RIPLEY – (Izq.) El Padre Clem Oya, jefe de la Oficina Multicultural de la Diócesis y párroco de Holy Family en Jackson posa en foto tomada después de Misa celebrada por él para celebrar la graduación de estudiantes de la clase 2022. La foto grupal muestra a los graduados y miembros de sus familias, quienes atendieron a la Misa para bendecir el éxito de los mismos. (Foto cortesia del Padre Clem Oya)
HOUSTON – Graciela Soto, de Houston y quien se graduó de High School, recibe una bendición especial del Padre Binh Nguyen , después de Misa en el Inmaculado Corazón de Maria el sábado 28 de mayo. (Foto cortesía de Danna Johnson)
VARDAMAN – Los graduados de Vardaman High School, Orlando Ramos, Joan Juarez y Jacobo Johnson recibiendo una bendición especial del Padre Cesar Sanchez el sábado 28 de mayo. (Foto cortesía de Danna Johnson)
Carthage: (Derecha) Graduados de High School de la comunidad de Santa Ana. Fila de enfrente (i-d) Eliot López, Ángel López, Anderson Morales, Padre Marco A. Sanchez, S.T., Cheryl Salvador, Kally Feliciano, Shany Cardona, Suleima Anai Ramírez. Fila de atrás (i-d) Cristofer López, Maycol Orozco, Alan Feliciano, Jennifer Pérez, Cathalina Garcia y Lucrecia Rodriguez, graduadas del Colegio. (Foto cortesía del Padre Marco A. Sanchez, S.T)
Carthage: (Izquierda) Graduados de High School de la comunidad de Santa Ana. (i-d) Lizbeth Flores, Diego Rodriguez, Sebastián Rodriguez, Padre Marco A. Sanchez, S.T., Michell Hernández, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephanie Rodriguez. (Foto cortesía del Padre Marco A. Sanchez, S.T)
May 19, 2022 – Vicksburg Council 898 of the Knights of Columbus, represented by the council’s treasurer Jeff Eckstein, visited St. Aloysius high school to present a $1,600 scholarship to graduating senior Marissa Jabour, winner of the council’s annual Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest with her essay on the theme of perseverance. The council was also there to present a $1,130 donation to the Vicksburg Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance fund to Ms. Karla McHan. Funds for the scholarship and donation came from various fundraisers the council conducted in the preceding year. (Photo by Tomas Mondragon)
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman Elementary fifth grader, Ashleigh Mason accepts flowers from Kindergarteners, Karmen Davis and Kahlie Saleem, along with other Kindergarteners and Father Joe Dyer. The flowers were placed before the Mary statue during the Crowning Mary ceremony held after Mass on Friday, May 6. (Photo by Shae Goodman Robinson)
SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart students, Mac Collins and Izzy Viglietti serve as attendants as Gwyneth Michael crowns Mary during Mass on Wednesday, May 11. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
CANTON – Nicole Contreras, María Fernanda Tibet and Denise Contreras prepare to crown Mary at Sacred Heart Parish. (Photo by Blanca Peralta Zunigo)
Catholic student life
JACKSON – On Friday, May 6, St. Richard fifth graders performed Fifty Nifty United States. Students showed what happens when the States decide to visit and swap spots with each other. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
WEST POINT – Confirmation candidates, left to right, Paola Garcia and Paulina Lemus, are pictured reaching out to prospective donors for the Confirmation students annual blood drive that took place on Wednesday, May 25. Other candidates also made calls, distributed posters and flyers, and worked on the day of the drive, welcoming prospective donors and offering snacks and assistance; as well as, setting up and cleaning up. (Photo by Cathy Johnson)
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph students Raymon Singh, John Maddox Hillman, Jerrian King and Lori Ann Hughes compete in a team building exercise at their Junior Retreat. Working together is a necessity. (Photo by Emily Thompson)
VICKSBURG – St. Aloysius 2022 graduates have some fun! (Photo by Lindsey Bradley) Please, share your graduation pictures with us! Mississippi Catholic will publish our annual Graduation edition soon. Please send photos in actual size and include the following: full names of those pictured by row (left to right, top to bottom) and name of photographer. Candid photos also welcome. Please email photos and information to editor@jacksondiocese.org.
COLUMBUS – Seventh grader, Day Ivy acted as the Queen of Hearts in the Annunciation Middle School musical, Alice in Wonderland. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
Greenville
GREENVILLE – Jasmine and Joe Parish, along with Emma, Madelyn and Matt Clanton enjoy a dinner before they hit the dance floor at the Daddy Daughter Date Night on Friday, April 29. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)
Meridian
St. Patrick first graders Willow Franklin and Jaylene Mendez bring the gifts down the aisle in the schools special May Crowning Mass. (Photos by Emily Thompson)Josiah Christian and Anna HarperSt. Patrick first graders Christopher Caballero and Fernanda Garcia lead the school Mass and crowning of Mary.
Jackson
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School Kindergartener, Zyon Brown and PreK4 student, Katelyn Kelly presented teachers Barbara Davis and Ethel Jimerson with a class gift basket of sweet treats to show how thankful the students are to have them as their teachers. (Photo by Shae Goodman-Robinson)
JACKSON – St. Richard student, Mary Catherine Vanderloo completed her “Famous Mississippian” project on Sarah Thomas, the NFL’s first full-time female official (referee). The entire fourth grade was surprised when Sarah Thomas herself visited the class on Friday, April 29. (Photo by Tammy Conrad)
Yazoo City
YAZOO CITY – St. Mary parish celebrated Mother’s Day with “Mary in the Garden.” Parishioners had a beautiful day of fellowship, the crowning of Mary and praying the Rosary to celebrate mothers. (Photo by Babs McMaster)
Vicksburg
VICKSBURG – Juniors, Hope Baker and Conner Gaul, crown Mary during St. Aloysius’ May Crowning prayer service.VICKSBURG – St. Francis Xavier sixth graders lead the schools May Crowning prayer service for elementary students. (Photos by Lindsey Bradley)
SOUTHAVEN – The last of the stations as acted out by our eighth grade students for the student body before going home for Easter break. Jack Hicks acted as Jesus. (Photos by Sister Margareth Sue Broker)COLUMBUS – Annunciation middle school students, Isabel Keith, Mary Beth Waggoner, Kelsey and Kennedy Perkins, Amy Williams and Lola Sullivan (8th grade) act as the women of Jerusalem weeping over Jesus during Living Stations of Cross on April 13. (Photos by Katie Fenstermacher)
CLINTON – Right: Anna Kate Yentzen participates in Holy Savior’s egg hunt. (Photo by Trish Ballard)
MAGEE – Parish youth participated in an egg hunt at St. Stephen parish. (Photos courtesy of St. Stephen parish)
VICKSBURG – The Pre-K3 class at the Sisters of Mercy ELC released butterflies after learning about the their life cycle. They watched them grow from small caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
COLUMBUS – On Friday, March 25, students at Annunciation school joined Pope Francis, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, and other Bishops around the world in praying the Rosary for peace and an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
HOLLY SPRINGS – Anita Temple assists in judging science fair projects at Holy Family School. (Photo by Phyllis Parker)
JACKSON – St. Richard student, Ruby Hospodor serves up the ball during a volleyball match on April 7 against First Presbetarian Day School. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
JACKSON – Students Brennyn Bolden and Cassie Anderson from St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison head out of the Cathedral of St. Peter after the Consecration of Russia, Ukraine and the Diocese of Jackson to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, March 25. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Student life at Catholic schools
MERIDIAN – Miss Mississippi, Holly Brand spoke to the fourth, fifth and sixth graders at St Patrick School on Monday, March 28.
Fifth grader, Bryson Walk presents his reading fair project to judges. Anne Larkin Vollor looks on. (Photos by Emily Thompson)
NATCHEZ – PreK-3 teachers, Paige Iseminger and Hailey Tosspon with assistants Dana Dupre and Jody Upton, took their students outside for their prayers for peace time for Ukraine and Russia.
NATCHEZ – Pleasant Acre Day School requested assistance on replenishing their supply of Mardi Gras beads and Cathedral Green Wave families were happy to help. Pictured is Torri Webber’s first grade class assisting with loading up beads to be delivered to the day school. (Photos by Cara Moody)
MADISON – Fifth and sixth grade students at St. Anthony directed aplay. Pictured are Kee Curro, Arie Strong, Lily Kate Lloyd and Maddie Morris. (Photos by Katie Signa)
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth sixth grader Graysen Harlow holds a sign during Mass. (Far right) First grade students receive ashes from Father Raju Macherla at St. Elizabeth’s School Mass. (Photo by Mary Evelyn Stonestreet)
Southaven
SOUTHAVEN – Sister Margaret Sue Broker distributes ashes to students at Sacred Heart School. (Photo courtesy of Sister Margaret Sue Broker)
Natchez
NATCHEZ – PreK-3 student, Collins Garrity receives ashes from Father Mark Shoffner at Cathedral School. Cam Walker observes in the background. (Photo by Jessica Carter)
Children Mass
Yazoo City
YAZOO CITY – St. Mary parish held a Children’s Mass on Sunday, March 6, where children served as lectors and altar servers. Pictured left to right: Meriella Kirby, James Blande Pettigrew, Will Foster, Ella Grey McMaster and Kelsie Kennedy. (Photo by Babs McMaster)
By Joanna Puddister King VICKSBURG – The annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) at the Vicksburg Convention Center was back this year after a hiatus due to COVID. Held from Feb. 18-20, the conference brought together teens from around the diocese for a weekend celebration with the theme “Encounter.”
Diocesan coordinator for the Office of Youth Ministry, Abbey Schuhmann said, “It has been two years since we were last able to gather as a diocese to celebrate our Catholic faith as one large community. It was our great hope that DCYC 2022 was a time to celebrate and encounter each other but more importantly to encounter Jesus Christ through the gift of our Catholic faith.”
VICKSBURG – Youth gather around “Encounter” weekend leader and Catholic hip-hop artist Joe Melendrez in prayer during the annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) held at the Vicksburg Convention Center from Feb.18-20. (Photos by Abbey Schuhmann)
Youth were able to do just that with keynote presenter and recording artist Joe Melendrez, described as one of America’s most exciting Catholic performers. Melendrez got his start performing on MTV at age 15 and encountered the love of God shortly after. He has since dedicated his life to sharing the Good News and sharing the Gospel in unique ways – like his Catholic hip-hop style.
“Melendrez was a very dynamic and high energy presenter; his talks throughout the weekend were very interactive and powerful,” said Schuhmann. “Being a Catholic hip-hop artist, his music provided for very upbeat and entertaining sessions of worship that got all participants, young and old, on their feet and moving to the beat.”
On Saturday of the conference, diocesan vocations director, Father Nick Adam and Sister Kelly Moline, OP, a Dominican Sister of Springfield, Illinois and chaplain at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, along with diocesan seminarians led a session on discernment on Saturday afternoon. They challenged each participant to continue to seek God’s will in their life and to continue to be open to His call, said Schuhmann.
Other activities during the “Encounter” weekend included small group sessions, games, Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration and a concert with Melendrez on Saturday evening. The weekend concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz and the presentation of the Bishop Chanche Youth Service Awards to six youth from around the diocese.
This was the fourth year that the conference was held in Vicksburg. Groups from twelve parishes representing five of the six deaneries were in attendance this year. Schuhmann says that plans are already underway for the 2023 conference and invites youth from around the diocese to encounter Christ.
For more information about events sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry please contact coordinator, Abbey Schuhmann. 601-949-6934 or Abbey.Schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org.
Students at Sacred Heart School celebrated Ash Wednesday, March 2, with Mass.
Students and staff collected old palms from last Palm Sunday and burned them for use on Ash Wednesday. Sister Margaret Sue Broker, OSF, explained that in biblical times, the wearing of sack cloth and ashes were a sign of sorrow for ones sins. (Photos by Laura Grisham)
Holy Springs
HOLLY SPRINGS – Father Hendrick Adrianto, SCJ led Mass, which included the distribution of ashes for Holy Family students. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
Made with love
Leland
LELAND – The children of St. James parish made valentine cards for the 11 a.m. Mass attendees on Sunday, Feb. 13. (Photo by Deborah Ruggeri)
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Jackson
JACKSON – St. Richard School celebrated its annual Mardi Gras parade on March 1. Students in K3, K4 and K5 made “floats” and marched the route along with the St. Joe Madison Band and Spirit Steppers. Pictured are K5 students (front to back) Makayla Carlson, Reagan Nelson, John Ellis Ehrgott, Anna Pham, MJ Walker and Ja’Cory Butler. (Photo by Tammy Conrad)
Madison
MADISON – St. Anthony students Reed Brown, Brynn Evans and Harper Measells enjoyed driving in their mardi gras parade. (Photo by Katie Signa)
Vicksburg
VICKSBURG – Montessori kindergarten students, Jack Dornbusch and Dylan Rader had so much fun in their Mardi Gras parade throwing beads to other Vicksburg Catholic School students. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
Clarksdale
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth students rolled on March 1 for the school’s annual Mardi Gras parade with everything fancy and fun! They had their very own king and queen, music, king cakes, convertible, horses, policemen, deputies and firemen, and, of course, tons of beads! (Photo by Mary Evelyn Stonestreet)
Flowood
FLOWOOD – St. Paul Early Learning Center student, Hannah Hall dances her way through the parade of students held on Fat Tuesday. (Photo by Susan R. Irby)