Author Archives: Joanna King

Centennial of faith: Our Lady of Victories journey

Posted on by

By Joanna Puddister King
CLEVELAND – In 1924, a tiny church building and three-room rectory were built on a lot in Cleveland near the railroad tracks. When it rained in the Delta, the tiny church was described as looking “like it is standing in the middle of a sea,” by accounts from Bishop R.O. Gerow in his diaries. Father Victor Rotondo, pastor in 1924, stated in accounts that the church had no electricity and had to use small birthday candles for light.

Today, Our Lady of Victories Church has grown immensely from its humble beginnings 100 years ago, moving to its final location on the west side of Cleveland in 1976 and with beautiful renovations that took place in 2020-2021.

Parishioners celebrated the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Victories on Sunday, Oct. 6 with a special Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Kent Bowlds, pastor. Families celebrating the milestone traveled from near and far to reminisce over past parish events and sharing memories of past pastors, including Msgr. Michael Flannery and Father Charles Bucciantini, both present at the celebration.

Bishop Kopacz delivered a homily at the 100th anniversary event commemorating Our Lady of Victories milestone, summing up the rich history of the parish:

“The image of the Lord embracing and blessing the child, and his words demanding conversion of mind and heart to grow in God’s image and likeness describe much of what has taken place at Our Lady of Victories for a century. To welcome, to bless, to forgive in the name of our Lord as his body is the work of the church.

“After reading the history of the parish from many perspectives from the binder that Father Kent sent to my office, possibly the first time that I have ever received such a corpus in anticipation of a milestone anniversary, I have a much deeper appreciation for the name of the parish – Our Lady of Victories. I enjoyed the narrative, page by page.

“The parish family has faithfully gathered for worship, education, fellowship and service over the past century and longer, and at key moments have rallied together to overcome setbacks, adversity and obstacles. Under the title and mantle of Our Lady of Victories, the parish remained steadfast in the face of flooding, earthquake and fire. Indeed, you have endured and have compiled numerous victories. …

“We see these realities in the lives of the faithful from the beginning of Our Lady of Victories: courage, mutual support, with hopes and dreams for the parish. This closeness and loving support for one another flow from the heart of God in Jesus Christ for as his body the church. The Lord’s absolute commitment to us, an eternal yes, inspires our commitments in marriage and family, and in the family of the church. …

“Father Rotundo who served for over 20 years was not overwhelmed, and he and the parishioners wasted no time in making the improvements through sweat labor and financial contributions. The courage to begin in that moment set the standard for many critical moments to follow over a century when the members rallied to begin again in successive generations with the second and third church structures, and the numerous accompanying facilities. …

“The Word of God today inspires us to appreciate that the courage, beauty and hope that marks Our Lady of Victories’ history in a spirit of closeness, compassion and loving support. These virtues are to be lived daily in the home, as the heart and soul of loving marriages and families. In smaller parish communities there is a closeness among the members, and when the Holy Spirit is driving the bus, families and parish communities flourish as a gift to one another. The parish community has heeded the Lord’s words to “let the children come to me” through the sacraments, baptism, reconciliation, confirmation eucharist, marriage, anointing of the sick, through catechetical formation, and through numerous parish activities. As we heard in the Gospel the Lord wants the church to be a family where God’s children, younger and older are welcomed, loved, and blessed, and set on the path to eternal life.

“We know that our generation is faced with many challenges in our call to faithfully follow the Lord. With 100 years under your belts, we pray for the courage to begin again at the beginning of this second century for the grace to remain close to the Lord, and with hope that fosters dreams and growth.

“Asking the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Victories, and all the saints let us continue to walk confidently in faith, because our Lord Jesus has given us the ultimate victory in his death and resurrection, he who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.”

(Editor’s note: An anniversary slideshow of parish memories can be found at https://www.olvcleveland.com/anniversary.)

Homegrown Harvest: Growing vocations in the diocese

Posted on by
Reply

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The Jackson Seminarian Homegrown Harvest began with a vision of an event to celebrate future priests of the Diocese of Jackson. Now being hosted at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson, the Homegrown Harvest event has grown from its humble beginnings as an online only event in 2020, where Father Nick Adam and Bishop Joseph Kopacz talked about the call to vocations to an event that brings the community together to celebrate the Catholic faith and future priests.

JACKSON – The Two Mississippi Museums in downtown Jackson will be the site of the annual Jackson Seminarian Homegrown Harvest fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 12. To purchase tickets or to sponsor the Homegrown Harvest in support of seminarian education, visit bit.ly/HGHarvest2024. (Photo courtesy of Mississippi Catholic)

The fifth annual Homegrown Harvest will kick-off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Two Mississippi Museums in downtown Jackson. The event boasts fantastic food, a silent auction, raffle and more in support of vocations in the Diocese of Jackson.

Tickets admitting two to the event cost $100 and members of the Women’s Burse Club are invited to the event as well with their membership donation.
The cost of educating seminarians is far from nominal, with the estimated expenses for tuition, room and board at the college seminary and theology levels at $40,000 per year, per student. When adding in travel, summer assignments, and additional formation programs, the total annual cost per seminarian approaches $50,000.

Currently, the diocese has six seminarians – Will Foggo of St. Paul Flowood; Grayson Foley of St. Richard Jackson; EJ Martin of St. Richard Jackson; Wilson Locke of St. Paul Vicksburg; Francisco Maldonado of Immaculate Heart of Mary Greenwood; and Joe Pearson of St. Richard Jackson.

Foggo is the “most senior” of the seminarians for the Diocese of Jackson. Father Nick says that he is scheduled to be ordained a deacon next year and ordained a priest in the spring of 2026. Attendees at Homegrown Harvest will hear from Foggo about his time in seminary and from others.

Father Nick says that the six current seminarians are “just the type of men who we need to be considering the priesthood.” With some parishes in the diocese without a full-time pastor and others with priests nearing the age of retirement, he realizes the need to grow the vocations office to reach more young men, who may need a nudge to accept the call from the Lord to consider priesthood.

“So many incredible priests have served us throughout the years, but we continue to need more men from our diocese to serve,” said Father Nick.

To assist in growing “homegrown” vocations, the newest priest of the diocese – Father Tristan Stovall – was appointed by Bishop Joseph Kopacz as assistant vocations director and the office recently announced a new partnership with Vianney Vocations through an initiative called “Vocation Pathway.”

“We are excited about this new chapter,” said Father Nick. “Please keep us in your prayers and ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers for His harvest.”

To purchase tickets or to sponsor the Homegrown Harvest in support of seminarian education, visit bit.ly/HGHarvest2024.

Strengthening unity: Parish leaders explore cultural competence in ministries

Posted on by
Reply

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – On Wednesday, Aug. 28 over 70 parish leaders from across the Diocese of Jackson gathered for an intercultural competence workshop held at St. Jude Pearl by the Office of Intercultural Ministry for the diocese. At the event, twelve different countries were represented other than the United States, including Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Columbia and Mexico, among others. The event spoke to the reality present that diocesan ministries need to learn to serve within the cultural reality of the diocese.

The workshop, focusing on culture in general and not on a particular one, explored topics such as how culture works, parameters of culture, communications skills and the movements of parish integration.
Deacon Juan Carlos Pagán of the Diocese of Lafayette was one of the featured speakers at the event. Originally from Puerto Rico, with a “Cajun” wife of 25 years, he spoke on the need of inculturation – wrapping the core message in a way that other cultures can understand.

PEARL – Several participants from the Diocese of Jackson gathered for a photo outside of St. Jude parish after a workshop on intercultural competence led by Deacon Juan Carlos Pagán of the Diocese of Lafayette and Olga Lucia Villar, executive director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI). (Photo by Tereza Ma)

With all of the different countries represented that were present at the event, Deacon Pagán said that “we need to learn how to serve in ways that are applicable to the different cultural realities.”

Using the Blessed Virgin Mary as an example, he pointed out that in her different apparitions, she appears in the image of the people she is speaking to. “Guadalupe is a great example,” said Deacon Pagán. “You have Mary showing up dressed in a way that indigenous people could understand who she was. This is an example of inculturation – it’s the wrapping of the truth of Jesus Christ … in a package that is understandable for the recipients.”

Statistics of our changing diocese were also featured during the event. Bishop Joseph Kopacz spoke briefly at the intercultural workshop on the extensive CARA study undertaken through the pastoral reimagining process the diocese undertook over the past year, that now continues on a parish level. He said it was important for parish leaders to be grounded in reality regarding the make-up of the demographics in the diocese and note “who will be the Catholic population going forward 20-30 years.”
Bishop Kopacz said that for the purpose of evangelization, some parish communities did not realize the size of the Catholic population in their areas that are not attending church until viewing the CARA study. Many want to reach out and bring them into the Catholic community and doing that through elevating intercultural competence is a step in the right direction, he said.

Also speaking at the event was Olga Lucia Villar, who currently serves as executive director for the US Catholic Bishops Southeast Office for Hispanic Ministry and the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI). Columbian by birth, she immigrated as a teenager with her family to Miami in 1987.

Using stories from her wide berth of experiences on the parish level and world-wide missionary experiences, Villar painted a picture of a world with intercultural interaction as a way of life and not a problem to be solved.

She asked all present at the event to keep an image of Jesus and the church that he dreams about in the forefront of everything done to further the work of the church as the Body of Christ.

“Think, do my actions and my pastoral work do reflect that Jesus that … invites us to follow him,” said Villar.

She says that learning is the key to bridging the gap between cultures. “Ask, how much am I willing to continue learning,” said Villar. “Is Jesus done with me? Am I all that He dreamt of me to be … or do I have more room for growth in my faith and in my way of seeing life.”

Villar outlined nine movements to foster an environment of understanding between cultures. The moments include:

  • Reaching out and meeting communities where they are;
  • Welcoming groups into parish life by showing hospitality;
  • Developing ministries and ministers to the new communities;
  • Building relationships across cultures and ministries;
  • Championing leadership development and formation for ministry;
  • Open wide the doors for decision-making process by making space at the table where decisions are made on culturally specific ministries;
  • Strengthening a sense of ownership with meaningful ways to be involved in the life of the parish faith community;
  • Sowing and reaping full ownership and stewardship by allowing cultural groups to contribute their time, talent and treasure to the parish; and
  • Achieving the full commitment to the mission of the parish by strengthening the unity of the parish while honoring its diversity.

“We are a eucharistic people,” said Villar. “Think what … Jesus asks of us today in the church that needs healing, reconciliation, that needs to renew its sense of hospitality of being embraced.”Sister Amelia Breton, SBS, of the Office of Intercultural Ministry for the diocese, was pleased with the level of participation at the event and said that the purpose of the event was to assist leaders to better understand the dynamics of other cultures.

“The communities across the diocese are so different, especially within the Hispanic communities,” said Sister Amelia. “It reminds me that diversity is greater and more complex than we can imagine.” Sister Amelia plans to continue conversations on best practices in working in intercultural parishes and also held a similar workshop in Spanish at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Houston on Saturday, Sept. 7.

(Editor’s Note: The CARA study completed through the pastoral reimagining process on the demographics of the Catholic population in the Diocese of Jackson can be viewed at https://bit.ly/CARA_CDJ. For more resources on Intercultural Ministry contact Sister Amelia Breton, SBS at amelia.breton@jacksondiocese.org.)

Diocese encourages estate planning during national “make-a-will” month

Posted on by
Reply

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – August is recognized as national “make-a-will” month, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of estate planning. With less than one-third of Americans having a valid will, the Diocese of Jackson invites the community to take proactive steps in securing their future and their legacy using the free service – My Catholic Will.

“Creating a will can often feel like a daunting task, one that many of us tend to put off to do some time in the future,” says Rebecca Harris, director of the Office of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Jackson. “However, viewing this process from a different perspective might make it easier to approach. Think of creating your will as a way to establish a lasting legacy for your loved ones and even your Catholic faith.”

While many expect to live well into the future, not being legally prepared for the end could lead to significant issues. Ambiguous or absent final wishes could result in conflicts among beneficiaries. Those who die without a valid will risk having the distribution of assets decided by state law.

The Office of Stewardship and Development aims to simplify the process of estate planning for those across the diocese. In partnership with My Catholic Will, the diocese is offering a free online service that allows individuals to create a legal will in under 20 minutes in most cases. This service is available to everyone in the diocese and can be accessed by visiting https://mycatholicwill.com/jacksondiocese. The site also features a living will builder, enabling individuals to outline their medical wishes should they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves.

“Taking the time to create your will not only provides peace of mind but also helps secure your legacy,” Harris said.

Even those who currently have a will can take this month as a reminder to update their wills.

“I’ve had a will for decades now,” said Bishop Joseph Kopacz. “It continues to evolve as time goes on.”

In a recent video on “Make-a-Will” month, Bishop Kopacz emphasizes the importance of being intentional and mindful about what matters most to us. For those who are devoted to their faith, their parish, their school, and their diocese, a will provides numerous ways to support these commitments.

Additionally, the diocese also offers a free “Funeral and Financial Planner Guidebook” to assist in the estate planning process. For questions about wills or other planned gift options, Harris is available for assistance at rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org.

National “Make-a-Will” month serves as a reminder to all individuals, regardless of age or wealth, to consider their estate planning needs and take the necessary steps to ensure their wishes are honored.

“Going home to God”: Father Noel Prendergast passes at age 90

Posted on by
Reply

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Just shy of sixty-six years a priest, Father Noel Prendergast entered eternal life on May 26, 2024.

He was born Jan. 1, 1934, the youngest of John and Mary Prendergast’s seven children. He was born at Christmastime, so that’s where Noel came from, Father Prendergast once told Mississippi Catholic.

He studied six years at St. Patrick’s College and Seminary in Carlow, Ireland; and was ordained in that city’s Catholic cathedral on June 7, 1958. It was Prendergast’s choice to spend his entire priesthood in Mississippi, giving up cold, wet winters and springs for the occasional snow and frequent hot temperatures native to the Deep South.

Father Prendergast and three other priests arrived in Mississippi in September 1958. His first assignment was to Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Biloxi as an associate pastor.

Four years later, he was moved to St. Mary’s Church in Jackson, where he served for two years as associate pastor. Father Prendergast once remarked that he “saw it more of an adventure,” since the parish also had a school.

From there, he was transferred to Mercy Hospital in Vicksburg, where he was chaplain. He left after three years for his first pastorate at Assumption Church in Natchez in 1967.

Father Prendergast became a U.S. citizen in the mid-1960s. “I figured if I was going to live here, I needed to be a citizen and take part in voting,” Prendergast recalled in 2018 for his sixtieth anniversary celebration.

CLINTON – Father Noel Prendergast stands in the sanctuary of Holy Savior Clinton in this file photo. He passed away at age 90 on Sunday, May 26. (Photo from archives)

Just two years after arriving in Natchez, Bishop Joseph Brunini assigned him as pastor of Gulf Coast Missions in Gulfport. He enjoyed returning to the coast, as he missed the sea, as he was only about 30 minutes from the ocean in his native Ireland.

Another two short years later, he was on his way to Annunciation parish in Columbus, where he served as pastor for 10 years. “You really got to know the people and appreciate them, and they appreciated what you did for them,” Father Prendergast once said.

His next stop was St. Michael’s Church in Vicksburg in September 1980, where he remained for 12 years. During his tenure, Father Prendergast helped oversee the construction of a new church structure, while the old church building became the parish hall.

His next assignment, in 1991, was Holy Savior in Clinton and Immaculate Conception in Raymond, where he remained 12 years.

In 2003, he found himself at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Yazoo City, where he remained until he requested retirement at age 75 in 2008.

Father Prendergast chose to come to Mississippi, and he chose to stay in Mississippi. At his 60th ordination anniversary celebration in 2018, Father Prendergast said that he came back to Clinton because he couldn’t “stand the weather over there” in Ireland and that he knew more people in Mississippi than he did in Ireland. Mississippi had become his home.

He enjoyed the life of a retiree, taking annual trips back to his homeland in Ireland to visit family; and also spending time on the golf course with his fellow priests and filling in occasionally at his home parish of Holy Savior Clinton. Father PJ Curley played golf with him nearly every Monday and Friday for 40 years, developing a deep friendship as fellow golfers and Irish priests.

“Imagine the eternal hug from God to Noel, who is in his image and in his likeness,” said Father Curley during the funeral Mass for Father Prendergast. “What a beautiful thought what a beautiful image. Going home to God.”

“Father Noel Prendergast is home, safe and sound.”

Bishop Kopacz releases Reimagining process pastoral letter

Posted on by
Reply

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The year-long pastoral reimagining process undertaken by the Diocese of Jackson concluded with a pastoral letter by Bishop Joseph Kopacz released on Pentecost Sunday, May 19.

The Reimagining process spread across five major phases, that included establishing pastoral reimagining committees; parish assessments; reviewing data on diocesan demographics by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) and pastors, deacons and LEMs meeting; and Bishop Kopacz visiting each deanery to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and meeting with key people who worked on the pastoral reimagining process for each parish.

Spurred from the prayer and conversation from the Synod of Synodality process, the Pastoral Reimagining process was to deepen the understanding of what it means to be a church that is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. In his pastoral letter, Bishop Kopacz writes that, “these timeless marks served us well in order to reimagine and renew our relationship with the Lord who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

The pastoral letter is in response to the intentional work of parishes through the various phases of the Reimagining process and strives to honor the conversations, aspirations, struggles and dreams of the individuals who gathered for the process of the past year.

Touching on various topics, Bishop Kopacz first focuses on the desire for healing and unity, a topic brought about in the Synod process and then throughout the Reimagining process. He writes, “Fundamental to the healing within the church is the rebuilding of trust through transparency, collaboration and walking together as the Body of Christ.”

Other subjects include being more inviting to all and increased need for more bilingual catechist who can bridge the language gap between those serving in ministries in parish communities and those in large Hispanic communities around the diocese.

Bishop Kopacz writes, “The vast majority of the Hispanic children and young people are familiar with the English language and easily integrate into the flow of parish life … However, with older generations, there are pastoral realities that can marginalize, and it is incumbent upon diocesan and parish leadership, as well as parishioners to bridge the gaps in order to strengthen the bonds of the Body of Christ.”

The dignity of human life and the overcoming of hostile polarization and negative bipartisan politics are also topics addressed.

“Because our Synodal and Reimagining sessions were rooted in scripture and prayer, we did not fall prey to the landmines of divisiveness and polarization. It can be done, and it bodes well for the pastoral work that awaits us,” writes Bishop Kopacz.

Fran Lavelle, director of faith formation for the diocese, worked with Bishop Kopacz throughout the process. She says that the pastoral letter “isn’t the end [of the process] – it’s the beginning. Now we begin the hard work of … developing the things that we need to be successful.”

At the conclusion of his letter, Bishop Kopacz writes that the Chancery office is well equipped to accompany all parishes and missions to meet the challenges of their local communities and help explore ways to grow their ministries.

“There is much work to be done but together we can build a future of hope.”

To read the pastoral letter and learn more about the Pastoral Reimagining process visit jacksondiocese.org/pastoral-reimagining.

Obispo Kopacz publica una Carta Pastoral sobre proceso de reimaginación

Posted on by
Reply

Por Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – El proceso de reinvención pastoral de un año emprendido por la Diócesis de Jackson concluyó con una carta pastoral del obispo Joseph Kopacz publicada el domingo de Pentecostés, 19 de mayo.

El proceso de Reimaginación se desarrolló en cinco fases principales, que incluyeron el establecimiento de comités pastorales de reimaginación; evaluaciones parroquiales; revisar datos sobre demografía diocesana por parte del Centro de Investigación Aplicada en el Apostolado (CARA) y reuniones de pastores, diáconos y LEM; y el obispo Kopacz visitó cada decanato para celebrar una Misa de Acción de Gracias y reunirse con personas claves que trabajaron en el proceso de reimaginación pastoral de cada parroquia.

Impulsado por la oración y la conversación del proceso del Sínodo de la Sinodalidad, el proceso de Reimaginación Pastoral tuvo como objetivo profundizar la comprensión de lo que significa ser una iglesia Una, Santa, Católica y Apostólica.

En su carta pastoral, el obispo Kopacz escribe que “…estas marcas eternas nos sirvieron para reimaginar y renovar nuestra relación con el Señor, que es el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida.”

La carta pastoral del obispo Kopacz es una respuesta al trabajo intencional de las parroquias a través de las diversas fases del proceso de Reimaginación y se esfuerza por honrar las conversaciones, aspiraciones, luchas y sueños de las personas que se reunieron para el proceso del año pasado.

Al tocar varios temas, el obispo Kopacz se centra primero en el deseo de sanación y unidad, un tema que surgió en el proceso del Sínodo y luego a lo largo del proceso de Reimaginación cuando escribe: “Lo fundamental para la sanación dentro de la iglesia es la reconstrucción de la confianza a través de la transparencia, la colaboración y el caminar juntos como Cuerpo de Cristo.”

Otros temas incluyen ser más atractivos para todos y una mayor necesidad de más catequistas bilingües que puedan cerrar la brecha lingüística entre quienes sirven en los ministerios en las comunidades parroquiales y aquellos en las grandes comunidades Hispanas alrededor de la diócesis.

El obispo Kopacz escribe: “La gran mayoría de los niños y jóvenes hispanos están familiarizados con el idioma inglés y se integran fácilmente en el flujo de la vida parroquial… Sin embargo, con las generaciones mayores, hay realidades pastorales que pueden marginar y, es responsabilidad del liderazgo diocesano y parroquial así como de los feligreses, el cerrar las brechas a fin de fortalecer los vínculos del Cuerpo de Cristo.”

El obispo Kopacz también aborda temas sobre la dignidad de la vida humana y la superación de la polarización hostil y la política bipartidista negativa.

“Debido a que nuestras sesiones sinodales y de reimaginación se basaron en las Escrituras y la oración, no fuimos víctimas de las minas terrestres de la división y la polarización. Se puede hacer y es un buen augurio para el trabajo pastoral que nos espera,…” escribió.

Fran Lavelle, directora de formación en la fe de la diócesis, trabajó con el obispo Kopacz durante todo el proceso. Ella dice que la carta pastoral del obispo Kopacz “…no es el final [del proceso], es el comienzo. Ahora comenzamos el arduo trabajo de… desarrollar las cosas que necesitamos para tener éxito.”

Al fin de su carta, el obispo Kopacz escribe que la oficina de la Cancillería está bien equipada para acompañar a todas las parroquias y misiones a enfrentar los retos de sus comunidades y a explorar formas para crecer sus ministerios.”Hay mucho trabajo por hacer, pero juntos podemos construir un futuro de esperanza.”

Para leer la Carta Pastoral y obtener más información sobre el proceso de Reimaginación Pastoral, visite jacksondiocese.org/pastoral-reimagining.

Pastoral Reimagining: Bishop discerns future of growth and collaboration

Posted on by
Reply

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The year-long pastoral reimagining process undertaken by the Diocese of Jackson continues with a period of discernment by Bishop Joseph Kopacz before concluding with a pastoral letter.

Spreading across five major phases, that included establishing pastoral reimagining committees, parish assessments, reviewing data on diocesan demographics by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) and pastors, deacons and LEMs meeting; phase three just concluded with Bishop Kopacz visiting each deanery to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving and meet with key people who worked on the pastoral reimagining process for each parish.

KOSCIUSKO – Bishop Joseph Kopacz speaks to a packed parish hall at St. Therese parish on the Pastoral Reimagining process being undertaken by the diocese. He now enters a period of discernment before releasing a pastoral letter. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

In the month of March, priests, deacons and LEMs of each deanery of the diocese were asked to discuss the responses from the reimagining process from the parishes. Some of the questions discussed were what areas they saw growth; what challenges are associated with that growth; what areas of ministry are diminishing; what are the challenges with this decline; and what areas need greater collaboration with the Chancery offices.

After deanery meetings, Bishop Kopacz traveled to each deanery for a special Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrating “Eucharist and conversation,” with those who worked on the Pastoral Reimagining process in their respective parishes. Though each gathering had varied responses, they all were asked the questions: Where do we go from here? How do we animate and foster the growing edges? How do we address the challenges?

Across each deanery many highlighted the growing Hispanic population and raised questions as to how to serve the population faithfully and effectively, a sentiment Bishop Kopacz highlighted in meeting with priests during phase two of the reimagining process.

“I’m grateful to a number of our parishes that have opened up with inviting the Hispanic population through having Mass and liturgy. It’s just amazing to see the growth.”

After assessing needs through the Reimagining process, Father Manohar Thangundla of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Brookhaven recently added a weekly Spanish Mass on Saturdays to accommodate increasing numbers of Hispanics in the area. Additionally, he began learning Vietnamese to hold a monthly Mass for that growing community, as well.

Bishop Kopacz says that almost 30 of the diocese’s 72 parishes offer Mass in Spanish.

“It’s about bringing people into the community at a deeper level, but the challenge is the literacy [of our priests.] … Becoming confident enough to offer the Mass, even if you can’t preach the homily in Spanish,” said Bishop Kopacz.

“We have priests in the diocese who are bilingual and many who are willing to learn to celebrate the sacraments, so people can have that experience.”

Raquel Thompson, director of Hispanic ministry at St. James Tupelo, said that she and the parish’s director of faith formation, Rhonda Swita, are working to band together Hispanic and White communities, with the premise – ‘we are better together.”

“She [Swita] is working to create more activities we can do as families together. … So, we’ll be one whole Catholic Church,” said Thompson.

“We are one body of Christ, and no matter what language we speak, we have to be kind, respectful and have love for each other.”

As for additional challenges and fostering growth, many of the deanery gatherings brought up the availability of activities and involvement of youth and young adults in their respective communities, with an emphasis on having adults getting their children involved in the church community.

Lauren Codding, who served on the Pastoral Reimagining committee for St. Alphonsus McComb and attended the phase three session with Bishop Kopacz for deanery two, said that during the committee’s assessment, they identified faith formation for youth and young adults as an area for improvement.

“We want to start providing faith formation to our young adult community, so that they feel welcomed, and we can build community among that age group. Our hope is that they will start bringing their children to church and we can in turn feed the children through religious education,” said Codding.

The parish also hopes to start a campus ministry program to reach young adults at McComb’s local community college.

Campus ministry is an initiative that others around the diocese voiced during Reimagining sessions to reach the young adult demographic. In a proactive response to the growing demand for more opportunities for young adults, the diocese inaugurated its Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry in 2022. This effort was in response to the Synod on Synodality process, where the diocese heard concerns on evangelization to young adults.

“This is a ministry that will continue to grow as we make additional efforts in our parishes to reach our growing edges,” said Bishop Kopacz.

Members of Deanery I gathered at St. Francis Madison on Thursday, April 11, 2024 for a Mass of Thanksgiving with Bishop Kopacz for the Pastoral Reimagining process the diocese has undertaken since Pentecost last year.

A third area discussed at many of the deanery community gatherings for the Reimagining process is the importance of a sense of community and inviting non-Catholics to learn about the church.

Several parishes mentioned during various deanery gatherings that small faith communities have been successful in encouraging lifelong friendships and a sense of strong faith. Others, like Isaac Blakemore of St. Francis Madison, who just came into the church at Easter Vigil, felt that as Catholics we need to understand our faith and have the courage to share it with the community.

As a former ordained Methodist minister, Blakemore was drawn to the Catholic Church by the sacraments. He told members of the deanery one gathering at St. Francis Madison that when he received the Eucharist for the first time, it was like someone had him in on a secret.

“One thing I think all parishes could do is … to just be proud of what the Catholic faith offers and share it,” said Blakemore. “If you do believe that indeed this is the one, true church, you ought to believe that the Holy Spirit can move even through someone that is just a layperson. You can invite someone into learning about the Catholic faith … and be willing to discuss it.”

Phase four of the Pastoral Reimagining process is currently underway with Bishop Kopacz in a season of discernment, allowing time for the drafting of a pastoral letter to the people of God in the Diocese of Jackson.

When asked about the overall Reimagining process, Bishop Kopacz explained that it unfolded in stages due to its organic nature, rooted deeply at the grassroots level.

“We asked parishes to do their best thinking, reflecting and praying,” said Bishop Kopacz. “Focusing on the specifics of their settings and how to move forward in the context of the whole diocese and with the support and encouragement of the bishop’s office and the chancery.”

He plans to keep his pastoral letter as brief as it can be, but still have it substantial enough to address key areas of growth and concern.

“I see my ministry … as to keep mining and plowing this field; and seeing what we can do and how we can assist one another to make it happen on a local level; and with and through the diocese,” says Bishop Kopacz.

Decade of faith: Bishop Kopacz celebrates 10-year milestone

Posted on by
Reply

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz, surrounded by priests and deacons from the Diocese of Jackson, commemorated his 10th anniversary of ordination to the episcopacy at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson with a special Mass on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Bishop Kopacz was ordained and installed as the 11th Bishop of Jackson on Feb. 6, 2014, but he fondly remembers getting the initial call the day before Thanksgiving – in an unforgettable Italian accent – “Holy Father is directing you to be the bishop of Jackson in Mississippi.” Bishop mused to those gathered at his anniversary Mass, that “it was an offer you can’t refuse.”

JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz lays prostrate during his ordination as Bishop of Jackson on Feb. 6, 2014 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. He recently celebrated his 10th anniversary at the Bishop for the Diocese of Jackson. (Photo from archives)

“These 10 years later has given me an opportunity to reflect and appreciate the call and the ongoing challenge and blessing of serving as the 11th bishop of the diocese,” said Bishop Kopacz.

He fondly remembered traversing the diocese by airplane days after being installed as Bishop and visiting a few parishes across the diocese, including St. Mary’s Basilica in Natchez, St. Joseph in Greenville, St. James in Tupelo and to St. Joseph in Starkville. “It was great to experience and see what a large swath of land the diocese covers,” said Bishop Kopacz. “So, 10 years later and possibly 300,000 miles later on my car, I think I can say I know a little bit about Mississippi and its geography.”

But more than miles, Bishop Kopacz reflected, are the countless souls who have touched his life along the way through parishes and the variety of missions and ministries that make up the diocese. He continued by celebrating the dedication of the clergy, the resilience of parishioners and the transformative power of God’s grace working through each individual.

In his homily, Bishop Kopacz credits his enthusiasm and energy for the diocese to the Eucharistic prayer at Mass when the clergy pray for him every day. Joking with those clergy present, that they “can’t skip that part … as a lot of grace flows from that on good days and bad. It truly carries me forward.”

Turning 74 later this year, Bishop Kopacz says that he hopes to still be around to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the diocese in 13 years. He expressed how grateful he was for the people of the diocese, all of the priests and religious, coworkers at the Chancery and all the staff at parishes across the diocese who respond to God’s call every day.

“I thank everyone for the kindness and generosity for the 10th anniversary of my consecration and installation as the 11th Bishop of Jackson,” said Bishop Kopacz. “It was a splendid and joyful occasion.”

JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated his 10th anniversary as the Bishop for the Diocese of Jackson with priests and deacons from around the diocese on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Inset, a comemorative photo collage with scenes from the past 10 years. (Photos by Tereza Ma)