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Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center offers peace, tranquility
By Richard Meek The Catholic Commentator
CHATAWA – Nestled in a stunningly beautiful corner of southwest Mississippi, Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center features 400 acres of Mother Nature’s finest work.
Far removed from a main highway, or even a small town, the rolling property offers a welcome tranquility, a place where deer roam freely, where native woods house species of every sort, where a picturesque lake featuring a gazebo and a canoe are the center’s welcome mat.
For Father Mark Beard it is a 400-acre answer to a prayer. A Catholic retreat center serving the Diocese of Baton Rouge has been a dream of his for several years but as he said “didn’t think it would ever come to fruition.”
He and Ponchatoula businessman Mike Fulmer had been seeking to purchase property suitable for a retreat center and believed they had found the ideal setting when the former Rosaryville Center went up for sale. Ultimately, the Dominican Sisters of Peace sold the retreat center to a businessman and it has since been turned into a non-denominational center.
Fulmer later learned St. Mary of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi was on the market. Originally opened by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1874 as an all-girls boarding school, the facility, which was used as a retreat center in later years, had become too burdensome for the sisters to continue to manage.
“When (Fulmer) called (regarding a visit to Chatawa) I think my first words were, ‘Mike I don’t think we can afford to go down one more rabbit hole,’” Father Beard recalled with a chuckle.
But he relented and during his initial tour Father Beard knew God was revealing his dream before his eyes with each passing step. But he had one more surprise coming when earlier this year the property was sold to an individual who then donated the property to Chatawa Retreat Center, a non-profit business which manages the facility.
“That was manna from heaven,” Father Beard said.
The School Sisters of Notre Dame had had the property listed for close to three years and fielded offers but it remained unsold. Fortunately, the buildings needed little work, a tribute to the sisters who Father Beard said “operated on a shoestring.”
The sprawling property features a combined 100,000 square feet of living areas, while Rosaryville had 10,000 square feet. Additionally, Our Lady of Hope has two dorms that can accommodate more than a combined 100 retreatants, a main dining room along with smaller dining rooms, a chapel that once served as a parish church, an outdoor Stations of the Cross, a firepit, cafeterias and beautiful vistas throughout.
A well-stocked gift shop includes paintings and digital copies of paintings of Drazen Vucina, an artist from Medjugorje, where Father Beard found his calling to be a priest. Our Lady of Hope features more than 50 of Drazen’s original works.
Improvements include turning the property’s oldest building, a storage area built in 1875, into a eucharistic adoration chapel.
Father Beard said all retreat centers offer the same amenities, such as good food and nice beds but what will ultimately separate Our Lady of the Hope are plans for 13 individual gardens that will include a Mary Garden and a garden of the apostles.
Father Beard admitted to some trepidation to opening the center during the COVID-19 pandemic, thinking “Really, Lord?’ Could we have picked a worse time to get started?”
Despite those concerns, success has come early. Already, the center has hosted several retreats, ranging from one day to a week. Other groups, such as ACTS, a production company and high schools have utilized the facility.
Also under discussion is four Catholic high schools who wish to host a four-team basketball tournament with the emphasis on the retreat component.
“It’s kind of hard to sell it until you come and visit it,” Father Beard acknowledged.
In the past few months he has visited the chaplains and youth ministers at the Catholic schools in New Orleans. He followed with personal invitations and open houses.
Father Beard has also made visits to schools in Mississippi and Alabama and a Lake Charles company recently took drone photography for the website.
“A lot of (the marketing) is personal; you need to meet the people and say ‘I need you to come visit,’“ he said.
Exuding an enthusiasm that is contagious, Father Beard discussed his vision for the future, which includes the potential of opening an elementary school that might be more “home schoolish” in the beginning.
Plans also call for building two tiny houses tucked away in the woods away from the center where clergy members can come spend a night or two to enjoy the solitude, to pray, to unwind. Father Beard cited the challenges of being a diocesan priest, saying that 20% percent is spent on the theological side of issues and the remaining 80% on such matters as building facilities maintenance, upkeep and meetings.
“You are not in the theology world and you can see it on the priests,” he said. “They are exhausted and his will give them a chance to get away and to be alone.”
For now, Father Beard roams the grounds frequently, checking on the status of projects, or more important checking on his dream.
“I love it,” he said. “I love the quiet. I love only to have to talk about our faith. We want to pass Catholicity through the door to as many people as we can.”
For information on Our Lady of Hope and how to book a retreat visit www.ourladyofhopems.com.
‘Hope Rising’ – heart of 2022 Catholic Service Appeal
By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – As the Diocese of Jackson kicks off the 2022 Catholic Service Appeal (CSA), Rebecca Harris paused to remember all that has changed in our world and our lives over the past 24 months.
“We remember that our Catholic faith has been there in these trying times. Let us find comfort in the Eucharist knowing that Jesus is guiding each of us. He has been our ‘Hope Rising,'” said Harris.
Each year in January Bishop Joseph Kopacz sends letters to all parishioners in the diocese asking for support of 11 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, Catholic Charities, Campus Ministry, Formation Ministry and Religious Education, Intercultural Ministry, Evangelization and Communication, Family Ministry, Youth Ministry and Parishes.
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 the Pastoral Ministry Retreat supports Letty Ruiz as a catechist at her parish. Site visitors can also hear how the vocations ministry supported Kathleen McMullan as she answered the call of God; and discover how Father P.J. Curley is supported through donations to retired priests. And lastly, read how youth ministry supports Carrie Lambert and the youth of her parish at St. Mary Basilica in Natchez.
“Let us reflect, remember and renew all those who are served by the ministries supported by the Catholic Service Appeal. With your gift you are our ‘Hope Rising,'” says Bishop Joseph Kopacz.
There are several ways to give to the 2022 Catholic Service Appeal. Pledge cards can be mailed to PO Box 22723; Jackson, MS 39225; supporters can visit csa.jacksondiocese.org to donate online; or text to give at 601-706-5858.
Gifts of stocks can also be made to support the CSA. For more information on the CSA, contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477.
Bless the Kelly’s of Potato Hill
From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – As we begin the new calendar year, let’s visit another interesting stop in Bishop John Gunn’s diary. This time we are on the road in northeast Mississippi in June of 1912.
On this trip, Bishop Gunn visits Tupelo and Plantersville among other places. He conferred the sacrament of confirmation and spoke to large gatherings of Catholics and non-Catholics in each location.
On June 12 he arrived in Tupelo and here is what he had to say about his visit: “Tupelo is a boom town of new growth with plenty of activity, and a promise that it may become something. The town hall was secured, much free advertisement was given, and I said Mass on the stage, confirmed a few Catholics there and found the big event of the visit was to be a mass meeting in the theatre to hear the Bishop talk of Catholic claims.”
“I spoke about an hour in Tupelo on that night and was congratulated for nearly another hour afterwards with such vigorous handshaking that I was afraid of arm dislocation.”
From Tupelo, Bishop Gunn headed the next day to Plantersville – called Potato Hill by locals. There he encountered an elderly Mrs. Kelly, who was overcome with tears of joy to meet the Bishop. Bishop Gunn’s diary account gives the reason for her outpouring.
“There was one family of the name Kelly – the oldest settler in that section – and after walking, riding and climbing for a number of hours we reached the little log cabin on a hill where Mrs. Kelly was rocking herself in expectation.”
“She was old and very religious and as soon as she heard that there was actually a Bishop on her porch she commenced to weep and to talk about John. ‘Do you think, Bishop, he will ever be forgiven, or what part of hell is he in, or can you get him out?’ Or other questions equally hard to answer.”
“I thought that John probably had misconducted himself in years gone by – he was now eleven years dead – and his wife had not completely forgiven him. I tried to make the man’s excuse as well as I could, but she would talk of John and finally I let her tell the whole story.”
“John and I came from Ireland to Mobile and we got married there and struck out to find a quiet place to spend our honeymoon. We got tired just here and we camped and thought it would be a good place to remain.”
“The Indians were everywhere but they didn’t bother us. John – who was a carpenter – cut down the logs and I was strong enough to drag the logs up here. John and I built this log house, and we were the happiest people in the world for some thirty or forty years. The Indians roundabout didn’t bother us, but the Protestants wanted me and John to go to their meeting houses, or they wanted us to pray with them.”
“This made John mad and every time he saw anything like a preacher he commenced to curse and swear, and I had great trouble in keeping John from attacking the preacher. This kept on for years and finally the great trouble came to John one evening when two men came up the side of the hill on horseback. John and I were on the porch looking at them coming.”
“John whispered to me ‘here are two more preachers’ and it was not long until one of them came up and said, ‘Aren’t you John Kelly?’ He said ‘Yes, what do you want?’ “Well, John, I heard you are a Catholic.’”
“Then John got mad, and he asked the preacher what in —- did it matter to him, and the preacher smiled, and that made John madder and madder. He told the preacher to go to the bad place. This made the man get off his horse and John got ready to thrash him when the preacher said to him: ‘Why, John Kelly, I am Bishop Elder, the Bishop of Natchez, and that is the way you receive me and treat me.’”
“Poor John was dumbfounded that he couldn’t speak but fainted. To send his Bishop, who had come 28 miles on horseback to see him – to welcome him in such a way. And Mrs. Kelly’s whole trouble was to find out if poor John, who had received the last Bishop who had visited them, was still suffering from the reception given.”
“The Kelly’s had been visited 28 years before by Bishop Elder and poor Mrs. Kelly was glad to see another Bishop who promised all kinds of excuses for her old man, John.”
“She had a number of grown-up children and their families. They were all at supper in the log cabin at Potato Hill. I got the best room and enjoyed it as the trip was long and tiresome.”
This is a great account of life on the road in our diocese. We take for granted being able to travel most places in the diocese in one day. Here we have the accounts of bishops travelling to some outlying areas to find their sheep – even sheep who greet them in a not so pleasant way.
God bless the Kelly’s of Potato Hill – salt of the earth.
(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)
In memoriam: Sister Marie Elizabeth Alspaugh, SSJ and Paul Artman
FLOURTOWN, Pa. – Sister Marie Elizabeth Alspaugh, SSJ, died on Nov. 23, 2021, at age 86. She was a dedicated servant in Catholic education for 33 years. From 1990-2008, she served as principal at Our Lady of Lourdes in Greenville.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 10:30 a.m. Services are private but will be livestreamed from the Saint Joseph Villa website, www.stjosephvilla.org.
Sister Alspaugh is the daughter of the late Howard and Henrietta (nee Klenke) Alsplaugh, sister of Alice Both (David), and her late sisters Mary Bowers, Judith Sullivan (Stewart), and Sister Marie St. Paul Alspaugh, SSJ. She is also predeceased by her brother Richard Alspaugh. She is survived by nieces Susannah Beacom, Karen and Willa Sullivan, Julie George and nephew Grayson George. She is also survived by members of her congregation, the Sisters of St. Joseph.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister’s name to Saint Joseph Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, PA 19031.
GREENVILLE – On Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, Paul Artman, devoted family man, dedicated friend, community servant-leader, and faithful child of God died at the age of 70. He was born July 21, 1951, in Greenville, Mississippi, to Carol and Paul Artman, loving parents who would be his model for the extraordinary life he enjoyed. He married the former Barbara Deaton in 1975 and the two had four children.
Paul was a life-long learner; therefore, he revered his studies at the University of Notre Dame and Delta State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Education in Social Sciences, a Master of Educational Supervision, a Master of Education in History, and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership.
Paul was a graduate of the Catholic Lay Ministry Program in the Diocese of Jackson and served both St. Rita Catholic Church at Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greenville as an Extraordinary Minister and Faith Formation teacher. He served both St. Rita and St. John Catholic Schools on their School Advisory Councils.
Artman served as Greenville mayor from 1996-2004 after serving on city council starting in 1989. He was also the administrator at St. Joseph Catholic School until his retirement four years ago.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the institution he so loved, St. Joseph School Facilities Organization, P. O. Box 1406, Greenville, MS 38702. Go Irish!
Featured photo … Final engraving finished on gravestone…
Bishop Latino passed on May 28, 2021. He was born Oct. 21, 1937 in New Orleans. He was ordained on May 25, 1963 and was appointed the 10th Bishop of Jackson on Jan. 3, 2003, with his installation on Mar. 7, 2003 in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, the site of his final resting place.
Declaración introductoria del informe anual diocesano
Queridos amigos en Cristo,
Estoy agradecido con el liderazgo de la Cancillería que ha elaborado este informe completo y legible que brinda una descripción general de la fiel corresponsabilidad de todos los que trabajan en el centro de nuestra diócesis.
Les puedo asegurar que el jefe de cada departamento está comprometido con los ideales de colaboración, cooperación y comunicación que crean una cultura de transparencia y rendición de cuentas. Trabajando juntos como equipo, son mucho más capaces de cumplir su misión de servir a los ministerios diocesanos en colaboración con nuestro dedicado personal, voluntarios, ordenados, religiosos y laicos en más de 65 condados. Todos juntos nos esforzamos por edificar el Cuerpo de Cristo, por ir y hacer discípulos, y por edificar el Reino de Dios, de justicia y de paz.
Sería negligente si no mencionara que el período de tiempo cubierto de este informe anual ocurrió durante la pandemia, lo que redujo los viajes y las interacciones normales. Sin embargo, no disminuyó el celo por crear nuevas vías de participación y aliento por parte del liderazgo diocesano. Estoy muy agradecido que estén haciendo un esfuerzo adicional, incluso cuando no pueden salir de la oficina.
Que el Dios de la perseverancia y el aliento bendiga a nuestros niños y jóvenes, a nuestros padres y educadores, y a nuestros trabajadores de la salud que continúan enfrentando enormes desafíos a medida que la pandemia va y viene.
Sinceramente suyo en Cristo,
+Joseph R. Kopacz, obispo de Jackson
Informe Financiero – Oficina de la Cancillería de la Diócesis de Jackson
Carolyn M. Callahan – Directora, Departamento de Asuntos Temporales
El informe de auditoría completo de las finanzas de la oficina de la Cancillería de la Diócesis de Jackson está disponible en línea en https://jacksondiocese.org/offices/administration-finance/. Los gráficos circulares incluidos en este informe excluyen el activo neto restringido y las transacciones relacionadas de los ingresos de Sarullo Estate legados a la Diócesis, para el uso exclusivo y beneficio de la Iglesia Católica y Parroquia St. Joseph, Greenville MS, que son una parte requerida de los estados financieros auditados.
En los estados financieros auditados se incluyen el Fondo Corriente y el Fondo de Depósitos y Préstamos. El Fondo Actual representa los servicios prestados a las parroquias, escuelas y misiones por el obispo diocesano y sus representantes, incluidas las oficinas del obispo, vicario general, canciller, archivos, comunicación, educación, formación en la fe, liturgia, educación de seminaristas y vocaciones, Mayordomía y Desarrollo, y Asuntos Temporales. El fondo de Depósito y Préstamo representa los ahorros de todas las localidades parroquiales y escolares y la cartera de inversiones relacionada. Aparte de este informe están los ingresos y gastos de Caridades Católicas y la Fundación Católica.
Dos fuentes principales de ingresos para la oficina de la Cancillería son la Evaluación Cathedraticum anual y la Campaña del Servicio Católico. La Evaluación Cathedraticum es actualmente el 10,5% de los ingresos anuales de la parroquia menos ciertas exenciones para campañas de capital aprobadas y subsidios pagados a las escuelas. Los ingresos de esta evaluación anual financian los gastos de la oficina del obispo y su administración extendida, todos los costos de seguro médico y de jubilación de los sacerdotes, y los costos de educación, estipendios y beneficios de los seminaristas.
El salario y los beneficios del personal, los beneficios y la asistencia del clero y la educación de los seminaristas representan los principales gastos de la administración del obispo. Otros gastos de rutina incluyen talleres y conferencias celebradas y asistidas, viajes, costos de impresión y distribución de periódicos, y subvenciones otorgadas a parroquias y escuelas.
Las funciones y mejoras significativas dentro de la oficina de Asuntos Temporales (finanzas) durante los últimos tres años incluyen, entre otras, las siguientes:
• Presentar 79 solicitudes del Plan de Protección de Cheques de Pago para todas las parroquias y escuelas dentro de la Diócesis por un total de $5,422,000. Estos fondos se distribuyeron a cada ubicación específica para compensar sus costos de nómina individuales. Los préstamos PPP se perdonaron por completo, excepto en tres ubicaciones que tenían un total PPP combinado de poco menos de $6,000. Se presentaron solicitudes de PPP de segunda ronda para cinco escuelas y tres parroquias.
• Consolidación de la cartera de inversiones de Depósitos y Préstamos para minimizar el riesgo, contratación de un consultor de inversiones experimentado que proporcione declaraciones regulares y transparentes, y revisión trimestral de la cartera por parte de un comité de inversiones independiente.
• Consejo de Finanzas activamente involucrado dirigido por un experto laico Presidente, asesor del obispo, incluidos varios comités activos como el comité de presupuesto, el comité de auditoría y el comité de inversión.
• Colaboración con el gobierno federal para mejorar las mejores prácticas generales con respecto a la ética, la comunicación y las finanzas de las parroquias y la oficina de la cancillería.
• Sólida relación de trabajo con firma de auditoría independiente y cumplimiento de GAAP.
• Mejora de los procesos internos de información financiera y planificación presupuestaria.
• Simplificación de procedimientos utilizando recursos externos para mejorar los controles y procesos internos con menos empleados del departamento.
• Colaboración fortalecida con Caridades Católicas con respecto a las finanzas.
• Estabilización de las primas médicas y los costos generales del plan de salud al trabajar con el recién formado Departamento de Recursos Humanos para cambiar de proveedor.
Los planes para el futuro incluyen pero no se limitan a:
• Incorporación separada del fondo de Depósitos y Préstamos administrado por una junta compuesta por el obispo y una selección de sacerdotes, ministros eclesiales laicos, directores de escuelas y laicos expertos.
• Revisión del actual plan diocesano de jubilación para laicos.
• Implementación del programa de Auditoría Interna para parroquias.
• Creación de la Guía de Mejores Prácticas de Finanzas Escolares.
Las preguntas relacionadas con las finanzas diocesanas pueden enviarse a Carolyn Callahan, Directora del Departamento de Asuntos Temporales por correo electrónico a Cathy Pendleton a cathy.pendleton@jacksondiocese.org.
Estadísticas 2020
Población Católica 42,746
Número de Parroquias 72
Número de misiones 19
Personal
Sacerdotes diocesanos activos 29
Sacerdote Diocesano Fuera de la Diócesis 2
Sacerdotes jubilados 20
Orden Religiosa 20
Sacerdotes Externos en la Diócesis 12
Sacerdotes totales 83
Diáconos permanentes 7
hermanos 4
hermanas 40
Seminaristas 6
Ministros eclesiales laicos 9
sacramentos
Bautismos 576
Bautismos de adultos 54
Recibido en la plena comunión 101
Primera Eucaristía 415
Confirmaciones 236
Matrimonios 183
Muertes 379
Educación Católica
Escuelas secundarias 4
Escuelas Primarias 12
Centros de Aprendizaje Temprano 3
Profesores de tiempo completo 360
Número de alumnos 3.411
Protección infantil
Verificación de antecedentes para el Programa de Protección Infantil 1,532
Número total de verificaciones de antecedentes 17,000+
‘Hope Rising’: Campaña ‘Esperanza Creciente’, corazón del Servicio Católico de 2022
JACKSON – Mientras la Diócesis de Jackson inicia la Campaña del Servicio Católico (CSA) de 2022, Rebecca Harris hizo una pausa para recordar todo lo que ha cambiado nuestro mundo y nuestras vidas durante los últimos 24 meses.
“Recordemos que nuestra fe católica ha estado ahí en todos estos tiempos difíciles y encontremos consuelo en la Eucaristía, sabiendo que Jesús nos está guiando a cada uno de nosotros. Él ha sido nuestra ‘ creciente esperanza’,” dijo Harris.
Cada año, en enero, el obispo Joseph Kopacz envía cartas a todos los feligreses de la diócesis invitando al apoyo de 11 ministerios que son vitales para la fe católica. “Cuando haces una donación, te conviertes en la ‘esperanza creciente’ para aquellos a quienes la apelación ayuda,” dice Harris.
La comunidad católica puede convertirse en la esperanza para aquellos atendidos por estos ministerios: Educación de Seminaristas, Escuelas Católicas, Sacerdotes Jubilados, Caridades Católicas, Ministerio Universitario, Ministerio de Formación y Educación Religiosa, Ministerio Intercultural, Evangelización y Comunicación, Ministerio Familiar, Ministerio Juvenil y Parroquias. Para obtener información detallada sobre cada uno de estos ministerios, los feligreses pueden visitar el sitio web csa.jacksondiocese.org.
Harris dice que los simpatizantes también encontrarán historias de personas que han sido apoyadas por la Campaña del Servicio Católico. “Este año, relataremos historias que muestren cómo una pequeña parte de las donaciones a la CSA llegan a tener un gran impacto.”
Los feligreses pueden hacer clic en la página “Voices-Voces” para ver cómo las donaciones apoyaron a Izzy, del programa de Menores Refugiados No Acompañados, de Caridades Católicas, o aprender cómo el Retiro del Ministerio Pastoral apoya a Letty Ruiz como catequista en su parroquia.
Los visitantes del sitio también pueden escuchar cómo el ministerio de vocaciones apoyó a Kathleen McMullan mientras respondía al llamado de Dios, y descubrir cómo se apoya al Padre P.J. Curley a través de donaciones a sacerdotes jubilados. Y, por último, lea cómo el ministerio juvenil apoya a Carrie Lambert y a los jóvenes de su parroquia en la Basílica de Santa María en Natchez.
“Reflexionemos, recordemos y renovemos a todos aquellos a quienes sirven los ministerios apoyados por la Campaña del Servicio Católico. Con su donación, usted es nuestra ‘Esperanza Creciente’,” dice el obispo Joseph Kopacz.
Hay varias formas de donar a la Campaña del Servicio Católico de 2022:
Las tarjetas de compromiso se pueden enviar por correo postal a PO Box 22723; Jackson, MS 39225; se puede visitar csa.jacksondiocese.org para donar en línea, o enviar un mensaje de texto al 601-706-5858; También se pueden hacer donaciones de acciones bursátiles para apoyar a la CSA.
(Para obtener más información sobre la CSA, comuníquese con Rebecca Harris al (601) 960-8477.)
El centro de retiro Our Lady of Hope ofrece paz y tranquilidad
Por Richard Meek, “El comentarista Católico”
Ubicado en un rincón increíblemente hermoso del suroeste de Mississippi, el centro de retiro Our Lady of Hope (Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza) cuenta con 400 acres de las mejores obras de la Madre Naturaleza.
Lejos de la carretera principal, o incluso de un pequeño pueblo, la propiedad ondulada ofrece una tranquila bienvenida a un lugar con un pintoresco lago con mirador y una canoa donde los ciervos deambulan libremente, los bosques nativos albergan especies de todo tipo.
Para el padre Mark Beard es una respuesta de 400 acres a una oración. Un centro de retiro católico que sirve a la Diócesis de Baton Rouge ha sido un sueño suyo durante varios años, pero como dijo, “no pensé que nunca se haría realidad.”
Él y el empresario de Ponchatoula, Mike Fulmer, habían estado buscando comprar una propiedad adecuada para un centro de retiro. Más tarde, Fulmer se enteró de que St. Mary of the Pines en Chatawa, Mississippi, estaba en el mercado. Inaugurado originalmente por las Hermanas de la Escuela de Notre Dame en 1874 como un internado solo para niñas, la instalación, que se utilizó como centro de retiro en años posteriores, se había vuelto demasiado onerosa para que las hermanas continuaran manejándola. Pero tuvo una sorpresa más cuando, a principios de este año, la propiedad se vendió a un individuo que luego la donó a Chatawa Retreat Center, una empresa sin fines de lucro que administra las instalaciones. “Eso fue maná del cielo,” dijo el padre Beard.
Las Hermanas de la Escuela de Notre Dame habían incluido la propiedad durante casi tres años y habían recibido ofertas, pero no se vendió. El padre Beard dijo que las hermanas acordaron un precio más bajo que era asequible para Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza porque querían que la misión continuara.
“Saben que eso es importante para nosotros”, dijo el padre Beard. “Realmente funcionó para los dos.” Afortunadamente, los edificios necesitaban poco trabajo, un homenaje a las hermanas que el padre Beard dijo: “operaban con muy poco dinero.” “Dad a las hermanas lo que les corresponde; hicieron un trabajo extraordinario casi sin dinero,” agregó.
La extensa propiedad cuenta con 100,000 pies cuadrados combinados de áreas habitables, mientras que Rosaryville tenía 10,000 pies cuadrados. Además, Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza tiene dos dormitorios que pueden acomodar a más de 100 participantes combinados, el comedor principal junto con comedores más pequeños, una capilla que alguna vez sirvió como iglesia parroquial, un Vía Crucis al aire libre, una hoguera, cafeterías y hermosas vistas en todas partes.
Una tienda de regalos bien surtida incluye pinturas y copias digitales de pinturas de Drazen Vucina, un artista de Medjugorje, donde el padre Beard encontró su vocación de ser sacerdote. Our Lady of Hope presenta más de 50 obras originales de Drazen.
Las mejoras incluyen convertir el edificio más antiguo de la propiedad, un área de almacenamiento construido en 1875, en una capilla de adoración eucarística. Junto con el cierre de Rosaryville, el centro Bishop Tracy ubicado en el campus del Catholic Life Center, en Baton Rouge, también está cerrado, lo que el padre Beard dijo: “ha ayudado.” La Casa de Retiros en Convento de Manresa es el único centro de retiro de servicio completo en la diócesis.
El padre Beard dijo que todos los centros de retiro ofrecen las mismas comodidades, como buena comida y buenas camas, pero lo que finalmente separará a Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza son los planes para 13 jardines individuales que incluirán un jardín de María y un jardín de los apóstoles. El padre Beard dijo que los apóstoles incluirán estatuas de tamaño natural. Los jardines serán similares a los que ya ha establecido en Santa Elena. “St. Helena ha puesto la mesa para lo que esto puede convertirse,” dijo el padre Beard.
Admitió cierta inquietud por abrir el centro durante la pandemia de COVID-19, pensando “¿De verdad, Señor?” ¿Podríamos haber elegido un momento peor para empezar? “Afortunadamente no tenemos la deuda”. A pesar de esas preocupaciones, el éxito ha llegado temprano.
El centro ya ha acogido varios retiros, que van desde un día hasta una semana. Otros grupos, como ACTS, una compañía de producción y escuelas secundarias han utilizado la instalación. También se están discutiendo cuatro escuelas secundarias católicas que desean albergar un torneo de baloncesto de cuatro equipos con énfasis en el componente de retiro.
“Es un poco difícil venderlo hasta que uno viene a visitarlo,” reconoció el padre Beard. “A medida que la pandemia ha disminuido, están surgiendo más grupos. Mi desventaja es que tengo que hacer que pienses más allá de ‘tengo que conducir todo el camino’,” dijo el padre Beard. “Está a una hora y 15 minutos de Baton Rouge. Aquí es más corto que ir a Nueva Orleans y de una manera mucho más fácil.”
En los últimos meses el padre Beard ha visitado a los capellanes y ministros de jóvenes de las escuelas católicas de Nueva Orleans. Siguió con invitaciones personales y jornadas de puertas abiertas. El padre Beard también ha visitado escuelas en Mississippi y Alabama y una empresa de Lake Charles recientemente tomó fotografías con drones para el sitio web. “Gran parte (del marketing) es personal; tienes que conocer a la gente y decirle ‘necesito que vengas a visitarme’,” dijo.
Exudando un entusiasmo contagioso, el padre Beard habló sobre su visión para el futuro, que incluye el potencial de abrir una escuela primaria que podría ser más “escolar en casa” al principio. “Si se convirtiera en algo más grande, sería genial,” dijo.
Los planes también exigen la construcción de dos casitas escondidas en el bosque, lejos del centro, donde los miembros del clero puedan pasar una noche o dos para disfrutar de la soledad, orar y relajarse. El padre Beard citó los desafíos de ser un sacerdote diocesano y dijo que el 20% por ciento se gasta en el lado teológico de los problemas y el 80% restante en asuntos como el mantenimiento de las instalaciones del edificio, el mantenimiento y las reuniones. “No estás en el mundo de la teología y puedes verlo en los sacerdotes”, dijo. “Están agotados y él les dará la oportunidad de escapar y estar solos.”
El padre Beard también está entusiasmado con el padre Miles Walsh, actualmente pastor de la Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús en Baton Rouge, que se unirá al centro en el verano. El padre Walsh vivirá en los terrenos y dará retiros y celebrará la misa. El padre Walsh “…es maravilloso, espero poder orar y predicar con él. Tiene un gran conocimiento teológico. Él generará mucha gente para venir y visitar,” dijo el padre Beard.
Por ahora, el padre Beard deambula por los terrenos con frecuencia, verificando el estado de los proyectos o, lo que es más importante, verificando su sueño. “Me encanta,” dijo. “Me encanta la tranquilidad. Solo me encanta tener que hablar de nuestra fe. Queremos pasar el catolicismo a tantas personas como podamos.”
(Para obtener información sobre Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza y cómo reservar un retiro, www.ourladyofhopems.com.)
Rich tradition links Archdiocese of Mobile and Jackson
From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – Recently, I spent a few days in the Mobile area getting some spiritual guidance and refueling after some interesting months. As I sat in the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, I began to think about the historic connection our diocese has with Mobile.
To give a brief history of the region, I have taken the following from the Archdiocese of Mobile’s website history section.
The Archdiocese of Mobile was established as the Vicariate-Apostolic of Alabama and the Floridas in 1825 and became the Diocese of Mobile on May 15, 1829, with Bishop Michael Portier, D.D., as the First Bishop of Mobile. The newly created Diocese of Mobile encompassed the entire State of Alabama and the entire State of Florida.
In the 1850’s new dioceses were created in the State of Florida, nonetheless, the Diocese of Mobile still retained the panhandle of Florida until 1968 when the panhandle of Florida became part of the Diocese of St. Augustine and later the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. On Oct. 8, 1969, the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham was divided into two separate dioceses with the newly created diocese in the state known as the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama.
In 1980 the Diocese of Mobile was raised to the status of an archdiocese and Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb was appointed the First Archbishop of the newly created Archdiocese of Mobile. Today the archdiocese encompasses 22,969 square miles and includes the lower 28 counties of the State of Alabama.
The arrival of Catholicism in the region traces its origins to the early Spanish and French explorations and permanent settlements at Pensacola, Florida in 1696, and in Mobile in 1702, where a parish was erected on July 20, 1703, with Henry Rolleaux de la Vente as first pastor. At the time of the creation of the new Diocese of Mobile in 1829, most Catholics were centered in the principal towns of Mobile, Pensacola and St. Augustine.
I have such fond memories of Archbishop Lipscomb who died July 15, 2020. He was a consummate man of the church who exuded priesthood and the office of bishop and had a deep, abiding love for the history and tradition of the Catholic faith in our region.
A man of gentle voice and spirit, he was the principal consecrator of Bishop Joseph N. Latino on March 7, 2003. After the ceremony, we were headed back to the bishops’ vesting area, where he asked me to summon the miter and crozier bearers who had served him that day. When brothers Garrett and Gordon McMullin arrived, the Archbishop presented each of them with two gold Sacagawea dollars stating it was an ancient tradition in the church for the bishop to present two gold coins to them because they were considered part of the bishop’s household.
That was such a special moment to witness, and it testified to the Archbishop’s love for history and the church’s rich traditions.
Oftentimes as Mississippi Catholics, we connect ourselves to New Orleans because we share the River with Louisiana. Our diocese originally was cut from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which is the Mother See of the United States. In 1850, New Orleans was elevated to an archdiocese and became our longtime province and metropolitan see until 1980, when Mobile was elevated to an archdiocese. We then were reunited with our sister territory of Alabama into the Mobile province as mentioned in the last article.
So, in reflecting on our history as a combined U.S. territory with Alabama in the early days of America, we have a lot of extraordinary connections to Mobile not only ecclesially, but also through the air we breathe, the soil upon which we trod and the beaches we enjoy year-round. We are sisters and brothers in one of the most unique territories in the country – Spanish West Florida.
In another profound way we are linked to Mobile through the office of bishop. Both Bishop Richard O. Gerow (1924-1966) and Bishop William R. Houck (1984-2003) were Mobile natives and Bishop Joseph L. Howze (auxiliary of our diocese from 1972-1977) was from Daphne.
Bishop Houck had a unique connection to Archbishop Lipscomb in that the Archbishop’s uncle, Msgr. Hugh Lipscomb, was Bishop Houck’s first pastor to serve under as a newly ordained priest in 1951. Bishop Houck often remarked that the Monsignor was quite the mentor.
Therefore, as I sat in the Cathedral in Mobile, I pondered on the rich tradition of Catholicism in the region and offered a prayer for Archbishop Lipscomb, who is buried in the crypt below the altar there, and for Bishops Gerow and Houck – sons of Mobile. Then I prayed for the laity, religious and clergy of our diocese and the archdiocese along with our current bishops – Joseph Kopacz and Thomas Rodi, who carry on the ministry of those 19th-century bishops of the region – John Joseph Chanche and Michael Poitier.
May God continue to bless our region with strong faith and a deep connection to our mission to serve the Lord in this distinctive corner of God’s kingdom.
I pray you all have a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year. See you from the archives in 2022.
(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)
