By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Six hundred people packed into the downtown Jackson Marriott to hear Father Jonathan Morris speak at the Catholic Charities Journey of Hope luncheon Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Father Morris talked about his work in the Bronx in New York and as a news analyst for Fox News. He pointed out that Pope Francis has encouraged all the faithful to be people of service to the poor.
He recalled the story of Zacchaeus, in which Jesus calls the tax collector by name and offers to dine with him. Father Morris said the story, and much of what Pope Francis did while he was in the United States, demonstrates the kind of personal interaction and service all Catholics are called to perform.
He said the nation is in a battle for it’s very soul and that the church is trying to be a positive force in that. Father Morris closed by encouraging everyone on hand to donate to the work of Catholic Charities Jackson.
The evening before Journey of Hope, Father Morris hosted a meet and greet at the Old Capitol Inn. Almost 200 bought tickets for the meet for a chance to chat one-on-one with Father Morris and hear more about the work of Catholic Charities.