October 13
Father Justin Joseph
St. James Tupelo & St. Christopher Pontotoc
November 10
Deacon Mark White
Deacon Emeritus, Queen of Peace
Olive Branch
November 19
Father Jack Kurps, SCJ
Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi & Sacred Heart Southern Missions
November 27
Father Tim Murphy
St. James Tupelo & St. Christopher Pontotoc
Thank you for answering the call!
By Maria Weiring
(OSV News) – Almost two-thirds of Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but only 17% of adult Catholics physically attend Mass at least once per week, according to a newly published survey from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The survey also revealed a high correlation between belief in the Eucharist and weekly or even monthly Mass attendance.
The 2022 survey of self-identified Catholics published Sept. 26 and titled “Eucharist Beliefs: A National Survey of Adult Catholics” found 64% of respondents provided responses that indicate they believe in the Real Presence, that the Lord Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine in the Eucharist.
That conclusion was drawn from both open-ended and closed-ended questions respondents were asked about their understanding of church teaching about the Eucharist and additional questions to clarify their beliefs.
According to the CARA study, 49% of respondents correctly identified that the church teaches that “Jesus Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine.” The other 51% incorrectly identified the church’s teaching as “Bread and wine are symbols of Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper, meaning that Jesus is only symbolically present in the consecrated bread and wine.”
“Results of this question indicate that there is substantial confusion about what the church teaches about the Eucharist with slightly more adult Catholics not knowing this correctly than those correctly identifying the teachings,” the report stated.
The survey report noted the data from the responses to the questions indicated “most who do not believe in the Real Presence are not rejecting the teaching, as they do not know this is what the church teaches.”
The survey aimed to test or clarify the findings of a 2019 Pew Research Center survey that found one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with the church that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ. According to Pew’s analysis published in August 2019, “nearly seven-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion ‘are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.’ Just one-third of U.S. Catholics (31%) say they believe that ‘during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.’”
The 2019 Pew survey was part of the impetus for the National Eucharistic Revival that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops launched last year, and which will include a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July. The initiative aims “to inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist – and who are then sent out on mission ‘for the life of the world,’” its website states.
In a review of previous surveys asking Catholics about their belief in the Real Presence beginning with a 2008 American National Election Study, CARA indicated that the Pew Research Center’s phrasing for its question on the topic may have been confusing to respondents. CARA aimed to be as clear as possible with its survey’s approach, which is why it opened with an “unaided and open-ended question”: “In your own words, what do you believe happens to the gifts of bread and wine after Consecration during Mass?”
The new CARA study, while showing more Catholics believe in the Real Presence than in the Pew study, still underscores the need for the Eucharistic Revival, said Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, which is supporting the revival.
“It’s still not good news,” Bishop Cozzens, who also serves as board chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress nonprofit formed in 2022 to plan the national event, told OSV News. “What it reveals is that there’s … people who say they believe in the Eucharist, but they don’t go to Mass. In that sense, they obviously haven’t had a real encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.”
“This is what we’re about with the Eucharistic Revival, this encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist that lets me realize he’s a living person and that changes the way I live,” he continued.
The survey, however, “might actually show us we have more low-hanging fruit than we thought,” he said. “In other words, there are people who say they believe in the Eucharist, but they don’t go to Mass every week. … How do we invite them into an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist so that their lives can be changed?”
The survey found that knowledge of the church’s teaching on the Eucharist and belief that teaching is true is highest among Catholics who attend Mass at least once per week, at 95%. Among Catholics who attend less than weekly but at least once per month, it was 80%.
It also found that weekly Mass attendance has dropped seven percentage points during the COVID-19 pandemic from 24% in 2019 to 17% in 2022 – around 5% watch Mass on television or online due to the pandemic. An additional 18% attend less than weekly but at least once per month. Twenty-six percent attend Mass a few times per year and 35% rarely or never attend Mass.
“What we need is not just good catechesis – we do need that – but we also need to invite people to a relationship,” Bishop Cozzens said. “Helping people understand that it (lack of belief in the Real Presence) is not just an intellectual problem, it’s a problem of the heart in that sense of relationship with Jesus. What we’re really seeking is inviting people to an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.”
The national study was commissioned by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, “to better understand what the current Catholic population (self-identified) believes about the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Eucharist,” the report stated. The survey included 1,031 respondents ages 18 or older with a margin of error of 4.45 percentage points. It was offered in English and Spanish, and administered via online form or live telephone interview from July 11 to Aug. 2, 2022.
The McGrath Institute commissioned the CARA study because of its collaboration with the National Eucharistic Revival and the importance of having clearer data on Catholics’ beliefs regarding the Real Presence, Bishop Cozzens said.
Affiliated with Georgetown University in Washington, CARA is a national, nonprofit, research center that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church.
NOTE: A copy of the CARA survey is available here: https://bit.ly/CARAEucharistStudy2023.
The Diocese of Jackson is proud of the outstanding educators and support staff in our schools. Several of our Diocesan Catholic Schools still have job openings during the 2023-2024 academic year. Visit https://jacksondiocese.org/employment for an opening near you.
The Catholic schools and learning centers of the diocese are required to comply with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws. They hire employees and admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, age, religion or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to all individuals at the school/center.
The educational institutions of our diocese do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, age, religion, or disabilities in the administration of their educational policies, admission policies, personnel policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school/center administered programs.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 4-6:30 p.m. on College Street in Downtown Columbus. We are joining with First Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for a huge event. No pets, please. Enjoy trunk or treat, cake walk, games, crafts, door prizes, face painting, costume contest, hall of saints and food. Details: church office (662) 328-2927.
CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Halloween Carnival, Sunday, Oct. 29 following 5 p.m. Mass. Candy donations needed. Details: Natalie at (228) 861-7253.
FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up your trunk today! Help us bring the best and safest Halloween event to all. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph Lourdes parking lot. Trunks are needed! Details: Olivia at (601) 906-3902.
GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, CYO Spaghetti Supper and Halloween Festival, Monday, Oct. 23. Spaghetti supper $15 – starts at 4:30 p.m. Dine in, carry out or drive-thru. Carnival on the green at 5:30 p.m. Bingo begins at 6 p.m. Cakes needed for cake walk. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 in the parking lot from 3-5 p.m. Sign your trunk up today! Adult prizes for most creative trunk display. Event for ages up to fifth grade. Enjoy games, face painting and treats! Costume awards for children. Details: Kim at (662) 719-4116.
HOLLY SPRINGS – St. Joseph, Harvest Festival, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. Youth led Mass and fun! Join us for an afternoon of fun, games, music, dancing, food and fellowship as we celebrate being Catholic. Details: church office (662) 252-3138.
JACKSON – St. Richard School, Cardinal Fest, Sunday, Oct. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Purchase a $20 wristband for all the fun! Includes food, games, entertainment and one cake walk ticket. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi, Knights of Columbus Trunk or Treat event, Oct. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the parking lot in front of St. Thomas. Join us for food, fun and fellowship! Prizes awarded for best decorated trunk, best costumes for kids and adults and best decorated pumpkin. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the campus parking lot. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Fall Festival, Friday, Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Games, costume contest, cake walk and more. Food and drink available for purchase. Volunteers needed, contact Kasey at (601) 692-6360. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Trunk or Treat, Monday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the corner of S. Union and State Streets. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
NEW ALBANY – St. Francis of Assisi, Trunk or Treat from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Best dressed Saint wins a special gift. Details: church office (662) 534-4654.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Halloween Bash, Sunday, Oct. 29 beginning at 5 p.m. Enjoy games, food, trunk or treat and more. All are welcome! Details: church office (662) 895-5007.
PHILADELPHIA – Holy Rosary, Halloween Party, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 5-7:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Costume, mummy wrap and pumpkin carving contests. Also enjoy food, music and treat bags! Details: church office (601) 656-2880.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Halloween Bash, Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. for youth through fifth grade. Cost: One large bag of candy. Concessions available. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
TUPELO – St. James, Fall Fest, Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy trunk or treat, games, activities and food. Be sure to wear your saint costume. Details: church office (662) 842-4881.
St. James, High School Fall Lock-in, from Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in the St. James gym. Cost: $40. Enjoy pizza, bon fire, pumpkin painting, movies, fellowship and more. Details: youth director (662) 871-6277.
VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall (310 Fisher Ferry Road). Details: call (601) 636-8372.
ADULT HALLOWEEN GATHERING
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Cocktails & Cadavers, Saturday, Oct. 28 in the social hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and party from 7-10 p.m. Join us for an adult Halloween fright night of dancing, food, fellowship and music by DJ Fernando. Tickets are $25 per person. BYOB. Costume and door prizes. Details: Loretta at (901) 634-8157 for tickets or more information.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Life Chain for Respect Life Month, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Participants will be located on Brookway Boulevard sidewalks east of Hwy 51 and will be provided appropriate Respect Life posters to exhibit. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
FLOWOOD – Homegrown Harvest Fest, sponsored by office of vocations, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul parish. Proceeds support our seven diocesan seminarians. Evening includes dinner, silent auction and fellowship. Details: Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/HGHarvest2023.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph School, Homecoming Tailgating, Friday, Oct. 20. Fee is $50. Tent setup at 5 p.m. Details: cmandolini@stjoeirish.org or John at (601) 415-1551.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Veterans Mass, Sunday, Nov. 12 after 9:30 a.m. Mass. Information needed by Oct. 29 – rank, branch, veteran of war and photo in uniform. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Knights of Columbus “Coats for the Community” drive. Donate new or gently used coats before Mass on Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 4-5. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
Catholic Charities, Purple Dress Run, Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at The District at Eastover. Grab your best purple dress and join us for a 5K run/walk to benefit Charities Shelter for Battered Families. Register at raceroster.com/78874. Details: Rachel Travis at (601) 326-3703.
St. Richard, Special Kids Golf tournament at Deerfield Country Club in Canton on Thursday, Oct. 19. Details: church office (601) 366-2335, saintrichard.com or Kristin at thedohertyteam@gmail.com.
St. Richard School, Cardinal Booster Club Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 9 with Coach Mike Bianco of Ole Miss. Cost $250 per ticket (admits two). Enjoy Mass at 5:15, then cocktail social, silent auction and “meet and greet” with Coach Bianco, catered dinner at 6:45 p.m. with address by Coach. Deadline for ticket purchase is Friday, Oct. 20. Details: Coach Nelson rnelson@saintrichardschool.org.
Theology of Tap, Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Downtown. Guest speaker is Father Nick Adam. For adults, 21+. Details: email amelia.rizor@jacksondiocese.org.
MADISON – St. Joseph School, Bingo Games, Sunday, Oct. 22 in the cafeteria. Early bird games at 1:30 p.m.; regular games at 2 p.m. Must be age 25 to play but all ages welcome to attend. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.
MAGNOLIA – St. James, Garage Sale, Saturday Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (125 E Bay Street) Details: call (985) 665-0868.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Candy Cane 5k Dash and Fun Run, Saturday, Dec. 2. Details: register at https://bit.ly/CandyCane2023.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Men’s Club Fellowship Card Night, Friday, Oct. 20 from 6-10 p.m. All parishioners and guests welcome. For $10 each, participant will receive dinner, a non-alcoholic beverage and 100 poker chips. Beverages available for donation. Sign up today! Details: Tracy at (901) 828-4848.
PEARL – St. Jude, Day-trip Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 28. Tour the Shrine, Mass, Adoration and more. Cost est. $75. Details: email kmcgregor@stjudepearl.org or call (601) 939-3181.
Smokin’ fundraiser for Young Apostles group, holiday meat sale after each Mass through Nov. 5. Details: Lauren at roberts0677@bellsouth.net.
SHAW – St. Francis of Assisi, Spaghetti dinner, Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets $15. Drive-thru only from parish hall. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Details: church office (662) 754-5561.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Pumpkin Patch through Oct. 30. Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
Christ the King, Gala Dinner with World Youth Day Community, Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m. in the religious ed building. Delicious food, keynote speeches by youth leaders, live performances, inspiring stories of personal triumph, door prize religious articles from Fatima and Lisbon and more! Cost: family ticket $50 (3 adults and 2 or more kids); Adult ticket for one $20. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
TUPELO – St. James, Rummage Sale, Saturday, Nov. 4 from 7:30-11 a.m. in Shelton hall. Details: Bobbie at (662) 372-1087.
VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus 898, Holiday smoked meat sale. Butts, turkey and loins $50; Half Chicken 2 for $8; Turkey breast $35; and Half ham $40. Order by Nov. 15 at https://kc898.square.site. Pick up Sunday, Nov. 19 from 12-4 p.m. at KC Hall, 310 Fisher Ferry Road. Details: Paul at (601) 529-1710.
Knights of Columbus 898, Food drive for Storehouse Community food pantry on Sat. Nov. 4 at the Corner Market.
WINONA – Sacred Heart, Communi-tea Festivi-tea event, Saturday, Nov. 11 from 12-3 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Cost: adults $15 and children (under 12) $12. Tickets available at Crossroads Jewelers or call Marlene at (662) 307-0831. Details: Barbara at (256) 506-5007.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CHOCTAW – The Choctaw Bible Translation program is having a week long program of Choctaw Bible Stories the week of Oct. 16-20 at 5 p.m. in the Pearl River CERF building. Choctaw singing, with bible stories in English and Choctaw! Mark your calendar and plan to enjoy this special program. Details: https://choctawbible.com.
GREENWOOD – Locus Benedictus, Healing Retreat with Maria Vadia on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no fee to attend. A love offering will be taken. Details: to register email contactlocusbenedictus@gmail.com or call (662) 299-1232.
By Staff Reports
CLINTON – Knights of Columbus Assembly 554 is once again participating in the Wreaths Across America program.
This patriotic program has grown from humble beginnings during the Christmas season of 1992, when wreaths were placed on veteran graves in an older section of Arlington Nation Cemetery, into a national event.
In 2022 on Wreaths Across America day 2.7 million wreaths were placed on veteran graves with the help of over 2 million volunteers at 3702 cemeteries nationwide.
Assembly 554 sponsors two locations, the Clinton Cemetery Association and Cedar Grove cemetery. Both cemeteries are located on East College Street in Clinton. The assembly has identified upwards of 300 veteran gravesites and is looking for individuals, small businesses or corporations to sponsor wreath purchases.
Wreaths can be purchased online at kofc554.org, by downloading a sales form and mailing to listed address, or from members of Assembly 554.
Wreaths can also be purchased for a specific veteran at either of our sponsored locations, or for veterans buried at other locations. (Wreaths purchased for veterans at other locations may be picked up at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Holy Savior Catholic Church on the corner of Lindale Street and Old Vicksburg Road Clinton.)
The wreaths are made with Maine balsam with a red, hand tied, weatherproof velveteen bow approximately 22” in diameter. The cost per wreath is $17.
This year Wreaths Across America day is Saturday, Dec. 16. In Clinton, the program will begin with a ceremony honoring veterans at 12 p.m. at the War Memorial in the Clinton Cemetery, 500 East College Street followed by wreath placement on veteran graves at both the Clinton Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Anyone wishing to participate in the laying of wreaths is welcome. There is no parking in the cemeteries, but Pleasant Green Mission Baptist Church, located across the street from the cemeteries, allows volunteers to park in their lot.
For more information about this event or for assistance purchasing wreaths please contact Bill O’Connor at (601) 906-8890.
The deadline for all wreath purchasing for Wreath Across America Day 2023 is Saturday, Nov. 25.
By Rebecca Harris
JACKSON – Kick off the charitable season on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 28, with #iGiveCatholic – a crowdfunding event that brings the Catholic community together to give thanks and give back. The Diocese of Jackson is once again joining dioceses and Catholic foundations across the country for the ninth annual #iGiveCatholic campaign. The #iGiveCatholic Giving Day is held annually on #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and generosity.
Last fall, 42 partnering dioceses raised over $18.5 million for 2,400+ participating parishes, schools and ministries. The Diocese of Jackson had 50 participating organizations and ministries that collected over $207,000 in donations. The amount that is collected increases each year as more and more people become familiar with the #iGiveCatholic campaign. Since its inaugural year in 2015, the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day has yielded continued growth in the number of participating dioceses and their participating non-profits as well as total donations, both online and offline, and average gift amount.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Catholic communities nationwide to unite to promote generosity and celebrate our Catholic heritage,” said Cory Howat, president of #iGiveCatholic. “Every donation makes an impact and has a positive effect on the life of the church as a whole. We are thrilled the Diocese of Jackson is partnering with #iGiveCatholic to raise funds for all of the participating parishes, schools and ministries in their community and around the country.”
When an diocese or foundation participates in #iGiveCatholic, their webpage hosts individual profile pages for each Catholic parish, school, and non-profit ministry (organizations) within that arch/diocese wanting to participate on #GivingTuesday. Each profile page features personalization capabilities, including video, photos, custom copy and a donate button to tell that organization’s story, their impact on the community and the church, and what the organization will do with the funds raised. The organization page includes a thermometer and scrolling ticker-tape updating total donations on the Giving Day in real time, affording parishioners, alumni, parents and supporters the opportunity to track how their favorite parish, school or ministry is doing during #iGiveCatholic.
Individuals can also get involved, ensuring the success of their favorite parish, school or ministry by hosting and personalizing individual fundraising pages on behalf of their favorite organization, and/or by providing a gift that can match other donations during the event.
For more information about supporting organizations and ministries withing the Diocese of Jackson on Tuesday, Nov. 28 during the #iGiveCatholic Giving Day, please contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477.
By Berta Mexidor
KOSCIUSKO – A special Mass was celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, and concelebrated by Father Marco Sanchez, ST, to celebrate the patronal feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus on Sunday, Oct. 1.
Over two days of celebration, parishioners were able to enjoy a permanent exhibit press articles and photos donated by the Joseph family following the passing of patriarch Louis Joseph.
All the documents and notes came into the hands of Marilyn Scott, a parishioner of St. Therese since 1969. She, along with Vicky Bell Pope, and others, undertook the task of chronologically compiling the history of the church with the documents received.
Additionally, Bell Pope painted reproductions of “The Cabin,” which gave birth to the church, and of the story of Father Julian M. Guillou, riding a horse on his journey from Yazoo to Kosciusko.
Scott says that this was a “glorious” celebration and noting that “…we have been very blessed to receive these historic documents and also by the presence of Trinitarian priests who have taken charge of the parish.”
The Joseph family are considered the founder of the parish since Mr. and Mrs. Joseph began writing letters to Bishop R.O. Gerow and the town of Kosciusko to help build a church for the growing Catholic community.
“In June 1940, Bishop Gerow dedicated the church to St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The energetic young pastor, the Joseph family, other young members, and a new chapel meant there was Catholic activity like Kosciusko had never seen,” said Scott, reading a prepared statement during the Mass.
The departed Louis Joseph wrote in his original letter to Bishop Gerow: “I know in my heart and soul that our parents were guided to Central Mississippi by our good Lord, to not only raise a wonderful family but to help bring the church to our little town.”
(Marilyn Scott, and Father Marco Sanchez, ST contributed to this story)
By Galen Holley
COLUMBUS – “We’ve helped with everything from prom dresses and graduation gowns to utilities and rent,” said Overstreet, who helps coordinate more than 20 parishioners, all of whom meet with clients and listen.
St. Vincent de Paul was a French priest and zealous advocate for the poor, who died in 1660. He was canonized by the church in 1737. He founded the order named the Vincentians.
The SVDP volunteers meet between masses to discuss and make plans. Once they set things in motion, volunteers assist with everything from rent and utilities to car repair. Recently, they’ve even begun a vibrant dental ministry.
The genesis of the SVDP Society reaches back two decades, to the arrival of Steve Greenough. He came to Annunciation from the U.K, where he had been involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Along the same time, Karen Overstreet’s husband, Raymond, had been discussing the possibility of an outreach program with Father Gerry Hurley, who was then the parish priest. Raymond is a psychiatrist, and he’d been concerned about homelessness, poverty and a spectrum of needs in the community. Father Hurley put Geenough and Raymond in conversation with each other, and the ministry was born.
Things started slowly.
“People just gave what they could. They gave out of their own pockets,” said Karen Overstreet. To date, the SVDP ministry has given more than $1.2 million in outreach. Support for the program comes mostly from donations. The SVDP volunteers coordinate with other ministries in town, including the Salvation Army, Helping Hands and the Homeless Coalition.
Dental care is a huge need that Helping Hands partners with SVDP on in the community. “We see a lot of clients coming out of alcohol and drug treatment who haven’t taken good care of their teeth,” said Jennifer Garrar, executive director of Helping Hands of Columbus.
After getting clean and sober, many have difficulty with their appearance and trying to reenter the workforce, said Garrar. After assisting with dental work, “several clients have come back to visit us just so we can see their new smile.”
With out the help of SVDP this wouldn’t be possible.
Annunciation parish celebrated 20 years of SVDP ministry with a dinner on Oct. 8. Among the guests were volunteers, past and present, as well as donors and the three priests who’ve shepherded the community throughout the ministry’s run: Fathers Robert Dore, Gerry Hurley and, current pastor, Jeffery Waldrep.
Waldrep has been at Annunciation for six years, and said he’s deeply gratified at the vibrancy of the ministry.
“This is the most active St. Vincent de Paul I’ve seen,” said Father Waldrep. “They’re honoring the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul not only in meeting the immediate needs of clients, but in visiting and praying with them and meeting their spiritual needs. They look at the whole person, rather than somebody who just needs their lights cut back on.”
Conducting an effective ministry takes not only professionalism and careful planning, but a gentle touch. SVDP volunteers meet people who are in a vulnerable state, and they take that seriously.
“One of the biggest things we do is encourage hope,” said Overstreet. “When people have to admit to making a mess of things and not being able to provide for their family, it can be very tough, and we try to make sure those people feel safe and loved, and not ashamed.”
As is often the case, those who minister end up feeling at least as cared for and loved as those whom they serve.
“It’s just a beautiful ministry,” said Overstreet. “The church members benefit so much from it. It instills such a tremendous sense of gratitude in all of us. It’s wonderful.”
Galen Holley is a member of St. Francis of Assisi in New Albany.
