Tuesday, March 27, 5:45 p.m. – Chrism Mass
Wednesday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. – Tenebrae
Thursday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. – Holy Thursday
Friday, March 30, 5:30 p.m. – Good Friday
Saturday, March 31, 8:00 p.m. – Holy Saturday
Sunday, April 1, 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. – Easter Sundayl
Sunday, April 1, 1:00 p.m. – Easter Sunday in Spanish
OXFORD – St. John Parish hosted a Mardi Gras dinner in February sponsored by the Total Youth Ministry. The annual dinner provides a chance for parishioners to mingle as well as helps fund the youth group’s annual summer retreat. (Photo by Mary Leary)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CANTON Gray Center, Centering Prayer Spring Retreat, April 13-15. Retreat leader: Father William Meninger, Trappist Monk. This year will explore the Enneagram as a path for increasing one’s self-awareness, compassion and conscious living. Details: register at https://graycenter.wufoo.com/forms/z1ogo6sv0d0yfxw/ or (601) 859-1556.
METAIRIE, La., Annual Southern Regional Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, March 16-18, Copeland Tower Suites and Conference Center (formerly Best Western Plus Landmark Hotel), “I Am the Lord Your Healer.” Discounts are available for pre-registration. All priests, religious brothers and sisters, deacons and their families are invited to attend the conference at no charge, but pre-registration is requested. Details: (504) 828-1368; info@ccrno.org: or www.ccrno.org.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen Parish, book discussion on “Manhattan Beach” by Jennifer Egan at noon, Monday, March 12, in the parish hall. Everyone is invited. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis Parish, pictorial directory is planned for early Summer. Details: Margaret Weathersby at (601) 754-5554.
CORINTH St. James Parish, Mission on Reconciliation, Eucharist, Lent and Holy Week on March 12-14, noon and 6:30 p.m. Speaker: Father P. J. Curley. Details: church office (662) 331-5184.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph Parish teams with First United Methodist Church, 402 Washington Avenue, for Lenten lunches Wednesdays during Lent. Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. followed by meditation. Cost: $8.00 per person. Details: St. Joseph church office (662) 335-5251.
GRENADA St. Peter Parish, help needed for a St. Joseph Altar for the feast of St. Joseph, Monday, March 19. Details: Jerome Boudreaux (662) 809-4974.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish, The Life of Christ Movie: A Holy Land Pilgrimage, Thursday, March 15, at 8:45 a.m. and Saturday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. Watch the Gospels come alive as we journey through the life of Christ in the cities and towns where he lived, died and rose again. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
HOLLY SPRINGS St. Joseph Parish, The Life of Christ Movie: A Holy Land Pilgrimage, Saturday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. follow by a potluck. Details: church office (662) 252-3138.
MCCOMB St. Alphonsus Parish will host a St. Joseph’s Altar the weekend of March 17-18. Viewing and meal will take place March 18 after the 10:30 a.m, Mass. Details: parish office: (601)684-5648.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica and Assumption Parish, blood drive, Monday, March 26, O’Connor Family Life Center, 12:30 – 6 p.m. Details: www.bloodhero.com, sponsor code: stmarynatchez or call Regina in the church office (601) 445-5616.
YOUTH BRIEFS
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, save the date, Vacation Bible School, June 4-8. Coordinator is Jessica Stubbs assisted by members of the Children’s Ministry Commission. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
PEARL St Jude, save the date, Vacation Bible School “Around the World in 5 Days!” June 11-15, 9 a.m. – noon, ages three years – rising sixth grade. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
ABERDEEN St. Francis Parish, Wednesdays at 4 p.m. followed by Mass.
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis Parish, Stations and Benediction Fridays at 5:30 p.m., followed by a light Lenten meal in Serio Hall.
CLARKSALE St. Elizabeth Parish, Fridays at 2:15 p.m. (with students) and 5:30 p.m.
COLUMBUS Annunciation Parish, Fridays at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel followed by Fish Fry at 6 p.m. in the Activities Center.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, Wednesdays at 6 p.m. followed by Mass.
GREENVILLE Sacred Heart Parish, Fridays at 6 p.m. Mass and Stations of the Cross.
St. Joseph Parish, Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus fish fry in the parish hall on March 23 from 5-7 p.m., $10 per person.
GRENADA, St. Peter Parish, Fridays at 6:15 p.m. followed by soup and salad supper, except for March 23rd’s fish fry.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish, Fridays at 6:30 p.m. followed by soup supper. $1.00 donation per person benefits the poor in community. To help, please call Pat Kuehnel at (662) 996-6622.
IUKA St. Mary Parish, Adoration and Stations, Wednesdays at 9:20 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m.
JACKSON Christ the King Parish, Fridays at 6 p.m.
Holy Family Parish, Fridays at 6 p.m.
St. Peter Cathedral, Adoration and Stations, Fridays 4:30 – 6 p.m. followed by a light meal.
St. Richard Parish, Fridays at 2:15 p.m. with the school.
St. Therese Parish, Fridays at 5:30 p.m. (English) followed by meatless soup supper and a message in the parish hall at 6 p.m. Sundays, (Spanish) at 1:30.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Fridays at 6 p.m., Rosary and Stations followed by a Lenten meal.
MERIDIAN St. Joseph Parish, Fridays at 6 p.m. followed by fish fry.
NATCHEZ Assumption Parish, Fridays at 5: 30 p.m.
St. Mary Basilica, Fridays at 12:05 & 5:15 p.m. followed by a Fish Fry in the Family Life Center.
PEARL St Jude Parish, Fridays at 6 p.m. followed by a fish fry.
SHAW St. Francis Parish, Fridays at 6 p.m. following Mass.
YAZOO CITY St. Mary Parish, Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. followed by Mass.
LOUISVILLE – Members of Sacred Heart Parish participated in a community-wide luncheon in mid-February to make money for “Good News Bible Clubs,” an after-school program taught in private and public schools in Winston county. Above, Linda Veazey, Carol McAdory and Theresa Bridges dish out the offerings from Sacred Heart’s table. (Photo by Paula Fulton)
Louisville good news club
By Alí and Patricia López
HAZELHURST – The Catholic community of St. Martin of Tours selected the lifelong formation of intentional disciples as the Pastoral Priority on which they want to focus. Bishop Joseph Kopacz launched the priorities in 2016 and invited parishes and missions to select one or two they felt would strengthen their community.
Members of the mission planned and executed a retreat for the Hispanic community who attends the Mission of Saint Martin of Tours in Hazlehurst. The retreat was performed February the 3 – 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eighty seven people attended the retreat during both days (35 couples and 17 singles).
The speakers, who were invited to conduct each one of the lectures, came from South Bend, Indiana. With a very profound spirituality and knowledge of the themes treated during the retreat, two married couples shared the Kerygma – the apostolic proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ. Víctor Rodríguez and his wife Luguety de Rodríguez; Oscar Cortez and his wife Yomir de Cortez, shared themes such as, the love of God, sin, salvation, faith and conversion and the Holy Spirit.
Other topics from the Kerygma that were presented and discussed in this retreat included: the role of Hispanic women in the Catholic Church, Why be Catholic?, and formation of a Christian community.
The retreat ended with a Mass celebrated by Father Henry Shelton. At the end of the retreat, the participants had the opportunity to share their experiences during the retreat and were invited to be more proactively involved in different services offered at the mission.
By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz watched as 43 catechumens signed their names to the book of the elect in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle Sunday, Feb. 18. The Rite of Election is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) a program of formation and catechesis people go through when they decide to become Catholics.
JACKSON – Zemaree Hampton of Meridian St. Joseph Parish grins as she meets Bishop Kopacz after she signed the book of the elect. Her sponsors Brenda Wilson and Frank Washington accompanied her to the rite.
At the rite, a catechumen’s sponsor and catechist attest to his or her intention to become Catholic and thier committment to conversion of heart, those who have not been baptized sign the book of the elect, pledging their fidelity. Those who are already baptised, the candidates, come forward for a special blessing. The celebration is always held the first weekend of Lent as the catechumens and candidates go through their last, intense period of preparation before receiving sacraments at Easter.
More than 130 people from parishes across the diocese turned in their names as candidates this year. Not all could come to the cathedral. Some parishes celebrate the completion of the rite at their liturgies on the same weekend.
See more photos online at www.mississippicatholic.com.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
METAIRIE, Louisiana, Southern Regional Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, March 16-18, Copeland Tower Suites and Conference Center, “I Am the Lord Your Healer,” Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged. Discounts are available for pre-registration. All priests, religious brothers and sisters, deacons and their families are invited to attend the conference at no charge, but pre-registration is requested. Details: (504) 828-1368; info@ccrno.org: or www.ccrno.org.
Holly Springs, “Hands-ON + Hearts-IN” provides week-long discernment experiences for women who are considering life as a Catholic Sister on the following dates: May 7-11, May 21-25, August 20-24, and September 10-14. There is no cost. Sponsored by the Sisters of the Living Word, the Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association and Sacred Heart Southern Missions. Applicants must register one full month prior to the start of a specific week-long program. Details: Sister Sharon Glumb, SLW, (601) 291-6738 (cell) or sglumb@slw.org.
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., Men’s Morning of Spirituality Saturday, March 10, Church of the Incarnation, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. breakfast begins at 7 a.m. Mass at noon with Bishop Martin D. Holley. Details: register at www.MensMorning.com
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
ABERDEEN St. Francis of Assisi, Lenten Luncheon at St. Francis on Wednesday, February 28, with speaker Van Moore of First Presbyterian Church. Details: church office (662) 813-2295.
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis of Assisi, Ladies Retreat, Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m. – noon in library. Speaker: Mary Louise Jones. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
Lent Adult Bible Study, Sunday, March 4, 11, 18 and 25, 8:40 – 9:15 a.m. with Father Shelton in the library. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, “Living in the Father’s Love,” Ladies Bible Study 6 p.m. in the Parish Center, Wednesdays until March 28. Part of the “Walking with Purpose” series www.walkgwithpurpose.com. Details: Melanie Bray (662) 588-8294 or Renee LaMastus (662) 588-1635.
GREENVILLE, Sacred Heart, Parish mission April 23-26. Speaker: Father Maurice Nutt, CSSR. Details: church office (662) 332-0891.
JACKSON Holy Family, Lenten Mission Preparation “How well is it with your soul?” Saturday, March 4, at 10 a.m. and Lenten Mission, March 5, 6, 7 at 6 p.m. Refreshments at 5:30 p.m. Presenter: Father Frank Cosgrove. Details: Joyce Adams, (601) 214-6123.
St. Richard – Men’s Prayer Breakfast will meet at 7 a.m. on the following Mondays: February 26, March 5, 12, 19 and 26. Details: (601)-366-2335
MADISON, St. Francis of Assisi, Save the Date, Sunday, May 6, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Annual Cajun Fest. Details: (601) 856-5556.
VICKSBURG St. Paul Parish will deliver Meals on Wheels on Saturday, March 3. Volunteers needed to make dishes or deliver meals. Details: Rae Nelson (601) 529-3187 or Jan Jackson (601) 415-0584.
TUPELO St. James, Sunday, March 19, LIMEX introductory meeting in Christian Life Center at 3 p.m. This program offers adults an opportunity to earn a master’s degree, or certificate of advanced study, in theology or pastoral ministry from Loyola University, New Orleans, while meeting in their local area. Details: Gail at (662) 640-2221, or Len at (662) 889-8771 or www.loyno.edu then type in LIMEX.
YOUTH BRIEFS
Catholic Camp Friendship for children in northeast Mississippi will be held: June 17 -23 for boys and girls ages 8–11; June 24–30 for boys and girls ages 12–14. This is a residential, over-night camp that includes daily Mass, sports, art and opportunities to meet other Catholic children in North Mississippi. Cost is $100.00 per week. Scholarships and reduced fees are available. Applications are in the church office at Tupelo St. James. Details: Fr. Tim Murphy, (662) 304-0087or catholiccampms@juno.com.
COLUMBUS Annunciation School, $10,000 Drawdown, Friday, April 20, 7 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center. Tickets are $100 and admit two adults for early bird dinner, open bar, live music and raffles. Details: Katie Fenstermacher at acsmarketing@cableone.net
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, “Open Gym” for 6th-12th graders, Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. The Men’s Association will provide dinner, drinks and a time for fellowship before religious education classes. Additional volunteers are needed to chaperone each week. Details: Hank Ludwig at (662) 404-4672 or hludwig@renasant.com.
PEARL St. Jude, Chicken Spaghetti Supper Monday, February 26. Pick-up time: 5-6 p.m.; 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will be used to help the youth go to Abbey Youth Fest and future summer events. Details: (601) 939-3181.
IN MEMORIAM
Sister Clare Marie Cato SSND died January 31at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa. Nancy Dell Mary Cato was born in Itta Bena on October 8, 1924. She professed her vows as Sister Clare Marie in 1945 for the School Sisters of Notre Dame in St. Louis.
Sister Clare Marie earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education. Her teaching assignments were in Illinois, California, Texas. Finally, for 14 years, she taught at St. Philip Neri School in Metairie, La. At times during these years she was also the school administrator.
Morning prayer and visitation was February 6., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Teresa Church in Chatawa. Her burial was at the Chatawa Cemetery. Memorials may be made to School Sisters of Notre Dame; St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, MS 39657.
SOUTHAVEN – Sister Margaret Sue Booker shows students how last year’s palms from Palm Sunday become this year’s ashes for Ash Wednesday. Sister Booker has made a tradition of bringing the students outside to watch the fire and talk about the Liturgical seasons. (Photo courtesy of Laura Grisham)
CLARKSDALE – At right, St. Elizabeth students get creative on tacky/crazy hair day during Catholic Schools Week. Isabel Walker sports the rainbow. Later in the week students were invited to dress as heroes. (Photo by Dawn Spinks)
COLUMBUS – Annunciation seventh grade students Kelly Nguyen and John Pryse Tompkins escort the jester during the school’s annual Mardi Gras parade on Tuesday, Feb.13th. Many schools let their students celebrate this holiday meant to use up sweets before the fasting and abstinence of Lent begins. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
