Parish calendar of events

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, Feel the need to get away for one or several days of solitude and self-care? The Dwelling Place is a place of hospitality and prayer open to people of all Christian traditions. Treat yourself to an overnight, a weekend or longer to let God in. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com for more information.
CULLMAN, Ala., Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, Weekend Intensive Centering Prayer, November 16-18. Develop further the discipline of Centering Prayer and deepen your relationship with God. Director: Diana Tschache. The weekend will be spent in silence. Prerequisite: Introduction to Centering Prayer. Cost: Private Room $245. Details: (256) 734-8302, retreats@shmon.org or www.shmon.org.
GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus Retreat Center, Ephphatha “Inner Healing Through the Healing Miracle of Jesus,” Friday, November 2 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, November 3 at 8:30 a.m., ending with Mass at 4 p.m. Cost: $50. Finance assistance is available. Details: (662) 299-1232.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Trunk or Treat, Wednesday, October 31, at 6 p.m. Parishioners are invited to pass out candy on the playground of the Parish Center in vehicles. Includes a meal, Saints Bio and a hayride. Details: church office (662) 833-1799.
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Bible Study “Who Am I to Judge: Responding to Relativism with Logic and Love,” noon on Wednesdays in the rectory. Join scholar Edward Sri in discussing cultural questions about morality for all people. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Weight Loss Support Group, Tuesday mornings at 8:30 a.m. for a weigh in and sharing. Details: Liz Brown (901) 331-3419.
JACKSON St. Peter Cathedral, Fall Gala, Saturday, November 10, 6:30-10 p.m. at the Railroad District, 824 South State Street Cost: $60 per person or $100 per couple. Details: Traci Avalon (601) 969-3125 or tavalon@cathedralsaintpeter.org or www.cathedralsaintpeter.org.
St. Richard, Team Bass Challenge, Saturday, November 10 at Ross Barnett Reservoir. You do not have to be a parishioner to participate. Cost: $100 per two man team with optional third member plus $50. This is a fundraiser for retired priests. Details: Tommy Lamas at (601) 366-2335 or email lamas@saintrichard.com.
MOUND BAYOU St. Gabriel Mercy Center, Harvest Festival, Saturday November 3, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Family fun, including Christmas store, country store, Delta Boutique, live music and more. Raffle tickets being sold for $1,000, $250 and $100 prizes. Details: Trena Robinson at (662) 741-3255 ext. 103 or trenar@saintgabrielmc.org
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Haunted House, Tuesday, October 30, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 31, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $5 admission. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
PEARL St. Jude, Tom Logue Memorial Chili Cook-off, Sunday, November 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Cost: $5 for all you can eat; $3 for children 12 and younger and $20 entry fee for each team. Details: Nat Zummo, (601) 573-3184 or zummonat@bellsouth.net.
WEST POINT The Knights of Columbus at Immaculate Conception Parish will offer “Senate Bean Soup” on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., as a fundraiser for the Mission, an alcohol recovery and transtional housing program for men. Bowls are $5. Quarts are $15. Details: Chuck Bailey (662) 312-4588

YOUTH BRIEFS

PEARL St. Jude, Faith and Fun Sunday, November 4, from 3-5 p.m. Join us as we learn more about the saints through fun activities. Includes snacks and a short movie about St. Francis of Assisi. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
JACKSON Carmelite Monastery Gift Shop will have Open House weekends and holiday hours with bake sale, November 17 – December 23. Emanuele Fontanini will make a special visit on Saturday, December 1, from 1-5 p.m. Details: 601-373-3412
MADISON St. Anthony School Starry Night Gala, Saturday, December 8. Guests can bid on live and silent auction items, plus have an opportunity to win a $5,000 raffle. The Tip Tops of Mobile will provide entertainment. Details: Jennifer Schmidt (601) 214-9656 or StAnthonyEagles.org.
St. Joseph School, Open House, Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. St. Joe is known for its incredible art, academics, theater, music, and athletics – not to mention that one-of-a-kind spirit. Details: Tricia Harris, at (601) 898.4803 or tharris@stjoebruins.com.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Candy Cane 5K Dash and Kid’s 1-mile Fun Run, Saturday, December 1, 8:30 a.m. Registration Fees: 5K -$20 – Fun Run $15. To guarantee a t-shirt, register by November 13. Details: school office (601) 482-6044, candycane5kdash@yahoo.com, sign up at www.time2run.net.

CORRECTION

A caption misidentified the winning team from the Bishop’s Cup Golf Tournament sponsored by the Catholic Foundation. The winning team from Flowood St. Paul Parish had a score of 53. The team was sponsored by Tico’s Steakhouse and players included Father Gerry Hurley, Tico Hoffman, Joe Beal and Paul Aron.
The Bishop’s Cup Committee would like to thank all players and sponsors. Proceeds from the tournament went into the Rev. Patrick Noonan Memorial Trust which will help to fund grant projects around the diocese.

Paint it Purple

MADISON – In observance of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the staff and residents at St. Catherine’s Village’s Campbell Cove celebrated Paint it Purple Day on Friday, Sept. 28.
Much of the day centers on fun carnival-themed games and food, including cotton candy. Employees honored all those who are living with dementia as well as those who have transitioned with a prayer service at which workers read the names of patients who have died. They ring a bell for each person. Jenzel Craft said her heart breaks with each loss.
Residents helped with an eco-friendly balloon release, a game of “Family Feud” and a fashion show. Wearing purple to show support is encouraged.
Latoya Thomas, a long-time employee, said she always makes sure her residents are having fun and appreciates the loyal, dedicated team who work at Campbell Cove. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

Residents recieve balloons which will be realesed at the end of the prayer service.

LaToya Thomas and Terry Jones, the announcer for a game, enjoys playing games with residents.

 

Blue Masses honor First Responders

PEARL – St. Jude Parish offered a Blue Mass on Thursday, September 27. The parish hosted a reception after the Mass. Blue Masses are a Catholic tradition to pray for first responders. (Photos by Rhonda Bowden)

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School held its annual Blue Mass Thursday, Sept. 27. Many first responders including policemen and EMTs in the Meridian and Lauderdale County area attended. A reception was held after the service in the Family Life Center. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)

 

St. Patrick students offer peace

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School students sing a song during their Pinwheels for Peace program on Friday, Sept. 21, which is the International Day of Peace. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students gave speeches on what peace means to them and students made pinwheels for peace which they displayed outside the school.  (Photo by Celeste Saucier)

Preparation for confirmation

MADISON – The current confirmation class at St. Francis of Assisi parish participated in the signing of the cenus during the entrance ritual for Mass on Sunday, Sept. 30. This is part of the formation process before confirmation. Pictured (l-r) Chase Crawford, Julie Clayton, Emily George, Leigh Ann Peroni, Anna Roberson, Zenowia Wendel, Taylor Smith and Michelle Glorioso. (Photos by Melissa Smalley)

 

 

Gluckstadt festival has German roots

GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph Parish staged the 32nd annual GermanFest on Sunday, Sept. 30, on the church grounds. The Gluckstadt community was founded in 1905 by German immigrants. Many of the descendants of the original families still attend St. Joseph. Each year, the parish hosts the GermanFest the last Sunday in September as its premire fund-raising event.

Prior to the festival, families gather to can sauerkraut using a traditional recipie. For days before they prepare sausages, bratwurst, desserts and other German delicacies to share with their neighbors. This year, participants could prove their braun in a beer stein-holding competition. Children can enjoy games and the music during the daylong event.

Parish picnic kicks off year

By Cory Head
FLOWOOD – Sunday Sept. 30, St. Paul Parish celebrated the opening of a new religious education and Youth cycle with a parish Back-to-School Picnic. The gathering started after a 10:30 a.m. Mass on the hill behind the church and was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

During the event, the Religious Education Program sponsored a raffle to raise money to provide school supplies for students at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Forest. Families enjoyed lunch and fun games for the family.

(Cory Head is the youth director for Flowood St. Paul Parish)

Taste of St. Francis of Assisi

MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi Parish celebrates its patron saint with Taste of St. Francis, held this year on Sunday, Sept. 30. The festival honors the many nations and cultures present at the parish. Parishioners share dishes from their home country or a dish of their choosing. They are invited to decorate a table with cultural items or offer a dance or music from their homeland. This year, 27 different countries were represented. The festival started more than 10 years ago.