Through the kindness of Most Reverend Chinnabathini Bagyaiah, Bishop of Guntur; and the acceptance of Most Reverend Joseph R. Kopacz, Bishop of Jackson; Reverend Suresh Reddy Thirumalareddy, pastor of St. James the Greater Parish in Magnolia and St. Alphonsus Parish in McComb, has been incardinated into the Diocese of Jackson, effective Feb. 14, 2023.
Mary Woodward, Chancellor, Diocese of Jackson
JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson celebrated the anniversaries of married couples from around the diocese with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. According to World Marriage Day history, the idea of celebrating marriage began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1981, when couples encouraged the Mayor, the Governor and the Bishop to proclaim St. Valentine’s Day as “We Believe in Marriage Day.” The event was so successful, the idea was presented to and was adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s National Leadership.
By 1982, 43 Governors officially proclaimed the day, and celebrations spread to U.S. military bases in several foreign countries. In 1983, the name was changed to “World Marriage Day,” designated to be celebrated each year in February. In 1993, St. Pope John Paul II imparted his Apostolic blessings on World Marriage Day. World Marriage Day celebrations continue to grow and spread to more countries and faith expressions every year.
To honor couples in 2023, the Office of Family Ministry on behalf of the Diocese of Jackson asked parishes to submit the names of couples celebrating their 60th, 50th, 25th or any significant anniversary. This year, 36 couples from throughout the diocese submitted their names in celebration of their anniversaries.
At the World Marriage Day celebration at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, couples received an anniversary certificate blessed and signed by Bishop Kopacz.
Please join us in celebrating the anniversaries of the following couples:
71 Years
Al & Bea Katool
St. Richard, Jackson
62 Years
Henry & Corinne Anderson
Holy Family, Jackson
60 Years
James & Gloria Culver
St. Paul, Flowood
Jody & Judy Hill
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
John & Mary Kraft
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
Jimmy & Mary Frances Lang
St. Joseph, Greenville
John & Luise Lauzon
Holy Spirit, Hernando
Millard & Mary Lynn Powers
St. Joseph, Greenville
53 Years
Gary & Marie McCall
Holy Cross, Philadelphia
50 Years
Ron & Jo Ann Brumfield
St. Mary Basilica, Natchez
Dennis & Gina Conner
St. Patrick, Meridian
Dr. James & Naomi Cook
St. Paul, Vicksburg
Joseph & Nancy Harben
Immaculate Conception, Raymond
Ed and Corley Marsalis
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
James & Kathy Mathews
St. Paul, Flowood
James & Roxanne McIngvale
Holy Spirit, Hernando
Manny & Melanie Mitchell
St. Patrick, Meridian
Jerry & Linda Perez
Sacred Heart, Canton
Ken & Carolyn Pribyla
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
Leslie & Sharon Southwick
St. Richard, Jackson
John & Cathy Stone
St. Patrick, Meridian
44 Years
Ned & Debbye Garner
Christ the King, Jackson
31 Years
Dan & Rosa Buzzarde
St. Peter, Grenada
30 Years
Tommy & Traci Avalon
Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson
27 Years
Pete & Janys Canizaro
St. Paul, Flowood
26 Years
Aracely & Reynaldo Acosta
St. James, Tupelo
Leonel & Cristina Blanco
St. James, Tupelo
Mario & Conny Villasenor
St. Therese, Jackson
25 Years
Eddie & Renee Borne
St. Paul, Flowood
Lawrence & Patti Greene
St. Joseph, Gluckstadt
Denzil & Gina Lobo
Christ the King, Jackson
James & Katrina Maier
St. Mary Basilica, Natchez
Burkie & Debora McGee
St. Jude, Pearl
Sean & Heidi Summers
Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson
Ron & Laura Tarbutton
Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson
21 Years
Lee & Ashley McCall
Holy Cross, Philadelphia
JACKSON – Rev. Liam Pentony, PE entered eternal life on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 at Silver Stream Nursing Home in Duleek, Co. Meath, Ireland. Father Pentony was 94 years old and celebrated 67 years in priestly life.
Born on Nov. 25, 1928 in Brittas, Dunleer Co. Louth, Ireland, Father Pentony enrolled at St. Mary’s School in Knockbeg and then St. Patrick’s College in Carlow. He was ordained for the Diocese of Jackson (nee Natchez) after completing his seminary studies on June 5, 1955.
Arriving in the diocese on Oct. 5, 1955, when the Diocese of Jackson was known as the Diocese of Natchez, Father Pentony was assigned to St. Paul’s Church in Vicksburg by Bishop R.O. Gerow. In 1958, he served as an assistant in Clarksdale at St. Elizabeth parish.
Moving south, Father Pentony was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph parish in Woodville on July 1, 1964. After spending three years in Woodville, Father Pentony was then assigned as pastor of St. Peter parish in Grenada in 1967 by Bishop Joseph Brunini.
In 1969, he was assigned as pastor of St. Therese parish in Jackson for six months before his assignment at St. Joseph parish in Moss Point on July, 1, 1969, only a month and a half before Hurricane Camille struck causing immense damage to the coastal region of the state.
After three and a half years in Moss Point, Father Pentony was assigned as pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Laurel on Jan. 15, 1973. While in Laurel, the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson was divided, with the southern counties being reorganized as the Diocese of Biloxi in March of 1977.
After serving in Laurel, in 1981 Father Pentony was assigned to Sacred Heart parish in Hattiesburg, serving until he was moved from the Diocese of Biloxi to the Diocese of Jackson in 1982.
Father Pentony was then appointed administrator for St. James parish in Tupelo on Jan. 14, 1983 and then incardinated and appointed as pastor in September of 1984 by Bishop William Houck.
From Tupelo, Father Pentony was assigned as pastor of St. Francis parish in Brookhaven for a period of nine years before retiring from the Diocese of Jackson and moving to Ireland in 2001, where he served in the parish of Darver and Dromiskin for another sixteen years.
Father Pentony was a much loved brother to Clare, Seamus, Tom, Sile and Lily. He will be sadly missed by his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
A wake service was held at McGeough’s Funeral Home Jocelyn Street, Dundalk (A91WX66) on Saturday, Feb. 11.
A Funeral Mass was held on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tenure. Father Pentony is buried in Monasterboice Cemetery.
The Mass can be viewed online at https://www.churchservices.tv/monasterboice.
La CROSSE, Wis. – Sister Dorothy Ann Kundinger, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 81, died on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where she had been chaplain for many years. She was in her sixty-second year of religious profession. She made first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1961.
Dorothy Agnes was born on Oct. 8, 1941 in Auburndale, Wisconsin to Joseph and Martha (Bayerl) Kundinger.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in English from Viterbo College (University) and an MS in Education from Xavier University, Cincinnati.
The first 26 years of her ministry were spent as a middle grade and junior high teacher. She taught in Wisconsin at Platteville (1962-65), Blessed Sacrament School in La Crosse (1966-70 and 1977-79) and Dodgeville (1973-77) also serving as principal.
In 1979, Sister Dorothy Ann moved to Holy Child Jesus School in Canton, Mississippi where she taught junior high for 10 years. During her time in Canton, Sister Dorothy Ann became a companion to Sister Thea Bowman, an FSPA who gained prominence as a teacher, musician and civil rights activist to the African American community. She traveled across the country with Sister Thea, until Sister Thea eventually succumbed to cancer in 1990.
After Sister Thea’s death, Sister Dorothy Ann remained in Canton as a volunteer hospice worker, ministering to people with HIV/AIDS. In 1993, she moved to Jackson, Mississippi where she served as chaplain and hospice worker, providing care for people with HIV/AIDS at Grace House.
Sister Dorothy Ann is survived by her religious community, her brother Thomas (Diana), Marshfield, Wis., her sisters Patricia Kust, Bellingham, Washington, Kathleen Kundinger, San Jose, California, Elizabeth Hocking, Washington, D.C., her sister-in-law Dolores Kundinger, Marshfield, Wisconsin and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James.
There was a wake service for Sister Dorothy Ann on Monday, Feb. 20 at Mary of the Angels Chapel in La Crosse. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Mary of the Angels Chapel on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Sister Dorothy Ann is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
COLUMBUS Annunciation, Blood Drive, Sunday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bank First parking lot. Sign-ups available soon.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, 113th annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday March 5, 8 a.m to 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Hall at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Arkansas. Cost: $15 adults/$10 children. Dinner includes noodles, red gravy, meatballs, italian salad, lemon dessert and bread. Details: limited reserved tables and individual dine-in tickets. For dine-in call (214) 533-0227 or (870) 489-2883.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in church gym. Join us for a presentation by Deacon Ted Schreck “Where do you find hope? Jean Valijean’s life changed in a moment.” Details: sign up at https://bit.ly/March2023CocktailsCatholicism.
JACKSON St. Richard, Men’s Prayer Breakfast with Bishop Kopacz, Monday, April 3 at 7 a.m. in Foley Hall following Mass at 6:30 a.m. Details: contact Anthony at (601) 573-8574 or eanthonythomas@gmail.com.
MADISON St. Joseph School, 17th annual Bruin Classic Golf Tournament, Monday, March 27. Register or sponsor a hole by visiting https://bit.ly/17thStJoeGolfTournament. Details: email danacaskey15@gmail.com.
St. Joseph School, Egg My Yard Fundraiser, For Madison County residents only. Order your pre-filled eggs to be hidden in your yard the night before Easter. Book your spot today. Orders due by March 24. Cost: 30 eggs $30; 50 eggs $45; 70 eggs $60. Proceeds benefit St. Joe cheer programs. Order at https://bit.ly/StJoeEggMyYard2023. Details: email sjcheer@stjoebruins.com with questions.
MADISON St. Catherine’s Village, Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, meets fourth Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Campbell Cove building. Lunch provided. All are welcome. Details: call to RSVP (601) 856-0123 or email cynthia.armstrong@fmolhs.org.
MCCOMB St. Alphonsus, St. James Lenten Mission, Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. through Wednesday, march 8 at 6:30 p.m. “Behold, I Make All Things New,” presented by Jim Murphy, a Catholic missionary and evangelist. Mission schedule: March 5 at 7 p.m.; March 6, 7 and 8 at 6:30 p.m. Reconciliation held on Wednesday, March 8. Supper will be served in Liguori Hall at 5:30 prior to the Mission Monday through Wednesday.
MERIDIAN Travel with Father Augustine to Italy and France, Sept. 9-19. Trip includes stops in Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Assisi, Venice, Italy and Lourdes, France. cost is $4,999 – airfare and all included. Details: contact (855) 842-8001 or register online at proximotravel.com.
MEMPHIS 40 Days for Life, Feb. 22 – April 2. Vigil location at Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, 1203 Poplar Ave. Details: Sarah at (901) 450-5433 or sarah@memphiscoalitionforlife.org.
PHILADELPHIA Holy Rosary, Lenten Mission (for Holy Rosary, St. Therese and St. Catherine) with Father Dennis Berry, ST, March 9-11. Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. with Mass and Saturday at 5 p.m. followed by potluck supper in the parish hall. Details: church office (601) 656-2880.
RIDGELAND Catholic Charities, Sleep Safe Event, Friday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Event for expectant women, couples, fathers and caregivers on awareness of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Free giveaways and resources with guest speaker. Event at 731 S. Pear Orchard Rd, Ste. 51, Ridgeland. Details: Register at https://bit.ly/March17SleepSafeEvent or call (601) 355-8634.
SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Forgiveness Walk, Tuesday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Walk is a silent meditative prayer journey reflecting on our own need for forgiveness and need to forgive. Opportunity to stop at nine different stations each with its own theme to read a short scripture passage and reflect on questions. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
SAVE THE DATE
COLUMBUS Annunciation School, Draw Down and Art Auction, Friday, April 14 at the Trotter Convention Center from 6:30-11 p.m. Adults only (21 and up). Event includes dinner and open bar.
JACKSON 17th Annual Sister Thea Bowman School Draw Down, Saturday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
MADISON St. Francis, Rock Railway VBS express, June 19-22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All pre-K4 through fourth graders are invited.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Countdown scheduled for April 21. Grand prize $5,000. Tickets on sale soon!
DIOCESE Join us in honoring 2023 Bishop Chanche service award winners. Adult awards presentation and Mass, Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson. Youth award presentation will be during the closing Mass at DCYC in Vicksburg on Sunday, March 5.
SPECIAL LENTEN NOTICE
Abstinence: Catholics abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023) and Good Friday; and also on Fridays during Lent; however, Bishop Joseph Kopacz has granted a dispensation from the requirement of abstaining from meat on Friday, March 17, 2023 in honor of the Feast of St. Patrick, as on this feast day various cultural dishes with meat are traditionally served. The dispensation is granted with the condition that those who take advantage of the dispensation will substitute another profound act of penance, such as prayer and alms giving to mark this day. Norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding on Catholics from age 14 onwards.
Fasting: Catholics fast (eating one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal) on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and Good Friday (April 7). Catholics 18-59 years old are bound by this obligation.
Congratulations to Father Bill Cullen! Thank you for answering
the call!
By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – As the Diocese of Jackson kicks off the 2023 Catholic Service Appeal (CSA), director of Stewardship and Development, Rebecca Harris shared her thanks for the Synod process over the last year.
“As a diocese, we listened and heard the voices of the people calling for more programs for youth and young adults, more faith formation for adults and opportunities for healing,” said Harris.
“I’m pleased that the CSA can be a part of aiding ministries grow and flourish in our church in these ways.”
In the fall of 2022, the diocese began an office for young adult and campus ministry as a response to the call for more opportunities for young adults. This year, the CSA is able to assist this office with funds raised through the appeal to help young adults continue to grow in their faith beyond college.
Each year in January Bishop Joseph Kopacz sends letters to all parishioners in the diocese asking for support of ministries that are vital to the Catholic faith.
“When you make a gift you become the ‘Hope Rising’ to those served by the appeal,” Harris says.
The Catholic community can become the hope to those served by these ministries: Seminarian Education, Catholic Schools, Retired Priests, Clergy Assistance, Permanent Diaconate Ministry, Catholic Charities, Campus Ministry, Formation Ministry and Religious Education, Intercultural Ministry, Evangelization and Communication, Family Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Youth Ministry and grants for Parishes and Schools.
For detailed information on each of these ministries supporters can visit website csa.jacksondiocese.org.
Harris says that supporters will also find stories from people who have been supported by the Catholic Service Appeal.
“This year, we are featuring stories that show a small piece of how donations to the CSA make huge impacts.”
Supporters can click on the “Voices” page to see how donations supported Izzy from the Catholic Charities Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program; or learn how Catholic Charities Born Free program supported Jada to deliver a healthy baby boy free of drugs. Site visitors can also read how the vocations ministry supported Deacon Carlisle Beggerly as he answered the call of God; and discover how Eduardo Padilla reached deep into his faith and became a leader at his parish. And lastly, read how youth ministry supports youth like Emerson Erwin of St. Joseph Gluckstadt to attend retreats like SEARCH.
“Your prayers and generosity always make a difference,” says Bishop Joseph Kopacz.
There are several ways to give to the 2023 Catholic Service Appeal. Pledge cards can be mailed to PO Box 22723; Jackson, MS 39225; and supporters can visit csa.jacksondiocese.org to donate online.
Gifts of stocks can also be made to support the Catholic Service Appeal. For more information on the CSA, contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477.
(Editor’s note: See the special Catholic Service Appeal insert in this edition of Mississippi Catholic to learn more about all the ministries supported by this appeal.)
ST. LOUIS – Sister Marie Elizabeth “Sister Liz” Koehler, RSM, age 73, of St. Louis, Misourri, died Jan. 18, 2023, in hospice care at Catherine’s Residence, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. Born the eldest of seven children, Sister Liz dedicated her life to serving others.
Born Jan. 25, 1949, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sister Liz graduated from St. Edward Elementary School in 1963 and Mt. St. Mary’s in 1967, both in Little Rock. After graduating from “the Mount,” she entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in St. Louis. Continuing her education, Sister Liz received her Bachelors of Arts in social studies from Maryville College, St. Louis, in 1973 with an elementary education certificate. While continuing in her ministry, she received her Masters of Science in counseling at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, in 1986, and a certificate in spiritual direction from the Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, in 1997.
Sister Liz’s call to self-sacrifice and service sustained her through teaching at Christ the King School, Fort Smith, Arkansas; St. Patrick School, Meridian, Mississippi; St. Joan of Arc School, St. Louis; serving as a child care worker at Mercita Hall, St. Louis; parish ministry at St. Richard Church, Jackson, Mississippi; as spiritual director in Little Rock; and bereavement coordinator at Mercy Medical facilities in Hot Springs, Arkansas and Springfield, Missouri.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert L. Koehler, Sr., and Mary Ellen (Penny) Koehler and brother Dennis Koehler.
In addition to her love of her family, Sister Liz enjoyed scrapbooking, sewing, cake decorating, photography, reading and traveling.
