Category Archives: Youth

New basketball coach

Posted on by
Reply

MADISON  – Tyler O’Hara, who has coached the St. Joseph middle school basketball team for eight years, has been named head varsity basketball coach for St. Joseph High School. O’Hara, 31, who currently teaches 12th grade English and handles discipline at the school, will take over a team that went 24-4 this year – winning the district tournament and making it all the way to the third round of the state playoffs.
“I’m honored that principal Doug Jones and athletic director Todd Lott have entrusted me with the future of our basketball team,” O’Hara said. “We have a great group of athletes at our school, and I look forward to building on the success we have had with our basketball program.”
O’Hara will take over from former basketball Coach Nick Stamps, who resigned at the end of the 2015-2016 season. O’Hara will continue to teach English classes while also taking care of his basketball coaching responsibilities.
O’Hara, a New Orleans native, has a bachelor’s degree in English from Millsaps College. Lott said   O’Hara brings a lot of valuable experience to the coaching position – including his familiarity with the school’s student athletes and a strong, passionate love for the game of basketball.
Jones said he also has been impressed with O’Hara and what he brings to the table. Jones said that O’Hara’s knowledge of basketball and his desire to help students become better players and student athletes will keep a strong basketball program headed in the right direction.
“This is a great move for our school, our athletes and Coach O’Hara,” Jones said. “Tyler’s dedication to his players, to our students and to our school will make an already great athletic department and academic institution that much stronger.”

Virden earns scholarship

Posted on by
Reply

GREENVILLE – Virginia Virden, a senior and member of the National Honor Society (NHS) at St. Joseph   School has been named one of 300 national semifinalists in the National Honor Society Scholarship program. Virden was chosen from more than 25,000 applicants and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
“Virginia has been a vital part of the St. Joseph family since she began in her seventh grade and we are sorry to see her go, but definitely wish her the best,” said Missi Blackstock, NHS advisor
High school seniors who are members in good standing of an active NHS chapter are able to apply for an NHS scholarship. Finalists are selected on the basis of their leadership skills; participation in service organizations, clubs, and other student groups at school and in the community; and their academic record.
While at St. Joseph, Virden has been president of the National Honor Society, class vice-president, Wendy’s Heisman school winner, Secretary of Mu Alpha Theta, Mississippi Scholar, Guaranty Bank’s Guaranteed Achiever, on the Mayor’s Youth Council, St. Joseph STAR student, along with being captain of the cheer squad and won awards in tennis and soccer. This fall she plans to attend Southern Methodist University to study political science.

Stock market winners

Posted on by
Reply

VICKSBURG – Most people consult their financial advisors for investing tips and strategies. Now we might just start asking our students. St. Aloysius School seniors Cass Hudson, Lofton Varner and Lyndsey Cowart were named second-place winners in the spring senior division of the Mississippi Stock Market Game.
“I am so excited that we did so well,” Hudson said. “We were fortunate to have a good group that took the time to research stocks at low prices that had signs and the potential of rising quickly. We gambled choosing these risky stocks, and it paid off in the end.”
The simulation is a learning tool about the free enterprise system for students in grades four through 12th. The program enables students to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in the stock market over a 15-week period. Winners are determined on the percentage return above or below S&P 500 growth. St. Al school outperformed the S&P by 18.2 percent and grew their portfolio to $128,712 during the 15-week session.
Varner and Cowart both said the competition was a fun experience. “It took some time to research which company was the best to invest in,” Varner said. “We learned many things about the stock market, and we got lucky that our investments turned out the way we hoped they would.”
Cowart said she’s looking forward to putting her newfound knowledge to use in the future. “Although the competition was fun, it was also a bit challenging figuring out what stocks were the best ones to buy,” she said. “It really helped me learn how the stock market works and some things to look out for if I ever want to invest my own money into the stock market.”

St. Joseph School summer camps
MADISON St. Joseph School offers the following camps:
Soccer:  May 31-June 3, from     8 a.m. – noon, for Pre K4-6th graders. Cost is $125.
Baseball: June 6-9, from 9 a.m. – noon. Cost is $125.
Football: June 13-16, from 8:30 a.m. – noon, for second-eighth graders. Cost is $135.
Dance: June 20-23, from 9 a.m. – noon, for first-sixth graders. Cost is $100.
Cheer: July 18-21, from 9 a.m. – noon, for first-sixth graders. Cost is $100.

Paper seeks honorees

Posted on by
Reply

Mississippi Catholic is planning a graduation issue for early June. If your parish is honoring graduates at a liturgy or reception, or if your child has been honored by his or her school, please submit your stories and photos to editor@mississippicatholic.com by Tuesday, May 31.
The paper is also still seeking First Communion and Confirmation group photos from 2016.
The paper is unable to print photos taken with cell phones or tablets. Please send high-resolution photos from a camera.

Vacation Bible schools in the diocese

Posted on by
Reply

– 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.

Youth Briefs & Gallery

Posted on by
Reply

CLARKSDALE Immaculate Conception Parish, after school spiritual and educational enrichment camp, May 9-12, from 4 – 6 p.m. for youth ages five-14 years old. Instructors will be Dr. Jyothi Gupta and Dave Chapman along with their grad students of the Department of Physical Therapy from St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
During the mornings they the youth will volunteer at the Care Station, SLA Jones Senior Activity Center, Clarksdale Physical Therapy, George H. Oliver Elementary School and The Clarksdale Children Clinic.

HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish, deadline to sign up for the annual men and women’s retreat (open to all high school students) is Sunday, May 15. Meeting with participants and their parents, Wednesday, May 25, at 6:30 p.m.

JACKSON Holy Family Parish, Knights of Peter Claver Court #171 will distribute its annual scholarship to a deserving high school senior. Applications and criteria are available
now. Details:  Kathy Harris, 601-750-9063.

– St. Richard School Flight to the Finish, 5-K or one mile fun run, Saturday, May 7, hosted by the Cardinal Men’s Club.

Catholic camp
The Catholic camp for children in North East Mississippi will be held June 12-18 for boys and girls ages 8-11 years and June 19-25 for boys and girls ages 12-14.
This is a residential, over-night camp that includes daily Mass, sports, art and opportunities to meet other Catholic children in north MS. The cost is $100 per week. Scholarships and reduced fees are available. Application deadline is June 5. Details: your parish youth minister and Father Tim Murphy, 662-304-0087.

Summer camps
GREENVILLE St. Joseph School is offering the following summer camps:
– Mini cheer camp, May 31-June 2, from 8 a.m. – noon in the school’s gym for ages three to 12-years-old. Cost is $50 per student. Details: Perlita Dixon, 662-378-9711.
– Summer science camp, June 13-15 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. for ages five to 12-years-old. Cost is $45 per student. Details: Missi Blackstock, 662-378-9711.
– Sport camps for ages five to 12-years-old boys and girls. Cost is $45 per camp. If attend all the four games cost is $160, three camps is $125..
Football, May 31-June 2 from 8 a.m. – noon. at the field house. Green/white game on Thursday, June 2, at 11:30 a.m. led by Coach John Baker.
Baseball, June 6-9 from 8 a.m. – noon in the baseball field, led by Coach Chris Williams. Thursday features special guest Reggie Smith of the Boston Red Sox.
Basketball,  June 6-9 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the gymnasium, led by Coach James Hunter
Soccer, June 13-15 from 8 a.m. – noon at the practice field. Led by Coach Craig Mandolini. Green/white game on Thursday at 11:30 a.m.

Vocational visits

Posted on by
Reply

VICKSBURG – Father José de Jesús Sánchez, director of vocations for the Diocese of Jackson, visited classes at St. Aloysius School on Wednesday, April 20, the same week as World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
In Southaven, Father Quang Nguyen, SCJ, vice provincial and vocations director recently visited with seventh and eighth Sacred Heart School students to talk about vocations.
Father Quang shared his own journey into religious life and told students how to explore the possibility of whether life as a religious was right for them. He described the immense amount of study that was required after one committed to a consecrated life and bridged the gap between a career and a vocation.

Delta teens enjoy retreat

Posted on by
Reply

By Tara Trost
GREENWOOD – Recently, a group of 55 youth from Greenwood, Greenville, Indianola, Leland, Winona and Grenada gathered at Locus Benedictus Retreat Center for a day of reflection led by eight facilitators from South Louisiana.
“We’re young adults with a passion for retreats and serving the youth,” said one of the facilitators. “We discovered this passion by serving on various retreat teams such as DYRT, a retreat team for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, and NET Ministries.
The Saturday retreat, organized by Father Greg Plata, OFM, pastor of Greenwood St. Francis and Immaculate Heart of Mary parishes, delved on the themes of self worth, God’s grace and love, and their Catholic community. In one of the talks, through the activity “Nail struggles to cross,” participants wrote their struggles on notes and hammered them to a wooden cross with nails.
Sophia Moreno told her youth minister that she truly noticed that God was with her during the day. “We had to write a message about something we were struggling with,” she said. “I was calling out his name and I felt his presence. I cried and told him that I wanted to fully accept him into my life.” She noted that she felt so much joy in her heart that she began to laugh. “It was awesome and it changed me forever.”
For CisLee Trost, her favorite part of the retreat was the small groups because “it made me realize that other people struggle with the same thing I do.”
The day also included skits based on a story in the Bible, adoration and confessions by six priests from the youth’s parishes along with several Redemptorists. Mass of Good Shepherd Sunday was celebrated by Father Plata followed by dinner.
Several times in the last year youth from a 60-mile radius have met at Locus Benedictus Retreat Center which is nestled on 67 acres of serene countryside.  “The youth love it out here.  It is so peaceful, quiet and very welcoming,” mentioned Christy Strong from Grenada St. Peter Parish.
Father Plata told participants there will be plans for everyone to meet again for a fun day.  Since the retreat, plans have begun for Kampfire and Karaoke on Friday, June 17, at Locus Benedictus for all youth to join in a fun faith-filled summer night.
Father Plata said this was a wonderful gathering of our young Catholics in this part of the Delta. “Often they feel they are a minority, since Catholics make up less than three percent of the population. This event showed they are not alone. It also showed the wonderful diversity among the Catholic family. What a wonderful sight to see black, white and Hispanic kids have a great time together.”
For further details and/or information visit www.locusbenedictus.org to RSVP for the event.
(Tara Trost is the director of outreach for Locus Benedictus ministries and youth minister for Grenada St. Peter Parish.)

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship

Posted on by
Reply

[Show slideshow]

 

Saint Richard Knights of Columbus Council 15131 recently held a Basketball Free Throw Championship. Nine-year-old champion was Alan G. in the boy’s bracket. Ava S. was the 10-year-old girls’ champion and Charlie Z. was the winner of the 10-year-old boys’ division. In the 11-year-olds’ bracket, Samantha S. was the girls’ champion and Sully M. was the boys’ champion. Twelve-year-old winners in the girls’ and boys’ divisions were Georgia P. and Robert A.. The 13-year-old girls’ division was won by Leah C. and the boys’ by Elliot S.. Fourteen-year-old boys’ champion was William T.. Each contestant was allowed 25 free throw attempts in the contests. The winners in each division will compete by their score with the other kids in the Councils around the state to determine the state champions.

Youth Briefs & Gallery

Posted on by
Reply

[Show slideshow]

 

 

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.