By Mary Woodward JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz will be leading a Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage to Rome and environs from Oct. 25 through Nov. 3. The pilgrimage will visit the holy sites of Rome then venture off to the Abbey at Montecasino, down to Padre Pio’s home, then up to Assisi. See the ad with QR code to find more information on the trip. It will be an amazing time.
The year 2025 was proclaimed the Jubilee of Hope by Pope Francis maintaining the tradition of having a Jubilee Year in the church every 25 years. Pilgrims can travel to Rome and visit the Holy Doors of the four major basilicas of our church – St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Peter. Pilgrimages have been going on for millennia. They are designed to allow the traveler a chance to deepen her/his faith by walking in the footsteps of the Lord and his apostles. A jubilee is based on Leviticus 25 when a sabbatical year for farming was taken every seven years to let the soil regenerate then after the seventh sabbatical (50 years) a jubilee of forgiving all debts, freeing all captives and proclaiming sight to the blind would occur. The church eventually proclaimed jubilee years every 25 years so that more pilgrims could go on spiritual journeys.
Msgr. Paul McInerny, retired Canon of St. Mary Major, points out the details on the Holy Door at St. Mary Major during a pilgrimage led by Bishop Joseph Latino in 2006. (Photo courtesy of Mary Woodward)
Back in 2000, the last Jubilee year which crossed from one millennium to the next, Bishop William Houck led a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. In between jubilees various holy years have been held such as the 500th anniversary of the Vatican Museum in 2006 and the Year of Mercy in 2016. Bishop Joseph Latino led a pilgrimage for the 2006 holy year.
Since not everyone is able to make a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee, Bishop Kopacz has designated several Jubilee Churches in our diocese that were recommended to him by the deaneries. Those churches are the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, the Basilica of St. Mary in Natchez, St. Patrick in Meridian, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Greenwood, St. Joseph in Greenville, St. Elizabeth in Clarksdale, St. Joseph in Holly Springs, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Houston, St. Francis of Assisi in New Albany, and St. Mary in Iuka.
Visiting Rome or one of these churches offers the opportunity to gain a jubilee plenary indulgence. To obtain the indulgence one must visit one of the churches and participate in Mass or adoration while there, pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, and go to confession within eight days of the visit.
Throughout this year look for moments to be a beacon of hope for others. Hope is the theme for the year and our world needs us as Christians to reflect and embody a spirit of hope to counter all the anxiety and fear all around us. It is my hope that you will have a blessed jubilee filled with faith, hope, and love, and that you will journey deeper into the heart of God – source of all hope.
(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)
By Laura Grisham WALLS – The renovations at the Father John Flanagan Catholic Center in Walls, commonly known as the Flanagan Center, are finally complete – and the facility is now open for business.
On Jan. 15, the final client files were transferred, and new office furniture was moved in, marking the completion of a much-needed overhaul. Plans for the remodel began in 2021, with more than 20 layout changes carefully finalized over two years before construction commenced in May 2023.
Over the years, the Flanagan Center has served many purposes, including operating as a thrift store, locker rooms for Sacred Heart High School, office spaces, and a food pantry. Today, it houses Sacred Heart Southern Mission’s main food pantry operations, the Volunteer Program staff, Walls Social Services, and the HIV/AIDS program.
WALLS – Renovations at the Father John Flanagan Catholic Center in Walls, Mississippi has been recently completed. Remodeling and renovations took approximately two years to complete and reimagined the existing footprint of the Center and transformed to better serve clients in need through a variety of programs. (Photo courtesy of Laura Grisham)
The ever-growing demand for food assistance made increased cold storage a necessity. Since 2016, SHSM’s annual food distribution has surged from 280,068 pounds to nearly 1.4 million pounds by 2022. Initially, the plan was to add a second walk-in freezer, but further discussions led to an even better solution.
By reimagining the building’s footprint, SHSM developed a new, more efficient layout. While the original walk-in freezer remains, the rest of the space has been completely transformed – to the delight of employees and clients alike. The former disjointed maze of offices and storage spaces has been replaced with a welcoming reception and waiting area, complete with a public restroom. A series of private offices for social workers and volunteer staff now occupy the front of the building, while a spacious breakroom/conference room serves as a hub between the office space and the state-of-the-art food pantry in the back.
The renovations also expanded the building by more than 1,150 square feet – allowing for the installation of a massive new refrigerator/freezer unit. The new cold storage space measures 48 feet by 24 feet, with 36 feet designated for freezer storage and the remaining 12 feet for refrigeration. Double-wide, 54-inch doors enable full pallets of food to be easily moved in and out using pallet jacks. Additionally, approximately 3,000 square feet of dry goods storage has been incorporated, along with a backup generator to maintain refrigeration during power outages.
These upgrades have nearly quadrupled our food storage capacity, ensuring we can meet the growing needs of our communities for years to come. The newly designed Flanagan Center provides a spacious, welcoming environment for clients and staff alike, further strengthening our mission to serve those in need.
Since 1942, Sacred Heart Southern Missions – through the generosity of volunteers and donors – has provided essential services to individuals and families living in poverty. Our outreach includes six parishes, two Catholic elementary schools (the only ones in northwest Mississippi), six social service offices, an HIV/AIDS ministry, a volunteer program, housing assistance, a thrift store, a soup kitchen and six food pantries that serve thousands each year. With the newly renovated Flanagan Center, we are better equipped than ever to continue our mission of sharing God’s love and mercy with those in need.
(Laura Grisham is the PR and Communications manager for Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Walls, Mississippi.)
By Deacon Tony Schmidt As part of the ongoing effort to highlight the permanent diaconate as a viable vocation pathway for men in the Diocese of Jackson, it is my hope that this article can pull back the curtain to reveal a glimpse of the life as a permanent deacon. Because of varied settings in which a deacon can serve, a typical day is as unique as the men who serve.
It is imperative to remember that the heart of the diaconate is service. Perhaps it is easy to place limitations on the diaconate by focusing on what faculties that Bishop Joseph Kopacz grants to each deacon upon his ordination as a deacon. However, the time spent by deacons performing faculty related tasks such as weddings, baptisms, funerals, proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, etc. pale in comparison to living among those we serve.
From a personal perspective, being a deacon requires me to remain fully engaged as a husband, father and grandfather while simultaneously being available for those whom I serve. The time spent serving on the altar with my mentor and parish priest, Father Gerry Hurley, comprises a small portion of my time, but remains the task that is the most visible. However, behind the scenes, my service can range from bringing the Eucharist to the souls confined to their home, nursing home, or hospital, spending time with the youth of our parish, accompanying the youth on mission trips to Catholic Heart Work Camp each summer, assisting with Confirmation retreats, leading OCIA, providing a confidential listening ear for those who are in need and sitting on various parish committees.
However, the single most important service as a deacon is placing myself on the sideline to effectively allow the whisper of the Holy Spirit to be heard and then to take action! Over the course of my life, but especially during diaconate formation and the time since ordination, the realization that I am called to serve is very real and constant theme. My ego wants to do grand things affecting a large segment of the world, but I’m called to serve who is in need in my own community. The diaconate is humbling in many ways; my service is really not about me … it truly is being the hands and feet of Jesus. The diaconate has assisted me to be a better husband, father, friend and child of God.
One aspect of the life of a deacon that is present in any service arena is the absolute need to connect on a human level with whom we are serving. From the very beginning of creation, humans were created to be in communion with one another. To be able to empathize, to listen so that we understand and to nonjudgmentally meet an individual where they are on their spiritual journey establishes trust and open lines of communication. It is through trust and communication, that the deacon can be of greatest value which is to allow the light of Christ to shine and thus illuminate the world. I love Jesus; therefore, I must love his children. Although he was not speaking about the diaconate, Thomas Aquinas encapsulates the mindset needed to have a fulfilling diaconal ministry by stating “To love is to will the good of the other.”
I encourage all men who are interested in the diaconate to check out the Permanent Diaconate section of the diocesan website at https://bit.ly/JacksonDiaconate for more information. Also, join one of the diaconate informational sessions that will be held throughout the diocese to learn about the heart of the diaconate.
(Deacon Tony Schmidt is a member of the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson. He serves St. Paul parish in Flowood.)
JACKSON – One of the hottest auction items at Krewe de Cardinal 2025 was a signed Tom Brady jersey. Pictured: Anna Neel showcases Brady’s autographed Nike Patriots Jersey (donated by Michael Simmons) to the crowd during Krewe de Cardinal’s Live Auction at the Westin. (Photo by Tereza Ma)King Hilary Zimmerman and Queen Helen Shirley of Krewe de Cardinal 2025 enjoying a dance together at St. Richard Catholic School’s largest fundraiser, held at The Westin in Jackson on February 15. (Photo by Valerie Caserta)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT CAMDEN – Sacred Heart, Intercultural Competence Workshop for Parish Leaders, Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Presenter: Deacon Juan Pagan of the Diocese of Lafayette. Explore what is culture and more. Details: Sister Amelia at amelia.breton@jacksondiocese.org.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Millions of Monicas – Praying with confidence for our children, each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church. Join with other mothers and grandmothers as we pray for our children’s faithful return to the church. Details: email millionsofmonicas@stjosephgluckstadt.com. PEARL – St. Jude, “Women and the Power of Prayer” Women’s Retreat, Saturday, March 15 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by the St. Jude Artisan Group. Details: Linda at (601) 573-8583 or maria.l.tynes@gmail.com.
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION – The OCE hosts a Zoom Rosary the first Wednesday of each month during the school year at 7 p.m. The upcoming Rosary is on March 5, hosted by members at the Chancery office. Details: Join the rosary via zoom at https://bit.ly/zoomrosary2024.
VIRTUAL – Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Stay with Me: Lenten Prayer for Disciples virtual event, Wednesdays from March 5 through April 9 at 7 p.m. Event is free. Register once for participation in any or all of the sessions at springfieldop.org/events. Hear reflections on the theme, enjoy periods of silence and sharing, and build a community of prayer for Lent. Details: call Sister Denise at (217) 787-0481.
VOCATIONS – Come and See Weekend, April 11-13 at St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana. Father Tristan Stovall is hosting an opportunity for young men age 16-18 to learn more about the priesthood, to begin discernment of a vocation and to connect with other teens who love their faith. Details: visit https://jacksonvocations.com/events for more information and to register. Deadline is April 3.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS CANTON – Holy Child Jesus, Musical Celebration in honor of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, Saturday, March 29 at 3 p.m. Details: “Cherie” Evans at arievans29@yahoo.com or (601) 259-1363. GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mardi Gras Chili Fest, Tuesday, March 4 from 5-7:30 p.m. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Drawdown 2025, Saturday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Grand prize is $5,000. Tickets cost $120; with additional $15 for second chance. Join us for fellowship, food, entertainment, silent auction and more! Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School, Trivia Night and Silent Auction, Saturday, March 22 from 7-9 p.m. in the school gym. Join us for trivia, door prizes, giveaways, split the pot raffle and more. Teams with max of eight players. Single players will be assigned a spot. Cost: $25 per player and $160 per table. BYOB and snacks. Doors open at 6 p.m. to decorate your table for a chance to win a prize. Details: register by emailing Allison at abaskin@shsm.org.
LENTEN MEALS/STATIONS CLINTON – Holy Savior, Stations and Lenten Meals, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 6 p.m., Lenten meals follow except on March 14. Knights Fish Fry on March 7 and 28 with cost of $9 per plate or $40 for family of 5+. Please RSVP for meals: holysavior@att.net.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Stations and Fish Dinner, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel with dinner in Activity Center following.
CORINTH – St. James the Less, Soup Supper and Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5 p.m.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Fish Fry, March 21 and April 11. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, KC Fish Fry, March 28 and April 11. Details: church office (662) 335-5251.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Soup and Stations, every Friday during Lent at 6:30 p.m. Fish Fry on Friday, April 4 from 4-7 p.m.
JACKSON – St. Richard, KC Fish Fry, March 21 and 28, and April 4 and 11 from 6-7:30 p.m.
NATCHEZ – Knights Fish Fry, every Friday during Lent from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Eat in or take out. Cost: catfish $12, shrimp $12 or combo $14. Dinner includes fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. For grilled catfish, call 30 minutes ahead to Darren at (601) 597-2890.
PEARL – St. Jude, Fish Fry, Every Friday during Lent following Stations at 6 p.m. Dine-in only.
STATIONS ONLY BATESVILLE – St. Mary, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 10:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. FOREST – St. Michael, Way of the Cross (Spanish), every Friday during Lent at 7 p.m. GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 6 p.m. GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5 p.m. JACKSON – St. Richard, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:15 p.m. NATCHEZ – Assumption, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. SARDIS – St. John, Stations, every Wednesday during Lent at 4:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 5 p.m.
PENANCE SERVICES CLINTON – Holy Savior, Reconciliation Service, Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Penance Service, Monday, April 7 at 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
LENTEN MISSIONS BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Lenten Mission with Father Aaron Williams – Spirit and Truth: Understanding the Word of God, March 13 and 14 from 6:30-8 p.m.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, “Hope in Mercy” Lenten Mission, March 23-25 from 6-7:30 p.m. Retreat features Tim Mowdy, Scott Owen and Ken Woodward as speakers. Reconciliation offered Monday, March 24 from 5-6 p.m.
STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Parish Mission – Plating Grace with Father Leo Patalinghug (author, speaker TV-radio host and famous cook), March 2-3 at 7 p.m. Bring the whole family for inspirational, interactive presentations. Details: church office (662) 323-2257.
PILGRIMAGES HOLY LAND – Pilgrimage to Holy Land: Join Father Mark Shoffner, pastor of St. John Oxford, July 21-31, 2025. Details: lpjp.org, then click on “All Pilgrimages” and “Holy Land.” Details: church office (662) 234-6073.
MARIAN SHRINES – Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines (Fatima, Spain and Lourdes) with Father Lincoln Dall and Deacon John McGregor, Sept, 15-24, 2025. Details: for more information visit www.206tours.com/frlincoln.
ROME/LISBON/FATIMA – Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, Lisbon and Fatima with Father Carlisle Beggerly, Oct. 4-15, 2025. Cost: $5,799 per person (includes airfare from anywhere in the U.S.) Details: contact Pat Nause at (601) 604-0412; Proximo Travel at (855) 842-8001 or proximotravel.com. Mention trip #1181.
The dedication of clergy like Father Jeffrey Waldrep, a priest of our diocese for over 34 years, and the critical support provided through programs like the Catholic Service Appeal (CSA) highlight the profound importance of caring for our priests who have devoted their lives to serving others. Ensuring that retired and active priests have access to comprehensive healthcare and assistance honors their commitment and strengthens the communities they serve.
Clergy Healthcare: A Vital Priority Father Jeffrey underscores the importance of comprehensive healthcare provided to diocesan priests, especially retirees like Father Sam Messina. Father Jeffrey said, “Now that I oversee Father Sam’s care, I had no idea of the costs of staying on top of a retired priest’s every day and long-term healthcare needs.” The CSA allocates $400,000 to support this effort, ensuring that priests like Father Sam receive essential care.
Clergy Assistance: Beyond Healthcare In addition to supplementing clergy healthcare needs, the $400,000 also supplements other forms of clergy assistance. One of the substantial needs is keeping up with documentation for our foreign priests faithfully serving in our diocese. Father Jeffrey noted, “It can get substantially costly and tedious keeping up with the latest documentation the US requires from different countries our foreign priests have originated from.” Clergy Assistance also extends to helping some of our retired priests with living expenses, a vital aspect of their care.
A Call to Action By contributing to the CSA, Father Jeffrey invites donors to actively participate in this mission of care and gratitude. The appeal is not merely a request for financial support but an invitation to join in expressing appreciation for our clergy’s lifelong service. The impact is heard every time Father Sam tells Father Jeffrey, “Thank you for taking care of me.” Father Jeffrey stated, “Supporting the initiatives of CSA allows us to give back to those who have given so much. It is an opportunity to ensure that the physical, emotional and practical needs of our priests are met, enabling us to continue our mission with dignity and peace of mind.”
