The Christmas season is a time anticipated not only by children, but by everyone. In a time when the cold winter permeates much of the United States, the warmth of celebrating as a family fills homes with the aromas of seasonal dishes and their hearts with joy.
Celebrations come one after another since the beginning of the Advent season. And many Hispanic families and parish communities live this time of preparation for the birth of Jesus with different traditions, always united in faith.
Las velas de Adviento y la corona ayudan a centrar la atención en el tiempo que precede a la venida del Señor. Cada vela representa una semana de Adviento. (OSV News photo/Nancy Wiechec)
One of the traditions from Latin America is the Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles), celebrated by Colombians Dec. 7 as a prelude to the commemoration of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which the Catholic world celebrates Dec. 8. Many communities in the U.S. and the world join the Dec. 12 celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the liturgical feasts that summons large communities of devotees of the Patroness of the Americas — with the largest pilgrimage being to her basilica in Mexico.
Among other traditions are the Novena de Aguinaldos, held Dec. 16-24 in countries such as Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia, as well as the traditional posadas celebrated in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and other Latin American countries. This tradition commemorates Joseph and Mary traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem and looking for a place where the Son of God would be born.
(Marietha Góngora V. writes for OSV News from Bogotá, Colombia)
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Parishes and dioceses must move quickly to give life to the consultative bodies and broad participation in mission and ministry already foreseen by church law if the Catholic Church is to have any hope of becoming a more “synodal” church, members of the Synod of Bishops said.
“Without concrete changes in the short term, the vision of a synodal church will not be credible and this will alienate those members of the People of God who have drawn strength and hope from the synodal journey,” the members said in the final document they approved Oct. 26.
Pope Francis convoked the synod in 2021 and called on parishes, dioceses and bishops’ conferences to hold listening sessions before the first synod assembly in Rome in 2023. The current assembly, including most of the same members, began with a Mass at the Vatican Oct. 2.
Members voted on each of the 155 paragraphs of the document, which made suggestions and requests to Pope Francis that included long-term projects, such as continuing discernment about the possibility of women deacons, the need to reform seminary training and the hope that more lay people would be involved in the selection of bishops.
Pope Francis speaks to members of the Synod of Bishops on synodality after they approved their final document Oct. 26, 2024, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
But they also included actions that could and should be implemented immediately, including hiring more women and laymen to teach in seminaries or having bishops make pastoral councils mandatory for every parish and pastors ensuring those bodies are truly representative of the parish members and that he listens to their advice.
Synod officials said all the paragraphs were approved by the necessary two-thirds of synod members present and voting; 355 members were present and voting, so passage required 237 votes. A paragraph devoted to increasing women’s profile in the church received, by far, the most negative votes of any paragraph with 97 members voting no and 258 voting yes. The paragraph, which required 66% of the votes, passed with 72%.
“In simple and concise terms,” members said, “synodality is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the church to be more participatory and missionary, so that it can walk with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ.”
In a synodal church, the document said, members have different roles, but they work together for the good of all members and for the mission of the church.
Like the synthesis report from the first assembly of the synod in 2023, the final document did not use the term “LGBTQ” or even “homosexuality” and spoke only briefly about the need to reach out to people who “experience the pain of feeling excluded or judged because of their marital situation, identity or sexuality.”
The document repeatedly referred to the “equal dignity” of men and women by virtue of their baptism and insisted the Catholic Church needed to do more to recognize women’s contributions to the life and mission of the church and their potential to offer more.
“Women continue to encounter obstacles in obtaining a fuller recognition of their charisms, vocation and roles in all the various areas of the church’s life,” it said. “This is to the detriment of serving the Church’s shared mission.”
Members of the synod called for the “full implementation of all the opportunities already provided for in Canon Law with regard to the role of women,” and said, “there is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church. What comes from the Holy Spirit cannot be stopped.”
“Additionally, the question of women’s access to diaconal ministry remains open,” they said. “This discernment needs to continue.”
The question of women deacons was among several questions Pope Francis assigned to study groups last spring. Synod members asked the General Secretariat of the Synod “to continue to watch over the synodal quality of the working method of the study groups,” which are supposed to report to the pope in June.
The synod process, members said, was a “call to joy and renewal of the church in following the Lord, in committing to service of His mission and in searching for ways to be faithful.”
But the document repeatedly acknowledged the crime and sin of clerical sexual abuse and abuse of power, and insisted that a commitment to synodality, particularly to learning to listen and to necessary forms of transparency and accountability, were essential to preventing abuse.
Synodality, members said, “will also help to overcome clericalism, understood as use of power to one’s own advantage and the distortion of the authority of the church which is at the service of the People of God. This expresses itself above all in forms of abuse, be they sexual or economic, the abuse of conscience and of power, by ministers of the church.”
Lay men and women have many talents that can and should assist bishops and parish priests in the smooth functioning of their dioceses or parishes, synod members said. Tapping into those talents can help bishops and priests, who often feel overworked.
Where church law requires the bishops to consult their priests’ or pastoral council or pastors to consult the parish council, the document said, they “may not act as if the consultation had not taken place.” “As in any community that lives according to justice,” it said, “the exercise of authority does not consist in an arbitrary imposition of will.”
Synod members also said listening, consulting, praying and discerning before making a decision is not the end of the process. “It must be accompanied and followed by practices of accountability and evaluation in a spirit of transparency inspired by evangelical criteria.”
Ensuring accountability and regularly evaluating all those who minister in the church’s name “is not a bureaucratic task for its own sake. It is rather a communication effort that proves to be a powerful educational tool for bringing about a change in culture,” synod members said.
One issue that prompted debate during the synod involved the authority of national bishops’ conference, particularly when it came to doctrinal matters.
The synod members, in the final document, called for a study of the theological and juridical status of bishops’ conferences and for a clear definition of “precisely the domain of the doctrinal and disciplinary competence” of the conferences.
(Editor’s note: At press time on Nov. 1, 2024, the final document of the XVI Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was only made available in the original Italian. Visit https://www.synod.va/en.html in the coming days for additional language translations.)
COLUMBUS – Fifth grade students walk through a line during Mass to receive “puff ball blessings” – an example of how God blesses us even if we have a cross to bear. (Photo by Jacque Hince)NATCHEZ – Grafton Dollar, Ella Blase Gaude and Phillip Hammond work on a fun project at Cathedral School. (Photo by Brandi Boles)FLOWOOD – St. Paul Early Learning Center PreK-4 and 5 students work on pumpkin carving. Pictured: Ellie Peters, Jonathan Speights, Nora Wallace, Litton Pambianchi and Cooper Smith. (Photo by Susan Irby)SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart eighth graders volunteer at Sacred Heart Southern Missions preparing Angel Tree gifts. (Photo by Bridget Martin)MADISON – St. Anthony first grade students welcome Fathers Joseph Ashok Thumma and Joseph Reddy Golamari to school and ask about their upcoming All Saints Day Mass. (Photo by Bridget Moorhead)VICKSBURG – St. Francis Xavier third and fourth graders sing “Hey Jack,” featuring Jack Dornbush as Jack. (Photo by Mary Arledge)JACKSON – St. Richard Early Learning Center students Charlotte Loper, Elle Breite, Casey Creel, Jack Bingham, Miles Harrison and Margot VanDenLangenberg enjoy play time. (Photo by Janiyah Thomas)JACKSON – St. Richard fifth graders perform “13 Colonies,” for fellow students and families. The skit is an exploration of the original colonies in America. Pictured (l-r): Thomas Ueltschey, Elliott Montagnet and Andrew Compretta. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)GREENVILLE – Lena and Evie Reed pick out a book with their mom, Angel, at the St. Joseph School Book Fair. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)MERIDIAN – A firefighter gives high fives to St. Patrick School’s PK-3, PK-4 and Kindergarten classes as part of a visit during Fire Prevention Week. (Photos by Helen Reynolds)CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth School had a blast with their Halloween Movie Night FUNdrasier. (Photos by Mary Evelyn Stonestreet)
By Joanna Puddister King MADISON – St. Joseph School has launched its first major capital campaign in 17 years, introducing ambitious plans for new classrooms, a state-of-the-art multipurpose athletic facility, campus-wide upgrades and debt retirement. The three-year, $5 million “We Are St. Joe” campaign was unveiled before the school’s Homecoming football game on Friday, Sept. 27. This initiative is aimed at strengthening St. Joe’s legacy of academic and athletic excellence while addressing the evolving needs of its students.
“Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are ready to make a big investment in the future of St. Joseph Catholic School,” said Dr. Dena Kinsey, principal of St. Joe. “With the help of our families, alumni and other incredible supporters, this campaign will make a great school even better.”
Dr. Kinsey highlighted the success of St. Joe students across academics, the arts and athletics. “Our students continue to achieve remarkable things,” she said. “By supporting this campaign, our alumni, friends, families and supporters will help us build on that well into the future. We are 154 years strong and pushing forward.”
Dr. Dena Kinsey, left, St. Joseph Catholic School principal, and Candace Sigler, St. Joe advancement director, stand next to a table with information about the “We Are St. Joe” $5 million, three-year capital campaign. Kinsey announced the campaign before the 2024 Homecoming football game on Friday, Sept. 27. Alumni, parents, supporters and friends of St. Joseph Catholic School will receive more detailed information, including ways to volunteer and financially support the campaign, in the next few weeks. (Photo courtesy of St. Joseph School)
In early 2024, St. Joe’s Canonical Board, Advisory Council, and school administration conducted an extensive planning study to identify the school’s immediate and long-term needs. The resulting projects were divided into two phases: the Celebration Goal and the Challenge Goal.
The Celebration Goal aims to raise $2 million to support critical campus upgrades. This phase includes adding two classrooms to the Middle School Building, implementing a new public address system, enhancing HVAC systems campus wide, constructing a retaining wall for the campus lake, and reducing debt on the Fine Arts building.
The Challenge Goal target is to raise an additional $3 million to construct a multipurpose athletic facility. This facility will feature a high-quality floor for volleyball, basketball and cheer, as well as a covered turf field for multi-sport practices and use by the school marching band.
“This is something we have needed for several years,” said Michael Howell, athletic director at St. Joe. “As a member of the MAIS and as our athletic programs grow, we need to provide as much as we can to safely and effectively support and develop our athletes.”
St. Joe’s athletic achievements include 23 varsity sports, while its academic excellence is reflected in a 1-to-12 student-teacher ratio, 12 honors courses, nine AP courses, and an ACT average of 23, and increasing to 26 for students who have been enrolled since seventh grade. The school also offers academic support and dyslexia therapy for students with diagnosed learning needs. Despite being a small school, St. Joe provides a comprehensive education. “The St. Joe Capital Campaign is a campaign for excellence,” says Bishop Joseph Kopacz. “As culture changes around us, we must continuously search with ‘new eyes and open minds’ the best methods to be ‘distinguished by excellence’ in all areas within the … precepts of the Gospel.”
Bishop Kopacz says that along with school leaders, he is committed to the review and continuous improvement of St. Joe, and all schools and early learning centers throughout the diocese. “Each of our schools is dependent of the other and each can only reach their full potential when all reach their full potential of being distinguished by excellence,” says Bishop Kopacz.
Now at 154 years strong, St. Joe is ready to keep growing in excellence.
“With this campaign and help from families, alumni and supporters, we will be poised to continue to enjoy success well into the future,” said Dr. Kinsey.
“St. Joe is a great campus and school. This will make it even better.”
Founded in 1870 by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph Catholic School has provided a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum for students in grades 7 through 12, all grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Located at 308 New Mannsdale Road in Madison, just west of the Interstate 55-Mississippi 463 interchange, St. Joe is accredited by both the Mid-South Association of Independent Schools and Cognia.
Following up on the last edition’s column where we learned about the fourth bishop of the diocese, Francis Janssens, this edition will share the accounts of the bishop-elect’s ordination in Richmond, Va., and his subsequent arrival in Natchez.
Bishop Gerow’s book documenting the Janssens’ administration from 1881-1888 contains many rich details of these events so I am sharing them as gathered by him. The language is descriptive and indicative of the times which makes the actual verbiage employed a part of the experience of our collective history.
“Bishop Janssens was consecrated in St. Peter’s Cathedral at Richmond on May 1, 1881, by Archbishop James Gibbons, assisted by Bishops Becker of Wilmington and Keane of Richmond. Archbishop Elder, his predecessor in Natchez, preached the sermon. There were present also Bishops Lynch, Gross, Moore and Kain, and about fifty clergymen. Of this ceremony John Gilmary Shea says:
‘The ceremony was the grandest ecclesiastical function every seen in Richmond and attracted the largest gathering known in the history of the Church in the State.’
“After his consecration Bishop Janssens delayed little in Richmond. In his diary he says: ‘May 4th, left Richmond. Arrived 6th at Vicksburg. Was met by a delegation at Edwards. Arrived in Natchez 7th, where a great demonstration was given me.’
“The Natchez paper the next day gave an account of his arrival. He had to come down from Vicksburg on the Steamer Cannon. A committee of thirteen from Natchez had taken a tug up to Good Hope landing, where they boarded the Cannon on its way down to Natchez.
‘With Father Grignon at their head the committee repaired to the ladies’ cabin where Bishop Janssens was in waiting. Here a circle was formed about the reverend gentleman by the committee, and Capt. Jas. W. Lambert, the speaker of the occasion, addressed him in a very neat and appropriate five minutes speech. “After explaining the motives that actuated the committee in meeting him on the boat, and the hearty welcome that awaited him at Natchez, Capt. Lambert concluded his address in the following words: ‘It is, therefore, to gratify no passing fancy, nor to confer merely ceremonial honors, that induce the faithful of your flock to come out today and deck themselves to greet you, but we come, Right Reverend Bishop, to tender you our veneration, confidence and affectionate homage, recognizing you as the apostolic successor Him Who rules both storm and wave, Who proclaimed from dark-browned Calvary’s frowning heights, ‘Peace on earth and good will to men,’ and Who holds the destinies of men and of worlds, as a grain of sand, in the hollow of His hand.
‘It is in their spirit that all come out today and we of the committee are happy indeed to be amongst the first of the city of Natchez to give you greeting and have the honor of presenting to you our congratulations, mingled with the sincere congratulations of those whom we represent. Long may you dwell with us in peace and rule with gentle sway the Holy Priests and faithful children in our good city, and throughout the Diocese of Mississippi. For ourselves, and in behalf of our people, permit us to bid you a thrice hearty welcome to our shores, our homes and our hearts.’
“When, finally, it was announced that Natchez was in sight, the Bishop hastened to the guard rail to view the city which was to be his home.
“Amid the booming of guns … at the wharf another ovation awaited the Bishop. After meeting quite a number of our Catholic clergy and citizens, the carriages were announced to be in readiness, and the Bishop, attended by Fathers Grignon, Finn and Meerschaert and the various members of the reception committee, left the steamer.
“A procession was then formed at the foot of Silver street, the Bishop being seated in a carriage drawn by four horses and driven by a well-known citizen, and the march to the Cathedral commenced, the Independent Cornet Band furnishing the music.
“Arriving at the Cathedral, Bishop Janssens and his attendants retired to the Episcopal residence, where they donned their clerical robes, and then, preceded by the acolytes, they marched up the center aisle of the church, which had been strewn with flowers, and the Bishop then took formal possession.
“Upon taking possession, Bishop Janssens addressed a few remarks to the very large assembly, after which the impressive ceremonies closed with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.”
“The morning after the arrival being Sunday, St. Mary’s Cathedral was crowded.
“The Bishop ascended the pulpit after the Mass, and in an eloquent address, partaking more of an inaugural than of a sermon, expressed his pleasure at the many marks of honor, esteem and affection bestowed upon him by the people of this diocese. He was, he said, unworthy of the high ecclesiastical honors that had been bestowed upon him by his church but would endeavor in his humble way to prove worthy of them.
“The modest, unassuming and gentle demeanor of Bishop Janssens has already endeared him to Catholic hearts and his hold upon them will in time surely become second to none, not even to that of the good Bishop Elder.”
“On that same day at the evening devotions, Bishop Janssens gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and after the devotions a reception for the Bishop was held at his residence next to the church.”
Because of the tenure of Bishop Janssens having a very important event in the life of the diocese, namely the formal dedication of the cathedral after 46 years of building and financial struggles, I am adding a third article on Janssens’ adventures in the diocese and the long-awaited dedication of St. Mary.
(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)
Rev. Joseph Ashok Thumma appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish in Batesville and its mission St. John the Baptist in Sardis; St. Peter Parish in Grenada, and St. John Parish in Charleston, effective Nov. 1, 2024.
Rev. Joseph Reddy Golamari appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Madison, effective Nov. 1, 2024.
Rev. Gabriel Antonysamy Savarimuthu appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Greenville, effective Nov. 1, 2024.
By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D. After three years of reflection, the Synod on Synodality came to an end on the evening of Oct. 26, 2024, as the 356 members of the assembly gathered to vote on a final document. In an unexpected act, Pope Francis immediately approved this document, saying that he would not release a post-synodal apostolic exhortation, which is the type of papal document that usually follows a synod. This text thus immediately falls within the Pope’s magisterium. However, he did specify that it was non-normative. Nevertheless, this has been a remarkable pastoral process that brought together the faithful from around the world these past three years.
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
Led by the Holy Spirit, the conversations began in the local diocesan church and progressed to produce regional and continental documents. The nearly 400 delegates who gathered in Rome during the month of October, last year and this year, represented our One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and were able to build upon the voices of the Catholic faithful from around the world.
At the moment, the Synod document is in Italian, but the wheels of translation are turning to disseminate it far and wide. Not surprisingly, the document does not usher in a new era of church teaching as some were anxious over. But the uniqueness of this Synod is found in the deliberative and consultative gatherings of church leadership that included the ordained, professed, and laity since its inception in 2021.
These substantive encounters brought into the light of day the themes of communion, participation and mission with ample time to take a long and loving look at reality in order to better see, judge and act. This enlarging of the space of our tent in the Body of Christ represented our universality. The photos of the assembled delegates in Rome portrayed this vision whose hard work culminated in the final document. Yet, deliberative and consultative processes cannot be limited to extraordinary processes such as the Synod on Synodality, but ought to be integrated into the life of the church at every level and in every place. Enlarging our vision, sense of mission, and scope of ministries permeates the work of the delegates, and the impact of their labors under the gaze and inspiration of the Holy Spirit will be unpacked, reflected upon, and put into practice for years to come.
Throughout the document there is a repeated call for unity in the Body of Christ, and for a renewed commitment to mission as joyful disciples of the crucified and risen Lord. On Sunday, Oct. 27, the pope presided over a final Mass for the synod in St. Peter’s Basilica. Surrounded by the summit’s global delegates, Pope Francis encouraged the church to be attentive to “the challenges of our time, the urgency of evangelization and the many wounds that afflict humanity.”
“A sedentary church, that inadvertently withdraws from life and confines itself to the margins of reality, is a church that risks remaining blind and becoming comfortable with its own unease,” said the pope. “If we remain stuck in our blindness, we will continuously fail to grasp the urgency of giving a pastoral response to the many problems of our world.”
As he officially brought the three-year synod process to its end, Pope Francis declared that it is now time for the church to “get its hands dirty” and “carry the joy of the Gospel through the streets of the world.” The past three years of world-wide synodality are a beacon of light as we embark upon the Jubilee Year of Hope to begin during the Christmas season and continue throughout 2025. The joy of the Gospel is our gift to the world that cries out in pain for unity and peace.
(Editor’s note: At press time on Nov. 1, 2024, the final document of the XVI Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was only made available in the original Italian. Visit https://www.synod.va/en.html in the coming days for additional language translations.)
Our vocation promotion is about to get super-charged! On the weekend of Nov. 9-10 every priest in the diocese is being encouraged to share his vocation story at Mass, and every parishioner is being encouraged to submit the name of a man, or men, in their parish, age 15-30, who they think should consider the priesthood. We are calling this effort “Called By Name Weekend,” and I ask that you take part in it!
Members of a High School discernment group accompanied by chaperone Ann Cook speak with Jackson residents at the downtown bus terminal
The names that are brought forth from this program will be catalogued and sent to our vocation team. This is a team of eight priests, including myself, who have committed to running discernment groups throughout the diocese every fall and spring. Depending on where the young man resides, a member of the vocation team will reach out and invite him to consider joining a discernment group and also invite him to other in-person events throughout the year. These events include Come and See weekends at the seminary, dinner with Bishop Kopacz, and more. Each man who’s name is submitted will also receive a letter from Bishop Kopacz congratulating him for being recognized as someone who takes their faith seriously and encouraging him to be open to these other invitations.
As you consider who you might nominate, please remember, submitting someone’s name does not mean that you know that man is going to be a priest. It simply means that you see a light in him and a desire to do the Lord’s will, and you want to help him get support to discern his vocation. The discernment group that I ran in October had a good mixture of guys. Some were just starting to learn about what the priesthood was all about, while others had been considering the priesthood for a while and were very open to it. All of them got a lot out of the six weeks of group meetings and the social and service outings that were a part of the program. My favorite part was our morning of service when we put together care packages for the homeless and walked around downtown Jackson on a Saturday morning encountering those on the streets. It was really inspiring to see the sincerity of the young men and the courage and care it took for them to speak with the folks that they were serving with compassion and friendship.
We had 36 men in discernment groups this fall, and that was without the help of the Called by Name campaign, so I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do with your help! If you are reading this after Nov. 9-10, but you still want to submit a name, please go to www.jacksonvocations.com/called to submit someone’s name!
FAITH IN EDUCATION By Karla Luke The Catholic Schools and Early Learning Centers in the Diocese of Jackson are eagerly gearing up for the renewal of their accreditation with Cognia, an esteemed accrediting body for K-12 institutions in the U.S. and globally. Since 2019, the Office of Catholic Education (OCE) has held system-wide accreditation for all Catholic schools within the diocese, a commitment that has prompted notable growth and advancements across the system. Now, as renewal approaches, school leaders are ready to showcase their developments in educational excellence and student-centered progress.
CLINTON – Dr. Michael Bratcher reviews data with Katie Emfinger, Latoya Kelly and Karla Luke during a recent visit. (Photo by Virginia Hollingsworth)
Cognia’s legacy of accreditation excellence Cognia, formerly known as AdvancED, is a nonprofit that accredits schools with a focus on continuous improvement. Founded in 2006, Cognia brought together the pre-college divisions of two major accreditation groups: the North Central Association’s Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Following further expansions, including a merger with Measured Progress in 2018, Cognia emerged as a leading accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 2019.
The Diocese of Jackson’s journey with Cognia builds upon a longstanding relationship with its predecessor, SACS CASI. Since 1975, schools like Vicksburg Catholic Schools, St. Joseph Madison, and Cathedral Natchez have held SACS accreditation. By 2020, all remaining schools in the diocese had secured full system accreditation, further solidifying their commitment to academic and spiritual growth.
Why Cognia? Focusing on Systemic Growth Over Compliance Choosing Cognia for system-wide accreditation allows the diocese to emphasize continuous improvement, focusing not just on meeting standards but on showing how those standards drive real change. Unlike some accrediting bodies that prioritize compliance, Cognia’s approach is student-centered, emphasizing learning engagement, school culture, student development, and strong leadership that fosters a culture of achievement. Cognia’s platform also equips the OCE with tools like professional development resources, assessments and strategic planning aids that are crucial for making well-informed decisions.
The renewal process for Cognia accreditation involves in-depth reviews in seven essential areas: Culture of Learning, Leadership for Learning, Engagement in Learning, Student Growth, Student Performance, Stakeholder Analysis, and Learning Environment. The OCE Accreditation Leadership Team – led by Karla Luke (OCE), Dr. Dena Kinsey (St. Joseph-Madison), Mary Arledge (Vicksburg Catholic Schools), Kimberly Burkley (Cathedral Catholic School), Rachel Patterson (OCE) and Virginia Hollingsworth (OCE) – recently presented on Oct. 15, a detailed executive summary to Dr. Michael Bratcher, Cognia’s regional accreditation advisor, outlining the diocese’s mission, vision, values and accomplishments.
Since the initial accreditation, the diocese has launched numerous initiatives, including a three-year strategic plan, enhanced academic standards, strengthened assessment programming, and the opening of two new early learning centers in Vicksburg (Sisters of Mercy) and Jackson (St. Richard). Feedback gathered from focus groups held on Oct. 22 and 24, highlighted both achievements, such as improved Catholic identity, responsive teaching practices, and communication improvements, and areas for growth, like expanded parent education and ongoing opportunities for feedback.
Continuing a tradition of faith and excellence As the Diocese of Jackson moves forward in its accreditation renewal, the commitment to fostering a Christ-centered, academically excellent environment remains unwavering. Through the dedication of faculty, staff and administrators, the OCE is assisting by cultivating lifelong learners, effective communicators, and collaborative contributors to society, all rooted in their faith. Blessings in faith, hope and love.
(Karla Luke is the executive director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Jackson)
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Oct. 16 for their new athletic upgrades. Pictured (l-r): Britt Virden, Carl McGee (president of the Washington County Board of Supervisors), Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Principal Craig Mandolini and Mayor Errick D. Simmons. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
By Tereza Ma and Joanna King GREENVILLE – Thanks to the generosity of Salvador Sarullo, student-athletes at St. Joseph School now enjoy upgraded athletic facilities. The school celebrated the grand opening of its new athletic complex with a special Mass and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz led a blessing for the facility, which adds over 4,700 square feet to the guy and includes new, expanded locker rooms for boys’ and girls’ basketball, soccer, baseball and softball teams. The complex also features dedicated training and recovery room to help athletes stay healthy and perform at their best.
St. Joseph Church has worked tirelessly to honor Sarullo’s legacy, using his substantial donation to support the school and parish, while embarking on projects that uplift the Greenville community.
Principal Craig Mandolini expressed gratitude, saying, “We are very fortunate for Mr. Sarullo’s generosity to help out the parish and the school. In addition to the new upgrades, we’ve gotten a lot of new things for the school to benefit our students’ minds and bodies. … We are so honored to receive the gift that we have been given.”
Phil Mansour, director of the St. Joseph School Athletic Association, said that the athletic complex project and other upgrades have been needed for years. He also said that the upgrades allow for the school to host state and district basketball tournaments.
“In addition to Mr. Sarullo, I thank Bishop Kopacz for his dedication and commitment to this school, said Mansour.
He also thanked architect Joseph Orr for working within a tight budget of $1.3 mission, a difficult feat given today’s construction cost. “He did a wonderful job, and we are so proud of the facility,” said Mansour.
Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons also spoke at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, expressing gratitude on behalf of the city: “We thank the bishop, faculty, and parents of St. Joseph for this wonderful facility based in God. When you think about economic development and you think about merging recreation, education and community development, I think St. Joe has done a really good job.”
