NATCHEZ – City of Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell shakes Scott Thompson’s hand while Layton Gray waits his turn. Cathedral School third grade students had the pleasure of a visit from the mayor of their own town. The third grade students are studying the election process. The mayor read a book and answered questions from the students. (Photo by Cara Serio)
CLARKSDALE – This fair has been held for the the past 70 years. (Photos by Dawn Spinks)
SOUTHAVEN – For the feast of St. Francis, Sacred Heart School’s four year olds brought their favorite stuffed animal to school. Using a paraphrase of St. Francis’ “Canticle to Brother Sun,” Sr. Margaret Sue Broker led them in praise and thanksgiving for all the animals. The class also talked about how they should care for their stuffed and real animals.
GREENVILLE – Students take turns at the ring toss at St. Joseph Parish Fair. Despite Hurricane Irma making her way through the Delta on Tuesday, September 12, the 103rd St. Joseph Catholic School Parish Fair went on without a missing a beat. The homemade spaghetti and meatballs were delicious as well as the homemade pastries and candy. Rain moved the games inside the gym which did not put a damper on the fun! (photo courtesy Missi Blackstock, Parish Fair Chairperson)
GREENWOOD – A video camera catches the action during school Mass at St. Francis of Assisi. The Delta News station out of Greenville shot commercials for St. Francis, Clarksdale St. Elizabeth and Greenville St. Joseph Schools to highlight Catholic education in the Delta. The spots will air for the next three months. (Photo courtesy the Delta News)
JACKSON – St. Richard Parish blessed a new building for its Special Kids program after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Sept. 24. The structure will also house the Boy Scouts.
The building is named for Msgr. Patrick Farrell, who founded the Special Kids program when he was pastor. It serves developmentally challenged students aged 13-21. The staff works with the student and his or her family to set goals based on their abilities and desires. For some, goals are academic. Others focus on life skills.
The parish hopes the new facility will allow the program to accept more students and expand into serving adults. It has a kitchen, screened porch, classroom and flexible spaces for whatever students may need. For more information on the program, contact the parish at 601-366-2335.
MADISON – Father Albeen Vatti, pastor of St. Francis Parish, blesses Landon Lipovetsky’s lizard at St. Anthony School on Friday, Oct. 6. The school was celebrating the feast of St. Francis. In right photo, Bishop Joseph Kopacz brought his beloved lab, Amigo, for a blessing. (Photos by Kristian Beatty)
Solar Eclipse brightens science lessons
Across the diocese, students and adults alike looked to the skies on Monday, August 21, to watch a full solar eclipse. While much of the Diocese of Jackson was not in the so-called path of totality, there was plenty to see. Students and teachers had to use approved glasses or viewing devices to keep everyone safe, but many could not pass up the opportunity for this event. Some schools, such as Southaven Sacred Heart and Madison St. Joseph, hit the road to Tennessee for a better view. The Sacred Heart students watched from the Nashville Zoo where they could also observe the impact of the event on the animals. Father Greg Schill, SCJ, who went on the trip said the giraffes went wild and everyone could hear insects singing as the skies grew dark. (See facing page)
In top left photo, students from Columbus Annunication’s middle stepped outside in the early afternoon to view the final stages of the eclipse. In the photo above, right, Madison St. Anthony Students are in awe of the show in the sky. (Photos by Katie Fenstermacher and Kristian Beatty.)
Youth offer service in their own community
By Deacon Jeff Artigues
STARKVILLE –From July 31 – August 3, 11 teens from Starkville St. Joseph Parish served God and their community by participating in a week of service titled, HomeWork. For the past 10 years, the youth have volunteered at various worksites throughout Starkville, Tupelo and the Delta.
The idea behind HomeWork is that while going out of state and out of the country to do service work is honorable and needed, there are plenty of people in need in our own communities.
The youth spent the week cleaning and organizing the Starkville Habitat for Humanity warehouse/resale store, cooking for the St. Joseph Grand Generation luncheon, preparing and serving dinner at the Casserole Kitchen, adding gravel to a dog walk (previously done at HomeWork 2011) at the Starkville Humane Society shelter, unloading a delivery for the church’s food pantry, painting at Camp Seminole Boy Scout Camp, and sorting through a thousand plus pounds of clothes at the Palmer Home Thrift Store.
Recently, I heard someone on the radio complaining about today’s teens, and wondering what the future holds for us with “them” running things in about 30 years. I wish he could have seen what I witnessed during this week (and all throughout the year). These teens could have been doing anything during this last week of their summer vacation, but they chose to serve Christ through serving those in need. Don’t be worried about the future – we’re in good hands.
(Deacon Jeff Artigues serves at Starkville St. Joseph Parish.)
Commissioning Day
JACKSON – St. Richard teacher Sarah Sistrunk washes the feet of Cy Stephen in St. Richard’s Commissioning Day Ceremony for the 2017-2018 6th Grade Graduating Class. The students are commissioned as servant leaders for their last year. (Photo by Wendi Shearer)
Students all smiles to start school year
CLARKSDALE – Students from St. Elizabeth School came fresh and ready for their first day, Monday, Aug. 7. (Photos by Dawn Spinks)
VICKSBURG – Even the littlest students, such as pre-k student Vida Mixon, in photo at right, were excited about their first day at Vicksburg Catholic Schools. (Photo by Holly Chewning)
HOLY SPRINGS – The students at Holy Family School opened their school year with a day filled with prayer, scripture and song. (Photo courtesy of Laura Grisham)
VICKSBURG – Children of St Paul Parish gather to receive the annual Blessing of the Backpacks from Father Tom Lalor. (photo by Allyson Johnston)
JACKSON – St. Richard’s Charlie Thompson receives a pencil from a Madison St. Joe Bruin Cheerleader during carpool the first week of school. The St. Joe Cheer team visited all the Jackson-area Catholic Elementary Schools, including Jackson Sister Thea Bowman and Madison St. Anthony to get the students pumped up about the new year. (Photo by Wendi Shear)
JACKSON – Students and their families meet their teachers and tour the school during Sister Thea Bowman’s back to school afternoon Sunday, August 6. Sister Thea Bowman, situated near Jackson State University, offers music, Spanish and technology as supplements to its excellent curriculum.(Photo by Melissa Smalley)
GREENVILLE – Friends reunite in the halls on the first day of class for St. Joseph school in Greenville. The unit school has new principals for both the elementary and high schools this fall.(Photo by Missi Blackstock)
NATCHEZ – At left, at Cathedral School, Beth Foster’s kindergarten class started their day with the Pledge of Allegiance on Monday, August 7. Cathedral Unit School offers pre-k through 12th grade education and welcomes a new administrator and high school principal this year. (Photo by Cara Serio)
MADISON – first day at St. Anthony School. (Photos by Kristian Beatty)
MADISON – The seventh grade meets for the first time at St. Joseph School on Monday, August 7. Students from all Jackson-area Catholic elementary schools in addition to students who transfer from private and public schools, started their middle and high school journey as Bruins with a day of tours, orientation and lessons in the fight song. (Photo by Tricia Harris)
