Vocation week starts with pair of breakfast gatherings

By Maureen Smith
JACKSON / OXFORD – To kick off National Vocations Week, two parishes hosted brunches to raise money for seminary education. Oxford St. John Parish hosted the final Seminarian Education Challenge brunch.
Supporters gathered Saturday, Nov. 4, for Mass and brunch where Deacon Aaron Williams shared his vocation journey and thanked attendees for their support.
Proceeds from the Oxford brunch will go towards the Catholic Extension Challenge to raise $100,000 by the end of the year in order to earn a partial matching grant of $25,000.
The following day, St. Richard Parish welcomed Deacon Nick Adam back for the annual Msgr. Glynn Seminarian Brunch. Andrew Nguyen, who is also supported by the parish, attended as well. Deacon Nick thanked the parish for their support. The Knights of Columbus and the vocations committee at St. Richard have hosted this brunch for many years as a way to raise awareness of the need for local vocations and money to support those studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Jackson.
Its not too late to support the Seminarian Education Challenge. The effort is only $18,000 shy of its goal and every gift will count.
Contact Rebecca Harris at 601-960-8477, rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org or download the app Givelify to make a donation.

Seminarian Andrew Nugyen, who is supported by St. Richard, listens to the speaker at the Msgr. Glynn brunch.

Deacon Nick Adam chats with attendees before his speech.

Deacon Aaron Williams shares his vocation story at the Seminarian Education Challenge brunch as Bishop Joseph Kopacz and parishioners of St. John the Evangelist parish listen.

Joel Schultz, lay ecclesial minister for Ripley St. Matthew mission laughs as he chats with seminarian César Sánchez Fermín at the brunch at St. John the Evangelist parish on Saturday, Nov. 4. (Photos by Maureen Smith)

 

Diocese partners with Givelify app

JACKSON – Donors can now give to the Diocese of Jackson through an app on their tablet or phone. Givelify is available on the Apple and Google Play download centers. Users create their own secure account and can then donate in a few taps. The diocese will take care of tax documentation.
The Office of Stewardship and Development decided to use the Seminarian Education Challenge for the launch of Givelify for the diocese. Other organizations will be added later. The Seminarian Education Challenge is an effort to raise $100,000 in one year to help pay for tuition for diocesan seminarians. “This app is a very cost effective option for the diocese and will let people give from wherever they are,” explained Rebecca Harris, director of Stewardship and Development for the diocese. “We are always looking for ways to make it easy for people to support the causes that mean a lot to them. Online and mobile giving are great ways to get people involved,” she added.
To download the app, search for Givelify in the application store on a device. The download is free. Once you have the app, open it and search for Catholic Diocese of Jackson and look for a photo of Bishop Joseph Kopacz with the seminarians.