Category Archives: Parish News

Calendar of Events

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PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
ANGUILLA – Our Mother of Mercy, Celebrating 100 years of our Catholic faith, Saturday, Jan. 27. Mass at 10:30 a.m. with reception following. Please join us!

COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Mardi Gras Mambo, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Annunciation Gymnasium. Adults only. Dinner and open bar included. To attend purchase a draw down ticket for $100 or a $35 silent auction ticket at the door. Details: email psa.acseagles@gmail.com.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Women in the New Testament Scripture Study, Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Feb. 1 and 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. Facilitator for the program is Chris Greer. Details: Contact Chris at (662) 429-7851 for details and to order a workbook.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Mass of Thanksgiving for MLK, Jr. and Sister Thea Bowman, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at 3 p.m. Details: Office of Intercultural Ministry at (601) 949-6935.

St. Richard School, Krewe de Cardinal, Save the date: Friday, Feb. 2 from 7-11 p.m. at The South Warehouse. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.

St. Richard Church, ChristLife, begins Jan. 3 and ends Feb. 14. Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in Foley Hall, with a life-changing retreat on Feb. 14. Explore answers to important questions like: How does knowing Jesus really make a difference? How can I know the power of the Holy Spirit? What is the purpose of my life? All within a community of people who are soul searching as well. Dinner included. Childcare provided as needed. Seating is limited, so register as soon as possible. Details: register at https://saintrichard.com/christlife/ or email Tiffany at strchristlife@gmail.com.

Theology on Tap, Dates for 2024: Jan. 10 with Cookie Leffler; Feb. 7 with Bishop Kopacz; March 6 with Father Lincoln Dall; April 10 – Easter celebration. Meetings are on Wednesdays at Martin’s Restaurant Downtown Jackson.

World Marriage Day, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter Jackson and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. James Tupelo. This is a wonderful celebration of the sacrament of matriomony for those couples in the diocese celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th or greater anniversary. To register contact your parish office or go to www.jacksondiocese.org/family-ministry to register yourself. Details: Office of Family Ministry (601) 960-8487.

MADISON – St. Francis, Ring in Your Faith 10k/5k, Monday, Jan. 1 at 8 a.m. You are guaranteed a delicious New Year’s Day meal and fellowship after the race. Cost is $30, with proceeds to assist Knights ongoing service projects. Register at https://bit.ly/ringinyourfaith2024. Details: Joe at leslieslee@hotmail.com.

St. Joseph School, Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues $10,000 Draw Down, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at the Reunion Country Club. Sponsorships available. Details: www.stjoedrawdown.com.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Spaghetti Dinner, Saturday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Plate cost: Adults $10/Children $5. Come enjoy a delicious dinner and fellowship. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.


St. Patrick, M*A*S*H Bash Blood Drive, Tuesday, Dec. 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the KC Hall. Please go to vitalant.org to make an appointment.


PEARL – St. Jude, Floral Design for Churches Workshop, Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $20 to cover cost of flowers and lunch. Details: RSVP at mary.woodward@jacksondiocese.org or call (601) 969-1880.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Pizza Movie Night, Friday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. for grades 4-8. Enjoy an evening watching “The Fourth Wise Man.” Details: Please sign up to attend by Tuesday, Jan. 2 by signing up in the church or educations or email ctksdonna@gmail.com.

Christ the King, Pastoral Council Town Hall, Saturday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. (English) and Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. (Spanish) – both events in the social hall. The Council would like to hear your needs, challenges and concerts to recommend solutions, create strategies, plan and promote growth for the parish. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, Catholic speaker and founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters. Cost: $100 for the weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com.

PINE MOUNTAINS, GA – The Girls Garden Retreat, April 4-7, 2024 at Callaway Resort and Gardens. Retreat is for any woman who seeks goodness of God through beauty, rest, prayer and small community. Featured speaker is Laura Huval, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, Catholic speaker, author and more. Details: for registration, information and pricing visit www.girlsgardenretreats.com.

LOUISVILLE, KY – National Black Catholic Women’s Gathering, July 26-28, 2024. Join Black Catholic women to engage talents for becoming and forming missionary disciples. Sponsored by the National Black Sisters’ Conference. Details: nbsc@nbsc68.org.

VIRTUAL – School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), “Joyful & Alive Conversation,” Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. CST via Zoom. Single women ages 18-45 interested in how to discover God’s invitations in their life and/or who are curious about religious life are invited to attend and bring questions. Details: More information and registration for the Zoom link is available at ssnd.org/events/1-11-24/.

Families gather for 180th celebration of St. Michael Paulding

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By Tereza Ma and Joanna Puddister King

PAULDING – On Dec. 2, the faithful gathered at St. Michael in Paulding to celebrate at milestone 180th anniversary with Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Adolfo Suarez Pasillas. Established in 1843, the parish is the second oldest Catholic Church in the state of Mississippi, behind St. Mary Natchez.

Paulding was a bustling town with a thriving trade center before the Civil War. At that time, it was known as “the Queen City of the East.” However, by the 1890s as railways became crucial for trade the town turned down a proposed line that would run through town. The commercial importance of the town drastically dropped but the parish continued to thrive and was a “cradle of vocations,” according to Christ: The Living Water by Cleta Ellington.

PAULDING – Judy and Ricky McDevitt present the gifts to Bishop Joseph Kopacz during a Mass celebrating 180 years of St. Michael in Paulding on Saturday, Dec. 2. The McDevitt’s aid with maintenance of the parish in preparation for Masses and special events. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

Over 20 religious came from the parish and included many Sisters of Mercy, Daughters of Charity and Brothers of the Sacred Heart. A plaque honors many of them in the back of the church building.

Therese Bergin Grant remembers when the original church was destroyed by a fire in July 1942 when she was only about four years old. The church was struck by lightning, with only a few items able to be salvaged. “I will never forget those flames,” said Grant. Until a new church was built, Mass was held in a nearby school building.

Bishop Kopacz blesses the feast following Mass in celebration of 180 years of St. Michael parish. Pictured on the far left is William Harrington, one of the decendants of Michael and Rebecca Harrington, who were one of the original families at the founding of the church in 1843.

Grant also fondly remembered her childhood at the church, walking over three miles to celebrate Mass as a child, with the occasional ride from her first cousin on his shoulders.
“It was fun,” said Grant. “It’s been quite a journey through life, but I always come back to St. Michael’s.”

St. Michael also is home to a Catholic cemetery dating back to the 1860s that contains burial sites for many of the founding families of the parish. Several families present at the 180th anniversary Mass had ancestors buried in the cemetery dating back to the founding of the parish – including the Harrington, Bergin and Finnegan families.

Donnie Bergin was baptized in the church in the 1950s and remembers his pastor at the time – Father Gabriel – pointing you out if you made too much noise in church. He said that around that time about one-third of the church was full of Bergin’s – many of whom are buried in the cemetery today.

Also present at the celebration was Paula Finnegan Phillips. She said that 99% of her family members are buried in the St. Michael cemetery. She was so touched by the Mass celebrated with Bishop Kopacz and so many families present that have been apart of the parish for generations.

“It’s just very spiritual when you come to this church. It’s like you can see those who have past at Mass with you. God talks. Jesus talks. The Holy Spirit talks – when you come here. And I heard it today,” said Phillips.
At present, Father Adolfo celebrates Mass at the historic St. Michael Church on the first and third Saturday of each month. Though many of the families present at the 180th celebration are members of other parishes within the Diocese of Biloxi, that borders close by, they all seem to come back to St. Michael; and feel as Therese Bergin Grant – “It’s home.”

Full pews and hearts abound at St. Michael Paulding, the second oldest Catholic Church in the state of Mississippi.

In memoriam: Sister Loretta Picucci, SP

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By Sister Rosemary Schmalz, SP

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind. – Sister Loretta Picucci, SP died on Nov. 9 in Providence Health Care. She was born on June 23, 1941 in Chicago to Joseph and Lucy Paoletti Picucci and was baptized Loretta Louise.

Sister Loretta entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Sept. 12, 1964 and received the name Sister Loretta Joseph. She professed final vows Apr. 24, 1976. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University, Chicago. Of her 59 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a primary teacher for 14 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and Washington DC. Committing herself to working with the poor, she served as an assistant director of a Congregation Day Nursery in Chicago for two years, an outreach minister at Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Mississippi for eight years, a family care professional in Chicago for five years and an ESL teacher in California for five years. Her last 15 years of active ministry were at Providence in the Desert in Coachella, California, a sponsored ministry of the Congregation serving a Hispanic community, many of whom were farm workers. There she continued to teach English. Retiring in 2018, she moved to the motherhouse where she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer.

All of Sister Loretta’s ministries were rooted in compassion and love. She never rushed. No matter what needed to be done, she worked from a contemplative center, living in the present, giving her full attention to the task at hand and the person she was serving.

Sister Loretta is survived by a sister Josephine Mooney of Pittsburgh. She is preceded in death by a brother, Peter Picucci.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, with burial in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.

Calendar of Events

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PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
ANGUILLA – Our Mother of Mercy, Celebrating 100 years of our Catholic faith, Saturday, Jan. 27. Mass at 10:30 a.m. with reception following. Please join us!

COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Mardi Gras Mambo, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Annunciation Gymnasium. Adults only. Dinner and open bar included. To attend purchase a draw down ticket for $100 or a $35 silent auction ticket at the door. Details: email psa.acseagles@gmail.com.

CHATAWA – Our Lady of Hope and Camp Chatawa, Christmas in Chatawa, Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Enjoy a live Nativity, pancake breakfast, train rides, caroling hay ride, Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer games, crafts and hot chocolate bar. Cost: $20 per person. Details: RSVP at ourladyofhopems.com.

GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School, Christmas Tree Sale, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Mass of Thanksgiving for MLK, Jr. and Sister Thea Bowman, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at 3 p.m. Details: Office of Intercultural Ministry at (601) 949-6935.

St. Richard, Christmas Candlelighting Celebration for Deceased Loved Ones, Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in Foley Hall. Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP will share comments on her own experiences with lost loved ones. A brief ceremony of prayer and rememberance is included, followed by drinks and light refreshments. Details: please RSVP to Nancy at (601) 942-2078 or ncmcghee@bellsouth.net.

St. Richard School, Krewe de Cardinal, Save the date: Friday, Feb. 2 from 7-11 p.m. at The South Warehouse. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.

Theology on Tap, Dates for 2024: Jan. 10 with Cookie Leffler; Feb. 7 with Bishop Kopacz; March 6 with Father Lincoln Dall; April 10 – Easter celebration. Meetings are on Wednesdays at Martin’s Restaurant Downtown Jackson.

World Marriage Day, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter Jackson and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. James Tupelo. This is a wonderful celebration of the sacrament of matriomony for those couples in the diocese celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th or greater anniversary. Details: Office of Family Ministry (601) 960-8487.

MADISON – St. Francis, Ring in Your Faith 10k/5k, Monday, Jan. 1 at 8 a.m. You are guaranteed a delicious New Year’s Day meal and fellowship after the race. Cost is $30, with proceeds to assist Knights ongoing service projects. Register at https://bit.ly/ringinyourfaith2024. Details: Joe at leslieslee@hotmail.com.
St. Joseph School, Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues $10,000 Draw Down, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 at the Reunion Country Club. Sponsorships available. Details: www.stjoedrawdown.com.

NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Lessons and Carols, Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. Beautiful music program with parish Christmas party to follow in the Family Life Center. Everyone is invited! Donations accepted for parish March for Life pilgrimage. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Women’s Club Bake Sale, Saturday/Sunday, Dec. 16-17 after Mass. All proceeds for SCJ Religious of Hales Corner, Wisconsin.

PEARL – St. Jude, Floral Design for Churches Workshop, Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $20 to cover cost of flowers and lunch. Details: RSVP at mary.woodward@jacksondiocese.org or call (601) 969-1880.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, La Posada, Saturday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. Procession with Mary and Joseph in their search for shelter. Followed by dinner, piñata and visit from Santa. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, Catholic speaker and founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters. Cost: $100 for the weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com.

PINE MOUNTAINS, GA – The Girls Garden Retreat, April 4-7, 2024 at Callaway Resort and Gardens. Retreat is for any woman who seeks goodness of God through beauty, rest, prayer and small community. Featured speaker is Laura Huval, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, Catholic speaker, author and more. Details: for registration, information and pricing visit www.girlsgardenretreats.com.

LOUISVILLE, KY – Save the date: National Black Catholic Women’s Gathering, July 26-28, 2024. Join Black Catholic women to engage talents for becoming and forming missionary disciples. Sponsored by the National Black Sisters’ Conference. Details: nbsc@nbsc68.org.

VIRTUAL – School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), Young Adult Evening Prayer, Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. CST via Zoom. Participants will experience evening prayer in the rhythm of the Liturgy of the Hours interspersed with faith sharing and/or other prayer styles such as Lectio Divina, Taizé or Contemplative prayer. The online communal prayer typically lasts about an hour. More information and registration for the Zoom link is available at ssnd.org/events/12-19-23/.

School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), “Joyful & Alive Conversation,” Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. CST via Zoom. Single women ages 18-45 interested in how to discover God’s invitations in their life and/or who are curious about religious life are invited to attend and bring questions. More information and registration for the Zoom link is available at ssnd.org/events/1-11-24/.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES
BATESVILLE – St. Mary, Advent Penance Service, Thursday, Dec. 14, after 5:30 Mass.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Advent Reconciliation Service, Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Reconciliation Service, Monday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.
JACKSON – St. Richard, Advent Confessions, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. until Christmas.
MADISON – St. Francis, Reconciliation Service, Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Advent Penance Service, Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
TUPELO – St. James, Advent Reconciliation Service, Monday, Dec. 18 from 5-7 p.m.

Advent Reconciliation/Penance Services

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BATESVILLE – St. Mary, Advent Penance Service, Thursday, Dec. 14, after 5:30 Mass.

CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Confessions, Monday, Dec. 11 from 4:30-6 p.m.

CLINTON – Holy Savior, Penance Service, Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Advent Reconciliation Service, Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.

FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Reconciliation Service, Monday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Advent Penance Service, Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Confession, Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 4:30-6 p.m.

JACKSON – St. Richard, Advent Confessions, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. until Christmas.

MADISON – St. Francis, Reconciliation Service, Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Advent Penance Service, Monday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

OLIVE BRANCH – Advent Penance Service, Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

PEARL – St. Jude, Reconciliation Service, Monday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.

SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Advent Penance Service, Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

VICKSBURG – St. Michael, Advent Penance Service, Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

VICKSBURG – St. Paul, Penance Service, Thursday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m.

YAZOO CITY – St. Mary, Reconciliation Service, Monday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.

Feature Photo … Cathedral ‘shiny and new’ …

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JACKSON – Father Nick Adam, rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter, is extremely pleased with the final outcome of the exterior work done by Marsh Waterproofing at the Cathedral. Due to little to no rain, the big job took only half the time with little disruption to day-to-day activities. Special thanks go to Mary Woodward and Traci Avalon for their assistance with the project. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Walton’s “Advent Reflections for this Day” offers unique path to deeper Advent experience

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By Joanna Puddister King

JACKSON – Parishioner of St. Paul Flowood, Monica Walton, didn’t envision her 2022 Advent Reflection booklet she made and shared with friends and family would lead to the publishing of her first book, but it did.

Earlier this year, Sunrise Press rose out of Dogwood Press, a small but traditional publishing house headed by Joe Lee, parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Madison. Walton said even though Lee’s publishing house was focused on mystery and suspense fiction, he was Catholic and thought she would get his perspective even though she was hesitant to do so. As chance would have it, Lee was “sufficiently intrigued” with Walton’s pitch and he ended up creating Sunrise Press, a subsidiary of Dogwood Press that considers faith-based works of fiction and nonfiction for publication.

The 2023 edition of “Advent Reflections for this Day” – the very first book published by Sunrise Press – is a unique and thoughtfully crafted resource for individuals seeking a more profound connection to the Sacred Word during the busy Christmas season. Walton’s book offers a weekly focus on the Sunday Gospels, allowing readers to dive deeper into the spiritual meaning of Advent without the pressure of daily readings. One of the standout features of this book is the inclusion of “Modern-Day Parables,” original stories created by Walton that draw parallels between the Gospel passages and contemporary situations. Walton says that the parables provide fresh perspectives on the Scripture, making it even more relevant to our daily lives.

The decision to create a weekly Advent reflection, as opposed to a daily one, lies in Walton’s experience with the face-paced nature of the Advent season, often causing people to lose sight of its true significance. She explained, “Sometimes it feels like you can’t catch up if you get behind a few days. I wrote the book with myself and other busy people in mind.”

“Advent Reflections for this Day” contains four Sunday Gospels, followed by Walton’s unique contemporary parables, three thought-provoking questions to consider how the reader might respond in similar situations, and three suggestions on how to live out the Gospel’s message during that particular week. The emphasis is on personal reflection, with no right or wrong answers. As Walton puts it, “It’s about thinking, ‘how can I be the best I want to be.’”

Bishop Joseph Kopacz enjoyed Walton’s Advent reflections, sharing news of the book’s release with pastors across the diocese, saying that the book is “strongly recommended for parishes as well as individuals who look to further their walk with God, and to prepare for the coming of the Lord.”

While the book is suitable for people of any Christian denomination, it is predominantly Catholic, specifically focusing on Year B of the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. Walton plans for editions covering Year A and B if her publisher agrees. She has a wealth of her “Modern-Day Parables” to draw from for future offerings, having written over 100 of them with no shortage of inspiration.

Walton encourages readers to start the book the week of Nov. 27, as the first Sunday of Advent falls on Dec. 3. This year, the Advent season is a bit shorter, with the fourth week ending on Christmas Eve, explained Walton.

“Advent Reflections for this Day” is available for purchase at various local bookstores, including Lemuria (Jackson), Lorelei Books (Vicksburg), Book Mart and Café (Starkville), Impression Books (Flowood) and Pass Christian Books (Pass Christian and Gulfport). For those who prefer online shopping, the book can also be ordered at dogwoodpress.com at a cost of $8.95.

New Albany parish celebrates patron saint – St. Francis of Assisi

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By Galen Holley

NEW ALBANY – Outdoors, on a perfect fall morning, was the ideal place and time to celebrate the life of perhaps the most popular saint in history.

The parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Albany, as they do each October, gathered in the three-acre lot behind the church, in an open field, skirted by pine and oak, and sat facing the altar, shaded by a redbud tree.

The faithful, some 350-plus, sat in folding chairs, and many stood in a wide semi-circle, as youngsters carried in the statue of St. Francis, led by the rhythmic thumping of drums, and the colorful blaze and synergetic movements of La Danza.

The community of St. Francis of Assisi is 74 years old. The first gatherings were in the home of the Kelso family. Priests from the Glenmary Home Missioners were among the first to provide ministry to the faithful. St. Francis is now a parish in the diocese, with Father Jesuraj Xavier as the pastor.

“St. Francis spoke the language of love,” said Father Raj, during his homily. “The saint asked God to make him a channel of peace.”

NEW ALBANY — Youth at St. Francis of Assisi Parish carry a statue of their patron saint, ahead of a procession, during a celebration on Sunday, Oct. 22.

That peace is much needed in a world torn by war, Father said. He mentioned the devastating conflicts raging in Israel and Ukraine.

“For us, St. Francis is not simply a name, but an identity,” said Father Raj. “St. Francis embraced poverty and humility, as well as joyful charity, and today we celebrate in nature, gathered around the Eucharist and united as one.”

As Father Raj explained, the Italian mystic and itinerant preacher known to the world as St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226), was never ordained a priest. “He didn’t consider himself worthy to celebrate Mass and preside at the Eucharist,” said Father Raj. “He remained a deacon and knew that his role was to exemplify poverty and simplicity.” St. Francis is also one of the very few saints to have borne the stigmata, or the wounds that Christ suffered during crucifixion.

“St. Francis embraced nature and animals” said Father Raj, with a broad smile. “He would say ‘brother tree’ or ‘sister cat.’”

As the faithful received Communion, almost incredibly (and quite comically) an orange tabby cat, with which children had been playing along the edge of the woods, made its way to the altar area. The cat inspected things, leaped upon a chair or two, then moved on.

Before sending forth the congregation, Father Raj reminded the faithful to live the identity of their patron saint.

“If you do one thing today, if you take away one message,” Father Raj said, “pray for peace.”