook @StPaulCatholicChurch
JACKSON Cathedral of St. Peter, Details: Sunday 10:30 a.m. English, 1 p.m. Spanish; facebook @jacksondiocese, YouTube search Catholic Diocese of Jackson
JACKSON Christ the King, Details: Sunday 9 a.m.; facebook @CTKJacksonMs
JACKSON Holy Family, Details: Sunday 9:50 a.m.; facebook @HFCCJackson
JACKSON St. Richard, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 7 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; facebook @saintrichardms
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Daily 7 a.m., Sundays 10:30 a.m.; facebook @stfrancisassisimadison and YouTube
PEARL St. Jude, Details: Tuesday 6 p.m., Wednesday 6 p.m., Thursday 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. English, 2 p.m. Spanish; facebook @stjudepearl
VICKSBURG St. Michael, Details: Sunday 8:30 a.m.; www.stmichaelvicksburg.org
VICKSBURG St. Paul, Details: Sunday 10:30 a.m.; facebook @Saint-Paul-Catholic-Church-of-Vicksburg-562031117586220

DEANERY II
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @stmarybasilica or visit https://greenwavesports.live

DEANERY III
GREENWOOD St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Daily 7:30 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. English, 1:30 p.m. Spanish; facebook @stfrancisgreenwood
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Details: Sunday 10:30 a.m.; facebook @St.-Joseph-Catholic-Church-of-Greenville-Mississippi-114619032033970

DEANERY IV
CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI (Holy Spirit Hernando, St. Joseph Holly Springs, Queen of Peace Olive Branch, Good Shepherd Robinsonville, St. Gregory the Great Senatobia, Christ the King Southaven) Details: Sunday English and Spanish; facebook @Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Details: Sunday 9 a.m. English, 11:30 a.m. Spanish; facebook @olvcleveland
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 12:10 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.; facebook @stelizabethclarksdale

DEANERY V
CORINTH St. James the Less, Daily; Details: YouTube – search Saint James Corinth, MS
NEW ALBANY St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Sunday 11 a.m.; facebook @stfrancisnewalbanyms
OXFORD St. John, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @StJohnoxfordMs
RIPLEY St. Matthew, Details: Sunday 1:30 p.m.; facebook @StMatthewRipley
STARKVILLE St. Joseph, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; YouTube search St. Joseph Catholic Church Starkville
TUPELO St. James, Details: Daily Monday through Friday and Sunday 8 a.m. English, 10 a.m. Spanish; facebook @StJames-Catholic-Church-Tupelo-425836438235299

DEANERY VI
MERIDIAN St. Patrick and St. Joseph Community, Details: Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. English, 3 p.m. Spanish; facebook @catholiccommunitymeridian

NATION/ WORLDWIDE
VATICAN NEWS: Pope Francis’ events, Details: YouTube search Vatican News
EWTN: Daily events, Details: https://www.ewtn.com

Public Mass returns to the Diocese of Jackson with precautions

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Masses returned to many parishes within the diocese over Pentecost weekend, May 30 and 31, after over a two-month break.
While some parishes added more Masses, some are not yet ready to fully open, making sure they have all mechanisms in place to assure the safety of parishioners in light of the pandemic. Please check with your individual parish for proper procedure on attending Mass.
Several restrictions for the safety of parishioners include mandatory masks for those over age 2, social distancing, Communion in the hand only, no choir or ensemble singing and the sign of peace should not include physical contact.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz continues to dispense all of the faithful from the Sunday Obligation to participate in Mass until further notice.

JACKSON – Blue painters tape separates the pews at St. Richard to help ensure proper social distance is kept. Father John Bohn and Father Nick Adams celebrated Pentecost Mass with parishioners for the first time since churches were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Beth de Gruy)
SOUTHAVEN – Father David Szatkowski, SCJ, of Sacred Heart parish distributes communion into the hands of a parishioner, while maintaining social distancing. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace parish welcomed Emily Mendoza into the church on Pentecost Sunday as her parents, Janie and Jeffery, sister Madilynn and sponsor Connie Hegwood look on. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
PEARL – St. Jude parishioners enjoyed a drive-in Mass on Saturday, May 30. Pictured are chancery employee, Carolyn Callahan and her husband (Danny) receiving Communion from Father Lincoln Dall. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Drive-in Mass at St. Jude

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PEARL – Saturday May 30, St. Jude parish had a “drive-in” Mass. Pictured left to right are Mark Bowden, Deacon John McGregor and Father Lincoln Dall. The parish used a former hunting trailer turned into a Mardi Gras float as a platform. Communicants remained in their cars listening to Mass on their radios. Father Lincoln and Deacon John went to each car to distribute Holy Communion. This worked especially well for vulnerable parishioners as well as those with young children. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)

Parish expands ministry in light of pandemic

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By Joanna Puddister King
FLOWOOD – Famed newspaper cartoonist and editor Marshall Ramsey has a saying that suits us in Mississippi. “When things get bad, we get good.” That saying is no exception for many of our parishes around the diocese, who have been helping others in need during the COVID-19 crisis.
St. Paul Flowood began humbly serving about 50 families at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis and now serve upwards of 90 families per week. The program is called “Feed the Hungry” and it grew out of the Backback ministry the parish was operating for Pisgah and Oakdale schools that served disadvantaged children, identified by conselors, on the weekend with snacks.
Cecilia Carlton of St. Paul Flowood says the church “is truly serving the needs of families affected by circumstances for which they had no possibility of preparing.”
“COVID-19 has given our parish family the ability to become ‘missional’ in our intent to serve our brothers and sisters far beyond the walls of St. Paul.”
The parish began their “Feed the Hungry” program with referrals from principals, teachers and counselors at Pisgah, Oakdale, McLaurin and Pelahatchie schools. Carlton also says that a few have come from Northwest Rankin. Once massive layoffs caused unemployment rates to rise, the parish began getting calls from individuals for food assistance as well.
St. Paul parishioners have been very generous, says Carlton. Father Gerry Hurley and Carlton have even taken to calling their makeshift pantry the ‘Table of Plenty.’ Carton says of Father Hurley, “It does his heart good to see cars all through the day bringing in food.”
The Knights of Columbus Council 10216 have also been a huge help to the project, teaming up with those in the parish operating the Backpack Ministry for Pisgah and Oakdale schools. The Knights and chapter president, Jose Lopez have also been filling orders and helping off of the ‘Table of Plenty’ as they hear about needs in the community.
Each year, the Knights smoke boston butts for the fourth of July weekend and sell to raise money for different causes. This year, the smoked butt sale will be on June 28 and funds raised will go to subsidizing the “Feed the Hungry” project. The butts are $40 each and can be purchase through the St. Paul Flowood’s website.
On May 30, Michelle Harris, parishioner of St. Paul, who runs Rosie’s Garden stopped by with fresh produce for St. Paul’s “Feed the Hungry” program. Rosie’s Garden is a non-profit located in Rankin county that grows fresh produce and distributes to non-profits helping with food. The organization regularly delivers to Catholic Charities, The Mustard Seed and Stewpot among others. Now, they are proud to begin helping St. Paul’s efforts to feed the hungry.
“It may have taken us a while to get there, but there are so many people working right now to feed people who need it,” says Carlton.
Additionally, St. Paul Flowood also has a “Feed the Flock” program that is feeding individuals at high-risk for contracting COVID-19. The parish has been delivering meals on Wednesday’s to 24 individuals. The programs are not just for parishioners, said Carlton. “It is for anyone in need who is at high-risk.”
Carlton says that the program will continue until people get back on their feet, no matter how long that may be.
For those that want to help, Carlton encourages everyone to look at their home parishes and see how you can help your community.
Some of the most needed items for the ‘Table of Plenty’ are peanut butter, cereal or breakfast bars, pasta, rice, spaghetti sauce, mac and cheese, canned tuna, chicken, or salmon, canned vegetables, canned fruit, boxed crackers & cookies, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bars of soap, shampoo/conditioner, toilet paper and bleach. Donations and can be dropped off before 6pm under the pavilion behind the right side of the church or monetary donations can be made online.
For more information or if you need help, visit www.saintpaulcatholicchurch.com.

FLOWOOD – Michelle Harris and Cecilia Carlton sort through fresh produce from Rosie’s Garden for St. Paul Flowood’s “Feed the Hungry” program. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

Virtual ceremonies and distance learning

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By Laura Grisham
WALLS – Sacred Heart school and Holy Family school students left for spring break not having any idea that they would not physically return to their classrooms this school year. Students and teachers have had to find creative new ways to do their regular activities. Many things have been adapted and shared via Facebook. Masses and prayer services, the May Crowning events, even Sacred Heart’s race day were all virtual experiences this year.
Distance learning has been the order of the day for all the children. Some students were well prepared for the change, having used Google Classroom on a daily basis. For others, the transition had a learning curve.
Sacred Heart school principal Bridget Martin shared that the two math and two history courses that offer Carnegie units for high school were a little more difficult to coordinate. These classes had to be introduced on a Zoom conference so students and teachers could meet daily to complete the work. “Due to Virtus and Protection of Children guidelines, teaching assistants are invited to join in the classes each day for two adults to be present. Classes are also password protected,” she said.
Martin explained that as students join the Zoom session, they are stopped in a virtual waiting room. Teachers grant admission as they are recognized. It was noted that this permission-based action has kept hackers and strangers at bay.

HOLLY SPRINGS – May crownings were virtual experiences for the students at Holy Family school. Above, Dylan Sangster had the honor of crowning Mary this year. (Photo by Laura Grisham)

PreK-3 through second grade students have also had a little more of a challenge. “Children that age are not meant to solely learn online,” Martin said. Students with access to technology have been working through an early childhood platform called “Seesaw.”
Unfortunately, some families do not have computers, tablets or internet access. This was especially a challenge at Holy Family school. Parents have made regular trips to the school in order to pick up and return students’ assignments.
As a result of COVID-19, and predictions of possible flare up again this fall, the Diocese of Jackson has required all schools to complete a distance-learning plan. This will be communicated to parents and students in August. Everyone will be trained in the online programs in the event we are away from the school building again when the 2020-2021 school year begins. This way, schoolwork will be immediately accessible.
As the eighth-grade students prepare to be promoted, administrators face yet another challenge: how to celebrate at a distance. Holy Family will honor students at a “drive-in” ceremony of sorts. Sacred Heart school will wait until the end of the month and also laud the students outside.
Teachers, parents and students have worked together to meet the educational challenges presented by the current health crisis – teaching, learning and connecting in a different way. Although they have been apart physically, in a way they have grown closer. By working apart toward a common goal and adapting to finish the school year successfully, they have shared experiences and learned more than they could ever have imagined when the school year began.

Live Streaming Mass Listing

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In the wake of the cancellation of all public Masses in the Diocese of Jackson, local priests are being creative and utilizing technology to be present to their faith communities and bring Mass and other services to them in their homes.
The following is a listing of virtual Mass and prayer opportunities established by priests and parishes in the diocese.
With the loosening of restrictions by Governor Tate Reeves, some parishes are now offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Drive-in Adoration. Check with your home parish for more details and availability. We look forward to celebrating together soon!

DEANERY I
CANTON Sacred Heart, Details: Saturday 5:15 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m.; facebook @sacredheartcantonms
CAMDEN Sacred Heart, Details: Sunday 10 a.m. English, 12:30 p.m. Spanish; facebook @sacredheartcamdenms
CLINTON Holy Savior, Details: follow YouTube – search Holy Savior Catholic Church Clinton
FLOWOOD St. Paul, Details: Sunday 10:30 a.m.; YouTube – search St. Paul Catholic Church and subscribe or facebook @StPaulCatholicChurch
JACKSON Cathedral of St. Peter, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 12:05 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. English and 11 a.m. Spanish; facebook @jacksondiocese, YouTube search Catholic Diocese of Jackson
JACKSON Christ the King, Details: Sunday 9 a.m.; facebook @CTKJacksonMs
JACKSON Holy Family, Details: Sunday 9:50 a.m.; facebook @HFCCJackson
JACKSON St. Richard, Details: Daily and Sunday 8 a.m.; facebook @saintrichardms
JACKSON St. Therese, Details: Sunday 9:30 a.m. English, 12:30 p.m. Spanish; facebook @St.-Therese -Catholic-Church-106886477623772
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Daily 7 a.m., Sundays 10:30 a.m.; facebook @stfrancisassisimadison
PEARL St. Jude, Details: Monday 6 p.m., Tuesday 6 p.m., Wednesday 6 p.m., Thursday Adoration 5 p.m. and Mass 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. English, 11 a.m. Spanish; facebook @stjudepearl
VICKSBURG St. Michael, Details: Sunday facebook @stmichaelvicksburg
VICKSBURG St. Paul, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @Saint-Paul-Catholic-Church-of-Vicksburg-562031117586220

DEANERY II
McCOMB St. Alphonsus, Details: Sunday 10:15 a.m.; facebook @St-Alphonsus-Catholic-Church-Pike-County-Catholic-Community-283052928758
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @stmarybasilica or visit https://greenwavesports.live

DEANERY III
GREENWOOD St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Sunday 10 a.m. English, 11:30 a.m. Spanish; facebook @stfrancisgreenwood
GREENVILLE Sacred Heart, 9 a.m. Sunday English, 11:15 a.m. Spanish; Details: facebook @Sacred-Heart-Catholic-Church-of-Greenville-Mississippi-238314926374934
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Details: Daily 12 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.; facebook @St.-Joseph-Catholic-Church-of-Greenville-Mississippi-114619032033970
LELAND St. James, Details: Sunday 9 a.m.; facebook @StJamesLeland

DEANERY IV
CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI (Holy Spirit Hernando, St. Joseph Holly Springs, Queen of Peace Olive Branch, Good Shepherd Robinsonville, St. Gregory the Great Senatobia, Christ the King Southaven) Details: Sunday 9:30 a.m. English, 11 a.m. Spanish; facebook @Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Details: Sunday 9 a.m.; facebook @olvcleveland
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 12:10 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.; facebook @stelizabethclarksdale

DEANERY V
CORINTH St. James the Less, Daily; Details: YouTube – search Saint James Corinth, MS
NEW ALBANY St. Francis of Assisi, Details: Sunday 10 a.m. bilingual; facebook @stfrancisnewalbanyms
OXFORD St. John, Details: Daily Monday through Friday 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @StJohnoxfordMs
RIPLEY St. Matthew, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @StMatthewRipley
STARKVILLE St. Joseph, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @stjosephstarkville
TUPELO St. James, Details: Daily Monday through Friday and Sunday 8 a.m. English, 10 a.m. Spanish; facebook @StJames-Catholic-Church-Tupelo-425836438235299

DEANERY VI
MERIDIAN St. Patrick and St. Joseph Community, Details: Sunday 10 a.m.; facebook @catholiccommunitymeridian

NATION/ WORLDWIDE
VATICAN NEWS: Pope Francis’ daily events, Details: facebook @vaticannews and YouTube @vaticannews
EWTN: Daily events, Details: https://www.ewtn.com/everywhere/online
BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: Daily events, Details: www.wordonfire.org, facebook @BishopRobertBarron or YouTube search Word on Fire video

Knights of St. John Oxford serve award winning catfish to first responders

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By Eugene Buglewicz
OXFORD – On Saturday, April 18, at 10:45 sharp, two cars and two pick-up trucks pulled up to the loading dock of Baptist Memorial Hospital North in Oxford, Mississippi. They were filled with hot aluminum trays full of fried catfish and french fries, hush puppies and cole slaw together with some boxed and other home-made cookies prepared by parishioners from St. John the Evangelist parish. There was enough food to provide lunch to approximately 200 staff at the hospital.

The idea for lunch came from Father Joe Tonos, pastor of St. John the Evangelist. Father Joe had seen how other organizations had provided meals to first responders, and thought the excess food would certainly be welcomed by the hospital staff.
Father Joe contacted Basil Richmond, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 10901, and asked if it would be possible for the Knights to prepare the meal with the left-over food to show our appreciation for the staff efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
Richmond contacted Peyton Warrington from Baptist Hospital and arranged for the date, Saturday, April 18 at 10:45 a.m. sharp.
Richmond then recruited six Knights to assist with the preparation of the meal, while a dessert of cookies, both homemade and boxed, was coordinated by Stacy Raspoe, a parishioner of St. John.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, it was busy at St. John’s as the meal was being readied for delivery at 10:30 a.m. Catfish cookers, Richmond, Drew Dixon and Kaleel Rahaim breaded and fried fish while George Read made french fries from 80 pounds of whole potatoes. Lynn Mead prepared the hush puppies while Dave Ray and Gene Buglewicz acted as runners between the fryers and kitchen. In the kitchen, the cooked food was covered and placed in warmers and ovens.
All food and condiments were prepared by 10 a.m., then loaded into two cars and two pick-ups for transport to the hospital at 10:15 a.m.. The hospital crew was waiting at the loading dock with insulated trays and loaded the aluminum pans, cookies and condiments including tarter sauce and ketchup.
For the Knights, the project was on-time and completed at 10:45 a.m. For the over 200 hospital employees, they enjoyed the catfish meal on their lunch breaks around the noon hour. Although the Knights could not personally deliver the catfish to the hospital staff, and had to leave the food with the hospital employees at the loading dock, the Knights felt their labor was the best sign of appreciation they could provide to each of the dedicated hospital employees from their neighbors at St. John the Evangelist Church.

(Gene Buglewicz is a member of St. John parish in Oxford.)