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Catholic Charities gets strategic

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By Michael Thomas
JACKSON – During the last week of January, members of the Catholic Charities board of directors and governance council met at Holy Family Parish to begin the 2018 – 2023 Strategic Plan for Catholic Charites, Inc. In keeping with the mission of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Jackson “…to be a visible sign of Christ’s love…” every five years a strategic planning committee is formed with members of the board, the governance council and Charities staff. This committee evaluates the past plan and develops a new one.
The plan will set forth a five-year set of goals and objectives designed to guide the agency, its board and governance council in actions that will improve outreach to consumers and operations. The theme for the strategic planning process is “Embarking on the next five years – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9”
Bishop Joseph Kopacz began the full-day retreat with a reflection on Catholic Social Teaching. He included a review of the mission, values and principles that guide Charites. Senior staff members then gave an overview of operations along with presentations and updates from each program before the group began a review of the 2012-2017 strategic plan. “Today the council members were renewed in their focus and we are excited about the future of Catholic Charites,” said Cindy Jefcoat, chair of the governance council.
Traditionally, Catholic Charities has utilized a combination of a “SWOT” or strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, committee meetings and an internal employee survey to determine the goals and objectives in the plan. “This time we are going to add an external stakeholder and donor relationship survey to give us a better understanding of how we are viewed both internally and externally,” said John Lunardini, COO. Adding, “It is very important to hear from our partners, funders, donors and our parishioners on how they view the work of Catholic Charities in the diocese. In early March, we will begin sending out surveys to as many of these stakeholders as possible to gain the valuable feedback we need to strengthen our agency.”
This planning session comes at a particularly vibrant time for Catholic Charities. The addition of a COO working with Bishop Kopacz, who acts as CEO for the agency, along with a move into a new headquarters near downtown Jackson in 2017, have triggered opportunities to strengthen and renew the programs and staff. At the same time, the Diocese of Jackson launched a new mission, vision and set of Pastoral Priorities. The two efforts dovetail in their hope to encourage the faithful to ‘embrace diversity, serve others and inspire disciples,’ as the diocesan vision statement reads.
Catholic Charities is enlisting the help of Maris, West and Baker, a Jackson-based advertising agency, to redevelop the Catholic Charities website and update branding for the entire agency. “By the Bishop’s Ball in June, we expect to have a completed strategic plan and website that will help us increase our visibly in the community so we can have an even greater impact on the people that need our services the most and on the community as a whole,” said Lunardini.
Some of the accomplishments from the last strategic plan were relocating the Domestic Violence Center in Jackson, expansion of the MYPAC program under Hope Haven, implementation of an exit interview process and renewed COA accreditation.
(Michael Thomas is the Development Director for Catholic Charities of Jackson.)

Bishop Kopacz Schedule

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Monday, Feb. 5 – 16, – Holy Sepulchre trip to the Holy Land
Sunday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. – Rite of Election, Jackson, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m. – RICA class, McComb St. Alphonsus
Saturday, Feb. 24, 1:30 p.m. – Bishop Chanche Awards 2018, Jackson, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle
Wednesday, March 1, 5 p.m. – Closing Mass, Relics of St. Pio of Pietralcina Centennial Tour, Jackson, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle
Saturday, March 3, 5 p.m. – Mass and dinner, High School Confirmation Retreat, Camp Garaywa, Clinton
Sunday, March 4, 9 a.m. – Mass of Installation of Father Pradeep Kumar Thirumalreddy, Sardis St. John.
Sunday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. – Mass of Installation of Father Pradeep Kumar Thirumalreddy, Batesville St. Mary
Sunday, March 4, 12:30 p.m. – Mass in Spanish, Batesville St. Mary

(Only public events are listed on this schedule and all events are subject to change.
Please check with the local parish for further details)

Obispo recorrerá la Tierra Santa al comenzar la Cuaresma

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Obispo Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
El Señor Jesús, que siempre está cerca, va a reunir a la Iglesia Católica Universal para escuchar su llamada a “reformar nuestras vidas y a creer en el Evangelio” a fin de que podamos superar el veneno del pecado y el aguijón de la muerte. Nuestra observancia del Miércoles de Ceniza es una invitación a renovar las promesas hechas en el bautismo a través de la oración fiel, el ayuno significativo y la limosna generosa. En armonía con la mejor bienvenida al renacimiento de la primavera escuchamos las palabras de San Pablo para convertirnos en una nueva creación en Cristo, sus embajadores en las obras de penitencia y de reconciliación en nuestros corazones y hogares, y por justicia y paz en nuestras comunidades, nuestra nación y el mundo. Nuestra ciudadanía está en el cielo, nuestro destino final, y el viaje eterno que ya ha comenzado en nuestro diario caminar con el Señor. En este momento estoy en la Tierra Santa en peregrinación con los Caballeros de Colón y las Damas del Santo Sepulcro. Por supuesto que ya ustedes saben esto a través de las redes sociales de la Diócesis de Jackson.
Será muy raro que no esté en la diócesis en nuestra Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol el Miércoles de Ceniza y el comienzo de la cuaresma. En mi mente y en mi corazón, la única razón aceptable para esta ausencia es una peregrinación a la Tierra Santa, donde la historia de nuestra salvación se desplegó en la vida, muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo.
La única vez que he viajado a la Tierra Santa fue en 1981 en una gira de estudio bíblico que abarcó Jerusalén y Roma durante tres semanas. Fue memorable por muchas razones y, en particular, no pudimos tener una audiencia con San Juan Pablo II a causa de la tentativa de asesinato contra su vida a principios de ese año. ¡Cómo ha cambiado el mundo! Los medios de comunicación social, cuando se usan de manera educada en un espíritu de solidaridad, pueden ser una herramienta excelente para edificar y no derribar.
Espero poder compartir con ustedes los acontecimientos de cada día como una forma especial de avivar la llamada del Señor durante la cuaresma. Recordemos que en nuestro proceso visionario diocesano la primera prioridad pastoral establecida es que seamos comunidades de fe acogedoras y reconciliadoras en nuestras parroquias, colegios y en todos nuestros ministerios de apoyo. Esto va mucho más allá de ser ambientes amables y acogedores, aunque este es un primer paso crucial. Esta es la obra del Evangelio, siempre antigua y siempre nueva, que nos llama a arrepentirnos, a girar nuestras vidas a donde sea necesario, y a hacerle frente a la realidad de división en nuestras familias, en las comunidades eclesiales y en la sociedad. Las heridas de pecado y de división pueden ser profundas y de larga duración, y si la curación debe ocurrir nuestra respuesta a la llamada del Señor a la conversión debe ser intencional y fiel. Y queremos que la sanación ocurra porque Jesús nos quiere dar vida en abundancia, su paz que el mundo no puede dar, su alegría que nos eleva a una vida nueva, y el camino a la libertad.
Todos hemos recibido el Espíritu Santo de amor, poder y disciplina, y la Cuaresma es un tiempo para rezar y animarnos el uno al otro a abrir estas puertas de gracia y esperanza. Cuarenta días constituyen un tiempo sagrado para que la vida de Dios y nuestras vidas se crucen una vez más, de modo que podamos ver más claramente que Cristo es el camino, la verdad y la vida. Que nuestra determinación no disminuya durante este tiempo de gracia. Oremos también por nuestros catecúmenos y candidatos mientras la llamada del Señor profundiza en sus vidas, y espero estar con muchos de ellos en el Rito de la elección el primer domingo de Cuaresma en la Catedral. ¡Qué la paz esté con ustedes!

Bishop to tour Holy Land as Lent begins

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Bishop Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
The Lord Jesus, who is always near, will be gathering the Catholic Church universal to hear his summons to “reform our lives and believe in the Gospel” in order that we may overcome the poison of sin and the sting of death. Our Ash Wednesday observance is an invitation to renew the promises made at Baptism through faithful prayer, meaningful fasting, and generous almsgiving.
In harmony with the most welcome spring rebirth, we hear the words of Saint Paul to become a new creation in Christ, his ambassadors in the work of repentance and reconciliation in our hearts and homes, and justice and peace in our communities, nation and world.
Our citizenship is in heaven, our ultimate destiny, and the eternal journey has already begun in our daily walk with the Lord. At this time, I am in the Holy Land on pilgrimage with the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher. Of course, you may already know this through the Diocese of Jackson’s social media platforms. I will be using the hashtag #BishopJKHolyLand for the trip.
It will be highly unusual not to be in the diocese at our Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. In my mind and heart, the only acceptable reason for this absence is a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where the story of our salvation unfolded in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The only other time I had traveled to the Holy Land was way back in 1981, on a biblical study tour that encompassed Jerusalem and Rome for three weeks. It was memorable for many reasons, and in particular, we were not able to have an audience with Saint John Paul II because of the attempted assassination on his life earlier that year. How the world has changed!
Social media, when used civilly in a spirit of solidarity, can be an amazing tool for building up and not tearing down.
I look forward to sharing the events of each day as a unique way to enliven the Lord’s call during Lent. Let us recall that in our diocesan envisioning process the first stated Pastoral Priority is to be inviting and reconciling communities of faith, in our parishes, schools, and in all of our supporting ministries. This goes far deeper than being friendly and welcoming environments, although this is a crucial first step.
This is the work of the Gospel, ever ancient and ever new, to repent, turn our lives around where need be, and to address the realities of division in our families, church communities, and in society.
The wounds of sin and division can be deep and long standing, and if healing is to occur, our response to the Lord’s call to conversion must be intentional and faithful.
And we do want healing to occur because Jesus wants to give us life in abundance, his peace that the world cannot give, his joy that raises us to new life, and the path to freedom.
We have all received the Holy Spirit of love, power and discipline, and Lent is a time to pray for and encourage one another to open these doors of grace and hope.
Forty days comprise a sacred time for God’s life and our lives to intersect once again so that we can see more clearly that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. May our resolve not wane during this season of grace. Let us pray also for our catechumens and candidates as the Lord’s call deepens in their lives, and I look forward to being with many of them at the Rite of Election on the first Sunday in Lent at the Cathedral.
Peace be with you!

Parish calendar

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CANTON Gray Center, Centering Prayer Spring Retreat, April 13-15. Retreat leader: Father William Meninger, Trappist Monk. This year will explore the Enneagram as a path for increasing one’s self-awareness, compassion and conscious living. Details: Limited space is available so register soon at https://graycenter.wufoo.com/forms/z1ogo6sv0d0yfxw/ or (601) 859-1556.
CHATAWA St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center, Tending the Soul of Marriages, married couples retreat, February 16-18, 4 p.m. – Sunday morning. Presenters: Robin and Easton Hebert, spiritual directors and retreat leaders from Lafayette. They have built a ministry of mentoring those who prepare for marriage and those who desire to live the sacrament more fully. Cost: Suggested donation: $360 per couple. Details: Sr. Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 retreatcenter@ssndcp.org.
A Lenten Day of Reflection, God’s Love and Mercy. Saturday, February 17, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Presenter: Sr. Dorez Mehrtens, SSND, who is on staff, will help with reflections. Cost: Suggested donation: $40, includes lunch. Details: Sr. Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 retreatcenter@ssndcp.org
CULLMAN, Ala., Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, Intensive Centering Prayer Weekend: The Welcoming Prayer, February 22-25. Develop further the discipline of Centering Prayer and deepen your relationship with God. Begins on a Thursday instead of Friday. Prerequisite: Introduction to Centering Prayer. Cost: Private Room $325. Details: contact Sister Magdalena Craig, OSB at (256) 615-6114, www.shmon.org.
NATCHEZ Compassion Care Hospice, Suite A, 113 Jefferson Davis Blvd., Grief and Loss Support Group, Second Monday of each month, 5:30 p.m. Next meeting, Monday, February 12. Open to the Public. Details: call (601) 442-6800.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen, Mardi Gras Parish Party, Tuesday, February 13. Food, fun, bingo and prizes for the entire family. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Healing Hearts Grief Support Groups has changed its meeting this month to Friday, February 16, at 6 p.m. at Rest Haven Restaurant, 419 North State Street. Details: Frankie Davis at (662) 902-0293.
COLUMBUS Annunciation, Frassati Fellowship Group. Are you a young adult looking for a faith community of other recent college graduates, graduate students and/or young professionals? Frassati Group is a young Catholic adult support group that will meet for Bible study, volunteer work and more. Details: Keely McCulla at (615) 509-7462.
NATCHEZ Assumption, Fat Tuesday Pot Luck Supper, Tuesday, February 13, in Tuite Hall immediately following Ash Wednesday 5:30 p.m. vigil Mass. Details: (601)442-7250.
St. Mary Basilica, parish celebration for all married couples, especially those celebrating their 15th, 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60-plus anniversaries, Wednesday, February 21, at the Wednesday night dinner. Everyone, married or not married, will be treated to a complimentary dinner. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
St. Mary Basilica, Knights of Columbus Annual Lenten Fish Fry, Friday, February 16, from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. For grilled catfish, please call 30 minutes ahead. Details: (601) 897-0295.
SHAW St. Francis of Assisi, Mardi Gras party, Tuesday, February 13, at 6 p.m. Details: church office (662) 754-5561.
Lenten Luncheons begin Wednesday, February 21. Details: Barbara Reginelli at (662) 719-8627.
VICKSBURG Knights of Columbus Council 898 is hosting the Beatitudes Marriage Enrichment Program, Thursday, February 15, at 7 p.m. in the council home, 310 Fisher Ferry Road. The program runs for six weeks, and each session lasts approximately 45 minutes. There is no charge. Explore the Beatitudes as the path to holiness in Christian marriage and that holiness is the source of joy in marriage. Details: Charles Hahn (601) 831-1057.
St. Paul, Friday, February 16, 6-7 p.m., Knights of Columbus first Lenten Fish Fry, $10 per plate; $6 child’s plate. Details (601) 636-0140.

YOUTH BRIEFS
CLEVELAND Delta State University Catholic Student Association, meets Tuesdays at 9 p.m. in DSU Union, second floor. Some past discussion has been Jesus’ authority over all things, even demons, and how we must use the armor of God to shield ourselves from the daily evils we encounter. Details: If you are a student and want to join us, text your name and number to Hunter Pugh at (662) 902-1669.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Countdown 2018, Friday, February 23, in the Family Life Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and drawing begins at 7 p.m. Entertainment provided by Aa’keela Hundall. Details: Tickets can be purchased from any school advisory board member, the school office or Leslie Vollor at (662) 321-1150.
JACKSON 40-Days for Life Pro Life Kickoff Event, Wednesday, February 14, noon – 1 p.m at the Jackson Women’s Health Organization clinic on North State Street in Fondren. The 40 Days for Life event is an ecumenical, faith-based effort made up of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. Volunteers can sign up for shifts. Details: Barbara Beavers at (601) 940-5701 or barbara.beavers@gmail.com.
Pro-Life Mississippi annual Spring Banquet and Silent Auction, Thursday, April 5, First Baptist Church, 431 North State Street, Jackson. Silent auction 5 – 6:30 p.m. VIP meet and greet 5-6 p.m. Banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. Keynote speaker will be retired Lt. Col. Allen B. West, former U.S. Representative from Florida’s 22nd District. Details: (601) 956-8636.
Walk for Life, Saturday, April 28, begins at St. Richard Church, Jackson. Meet at 7:30 a.m. and begin at 8 a.m. Afterwards, lunch prepared by St. Richard Knights of Columbus. Details: www.ProLifeMississippi.org.
RIDGELAND, Hospice Ministries volunteer training, 450 Towne Center Blvd, February 16-18. Training runs from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Friday; 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and concludes on Sunday 1-5 p.m. It is a fast-paced program filled with speakers and refreshments. Hospice Ministries is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that helps others during one of life’s most trying experiences, terminal illness. Details: Volunteer Services, (601) 898-1053 ext. 258 to register or have any questions.

IN MEMORIAM
Sister Dorothy Ann Balser, S.S.N.D., died January 28 at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa. She is the sister of Father Edward Balser. Sr. Dorothy was born in McComb on November 6, 1927. In 1949, she took her profession of vows with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in St. Louis. In the Diocese of Jackson, Sr. Dorothy coordinated the laity of St. Francis of Assisi, Brookhaven, in all levels of religious education.
Her experience and skill as a teacher of primary children enabled her to develop programs for children in Magnolia and Osyka. Her burial took place on January 30. A formal prayer service and Eucharistic Celebration will be announced at a later date.

Research begins on Sister Thea Bowman

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz has appointed Redemptorist Father Maurice Nutt to begin researching the life, writings and works of Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, in what may well be her first step on the road to sainthood. Father Nutt will travel to and from his home in New Orleans to the Diocese of Jackson for the time being.
This does not officially open a cause for canonization, but is a preliminary step prior to opening a cause. Since February is Black History Month, the appointment seems all that much more timely.
Sister Thea, the granddaughter of a slave, was born Bertha Bowman in 1937 in Yazoo City. Her family moved to Canton where she enrolled in Holy Child Jesus school. She decided to become Catholic at the age of nine. A few years later she asked to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and became the first African-American member of the order.
Sister Thea was a gifted teacher and vocalist. She earned a doctorate in literature and traveled the world – taking students to England and visiting Africa to connect with her own heritage. As she taught, sang and experienced life, she began to form a theology of diversity and inclusion that would become the hallmark of her public life. The late Bishop William Houck invited her to be a consultant for intercultural awareness in the Diocese of Jackson. Even while working in Mississippi, Sister Thea traveled the country teaching workshops on music and speaking about the importance of diversity in the church. Her influence both in and outside of the church was tremendous. She appeared on the television newsmagazine 60 Minutes. Harry Belefonte met with her in hopes of producing a movie about her life. She was one of the most sought-after speakers in the country.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1984. As the cancer worked its way into her bones, she continued to maintain a grueling travel schedule, praying to ‘live until I die.’ One of her last public appearances, delivered from a wheelchair, was speaking to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. She told them she was ‘fully black and fully Catholic,’ and urged them to embrace their African-American, Vietnamese, Native American and other cultural flocks and their customs and music. Sister Thea believed the church could welcome diversity and uphold tradition. She closed her speech by getting the men to stand, link arms and sing the Spiritual ‘We Shall Overcome.’
Sister Thea died in 1990. She is buried in Memphis. Not long after her death, many of her friends wondered if they had known a saint. In the past year or so, rumors spread that Sister had been declared a servant of God. She had not, but it was one more sign that this case might merit a closer look.
Father Nutt met Sister Thea as his teacher, but he now calls her his spiritual mother. He has written two books about her – one will be published this summer – and he often includes reflections on her life in his missions and workshops. His job right now is to research and document her life. Much of this work is already done since he has written about her, but this is an opportunity to gather her writings and records and organize it all in one place.
The first step on the path to sainthood is to determine if a person has ‘heroic virtues.’ Father Nutt will begin to assemble a file – something a little more in-depth than the usual biography – for Bishop Kopacz to review. “I’d love to find every place named for her,” said Father Nutt. The diocese has a school named for Sister Thea, one of half a dozen nation-wide. He has come across shrines dedicated to Sister Thea as close as New Orleans and as far away as Oakland, Calif. The Franciscan Sisters have a foundation in her honor as well as an extensive archive of material.
Father Nutt will review their holdings as well as what is housed in the archives in Jackson as part of his work. The next step, probably months down the road, will be for the bishop to ask the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for input on opening a formal cause for sainthood. If the bishops agree, the case can go to Rome to be opened and the diocese will have to raise money to support it. The cost of canonization can run into the million dollar range.
That’s when work begins in earnest. Once the cause is opened, the promoter will begin telling Sister Thea’s story and encouraging people to pray for her intersession in hopes of producing a miracle. A second miracle is required before the church will canonize a saint.
The whole process of canonization can take decades to complete. Father Nutt is confident he can start by finding Sister Thea’s heroic virtues and see where the Holy Spirit leads after that.

Bishop, superintendent support school choice effort

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Diocese of Jackson School Superintendent Catherine Cook signed a letter urging Mississippi Lawmakers to expand school choice in the state by passing Senate Bill 2623. The bill made it out of the committee process, but as of the publication day for this issue, the House has not debated it.
SB 2623 would expand eligibility for the state’s existing Education Savings Accounts (ESA) to all public school students, students entering kindergarten or first grade, students in foster care, children of active duty military, and siblings of eligible students. The ESA would be funded at $6,500 for special needs students and at 95 percent of the state’s formula for all others, which comes to about $5,700.
Basically, parents who qualify would get access to an account or debit card to use for their child’s education. The bill gives preference to students with special needs. Two-thirds of the Catholic Schools in the diocese serve special needs students and stand ready to enroll more.
The letter from Bishop Kopacz and Cook states, in part, “The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary teachers of their children and that public support should empower their choice to send their children to schools that fit their conscience. Expanding eligibility for the ESA, while prioritizing those students with special needs and from low-income families, will allow parents a real option in choosing an education that best fits their child’s learning needs.
“The Catholic schools of Mississippi have long served the neediest students and communities, educating Catholics and non-Catholics across income-levels and racial groups. Our schools have offered a well-rounded education to Mississippians for generations, and we stand ready to give an opportunity to the families who would benefit from an expanded ESA.”
The bishop and Cook got some unexpected assistance in this effort this year thanks to a mission appeal trip the bishop took to Indianapolis. When Bishop Kopacz was preaching in Indiana he met Brittany Vessely, executive director of Catholic Education Partners, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help more families have access to Catholic education. One of the services Catholic Education Partners offers is advocacy and education in states where school choice could help the community.
The organization sent Greg Dolan to Mississippi. He delivered the letter to lawmakers, helped answer questions and visited Jackson area schools during Catholic Schools Week. He explained that the current bill is not a new program. The state already has ESAs. This bill simply expands the categories of eligibility.
“This program is in existence and functionally it wouldn’t change very much. Really, the same process would go on in that parents are given a portion of the funds used for their public education,” he explained. Dolan added that school choice programs are about empowering parents to make decisions in their children’s best interest regardless of their income or location.
“We don’t do this (support school choice) because we want Catholic schools to have higher enrollment. We do it because this is what the church has taught for at least 150 years in our modern schooling environment – that the state should support parents in choices they make for good education. I happen to think personally that more people, if they had the option, would choose Catholic schools,” said Dolan.
The letter was only part of the effort to support this issue. Students from across the diocese attended a School Choice rally at the capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Wearing bright gold scarves, the students provided a backdrop for advocates to speak to lawmakers about the bill.
A group even came down from Greenwood St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis principal Jackie Lewis said she believes parents should have the right to choose the education best for their students. “My child might need something different from your child. You have to look at the specific child and the specific family and find the school that fits,” said Lewis. “Public school is not one-size-fits-all, nor is private or parochial school,” she added. The advocacy group Empower Mississippi helped organize the trip for the St. Francis students.

Hope Haven doubles capacity, expands services

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Catholic Charities’ Hope Haven Residential, the only crisis stabilization unit for adolescents in the state of Mississippi, will double the number of teens it can serve thanks to a new facility. The new home can accommodate 16 young people and will have an exercise room and a space for arts and crafts as well as group activities.
On Thursday, Jan. 25, a moving crew along with the staff of Hope Haven and other Catholic Charities programs rolled up their sleeves to haul beds, dressers, couches and everything else needed to make a home. They set up bedrooms, common areas, offices and more in hopes of having the new facility up and running by mid-February. The Knights of Columbus from Flowood St. Paul Parish followed to paint and make repairs.
Michelle Hamilton is the director of Hope Haven. She said the new home is more conducive to the needs of the program and she is very excited about expanding. Teens in acute crisis spend 14 days in Hope Haven. “They receive individual and group therapy. We give them a physical and a TB test. They meet with our psychiatric nurse practitioner to review their medications, if they have them, or consider if they may benefit from medication,” she explained.
The teens aren’t the only ones who get care. “We take in the youth and their families,” said Hamilton. Therapists work with the whole family to determine what has caused the behavior or situation that prompted the teen to go to Hope Haven. They then work with both the teen and family to resolve conflict and develop coping skills to help everyone in the future. The family participates in the therapy so healing and progress can continue beyond the stabilization period.
If a teen needs more residential treatment after two weeks, “we help find the right place for them. We provide referrals and facilitate the move,” said Hamilton.
Being able to expand services at Hope Haven will make the therapy done there stronger. “We are very excited about the exercise room and the arts and crafts,” said Hamilton. “The teens need to figure out new coping skills. That looks different for different people. Some have never been taught coping skills at all,” she added. She said when a child finds the right activity – a long walk, painting or drawing or exercise or meditation or any number of other things, he or she knows immediately when it’s the right coping skill for them. Being able to offer a variety of things to try makes Hope Haven an even better program.
“We are very excited to move into a larger facility that will allow us to provide more services and reach more children who need help,” said John Lunardini, COO for Catholic Charities. “With so few options in the state for teens who need mental health care, this expansion makes sense. It also fits into the mission at Catholic Charities to reach out to the most vulnerable. When we see a place where we can do more, we are going to step up and expand or improve our offerings,” Lunardini added.
The new facility will also have a clothing closet for the teens. Hamilton said Hope Haven would welcome donations for the closet, arts and crafts room, snacks for the residents and even gift cards. “Gift cards for restaurants and movies help us because we like to take outings with the residents,” said Hamilton. Those who wish to donate can contact Hope Haven at (601) 371-1809 or email michelle.hamilton@catholiccharitiesjackson.org or tammie.harper@catholiccharitiesjackson.org

Peregrinación por la vida en Locus Benedictus

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Por el padre Michael McAndrew, CSsR
GREENWOOD – El 20 de enero, unas setenta y cinco personas asistieron a la segunda Peregrinación por la Vida en el Santuario de María, Madre del Delta, para celebrar la vida desde la concepción hasta la muerte.
La peregrinación celebra la valoración de la “prenda perfecta” de la vida; un término acuñado por el cardenal Joseph Bernardin en una conferencia de 1983, afirmando que los obispos deben considerar como cuestiones provida no solo el aborto, pero tambien la inmigración, la atención a los ancianos, la pena de muerte, la proliferación nuclear y otros asuntos que amenazan el respeto de vida humana.
El día incluyó una caminata de tres millas, con cinco paradas para reflexionar sobre los valores de la vida que incluían el derecho a la vida como un niño; la dignidad y el respeto de las personas de todas las culturas, idiomas y razas; lo sagrado de nuestro medio ambiente; respeto por los ancianos y aquellos que sufren enfermedades; y celebrando la juventud.
Bailarines aztecas de Jackson dirigieron la ruta. Después de la caminata, testimonios fueron brindados por una persona quien sobrevivió cáncer tres veces, un médico, un capellán de la prisión, un ministro de la juventud y un niño (un ciudadano de los EE. UU.) cuyo padre se encuentra en medio de un proceso de deportación. Todos estos testimonios exigen celebrar la vida, la dignidad humana y la fe.
Los participantes viajaron desde Jackson, Greenwood, Greenville, Cleveland, Vardaman, Memphis, Batesville y otros lugares. El obispo Kopacz cerró este día de celebración y oración con el santo sacrificio de la misa.

(El padre redentorista, Michael McAndrew, vive en Greenwood como parte de la comunidad de sacerdotes que sirven a los hispanos en el Delta)

Fotos por Hermana María Elena Méndez, MGSpS