Youth Briefs

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

CLARKSDALE – Students at St. Elizabeth School celebrated thier patron saint’s feast day by donating bread to local food banks. St. Elizabeth of Hungary was known for her generosity to the poor.

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth Parish children share Christmas joy during the Christmas program. Angels from P-3 and classes from grades fourth and fifth grades participated. (Photo by Dawn Spinks)

CORINTH – St. James Parish children work in art projects during an Advent retreat on Saturday, Dec. 10. (Photo by Luis Rosales)

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth School students raise their hands to ask a question to Betty Jo Abraham, a storyteller from Atlanta who recently visited St. Elizabeth School to tell stories to the children from kindergarten through third grade.

GREENVILLE – Our Lady of Lourdes School sixth-grade students went shopping to buy clothes for seven children that they adopted for Christmas from Washington County through the Department of Child Services. (Photo by Missi Blackstock)

AMORY – St. Helen Parish children prepare at the altar to present the play “The Christmas Window” after Mass Sunday, Dec.11, to celebrate Grandparents’ Day at Christmastime. (Photo by Jean Pinkley)

PONTOTOC – Father Tim Murphy, pastor of St. Christopher Parish, talks with the confirmation group during an Advent retreat, “My Church, my Faith.” Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Youth News

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis Parish, LifeTeen reconciliation service, Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m.
– Christmas caroling at the nursing home followed by Advent party and las posadas, Sunday, Dec. 18.
GRENADA St. Peter Parish, confirmation retreat for young men and women, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at the parish.
– Middle school retreat for seventh -eighth graders, Feb 19, 2017, at the parish.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick Parish, Catholic Youth of Meridian, sixth-12th graders, Christmas party, caroling and dinner and gift exchange, Saturday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. in the Family Life Center. To reserve a bus seat call or text Adrian, 601-917-4566.

MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, YY and Faithfull Followers, Christmas Service Blitz, Sunday, Dec. 18. It ends with a party and Christmas caroling. Meet in the FLC at 1 p.m. RSVP by Dec. 14.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, Greenville St. Joseph students worked at St. Vincent dePaul Society handing out food baskets. Junior Emily Blackstock said “It really warms your heart and makes you sad at the same time to see the gratitude and happiness each of the people had when you hand them the basket. I just wish we could help everybody.” Students will return during Christmas.

pre-K pilgrims wait to preform in their Thanksgiving program at Columbus Annunciation School. (Photos by Katie Fenstermacher)

COLUMBUS – Annunciation School kindergarten teacher, Heather Ford, (above photo) helps student, Ashley Studdard, make a turkey bracelet as a way to teach him about the meaning of the Thanksgiving celebration.

NATCHEZ – Cathedral School fifth-grade students Emma Ledford and Sarah Katherine recently tried their green thumbs at planting mums in the Seton Hall garden.

NATCHEZ – Cathedral third-grade students Amani Ishman (left) and Tristan Fondren learning how to properly fold the American flag at the Homes with Heroes program at the school. This program coincided with the school’s Armed Forces football game to educate elementary students on how to properly act during the National Anthem, how the flag was created and how to properly fold the flag. (Photos by Cara Serio)

OXFORD – St. John Parish Total Youth Ministry (TYM) recently headed for the woods at a private farm south of Oxford. The annual farm party counted 20 TYM members who enjoyed cooler weather cooking hot dogs and smores while taking part in their annual cleaning and clearing an abandoned cemetery. (Photos by Mary Leary)

$MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School recently hosted a Family Math Night. Families who attended played fun math games created by the teachers. Door prizes were also awarded. Pictured (l-r) are Robert McNeil, Bryson Jackson, John Wassell, Melanie Pressly, James Wassell and Angela Wassell. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)$

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School recently hosted a Family Math Night. Families who attended played fun math games created by the teachers. Door prizes were also awarded. Pictured (l-r) are Robert McNeil, Bryson Jackson, John Wassell, Melanie Pressly, James Wassell and Angela Wassell. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)

$MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School recently hosted a Family Math Night. Families who attended played fun math games created by the teachers. Door prizes were also awarded. Mary Zettler, Lily Zettler, April Stewart and Christian Rackley play one of the math games. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)$

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School recently hosted a Family Math Night. Families who attended played fun math games created by the teachers. Door prizes were also awarded. Mary Zettler, Lily Zettler, April Stewart and Christian Rackley play one of the math games. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)

$MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School recently hosted a Family Math Night. Families who attended played fun math games created by the teachers. Door prizes were also awarded. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)$

MERIDIAN – St. Patrick School recently hosted a Family Math Night. Families who attended played fun math games created by the teachers. Door prizes were also awarded. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)

Greenville School unified, blessed

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Maureen Smith

Bishop Joseph Kopacz, left, blesses the new entryway into Greenville St. Joseph and Our Lady of Lourdes school, assisted by Catherine Cook, superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Father Bill Henry, pastor in Greenville.

Before each room was blessed, the entire school community gathered for a Mass in the gym. Capital Campaign Chairman Britt Virden told the crowd that the new structure represented a $10 million investment in the community. The schools have been on separate campuses since 1964. St. Joseph High School has been on the VFW Road campus for more than 10 years. (Photos by Missi Blackstock)

GREENVILLE – Bishop Joseph Kopacz, center, blessed the first graders and their classroom as part of blessing the new facility at St. Joseph School on Thursday, Oct. 27. The blessing was the final chapter in a years-long effort to get St. Joseph High and Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary schools on the same campus. Elementary students use 11 classrooms, nine more are for middle and high school students. The facility also has two science labs, a computer and business lab, resource, art and music rooms, a media/library center, chapel and gymnasium.

Teens seek vocations through SEARCH retreat

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Maureen Smith

By Abbey Schuhmann
High school juniors and seniors from across the Diocese of Jackson gathered at Camp Wesley Pines near Hazlehurst Nov. 11-13 for the fall diocesan SEARCH Retreat. SEARCH is a Catholic youth retreat that models the Cursillo retreat for adults but designed for youth in grades 11th-12th who have a strong desire to deepen their faith and relationship with Christ.
A retreat “for teens, led by teens,” SEARCH is an experience like none other with a strong focus on vocations. It engages youth in a special way and calls them to live out their Catholic faith in a bold, real, active and healthy way.
SEARCH first started in this diocese in the 1970s but interest in it declined in the 1980s. In 2003, Father Mike O’Brien and Father Frank Cosgrove approached Jackson St. Richard parishioners Ann and Jeff Cook and encouraged them to re-introduce the SEARCH retreat to the diocese.
Having lived in Austin, Texas, and participated with multiple SEARCH retreats there, the Cooks coordinated bringing in a team from Austin to lead the first SEARCH retreat in nearly 20 years for our Diocese in January 2004. The first youth staff from the diocese led the next SEARCH retreat under the leadership from volunteers, Ann and Jeff Cook in May of 2004.
During the past 13 years, the diocese has held more than 25 SEARCH retreats under the leadership of the Cooks.
Much of what happens in the retreat is kept a mystery but a few things are certain – you will have fun, you will be challenged to grow in your faith and chances are you will make a few new friends.
The retreat team is primarily made up of a youth staff from teens who have previously attended a SEARCH retreat. Once a teen attends a SEARCH retreat weekend, he or she has the opportunity to apply to staff future retreats.
The adults who are present throughout the weekend serve “behind the scenes.” It is the teens who lead this retreat. The SEARCH model really gives our youth the opportunity to demonstrate and carry out servant leadership. This retreat would not be possible without the help of adult volunteers who have served in this ministry for so many years.
We are especially grateful to Ann and Jeff Cook for continuing to serve as the volunteer, adult SEARCH coordinators. Without their dedicated service, this ministry would not be where it is today.
The SEARCH ministry is alive and well in the diocese and the SEARCH family continues to grow through each retreat.
The Office of Youth Ministry is currently looking at dates in 2017 for future SEARCH retreats. We are always looking for adults who are open to serving in the SEARCH ministry. If you are interested, contact Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for the Office of Youth Ministry, abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org, 601-949-6934.

Teens on SEARCH retreat take time for prayer outside. (Photos by Abbey Schuhmann)

Young people on the Search retreat spend time at liturgies such as this one. Tim Cook and Ellie Smith led music during the retreat.

St. Anthony partners with Level Up Village to work with schools across the world

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Maureen Smith

MADISON – Recently, St. Anthony School, in partnership with Level Up Village, launched their global partnership, the first Level Up Partnership in Mississippi. Dedicated to building a sustained STEM environment inside and outside of the classroom, St. Anthony educators partnered with Level Up Village to work with schools across the world and share their STEM focused program with children in developing countries.
Level Up Village (LUV) delivers pioneering Global STEAM (STEM + Arts) enrichment courses that promote design thinking and one-to-one collaboration on real-world problems between K-9 students in the U.S. and partner students in developing countries.
Kristian Beatty, development director at St. Anthony School, said children work with student partners near the same grade level in developing countries and share their projects, ideas, and thought processes in this global outreach STEM program. “Students and teachers and their global partners communicate via the Level Up internet-based platform through video messaging.

St. Anthony students (l-r) Walt Williams, Zoie Jewusiak and Philip Smith work dissecting a heart during science class. (Photo by Kristian Beatty)

This semester the school is enrolled in three Level Up Village courses:
Second graders are participating in “Global Storybook Engineers” in partnership with students from India and Nicaragua. Beatty said students engineer solutions to rescue storybook heroes while sharing the results of their design challenges with global partners and learning about each other’s lives and cultures in the process.
Fifth graders are engaged in “Global Inventors” in partnership with students from Pakistan and Ghana. Beatty explained that in this project students learn to harness the power of 3D printing and use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to create and modify a series of designs to produce and 3D print a solar-powered light source in collaboration with their global partner.
Sixth graders are acting as “Global Doctors,” anatomy in partnership with students from Pakistan and Uganda. Students explore the intricacies of the human body systems through real animal specimen dissections. “As “global doctors,” they dissect specimens such as a frog, sheep’s heart, grasshopper, earthworm, and shark,” said Beatty.
Students learn about their global partners’ daily lives and discuss the global diseases that affect specific body systems.
“St. Anthony’s partnership with Level Up enhances their STEM program as students, teachers and global partners work together to develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills,” noted Beatty. “These skills and their core subject knowledge are then utilized to identify community and global issues and find lasting solutions.” Their partnership will continue in the spring as the entire school will work together on a school-wide project with Level Up Village.
(Story and photos courtesy of Kristian Beatty)

Greenville student athletes honored

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Maureen Smith

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GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School students Tres Santucci and Jennifer Mansour were recently named winners of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award which highlights exceptional high school seniors and their achievements in the classroom, on the field and in the community.
“We are honored to have two of our students recognized as some of the country’s top student-athletes with the Wendy’s High School Heisman name,” said principal Paul Artman, Jr.
Louis Joseph Santucci, III (Tres), is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society and is a tennis and soccer player. He is a member of the 2014-2016 State Boys Tennis Team Champions as well as being the 2016 MAIS Boys’ Singles State Champion. Tres volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul as well as being very active at St. James Catholic Church. Tres enjoys participating in helping children read at Carrie Stern Elementary.
Mansour is also a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society and currently serves as Student Government and Mu Alpha Theta president. She is a member of the swim, soccer and cross country teams. Mansour holds the Delta Aquatic Club Swim team record for the 50 meter Freestyle.
Mansour has been the school’s blood drive coordinator for two years.
The Wendy’s High School Heisman Award has honored more than 600,000 of the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors. For 23 years it has recognized outstanding students and rewarded their commitment and achievements to academics, athletics and community on a national level.

Youth News

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Maureen Smith

VICKSBURG – Father Tom Lalor, pastor of St. Paul Parish, reads a blessing while CYO members from Vicksburg bury a time capsule on Sunday, Oct. 23, as part of the parish 175th anniversary celebration. The time capsule will be dug up at the church’s 200th anniversary in the year 20

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School student Students from Southaven Sacred Heart participated on the Feast of All Saints in the eighth graders Live Museum of Saints. Colin Beatty represented Juan Diego. (Photos by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School student Students participated in the Feast of All Saints in the eighth graders Live Museum of Saints. Trey Collins dressed as St. Patrick (Photos by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)

LELAND – St. James Parish youth group and parishioners hosted a “Trunk or Treat” for the children of the parish and community. After a youth Mass, children, dressed in their Halloween costumes, were “treated” to pizza, games and “trick or treating” at tables decorated by individuals and/or families. (Photos by Lisa Zepponi)

Youth News

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Maureen Smith

CLARKSDALE – The Clarksdale Fire Department came to visit St. Elizabeth School’s pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten classes Tuesday, October 18, on campus. They taught the children fire safety and had a balloon release to honor the memory of John Maury Clark, a former fire fighter and St. Elizabeth student. (Photos courtesy of Dawn Spinks)

Vicksburg Catholic School burns building note. VICKSBURG – Ann Roberson, Vicksburg Catholic School Development Director; Mary Arledge, St. Francis Xavier Principal and Riley Nelson, Advisory Council President, look on with joy as Dr. Buddy Strickland, principal for Vicksburg Catholic Schools, “burns the note” for the Sam P. Scott Building. The happy ceremony kicked off the St. Aloysius vs. Greenville St. Joseph Football game. Vicksburg Catholic School made the final payment on the debt for the building in August. This year’s annual appeal is to focus on technology improvements. (Photo courtesy of Ann Roberson)

Southaven Sacred Heart School celebrated the 50th day of class by going back in time. A photo backdrop made them feel like they were at the drive-in.

Monica Winans and Kari Pennington, along with the SHS second grade students marked the 50th day of school with a nod to the 1950s. All decked out in pink poodle skirts and leather jackets the children participated in bubble gum-blowing and hula-hoop contests. Afterwards, they were treated to root beer and Coke floats.

All the students showing off their pompadours and poodle skirts!

The students got to try hula hoops and root beer floats. (Photos courtesy of Laura Grisham)

Diocesan Youth gather for retreat

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Maureen Smith

By Abbey Schuhmann
Teens from all across the diocese gathered at Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, Miss., on October 15-16 for the 2016 diocesan high school fall retreat. The retreat was led by a team from National Evangelization Ministries (NET), a Catholic ministry program out of St. Paul, Minnesota. NET Ministries was established 35 years ago and has grown over the years. NET was very popular in our diocese in the 1980s and we are excited to have them serving here once again.
The mission of NET is to spread the Gospel message of Jesus Christ through prayer, sacraments, fellowship and service. NET Team #2 led the retreat along with a middle school retreat at Southaven Sacred Heart School. Each NET Team is made of eight-12 young adults usually ages 18-24 years old. The leaders commit to a year of missionary retreat ministry by traveling around the country hosting retreats for parishes and schools.
The theme of our retreat was “Fully Alive” and teens had the chance to reflect on what really brings about true happiness. Ultimately, only Christ will fill our deepest desires of happiness. Our happiness motivates every decision that we make and our youth had the chance to discuss this important concept.
The overnight retreat provided the youth with a high-energy, faith-filled program throughout the weekend. The youth were able to hear powerful witness talks from members of the NET Team, engaged in several small group discussions, experienced a powerful prayer ministry Saturday evening that included the opportunity to go to Reconciliation and participate in praise and worship.
The NET Team also performed funny skits throughout the weekend that the teens and adult leaders alike enjoyed; along with two very touching dramas as well. Our teens also had the chance for some fun and fellowship on Saturday afternoon by participating in some friendly competition including games of ping-pong, dodgeball, sand volleyball and basketball.
On Sunday we celebrated Mass outdoors at the amphitheater with the beautiful lake as our backdrop, Father Jose de’ Jesus Sanchez, director recruitment for the Office of Vocations, served as our principal celebrant. Three seminarians from our diocese were also present throughout the weekend; Aaron Williams, Hayden Schmitt, and Cesar Sanchez participated in the small group sessions and shared their own personal vocation stories with our youth and assisted with the liturgy.
The adult youth leaders had the opportunity to meet one another and discuss the youth ministry programs at their respective parishes.
The Office of Youth Ministry looks forward to offering valued, faith-filled, meaningful experiences for the youth of our diocese moving forward through retreats, rallies, and other related activities.
If you’d like more information regarding diocesan youth events, contact Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for the office of youth ministry for the Diocese of Jackson at abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org or 601-949-6934.

Seminarian Aaron Williams, center, shared some of his vocation story in small group settings.

Young people broke into small groups for reflection activities. At left, a group of boys has a discussion about faith. The team also led an icebreaker with (l-r) Austin Cabral, NET member from Hilmar, Calif.; Cori Matsumiya, NET member from Orange, Calif.; Aaron Williams, seminarian from Jackson and John Baladi, from Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish. (Photos courtesy of Abbey Schuhmann)

Lake Forest Ranch in Macon provided a beautiful backdrop for presentations and reflections.

Members of NET’s team organized sporting activities such as basketball.

The young people divided into small groups for discussions and sharing.

YOUTH BRIEFS

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth Parish youth will trick or treat for canned goods for the Care Station Sunday, Oct. 30. Call Sarah Cauthen, 662-645-6260, if the youth can stop at your house to pick up canned goods.

CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish, training for new altar servers, children in fourth-grade and up, Monday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m. One parent must attend the service. Details: Jenifer Jenkins, 662-846-6273, ext. 18.
– Halloween party, Sunday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. in the parish center.

GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, Theology of the Body, for ninth-12th graders, Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
– Youth Ctr for seventh and eighth graders on Wednesdays from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall.
– The CYO will host a children’s Halloween party for Canton Sacred Heart Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6 – 8 p.m. in the parish center.

JACSKON Elmore Peterson Law Firm invites youth from first to 12th grade to celebrate diversity with an art and essay competition. Prizes include a new laptop computer and $250 worth of classroom supplies for the teacher of the student’s choosing. Entries should answer the question: Wouldn’t life be boring if we were all the same?
Students may submit a drawing, an essay, a children’s story or a letter to the president in response to the question. All entries are due Dec. 1 to Elmore Peterson Law Firm, 1867 Crane Ridge Dr., Ste. 150-A, Jackson, MS 39216 or by email to mail@elmorepeterson.com. Winners will be announced January 2017.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, youth groups bake sale – cakes, cookies, homemade candy, soups and casseroles – Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23, after all Masses. .
– Halloween Haunted House, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 25-26, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. for ninth-12th graders.
– Wednesday, Oct. 26, Halloween carnival from 6 – 8 p.m. for preK 3 through eighth graders.

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Category Archives: Youth

Youth Briefs

Youth News

Greenville School unified, blessed

Teens seek vocations through SEARCH retreat

St. Anthony partners with Level Up Village to work with schools across the world

Greenville student athletes honored

Youth News

Youth News

Diocesan Youth gather for retreat

YOUTH BRIEFS