By Donna Williamson
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King Parish will celebrate its 50th anniversary on the feast of Christ the King, Saturday, Nov. 19.
The celebration will begin with a bilingual Mass at 5 p.m. celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz. Dinner will be served following the Mass. All are welcome. A special invitation is extended to anyone who has been a part of the parish in the past 50 years. Those planning to attend should call the church office, 662-342-1073, so that enough food is prepared for dinner.
Christ the King began as a mission of Sacred Heart Church in Walls. In 1966, having no church building, 18 families gathered in a car auction barn every week for Mass. Father Bob Werner, SCJ, the first full-time priest, was welcome in August 1966 with a big reception at the barn.
In 1969 a church was built on Stateline Road in Southaven. The mission grew into a parish at this location.
After more than 30 years, Christ the King began building a new church at its present location on Church Road in order to better meet the needs of the fast growing community. The parish now serves 1,800 families.
The Priests of the Sacred Heart have served Christ the King since the beginning. Now, a team of three priests work together to serve a cluster of six parishes: Christ the King, Hernando Holy Spirit, Olive Branch Queen of Peace, Senatobia St. Gregory, Robinsonville Good Shepherd and Holly Springs St. Joseph.
This collaboration of the priests and the people give all six parishes many opportunities to come together in celebration and faith sharing.
Cooperation marked the mission’s infancy. One parishioner built the portable altar. Responsibility for setting up the barn for Mass was shared by various families. Everyone helped clean up afterward.
The parish picnic draws many families. (File Photo courtesy of the parish)
The parish picnic draws many families. (File Photo courtesy of the parish)
The blessing of the fire at Easter. (photos courtesy of the parish)
The parish also celebrates a blessing of the pets in honor of St. Francis. (Photos courtesy of the parish.