Parish calendar

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, Beloved Disciples retreat, February 22-23, begins with 6:30 dinner. Life is not about finding ourselves. We are not lost. It is about discovering who God created us to be. We are all beloved of God and if we allow Him control of our lives, He can love each one of us into being that beloved disciple that God describes in his Gospel. During this overnight there will be time to listen, pray and share. Presenter: Kathleen Grusek, Certified Spiritual Director and author of four books on spirituality. Donation: $100. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com for more information.
COLLIERVILLE Tenn, Women’s Morning of Spirituality, Saturday, February 23, 8:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Catholic Church of the Incarnation, 360 Bray Station Road. Keynote speaker: Johnnette Benkovic Williams; Witness speaker: Sister Rita Marie Kampa, O.P. Love offerings accepted. Details: Mary Beth (901) 853-1819 or wmosmemphis@gmail.com. Register at womensmorning.com.
GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus Retreat Center, “Mary’s Life in the Holy Spirit – A Model for Us” Women’s Retreat hosted by The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, Council #5267, Saturday, February 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. concluding with a Vigil Mass. Presenter: Catholic evangelist, Andi Oney. Cost: $35 and includes lunch. The retreat is open to all women 18 years and older. Details: www.locusbenedictus.org or (662) 299-1232.
JACKSON Catholic Day at the Capitol will be held on Wednesday, February 27, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle and wraps up with networking at 3 p.m. The topic is reform aimed at restorative justice – especially in the criminal justice system. Details: Sue Allen at sue.allen@ccjackson.org or 601-383-3849.
World Marriage Day 2019 celebration will be held Sunday, February 24, at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. There will be a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, with a reception immediately following. The Mass honors all married couples, but invites those celebrating their 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries, or any significant anniversary. Details: Contact Charlene Bearden, at (601) 960-8487, or via email: charlene.bearden@jacksondiocese.org.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, Bible study on the Gospel of St Luke meets every Wednesday at noon in the St. Elizabeth Rectory. Details: Libby Antici or church office (662) 624-4301.
GREENWOOD Mardi Gras Ball to benefit St. Francis School, Saturday, February 16, from 7 p.m. – midnight. Leflore County Civic Center. Dinner at 8 p.m. DJ Traxx will provide the music. There will be the traditional coronation of the King and Queen of the Ball, as well as other prizes for participants, along with a 50-50 raffle. Cost: $35 per person. All proceeds benefit St. Francis School. Details: school office (662) 453-9511.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, Friday, February 22, 4-8 p.m., Family Life Center. Cost: $10 adults; $5 children 12 and younger. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON St. Peter Cathedral, a Catholic look at advance care planning, Sunday, February 10, at 9:15 a.m. in the Cathedral Center. Presenter: Sister S. Karina Dickey, O.P., Ph.D. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
St. Richard, “The Letters of Saint Paul” classes, Tuesdays, February 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. in the Chichester Room. Presenter: Mary Louise Jones. All are welcome to attend. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Save the Date, Cajun Fest, Sunday, March 5. Includes lots of Cajun food and games for the children. More details will follow. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, World Day of the Sick Mass, Monday, February 11, at 11 a.m. The Mass will be followed by a soup and sandwich lunch in St. Therese Hall. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
PEARL St. Jude, Knights of Columbus is selling chicken plates. Pickup date is Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 1-2 p.m. All proceeds will benefit future Knights of Columbus projects. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
VICKSBURG St. Aloysius High School, library dedication ceremony and reception honoring Father Tom Lalor, Thursday, January 31, in the library immediately following Mass at 9:10 a.m. Details: Kristi Smith at (601) 636-2256.

YOUTH BRIEFS

SAVE THE DATE Diocesan High School Confirmation Retreat, March 30-31, 1 p.m. Saturday – 1p.m. Sunday, Lake Forest Ranch, Macon. Cost is $50 per person. Youth must register through their parish. Registration is due by March 11. Details: Fran Lavelle, (601) 960-8473 or fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org
COLUMBUS Annunciation School, Open House, Saturday, February 2, 10 a.m. – noon, Details: Katie Fenstermacher at marketing@annunciationcatholicschool.org or school office (662) 328-4479.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Irish Fest, Sunday, March 3, noon – 4 p.m. Details: school office (601) 482-6044.
SOUTHAVEN Sacred Heart School, Open House, Sunday, February 10 from 2-4 p.m. Recognized by Today’s Catholic Teacher as one of three most innovative Catholic Identity Schools in the U.S. Now accepting applications for the 2019-20 school year. Details: school office (662) 349-0900 or bmartin@shsm.org.

Students offer gifts to nursing home

JACKSON – St. Richard Catholic School’s annual service project, Manhattan Mall, is one of the yearly endeavors that speaks to the Catholic Social Teaching of the school’s option for the poor and vulnerable, and to the works of mercy that are at the root of our Mercy Sisters’ heritage. Manhattan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center sits across the street from the school. Many of the residents are not able to leave the nursing home and shop for Christmas presents for their children, grandchildren or even fellow residents and staff, so the sixth grade brings the stores to them. The stores, which are supervised by the sixth graders, are divided into different sections and each resident will receive Manhattan Mall “money” to shop for five gifts each. Once the residents have purchased their items, they have the option of having them gift-wrapped for their loved ones. The hope is for the residents to be able to personally buy gifts for their family and friends, which allows them to feel independent.

Youth Enthusiastic about National Catholic Youth Choir

COLLEGEVILLE, Minnesota – When Perry Leffler (NCYC Alum 2015) of Jackson St. Richard Parish went to Minnesota for a youth choir camp, she knew there would be lots of singing. What she found was so much more: fun, friendship, and faith. “[This camp] definitely strengthened my faith,” she said. “I like how we came to camp not knowing anyone leave it as close friends.”

COLLEGEVILLE, Minnesota – St. Richard Parish member Perry Leffler, front row, far left, toured with the National Catholic Youth Choir in 2015. This year, there is a new scholarship available for a student who wishes to join. (Photo by Marc Leffler)

The National Catholic Youth Choir, which meets on the grounds of Saint John’s Abbey and University in central Minnesota, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019. Since the choir’s founding in 2000, more than 300 young Catholic singers have participated in the summer camp. They have all shared a powerful experience of singing sacred music, studying the Bible and their Catholic faith, learning some music history, and making new friends to play sports and recreate with. “It’s a positive, joyful experience of being Catholic that really speaks to young people,” said founding director Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB.
During the camp the choir members pray with the Benedictine monks and sisters, participate in experiences such as the Rosary or Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and end each day by chanting Compline. After the intense music rehearsal on campus, the choir goes on tour to sing at parish liturgies and offer concerts of sacred music. “
Membership in the selective choir is by audition. To make it easy for applicants from across the U.S., the entire application process is done online. All young singers with note-reading ability and choir experience are invited to apply. For the 20th anniversary it is expected that the choir will be larger than ever – and they will be joined at the final Mass by dozens of alum singers from the past 20 years!
Thanks to the generosity and support of Bishop Joseph Kopacz, a young chorister from the Diocese of Jackson is eligible for a $250 scholarship toward NCYC camp and choir tour.
“The NCYC provides opportunity for every person to grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially into faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. I am so very happy to have taken part in it,” said Remy Mumby (NCYC Alum 2016) from Lansing, Michigan
For information about the choir, including how to apply, go to www.CatholicYouthChoir.org. Applications are due in mid-March.

(Story submitted by National Catholic Youth Choir)

Reconciliation retreat

CORINTH – St. James the Less’ First Communion Class plays during their First Reconciliation retreat on Saturday Dec. 1. Teachers include Yolanda Salinas, Edith del Ángel, Teresita Peña, Mariana García, Roberto Santamaria and the candidates are Maya Gomes, Jairo López, Emilio Ceron, Pascual Baltazar, Aylin Hernandez y Yoseline Ruiz. (Photo by Luis Rosales)