By Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – The Assembly 554 of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop R.O. Gerow, will again be sponsoring the Wreaths Across America program (WAA) this year.

Steve Miller, PFN says the Knights will be selling wreaths made from live greenery to be placed on veteran graves during the Christmas season and that sales have already begun.

The cost of a wreath to honor brave men and women who have served the U.S. is only $15 and can be purchased at kofc554.org through Nov. 20. Wreaths may be purchased for an unspecified veteran. These will be placed on veteran graves at the Clinton Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery in Clinton on Dec. 17 at 12 p.m.

Wreaths can also be purchased for a specific veteran family member or friend and will be available for pick-up at Holy Savior Church (714 Lindale St., Clinton) on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.
The Wreaths Across America program honors veterans from the Revolutionary War to present day conflicts and come from all backgrounds. It also boasts over 3,400 participating locations around the country.

Wreaths Across America is a national program with humble beginnings. In 1992 Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine found himself with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season and realized he had an opportunity to honor our county’s veterans. With the help of former Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, Morrill arranged for the wreaths to be place at Arlington National Cemetery in one of the older sections which had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.

This act of generosity became an annual tribute that went on quietly for several years each December, led by Morrill and his family until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the internet and it began to grow.

In 2020, nearly 1.8 million veteran wreaths were placed at more than 2,500 participating locations. More than two million volunteers nationwide joined in these efforts. The National WAA program is held annual on the second or third Saturday of December.

“The WAA program was brought to the Assembly’s attention by Joe Blake in the fall of 2020. Joe, a past Faithful Navigator of 554 and a Vietnam veteran, thought it would be a good patriotic program for the assembly and worth looking into,” said Miller.

After researching the WAA program, the Assembly realized with so little time and Covid restrictions preventing in-person sales the most they could do in 2020 would be to rely on membership to purchase wreaths and place them at a Crystal Springs cemetery, which had been adopted by a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In July of 2021 the Assembly filed the necessary paperwork with the WAA’s organization and adopted the Clinton Cemetery located at 500 East College Street, where the Assembly had placed American flags for several years in observance of Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day and had identified 170 veteran gravesites, shared Miller.

“Our total wreath sales exceeded our expectations, and 250 wreaths were sold through our various purchase options,” said Miller. “Of the 250 wreaths purchased 30 wreaths were sold to individuals for placement on veteran gravesites of family members or friends at other cemetery locations rather than the Assembly’s adopted cemetery.”

On Dec. 18, 2021, the Assembly members along with women from Clinton’s local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and local Scouts took part in a Wreaths Across America Day Ceremony.

This year, the Knights assembly hopes to exceed those totals. For more information or to purchase a wreath, visit kofc554.org.

(Steve Miller, PFN, Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554 collaborated with this story. For more information about the national WWA program, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/.)

Editor’s note: Home with Heroes in Natchez is also sponsoring the Wreaths Across America Program. Wreathes will be places at the Natchez National, Greenlawn Memorial Park and Vidalia Cemetery on Dec. 17. For more information visit: homewithheroes.org.

By Galen Holley
NEW ALBANY – Parishioners celebrated Mass outdoors on Oct. 16, on a cool, crisp fall morning, with birds and squirrels darting through the pines encircling the yard. What better way to honor the legacy of their patron and namesake of the church, St. Francis of Assisi.

“St. Francis was known for loving nature and animals, and for loving others,” said Father Xavier Jesuraj, preaching his homily in front of a crowd of 300, most of them sitting in lawn chairs, others standing around the makeshift soccer and volleyball field that would soon be teeming with energetic athletes.

An unpainted statue of the saint, his hand held aloft in pious blessing, stood beside the altar, along with fragrant bouquets of flowers. On the west end of the yard, just behind the church, a Hispanic band, complete with bass, guitar, tambourine and a litany of female singers, serenaded the faithful. During Holy Communion, they sang, “The Prayer of St. Francis,” in Spanish. “Make me a channel of your peace,” they sang. “Where there is despair in life, let me bring hope.”

Catholics from Tupelo and Ripley also came to New Albany to worship. The “Danza” group, honoring their Aztec tradition, also performed.

Fluffy, bundled children scurried about, gathering handfuls of dried pine needles off the pavement. In the impromptu midway, on the north side of the church, the mechanical bull and the bouncy house were going up. The succulent smell of carne asada filled the air, along with the sweet smell of grilling onions, and the crisp, fresh bite of chopped cilantro.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish celebrated 72 years in 2022. The first gatherings were in the home of the Kelso family. Priests from the Glenmary Home Missioners staffed it until four years ago, when diocesan priest, Father Raj, began shepherding the community.

Today, the church is a vibrant mix of Anglo and Latino members, along with other races and nationalities, who collaborate on festive occasions, like this one, to express their unity in Jesus Christ. Their diversity and mutual love testify to a broken world that division is only a deception, and that faith in the risen Jesus is the tie that binds.

Father Raj spoke of his recent trip to the holy sites of Europe, including Assisi. He became emotional when speaking of Carlos Acutis, a remarkable Italian youth, who died of leukemia, in 2006, at the age of 15. The boy had vast computer skills, and documented, online, miracles concerning the Holy Eucharist. He was beatified in October 2020.

“The Pope says that we need saints in jeans,” said Father Raj, during his homily to the crowd of jean wearers gathered at the celebration Mass. Maybe modern saints are living among us.

By Lora Beth Barrett
SALTILLO – Just as Jesus says in the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time’s Gospel reading from the book of Luke, “Stand up and go, your faith has saved you,” so has the faith of the descendants of the St. Thomas Aquinas Church in the Saltillo community.

On Oct. 9 on a beautiful, sunny day, members of the Catholic community gathered to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

The first structure, as a wooden framed church, was built and was dedicated on May 7, 1922, by Bishop John Edward Gunn. St. Thomas became a mission church of St. James the Greater parish of Tupelo in 1963 when Father Paul Gillis was priest. In 1966, a brick church was built to replace the original church. Tragedy hit this faith community when the church burned to the ground in the early morning hours in late April of 2009.

The only items that were saved from the fire include a votive candle stand, a holy water font and Consecration bells. Father Tom Lalor was the priest of the St. Thomas mission at the time of the fire. Since this tragedy, the members of this faith community have continued to remain strong in their faith.

The community continued to worship in Marie Barrett Hall. The small chapel was built when Father Lincoln Dall was priest. Today, this faith community continues to worship together. Each fall the community celebrate the “Blessings of the Graves.” In the spring, this faith community celebrates Easter with a potluck dinner and Easter fun and games. The community continues the traditions and stand together in faith just as their ancestors did over 100 years ago.
Mass was celebrated under a tent in the area where the 1966 structure used to stand on Sunday, Oct. 9. The altar was placed in the general location as the previous structure. Mass was celebrated by Father Tim Murphy and Father Henry Shelton. The St. Thomas choir, under the leadership of Lailah Valentine, provided music for the Mass.

A potluck was served after the Mass celebration by the members in attendance. Entertainment was provided by the Gusmus Grass, a bluegrass band, made up of several members of the congregation. Games were played by the newest generation of the community and lots of love, laughter, and conversation was shared among the congregation.

Both Father Tim Murphy and Father Henry Shelton left everyone in attendance with a lasting impression on the day’s events. Father Tim Murphy concluded his homily in comparison to the community’s ancestors, “Just as they came with two mules of the earth, so did their faith remain and grow. Just as yours will continue in future generations.”

Father Henry Shelton shared reflections of his experiences. He concluded by reminding us of the cemetery filled with generations of family members in the community who have gone before us. He stated, “It is the belief of the Catholic church that when we receive the Eucharist all of our loved ones are gathered around and sharing it with us.”

The community will continue to thrive as they worship together with the compassion, joy and love celebrated on this glorious day. God Bless this community!

(Lora Beth Barrett is a second-grade teacher at Dorsey Attendance Center outside Fulton, Mississippi. She enjoys singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and growing her faith within her church family and work family. She spends her free time with family, reading and anything art related.)

By Berta Mexidor
MCCOMB – In a special Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz and pastor, Father Suresh Reddy Thirumalareddy on Sunday, Oct. 30, parishioners and priests from around the diocese celebrated the 100th anniversary of the St. Alphonsus church building.

Bishop John Edward Gunn led the McComb Catholic congregation in building the twin-towered church, which was dedicated in 1922. According to claims, the cornerstone of which contains the names of the 1922 confirmation class.

The McComb area Catholic history reaches back to the 1860s with the first Mass being celebrated at the Bunker Hill home of Marie Elizabeth Brown and other Masses held at Vinegar Hill where “wooden dressers were made into make shift altars,” according to Christ: The Living Water by Cleta Ellington.

Nine days ahead of the celebration parishioners began a novena to St. Alphonsus Logouri, patron saint of the parish. On the last day of the novena, parishioners prayed:

“Lord, we celebrate 100 years in this building at St. Alphonsus Parish in McComb. Let this sanctified structure, we pray, continue to serve as a sanctuary for the Faithful, the True Church founded by Christ Himself, and as a beacon of Your Truth to our community of Pike County, through Christ, Our Lord, Amen.”

Two days after the parish celebration, parishioners reunited at the gravesite of Father Brian Kaskie at Hollywood Cemetery for an All Souls Day Mass for their former pastor who passed in 2021.

Father Brian was only in McComb a few years but left a deep impact in the life of the parish.

With all the happiness, and faith of late Father Kaskie, all the priests that served the community since the beginning, and the founders’ parishioners, everyone present at the celebration said ”Thanks be to God for 100 years of blessings bestowed on St. Alphonsus!”

MCCOMB – the faithful gather for a Mass celebrating the 100th anniversary of the current St. Alphonsus church building on Sunday, Oct. 30. Above, a picture of the exterior of the parish with its twin towers in 1954. (Photos courtesy of St. Alphonsus parish and Diocese archives)

By Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – Several parishes around the diocese are dedicated to erecting altars for the Day of the Dead – Día de los Muertos. For many it is important to pass on the knowledge of the meaning behind the altar creation.

At Immaculate Heart of Mary in Houston, the history of honoring deceased family members and friends with an altar is a tradition parishioners look forward to.

Lay ecclesial minister, Danna Johnson says that “it is beautiful how families pass this tradition to the new generations.”

Johnson recently witnessed a parishioner bring in her young daughter Delayza to place an offering in front of the photo of the late Timotea, her mother and grandmother, respectively.

Rosalinda and Joel Montoya of St. Therese parish in Jackson work to pass the tradition down to the young people of the parish, giving them instructions and build the altar each year. The hope is that the tradition will continue for years to come.

At St. James Tupelo, Rosario González and Gricelda Martinez took on the task of making the altar this year. Each of the colorful altars has the tradition of being created from two to seven stages, as Martinez explains, which represent the steps that souls take to the final rest or the seven original sins, depending on the elder traditions. Martinez also explains that altars can be made up of just three levels, which would represent heaven, earth and the underworld.

From family and friends, each altar receives the offering of products representing the four elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Each stage of the altar and what to be placed on each has a meaning, as well as each of the elements used for decorations.

Photos – Photos of the deceased are always placed on the altar. The inclusion of mirrors is optional, according to each tradition.

Arches – Symbolize the entrance to the world of the dead

Papel “Picado” (Tissue paper flags) – Represent the festive joy of the day and the movement of the wind.

Water – A glass of water is placed for the purity of the soul and the regeneration of life.

Seeds – Represent the element of earth.

Cempasuchitl flowers – Flor de Muerto (Flower of the Dead) or marigolds have an aroma that guides the spirits on their journey to this world.

Copal Incense – This is used to drive away evil spirits.

Candles – They light the path of the souls of the deceased.

Calacas-catrinas (skulls): They allude to death and can be made with sugar or any material.

Saints – The altar is always accompanied by images of Jesus and other saints of devotion.
Salt – A symbol of the purification of the spirits.

Food and drink – Favorite dishes or drinks of the deceased.

Pan de Muerto (Bread of Death) – The bread is circular in shape to represent the constant cycle between life and death. It is decorated with four small cross-shaped loaves for each one of the cardinal points, connected with a round roll at the top, that represents the skull of a skeleton.

Cross – It is always placed on the top of the altar or formed with seeds, fruits, salt, ashes or cempasuchil flowers.

The celebration of the Day of the Dead is already traveling from churches, the land of Mexico and cemeteries to become a popular celebration in offices, parks, museums and other such spaces. An altar can always be set up for family and friends to share photos, stories and memories of the people who have departed.

Día de los Muertos celebrations traditionally begin on Oct. 31, coinciding with Halloween, and continue through All Saints Day and All Souls Day – but everything does not end on Nov. 2. Sometimes, a closing ritual of the altar is performed on Nov. 3.

Jose, from station 97.5 in Los Angeles explains that, according to tradition, many the next day light a “white candle, burn copal’s incense and say goodbye to the souls…” of the deceased who attended their celebration, and they are asked to come back next year. “After this ritual, the offering is raised,” he concludes.