GREENVILLE – Roury McCloyen, a St. Joseph Catholic School Greenville senior, is one of the nation’s best shot put and discus throwers.
McCloyen established his faith early in life as he was influenced by his father, who was a pastor. He is beyond grateful for the impact the Catholic faith has had on his life. From helping his community through acts of service to assisting at weekly Mass, McCloyen is the epitome of what it means to be not only a Christian athlete but a record-breaking Christian athlete.
In April 2022, McCloyen’s discus throw broke the old MAIS record. McCloyen has been throwing both the shot put and the discus since he was nine years old.
When we asked why he started this particular sport, he responded, “When I was 9 years old, my coach put a shot put in my hand, and it just felt like it was meant for me.” Over the past decade, he has learned how to improve at his sport.
This past summer, Roury McCloyen, representing St. Joseph Catholic School Greenville, won the men’s shot put for his first-ever Junior Olympic title at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, California. (Photo by USATF)
This past summer, McCloyen won the men’s shot put for his first-ever Junior Olympic title at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, California.
“It was the best competition I ever had and going against a college commit made it even more fun,” wrote McCloyen.
Coming from a small town in the south traveling to California and competing in the Junior Olympics is a lot to talk about and be proud of for McCloyen and his family. This experience is the type of accomplishment that most young athletes dream of having. For McCloyen, it became a reality.
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, in a gym full of his family and friends, McCloyen accepted a full scholarship to Mississippi State University. In true his style, he threw everyone off a little bit at first by picking up a University of Alabama hat but quickly swapped that one out for a different shade of red and a cowbell in hand. The gymnasium erupted in cheer as his classmates, family and community were delighted that McCloyen was staying close to home.
“I chose Mississippi State because when I visited there it just felt like family. I know I can be around people that will help me grow. My goal is to make it to the Olympics,” McCloyen stated. Of course, he thanked his parents, Royal and Maury McCloyen, for helping him every step of the way.
In the last few months, McCloyen has added another championship ring to his collection for football. In November, the Fighting Irish won the MAIS 4A State Championship in football, and McCloyen was an integral part of the team. He earned his third championship ring in football with this victory, and he also has earned additional championship rings for basketball and track.
McCloyen has a bright future ahead of him, both academically and athletically. “The staff at St. Joe, cannot wait to see him succeed at MSU. We know he will have tons of Irish support following him,” said principal, Craig Mandolini.
When McCloyen was asked what his fondest memories at St. Joseph Catholic School will be, he replied, “When I leave here, I will remember all of my coaches, my teammates, and especially my teachers that helped me get through my high school years. Their love and support of me throughout school did not go unnoticed.”
Mandolini says there is something to say about having a young man like McCloyen being a product of Catholic education. With that, Mandolini likes to think about Hebrews 11:1 that says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
“Faith is not something we talk about or write about in concept. Our faith is in every action we take and every in word we speak. Roury has grown up not only in an environment at home where he can actively practice his faith but also at school where it is nourished and grows exponentially. Without our faith, we are nothing, and because of Roury’s faith, he’s an awe-inspiring Christian athlete,” said Mandolini.
“Here at St. Joe, we can’t wait to see where this road leads Roury in the future, but until then, we will enjoy watching him in his final months as an Irish!”
Through the kindness of his Heralds of the Good News Provincial and the acceptance of Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Rev. Augustine Palimattam Poulose, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Patrick Parishes in Meridian has been incardinated into the Diocese of Jackson.
Upon the recommendation of the Very Rev. Michael Somers, SVD, Provincial of the Southern Province St. Augustine, Rev. Mario Rasonabe, SVD, is appointed Administrator of Holy Family Parish in Jackson effective Jan. 1, 2023.
ST. LOUIS – Nearly 19,000 from across the country attended the FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) SEEK23 conference in St. Louis, Missouri from Jan. 2-6. The event invites people into a deeper relationship with Jesus and His church. Pictured is a portion of the event where students raised their school flags. The Diocese had approximately 80 that attended this year’s event. (Photo by Father Nick Adam)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT BILOXI Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, The Role of Beauty in the Spiritual Life: understanding and praying with the church’s Sacred Music, Jan. 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. Event is a talk by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka. Details: visit olgchurch.net.
GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus, School of the Holy Spirit, Feb. 16-19. Cost $100 per person, no charge for age 18 and under. Featured speakers: Father Tom Dilorenzo, Maria Vadia and Pastor Myles Milham, with worship team of Mike McDuffee and Arianna Alberti. To register or more details visit: https://tinyurl.com/SHS-2023-locus-benedictus. Details: Magdalene (662) 299-1232 or locus-benedictus@gmail.com
NATION Bible in a Year Online Retreat, Feb. 10-13, led by Father Mike Schmitz. Details: for info and to register visit ascensionpress.com/pages/2023biyretreat.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Icon Mass, Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. All are invited. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
CANTON Sacred Heart, Chair Stretch and Contemplative Prayer, Mondays and Thursdays at 10-11 a.m. in the Parish Center. Details: contact Teresa at (769) 233-1989.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, CYO Indoor Yard Sale, Saturday, Jan. 21. You can drop off items at the parish center. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
Our Lady of Victories, 2nd annual Supper and Substance for married couples, Saturday, Feb. 11 in the parish center, following 5:30 p.m. Cost $50 per couple. Forms due Feb. 1. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, “Mamas” group, starting Sunday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Ashbrooke Clubhouse. Are you struggling with “a season” of life and looking for encouragement from other moms? This is the group for you. Details: call or text Amy at (228) 669-5923.
JACKSON St. Richard School, Krewe de Cardinal, Friday, Feb. 10 at The South Warehouse in Jackson. Theme is “Rio de Janiero.” Enjoy food and drinks, plus music by the Epic Funk Brass Band. Silent auction and raffles. Tickets $200 per couple. Details: Tammy at tconrad@strichardschool.org.
MADISON St. Joseph School, Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues Draw Down, Saturday, Jan. 28 from 6-9 p.m. at The Country Club of Jackson. Tickets are $130 per couple. Enjoy a wide selection of food, open bar, auctions and a chance to win $10,000. Only 500 draw down tickets will be sold. Details: www.stjoedrawdown.com.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, “Rekindling Eucharistic Amazement” Catholics as Intentional Missionary Disciples of Jesus, Jan. 30 through Feb. 1. Featured speaker is Father James Wehner of the Diocese of Pittsburg. Events begin at 6 p.m. each day of the program. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
PEARL St. Jude, Feed My Sheep Ministry will be serving lunch and passing out “Blessing Bags” at Poindezter Park in Jackson on Sunday, Jan. 29. Donations accepted to help with cost of meal. Volunteers are needed to assemble blessing bags, prepare the meal and transport and serve the meal. Details: contact Beth at bethpaczak@gmail.com to volunteer.
SOUTHAVEN, Cocktails and Catholicism, Second Friday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m., for adults only. Meeting space at Sacred Heart School will be determined by RSVPs. On Feb. 10, Father Ben Bradshaw of St. Michael’s in Memphis and creator of Soul Food Priest will discuss faith and food in his talk “Can we eat alligator on Fridays and other important things to prepare for Lent. Details: Deacon Ted at Christ the King at (662) 342-1073.
YAZOO CITY St. Mary, Birthday Party and Bingo, Sunday, Jan. 22 after Mass in the parish hall. Bingo cards $5. Each family is asked to bring a wrapped item from home. Details: church office (662) 746-1680
SAVE THE DATE DIOCESE Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29 – Feb. 4. The theme is Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service. Be on the lookout for special activities at Catholic schools across the diocese on this very special week.
DIOCESE World Marriage Day at St. Peter Cathedral in Jackson on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. This is a celebration of the sacrament of matrimony for couples celebrating their 25th, 50th or 60th wedding anniversaries. For couples who were not able to celebrate other special anniversaries due to COVID, please join us this year. Details: couples may register to attend with their parish or at www.jacksondiocese.org/family-ministry.
JACKSON 17th Annual Sr. Thea Bowman School Draw Down, Saturday, April 29th at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi Mexican Fiesta presented by youth group, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5:15-7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit our diocesan mission in Saltillo, Mexico. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
By Galen Holley NEW ALBANY – The soft, musical whispering of the rosary was interrupted only momentarily by the raucous, heartfelt shouting of “Vive!” as Hispanic parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in New Albany welcomed the approaching dawn.
NEW ALBANY – Alejandro Caballero and his friend, Maria, pose in front of the decorated statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in New Albany in the early morning hours of Dec. 12. (Photo by Galen Holley)
They prayed the Joyful Mysteries. The Holy Rosary is a blessing from the Virgin, and although all the mysteries depict episodes throughout the gospels, perhaps none more vibrantly unfold the feminine, motherly life of Mary as do the Joyful Mysteries.
The parishioners started at 4:30 a.m. Many had to be on factory furniture lines when the belt started rolling at 6 a.m. Still, they rose early, put on at least one special article of clothing, and found a spot in the crowded little church to kneel and pray.
Alejandro Caballero and his friend, Maria, donned matching shirts bearing the image of the Virgin. Their garments were bedecked with sequins and many handmade, special attentions.
Many of the faithful, like Bernie Garcia and family, whose patriarch, Pablo, is studying to be a deacon, brought in cooing babies in bassinets. Others walked arm-in-arm with aging abuelos, wrapped in shawls against the damp, morning air. “Ave, Maria,” they all whispered, crossing themselves with holy water and never turning their backs on the Blessed Sacrament.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been depicted in many ways, most often as a blushing, pale European. Our Lady of Guadalupe is an ethnic image of Mary, one with dark, distinctly indigenous features who exemplifies the universality of the Christian Gospel.
(l-r) Symbols in the processions: Ayoyotes – Seed bones are the “fire of personal tradition” of the warrior’s soul; Censer – Incense is the offering to the divinity. The drum or “huehuetl” is the sound of the warrior’s heart; Penacho – The “plume hat” is the devout surrender to the will of on high; The Conch Seashell or Atekokolzin – Its touch invokes love and faith; and the banner is the “tree of tradition” and the representation of the protector of the dance, in this case, The Virgin of Guadalupe. In past photos of processions, Angeles Torres, sounds the conch, in front of the Cathedral of San Pedro and carrying the banner, Juan Salazar, of Our Lady of Victories of Cleveland. (Pictures by Joanna King, Berta Mexidor and courtesy of Father Kent Bowlds )
A graphic shows some of the symbolism in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. To see a full description from Msgr. Michael Flannery
In the Guadalupe apparition, Mary had dark skin and spoke in Nahautl. Her turquoise cloak signaled royalty to the indigenous people; the black sash around her waist was their sign for pregnancy. She was clothed in stars and stood upon the moon – signs connecting her both to Indian concepts of deity and to Revelations 12:1.
Today, the image of “Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe” is perhaps the most pervasive religious image in Hispanic culture.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish demonstrates to the surrounding community how the Christian Gospel reaches across racial, ethnic and cultural divides. Father Jesu Raj Xavier, a native of India, speaks excellent English, and he’s quickly learning Spanish. Pablo Garcia has long been a leader in the Hispanic community, and now he’s making a focused effort to improve his English. Anglo and Hispanic parishioners feel equally at home at both Sunday morning masses.
Juan Diego, the native man to whom the Virgin appeared, was canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church in 2002. His cloak, bearing Mary’s image, hangs in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe near Mexico City on the site of the Tepeyac Hill. The basilica is one of the most visited sites in Christianity, second only to the Vatican in number of annual pilgrims.
Southern culture is one in which mothers’ welcome children and their friends to the table. The abundance of life and nourishment found in the Gospels is the bread that feeds us all. The motherly love of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which the parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi demonstrate so well, is a symbol of the life available to all of us through the sacraments and in loving union with one another.
(Galen Holley is a parishioner of St. Francis in New Albany.)
In the world of the Aztec Indian, they examined the signs and symbols and related these to each other, so that the hieroglyphics told the whole story when put together. Different explanations are found, but all of them are variations of the same theme.
Mary is standing on the crescent moon. In the Aztec world, Mexico was the land in the middle of the moon. Therefore, Mary was the queen of Mexico.
The moon is black moon. This meant that Mary would overcome falsehood and lead to truth.
Her right knee is bent. This meant that she is poised for a liturgical dance. She is not a goddess, but she gives honor and glory to God.
Time of the apparition. It was early in the morning. This would mean the first manifestation of God.
There are clouds in the extremities of the picture. Clouds signified the presence of God.
The rays: Their form is elliptic, small at the ends and bigger closer to the source. The straight ones indicate the light of the sun and the wavy ones indicate the light of Venus.
Mary is standing in front of the sun and Venus. This indicated that she was greater than the sun and Venus. The sun and Venus were two of their important deities in the Aztec world. She was not going to take them away from the Aztecs.
She wears a blue mantle. This is a royal color, but she is not a god. There are 46 stars on her mantle. A comet had predicted the end of their civilization. Now stars indicate a new beginning. In recent times astronomers have found that that was the exact location of the stars on December 12, 1531.
She wears a black band on her waist. This means she is pregnant with child.
She has a broch with a cross. She is pregnant with child and the child is Jesus.
Her face and color. She is not a conquistador. She is Aztec. She has a faint inviting smile, encouraging people to approach her.
Her eyes are gentle and soft.
Her hair is combed in the style of the Aztec Indian. Another indication that she has not come with the conquistadores.
Her hands. A close look at her hands and one can see keys. She holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
The angel. She is supported by an angel. The angel has dark eyebrows. He is a mature angel and the message of the lady is believable.
The angel holds her tunic in one hand and her mantle in the other. For the Aztec this meant that she joins heaven and earth together.
She spoke Nahuatl to Juan Diego. This was the language of the Aztecs. It reverses the roles. It is the conquered now telling the conqueror what to do in building a temple for Our Lady.
Flowers and music were the best ways to communicate with the gods and both flowers and music are used as the drama unfolds.
Her dress. It is a pale red. The color of the rising sun. It indicated new life is coming.
The Indian flower: Right in the center of her dress is the Indian flower. This indicated the center of the cosmos. For the Aztec it meant that her child was the center of the universe. This was the new temple of the presence of God and it was in her womb.
The inverted J. The inverted J on the right side of her dress signified the light of the world in the Aztec culture.
For the Aztec standing before the picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it told the whole story. No further explanation was needed. They understood perfectly what Our Lady wanted to communicate to them. Ten years following the apparition, the number of converts to Christianity had grown from 10,000 to 10 million and all because of the picture. It happened mostly by word of mouth. The good news was spread by the Aztecs themselves.
There has always been a tremendous devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is the patroness of the Americas. Ten million people visit her shine every year. Mexico had a number of persecutions against the Catholic church in its history. Nevertheless, they have never been successful in closing the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In a persecution which took place in 1921, a bomb was placed beneath the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The bomb exploded. A bronze crucifix nearby was seriously damaged, but no damage was done to the image.
Overtime, studies of the tilma (poncho) have been made. The conclusions were that it was made from the Maguey plant. It is a coarse fiber and does not take well to paint. In another study, done by Kodak, it was found that the image was imprinted on the tilma and not painted. The most noted study took place in 1951 when an ophthalmologist, Dr. Enrique Grave y Diaz Gonzalez sought and received from the archbishop of Mexico City, permission to do a detailed study of the eyes of Our Lady. There on the retinue of the eyes, in miniature, is the reflection of the Archbishop, his secretary, and an image of an Indian woman sitting in the background. An artist would not have been able to paint this in the detail that is there and in its miniature form.
By Bishops Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D. and Louis F. Kihneman, III Bishop of Biloxi
JACKSON (Dec. 13, 2022) – In anticipation of the execution of Thomas Loden tomorrow, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gray and Farris families as they continue to grieve and heal from his horrific act of violence. Their unspeakable suffering remains a heavy cross in their lives.
We share in their suffering. In 2016, two Catholic Nuns were murdered in Holmes County, Mississippi. Sister Paula Merrill, and Sister Margaret Held, served at a local medical clinic. Their brutal murders in the small community of Durant, Mississippi caused shock and sadness.
Even in the midst of such profound loss, the Sisters’ religious communities, their families, and the local church stated their opposition to the death penalty. This response is deeply rooted in our Christian faith and Catholic tradition.
The death penalty is not a deterrence to murder. We cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing those who kill others. Likewise, the antidote to violence is not more violence.
The execution of Thomas Loden is the second in just over a year in Mississippi. We respectfully submit the perspective and teachings from our Catholic faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that promote the abolition of the death penalty.
We encourage and pray for a more comprehensive debate that calls into question our assumptions used to morally legitimize the death penalty in Mississippi and in our nation.
We recognize that the State must protect innocent people from violent criminals. Our State and country have the ability to provide justice and protect the innocent without using the death penalty. At this time in our nation when violence afflicts the web of life, we do not need state sanctioned violence to add to this vicious cycle.
We implore our fellow citizens to ask our elected officials to end the violence of the death penalty and to replace it with non-lethal means of punishment. We are called to respect every human life because each of us is created in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:27)
As Christian leaders we call for alternatives to capital punishment more in keeping with our Christian values, the common good, and the dignity of the human person.
ST. LOUIS – Sister Olivia Maria Obregon, RSM, a native of Edinburgh, Texas, transitioned to eternal life on the evening of Dec. 1, 2022.
Sister was born July 10, 1937 to her beloved parents, Alfonso Obregon and Bernarda Cervantes. She is the sibling to Gilbert (Nancy) Obregon; Eligio (Irene) Obregon; Marta (Mickey) French; Robert (Ofelia) Obregon; Ana (Joe) Perez, Zita (Ron) Colvin; Francisca (Sylvestre) Garcia; Sister Bernard Mary Obregon, RSM; Mary (Gus) Sanchez; and Dominga Obregon. In addition, she is survived by a host of multi-generational nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, several siblings and in-laws, and two nephews.
She entered the Sisters of Mercy Community in 1954 and has been a loving member for 68 faith-filled years. She studied nursing and served in various ministries throughout the former St. Louis Regional Community. Her service in healthcare was experienced predominantly in cities within the states of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi. She was a true South Texan who embraced the Mexican American culture with joy, dance and a fullness for all that life offers. Her spirituality encompassed the multiple issues rooted in the critical concerns of her sacred community, the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She shared the community’s deep desire to empower others as Mercy Associates and co-workers always in service to God’s people. She will be dearly missed by family, loved ones and many whose lives she touched.
A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 and she is interred at Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis.
By Joanna Puddister King JACKSON – Eight years ago (2015), the #iGiveCatholic campaign for #GivingTuesday took off as an initiative of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, raising over a million dollars in a 24-hour period for Catholic parishes, schools and ministries. Subsequently, this campaign spread to other dioceses throughout the nation, with participating dioceses increasing with each year. The 2022 #iGiveCatholic campaign had a great impact, with partnerships including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Catholic Educational Association, raising over $18.5 million for Catholic entities this year. The Diocese of Jackson joined the #iGiveCatholic campaign in 2016, making this year the seventh year of participation in the nationwide campaign, and generating a record $207,000 in gifts to a total of 43 parishes, schools and ministries within the diocese.
The success of each organization is based on the amount of effort put forth in publicizing their causes, or reason to raise funds, by reaching out to donors via social media (Facebook, Instagram, emails, websites, etc.) and print publications such as bulletins, posters and flyers.
The #iGiveCatholic campaign focuses on electronic giving and includes a specific website provided to the organizations at no cost, in hopes to encourage greater participation and help generate funds. Each year, the diocese receives a generous grant from Catholic Extension to cover half of the online giving platform fees.
Also included in the grant from Catholic Extension was additional money earmarked for training or prizes to aid in a successful campaign and help generate excitement. Five prizes were awarded in random drawings for entities who had online donors during specific time frames; and three prizes were awarded to the top three fundraisers. The grand prize winners this year were St. Richard Catholic School in Jackson; St. Jude Catholic Church in Pearl; and the Carmelite Monastery in Jackson. The National Sponsor of #iGiveCatholic this year was Our Sunday Visitor, a Catholic publisher that serves millions of Catholics globally through its publishing and communication services. For the past few years, Our Sunday Visitor has donated offertory envelopes at no cost to participating organizations, to encourage donors, who otherwise would not want to give electronically, helping to increase participation and overall total giving.
“Throughout history, Catholics have always been generous people. Our world and our society need to see and experience increased generosity, but more importantly, they need to see the joy Catholics have as we ‘give back’ out of gratitude in return for how we have been blessed,” said Julia Williams, assistant development director for the Diocese of Jackson and diocesan support contact for the #iGiveCatholic program.
“Each year, we are so grateful to the Catholic Community as they support various ministries as they continue to ‘Give Thanks – Give Back and Give Catholic.’”
