SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus, School of the Holy Spirit, Feb. 16-19. Cost $100 per person, no charge for age 18 and under. Featured speakers: Father Tom Dilorenzo, Maria Vadia and Pastor Myles Milham, with worship team of Mike McDuffee and Arianna Alberti. To register or more details visit: https://tinyurl.com/SHS-2023-locus-benedictus. Details: Magdalene (662) 299-1232 or locus-benedictus@gmail.com.
JACKSON Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Men’s Retreat led by Father Anthony Quyet, Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Theme is “Bloom where You are Planted.” All men (Catholics and non-Catholics) are welcome. Details: Richard Martin (601) 540-0419.
ONLINE “Holy is His Name” Bible study with Dr. Scott Hahn and the St. Paul Center, Streaming for free during Lent. This 12-part study traces the meaning of holiness from its origins in Scripture to its appearance in our lives today. Explore Scriptural encounters with the Divine – the burning bush, ark of the covenant, burning coal and more. Details: Register for free at stpaulcenter.com/holystudy
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
BATESVILLE St. Mary/St. John, Ladies Altar Society Chili Cook-Off, Feb. 19. Details: call church office to register (662) 563-2273.
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth School, 23rd Draw Down Mardi Gras party, Saturday, Feb. 17 from 7-10:30 p.m. at the Bank Building. Silent auction and entertainment by Groove Factor. Tickets $100/admits two. Must be 21 to attend. Details: call (662) 624-4239.
FLOWOOD St. Paul, 20th Annual $10,000 Draw Down Mardi Gras party, Saturday, Feb. 18 from 7-11 p.m. Tickets $125/admits two. You do not have to be present to win. Details: call Pat at (601) 953-6370.
GREENWOOD Immaculate Heart of Mary, Annual Fat Tuesday Chili Fest, Feb. 21. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Widowed and Divorced Gathering, Sunday, Feb. 19 from 1-3 p.m. Join us for a Mardi Gras theme event with Bingo and fellowship. Bring an appetizer. Details: sign up in Narthex or contact church office at (662) 429-7581.
MERIDIAN Catholic Community Mardi Gras Party, Saturday, Feb. 18 from 6-10 p.m. at St. Joseph (Kehrer Hall). The “Adult” Catholic Community is invited to come celebrate, fellowship and just have a good time. There is no admission charge; however all are invited to support the “goody basket” raffles at $1 each. Details: David at (601) 938-5757.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Kids Mardi Gras event, Wednesday, Feb. 15 after the Parish Dinner in the Family Life Center. For grades PreK-3 through second. There will be crafts, stories and treats explaining Mardi Gras and its Cathoic history. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
St. Mary Basilica, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, every Friday of Lent, beginning Feb. 24 from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Cost: Catfish $12; Shrimp $12; Combo $14. Dinners include fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. For grilled fish, call 30 minutes ahead. Details: Darren (601) 597-2890.
PHILADELPHIA Holy Rosary, Lenten Mission (for Holy Rosary, St. Therese and St. Catherine) with Father Dennis Berry, S.T., March 9-11. Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. with Mass and Saturday at 5 p.m. followed by potluck supper in the parish hall. Details: church office (601) 656-2880.
PEARL St. Jude, “Lent: A Season of Preparation and Renewal” – Mission and Mass with Father Joseph Krafft, professor of pastoral theology at Notre Dame Seminary. He will preach at all Masses the weekend of Feb. 18 and 19. Mission on Feb. 19, 20 and 21 at 6 p.m. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
VICKSBURG 40th Annual Vicksburg Catholic School Drawdown on the River, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Levee Street Warehouse. Join us for a chance to win $20,000 and enjoy a silent auction and food by Gary Thomas. Get your tickets before they sell out. You do not have to be present to win. Details: purchase tickets online at https://one.bidpal.net/2023vcsdrawdown.
SAVE THE DATE
JACKSON 17th Annual Sister Thea Bowman School Draw Down, Saturday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
DIOCESE Join us in honoring 2023 Bishop Chanche service award winners. Adult awards presentation and Mass, Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson. Youth award presentation will be during the closing Mass at DCYC in Vicksburg on Sunday, March 5.
SPECIAL LENTEN NOTICE
Abstinence: Catholics abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023) and Good Friday; and also on Fridays during Lent; however, Bishop Joseph Kopacz has granted a dispensation from the requirement of abstaining from meat on Friday, March 17, 2023 in honor of the Feast of St. Patrick, as on this feast day various cultural dishes with meat are traditionally served. The dispensation is granted with the condition that those who take advantage of the dispensation will substitute another profound act of penance, such as prayer and alms giving to mark this day. Norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding on Catholics from age 14 onwards.
Fasting: Catholics fast (eating one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal) on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and Good Friday (April 7). Catholics 18-59 years old are bound by this obligation.