Campus Ministry offers college retreat

By DAWN MCGINLEY
MORTON – Two dozen college students from three different colleges across the diocese spent the weekend of Feb. 24-25 at Roosevelt State Park participating in spiritual renewal thanks to the College Campus Ministry spring retreat. Students came from Mississippi State, the University of Mississippi and East Central Community College in Neshoba County.
The retreat theme was Heart Speaks Unto Heart. Father Jason Johnston, associate pastor of Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish and teacher at Madison St. Joseph High School was the retreat leader. He and Father Rusty Vincent, coordinator for College Campus Ministry for the diocese, planned the weekend. It included Mass and small group faith sharing.

(Dawn McGinley woirks in College Campus Ministry in Starkville.)

MORTON – Father Jason Johnston leads the spring retreat for college students Feb. 24-25, at Roosevelt State Park. Students from three Mississippi colleges attended. (Photos by Gina Mowdy)

The altar is set for Mass at the retreat. The theme was Heart Speaks unto Heart.

Youth group makes holiday trip

PEARL – On Thursday, December 18, the Catholic youth from Meridian St. Joseph and St. Patrick parishes kicked off their holiday break with a day trip to Pearl where they enjoyed the movie “The Star,” shared lunch and went ice skating at the Christmas Wonderland. Natalie Pierce, left, Maggie Manning and Taylor Nguyen support one another on the ice. In the background, l-r, are Hannah Dover and Serena Harwell Sanders. (Photo by John Harwell)

Catholic educators gather for professional development, prayer

MADISON – More than 400 teachers, administrators and staff from all the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson gathered at Madison St. Joseph Catholic School on Friday, Jan. 5, for a development day. They got to hear John Findlater, a veteran of Catholic Schools, speak about the rewards of a Catholic education for both the givers and the receivers. Findlater gained teaching and administrative experience in the Archdiocese of Detroit, serving a spectrum of students across socio-economic, cultural and academic groups. Participants heard his thoughts on the importance of knowing the history of each school and how schools mirror society in every way. He said educators and schools must be adaptive to change while still holding true to Catholic identity. He delivered his important message with humor, song and even dance. The day closed with Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz. (Photos by Maureen Smith)

Creative Christmas programs let students show off talent

GREENVILLE – Students at St. Joseph School presented a Christmas play-called ”The Loaned Manger” on Thursday, December 14. “The Loaned Manger” is a fun and high-spirited, but ultimately meaningful look at Christmas through the eyes of the Wild Wild West of the late 1800’s. (Photo by Nikki Thompson)

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth students presented “The Grumps of Ring-a-Ting Town” as their school Christmas program. (Photo by Dawn Spinks)