August 5
50 years – Golden Jubilee
Msgr. Elvin Sunds
Retired
August 14
Father Anthony Claret
Chuckwuma Onyeocha
St. Joseph, Woodville &
Holy Family Mission, Gloster
August 16
49 years
Father Joseph Dyer
Retired
September 15
39 years
Father Bill Henry
Retired
Thank you for answering the call!
By St. Catherine’s Village
MADISON – Like many people in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the signs were there for Carolyn Hall: forgetfulness, struggling to find the right words, not paying a few bills on time. But Mrs. Hall was only in her late 50s, so she and her husband Jerry looked to their doctor for other explanations. After extensive research, Mr. Hall’s fears were confirmed … his wife did have dementia. And that’s when his journey to memory care at St. Catherine’s Village began.
At first, Mr. Hall cared for Mrs. Hall at their home in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Things were going okay until COVID-19 hit and accelerated Mrs. Hall’s cognitive decline. Even after bringing in in-home caregivers and nurses, caring for her became too much for him to handle. A work associate had retired to St. Catherine’s Village and Mr. Hall knew a board member at the all-inclusive Life Plan Community, so he checked the property out. After visiting, he knew this was the place where his wife would have the best quality of life.
Mr. Hall’s hope was to have Mrs. Hall admitted into Campbell Cove memory care on the St. Catherine’s Village campus. Unfortunately, it was determined she needed more support, and she was accepted into skilled nursing in Hughes Center. Directly connected to Campbell Cove, Hughes Center offers person-centered care with sensory-stimulating and enriching activities to help preserve each resident’s cognitive health. Another advantage of skilled nursing was that a physician visited Mrs. Hall in Hughes Center so she would not have to leave her familiar surroundings, which often caused agitation.
Soon after moving in, Mrs. Hall’s condition improved … so much so that the staff at St. Catherine’s Village recommended she move into Campbell Cove. While it’s common for residents to move from memory care to skilled nursing, it’s rare that someone moves from skilled nursing to memory care.
Being able to receive the right level of care at the right time on the same campus is one of the main benefits of living in an all-inclusive Life Plan Community like St. Catherine’s Village. Residents can transition from one service level to another while remaining in a familiar environment. Becoming a member of the St. Catherine’s Village Life Plan Community did require an up-front investment from the Halls. However, Mr. Hall – a retired banker – realized the long-term financial stability was worth it.
Now 74, Mrs. Hall is doing well in Campbell Cove … interacting with others, and dancing, doing a little soft shoe. She feels comfortable, which is a great comfort for Mr. Hall. He sings the praises of everyone at St. Catherine’s Village and believes Mrs. Hall is getting the best care possible – care that he could not duplicate on his own at home.
He also appreciates that St. Catherine’s Village is a Christian organization and calls the community is a blessing. The couple’s daughter and her family live nearby in Madison and she visits her mom weekly. Although their son is in Memphis, he agrees that St. Catherine’s Village is the right place for Mrs. Hall.
Located on 160 picturesque acres in Madison, St. Catherine’s Village is a private, gated community boasting a caring staff, on-site resident-centered care, and a mission-focused environment. It was the first CCRC in Mississippi to earn accreditation by CARF-CCAC. This “commitment to excellence” seal signifies that the campus exceeds the standards established by the only international accrediting body for Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC).
On campus are independent living in apartments and garden homes, assisted living in Marian Hall, memory care in Campbell Cove, and skilled nursing in Hughes Center, Siena Center and Tuscany.
To learn more about senior living options at St. Catherine’s Village Life Plan Community, log onto www.StCatherinesVillage.com or call (601) 856-0123 to schedule a tour.
By Ivory Phillips
This past weekend more than 3000 Black Catholics from more than 80 dioceses across the country gathered in National Harbor, Maryland, one of the newer suburbs of Washington, D.C. It was the thirteenth National Black Catholic Congress. Although the theme was, “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive,” in many ways the meeting was dedicated to addressing the existence of racism in the church and in the society wherein the church exists. Effectively addressing racism would go a long way in developing that vision and enabling the Black Catholic Church to thrive.
The sponsoring organization of the convention was the National Black Catholic Congress. It had come into existence in 1889 under the leadership and at the initiative of Daniel Rudd, a Black publisher and outspoken, faithful Catholic layman. Between 1889 and 1894, five if these congresses were held, calling for equality in the Catholic Church, the elimination of societal racial oppression and promoting strategies of Black self-help. After the 1894 convention, however, the movement died until it was revived in 1987, largely through the efforts of Bishop John Ricard, who attended the National Black Catholic Congress last week.
There were numerous things that clearly showed today’s Black Catholics walking in the footsteps of Daniel Rudd. Along the line of Rudd and his contemporaries calling for equality, these Catholics spoke of racial equality, White supremacy and racism.
The issue was more than subtly emphasized by the fact that there was a commissioned portrait of the baby Jesus and his mother Mary as beautiful Black people positioned in several locations in the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center, which was headquarters for the meeting. The portrait inspired many to pose beside them and to glory in their own blackness. The matter of struggling against racism was also illuminated by the repeated focus on the racist burdens borne by the six Black American saints who are on the road to sainthood, especially, those who had racist obstacles placed before them in their efforts to answer the call to the priesthood and religious life and/or were discriminated against in their efforts to serve.
During The National Black Catholic Congress XIII, the two major keynote speakers, His Eminence, Wilton Cardinal Gregory and Dr. Omekongo Dibinga, addressed the existence and destructiveness of racism. Cardinal Gregory dwelt more on the sinfulness and divisiveness of racism and the role that strong adherence to the faith and devotion to the eucharist can play in healing the nation from the historical impact of racism. Dr. Dibinga, used contemporary rap or the hip-hop genre to inspire people in an effort to utilize their human resources to overcome racism, poverty, and self-image problems. In both cases, they were able to easily connect with the audience and elicit resounding supportive responses.
Perhaps, even more amazing was the fact that the homilies during the Masses on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were all received by tremendous applauds from the congregations. On Friday, Washington, D.C. Archbishop Wilton Cardinal Gregory, used that day’s scripture reading to talk about the need for Black Catholic visionaries; to publicize the types of visions discernable in the lives of the six African Americans being seriously considered for sainthood; to point to Father Clarence J. Rivers as a visionary and Dr. Martin L. King as the greatest of the contemporary visionaries; and to show how those visionaries, align with the revelations of Jesus in the pursuit of freedom. On Saturday, Bishop Jacques Fabre Jenne of Charleston South Carolina, used the story of Mary Magdalene to talk about the racism underlying the means of securing and enslaving African people during the Atlantic Slave Trade. He ended his talk by utilizing one of the youth altar servers to illustrate an act of freedom and liberation. On Sunday, Bishop Emeritus John Ricard of Pensacola/Tallahassee added to the four-day conversation on the evils of racism and what has to happen to diminish and destroy it. He ended his homily by urging the audience to let the spirit rain down upon them so that they can do miraculous things regarding eliminating racism and other problems faced by contemporary Americans and urging Catholics to not let the fire go out as was lighted by the likes of Daniel Rudd and the six African Americans on the road to sainthood – Father Augustus Tolton, Mrs. Julia Greeley, Mother Mary Lange, Mr. Pierre Toussaint, Mother Henriette Delillie, and Sister Thea Bowman.
In addition to the keynote speakers and clergymen who preached, the planners of the convention had set the agenda to challenge racism through at least twenty Break-Out Sessions. Although the title of each session may not in every instance indicate that they were about racism, the following sessions, several of which were presented in two or three different time slots, were staged through the first three days of the convention: (1) Synodality, Black Catholic Spirituality, and the Racial Divide, (2) Exploring Catechesis from an Afrocentric Perspective, (3) Strengthening the Spirit for Turbulent Times and Beyond, (4) Saints: Witnesses for Our Times and a Testimony of Holiness, (5)What We Have Seen and Heard for the 21st Century, (6) Developing Catechetical Resources from an Afrocentric Perspective, (7) The Preserving Black Churches Grant Program: Two Success Programs, (8) See, Judge, Act: How Youth Can Use Faith to Become Active Champions for Justice, (9) Sojourning Towards Racial Justice, (10) Let’s Talk: Black Catholics are Thriving, (11) Six Black Americans on the Journey to Sainthood, (12) A White Man’s Journey into Biblical Black History, (13) Made for Such a Time: Gifts of Black Catholics for the 21st Century Church, (14) Let Our Healing Begin, (15) Pastoral Lessons from Father Clarence Joseph Rivers, and (16) Are the Prolife and Racial Justice Movements Incompatible? Each Break-Out Sessions was a one-hour discussion period wherein presenters introduced researched topics, which were followed by questions and comments from the audience.
Three of the most informative sessions, which dealt with White supremacy or racism were: What We Have Seen and Heard, Sojourning Towards Racial Justice, and Synodality, Black Catholic Spirituality, and the Racial Divide. In the What We Have Seen and Heard session, Bishop Emeritus Terry Steib of the Diocese of Memphis explained that Black Catholic parishioners in the late 1980s complained and wanted to hear from what had grown to be 10 Black bishops regarding the continued racism in the Catholic Church. In response, the document, “What We Have Seen and Heard,” a 1984 pastoral letter from the Black bishops was produced. That document spelled out the gifts that were possessed by Black people that needed to be more widely accepted in the Catholic Church. It was also designed to challenge the church leadership to understand that the Black bishops and Black church people were not children in the church, but mature, gifted souls who needed to be accepted and treated as such. Ali Mumbach, a Master’s degree student at Howard University, followed him, explaining how there are similar needs in the church today as the statistics for Black Catholics decline and as there is a rise in materialism secularism, individualism, and relativism effecting society.
In the Sojourning Towards Racial Justice session, Adrienne Curry gave a brief history of racial oppression in America, beginning in 1619. This was followed by a listing of papal documents, outlining Catholic social reaching as it related to slavery, freedom, race and human brotherhood. She then proceeded to spent some time defining racism and its various manifestations. Her talk concluded with a discussion of the fact that there had been only four documents on racism issued by America’s Catholic bishops since the supreme court issued Brown the Board decision in 1954. One was issued in 1958, affirming that court decision. One was issued in 1968, after the Kerner Report on the urban riots of that year. One was issued in 1979, calling racism a sin. One was issued in 2018, which was a response to the “What We Have Seen and Heard” letter from the Black bishops. She indicated that in each case, the documents were inadequate and/or not highly publicized.
In the Synodality, Black Catholic Spirituality, and the Racial Divide session, Daryl Grigsby talked about the gifts that are possessed by Black Catholics that are underappreciated and underutilized; the fact that too often whatever that is positive that comes out of the synodality sessions is not openly shared with or embraced in White parishes. He also shared statistics which showed that White Protestant Evangelicals were the most likely people to accept or see current police misconduct against Black and Brown people as non-racial and to reject the idea of reparations for Black and Native Americans, but that Catholics were not far behind. Individuals with no religious affiliations were much less racist in such regards than either those who are Protestant or Catholic.
Throughout the convention, it was clear that many Catholics were concerned that in terms of liturgy- music, prayers, greetings, and various forms of celebration and personal interactions-the church was too restrictive, stifling Black cultural expression; that too often what was considered as sacred or Catholic was merely examples of White cultural preferences; that one can be fully black and fully Catholic at the same time. In addition to the issue of cultural preference, however, there were also complaints about incidences of White personal attitudinal expressions, Black people being ignored or treated differently. One presenter suggested that it would be easier to attract others to the Catholic Church “if we cleaned-up our house first.”
Beyond the examples of racism in the church itself, there was concern about examples of racism that are manifest by governmental and public bodies. Several speakers pointed to decisions of the courts in things like health care, voting rights, food, criminal justice, educational funding, curriculum distortions, and educational freedom. One person was highly applauded when she made the observation that politicians, including Catholics, need to bring as much passion to the fight for racial justice as they do to the fight against abortion.
Based upon what was seen and heard at the XIII National Black Catholic Congress, there seems to be a serious movement to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Rudd and others to challenge racism and to do so with the full weight of the Black Catholic Church. More than a few of the attendees expressed the idea that they had become Catholic because the teachings of the Catholic Church had encouraged them to act boldly in the area of racial equality and that they do not intend to turn-back. Daniel Rudd would be proud of the work that the National Black Catholic Congress continues to do.
By Joe Lee
JACKSON – The reality of being presented with a medal awarded by Pope Francis is difficult for Christine Love to get her mind around.
Recently retired after more than five decades of serving as housekeeper, caretaker, and trusted friend to Jackson Diocese Bishops Gerow, Brunini, Houck, Latino and Kopacz, the soft-spoken member of Cathedral of St. Peter’s the Apostle Church was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross for her fifty-plus years of dedicated service to the Office of the Bishop.
“It makes me feel good. It makes me feel happy. It makes me feel like I’m going to heaven,” Love said of the medal, which was announced at the Vatican in February and presented to her by Bishop Joseph Kopacz at the Cathedral in late June. (Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, as translated, means “for the church and pope.” See accompanying story.)
A graduate of Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Love earned an undergraduate degree from Campbell College (now Jackson State University) six decades ago. When her husband, A.G., a building contractor, was temporarily ill early in their marriage, Love enrolled in nursing school at Hinds Community College.
“I was just about finished. Pharmacology was my last class,” Love recalled. “I was told, ‘You’re just like a nurse. Come on.’ I started with the Professional Nurses Registry and worked for them a year or so before going on out my own. That’s what led to my work with the diocese and the bishops.”
A major turning point in her life was an opportunity to serve as a private duty nurse for Bishop Gerow, to whom she grew close. Gerow retired in 1967 and was succeeded by Bishop Joseph Brunini, but Love continued to sit with him as his health worsened over the years.
“At the end, Bishop Gerow’s home was at St. Dominic Hospital. He passed away in my arms,” she said. “After he passed, I began working with Sister Claudia Murphy, taking care of the senior citizens of the diocese. When Bishop Houck came along, I started working for him at his home.”
There were lots of lighthearted moments over the years. Love recalls Bishop William Houck always being able to tell a good joke and remembers his Frank Sinatra records; she said Bishop Joseph Latino enjoyed discussing the news and television shows. Using the words “perfectionist” and “tidy” to describe all five men, Love said she built a rapport with each and earned a level of trust that brought her into their inner circles.
“I’ve known Christine more than 35 years,” said Diocesan Chancellor Mary Woodward. “I got to know her better when I started coordinating the dinners Bishop Houck would host at his townhouse. Christine would be getting the house in tip-top shape for guests while I would be chopping lemons and carrots.
“She is one of the kindest people I know. Traits of hers that I think endeared her to each bishop were her dedication to their well-being, availability at the drop of a hat, her knowledge of the household and of each bishop’s personality. She would know exactly how Bishop Houck would want something, compared to how Bishop Latino would like it. Each one she served was unique, and she was very good at adapting to each one’s modus operandi.”
While Love and A.G. raised five kids (all of whom graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and went on to college), she juggled being a band mom, soccer mom and sports mom while being flexible when it came to her responsibilities for each bishop.
“With my arrival in the Diocese of Jackson, Christine extended her dedicated service to me at my home with weekly house cleaning,” Bishop Kopacz said. “I note ‘extended her service’ because at the time of my arrival she was also attending to Bishop Houck and Bishop Latino.
“She worked with others to prepare my house to receive guests for special events, and she always made sure my Labrador Retriever had some extra loving and treats. She’s rightly enjoying a well-deserved retirement surrounded by her children, grandchildren and friends. I and the Bishops who preceded me – Bishops Gerow, Brunini, Houck and Latino – are eternally grateful for her dedicated care, her strong faith in the Lord Jesus, and her love for the church.”
“I tried to bring honesty and work ethic to whatever I did,” Love said. “Bishop Houck always encouraged me. He said, ‘You can do it. You can make it. I want to see those kids graduate from St. Joe.’ He encouraged me to open my own business and was very proud when I created Love Janitorial Services 18 years ago.”
“Christine is a very circumspect person,” Woodward said. “She and I could discuss important matters about the household, but it would never go beyond us. She understood the life of a bishop and had an immense amount of respect for the office and the man in it. Maintaining a bishop’s house is an awesome responsibility, and Christine was an extremely valued and trusted person by each bishop. I knew if I called her to come check on something she would be on her way before we even hung up the phone.”
Love says she’ll always get a bit emotional when talking about Bishops Gerow, Houck, Brunini, Latino and Kopacz and the impact all have had on her life.
“I can’t say I’ll miss the work,” she said, “but I’ll always miss my bishops.”
From the decree issued by Pope Francis on February 21 at the Vatican:
“Francis, supreme pontiff, has deigned and elected to bestow the august insignia cross “pro ecclesia et pontifice” upon Lady Christine Love, for her excellent works and outstanding diligence, thus making it possible for her to adorn herself with this medal, having earned it through great service to the church and in particular the office of the bishop.”
While rare for a sitting pope to award a medal to anyone from the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, it has happened several times.
“At the request of Bishop Joseph Latino, Pope Benedict XVI awarded Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross in 2012,” said Diocesan Chancellor Mary Woodward. “He also, at the same time, bestowed the Benemerenti Medal on Judy Cannon, former administrative assistant to Bishops Brunini, Houck and Latino, and Bill Dunning, former diocesan finance officer.
“The medals are requested by the local bishop and an extensive application is completed and reviewed by the papal office at the Vatican. Several individuals were awarded the Pro Ecclesia in the 1950s and 60s.”
By Joanna King and Staff Reports
JACKSON – The seven remaining Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Jackson have collectively decided to join diocesan Catholic high schools in the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS). This summer, St. Anthony, Madison; St. Elizabeth, Clarksdale; St. Patrick, Meridian; St. Richard, Jackson; Sr. Thea Bowman, Jackson; Sacred Heart, Southaven; and Holy Family, Holly Springs became the newest members of MAIS.
“We are very excited about this move as it broadens our opportunities for student activities and educator professional development and widens the professional network among our nonpublic and independent school counterparts,” said Karla Luke, executive director of Catholic education for the diocese.
With this decision, all diocesan schools and early learning centers in the Diocese of Jackson will remain internationally accredited by Cognia, Inc. Additionally, the Office of Education will withdraw membership from state accreditation obtained through the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE).
“We are proud of our Cognia accreditation as it is based on a strict set of school improvement principles and is aligned with the National Catholic Education Association’s adopted National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS),” said Luke.
The state accreditation obtained through MDE is a regional performance-based accreditation centered on adherence to and compliance with a set of requirements established by the Mississippi State Board of Education. Cognia, through its partnership with MAIS, operates on the principle of continuous school improvement. This difference allows school administrators and their organizational leadership to render important education-related decisions based on the needs of their community. The NSBECS standards, incorporated in the Cognia accreditation process, advocate that a concentrated focus on continuous improvement will increase a school’s effectiveness and viability.
This recent decision results from months of research, consultation with Bishop Joseph Kopacz, pastors, advisory council members, teachers and administrators. “The decision is borne out of a desire to exercise more flexibility in intentionally aligning our Catholic identity and mission with instructional and managerial practices that set our schools apart,” said Luke.
The move to MAIS will increase offerings in professional development for teachers, educational leadership training for administrators, academic competitions for elementary students, and exciting extracurricular activities for both athletic and non-athletic students. Students can participate in activities like art, chess, creative writing, choir, quiz bowl, spelling bees, drone competitions, robotics and eighteen competitive sports programs offered through MAIS.
“I am very excited about the level of support our staff will receive in professional development and the increased opportunities for our students throughout the year. Activities like the Reading Fair and Science Olympiad will allow our students to participate in academic competitions with their peers. MAIS works with its member schools to create educational communities that share ideals, values and priorities with children, teachers, and families,” said Sarah Cauthen, principal of St. Elizabeth School in Clarksdale.
School administrators have attended several district meetings and have been warmly welcomed by the members of MAIS.
“We are excited to welcome the Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Jackson as part of this great organization. We look forward to the collaboration with Catholic school leaders and current members of MAIS as we share resources and ideas to build a stronger Mississippi through education,” said executive director, Dr. Shane Blanton at a diocesan principal’s meeting last week.
Chris Payne, principal of Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, says, he’s excited about joining MAIS because of its dedication to supporting their schools.
“You feel a presence of community and fellowship which has made this transition worthwhile. The teacher and administrative development available to us as members is not only beneficial but cost effective. I’m excited for the collaboration of ideas and resources that we will take full advantage of,” said Payne.
This move is among the many exciting plans diocesan office, administrators, and advisory councils have developed for the 2023-2024 school year. “We look forward to continuing our high expectations for our students in spiritual and intellectual formation through their education in Catholic Schools,” said Luke.
“Please keep our school communities in your prayers for a successful transition and a happy and productive school year.”
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Sister Nona Meyerhofer, OSF, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis, celebrated her
Double Diamond Jubilee (70 years) on Sunday, June 18, at Mount St. Francis Center in Dubuque.
Sister Nona served as a teacher and educator in Iowa and Illinois and served from 1999 – 2009 at Excel, Inc., Morton, Mississippi, as director and teacher. In June of 2009 Sister Nona retired to Mount Saint Francis Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
Sister Rita Goedken, OSF, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis, of Dubuque, celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years) on Saturday, June 17, at Mount St. Francis Center in Dubuque.
Sister Rita is the daughter of Alfred and Loretta (Koch) Goedken and is blessed to be one of their 12 children. She attended SS. Peter and Paul School in Petersburg, St. Boniface High School in New Vienna, and Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa. Later she did graduate work at Central Michigan University and at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York. Over the years, she taught at Aquin Elementary School, Cascade, Iowa; St. Joe, Bode, Iowa; St. Paul School, Eugene, Oregon; and Our Lady Help of Christians School, Saginaw, Michigan. She has served in parish ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in
Chesaning, Michigan, St. Patrick Parish in Palms, Michigan and at St. Victor Parish in Monroe, Wisconsin. After serving on the Sisters of St. Francis’ leadership team, she traveled to Morton, Mississippi, and served as the program coordinator for the Learning Center. Now living at Mount St. Francis Center, Sister Rita continues to be immensely grateful for a life of rich blessings.
“God is good all the time. All the time, God is good!” said Sister Rita on the occasion of her Jubilee.
Cards can be sent to Sister Nona and Sister Rita at 3390 Windsor Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001.
By Joanna Puddister King
GREENVILLE – The Catholic community of Sacred Heart in Greenville, came together on Saturday, June 24 to celebrate the momentous occasion of the 100th anniversary of St. Augustine Seminary. The special Mass, presided over by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, was attended by Society of the Divine Word (SVD) priests from around the diocese and beyond, who joined in commemorating the seminary’s rich history and remarkable contributions.
The origins of St. Augustine Seminary can be traced back to the early 20th century when the Society of the Divine Word, known for their commitment to justice and peace, ventured into the Deep South. Despite the challenging backdrop of the Jim Crow era, the SVD priests saw an opportunity to promote equality and progress by establishing Sacred Heart seminary in 1920. This groundbreaking initiative marked the creation of the first school for African American candidates for the priesthood in the United States.
Recognizing the need for greater resources and a more conducive environment, the SVD made the decision to relocate the seminary to Bay St. Louis in 1923, within the boundaries of the Diocese of Jackson (nee Natchez), where a larger Catholic community and increased support were available. With this move, the seminary was renamed St. Augustine, an homage to the great theologian and philosopher.
During the commemorative Mass, Bishop Kopacz acknowledged the significance of the SVD’s mission and the impact of their work, remarking on their steadfast commitment to the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus – to make disciples of all the nations.
Bishop Kopacz also shed light on the profound influence of Father Arnold Jansen, the founder of the Society of the Divine Word, and his unwavering dedication to the Gospel. Father Jansen’s vision for the SVD was rooted in the belief that announcing the Gospel was the “greatest act of charity,” said Bishop Kopacz.
“Blessings to all who are part of the Society of the Divine Word, and much gratitude for your continuing presence in the Diocese of Jackson, now for well over 100 years.”
The 100th anniversary celebration of St. Augustine Seminary, scheduled for later this year, promises to be a significant milestone in the history of the seminary and a testament to the ongoing legacy of justice and mission embraced by the Society of the Divine Word.
July 16
Deacon Mark Bowden
St. Jude, Pearl
Deacon Dien Hoang
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson
Deacon Wesley Lindsay
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson
Deacon John Pham
St. Michael, Forest
Deacon David Rouch
St. Michael, Vicksburg
Deacon Tony Schmidt
St. Paul, Flowood
August 5
Msgr. Elvin Sunds
Retired
August 14
Fr. Anthony Claret Chukwuma Onyeocha
St. Joseph, Woodville & Holy Family Mission, Gloster
August 16
Fr. Joe Dyer
Retired
Thank you for answering the call!
By Laura Grisham
SOUTHAVEN – The Mississippi SCJs, Dehonian Associates and members of the six parishes celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and 100 years of ministry in the US with Mass and dinner at Christ the King Church in Southaven on Friday, June 16.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz of Jackson was the presider and heralded the work of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, commending them on their 100th anniversary in the United States and good works in Mississippi.
Speaking on Priests of the Sacred Heart’s commitment, Bishop Kopacz said, “Going in different directions from Europe to the United States and beyond … this is really the impulse, the beating heart of Christ going out to all the nations, making disciples of all the nations. We celebrate 100 years of Dehonian commitment and charism. It has been in our midst for generations in this diocese, with ministries that respond … to the broken of the world.”
“In that spirit, we give thanks this evening, using the words of Pope Francis. He speaks of encountering, accompanying others and showing them the face of Christ. We can certainly say in the reality of Southern Missions and the 100 years (of the Priests of the Sacred Heart) in our country, that so many in the Dehonian community … have revealed the loving Sacred Heart of Christ,” said Bishop Kopacz.
100 Years of Dehonian Ministry in the United States
This year the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians) celebrate their 100th year of ministry in the United States. Beginning with a Palm Sunday Mass in 1923 at St. Mary’s Church in Lower Brule, South Dakota, the ministries of the US Province now extend from South Dakota to Wisconsin, Mississippi, Texas and Florida, reaching across ethnic, social and economic lines.
Dehonians, Priests of the Sacred Heart, SCJs – several names for a religious community of priests and brothers with a single mission: bringing the love of the Sacred Heart to those in the greatest of need.
SOUTHAVEN – Bishop Joseph Kopacz, the Mississippi SCJs and Dehonian associates paused after Mass for a group photo. The group recently celebrated 100 years of Dehnonian ministry in the US. The Priests of the Sacred Heart minister to several states – from South Dakota to Wisconsin, Mississippi, Texas and Florida. (Photo by Brother Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ)
