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.

Explore the Call

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

JACKSON – SEARCH Retreat is a unique retreat experience designed for youth who have a strong desire to deepen their faith and relationship with Christ. It’s a retreat “for teens, led by teens” with a strong focus on vocations. Youth in 11th and 12th grades are encouraged to register for this event set for Nov. 11-13 at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman. Spaces are limited. SEARCH engages youth in a special way and calls them to live out their Catholic faith in a bold, real, active and healthy way. This retreat is intended for youth who are looking to “go deeper” in their faith. Register at www.jacksonsearch.com.

YOUTH BRIEFS

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

BATESVILLE St. Mary Parish, monthly youth dinners on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. beginning Oct. 19.

GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, Theology of the Body for Teens in ninth-12th grades, Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7 p.m. in the Youth Center and for seventh and eighth graders from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Hall classroom.

GREENWOOD St. Francis Parish, Deanery III youth Mass, Sunday, Oct. 9, at 4 p.m. Youth Fellowship follows.

MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish children in grades first through fifth grades are invited to join Cub Scouts Pack 716. Details: parish office, 601-856-5556.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick School PSA, “Spirit Night” at Mugshots, Monday, Sept. 25, from 5 – 9 p.m. Ten percent of sales will be donated to the school.
– The Monday game night between The Saints and The Falcons will be shown at the restaurant.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica CYO celebration for students in sixth-12th grades, Sunday, Sept. 25, beginning with Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a pizza party, games and witness testimony, praise and worship music by Q, a music minister from New Jersey.

TUPELO St. James Parish, youth fellowship/parish fair Go Fishin’ booth preparation, Sunday, Sept. 25, at 4 p.m.

Student essay earns trip

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

Jackson St. Richard School sixth-grader Edderek Cole was one of 10 youngsters chosen from a pool of more than 2,800 entrants to attend the U.S. Open Tennis tournament thanks to an essay about how lessons learned on the tennis court can help development and character off it.
The Arthur Ashe Essay Contest was open to students 18 and younger who participate in National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) programs across the country.
This year’s essay contest focused on tennis legend and pioneer Althea Gibson and her ability to show unwavering strength and courage in the face of adversity. That enabled her to become a trailblazer in the tennis world as the first African-American Grand Slam and U.S. Championships winner. This year’s question asked: “How have your skills in tennis impacted the development of your character and how you address your personal challenges on and off the court?”
The winners were honored at the Yale Club in New York City and invited to Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, where they’ll received VIP status in the President’s Box.
The weekend wrapped up with an awards luncheon on Sunday, Aug. 28, hosted by USTA Foundation chairman and former world No. 4 James Blake and former New York City mayor and USTA board member David Dinkins. This marks the 18th annual contest hosted by the USTA Foundation, the national charitable organization of the United States Tennis Association.
“This year’s Arthur Ashe Essay contest winners consist of a talented group of students from some of our most outstanding NJTL programs,” said Dan Faber, USTA Foundation executive director. “This year’s responses were some of the most phenomenal ones we’ve read as they truly highlighted their individual experiences and personal strengths as a result of the positive impact tennis has had on their lives. We are proud of their hard work.”

Youth Briefs

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

Search Retreat
JACKSON – Youth in 11th and 12th grades are encouraged to register for the fall SEARCH Retreat to be held Nov. 11-13 at Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman. Spaces are limited.
SEARCH Retreat is a unique retreat experience designed for youth who have a strong desire to deepen their faith and relationship with Christ. It’s a retreat “for teens, led by teens” with a strong focus on vocations.
SEARCH engages youth in a special way and calls them to live out their Catholic faith in a bold, real, active and healthy way. This retreat is intended for youth who are looking to “go deeper” in their faith.
Register by visiting www.jacksonsearch.com. The registration deadline is Oct. 11. The cost is $120. In addition to registering online, youth need to present a copy of Diocesan Forms A, B, and E.

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis Parish, LifeTeen gathering, “Prepare”: Unleash: Personal Prayer, Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 5:45 – 6:30 p.m.
– 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Immaculate Mary’s role in salvation history.
– Saturday, Sept. 10, beginning at 8:30 a.m., youth room work day.
– Sunday, Sept. 11, 10:45 a.m. – noon, “Lip Sinc.”
– Wednesday, Sept. 14, 5:45 p.m. personal prayer. 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. “Sin and Salvation.”

JACKSON – The Office of Youth Ministry invites all ninth through 12th graders to the high school fall retreat, “Fully Alive, experiencing true happiness.” The two-day event is set for Oct. 15-16 at Lake Forest Ranch in Macon. The cost is $60 per person.
The weekend starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and ends at 2 p.m. Sunday. It will include games, small group activity, skits, community building, witness talks, music, sacraments and time for reflection.
National Evangelization Team (NET) will lead the retreat. Registration is due by Friday, Sept. 23. Call or email Abbey Schuhmann at 601-949-6934.

MADISON – St. Joseph School will host its annual sixth grade deck party Friday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. Participants will receive a ticket to the St. Joseph vs. St Joe Greenville game. Details: Kristi Garrard, 601-898-4812.

Texas Catholic high school community cheers swimmer to Olympic bronze

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Mississippi Catholic

By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen
FORT WORTH, Texas (CNS) – Matthew Coffer, a 2007 Nolan Catholic High School graduate, said it best in a comment posted to the school’s alumni page: “It was a great night to be a Viking!”
He was referring to the pride and excitement when Nolan alumna Katie Meili won the bronze medal in the women’s 100-meter breaststroke at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The Colleyville native, who graduated from Nolan Catholic in 2009, posted a time of 1:05.69. Another American, Lilly King, beat out a Russian competitor to win the gold.
Meili is the first Olympic athlete in the school’s 55-year history.
“I’m just so happy,” a beaming Meili told reporters moments after her race.
“It’s a lot of hard work, but I’ve had so much support along the way,” Meili said. “This medal belongs to so many more people than just me, and I’m really proud of them.”
The 25-year-old’s former swim teammates at Nolan Catholic gathered for a watch party in the school’s auditorium Aug. 8. They were joined by current students, faculty members, and friends of the Meili family, who had watched the athlete’s swimming prowess blossom, first at Columbia University, where she clinched a 2013 Division I NCAA bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke, and later at the invitation-only SwimMAC elite team in Charlotte, N.C.
Sports analysts said Meili was a long shot for an Olympic medal, but that’s not how the Nolan community felt. Current and former Nolan students wore blue T-shirts inscribed with the words, “All Viking for Meili” as they watched the 2016 Olympian compete.
“Everybody at the watch party knew it was going to happen,” said Nolan Catholic President Erin Vader. “If there is power in prayer and positive thinking, the people here got her through it.”
During the race, no one sat down.
“The sound was deafening. People were laughing and crying,” Vader said, describing the moment when TV graphics announced Meili’s bronze-medal finish. “It was thrilling.”
Stephen Montes, a Nolan classmate and friend of Meili, remembered her as “super supportive” of teammates when she swam the breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley in high school.
“Her practices were always intense,” he recalled. “She was a great teammate — humble and down to earth. Regardless of how tonight turned out, we would be proud of Katie.”
Nolan teammate Becky Russell has kept up with Meili’s competitive swimming through social media forums.
“She would give regular updates when she was swimming at Columbia and MAC Elite,” Russell said. “I’ve watched her progress to international meets and get faster and faster. It’s wonderful that she captured the swimming world’s attention.”
Russell applauded Meili’s decision to keep swimming after graduating from Columbia.
“She was never an Olympic shoo-in but at the same time, it was a very real dream,” she said.
“Katie winning this medal makes our other athletes feel like the Olympics are possible and that’s amazing,” Vader says. “It gives them a new goal.”
(Kurkowski-Gillen is a reporter for North Texas Catholic, online newsmagazine of the Diocese of Fort Worth.)

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Category Archives: Youth

Greenville student athletes honored

Youth News

Youth News

Diocesan Youth gather for retreat

YOUTH BRIEFS

Explore the Call

YOUTH BRIEFS

Student essay earns trip

Youth Briefs

Texas Catholic high school community cheers swimmer to Olympic bronze