Schools provide strength to communities

Forming our Future
By Catherine Cook
This year our celebration of Catholics Schools Week marks 170 years of continuous Catholic education in Mississippi. No other school – public or private – in our state can make that claim. Six of our Catholic schools/centers trace their beginnings to the 1800s and have continued throughout the educational history of our state.
Each year Catholic schools across the United States set aside the week that begins with the last Sunday in January as Catholic Schools Week. It is a time to reflect upon and celebrate what each school provides to its students, families, parishes, cities, states, and the nation.
January 29th – February 4th, the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson join the national celebration with activities that highlight and thank the many persons who contribute in large and small ways to make our schools what the 2017 Catholic Schools Week theme proclaims: Catholic Schools – Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.
This theme speaks to the heart of what our schools strive to be – communities that at their core are rooted in the love of God that is lived out in service to others – educational communities in which students learn academic lessons and life lessons. This is what sets our Catholic schools apart from other educational institutions across the state. It is why throughout the 170 year history of Catholic schools in Mississippi families have made sacrifices to provide a Catholic education to their children. This Community of Faith, Knowledge, and Service is why teachers and administrators commit themselves to carrying forth the tradition of a quality education marked by faith and service – an institution begun and sustained for much of our Catholic school history by women and men religious.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the comments from students, parents, faculty, administration, and alumni included in the Catholic Schools Week insert. There is little I can add to what they say about their experiences in the Catholic schools in our diocese. I ask that you take the opportunity during Catholic Schools Week to visit the Catholic school in your area and see first-hand what Catholic education in the 21st century is about.
Consider taking a friend and or neighbor to help share with community stakeholders what a Catholic school provides to students, families, and the community. Vibrant Catholic schools enhance the faith life of their parishes and the social-economic-cultural life of their civic communities. You don’t have to be a parent to be invested in your local Catholic school as it has an impact on your parish and your local community. Catholic schools always welcome persons who wish to support their mission with time, talent, and/or treasure.
Finally, this is a time to say “thank you” to the many Catholic school stakeholders – employees, volunteers, patrons, alumni, and friends. “Thank you” to pastors and parishioners – your support is essential to the life of our Catholic schools. “Thank you” to faculty, staff, and administration for your commitment to the education and formation of students – your dedication continues the legacy left by the religious sisters and brothers on whose shoulders we stand.
“Thank you” to volunteers – your service in endless ways and groups, such as, advisory councils, committees, parent associations, booster clubs, fund-raising events, etc. is vital to operation of our schools. And, “thank you” to parents for choosing to place your children in our Catholic schools. We exist to partner with you to provide a community that teaches, leads, and develops your children into persons of faith, knowledge, and service. Congratulations to each Catholic school in our Diocese on your celebration of Catholic Schools Week 2017! We are proud of your efforts and accomplishments.
(Catherine Cook is the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Jackson.)

SHSM hosts international educational mission convention

Holly Springs Holy Family Principal Clara Isom leads the choir of educators throughout the conference. Holy Family students also participated in the event.

Holly Springs Holy Family Principal Clara Isom leads the choir of educators throughout the conference. Holy Family students also participated in the event.

By Laura Grisham
SOUTHAVEN – Mission Education. Every few years a contingency from the U.S. Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ) and their affiliated organizations gather to learn about Father Leo John Dehon, founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, as well as the congregation that carries on his ministries. This October, Sacred Heart Southern Missions (SHSM) hosted the eighth such gathering of the SCJs. The two-day conference was the second one held here in North Mississippi.
The time and talent exerted in putting the event together did not hold a candle to the spiritual treasure and fellowship received by all who attended.
Titled “Mission in Mercy,” the conference was infused with music and prayer — a celebration of God’s mercy and the opportunity to extend that mercy to others through all of our various missions and daily tasks.
On Monday, Sacred Heart School welcomed attendees. The activities began with the voices of the ‘educators’ choir, lead by Holy Family School principal Clara Isom. Among their musical selections, the group sang “Who Will Speak?” encouraging audience participation and setting the tone for the conference.
Father Jack Kurps, SCJ, greeted the crowd, visually introduced the contingents from all corners of the country and in doing so, showed our solidarity – united in our common mission of mercy. With so many facets, one might think it a “Mission Impossible,” but in a clever video production, Father Kurps showed that our mission is possible, relevant and much needed, especially today. The superior general of the congregation, Father Heiner Wilmer, SCJ, who also appeared via video, echoed Father Jack’s sentiments.
“An Interview with Father Dehon,” provided a look back to the challenges he faced more than a century ago. It was a clever presentation involving a reporter, Province Communications Director Mary Gorski, and Father Dehon, played by Dave Schimmel, province director of Dehonian Associates, helped participants gain an understanding of his work.

Father Quang Nguyen, SCJ,spoke of the economics of proverty. He demonstrated the gripping realities that so many in the country face every day.

Father Quang Nguyen, SCJ,spoke of the economics of proverty. He demonstrated the gripping realities that so many in the country face every day.

Father Quang Nguyen, SCJ, spoke of the economics of poverty while SHSM’s director of programs, Shakebra Young, made the numbers personal as she shared her own struggles of poverty here in the Mississippi Delta. Both demonstrated the gripping realities that so many in our country face every day.
Ekpe, a local entertainer, and his band, told the story of “From Africa to Beale Street.” This performance highlighted a rich legacy of music. Ekpe moved the audience and had them on their feet.
Sister Cathy Bertrand, SSND, a member of the SHSM board of directors, facilitated several panel discussions about Mercy In Action throughout the conference. The discussions brought members from the various service aspects of SHSM and other SCJ affiliated organizations to the table to share how they perceive their role of mercy in their particular area or ministry.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz, bishop for the Diocese of Jackson, and Mary Woodward, diocesan chancellor, also addressed the gathering, speaking about the Church and its challenges in Mississippi. The largest diocese east of the Mississippi River, it encompasses some of the poorest areas of the nation. He lauded the contributions and accomplishments of Sacred Heart Southern Missions and the SCJs in caring physically and spiritually for those living in the northwestern counties of the diocese.
Bishop Kopacz was also the main celebrant at Mass on Monday afternoon at Holy Spirit Church in Hernando. A traditional southern barbecue dinner was served immediately following with a performance by local blues artists Sean “Bad Apple” Appel and Stud Ford to close the day.
Tuesday morning attendees were bused to Holly Springs to continue the conference at Holy Family School.
The day began with praise and thanksgiving. Isom and the ‘educators choir’ mesmerized the audience, singing ‘Jesus Love and Mercy’ and “I Feel Like Traveling Home.” Images from the Heart of Christ, narrated by Dave Schimmel, also gave participants an opportunity to reflect on how they saw and related to Jesus in the Sacred Heart. Holy Family students presented a “Live Wax Museum” of African American inventors, surprising many with their knowledge of historical facts.

Music and dancing was part of the event. A performance by local blues artists Sean “Bad Apple” Appel and Stud Ford closed the day.

Music and dancing was part of the event. A performance by local blues artists Sean “Bad Apple” Appel and Stud Ford closed the day.

Panel discussions continued, facilitated by Sister Bertrand, and were sprinkled with opportunities for table and room discussions by all in attendance before and after lunch. And speaking of lunch, there was not a soul present that did not have rave reviews for the traditional “Thanksgiving” dinner, cooked by the fine members of Strawberry Baptist Church.
The conference began as it ended, in song. Mercy in Mission.
(Reprinted with permission from SHSM’s newsletter. )

Benedictines form first steps in seminary

Most seminarians studying for the Diocese of Jackson start their studies and formation at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, La. The Diocese of Jackson does not have a seminary of its own so they have to go out of state to begin their education.
“We count 10 seminarians right now with another man in the application process,” said Father Matthew Simmons, director of the Office of Vocations. “Two new seminarians, Colby Mitchell and Andrew Bowden, will be pursuing their undergraduate degrees at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, La.
“An undergraduate seminarian is required to complete so many philosophy courses as a prerequisite to his graduate studies in theology that he will almost invariably finish with an undergraduate degree in philosophy. Two seminarians will be primarily studying English at St. Joseph Seminary. The others will be studying theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans,” he explained.
Students refer to St. Joseph Seminary College as St. Ben’s. It is part of a Benedictine Monastery and is marking its 125th anniversary this year.
The Abbey and Seminary College began it’s rich history in 1889 with the arrival of four Benedictine monks from St. Meinrad, Indiana. It was their humble task to repeat the ancient task of establishing a monastery and “a school for the Lord’s service,” in southern Louisiana. During the past 125 years, the college has educated many of the Gulf South’s civic and religious leaders.
It has founded and staffed numerous parishes in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. By sponsoring and promoting programs in both liturgical and secular arts, the Abbey and Seminary College has had a significant impact on the area’s culture. An abiding spiritual presence which is manifested in its daily rhythms of prayer, has also been maintained in the community. This year the seminary broke enrollment records just in time for a new dorm to open to house all the students.
“Today, we continue to educate young men for the Catholic priesthood, and our reach has widened. We are home to seminarians from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee,” said Vanessa Courere, development director for the Abbey. “We have seminarians ranging in age from 18 to 38 who have received their call to serve. This year we graduated 27 fine young men, including three from the Diocese of Jackson, Nicholas Adam, Mark Shoffner and Aaron Williams,” she added.
The Abbey serves more than just future priests. St. Joseph sponsors an art atelier to teach drawing and painting to anyone who wants to learn. Brothers bake thousands of loaves of bread to distribute to the poor using donations to fund the program, called Pennies for Bread. It offers a retreat center and hosts one of the region’s largest youth gatherings, Abbey Youth Fest, a long weekend of worship, song, fun and exposure to vocation opportunities for high school and college students from across the South.
For years the Abbey has been making caskets for their Benedictine community members. Following Hurricane Katrina, which left many downed trees on the property, the abbey started crafting caskets to sell to the broader community. After some legal issues with funeral directors and state law, the courts granted the Abbey the rights to make and sell caskets to anyone wishing to have one.
The Abbey is offering a series of public lectures and concerts as part of its 125th anniversary celebration.  On Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in Benet Hall Biblical scholar Luke Timothy Johnson will present  “The Prophetic Role of Monasticism Today.” Robert LeBlanc will play an organ concert on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. in the Abbey Church and on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. three men will present a concert and choral performance in the Abbey Church demonstrating Saint Joseph Abbey’s contribution to liturgical music.
See more about all the offerings at St. Ben’s on the Abbey website, http://www.saintjosephabbey.com.