Author Archives: Maureen Smith

Parish News

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Planning the V National Encuentro

JACKSON – Olga Villar, center, director of Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile, led a meeting on the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Cathedral Center. Bishop Joseph Kopacz and about 25 priests, religious and lay leaders attended the meeting. The V Encuentro is being planned in the Diocese of Jackson and nationwide. It will be held in 2018 in Texas. (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth Parish, Faith in Action gathering, Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in McKenna Hall. Sessions focus on praying, learning and acting together. Details: Dorothy Balser, 601-941-4600, dorothy.balser@ccjackson.org.
CORINTH St. James Parish, eight-week adult video series, “Unlocking the Mysteries of the Bible” Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
– Communal reconciliation service, Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m.
GREENWOOD the Jubilee Missionary Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help visits Locus Benedictus Retreat Center in November. Members of the Redemptorist community will present information about the icon Saturday, November 26, and Saturday, December 3. Locus Benedictus Retreat Center. Times TBD. Details: www.locusbenedictus.com.
JACKSON St. Peter Parish, Advent retreat, “Christ is Christmas,” Anointing Mass and lunch, Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. – noon.
IUKA St. Mary Parish, day-long retreat, Saturday, Dec. 3. A video and discussion about the newly canonized Santa Teresa of Calcuta will be part of the retreat.
TUPELO St. James Parish Knights of Columbus annual men’s retreat, Nov 18-20 at St. Bernard’s Abbey. Father Lincoln Dall, pastor, will be the retreat master. Cost is $100 for a shared rooms; $150 for private rooms. Details: David Friloux, 662-213-3742, davidfriloux@comcast.net.

PARISH, SCHOOL & FAMILY EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen Parish, book discussion group will read “Glass Castle” by Jeanette Wall for discussion at noon on Monday, Nov. 14. Everyone is invited.
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis of Assisi Parish, beginning Saturday, Nov. 12, Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m.
– Knights of Columbus annual spaghetti dinner, Thursday, Nov. 17.
– Community Thanksgiving gathering at Macedonia Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 20, from 6 – 7 p.m.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish, movie night, “Risen,” Sunday, Nov. 20, after the 5 p.m. Mass. Free. Snacks will be provided.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph Parish, sign-up for the Christmas Pageant, “The ABCs of Christmas,” has begun. It will be held Saturday, Dec. 3. All children (Kindergarten thru grade 12) are invited to participate. Information sheets are located in the back of the church. Details: Karen Worrell, kworrellcre@hotmail.com to sign-up.
GREENWOOD The Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Greenwood Ministerial Association, will be hosted by St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1001 Grand Boulevard on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. The speaker will be Father Greg Plata, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Francis of Assisi parishes.
GRENADA St. Peter Parish Jubilee History Committee is putting together a slide show for its jubilee. Pictures are needed of weddings, VBS, baptisms, senior class, First Communion, etc.. The older the better. Note the event, year and names too. Email pictures to: Livingstonclan@cableone.net.
HERNANDO/SOUTHAVEN parish mission at Holy Spirit and Christ the King parishes, Nov. 13-15 beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. The talks will be from 7 – 8 p.m. Father John Van den Hengel, SCJ, a theologian from Ontario, Canada, will be the speaker. The mission is for parishioners from Hernando Holy Spirit, Holly Springs St. Joseph, Olive Branch Queen of Peace, Robinsonville Good Shepherd, Senatobia St. Gregory and Southaven Christ the King.
Holy Spirit will host the sessions in English and Father Zigniew Morawiec, SCJ, will present the talks in Spanish at Christ the King. Childcare will be available.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish, Ladies Association’s annual frozen casserole sale, Saturday, Nov. 19. Each family is asked to donate at least one of their favorite casseroles. Details: Cil Johnson, 662-420-9875.
– Bishop Joseph Kopacz will celebrate Mass on Sunday, Nov. 20. A luncheon will follow.
JACKSON St. Therese Parish, calendar planning meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. All organizations and parishioners are welcome.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, “Rockin’ Around the Advent Wreath Advent Fair,” Sunday, Nov. 20, from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. for lunch and family fun! Volunteers are needed to set up, decorate, and lead children’s crafts and activities. Details: Mary Catherine George, 601-856-5556, mc.george@stfrancismadison.org.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, blood drive, Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 1 – 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

Mardi Gras Ball
GREENWOOD St. Francis of Assisi School will host a Mardi Gras Ball featuring Steve Azar on Feb. 18, 2017 at the Leflore Civic Center. Save the date.

150th anniversary
VILLAGE, Ark. – Our Lady of the Lake Parish 150th anniversary celebration, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19-20. On Saturday, there will be a cookout and games beginning at 10 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. and on Sunday at 9 a.m. followed by a commemorative ceremony and meal.

Save the date
MADISON – Matthew Kelly will come to the Jackson area on Saturday, March 11, 2017, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Madison Central High School Auditorium. The facility seats 1,000 people. Look for more details in upcoming Mississippi Catholic editions.

Diocese of Jackson announces #igiveCatholic participants

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The Diocese of Jackson has the second highest number of organizations participating in #iGiveCatholic than any other diocese, second only to the founder, the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
On November 29, almost 50 parishes, schools and missions will take online donations for 24 hours through the website www.igivecatholic.com. See the online profiles of these organizations to find out how each will use the money.

To donate log onto www.igivecatholic.org.
Diocesan Offices and Funds:
Catholic CharitiesPrint
The Catholic Foundation
Diocese of Jackson Archives
Office of Black Catholic Ministry
Office of Catholic Education
Office of Vocations
Office of Youth Ministry
Order of Discalced Carmelites
Retired Priests’ Fund
Seminarian Education Fund
Organizations
Greenwood Locus Benedictus Retreat Center
Walls Sacred Heart Southern Missions
Mound Bayou St. Gabriel Mercy Center
Parishes and Missions
Amory St. Helen Parish
Batesville St. Mary Parish
Bruce St. Luke the Evangelist Parish
Clarksdale Immaculate Conception Parish
Clarksdale St. Elizabeth Parish
Greenville St. Joseph Parish
Greenwood St. Francis Parish
Grenada St. Peter Parish
Hernando Holy Spirit Parish
Holly Springs St. Gregory the Great Parish
Holly Springs St. Joseph Parish
Jackson Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle
Jackson St. Therese Parish
Leland St. James Parish
Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish
McComb St. Alphonsus Parish
New Albany St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Olive Branch Queen of Peace Parish
Pearl St. Jude Parish
Pontotoc St. Christopher Mission
Robinsonville Good Shepherd Parish
Sardis St. John Parish
Senatobia St. Gregory
Southaven Christ the King Parish
Tupelo St. James Parish
Vicksburg St. Michael Parish
Schools:
Clarksdale St. Elizabeth
Columbus Annunciation
Flowood St. Paul Early Learning Center
Greenville Our Lady of Lourdes
Greenville St. Joseph
Greenwood St. Francis of Assisi
Holly Springs Holy Family
Jackson Sr. Thea Bowman
Jackson St. Richard
Madison St. Anthony
Madison St. Joseph
Meridian St. Patrick
Natchez Cathedral
Southaven Sacred Heart
Vicksburg Catholic

When it comes to vocations, successful programs focus on the basics

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(EDITOR’S NOTE: This edition of Mississippi Catholic celebrates National Vocations Awareness Week, Nov. 6-11. Look inside for stories from local religious and reflections on vocations from across the diocese.)
By Dennis Sadowski
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Finding candidates to consider joining the priesthood or religious life has never been easy.
There are serious questions to address, prayer to undertake, and solo and group activities that help determine whether a person is meant to live a religious life of ministry.
To meet the ongoing need for priests and women religious to meet the spiritual needs of Catholic communities, various programs have evolved over time to give men and women a wide range of discernment opportunities.
In the end, it comes down building relationships, trust and understanding. On the spiritual side, the desire to enter religious life is grounded in a deep love of God that is built through prayer and a desire to take on the “smell of the sheep,” as Pope Francis has demonstrated time and again.
Here’s a look at the way a few organizations operate their vocations programs. Innovative? Perhaps. More so they seem to be common sense steps that are reaping rewards.
At Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, the Catholic community is larger than the majority of parishes in the country.
About 25 percent of the 60,000 students on campus identify themselves as Catholic, said Marcel LeJeune, associate director of Newman Campus Ministry at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, which serves the school. That breaks down to about 15,000 young adults around which to build ministry.
“We average about 5,000 people at Mass on the weekends,” LeJeune told Catholic News Service. He estimates that 90 percent of Massgoers are students. “People are usually standing in the aisles,”
When confessions are heard, the lines are long with some students waiting up to 45 minutes to see a priest. And it’s not uncommon for LeJeune to make a stop in the chapel where perpetual adoration occurs and see “15 kids in there.”
All of these are signs of what LeJeune describes as a dynamic ministry “to all the different kinds of kids you’re going to meet.” Such vibrancy has long borne fruit for vocations in religious life.
“We have 160 Aggie Catholics who are bishops, priests, deacons and religious,” LeJeune explained, invoking the school’s sports nickname.
LeJeune shared some statistics:
– In mid-October, 81 university alumni were in formation for religious life or enrolled in a seminary.
– This year alone, 15 men and women entered formation programs.
– During the past 19 years, more than nine men and women annually entered religious life; over the past five years, the average number has risen to more than 12.
LeJeune credits the large Catholic population for such glowing statistics: the more people, the greater the number of vocations.
Further, he finds that such vocations success has more to do with the enthusiasm of the 65 people, including the priests and women religious, who work at St. Mary’s.
“We don’t have a magic bullet,” he said. “For us, it’s men and women who love what they do and who are meeting students who can see these men and women, a priest, a religious, who love what they do, and can see themselves doing it.
“We also do a good job of evangelizing and forming them in prayer. Without conversion and formation and prayer, you can’t discern. We’re teaching them how to pray. Plus putting them in front of opportunities to get to know priests and (women) religious who love what they do. That’s it.”
The vibrancy of the St. Mary’s Catholic Center apparently has gained the attention of the Diocese of Austin, Texas, and even Vatican officials. The last two pastors of the community have been named bishops. There’s Bishop Dave A. Konderla of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who served for 11 years at St. Mary’s, and his predecessor, Bishop Michael J. Sis of San Angelo, Texas, who served for 13 years there.
“That will tell you how much they value the priests who have served here,” LeJeune says. “It takes a special man to be our pastor with a special set of gifts.”
In a few years, Msgr. Scott Friend, director of vocations in the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, sees the number of priests bumping up from the mid-50s to the mid-60s.
That may not seem like a large number of priests, but in a state where Catholics are a definite minority, a boost of nearly 20 percent looks good.
Msgr. Friend, who also is the diocese’s vicar general, saw five men ordained to the priesthood in May. For next spring, six men are on course for ordination. And in 2018, the number is seven.
“That’s pretty phenomenal. We’ve got some pretty sharp guys coming up,” he told CNS.
Current seminarians and new priests represent a mix of men from different age groups. Along with young men who entered the seminary from high school, there’s a number of men who began careers before discerning a call to serve God.
Several factors have contributed to the diocese’s success. One is the ability of staff, especially the four priests on the team, to help seminarians navigate the road to priesthood.
Msgr. Friend has led the vocations effort for 12 years. He’s 55 and finds that he often he’s called to be “a good father figure.”
With an increasing number of older seminarians – those not just out of high school – Msgr. Friend said it’s necessary “to maintain the right kind of balance, of being approachable, and at the same time maintain the boundaries of what it means to be a good father (parent).”
Other factors also have contributed to the diocese’s growing vocations numbers.
About a dozen seminarians live in what is known as Formation House, a community located at a Little Rock parish in one of the city’s working-class neighborhoods. There, seminarians not only go through the experience of book learning, but see the potential for parish ministry.
He said that the setting allows the men to widen their “missionary spirit” in a state where just 4 percent of the population is Catholic.
Like many areas of the country, Arkansas is experiencing a growth in the Latino population. Seminarians are required to learn Spanish. Having a language skill builds a bond to a community that priests might not get to know well, Msgr. Friend said.
And the Latino community is beginning to produce candidates for priestly vocations as well. It’s a good sign, Msgr. Friend acknowledged.
A culture of vocations finds parishioners throughout the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, promoting the priesthood and religious life.
It’s something that has been fostered in the 25 counties of the diocese for 30 years, said Father Michael M. Simone, diocesan director of vocations.
There has been “profound impact on our families and schools and has a strong effect on our vocations programs,” Father Simone told CNS.
The effort has helped boost the number of seminarians to more than 60 in recent years after it hovered about 33 percent lower a decade ago. One result is that median age of diocesan priests has remained constant at 45 to 47.
“In terms of recruiting the next generation of priests, it really starts in the family and expands to the family receiving the faith which is the parish and the school,” he explained.
Diocesan schools play a role in the vocations culture as well. “There’s a lot of preformation and cultivation for the calls to discernment to take place for us,” Father Simone added.
Once the men are in formation, Father Simone helps them with supplemental programs that help them build a sense of what the priesthood is about. He cites a weekly Friday night discussion group throughout the summer “to discuss pertinent topics relevant to the ways they’ll exercise their priestly ministry in the diocese.”
The seminarians also are prepared to minister to the growing Latino population of the diocese, something which other dioceses may not be addressing yet. The effort includes training in the Spanish language as a way to stress the global nature of the church.
“We have a lot of Hispanic people who desire and need bilingual priests,” he said.

Youth News

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CLARKSDALE – The Clarksdale Fire Department came to visit St. Elizabeth School’s pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten classes Tuesday, October 18, on campus. They taught the children fire safety and had a balloon release to honor the memory of John Maury Clark, a former fire fighter and St. Elizabeth student. (Photos courtesy of Dawn Spinks)

CLARKSDALE – The Clarksdale Fire Department came to visit St. Elizabeth School’s pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten classes Tuesday, October 18, on campus. They taught the children fire safety and had a balloon release to honor the memory of John Maury Clark, a former fire fighter and St. Elizabeth student. (Photos courtesy of Dawn Spinks)

Vicksburg Catholic School burns building note. VICKSBURG – Ann Roberson, Vicksburg Catholic School Development Director; Mary Arledge, St. Francis Xavier Principal and Riley Nelson, Advisory Council President, look on with joy as Dr. Buddy Strickland, principal for Vicksburg Catholic Schools, “burns the note” for the Sam P. Scott Building. The happy ceremony kicked off the St. Aloysius vs. Greenville St. Joseph Football game. Vicksburg Catholic School made the final payment on the debt for the building in August. This year’s annual appeal is to focus on technology improvements. (Photo courtesy of Ann Roberson)

Vicksburg Catholic School burns building note. VICKSBURG – Ann Roberson, Vicksburg Catholic School Development Director; Mary Arledge, St. Francis Xavier Principal and Riley Nelson, Advisory Council President, look on with joy as Dr. Buddy Strickland, principal for Vicksburg Catholic Schools, “burns the note” for the Sam P. Scott Building. The happy ceremony kicked off the St. Aloysius vs. Greenville St. Joseph Football game. Vicksburg Catholic School made the final payment on the debt for the building in August. This year’s annual appeal is to focus on technology improvements. (Photo courtesy of Ann Roberson)

A photo backdrop made them feel like they were at the drive-in.

Southaven Sacred Heart School celebrated the 50th day of class by going back in time. A photo backdrop made them feel like they were at the drive-in.

Monica Winans and Kari Pennington, along with the SHS second grade students marked the 50th day of school with a nod to the 1950s. All decked out in pink poodle skirts and leather jackets the children participated in bubble gum-blowing and hula-hoop contests. Afterwards, they were treated to root beer and Coke floats.

Monica Winans and Kari Pennington, along with the SHS second grade students marked the 50th day of school with a nod to the 1950s. All decked out in pink poodle skirts and leather jackets the children participated in bubble gum-blowing and hula-hoop contests. Afterwards, they were treated to root beer and Coke floats.

All the students showing off their pompadours and poodle skirts!

All the students showing off their pompadours and poodle skirts!

The students got to try hula hoops and root beer floats. (Photos courtesy of Laura Grisham)

The students got to try hula hoops and root beer floats. (Photos courtesy of Laura Grisham)

Envisioning team continues discernment of vision, priorities

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The Envisioning Team includes members from across the diocese including (l-r) Msgr. Elvin Sunds, Jackson St. Therese pastor, Danna Johnson, Pontotoc St. Christopher; Kris Ivancic, Tupelo St. James; Thomas Harris, Flowood St. Paul. At the back table Terry Casserino, Madison St. Joseph School sits with Jane Letchworth, Joyce Hart and Father Kevin Slattery, Vicar General. Lorenzo Aju, Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary and Thomas Welch are visible to the right. Other members are not pictured.

The Envisioning Team includes members from across the diocese including (l-r) Msgr. Elvin Sunds, Jackson St. Therese pastor, Danna Johnson, Pontotoc St. Christopher; Kris Ivancic, Tupelo St. James; Thomas Harris, Flowood St. Paul. At the back table Terry Casserino, Madison St. Joseph School sits with Jane Letchworth, Joyce Hart and Father Kevin Slattery, Vicar General. Lorenzo Aju, Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary and Thomas Welch are visible to the right. Other members are not pictured.

GRENADA – The members of the diocesan Envisioning Team have been meeting for several months to reflect on the results of the diocesan listening sessions, learn about strategic planning and discern a new set of priorities for the Diocese of Jackson. The work will result in a Mutually Shared Vision Statement and plan.
The team has a draft with three priorities in the works. Wednesday, October 19, members of the team met at St. Peter parish to continue their work. Maureen Smith, diocesan director of communication, attended to present an outline of the strategic plan for communication her team spent several months writing. The Envisioning team then discussed ways to best communicate and implement the plan and the timing for that implementation.

Calendar of Events

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PARISH, SCHOOL & FAMILY EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen Parish, book discussion group will read “Glass Castle” by Jeanette Wall for discussion at noon on Monday, Nov. 14. Everyone is invited.
BATESVILLE St. Mary, Thanksgiving fare, Sunday, Nov. 6, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary’s Ladies Club.
BOONEVILLE St. Francis Parish, “Altar of the Dead” is in the narthex in observance of All Souls Day. Bring photos or write the names of your deceased loved ones on cards and place them on this altar.
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis of Assisi Parish will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on election day, Nov. 8.
– Knights of Columbus annual spaghetti dinner, Thursday, Nov. 17.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish, blessing of graves at local cemeteries Sunday, Oct. 30 : Delta Heights, 2 p.m.; New Cleveland, 2:40 p.m.; North Cleveland, 3 p.m.
– In observance of All Souls Day, Nov. 2, a special altar is in the entry for people to place mementos or pictures of their loved ones.
– “A Taste of Italy,” Thursday, Nov. 3, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Featuring homemade lasagna, baked goods. Plates are $10, dine-in or carry-out. Details: 662-846-6273.
COLUMBUS Annunciation parishioners are invited to participate in the “4 Walls Project: Community yard sale” Saturday, Nov. 5, from 7 – 11 a.m. at Hitching Lot Farmer’s Market. Booths cost $25. Details: gtrhomelesscoation.org, 4wasllsgtrhc@gmail.com.
– Annunciation School annual art auction, “A Night at the Museum,” Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $25 at the school office or $30 at the door. Details: acsmarketing@cableone.net.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph Parish, Doe’s dinner and wine tasting, Sunday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Featuring Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars. Hosted by the Restoration Committee. Cost is $125 per person.
GREENVILLE Sacred Heart Parish, annual fish fry dinner, Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Plates are $10 each. Proceeds will go toward the repair of the roof in the convent and some of the sidewalks in front of the church.s
GRENADA St. Peter Parish, youth Mass, Sunday, Nov 6, at 4 p.m. All are invited to attend, especially the youth to volunteer as active participants for parts of the Mass, as altar servers, lectors, gift bearers, etc.
HERNANDO/SOUTHAVEN parish mission at Holy Spirit and Christ the King parishes, Nov. 13-15 beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. The talks will be from 7 – 8 p.m. Father John Van den Hengel, SCJ, a theologian from Ontario, Canada, will be the speaker. The mission is for parishioners from Hernando Holy Spirit, Holly Springs St. Joseph, Olive Branch Queen of Peace, Robinsonville Good Shepherd, Senatobia St. Gregory and Southaven Christ the King.
Holy Spirit will host the sessions in English and Father Zigniew Morawiec, SCJ, will present the talks in Spanish at Christ the King. Childcare will be available.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit Parish, blessing of veterans at all Masses Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12-13. Veterans are encouraged to attend and wear something to indicate their branch of military service.
– Ladies Association’s frozen casserole sale, Saturday, Nov. 19. Details: Cil Johnson, 662-420-9875.
JACKSON – St. Peter Cathedral Fall Gala, Saturday, Nov. 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson. Tickets are $60 per person, $100 per couple. Event includes, food, cocktails, a silent action, live entertainment and a 50/50 pot raffle. Proceeds benefit rectory updates and repairs. Details: Traci Avalon, 601-969-3125.
MADISON St. Joseph School, open house, Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ladies Auxiliary’s annual “Make It, Bake It, Fake It” fund-raiser auction, Sunday, Nov. 6.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick Parish, annual Variety Show, Saturday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m.
– Sale of memorial bricks at $100, each can have up to three lines. Orders deadline is Oct. 31. Details: Kathy in the parish office.
MOUND BAYOU St. Gabriel Mercy Center, Harvest Festival, Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Music by Joe Garcia from Rosedale, Delta Boutique, the Thrift Store and the Christmas Store will be open. The Franciscan Sisters are selling raffle tickets, $1 each/10 a book. Details: 662-741-3255.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, rosary procession, Sunday, Nov. 6, beginning at 2 p.m. at Old Catholic Plot 1 at the Natchez Trace Cemetery.
OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace Parish, Fall Fun Fest Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
PEARL St. Jude Parish, special Mass of Remembrance, Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. Those who have lost a close family member in the past year call the parish office to give their name.
– Chili Cook-off, Saturday, Nov. 12. Deadline to register is Nov. 7.
– Parishioners are encouraged to participate in the Christmas “Box of Joy” which will be sent to Haiti, Guatemala or the Dominican Republic. Boxes need to be returned between Nov. 6-13 to the parish hall.

‘Vintage Hollywood’
JONESTOWN The Jonestown Family Center and the Spring Initiative are sponsoring “The Delta Ball: Vintage Hollywood,” Saturday, Nov. 12, from 7 – 11 p.m. Tickets are $75 each. Judge Joe Brown of the television show “Judge Joe Brown” will be the master of ceremony. Details: 662-358-4335.

In Memoriam
CHICAGO, Ill. – Brother Robert (Bob) McGovern, CFC, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, in Chicago. He was 72 years old. Brother McGovern served at Holy Child School in Canton from 1998-2001. He also was part of the Thea Bowman Spirituality Center.

Save the date
MADISON – Matthew Kelly will come to the Jackson area on Saturday, March 11, 2017, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Madison Central High School Auditorium. The facility seats 1,000 people. Look for more details in upcoming Mississippi Catholic editions.

Diocesan Youth gather for retreat

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By Abbey Schuhmann
Teens from all across the diocese gathered at Lake Forest Ranch in Macon, Miss., on October 15-16 for the 2016 diocesan high school fall retreat. The retreat was led by a team from National Evangelization Ministries (NET), a Catholic ministry program out of St. Paul, Minnesota. NET Ministries was established 35 years ago and has grown over the years. NET was very popular in our diocese in the 1980s and we are excited to have them serving here once again.
The mission of NET is to spread the Gospel message of Jesus Christ through prayer, sacraments, fellowship and service. NET Team #2 led the retreat along with a middle school retreat at Southaven Sacred Heart School. Each NET Team is made of eight-12 young adults usually ages 18-24 years old. The leaders commit to a year of missionary retreat ministry by traveling around the country hosting retreats for parishes and schools.
The theme of our retreat was “Fully Alive” and teens had the chance to reflect on what really brings about true happiness. Ultimately, only Christ will fill our deepest desires of happiness. Our happiness motivates every decision that we make and our youth had the chance to discuss this important concept.
The overnight retreat provided the youth with a high-energy, faith-filled program throughout the weekend. The youth were able to hear powerful witness talks from members of the NET Team, engaged in several small group discussions, experienced a powerful prayer ministry Saturday evening that included the opportunity to go to Reconciliation and participate in praise and worship.
The NET Team also performed funny skits throughout the weekend that the teens and adult leaders alike enjoyed; along with two very touching dramas as well. Our teens also had the chance for some fun and fellowship on Saturday afternoon by participating in some friendly competition including games of ping-pong, dodgeball, sand volleyball and basketball.
On Sunday we celebrated Mass outdoors at the amphitheater with the beautiful lake as our backdrop, Father Jose de’ Jesus Sanchez, director recruitment for the Office of Vocations, served as our principal celebrant. Three seminarians from our diocese were also present throughout the weekend; Aaron Williams, Hayden Schmitt, and Cesar Sanchez participated in the small group sessions and shared their own personal vocation stories with our youth and assisted with the liturgy.
The adult youth leaders had the opportunity to meet one another and discuss the youth ministry programs at their respective parishes.
The Office of Youth Ministry looks forward to offering valued, faith-filled, meaningful experiences for the youth of our diocese moving forward through retreats, rallies, and other related activities.
If you’d like more information regarding diocesan youth events, contact Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for the office of youth ministry for the Diocese of Jackson at abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org or 601-949-6934.

Seminarian Aaron Williams, center, shared some of his vocation story in small group settings.

Seminarian Aaron Williams, center, shared some of his vocation story in small group settings.

Young people broke into small groups for reflection activities. At left, a group of boys has a discussion about faith. The team also led an icebreaker with (l-r) Austin Cabral, NET member from Hilmar, Calif.; Cori Matsumiya, NET member from Orange, Calif.; Aaron Williams, seminarian from Jackson and John Baladi, from Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish. (Photos courtesy of Abbey Schuhmann)

Young people broke into small groups for reflection activities. At left, a group of boys has a discussion about faith. The team also led an icebreaker with (l-r) Austin Cabral, NET member from Hilmar, Calif.; Cori Matsumiya, NET member from Orange, Calif.; Aaron Williams, seminarian from Jackson and John Baladi, from Gluckstadt St. Joseph Parish. (Photos courtesy of Abbey Schuhmann)

Lake Forest Ranch in Macon provided a beautiful backdrop for presentations and reflections.

Lake Forest Ranch in Macon provided a beautiful backdrop for presentations and reflections.

Members of NET's team organized sporting activities such as basketball.

Members of NET’s team organized sporting activities such as basketball.

The young people divided into small groups for discussions and sharing.

The young people divided into small groups for discussions and sharing.

Formación de conciencia para las elecciones

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Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
A medida que las elecciones se acercan, tanto a nivel nacional, estatal y local, la Iglesia Católica afirma el valor de un voto, así como el valor de contribuir al bienestar de la sociedad y las comunidades donde y cuando esto sea posible. Es muy fácil quedar atrapados en el malestar de un sentimiento de impotencia en el rostro de los problemas espinosos de la sociedad, pero lo más importante es concentrarse en lo que podemos hacer en una democracia.
Con respecto a las elecciones, a amar a nuestro prójimo y cuidar a los necesitados entre nosotros significa apoyar a los líderes y las políticas que promueven el bien común y protegen a los miembros más vulnerables de la sociedad. Día a día hay infinitas posibilidades para servir, defender y facultar a los demás. Ayudar a los católicos a reconocer y actuar sobre esta dimensión social de nuestra fe es una tarea esencial para los líderes de la iglesia. Por lo tanto, hay cuestiones fundamentales que deben ser planteadas en la temporada electoral.
• Algunos se preguntan si la religión y la política debería interactuar. ¿Qué dicen los obispos en respuesta a esta crítica? ¿Cuál es el papel de la iglesia en la vida política?
• ¿Cuál es la conexión entre nuestra fe y el deseo de cambiar el mundo para mejor?
• ¿Qué tipos de líderes necesita nuestra sociedad? ¿Por qué deberían abogar y cómo deberían dirigir?
• ¿Por qué los obispos y todos los líderes de la Iglesia animan a todos los católicos, capaces de votar o no, a participar en la vida política? ¿Cuáles son otras maneras, además de la votación, en la que pueden estar abogando en la promoción de cuestiones importantes?
• ¿Qué significa cuando los obispos dicen, “tanto estar opuestos al mal como hacer el bien son obligaciones esenciales” ¿Por qué son ambos, no solo uno o el otro, importantes para los católicos? ¿Cuáles son algunos ejemplos de actos intrínsecamente malos y por qué debemos estar siempre opuestos a ellos?
¿Cuáles son los ejemplos de las necesidades básicas de nuestros vecinos que debemos asegurar que sean cumplidas? ¿Cómo son sus propias acciones para evitar el mal y hacer el bien?
• ¿Cómo podrían las políticas públicas y las leyes ser diferentes si los principios morales de “Fieles Ciudadanos” fueran utilizados como base para las decisiones políticas?
– Vida y dignidad de la persona humana.
– Llamado a la familia, a la comunidad y a la participación.
– Derechos y responsabilidades.
– Opción por los pobres y vulnerables.
– La dignidad del trabajo y los derechos de los trabajadores. La solidaridad
– Cuidar la creación de Dios.
Hace siglos Sócrates hizo la audaz afirmación de que “la vida que no se examina no vale la pena vivirla.” No hay duda de que una vida activa orientada hacia el bien común y la solidaridad son esenciales para el orden justo de la sociedad y para la edificación del reino de Dios. Sin embargo, la suposición que subraya estos principios es la capacidad de una persona para retirarse, reflexionar, rezar, estudiar, permanecer quieto, abrazar el silencio, y entablar un diálogo constructivo a fin de dar una larga mirada amorosa en búsqueda de lo que es real.
Este equilibrio agrega un valor considerable a nuestras vidas. La formación de la conciencia fluye desde ambas dinámicas, la activa y reflexiva, Marta y María, por así decirlo. Es un poderoso lazo de realimentación que puede dar mucho fruto, acción y contemplación a lo largo de toda la vida.
¿Qué es conciencia? ¿Qué es prudencia? ¿Cómo desarrolla uno una conciencia bien formada y la virtud de la prudencia?
Del Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica #1784, La educación de la conciencia es una tarea de toda la vida. Desde los primeros años despierta al niño al conocimiento y la práctica de la ley interior reconocida por la conciencia moral. Una educación prudente enseña la virtud; preserva o sana del miedo, del egoísmo y del orgullo, de los insanos sentimientos de culpabilidad y de complacencia, nacidos de la debilidad humana y faltas humanas. La educación de la conciencia garantiza la libertad y engendra la paz del corazón.
En el #1785 dice, En la formación de la conciencia, la Palabra de Dios es luz de nuestro caminar; es preciso que la asimilemos en la fe y en la oración, y la pongamos en práctica. También debemos examinar nuestra conciencia en relación con la cruz del Señor. Estamos asistidos por los dones del Espíritu Santo, ayudados por el testimonio o los consejos de otros y guiados por la enseñanza autorizada de la iglesia.
Estas son algunas preguntas para reflexionar:
– ¿Cuándo me ha guiado mi conciencia para “hacer el bien y evitar el mal”? – ¿Cuáles son algunos recursos claves que puedo utilizar para formar mi conciencia?
– La formación de la conciencia es una “tarea permanente.” ¿Qué hago regularmente para formar mi conciencia? ¿Qué más debo hacer? ¿Qué consejo le daría a un amigo que está tratando de decidir entre dos candidatos, ninguno de los cuales comparte plenamente el compromiso de la iglesia en favor de la dignidad de la persona humana? Esto podría requerir la sabiduría de Salomón.
– Los obispos describen dos “tentaciones en la vida pública” en las que los votantes pueden caer: primero, la “equivalencia moral” que “no hace una distinción ética entre diferentes tipos de problemas relacionados con la vida y la dignidad humana”, y la segunda, el mal uso de las distinciones morales “como una manera de rechazar o ignorar las graves amenazas a la vida y a la dignidad humana”.
Describe una situación en la que hayas presenciado una o ambas de estas líneas de pensamiento. ¿Por qué son ambas distorsiones de la enseñanza de la iglesia?
– ¿Qué papel deben desempeñar en nuestras decisiones acerca de por quién votamos y cómo abogamos por el cambio?
En las palabras del Papa Francisco, “los avances en la construcción de un pueblo de paz, justicia y fraternidad dependen de cuatro principios relacionados a constantes tensiones presentes en cada realidad social.” Estos derivan de los pilares de la doctrina social de la iglesia que sirven como “principal y fundamentales parámetros de referencia que interpretan la realidad social y política. Los cuatro principios incluyen la dignidad de la persona humana, el bien común, la subsidiariedad y la solidaridad. Tomados en conjunto, estos principios constituyen un marco moral para la participación católica en la promoción de lo que hemos llamado una “ética consistente de la vida”
Aparte de la vida de principios y la auténtica formación de la conciencia, el miedo y la codicia motivan nuestras decisiones, o una fidelidad ciega a un determinado partido político sin importar a quienes sirven.
Guiados por el Espíritu Santo, que podamos elegir acertadamente mientras laboramos fielmente en nombre de la ciudad de Dios en nuestro mundo, una morada de mayor justicia, paz y esperanza para todos, desde el primer momento de nuestra existencia, hasta nuestro último aliento.

Formation of conscience for faithful citizenship

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By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
As the elections loom before us, both national, statewide and local, the Catholic Church affirms the value of one vote as well as the value of contributing to the wellbeing of society and neighborhoods wherever and whenever this is possible. It’s too easy to get caught up in the malaise of a feeling of powerlessness in the face of society’s thorny problems, but the most important thing to focus on is what we can do in a democracy. With regard to elections, loving our neighbor and caring for the least among us means supporting leaders and policies that promote the common good and protect society’s most vulnerable members. Day-in and day-out there are endless possibilities for serving others, empowering, and advocating. Helping Catholics to recognize and act on this social dimension of our faith is an essential task for Church leaders. Therefore, there are fundamental questions that need to be posed in the election season.
Some people question whether religion and politics should ever interact. What do the bishops say in response to this criticism? What is the role of the Church in political life?
What is the connection between our faith and the desire to change the world for the better?
What types of leaders does our society need? For what should they stand and how should they lead?
Why do the bishops and all concerned Church leaders encourage all Catholics, whether able to vote or not, to be involved in political life? What are other ways, in addition to voting, that you can be involved in advocacy for important issues?
What do the bishops mean when they say, “Both opposing evil and doing good are essential obligations?” Why are both, not just one or the other, important for Catholics? What are examples of intrinsically evil acts and why must they always be opposed? What are examples of the basic needs of our neighbors which we must ensure are fulfilled? What might your own actions to avoid evil and to do good look like?
How might public policies and laws be different if the moral principles from Faithful Citizenship were used as a basis for political decisions?
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Rights and Responsibilities
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Solidarity
Care for God’s Creation
Centuries ago Socrates made the bold statement that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” There is no doubt that an active life directed toward the common good and solidarity are essential for the just ordering of society and for building up the Kingdom of God. However, the assumption underlying these principles is the capacity for a person to step aside, reflect, pray, study, be still, embrace silence, and engage in meaningful dialogue in order to take a long loving look in search of what is real. This balance adds considerable value to our lives. The formation of one’s conscience flows from both dynamics, the active and the reflective, Martha and Mary so to speak. It is a powerful feedback loop that can bear much fruit, action and contemplation in a lifelong dance.
What is conscience? What is prudence? How does one develop a well-formed conscience and the virtue of prudence?
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1784 The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. From the earliest years, it awakens the child to the knowledge and practice of the interior law recognized by conscience. Prudent education teaches virtue; it prevents or cures fear, selfishness and pride, resentment arising from guilt, and feelings of complacency, born of human weakness and faults. The education of the conscience guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart. #1785 In the formation of conscience the Word of God is a light for our path. We must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord’s Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the church
Reflection questions:
When has my conscience guided me to “do good and avoid evil”?
What are some key resources I can use to form my conscience?
Forming conscience is a “lifelong task.” What do I do to regularly form my conscience? What more should I do?
What advice might you give to a friend who is trying to decide between two candidates, neither of which fully share the Church’s commitment to the dignity of the human person? This might require the wisdom of Solomon.
The bishops describe two “temptations in public life” that voters can fall into: first, “moral equivalence” which “makes no ethical distinctions between different kinds of issues involving human life and dignity,” and second, the misuse of moral distinctions “as a way of dismissing or ignoring serious threats to human life and dignity.” Describe a situation in which you witnessed one or both of these lines of thought. Why are they both distortions of the Church’s teaching?
What role should they play in our decisions about who we vote for and how we advocate for change?
In the words of Pope Francis, “progress in building a people in peace, justice and fraternity depends on four principles related to constant tensions present in every social reality.” These derive from the pillars of the Church’s social doctrine, which serve as ‘primary and fundamental parameters of reference interpreting social and political reality. The four principles include the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity. Taken together, these principles provide a moral framework for Catholic engagement in advancing what we have called a “consistent ethic of life”
Apart from principled living, and the authentic formation of conscience, fear and greed motivate our decisions, or a blind allegiance to a particular political party no matter whom they serve up. Guided by the Holy Spirit, may we choose rightly as we faithfully labor on behalf of the City of God in our world, a dwelling place of greater justice, peace, and hope for all, from the first moment of our existence until our final breath.
(Editor’s note: Read part one of this two-part column on www.mississippicatholic.com.)