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CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish, graduating seniors, deadline for submitting the parish scholarship form to office is Wednesday, April 20, by 4:30 p.m.

COLUMBUS Annunciation School will present a spring musical Thursday, May 12, for pre-K-eighth-graders. A talent showcase is set for Tuesday, May 24.

GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School senior Virginia Virden has been named as a Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition, (STAR)  Student for the 2015-2016 school year by the Mississippi Economic Council’s M. B. Swayze Foundation.
Virden will be honored during the STAR Program at the annual Education Celebration on April 28 at the Jackson Convention Center. She chose Mrs. Celeste DeAngelo as her STAR Teacher.

JACKSON Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary, Court #199, is sponsoring a poetry contest for Christ the King Parish youth ages seven through 16. Only original poems written by the youth will be accepted. One poem will be selected and read at Mass on Mother’s Day. The deadline is Sunday, April 24. Submit poems by email to pielee08@bellsouth.net, or kimtjiles@aol.com.

MERIDIAN – The Knights of Columbus will  offer $500 scholarships to children and grandchildren of active council members. Applications are available at kofc802.org. Deadline to apply is Sunday, May 1.

WALLS – Sacred Heart Southern Missions (SHSM) is offering teens an opportunity to come together for a week, living in the volunteer house in Walls, working together daily to provide needed service to the SHSM clients, get to know Catholic teens from their six parishes and to grow in their faith.
The Catholic Service Initiative (CSI) camp for young women completing  ninth-12th grades is June 5-10. The camp for young men in the same grades is June 12-17.  Deadline to register is Sunday, May 15.
A meeting of all participants and their parents will be held on Wednesday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m.  Details: SHSM, 662-342-3181 and 662-342-3182.

Vacation Bible schools
– Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish, June 13-17 from 8 a.m. – noon. Details and to volunteer: Sarah Cauthen, 662-645-6260.
– Cleveland Our Lady of Victories, June 13-17. To volunteer contact Sarah Cauthen, 662-645-6260.
– Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish, Monday- Wednesday, June 13-15, from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Details and to volunteer: Karen Worrell, 601-672-5817, kworrellcre@hotmail.com. Registration for attendees will begin in May.
– Grenada St. Peter Parish, “Birthday Blast” Sunday-Thursday- June 5-9. Details and to volunteer: call/text Tara Trost, 662-515-9126.
– Greenville Sacred Heart Parish, June 6-10.
– Greenville St. Joseph Parish, “Birthday Blast: A celebration of Life!” June 13-16, from 5:30 – 8 p.m.
– Jackson St. Richard Parish, June 6-9, from 9 a.m. – noon.
– Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish, June 20-24 from 9 a.m. – noon for preK-fourth graders.
– Creative art camp for fifth and sixth graders at the same time. Details and to volunteer: Mary Catherine, mc.george@stfrancismadison.org.
– Natchez St. Mary Basilica, “Cave Quest: Following Jesus, The Light of the World,” June 6-10, with a Mass celebration on Saturday, June 11, at 5 p.m. Details: Melinda, 601-597-7178. mlml2002@hotmail.com.

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MADISON – Jack Collins, a senior at St Joseph School, was selected as the school’s Wendy’s Heisman candidate. The program recognizes students across the country for the athletic prowess, academic achievement and leadership within their community.
Collins has been a member of the swim team for six years where he was the 2014 state champion in the 100 free, and 2012 and 2013 400 free relay team. He also is on the bowling team which had its highest state finish in school history. Collins had the highest average for the Bruins this year.

Jack Collins

Academically, he is a Commended Scholar by National Merit; he has been named STAR Student, having the highest ACT score of the class, and recognized by Portico Magazine, WAPT and BankPlus as an outstanding senior. Collins was elected Lt. Governor at Mississippi Boys State and selected as the alternate to attend Boys Nation. He has earned a place on the Principal’s Highest Honor Roll for all six years at St. Joe.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph School summer camps:
– Mini cheer — May 30 – June 2, from 9 a.m. – noon
– Football – May 30 – June 2 – from 9 a.m. – noon
– Baseball – June 6 – 8 – from 9 a.m. – noon
– Basketball – June 6 – 8 – from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
– Soccer – June 13 – 15 – from 9 a.m. – noon
– Science–June 13 – 15 – from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

GREENWOOD – Delta Catholic youth retreat, Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Locus Benedictus Retreat Center. Cost is $25 includes meals and a T-shirt. It is open to junior and senior high school students. RSVP at sfgwparish@gmail.com

JACKSON Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary, Court #199, is sponsoring a poetry contest for Christ the King Parish youth ages seven through 16. Only original poems written by the youth will be accepted. One poem will be selected and read at Mass on Mother’s Day. The deadline is Sunday, April 24. Details: pielee08@bellsouth.net, or kimtjiles@aol.com.
– A poetry contest for Father’s Day will be announced soon.

GREENVILLE – The contract to begin construction on St. Joseph Catholic Schools’ unification project was officially signed Wednesday, March 23. The new unified school facility at 1501 V.F.W. Road should be completed this summer.
J.A. Moss Construction Company, of Florence,  was awarded the more than $1 million contract to build the 9,000-square-foot student-centered facility, which will add classrooms to the south side of the existing school classroom wings. Four classrooms will be added to the high school wing to accommodate middle school students alongside their high school counterparts.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz (center) and (l-r) Paul Artman, St. Joseph High School principal, Michelle Gardiner, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School, Catherine Cook, superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Aad DeLange, chief financial officer for the diocese, observe Jimmy Carpenter sign the contract of the construction of the new classrooms. (Photos courtesy of Doreen Muzzi)

In addition, a four-classroom addition for Pre-K, kindergarten, and future growth needs will complete the new elementary school wing. Additional restrooms, a resource room, an elementary library, and a new playground for elementary students also are included in the construction plans.
According to Our Lady of Lourdes principal Michelle Gardiner, the construction will offer the opportunity to expand and enhance the schools’ Catholic identity and religious teachings. “In addition, it is going to give us the ability to expand our technology offerings. Our future plans include installing interactive smart boards in every classroom, and increasing the number of iPads available to our elementary students, she said.”
For Jamie Carpenter, vice president of J.A. Moss Construction Co., Inc., it is a thrill and an honor to be a part of this new project for St. Joseph and Our Lady of Lourdes schools. “I truly believe that bringing the two schools together onto a single campus will bring many benefits to the school system and will help to ensure that Catholic education in Greenville thrives for many years to come.”
As a 1989 graduate of St. Joseph Schools, Carpenter understands the importance of a Catholic education and is pleased to do his part to give back to the next generation of St. Joseph students.
“The education, work ethic and most importantly the life values that I gained throughout my years at both Lourdes and St. Joe have been so important to me on a personal level, and have absolutely been invaluable to me in my professional life,” he said. “Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this great project. We have a lot to do over the next few month, so let’s get to work.”
School principal Paul Artman noted that from a student and family perspective, it will be magnificent to have everyone on one campus. “I’m exhilarated by the synergy we are creating by having everyone together for pep rallies and educational events. The project is being funded by donations to the “St. Joseph A Family United capital campaign.”
Also announced at the event was the sale of Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School’s current facilities on East Reed Road in Greenville. Queen Bell, the owner of Queen Bell TLC Daycare and Learning Center, purchased the current elementary school property with the intention of expanding her business. Ann Craft McKee, owner/broker of Randal Craft Realty, LLC of Madison, Miss., negotiated the sale.
Queen Bell TLC Daycare and Learning Center is scheduled to move into its new East Reed Road home in July.
For more information, or to donate to the capital campaign, visit www.stjoeirish.org, or email dmuzzi@stjoeirish.org.

By Maureen Smith
MERIDIAN/NATCHEZ – One of the themes that emerged during the diocesan listening sessions hosted during three weeks in February was that people wanted to see more large gatherings for young people from different parishes. The good news: several deaneries are already hosting these gatherings with hopes to expand them in the years to come.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, more than 60 young people representing three parishes from Deanery six gathered in Meridian for a day of sports and prayer. The following weekend, another 80 young people and 35 adults from seven parishes spent the day in Natchez at a multi-parish youth day sponsored by St. Mary’s Basilica and the youth directors from Deanery two.

NATCHEZ – Young people from seven parishes gathered at St. Mary Basilica for a multi-parish youth day in March. College students joined in some of the ice breakers and then met with the high school students. (Photos courtesy of Carrie Lambert)

Although the days had different structures, the goal of getting young people together was the same. Father Augustine Palimattam, pastor of Philadelphia Holy Cross Parish, and deanery representative, feels it is very important for smaller parishes to work together on projects such as this one.
“We (Catholics) are such a minority here,” said Father Palimattam. He brought up the idea of hosting a youth day at a deanery meeting and the other parish leaders liked the idea. “We were pleased to host the event at St. Patrick, and we appreciate the initiative of Father Augustine and the others involved in planning the event. The parishioners from St. Therese traveled a great distance for the sake of community-building with other Catholics in east-central Mississippi, said Father Matthew Simmons, pastor of St. Patrick Parish. The day was simple, morning prayer led by Father Simmons, indoor soccer, dodgeball, lunch and time for fellowship.
“When our youth group of Holy Cross Catholic Church goes and plays soccer, basketball

MERIDIAN – The youth group from Philadelphia celebrates during a game at a deanery youth day at St. Patrick Parish. (Photo courtesy of Lydia Berry)

or dodgeball, we always have an amazing time. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose, we always have the best time with our church group, our best friends and the other parishes around us,” said Emily Berry, a member of the youth group.  Everyone was gracious, she explained, no matter what the score. “There was no change in attitude, change in fun, just a new change in friends.  It was also fun when we got to talk with the other youth and hang out while eating pizza provided by the St. Patrick Parish,” she added.
Father Palimattam said he has already seen the benefit of the gathering. “You can see already that they have built healthy relationships,” he said. Young people fill liturgical roles at the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass at Holy Rosary, some have started coming to Adoration and they have started their own system of checks and balances. “If someone does not come, they call each other and ask ‘where were you,’” he said.
Father Palimattam said he happily embraces the challenge of being from a smaller, rural parish. “We don’t have a youth minister and we don’t have too much money, but what I have noticed in my parish is that if we offer more programs for the youth, people step forward,” he said. Since he started gathering the young people for activities he has seen an increase in both volunteers and donations specifically aimed at youth programs.
When Carrie Lambert took on the role of youth ministry in Natchez last September, her pastor, Father David O’Connor encouraged her to contact the other youth ministers in the deanery and work on projects together. She said Yvette Howard from Crystal Springs St. John was a big supporter of the idea of a multi-parish youth day. Seven parishes participated, including four students who came all the way from Greenville St. Joseph Parish, three hours away.
The Natchez program was for seventh through 12th graders. It included speaker, Nicole Marquez, who was pursuing her dreams of a career in dance in New York when she fell from the fire escape of her apartment. She has written a book and gives inspirational talks about how her faith plays a role in her remarkable recovery.
Lambert said she wanted students to hear from someone who had overcome real challenges because of the world these young people live in today, noting that all of them were born after the terrorist attacks of September 11th. “There have always been terrorists in their lives,” she said. She also believes very much in face-to-face contact.
“Now, there is so much technology for them to connect, but they are not really connected!” said Lambert.

Students in Natchez enjoyed a picnic lunch during their youth day.

This leads to another component of the Natchez youth gathering. Lambert invited representatives from the Catholic Campus Ministry organizations from Louisiana State University, the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University.
The college students participated in ice breakers and met in small groups with the high school students to talk about how their faith made a difference in their college life. “They need to make a connection with their faith before they go to college,” explained Lambert. Not only does she want to encourage the idea that students should continue to practice their faith in college, she hopes that knowing someone in campus ministry at their college of choice will help them feel more comfortable when they get to campus.
A second speaker gave a presentation on Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament was brought out in the church. “You could have heard a pin drop. There was total silence in that church,” said Lambert. She said many of the students stayed for the entire half-hour of adoration.
The day closed with Mass. Students filled all of the liturgical roles. Both Father Palimattam and Lambert said they are already planning their next multi-parish gathering.

GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, high school prayer group resumes Wednesday, March 16, at 5 p.m. in the Youth Center, followed by movie night.
GREENWOOD – Delta Catholic youth retreat, Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Locus Benedictus Retreat Center. Cost is $20 includes meals and a T-shirt.
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi Parish sixth-graders are invited to participate in this year’s Cajun Fest poster contest. Artwork is due Sunday, March 20. The winner will receive a T-shirt designed by Harold Adcock and $25 worth of Cajun Fest tickets. The event is set for Sunday, May 15, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica junior and senior CYOs are invited to the Seder supper practice on Wednesday, March 16, at 4:30 p.m. and to the fitting for the living Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m.
Living Stations of the Cross, Sunday, March 20. Seder supper drama, Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m.
– Easter egg hunt, Saturday, March 26, at 10 a.m.

St. Patrick School announces expansion
MERIDIAN – Enough families committed to St. Patrick School to allow for the addition of an eighth grade for the 2016-17 school year. Enrollment for the new grade is open now and spots are still available.
“By adding 8th grade next year, our students will be able to finish their middle school years here at St Patrick,” explained principal Jennifer David. “At such a vital time in their lives, it is important they have a safe and nurturing environment where they can continue to thrive and grow,” she added
Parents are also thrilled about the announcement. “I am so excited for the future of St Patrick School. I feel blessed that my boys will get to continue their Catholic education through eighth grade at such a wonderful place. Every time I walk through the doors at St Patrick School, it feels like home,” said parent Angela Wassell.
St. Patrick has a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade program and opened an expansion to the school last year, allowing for an expanded library and new classroom space.
Registration and school information is available on their website, www.stpatrickcatholicschool.org or by calling. 601-482-6044.

CAMDEN Sacred Heart Parish, after school program, Spanish classes for children six-12- years-old on Mondays until May 16, 2018, from 4:20 – 5:10 p.m. Cost is $10.
– Music classes on Tuesdays until May 17 from – 4:20 – 5:10 p.m. Led by Ed Hightower, music minister. Details: 662-468-2354.
– Basketball youth program for boys and girls ages 6-14 on Saturdays from Feb-20-April 16. Cost is $25.
GRENADA St. Peter Parish, LifeNight, Sundays, beginning with a meal at 5:30 p.m.  Discussion of the theme “dignity” during the next five weeks. Bring a baby picture of yourself to the meeting.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, four-day summer youth trip to Ocoee in July for all participating high school teens (current ninth-12th grades). Registration and details coming soon.
JACKSON St. Richard Parish, Knights of Columbus youth free throw championship Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. – noon in the gym for boys and girls ages nine-14. Details: Rusty Haydel, 601-953-9711.
NATCHEZ Multi-parish fun day at St. Mary Basilica, for ages six-eight (JCYO) and ninth-12th grades (CYO), Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The guest speaker is Nicole Marquez. There will be games, college mentors, banner making, adoration/prayer time, snacks, lunch, praise and worship music. Vigil Mass and a pizza party clost the day. Cost is $10 per person. Details: 601-445-5616, stmaryyouth@cableone.net.

TUPELO St. James Parish youth in eighth grade and above are invited to help make and/or serve soup and desserts during the Lenten soup supper on Friday, Feb. 26, from 5 – 8 p.m in Shelton Hall. Parents are asked to call Jessica at the office to confirm participation.
– Hispanic young adult retreat, Feb. 26-28.

CATHOLIC HEART
WORK SUMMER CAMP
Catholic Heart Work Camp summer mission trip in Nashville, June 19-24, for those currently in eighth grade and older (including college) Cost is $345.

The Diocese of Jackson plans to provide complimentary round-trip transportation from Jackson for any youth or youth group who wish to attend Abbey Youth Fest (AYF) on the grounds of St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, La. The regional youth celebration is set for Saturday, March 12 and registration is already open.
Those who wish to ride the diocesan bus should register with AYF and then also submit all required forms to the Office of Faith Formation by Thursday, February 25th. Send copies of the forms to annette.stevenson@jacksondiocese.org,
AYF is a day for Catholic youth full of music, prayer, liturgy, opportunities to explore different vocations and fellowship. Seminarians from the Diocese of Jackson will be on hand for the festivities. The theme this year is Opening the doors of Mercy.
The youth group at Natchez St. Mary Basilica is also organizing transtportation leaving early on Saturday, March 12, and returning that evening. The cost to attend AYF is $42 and includes meals, and a T-shirt. ContactCarrie Lambert for the Natchez trip only at stmaryyouth@cableone.net.
More information regarding Abbey Youth Fest can be found at abbeyyouthfest.com.