Category Archives: Diocesan News

In memoriam: Father Malcolm O’Leary, SVD

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Father Malcom O’Leary, SVD

BAY ST. LOUIS – Father Malcolm Mark O’Leary, SVD, age 92, died on May 25, 2022. He was born April 21, 1930 to the late John O’Leary and Clementine Conway O’Leary in Sulphur Springs, Mississippi. He was one of twelve children and attended Sacred Heart School in Camden, Mississippi; as well as, Holy Ghost School in Jackson.

Father O’Leary began his formal educational preparation for the priesthood in September of 1947 at St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis. Upon the completion of his priesthood preparation, Father O’Leary entered novitiate training in Techny, Illinois on Sept. 8, 1951 and took his first vows in 1953. On May 4, 1961, under the authority of Archbishop Vagnazzi, Father O’Leary was ordained into the priesthood at St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis.

In the Diocese of Jackson, Father O’Leary served at Sacred Heart Greenville from 1962-1964; St. Francis Yazoo City as associate pastor from 1967-1969 and pastor from 1969-1972; Holy Ghost Jackson from 1972-1980; Immaculate Conception Clarksdale from 1980-1984; and St. Mary Vicksburg from 2008-2018.
He retired from active ministry in 2019 and was a resident at the Woodland Village Nursing Home in Diamondhead.

Father O’Leary was preceded in death by his parents, John O’Leary and Clementine Conway, six brothers, John Frank O’Leary, Patrick Henry O’Leary, Lawrence “Smitty” O’Leary, James Kermit O’Leary, Eldridge “Tommy” O’Leary and Alfred Wendell O’Leary; three sisters, Selena O’Leary, Annie Mae O’Leary and Mary O’Leary.

He is survived by two brothers, James T. O’Leary of Alabama and Bernard O’Leary of California; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. His departure will be felt by many, but family and friends are comforted in knowing that he has now joined the faithfully departed.

His Funeral Mass was held June 1 in the chapel of St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis.

Calendar of Events

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CHATAWA Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center, 15th annual “Speak Lord I’m Listening” Retreat for men and women, using the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Friday, July 22 from 7 p.m. till Sunday, July 24 at 12 p.m. Retreat is directed by Father Bill Henry. Come learn techniques to pray and meditate on the scriptures to deepen your relationship with the Lord. Cost is $250 per person and includes housing and meals; cost for commuters is $150. Registration deadline July 11. Details: Charlene Brown (601) 276-5954 or Marion Amedee (601) 684-3098.

Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center, Quo Vadis? Young Men’s Discernment Retreat, July 26-29. Age range for retreat is 15-25. Come pray, eat, have fun and build fraternity. To register visit: https://bit.ly/QuoVadis2022 Details: email Father Nick at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.

JACKSON The Carmelite Monestery invites you to join them for Mass in their Monastery Chapel each evening during their annual Novena of Masses to honor Our Lady of Mount Carmel and to ask her intercession. Masses will be daily at 5:30 p.m., July 7 – July 16 and will be preceded by praying the Rosary at 5 p.m. There will be no morning Masses. Details: email dorothy.ashley@fmolhs.org.

PARISH, FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS
ABERDEEN St. Francis of Assisi, Parish Cook-out Party, July 2 after 5 p.m. Mass. Sign-up sheet posted in parish hall for sides and other things to bring. Details: parish hall (601) 813-2295.

CANTON Sacred Heart, Chair stretch and contemplative prayer, Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the parish center. Details: Tereza Speer (769) 233-1989.

CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Ladies Fellowship Lunch, Friday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. at The Warehouse. Just show up! Details: Mary Foust at (662) 902-9903.

JACKSON St. Richard, 4th of July Family Picnic, Sunday, July 3 after 5 p.m. Mass. Food, fun, treats and more! Bring your favorite dessert to share. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.

St. Richard Boy Scout Troop Flag Retirement Ceremony, Boy Scout Troop #30 will hold their annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at the 4th of July Family Picnic on July 3. Please bring your worn out and torn flags to the church office by Friday, July 1 to participate.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick and St. Joseph, Prison Ministry volunteers needed to spread the Good News. Details: call (601) 527-3497 John Maloney or (601) 513-9907 Ken Woodward.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Thursday Nights at the Movies at 6:30 p.m. in the youth wing of the Family Life Center. Classic Catholic movies suitable for older children through adults will be shown. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Donations accepted with proceeds going to new Miss-Lou Pregnancy Resource Center. June 30 – The 13th Day (2009); July 7 – Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972); July 21 – The Way (2010). Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, VBS, July 11-13 from 5:30-8 p.m. for preschool through age 11. Sign up sheets are in the vestibule. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.

CLINTON Holy Savior, Totally Catholic Rocky Railway VBS, July 11-15 from 6-8 p.m. for children going into PreK-3 through sixth grade. Registration open. Cost is $10 per child. Details: Trish Ballard (601) 924-6344.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, VBS, July 11-15 at the Family Life Center. Begins at 5:15 p.m. and a light, kid-friendly supper will be provided. For children entering PreK-4 through exiting fifth grade. Theme is Jerusalem Marketplace. Pre-registration is required and ends on July 1. Register at vbspro.events/p/stmarybasilica. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

MERIDIAN St. Patrick, Vacation Bible School, July 18-22. Theme is Food Truck Party … On a Roll with God! Registration now open at the parish office or online at https://bit.ly/MeridianVBS2022. Children must be registered individually. Cost is $10 per child (no child will be turned away if the family is unable to pay the fee). Open for children Kindergarten through fifth grade. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.

JOB OPENINGS
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Catholic schools across the diocese have a variety of positions open from principals to substitutes. Please visit https://schools.jacksondiocese.org/education-overview/employment/ for an opportunity near you.

NATIONAL EVENTS
BIKING FOR BABIES, Renewing the culture of life in America, one pedal stroke and one pregnancy resource center at a time. They are riding through the state Monday, July 11, starting at St. Mary Basilica, Natchez and their first stop will be Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. at Dayspring Community Church (1100 Clinton Business Park Drive, Clinton). They ask people to attend and support them as they raise funds for Pregnancy Resource Centers across the country. Details: www.bikingforbabies.com.

Patterson ‘bright spot’ in Office of Catholic Education

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Rachel Patterson is pictured with her daughter, Tristen. She began working with the Office of Catholic Education in December of 2021. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Patterson)

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Since 2020, Rachel Patterson began praying on how she could grow in service towards her Catholic faith. Late last year, Patterson followed the path she had been praying for and was offered a role in the chancery with the Office of Catholic Education as an administrative assistant.

Patterson previously served as a grant writer and executive assistant at The Little Light House, Central Mississippi, a developmental center that works with special needs children.

“Although I was in a position that I loved, serving children with special needs, I felt called to apply,” said Patterson. “The position presented similar duties … with the added bonus of serving Catholic students within my diocese.”

Working with Karla Luke, executive director of Catholic education for the diocese, was a huge draw for Patterson.

“She has such vision for the Office of Catholic Education and what the future looks like. Her background in Catholic education and strong faith helps guide all of the amazing opportunities she plans to implement … over the next few years,” said Patterson.

Luke says that Patterson is a “bright spot” in the office. “[She’s] always enthusiastic, full of her Catholic faith which is evident in her interactions with all people she encounters.”

“We are extremely lucky and blessed to have her as a part of our team.”

Patterson is married to Rooks Patterson and the couple have a one-year-old daughter, Tristen, and are expecting their second daughter in September. Patterson and her family are members of St. Richard Jackson.

Father Adolfo installed as pastor in tri-lingual celebration

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By Berta Mexidor
MORTON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz officially installed Father Adolfo Suarez-Pasillas as pastor of St. Michael Forest, its mission, St. Anne Newton, St. Michael Paulding and administrator of Centro Católico in Morton on Friday, June 3 with a tri-lingual celebration. Between COVID outbreaks, illnesses and scheduling issues, the installation was delayed almost a year, but the celebration was no less joyous.

The missions in Forest, Newton, Paulding and Morton serve many immigrants, not only of Hispanic descent but also Vietnamese among other nationalities, with a history that dates back to 1996 when the Catholic Center opened in Morton with a spiritual retreat led by Father Jorge Julio Mejia of Bogota, Colombia, who was visiting Mississippi and has continuously offered Sunday Mass and social services to the growing Hispanic community residing in and around Morton.

Father Adolfo was ordained on May 11, 2019, and had his first Mass of Thanksgiving, on June 7 of the same year, in the parish of Jesus of Nazareth, in his hometown Jesús Maria, of Aguascalientes in Mexico. Since childhood, around the age of six, Father Adolfo remembers wanting to be a priest and look at the images of his grandmother’s Bible, when he could not read. His grandmother and aunts taught him the world of faith and prayer.

“The first time I remember, the priesthood came to mind was when I was about six years old. It was Sunday, I was walking with my cousin and I remember telling her I wanted to be a priest. She asked me why, then I told her, because all priests go to heaven,” Father Adolfo recalled in an interview with Mississippi Catholic.

With his longing to serve and desire to follow God, Father Adolfo draws on the example of the many saints who inspire him, St. Augustine, St. John Bosco, St. Francis de Sales, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Mary Vianney, St. Francis of Assisi and St. John Paul II, along with his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe to serve the People of God.

MORTON – Father Adolfo Suarez was installed as pastor of St. Michael Forest on Friday, June 3. The tri-lingual celebration was delayed but was full of joy. (Photos by Carol Evans)

Brother Ted. Muchas Gracias y Hasta Luego

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Por Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – El hermano Ted Dausch, CFC llego a estas tierras en 1999 y ha devenido como el ‘gringo’ que enseño inglés a los Hispanos, español a los ‘anglos’ y quien se ha convertido, no solo por su promesa religiosa, más por su amor y grata sonrisa, en un verdadero hermano para la comunidad Hispana de Mississippi.

JACKSON – Desde su llegada a Mississippi, el Hermano Ted abrazó la tarea de enseñar inglés a la comunidad Hispana. En la foto de archivo (izq) el hermano Ted en unas de sus clases en 1999. (Foto cortesia del archivo de la Diócesis)

Cuando lo llaman “Hermano” lo hacen con respeto, admiración y el sentimiento de estar hablando con alguien que los entiende, quiere y guía con Dios.

El hermano Ted deja Mississippi después de 23 años de servicio a los Hispanos y en el próximo julio año celebrará sus 54 años de ordenación con nuevos parroquianos.

El Hermano Ted pertenece a la orden de los Hermanos Cristianos con el carisma de la educación de jóvenes, en 1998 le pidieron venir a Mississippi para establecer una comunidad en la Diócesis de Jackson y hoy la orden ha decidido llevar su experiencia a otro estado y continuar con su misión de maestro.

El próximo diciembre 16 se cumplirán 43 años de la primera Misa en español a nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y los cimientos para el Ministerio Hispano en Mississippi. De todos estos años el Hermano Ted se lleva el honor de servir ininterrumpidamente a los Hispanos desde el 2000, de ellos fue acompañado por 16 años por la orden de Hermanas Guadalupanas del Espíritu Santo, quienes lo apoyaron en tantos viajes y eventos durante su peregrinar y servicio.

JACKSON – (Izq – arriba) Con un sabroso pastel, elaborado por Lupita, el MFCC despidió al Hno. Ted, quien ha acompañado a muchos de estos matrimonios en su crecimiento espiritual. (Arriba) El Hno. Ted se dirige a los participantes de una manifestación por los inmigrates, frente al capitolio del estado de Misssissippi, en 2009. (izq) Brother Ted Daush, antes y ahora. (Fotos de Berta Mexidor y Archivos de Mississippi Catholic)

La Hermana Maria Elena Mendez, MGSpS siempre recuerda los inicios de la alianza con el hermano Ted “al principio de mi llegada, fue escucharlo decir que un día fue a Forest, a un retiro que las hermanas organizaron con la gente y le gustó mucho. Al verlas trabajar se dijo ‘esto es lo que estamos necesitando nosotros en la diócesis para potenciar líderes hispanos’.

El Hermano Ted, siendo un religioso anglo, sin hablar español y sin experiencia apostólica dice que un día le habló a Dios en estos términos, “Dios mío, ayúdame a saber qué es lo que estoy haciendo y, si no, mándame alguna ayuda” y “fue así como Dios me respondió, mandándome un par de Misioneras Guadalupanas del Espíritu Santo, para coordinar el MH en la diócesis.”

El establecimiento del Ministerio Hispano en la Diócesis de Jackson sirvió para el entrenamiento de miles de líderes Hispanos y el aumento de servicios religiosos, sociales y culturales a la comunidad hispana en los condados de la diócesis.

El “Brother Ted”, jubilado desde el 2020, ha seguido en el servicio y continuó sirviendo como asesor espiritual del MFCC, movimiento que ayudo a fundar como parte de su trabajo del Ministerio Hispano.
Miembros de este lo despidieron con alegría, como saben hacerlo, para que el Hermano se lleve el calor del amor que sembró aquí. Lupita, miembro del MFCC dice que “sin el trabajo del Hermano Ted y las Hermanas Guadalupanas, hoy no tendríamos el MFCC y a muchos lideres que fueron formados por ellos.”
El martes 8, miembros de la directiva del MFCC dieron una cálida despedida con grandes muestras de afecto y un pastel con palabras de agradecimiento que recogieron el sentir de todos, presentes y ausentes.

A su vez el Hermano Ted, siente en su humildad que “La comunidad hispana con su profunda espiritualidad no solamente me ha cambiado, me siento bendecido por haberlos conocido.” Para muchos de los que lo conocen siempre recordaran su gran sonrisa y buen humor.

MFCC Clausura del ciclo 2021-2022

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Por Berta Mexidor

RICHLAND – Como ya es costumbre el Movimiento Familiar Cristiano Católico (MFCC) de la Federación de Jackson al final de cada período reúne a sus miembros para cerrar el año fiscal.  Este viernes 3 de junio a las 5.30 p.m. el MFCC clausuró con éxito su ciclo 2021-2022 en el auditorio “Richland Community Center”
La reunión de clausura fue dirigida por los presidentes, Irma y Ernesto Sánchez, quienes dieron la bienvenida a las parejas asistentes. Luego introdujeron al Padre Alexis Zuñiga, ST quien abrió la misma con la oración al Espíritu Santo entonada por todos los asistentes, la palabra de Dios y una reflexión.

A la misma asistieron los directivos del MFCC y una veintena de parejas y el hermano Theodore (Ted) Dausch, CFC., asesor espiritual del MFCC desde que el mismo se creó. Se presentaron los reportes financieros y de los presidentes mostrando el éxito en todas las actividades planeadas y el incremento de los fondos financieros para cubrir los gastos futuros para el ciclo 2022-2023 fueron presentados por los tesoreros Cinthia y Gustavo García y los presidentes del MFCC, respectivamente.

El Padre Alexis en su reflexión les felicitó por sus logros y los animó a crecer en la fe, llegar a mejores obras y a guiar con el ejemplo a las nuevas parejas y familias que lleguen” … Recuerden que como ustedes son, otros serán, hagan que el próximo año sea mejor que esté, porque ahora son ustedes son distintos que hace un año.” 

El equipo coordinador de este ciclo tuvo 15 reuniones quincenales con sus asesoramientos. El equipo coordino dos ventas y una rifa para adquirir fondos extras. El movimiento tuvo un retiro de crecimiento con Jesús y Elva y tres retiros s con el Padre Alexis, se celebró el Reencuentro conyugal y una Misa de la Sagrada Familia. Como cada año, la directiva tuvo una reunión con el obispo Joseph Kopacz para presentar el calendario de actividades del ciclo 2021-2022 que termina con esta asamblea de clausura.

RICHLAND – Matrimonios de las diferentes etapas del MFCC Federación de Jackson, MS, escuchan la reflexion del Padre Alexis Zuniga, ST en la asamblea de clausura del ciclo 2021-2022 el 3 de junio en el Richland Community Center. (Fotos de Berta Mexidor)

Mississippi summers provided bishop with many challenges

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From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – As we begin our journey into the lovely days of summer filled with that heat and humidity we treasure so much, I thought I would share some more experiences of Bishop John Gunn’s adventures. These few entries detail his battles with travelling in July on the Gulf Coast, which was once part of our diocese until the Diocese of Biloxi was established in 1977.

The 17 counties that make up the Diocese of Biloxi would have been Deanery VII of this Diocese in Bishop Gunn’s time. It stretches up to Laurel and over to Tylertown. Bishop Gunn enjoyed being on the Gulf and spent a lot of time in Pass Christian. He attributed it to the easier access to rail and road travel from the Coast than Natchez had.

DeLISLE – The interior of Our Lady of Good Hope parish is pictured in Christmas of 1920. Bishop John Gunn takes readers on summer adventure at the parish when he visited in July of 1912. Established in 1872, the church was first destroyed by fire in 1905 and rebuilt by Father René Sorin and ultimately destroyed beyond repair by Hurricane Camille in August 1969. (Photos courtesy of archives)

The week of July 23, 1912, Bishop Gunn, who was only a few months into his tenure as bishop, spent a couple of days visiting DeLisle and its missions. Once again, the entries reflect Bishop Gunn’s dry wit and matter-of-fact demeanor. As a disclaimer, the reader needs to remember this is 110 years ago and conditions would have been different in the state of communities and parishes.

“July 23 – DeLisle and Missions: Big reception at the church – dinner in St. Joseph’s Hall. DeLisle has a long history and is connected with big men. The present Bishop of Oklahoma [Théophile Meerschaert] commenced his missionary career at DeLisle. Father [Alphonse] Ketels, now in Biloxi, followed him and Father [René] Sorin has spent nearly 20 years in the most abject poverty and isolation that it is possible to imagine a priest can have.”

“July 24 – Gave Confirmation after Mass in DeLisle. Gave a lecture at Cuevas at eight o’clock on Wednesday night and got the scare of my life in the house to which I was assigned to sleep after the lecture. It was a little bungalow, and I got the best room in the house and I think I got the concentrated heat of the entire coast.”

“I was wet and tired, and I fell asleep as soon as I could. … In the middle of the night I thought my last hour had come as something got into the bed with me and fought me like a tiger. I had nothing but a sheet covering me and in my surprise, to get the bed all to myself I rolled the sheet round the visitor and we had an unequal tussle.”

“It seems a big Scotch Collie had been accustomed to sleep in the bed and had not been notified of the change of occupants. I rolled the sheet ‘round the collie who objected to the familiarity and frightened me thoroughly before I let him loose.”

“July 25 – I gave Confirmation in Cuevas or Pineville. After the Mass and Confirmation and a sermon, I felt as if I had been pulled out of the ocean and it was then I was told that I had to see all the people.”

“I was wet – the church itself was the reception room. The Protestant idea of using the church for everything obtains unfortunately in Mississippi when actual service is not going on. For a little while, I endured the handshaking and the heat, but I begged the priest to get me somewhere where I could get rid of my wet clothes and effect a change at least in parts.”

DeLISLE – Our Lady of Good Hope parish was served by Father René Sorin, from 1896 until his death on Feb. 6, 1955.

“There was no available spot in the church nor in the sacristy, nor behind the altar – nor anywhere and I found my wet clothes now growing cold. Finally, the priest asked me if I would use a kind of closet that was in the sacristy. The closet was about three feet square and contained a barrel in which all the things the ladies of the Altar Society did not want the Bishop to see – old flowers, old candles, broken vases, etc., but I was glad to get even there to get out of my wet clothes.”

“I was progressing rapidly and quickly, when I looked at a slit in the closet and there to my horror, I saw a snake looking right into my eyes. About four or five inches of him stuck to the wall and the rest of him hissed at me.”

“I did not take long to beat a retreat and I never thought I could be such a coward. Irishmen and snakes don’t agree.”

So, I sit here in my air-conditioned office, thinking of those mid-summer days growing up without this luxury and how we managed to endure it. Then I imagine the most likely wool-suited Bishop Gunn perspiring in buckets in his missions throughout the diocese – fending off creatures in the night and slithering snakes in closets – to be shepherd to his sheep. God bless him.

As we make the slide into the heat and humidity of Mississippi’s summer through the traditional doorway of Memorial Day weekend, let us remember to offer prayers and thanks for all who have served our country and paid the ultimate price on the battlefields of the world. Bishop Gunn, who loved three things – his Catholic faith, his Irish heritage, and his American citizenship – would expect that of us. Amen.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)

Bishop ordains Bowden to priesthood

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Family, friends and supporters gathered on Saturday, May 14 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson for the priestly ordination of Andrew Bowden, who set his sights on the priesthood from the time he was a kindergartener.

Father Bowden was the first seminarian welcomed into the program by Bishop Joseph Kopacz in 2014, after Bowden graduated from high school.

Bishop Kopacz said that eight years ago “seems like a lifetime age,” something that vocation director Father Nick Adam concurred with.

In 2014, Father Nick was still in seminary formation when Bowden was accepted to the program.
“It’s great to see the growth … from 18-years-old to now 26, but also the growth in his identity as a future priest of the church,” said Father Nick.

JACKSON – Attendees witness the Priestly Ordination of Father Andrew Bowden on Saturday, May 14 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. Bowden is pictured as he lays prostrate on the floor for the Litany of Supplication. This symbolizes his unworthiness for the office he is about to assume and his dependence upon God and the prayers of the Christian community. The Litany of Saints is sung, which is a great reminder that we are all connected with the body of saints in heaven. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

At the joyful celebration, Bishop Kopacz was joined by many other priests in the diocese, seminarians and Father James Wehner, STD, rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

Bishop Kopacz gave special acknowledgement to Father Wehner, who is leaving his position as rector after a 10 year “tour of duty,” returning to his home diocese of Pittsburg.

Wehner was a huge part in the lives of our recent generation of priests in the diocese. Bishop Kopacz acknowledged, while running through the lists of “characters” that have entered the priesthood under Father Wehner’s tenure.“Twelve seems to be the number … we have truly been blessed in our diocese,” said Bishop Kopacz.

The Solemn Mass of Ordination featured the election of the candidate with Father Nick Adam proclaiming Bowden’s worthiness; the promise of the elect, where Bowden agreed to live his priesthood in the imitation of Christ; the litany of supplication, where Bowden laid prostrate on the floor while those at the church prayed for the saints protection; the laying on of hands by brother priests; the prayer of ordination over Bowden by Bishop Kopacz; vestition by Father Matthew Simmons; the anointing of hands with sacred oil; presentation of the chalice and paten as symbols of the priestly office; and the fraternal kiss, where the Bishop and all brother priests present exchange a sign of peace.

In his homily, Bishop Kopacz spoke on the tradition of the priesthood over 2000 years.

“We go from Jerusalem to Jackson. Same work; same faith; same Holy Word of God; and this great gift of the Lord’s presence in our midst.”

At the end of the liturgy, Bishop Kopacz thanked everyone who helped prepare for the ordination and all in attendance for the celebration, mentioning the upcoming ordination of Carlisle Beggerly to the transitional diaconate on June 4 at his home parish of Immaculate Conception in West Point.

After Mass, many in attendance traveled a few blocks from the Cathedral to the Two Mississippi Museums for a reception honoring Father Bowden and to receive first priestly blessings.

The day after Father Bowden’s ordination, he celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish of St. Jude Pearl, with his family, friends and fellow parishioners, who supported him during his journey to the priesthood.

For the Mass, Father Bowden invited Father Nick, as his vocation director to give the homily. Speaking directly to Father Bowden, Father Nick told him that he had been waiting for this day a long time.
“But, probably not as long as you,” joked Father Nick.

“As your vocation director, it has been a joy to see you being formed into a man who is going to be a fantastic priest.”

Most striking about Father Bowden’s ordination was the number of young people who came to show their support, noted Father Nick.

“That is a testament to the spiritual fatherhood that you have already taken on,” said Father Nick to Bowden during his homily.

At the end of the Mass, the newly ordained Father Bowden did his best to recall all to thank for their support of him and his journey to the priesthood.

“St. Jude is a place where I first started to learn to love the church, so it’s very special for me to come back and … celebrate this Mass,” said Father Bowden.

“I could not have gotten here with out all of you and your prayers and support for me.”

Father Bowden was appointed parochial vicar of St. Richard Jackson by Bishop Kopacz. He will begin his ministry at the parish on June 1.

Sister Dorothea, rather ‘wear out than rust out’

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By Joe Lee
MADISON – Growing up an hour from Chicago, Illinois, long, cold winters were a way of life for Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth as well as an opportunity to enjoy sports that most Mississippians may never experience.

“We went ice skating, sledding and snowmobiling,” said Sister Dorothea, a registered dietician and a 2017 recipient of the Catholic Health Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her ministry at St. Dominic Health Services. “Later, I snow skied in Utah and Colorado when meetings would take me to that part of the country. I’ve gone dog sledding out there.”

MADISON – Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth and Bishop Joseph Kopacz share a laugh at the opening of the Clarence and Sue Smith Rehab Center and Tuscany Skilled Nursing Center at St. Catherines Village in July 2019. (Photo by Joanna King)

The broken neck Sister Dorothea suffered on Palm Sunday in 2015 brought an end to the sledding and snowmobiling the beloved Dominican Sister still enjoyed by then, but in no way did it put a stop to her desire to remain active.

“My broken neck wasn’t from skiing or dog sledding,” she said. “I was at the chapel at St. Catherine’s Village. I got out of a chair, lost my balance, fell back and hit my neck on the back of a padded chair. I had no pain when I stood, but as I drove back to the convent, I felt a lump in my throat and decided to go to the E.R. and have it checked out.”

Sister Dorothea, as she would learn, had torn a ligament in her neck. She had surgery that night and left the hospital the next morning wearing a neck brace.

“I didn’t need rehab, and I thank God and the doctor for the surgery,” she said. “It was a miracle. I had an assistant whose mother is a paraplegic after being injured in a tornado. Another assistant, when I was a dietician, was broadsided in a car accident and died from a broken neck. I said, ‘The Lord has something for me to do.’”

There would be no more snowmobiling, no more daydreams of skydiving. But Sister Dorothea remains active to this day, walking often and gardening the lovely expanse behind the convent every chance she gets. She’s quick to offer gentle encouragement to those who find it difficult to cope with the aging process.

“I was not depressed. It was the reality of it,” she said of the Palm Sunday fall. “I knew God had intervened. God has plans. There’s a reason for everything. We’re not as young as we used to be, and when I’m asked by people, ‘You’re really still working?’, I say, ‘I’d rather wear out than rust out.’

“My mantra is to have everything in your life in balance, everything in moderation. Good exercise, good nutrition, good rest and prayer.”

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