Category Archives: Parish News

The Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Bishop-elect Louis F. Kihneman III

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Bishop Kihneman

Bishop Kihneman

The Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Bishop-elect Louis F. Kihneman III as Fourth Bishop of Biloxi has been rescheduled for Friday, April 28 at 2 p.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Biloxi, 870 Howard Avenue.
Vespers will be held on Thursday, April 27 at 7pm.
Pope Francis named Msgr. Louis Kihneman to serve as the fourth Bishop of Biloxi on Dec. 16, 2016 and Bishop-elect Kihneman’s ordination and installation was originally scheduled to take place on Feb. 17, but had to be postponed due to health reasons.

Youth News

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SOUTHAVEN – Each year Sacred Heart School students buy paper links for a nickel each and donate the money to a different charity. The children raised a little more than $2,000. This year the money will help the United Way volunteer program. A group of United Way volunteers plans to install running water and electricity in the home of a client of Sacred Heart Southern Missions Social Services.  (Photos by Sr. Margaret Sue Broker)

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School

JACKSON – St. Richard Pre-K students threw beads and candy to the crowd of spectators that lined up for their annual Mardi Gras parade.

JACKSON – St. Richard students

JACKSON – St. Richard students Annabelle Allen, Fallon Zimmerman and Estephan Choufani are ready for the St. Richard Mardi Gras parade (Photos by Chris Lombard)

JACKSON – St. Richard students

VICKSBURG – “King” Sam Armstrong and “Queen” Luella Lambiotte lead the preschool, Montessori and kindergarten classes in the annual Mardi Gras parade outside of Vicksburg Catholic School. Mardi Gras, celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, was traditionally a day to celebrate and eat sweets and meats before the fasting of Lent began. (photo by Ann Robertson)

MCCOMB– At left, preschool students use art to learn about the Bible in St. Alphonsus’ Parish School of Religion. In right photo, Jessica McMillan, at far right, St. Alphonsus Youth Minister begins Parish School of Religion with a song and dance. (Photos by Connie Harrington)

McComb, St. Alphonsus

McComb, St. Alphonsus

McComb, St. Alphonsus

McComb, St. Alphonsus

Deacon Miller returns to celebrate Black History Month

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By Maureen Smith
CANTON – Deacon Art Miller wants every person he meets to know how important they are to God. The value of each individual played an important part in his homily for the diocesan Black History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass at Holy Child Jesus Parish on Saturday, Feb. 25. Bishop Joseph Kopacz concelebrated the mass with Father Michael O’Brien, pastor at Canton Sacred Heart and Father Jeremy Tobin, OPraem, one of the Norbertines from Raymond. The Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver attended in regalia.
“I enjoyed this program to the highest. It was so uplifting and spiritual,” said Myrtle Otto, parishioner at Holy Child Jesus. “The speaker was dynamic and he needs to come back again, we love him. Just talking about the spirit of where we come from, our ancestors and our goal to keep going and don’t stop supporting our culture – we should always embrace that and teach our children,” she continued.
Tereza Ma, Mississippi Catholic’s production manager, attended the Mass. “Deacon Miller’s speech was intense and his firm but friendly voice danced around. I like how he engaged the audience,” she said. “He spoke about value and he used brilliant example of the $100 bill – even if it is torn in half, stepped on or shredded onto little pieces – it is still a $100 bill – it has the same value,” she continued. Deacon Miller often preaches about what he calls ‘radical love’ which has to do with accepting the grace and power offered only by Christ. “He emphasized in his homily that God sees the best of us no matter what the other people see or say,” said Ma.
Other attendees agreed. “I thought the program was absolutely wonderful. Deacon Miller did a wonderful job in reminding us how important we are. We are very important in the eyes of God and that was a point well made,” said John Conway.
The Canton gospel choir added their voices and some color to the program. The choir director’s sister made cloth flower pins out of African kente cloth for the people of the parish, explaining that these are the colors of celebration.

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus

The choir kept the congregation moving with uplifting Gospel music.

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus

Fran Lavelle, director of Faith Formation, Catherine Cook, superintendent of schools and Shae Robinson, principal of Sr. Thea Bowman School, greet Deacon Miller after Mass.

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus

CANTON – Deacon Art Miller asked for affirmation from the congregation that God sees the best in all people.

Flowers made of Kente cloth to the celebration.

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus

Deacon Miller visiting Canton, Holy Child Jesus


After Mass, the community gathered for a picnic on the church grounds. This celebration was originally slated for January in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, but an ice storm made travel too dangerous. Deacon Miller made time on his first visit to visit with students at several schools and was generous enough to offer to return for a Black History Month Celebration. He stopped by several more schools on this return visit – teaching the students about black Catholic history and culture and delivering his message of God’s love for all.
His presentation at Greenville St. Joseph School made an impression on the juniors and seniors. This was “very inspirational and heartwarming. He truly has a passion for inspiring others,” said senior Christen Thompson.
“He absolutely touched these students’ hearts and minds. Hopefully – and I believe it will – this will move them in the right direction,” commented Debbie Williams, a teacher at St. Joseph.
(Missi Blackstock, public relations director for St. Joseph School contributed to this story).

Pastoral Priority community meetings

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz and his Envisioning Team will roll out the new Vision, Mission and Pastoral Priorities for the Diocese of Jackson at a series of community meetings throughout March and April of this year. All are invited, but members of pastoral and finance councils are especially encouraged to attend. The meetings are not parish-specific, so anyone can attend any meeting.

Sunday March 19 6 p.m. Jackson St. Dominic Annex
(on I-55 Frontage Road)
Monday March 20 6 p.m. McComb St. Alphonsus
Tuesday March 21 6 p.m. Vicksburg St. Paul
Thursday March 23 6 p.m. Greenwood Immaculate Heart of Mary

Sunday March 26 5 p.m. Southaven Christ the King
Monday March 27 6 p.m. Oxford St. John the Evangelist
Tuesday March 28 6 p.m. Cleveland Our Lady of Victories

Tuesday April 4 6 p.m. Meridian St. Patrick
Thursday April 6 6 p.m. Tupelo St. James

***CORRECTION: Last week’s listing had an additional meeting in Meridian. There is only one meeting in Meridian. We regret the error. ***

Calendar of Events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
Assisi Prayer Chain, the power of prayer is available to all those in need through the Assisi Prayer Chain. Call (601) 750-6308 or (225) 205-7455 from 5 – 7 p.m.

AMORY St. Helen, Book Discussion on “The Source” by James Michener, Monday, March 20, at noon at the parish hall. Details: call the church office (662) 256-8392.

CLEVELAND St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1227 Deering St., “Life After Loss.” Are you or someone you know struggling with a personal loss or tragedy? Beginning Wednesday, March 8, and continuing through April 12, a series of six sessions will be held. The sessions are free and last one hour (6:30-7:30 p.m.) Presenter: Larry L. Lambert, NCC, LPC-S. Larry, an Our Lady of Victories parishioner and Licensed Professional Counselor. Details: contact Larry at (662) 719-8756, lamb5999@bellsouth.net.

GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus, come experience “Inner Healing through the Stations of the Cross,” Sunday, March 19, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Mercy. Presenters: Father Scott Katzenberger, C.Ss.R and Magdalene Abraham. Participants will meditate on the passion and death of Jesus allowing Him to heal past wounds and brokenness in our lives. Details: (662) 299-1232.

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., A Men’s Morning of Spirituality, Saturday, April 1, Incarnation Catholic Church. Keynote speaker: Father Mike Schmitz, Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adults and Newman Center Chaplain for the Diocese of Duluth, Minn. Details: www.mensmorning.com or (901) 853-7468.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
GRENADA St. Peter, Lenten Mission, Monday, March 27, 6 p.m.; Tuesday, March 28, and Wednesday, March 29, after 6 p.m. Mass. Speaker: Paul George. Paul holds a master of theological studies from the University of Dallas. He directs the campus ministry program at University of Louisiana/Our Lady of Wisdom Parish and serves as a professor of theology at the Aquinas Institute on campus. Details: (662) 226-2490.

GREENWOOD Immaculate Heart of Mary, Knights of Columbus catfish supper, Fridays throughout Lent, fried and grilled catfish plates from 5-7 p.m. in the IHM Parish Center. Cost is $10 per plate. Proceeds benefit Priest Education Fund. Details: (662) 453-3980.

MADISON St. Catherine’s Village, Lunch & Learn, St. Thomas Hall, Wednesday, March 22 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn about St. Catherine’s Village and the great health benefits in volunteering. Lunch will be provided. Details: RSVP to St. Francis of Assisi (601) 856-5556.
– St. Francis of Assisi, Save the Date for Cajun Fest 2017, Saturday, May 21. Details: (601) 856-5556.

TUPELO St. James, Lenten Soup Supper, Friday, March 24, following Stations of the Cross (both led by the Confirmation students). $1 per bowl and dessert available. Entertainment provided by Erin Bristow and several members of the Corpus Christi Choir. $1.00 raffle for chance to win one of 12+ prizes. Proceeds will benefit local, state, national and international charities. Details: Jessica Vaughn (662) 842-4881.

JACKSON Sr. Thea Bowman School, the Eleventh Annual Draw Down, Saturday, April 29. Grand Prize: $5,000. Ticket Cost: $100 and Second Chance: $20. Details: Shae Goodman-Robinson, (601) 352-5441 for tickets.

  • Pro-Life Mississippi Annual Spring Banquet and Silent Auction, Thursday, April 6 at First Baptist Church on State Street. Keynote speaker: Governor Phil Bryant. 5:00 p.m. Table Sponsor cost is $200 (includes eight people). Details: email plm@prolifemississippi.org or (601) 956-8636.

VICKSBURG St. Paul, Christ Life: Discovering Christ. program will be offered again on Wednesdays, beginning March 29 through May 10. Details: Mary Margaret Halford, (601) 994-4856.

Diocesan Confirmation retreat builds community

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By Fran Lavelle
CLINTON – What do you get when you mix the Holy Spirit, enthusiastic high school students, dedicated catechists, faith filled college students, an engaging speaker and a beautiful weekend at Camp Garaywa in Clinton? An awesome diocesan high school Confirmation Retreat! The retreat focused on how we are called to service in our families, our community and the world. The Confirmation students were challenged to look for opportunities for service from the smallest acts of kindness.
The retreatants came from parishes of all sizes and demographics from around the diocese Feb. 6-7. Gathered together, the youth beautifully represented the reality of our Catholic faith in the Diocese of Jackson. All together more than 160 youth and adults came together in to pray, reflect, listen and prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Our speaker was Cari Williams, a youth minister and retreat leader from the Diocese of Alexandria, La. Father Rusty Vincent served as the spiritual director for the weekend. We were blessed to have Catholic students from Mississippi State serve as small group leaders.
On Saturday evening retreatants had an opportunity to go to Reconciliation and Sunday morning Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated Mass. Recognizing the importance of the sacramental life of the Church helped them better understand the value of completing the sacraments of Initiation through Confirmation. The youth appreciated the opportunity to spend time with Bishop Kopacz. The six priests who came out to hear confessions include Msgr. Elvin Sunds, Fathers Jeffrey Waldrep, Jose de Jesus Sanchez, Joseph Le, Jason Johnston and Rusty Vincent. It was an awesome sight to see nearly every student and adult present to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Asked what they would take away from the retreat many of the young people commented that they recognized a need to spend more time with God. They also saw what the larger Catholic Church in our diocese looks like, especially for smaller parishes with 2-3 students in the Confirmation program.
Making new friends was a natural by-product of the weekend. I hope they continue to pray for one another and reflect on the message of service. I invite you to pray for all the young people in our diocese who are being prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They need our prayers as much as we need their full and active participation in the Church. Confirmation is not Catholic graduation. It is only the beginning of a wonderful life of faith, service and friendship.
(Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Chanche medals recall pioneer bishop

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medal_img_1242JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz presented 21 adults and five young people with the Bishop Chanche Award for service during a Mass on Saturday, February 18, in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. The award was established during the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Diocese of Jackson back in 2012.
Priests and Lay Ecclesial Ministers are invited every year to nominate members of their parish who have offered service to the church. The medal recognizes these unsung heroes for their sacrifices. In many cases, the service may seem simple, someone who cleans the church or makes sure everything is set up for Mass. In other cases, a recipient has led the charge on a huge parish project. Either way, the Bishop Chanche award calls to mind the first bishop of this diocese, John Joseph Chanche, who arrived in the dead of night to lead a diocese with no church buildings, no priests and barely any people. His steadfast courage and persistence remain an inspiration today.
The youth award follows similar guidelines, encouraging young people to embrace their role not as leaders of the future, but as today’s church leaders.
Two recipients received the award posthumously. Robert “Bob” Newell from the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle and Jane Sullivan from Tupelo St. James parish both died earlier this year.
Mississippi Catholic does not have room to feature every recipient in print, but a photo gallery of all winners is available online at www.Mississippicatholic.com.

Knights of Columbus build ramp for Carmelites

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JACKSON – Knights from Clinton, Holy Savior build a ramp for the Sisters at the Carmelite gift shop

By R. Allen Scott
JACKSON – The Carmelite gift shop on Terry Road in Jackson is easier to get into thanks to the Knights of Columbus Council 7854 out of Clinton Holy Savior Parish. The knights built a ramp on the side of the steps and cleaned up some of the convent grounds while they were on the property.
At a planning meeting back in the fall council Chaplin and pastor Father Thomas McGing made several suggestions on community service projects. One of those suggestions was to contact the Carmelites and see if we could offer any assistance.
The Council contacted Sister Mary (Agonoy), OCD, the prioress, and discussed several projects with her.
On October 29, 2016 Knights Allen Scott, Chris Halliwell, Jim Sharp, and Steve Miller and Holy Savior parishioner Maureen Scott cleaned all the statues on the grounds and pressclinton-knights-build-ramp-2_cure washed the sidewalks.
The Sisters have a gift shop on the grounds and the shop was only accessible to the public through a set of steps. According to Sister Mary this severely limited the ability of the handicapped and some elderly persons from easily accessing the gift shop.
On January 21 and 28, the Knights constructed a handicap ramp to the gift shop. The ramp is about 53 feet long and 4 feet wide and is constructed of treated timber. The Knights solicited funds to purchase the materials and provided the labor to construct the ramp. The total material cost was approximately $2,000. Council 7854 Knights who assisted with the project were: Chris Halliwell, Allen Scott, Craig Harrell, Steve Miller, Mike Kirby, Mike Weisenberger, Mike Booth, Arnie Senger, and Charlie Collins. A total of 206 man hours was donated to complete the construction.
(R. Allen Scott is a member of Council 7854)

Calendar of Events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
BAY ST. LOUIS, St. Augustine Retreat Center, Willwoods Married Couples Retreat: March 18-19. Suggested donation: $275 requested but not required. Details: www.willwoods.org or Jason Angelette, (504) 830-3716.

CANTON Gray Center, Contemplative Prayer Retreat, April 28-30. Presenter: Trappist Monk and prolific author, Father William. Meninger. He will discuss the connections between forgiveness and love based on his experiences and writings. To register, go to www.graycenter.org Details: marybillups@bellsouth.net or (601) 693-1321.

NEW ORLEANS, La., “Current of Grace” Southern Regional Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal marking their Golden Jubilee, March 31-April 2, Best Western Plus Landmark Hotel, Metairie, La. Speakers: Sister Briege McKenna, OSC and Father Kevin Scallon, CM. Seating is limited and early registration encouraged. Discounts available for pre-registration. Priests religious brothers and sisters, deacons and their families are invited to attend at no charge, but pre-registration requested. Register at www.ccrno.org Details: info@ccrno.org or (504) 828-1368.

 

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Lenten Mission, March 27-29. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.. Guest speaker: Father David Knight. Details: (601) 833-1799.
COLUMBUS Annunciation, Lenten Scripture Study, Mondays, beginning February 27, at 7 p.m. in the Activities Center Conference Rom. Based on weekly scripture readings. Details: Joe Haftek (662) 549-5151 or jotek52jh@gmail.com.
– Annunciation School, Annual $10,000 Drawdown fundraiser, Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center. Drawdown proceeds fill the tuition gap between cost of tuition and actual cost of education. Details: (662) 328-4479.

IUKA St. Mary, Wednesday, March 8, and every Wednesday during Lent, Stations of the Cross at 9:30 a.m. Join us, and consider sharing a meditation on one of the stations. Details: church office (662) 423-9358.

TUPELO The Annual Salvation Army Empty Bowl Luncheon will be Wednesday, March 1, at Tupelo Furniture Market, building 5. Volunteers are needed to donate baked goods or to help serve soup. Tickets are available at the door and from any Salvation Army Auxiliary. Details: Call (662) 842-9222 or (662) 231-6063 for more information.

JACKSON Crisis Line volunteer training classes will begin on Saturday, March 4, and will meet from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Broadmeadow United Methodist Church. To become a certified volunteer telephone crisis counselor, you must attend all classes. Classes are Saturdays, March 4, 11 and 25, and April 1. Volunteers are asked to pledge eight hours per month for at least one year following graduation. The training is free and lunch will be provided. Interested persons can register at the door on March 4, or may pre-register at www.contactthecrisisline.org. Details: call the Crisis Line business office at (601) 713-4099.

NATCHEZ Assumption, Going Gluten Free: Becoming Healthy from the Inside Out. An informative meeting to discuss and learn how gluten intolerance affects our health and happiness, Tuite Hall on Saturday, March 4 at 10 a.m.. All are welcome. Facilitator: Mary Frasier. Details: church office (601)-442-7250.
– St. Mary Basilica, Lent program. discussing the book “Oremus – A Guide to Catholic Prayer” by Father Mark Toups, Wednesdays, March 1 – May 3, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.., in the Youth Wing of the Family Life Center. Whether you feel you don’t know how to pray, you would like to develop a deeper prayer life or you think your prayer life could use a little boost, this program is for you. Cost: $10 (includes student workbook). Presenter: Carrie Lambert. Details: (601) 445-5616 or stmaryyouth@cableone.net.

VICKSBURG, March for Life, Saturday, March 4, 11:30 a.m. from St. Aloysius High School to the Monument to the Unborn at noon. Rosary at the monument and transportation back to St. Aloysius provided after rosary. If you are unable to walk, please join us at the monument at noon. Details: (601) 636-0140.

Day honors couples

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JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz honored 77 couples who marked special wedding anniversaries this year at a Mass for World Marriage Day. Dovie and Wayne Munlin of Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary, could not attend the Mass, but were remembered for 71 years of marriage. The annual event is sponsored by the Office of Family Ministry.
Including the Munlins, nine couples marked 60 years or more; 31 couples celebrated 50 years or more and 27 couples marked 25 years. A full list of honoress along with more photos is available on the website, www.mississippicatholic.com.
After the Mass, families gathered in the cathedral center for a reception. The idea of celebrating marriage in this way began in Baton Rouge, La., in 1981, when a group encouraged the city’s mayor, the governor of Louisiana and their bishop to proclaim St. Valentines Day as “We Believe in Marriage Day.” The event was so successful, the idea was presented to and adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s national leadership.

Nina and Pascual Cruz from Batesville St. Mary, 50 years

Linda and David Harcharik from Jackson-St. Peter, 50 years

Kathy and Steve Bizzarri from Jackson, St. Richard, 52 years

Kathleen and Michael Mansour from Greenville, St. Joseph, 25 years

June and Owen Williamson from Vicksburg, St. Paul 65 years

Johnnie and Houston Patton from Jackson Holy Family, 51 years

Jere and Pat Roy from Batesville, St. Mary, 50 years

Jennifer and Christopher David from Meridian, St. Patrick, 25 yearas

Georgeann and Phil Hale from Natchez, St. Mary, 50 yers

Gayle and Francis Prattini from McComb, St. Alphonsus, 50 years

Emma and Dennis Santos from Clinton, Holy Savior, 30 years

Dede and William McCormack from Jackson, St. Peter, 50 years

Chris and Tom Patin from Vicksburg, St. Michael, 50 years

Cathy and Jon Matthews from Pearl, St. Jude, 50 years

Carolyn and Jack Daughtery from Crystal Springs, St. John, 50 years

Belinda and Juan Vargas from Gluckstad, St. Joseph, 25 years

Asuncion and James Cannon from Pearl, St. Jude, 25 years

Ann and Earl Chastant from Flowood, St. Paul, 50 years

Angela and David McNamara from Jackson, St. Richard, 60 years

Anette and Michael Tipton form Grenada, St. Peter, 25 years

Villa and Ildefonso Ibale from Clinton, Holy Savior, 25 years

Teresa and Maxwell Beluso from Clinton, Holy Savior, 25 years

Sharon and Curtis Hopkins from Clinton, Holy Savior, 50 years

Santa Serrano and Guillermo Benitez from Jackson, St. Therese 23 years

Rosemary and Lewis Grantham from Clinton, Holy Savior, 50 years

Pat and Lin Bloodworth from Batesville, St. Mary, 50 years

Navidad and Damian Roman from Jackson, St. Peter, 25 years

Myra and Hugh Logue from Vicksburg, St. Paul 50 years

Missy and Lamar Fisher from Pearl, St -Jude 25 years

Michele and James Orsborn from Jackson, St. Richard, 25 years

Mary Nell and Wayne McMaster from Vicksburg, St. Paul, 60 years

Marie and Willard Garnett from Tupelo, St. James, 65 years

Margret and Joseph Jones from Gluckstadt, St. Joseph, 50 years

Margaret and John McAleese from Flowood, St. Paul, 63 years

Lori and Eric Kimes from Gluckstadt, St. Joseph, 25 years