SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, Advent Hermitage Overnight, Dec. 13-14 begins with 5:30 p.m. dinner. In the prayerful space of a hermitage, come away, block out our society’s noisy Christmas preparation and focus on the real meaning of Christ/Emmanuel coming among us. Director: Clare Van Lent, MA CSp., founder and director of the Dwelling Place. Cost: $90 per day. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com.
CHATAWA St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center, An Advent Day of Reflection “What am I Waiting for?” on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Advent is always seen as a time of waiting and anticipation. Sister Pat Thomas, O.P., a member of the founding staff of the Peace Center in New Orleans, is currently a leader in pastoral and educational roles around the country. Suggested donation: $40, includes lunch. Details: Sister Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 or retreatcenter@ssndcp.org.
METAIRIE, La. Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO), Holy Spirit Women’s Retreat, “2020: Without a Vision the People Perish,” Jan. 24-26, 2020 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lafayette. Johnnette Benkovic Williams, Fr. Mark Goring, Deacon Larry and Andi Oney and Patti Mansfield will be featured. Details: www.ccrno.org; info@ccrno.org or (504) 828-1368.
JACKSON/GREENWOOD The Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Family Ministry/Catholic Charities’ Office of Parish Health Ministry, Mississippi State Department of Health and Belhaven University are co-sponsoring two day workshops on first aid for mental health: “Mental Health First Aid” (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in your community. The workshops are designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, law enforcement, and other caring citizens how to offer initial help to someone who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. Two days of training for adult participants are scheduled for: Feb. 20-21, 2020 at Belhaven University, Jackson; and Apr. 2-3, 2020 at Locus Benedictus Spirituality Center, Greenwood.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

AMORY St. Helen, Adult Christmas Dinner and Auction, Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., and Mass and Celebration of Grandparents with children’s Christmas play, Sunday, Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, “Life After Loss – Invitation” Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning Dec. 5 through Jan. 16. The sessions are led by Larry L. Lambert, LPC. Christmas is a season of anticipation and celebrations, but for some people, it’s not a festive time. Loss survivors may feel drained or disinterested in things that once made life meaningful. Family and friends may notice these differences about recovering and coping. All in the community are welcome to these free sessions. Details: contact Larry at (662) 719-8756 or email lamb5999@bellsouth.net.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Parish Christmas Pageant Children’s Christmas Program, “The Greatest Gift,” Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. This program is held in conjunction with our annual Chili Supper. Please make plans for your family to attend. Details: contact Karen Worrell at kworrellcre@hotmail.com.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Celebration of the completion of their church restoration and the restoration of their church bell which dates back to 1854 (cast by Henry Hoover), Sunday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m., Mass to follow at 10:30 a.m. Luncheon in the Parish Hall after Mass. There will be no 8 a.m. Mass on this Sunday. Details: church office (662) 335-5251.
GREENWOOD St. Francis, Mardi Gras Christmas Bingo, Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Proceeds help defray expenses for the next St. Francis Mardi Gras Ball in February 2020. Details: church office (662)453-0623.
JACKSON St. Richard, Lectio Divina During Advent, Come experience a richer way to pray the Advent Sunday scriptures during this wonderful season of our Church, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. each meeting. Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 meetings will be in the Mercy Room. Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 meetings will be in the Chichester Room. Participating will be a gift to yourself. Facilitators: Mary Louise Jones and Claudia Addison. You can come to one session or all the sessions. All are welcome – both men and women. It is not necessary to sign up to attend. Details: email Claudia at claudiaaddison@mac.com or call (601) 594-3937.
JACKSON St. Richard, Bereavement Support Group, Candle-light Remembrance Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in Foley Hall. There will be a discussion of various ways to honor our deceased loved ones followed by a brief candle-lighting prayer service. Each family or person will be given one candle to light in honor of as many loved ones as they wish to remember by name. A social time of wine and cheese and other refreshments follows the service. Details: Open to all. RSVP to Nancy McGhee at ncmcghee@bellsouth.net or call (601) 942-2078.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Advent Wreath workshop, Sunday, Dec. 1 after the 10 a.m. Mass in the Family Life Center. Coffee, juice and snacks will be provided. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace, Advent Reflection Time, Signs of Hope for the Church with Father David Knight, Dec. 2-4 each night at 7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 895-5007.

YOUTH BRIEFS

HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Young People’s Christmas Program, Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. Rehearsals remaining are Sunday, Dec. 8 (lunch provided) and Dress Rehearsal is Saturday, Dec. 14. Details: Barbara Smith at (662) 233-4833 or (901) 413-8201.
JACKSON St. Richard, Special Kids Art Show, Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. in Foley Hall. Icons, crosses, photographs, and other artwork by the Special Kids will be on display and available to purchase. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
MADISON St. Joseph High School, “Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook” in the Fine Arts Building, Thursday, Dec. 14, Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. each evening. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
SOUTHAVEN Sacred Heart School, join us for pancakes, religious crafts and pictures with Santa, Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:30-11:30 a.m. Cost: Adult/Child Breakfast Tickets: $4; Picture with Santa Ticket: $3. Details: Preorder ticket forms are at the bulletin board as you enter church or in the office or call the school office (662) 349-0900.