PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, March 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. with talk and cocktails after with Debbie Tubertini with the Office of Family Ministry for the diocese. She is speaking on marriage. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON – Bishop Chanche Awards, Saturday, March 2 at 11 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Peter. Honoring parishioners with outstanding service to the diocese.
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Annual Draw Down, Saturday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Grand prize $5,000; tickets $100 (admits 2), second chance insurance $20. Enjoy great food, entertainment, silent auction, door prizes and more. Casual attire. Details: contact Shae at (601) 351-5197 or stbdrawdown@gmail.com.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Presentation on St. Peter’s Rome, Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. All history buffs are invited to join Dr. Elizabeth Boggess dscussing the Rome of St. Peter’s time and the history of Jewish communities in Rome from the Diaspora to the present. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
ROBINSONVILLE – Good Shepherd, Labor of Love – Day of Service, Saturday, March 9. Adult volunteers and grades 9-12, come help our fellow parishioners at Good Shepherd with a list of items that need to be fixed, cleaned and organized. Details: church office at Christ the King Southaven (662) 342-1073.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Lenten Lunch and Learn, Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. Topic: Conversations Overheard by the Cross. RSVP by Sunday, March 10. Details: church office (662) 693-1321.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, Wednesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. during Lent. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
St. Francis, Parish Lenten Mission, March 18 and 19 from 6-8 p.m. Gifts of the Holy Spirit presented by Father Bill Henry. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Parish Lenten Mission, Feb. 25-27 from 6-7 p.m. Mission featuring Father Phil Krill, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. All are welcome. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, Catholic speaker and founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters. Cost: $100 for the weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, Thursdays, April 4, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 30; and June 6 from 6:30-8 p.m.How do these Jewish roots help us, today to understand his real presence in the Eucharist? Facilitator is Don Coker. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. – Women’s Morning of Spirituality, Saturday, April 13 at Catholic Church of the Incarnation (360 Bray Station Road). Continental breakfast in the gym at 7:15 a.m; Program begins in Sanctuary at 8:15 a.m.; Mass at 12:15 p.m. Opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Details: church office (901) 441-6157.
JOB OPENING JACKSON – The Department of Faith Formation is looking for a full-time administrative assistant. The successful candidate will provide administrative assistance exercising quality pastoral skills for those in pastoral and formational ministry in the Diocese of Jackson. Details: 3-5 years’ experience in an administrative role providing direct support to a multicultural intergenerational department. Understanding basic accounting a plus. High school diploma or GED certificate required; completion of college degree in business preferred. Contact fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org with questions or for full job description. Send a cover letter and resume no later than March 11, 2024.
TRAVEL “SPIRIT OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND” WITH FATHER O’CONNOR – Join Father David O’Connor on a trip to Ireland and Scotland, June 8-17. Itinerary includes: flight to Dublin, two nights in Belfast, ferry to Scotland, two nights in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh and return flight from Edinburg. Travel in a luxury coach from arrival time until departure, a professional driver/guide, 4-star hotels. Tour highlights include City of Belfast, Titanic, historic and architectural sites, wonderful landscapes and lakes of the Scottish highlands, Scottish food and entertainment. Cost: $4,955 (per person sharing) or $5,950 single. Only a few spots left! For more information/reservations contact Cara Group Travel at (617) 639-0273 or email bookings@caragrouptravel.com.
IRELAND AND SCOTLAND WITH FATHER AUGUSTINE – Join Father Augustine on a trip to Ireland and Scotland, Sept. 6-18. Trip includes stops in Galway, Our Lady of Knock, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Edinburgh and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Cost: $5,499 – all inclusive, including airfare. To register, contact Proximo Travel at (855) 842-8001 or visit www.proximotravel.com.
By Joanna Puddister King JACKSON – As the Diocese of Jackson kicks off the 2024 Catholic Service Appeal (CSA), director of Stewardship and Development, Rebecca Harris shared her enthusiasm for the ministries that the appeal supports across the diocese.
“The appeal sustains essential ministries that play a pivotal role in nurturing and advancing our Catholic faith,” said Harris.
Under the theme “Hope Rising,” the diocese is inviting all to become beacons of hope to 14 ministries through support and prayers for the appeal.
Harris says that the Catholic community can become that hope to those served by these ministries: Seminarian Education, Catholic Schools, Retired Priests, Clergy Healthcare Assistance, Permanent Diaconate Ministry, Prison 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.
Each year in January Bishop Joseph Kopacz sends letters to all parishioners in the diocese asking for support of those ministries. In this year’s letter, he asks that parishioners recognize the timelessness of a piece of St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews – “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.” (Hebrews 13:16)
Bishop Kopacz reminds parishioners that “we are gently being summoned to be good stewards of the blessings that we have received and are being called to share our blessings.”
“When you make a gift you become the ‘Hope Rising’ to those served by the appeal,” Harris says. She says that supporters will also find in-depth information on each of the 14 ministries supported through the appeal at csa.jacksondiocese.org by clicking on the “Ministries Supported” button. She invites all to “explore the profound impact your donations make on our faith community.”
Bishop Kopacz and Harris both express gratitude for the continued trust and support of the Catholic community. “We assure you that we have been diligent stewards of the funds entrusted to us.”
To provide transparency and accountability, the graphics in the Catholic Service Appeal insert in Mississippi Catholic and on the website offer a detailed breakdown of how every dollar from the 2023 CSA was allocated, said Harris. “This visual representation underscores our commitment to responsible financial management and demonstrates how your contributions actively promote our Catholic faith.”
There are several ways to give to the 2024 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. Additionally, giving is also open through text by texting “GiveCSA” to (601) 202-5979.
Gifts of stocks, donor advised funds and Qualified Charitable Distribution through your IRA 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.)
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS BOONEVILLE – St. Francis, Bingo, Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. till 12 p.m. We play for fun, plus we help the food pantry. Bring your dollars! Details: church office (662) 728-7509.
GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mardi Gras Chili Fest, Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 5-7 p.m. at the parish center. Wear your purple, gold and green. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, March 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. with talk and cocktails after with Debbie Tubertini with the Office of Family Ministry for the diocese. She is speaking on marriage. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON – Bishop Chanche Awards, Saturday, March 2 at 11 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Peter. Honoring parishioners with outstanding service to the diocese.
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Annual Draw Down, Saturday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. Grand prize $5,000; tickets $100 (admits 2), second chance insurance $20. Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
MADISON – St. Franics, Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 5:15-7 p.m. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Mardi Gras Bingo Night, Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Bingo cards are $2 each; $1 soft drinks; $5 potato bar. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Mardi Gras party, Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. Enjoy jambalaya, salad, bread and King Cake! Donations to the food pantry welcome. Details: church office (662) 323-2257.
VICKSBURG – Vicksburg Catholic School, Drawdown on River, Sunday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Levee Street Warehouse. Enjoy a silent auction, food, drinks and fellowship, in addition to the $20,000 drawdown. Tickets sell out every year – so purchase yours today. Details: https://one.bidpal.net/2024vcsdrawdown/welcome.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Ladies Lenten Retreat – a Reflection on Grace, Saturday, Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parish hall. Mass will be at 11:30 am. Presenter is Fran Lavelle, Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson. Sponsored by the KC Ladies Auxiliary, lunch will be provided and there is no charge. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Lenten study of “Beautiful Eucharist” by Matthew Kelly facilitated by Sara Rauch. Deepen your relationship Jesus and experience His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. Thursdays from Feb. 15 through March 21 from 10-11 a.m. in the room beside chapel. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Lenten Day of Reflection, Saturday, Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. Father Nick Adam will give some prayer, fasting and almsgiving oriented talks and then have Mass and lunch. Sign up in the Narthex. All parishioners welcome to attend, just RSVP. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Parish Lenten Mission, Feb. 25-27 from 6-7 p.m. Mission featuring Father Phil Krill, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. All are welcome. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
LENTEN MEALS MERIDIAN – St. Patrick/St. Joseph, Stations and Lenten Fish Fry, every Friday in Lent. Fry follows Stations at 6 p.m. Rotates between parishes. Begins with St. Patrick on Feb. 16. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Lenten Fish Fry, Every Friday beginning Feb. 23 from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Cost: Catfish $12; Shrimp $12; Combo $14. Dinners include fries, hushpupppies and coleslaw. For grilled catfish call 30 minutes ahead to Darren at (601) 597-2890.
PEARL – St. Jude, Lenten Fish Fry, Every Friday beginning Feb. 16, immediately following 6 p.m. Stations of the Cross. Menu: catfish, fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw and tea. Dine-in only. Proceeds benefit Knights of Columbus community programs. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Lenten Fish Fry, Feb. 15, March 1 and 15. Potluck Lenten meals, Feb. 23, March 8 and 22. Meals at 5:30 p.m. with Stations at 7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
LENTEN RECONCILIATION HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Reconciliation Service, Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Reconciliation Service, Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Reconciliation Service, Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
JOB OPENING JACKSON – The Department of Faith Formation is looking for a full-time administrative assistant. The successful candidate will provide administrative assistance exercising quality pastoral skills for those in pastoral and formational ministry in the Diocese of Jackson. Details: 3-5 years’ experience in an administrative role providing direct support to a multicultural intergenerational department. Understanding basic accounting a plus. High school diploma or GED certificate required; completion of college degree in business preferred. Contact fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese.org with questions or for full job description. Send a cover letter and resume no later than March 11, 2024.
La escultora Mary Davidson y su co-artista y esposo, el Dr. Kenneth Davidson, observaron cómo se erigía el “Cristo Negro” en la pared detrás del altar de la Iglesia Católica del Sagrado Corazón en Camden, Mississippi. De repente la voz de un feligrés le habló a Mary, casi en un susurro. Era 2007.
“Espero que algún día crees una estatua de la hermana Thea Bowman”, dijo la voz.
JACKSON – Una composición de fotos ilustra el rostro de la Hemana Thea Bowman usando su característico turbante, que fue reproducido como parte de su atuendo en la estatua de broce creada por la escultura y artista Mary Davinson. (Foto de Mississippi Catholic y August Taconi)
Era la primera vez que Mary Davidson oía hablar de la hermana Thea Bowman. Sin embargo, al ser alertada del nombre, empezó a prestar atención a los artículos sobre la hermana Thea.
Se enteró de que la hermana Thea, como ella, era nativa del Misisipi y que era la única afroamericana que ingresó en la congregación religiosa de monjas exclusivamente blancas, las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Adoración Perpetua en La Crosse, Wisconsin. Además, se enteró de que la hermana Thea era nieta de un esclavo; y que se convirtió al catolicismo a los nueve años debido al origen religioso protestante de su familia. Thea se había inspirado en la bondad y el amor demostrados por las Hermanas Franciscanas que habían venido a servir a su comunidad en Canton, Mississippi, al iniciar una escuela para niños afroamericanos.
Bertha, su nombre al nacer, era el tesoro del Dr. Theon Edward Bowman, médico, y de su madre Mary Esther Coleman Bowman, educadora y ama de casa. A una edad temprana transfirieron a Bertha a la Escuela Católica del Santo Niño Jesús, donde las Hermanas Franciscanas administraban y enseñaban. Como educadores, los padres de Bertha estaban insatisfechos con el nivel de la educación en las escuelas públicas segregadas de Canton.
Bertha, una niña brillante, avanzó rápidamente en la Escuela Holy Child, se saltó grados y se destacó en todos los aspectos del plan de estudios. A los 15 años, decidió que quería dejar su amado hogar en Canton, Mississippi, y unirse a la Congregación de las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Adoración Perpetua en La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Al principio, esta idea no les cayó bien a los padres de Bertha. Después de todo, Bertha era su única hija. Vecinos y amigos la llamaban “hija de viejos”. Cuando nació, la Dra. Bowman había comprado una costosa botella de champán para abrirla en su boda. La botella de champán, aún sin abrir, se conserva en el Museo Thea de Canton, Mississippi.
La hermana Thea Bowman, hermana franciscana de la Adoración Perpetua, aparece durante una charla que dio en la iglesia de San Agustín en Washington en 1986. La hermana Bowman, que murió en 1990, es una de los seis católicos afroamericanos cuyas causas de canonización se están considerando. por la Iglesia Católica. Su causa de santidad se abrió en 2018 y tiene el título de “Sierva de Dios”. (Foto de OSV News/archivo CNS, Michael Hoyt, Catholic Standard)
Davidson y su esposo Ken recibieron el encargo de crear muchas obras después de ese momento en la Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón en Camden. Entre ellos: un busto del obispo Joseph Lawson Howze, un obispo afroamericano que fue el primer obispo de la diócesis de Biloxi.
Entre creaciones artísticas, Mary y Ken impartieron clases de tallado en piedra, fundición de bronce y escultura en talleres durante 20 veranos en Wisconsin y Nueva Jersey. También impartieron clases de diseño, cerámica y escultura en Gulfport, Mississippi.
Aunque estuvo involucrada en muchos proyectos artísticos, Mary Davidson nunca olvidó esa mano en su hombro en Camden, Mississippi, donde escuchó por primera vez hablar de la hermana Thea Bowman.
Un día tranquilo de julio de 2022, Davidson se puso en contacto con una amiga que, según recordaba, creció con la hermana Thea en su ciudad natal de Canton, Mississippi. Su amiga la puso en contacto con Mary Woodward, Canciller de la Diócesis de Jackson, quien sirve como enlace diocesano para el proceso canónico de la causa de canonización de la hermana Thea.
El resto es una historia inspiradora que ha resultado en la creación por parte de Davidson de una estatua de arcilla de casi seis pies de la hermana Thea, que actualmente está siendo preparada por artesanos para fundición de bronce en Inferno Art Foundry en Union City, Georgia.
Antes de encargarle a Davidson la creación de la estatua, el proyecto tuvo que ser financiado. Buscando en su memoria un patrocinador potencial que pudiera estar interesado en apoyar un proyecto de este tipo, Davidson recordó que ella había enseñado al Arzobispo Thomas Rodi de la Arquidiócesis de Mobile en Alabama, cuando él estaba en octavo grado en la Escuela Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Nueva Orleans. En ese momento, Davidson era conocida como la Hermana Mary Augustine, O.P., una hermana dominicana.
“Era un chico difícil y típico”, recuerda Davidson. El arzobispo Rodi está de acuerdo. “Definitivamente pusimos a prueba su paciencia y determinación en muchas ocasiones”, dijo.
Al ser contactado por Davidson sobre la propuesta de crear una estatua de bronce de la hermana Thea Bowman, el arzobispo Rodi se mostró muy interesado. Como ex obispo de la diócesis de Biloxi, el arzobispo Rodi estaba muy familiarizado con la obra de Davidson, especialmente el busto del obispo Howze.
El Arzobispo Rodi se puso en contacto con el Obispo Joseph Kopacz de la Diócesis de Jackson para ofrecerle su apoyo para que el proyecto se hiciera realidad. Con la ayuda de todos los obispos de la Provincia de Mobile (el Arzobispo Rodi, el Obispo Louis Kihneman de Biloxi, el Obispo Stephen Raica de Birmingham y fondos del patrimonio de su predecesor, el Obispo Joseph Latino), el Obispo Kopacz pudo encargar a Davidson la creación de la estatua de la hermana Thea.
SAUCIER – Mary Davidson hace un ajuste a la estatua de arcilla de la hermana Thea Bowman en su estudio. El modelo pronto se colocará en bronce. (Foto de August Taconi)
Por tanto, la estatua es un regalo único y simbólico de los obispos y diócesis de Mississippi y Alabama.
Cabe señalar que en esta fase crítica del desarrollo de una propuesta para crear una estatua de bronce de la hermana Thea, Ken, el socio artístico y esposo de toda la vida de Davidson, enfermó. Le diagnosticaron el síndrome del cuerpo de Lewy, una enfermedad debilitante y mortal que le dejó sólo meses o semanas de vida. Entonces, mientras contemplaba la firma de un contrato en marzo de 2023, confió en su fe para embarcarse en un proyecto desafiante, sin la asistencia física y emocional de alguien en quien había confiado durante toda su vida.
Además, le había prometido a Ken que cuidaría de él. Y así fue que Davidson aprovechó los pocos momentos que le quedaban para darle vida al rollo de arcilla que yacía ante ella. Mientras luchaba por llevar a Ken al médico, vestirlo y alimentarlo, respondiendo a cada una de sus llamadas de ayuda (ya que su mente se estaba deteriorando junto con su cuerpo), ella hundió sus dedos artríticos en la arcilla y oró. El miércoles 23 de agosto de 2023, Ken murió.
El amigo y director espiritual de Davidson, el padre George Murphy, que conocía tanto a Ken como a Davidson, la ayudó en los días oscuros que se avecinaban. Ella había firmado un contrato. Al darse cuenta de que necesitaba ayuda para continuar con el proyecto, solicitó la ayuda de un antiguo alumno de una clase que había impartido en Wisconsin.
El 21 de octubre de 2023, Davidson completó la versión en arcilla de la estatua. Invitó al Comité de la Estatua de la Hermana Thea a visitar su estudio en Saucier, Mississippi, para ver la estatua y dar su aprobación antes de proceder a la etapa de bronceado de la estatua. Woodward dirigió el comité y trajo consigo a Fabvienen Taylor, vieja amiga de la hermana Thea y ex fotoperiodista de Mississippi Catholic. Llegaron al estudio de Davidson para ver la estatua de arcilla casi terminada por primera vez el sábado 16 de octubre de 2023.
Woodward registró sus reflexiones de ese momento, “A medida que nos acercábamos al garaje/estudio donde nos esperaba la estatua, recuerdo que me sentí atraído por el aura de la creación, similar a cómo un imán atrae el metal hacia sí mismo”, dijo Woodward. “Cuanto más la miraba, más me conmovía la complejidad del momento. Podía sentir una lágrima bajando poco a poco por mi mejilla.
SAUCIER – El 16 de octubre de 2023, (i-d) Mary Woodward, canciller de la Diócesis y Fabvienen Taylor, vieja amiga de la hermana Thea y ex fotoperiodista de Mississippi Catholic visitan a la escultora Mary Davinson y posan junto a la estatua de arcilla de la hermana Thea Bowman en el estudio de la artista. El modelo pronto se colocará en bronce. (Foto de August Taconi)
“Fue un honor trabajar en el proyecto con Mary: compartir maravillosos almuerzos con ella y Ken y saber la tremenda pérdida que estaba soportando;Sabía que la hermana Thea, Ken y el Señor le estaban dando la fuerza para darle vida a la estatua, porque de hecho la estatua parecía moverse y respirar. Las manos, diseñadas a partir de una fotografía de la hermana Thea que a Mary y a mí nos encantó, dan la bienvenida al espectador a su espacio místico”, concluyó Woodward.
Taylor también quedó impresionado por el molde de arcilla. “La estatua de la hermana Thea captura su acercamiento acogedor, vibrante y amoroso a todas las personas. Las manos extendidas y la sonrisa evocan a la hermana Thea que recuerdo: una mujer de Dios rebosante de un deseo poderoso y una energía incesante para inspirar y empoderar a todos los que encontraba con el conocimiento y la comprensión del amor inquebrantable e integral de Dios por ellos,” ella añadió.
El 29 de octubre de 2023, Mary Davidson abrió su estudio para que los invitados vieran la estatua. Algunos estaban familiarizados con su trabajo. Algunos no. Las críticas fueron entusiastas. Los comentarios variaron desde “¡Las manos!” “¡Los ojos!” “Siento que me está invitando a abrazarla.”
Días después, el artesano de Inferno Art Foundry de Union City, Georgia, llegó para formar un molde a partir de la estatua de arcilla. El molde se llevó a la fundición en Georgia para pasar por varias etapas del proceso antes de finalmente verter el bronce para formar la etapa final: una estatua de bronce de la Sierva de Dios Hermana Thea Bowman, FSPA.
Según el obispo Kopacz, el plan actual es albergar la estatua de bronce en la Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol en Jackson hasta que se pueda desarrollar un santuario permanente como parte del proceso de canonización. La ceremonia de instalación tendrá lugar en algún momento después de Semana Santa esta primavera de 2024.
“Estamos agradecidos con todos aquellos que han ayudado en este maravilloso proyecto, especialmente la Sra. Davidson, quien a pesar de su tragedia personal ha creado una increíble obra de arte para honrar el legado y el espíritu de la Sierva de Dios, la hermana Thea Bowman“, dijo el obispo Kopacz. “Tengo muchas ganas de que llegue a la Catedral,” concluyó.
(Mary Queen Donnelly, contemporánea de la hermana Thea Bowman, FSPA, nació y creció en la misma ciudad de Canton, Mississippi, y siguió siendo amiga de la hermana Thea durante toda su vida hasta la muerte de Thea el 30 de marzo de 1990. Donnelly ha publicado varios artículos sobre su amiga. Últimamente, Donnelly publicó y produjo Thea’s Turn, una obra de teatro basada en la vida de la hermana Thea Bowman.)
The staff at Mississippi Catholic is looking forward to a busy and productive 2024. As always, we invite participation from faithful from across the diocese. Please submit your stories, photos and events so we can include them in the paper.
The publication schedule for 2024:
PRINT Friday, Jan. 26 Friday, Feb. 9 Friday, March 8 Friday, April 12 Friday, May 10 Friday, June 14 Friday, July 19 Friday, Aug. 23 Friday, Sept. 13 Friday, Oct. 11 Friday, Nov. 8 Friday, Dec. 6 Friday, Dec. 20
DIGITAL ONLY Friday, Feb. 23 Friday, March 22 Friday, April 26 Friday, May 24 Friday, Sept 27 Friday, Oct. 25 Friday, Nov. 22
Look for special sections this year marking Catholic Schools Week, the priestly ordination of Tristan Stovall, graduations and the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation.
Send events and story ideas to editor@jacksondiocese.org. Please, send information three to four weeks before or within one week after an event. Ads are due one week prior to publication, with space reservations due two weeks prior. Visit the paper online at www.mississippicatholic.com.
The staff here at Mississippi Catholic would like to thank you, our readers, for your prayers and support and wish you a blessed New Year.
BE SURE TO JOIN OUR E-NEWS LIST TEXT MSCATHOLIC TO 84576 OR EMAIL EDITOR@JACKSONDIOCESE.ORG TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST.
By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz JACKSON – “Fiducia Supplicans,” the declaration issued by the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) and approved by Pope Francis reminds us that each one of us is in need of God’s blessings, healing, compassion and mercy. To seek a blessing from a priest is to acknowledge the need for God in one’s life and the desire to grow stronger in a relationship with God. The declaration does not change the church’s teaching on marriage as a union of one man and one woman in lifelong fidelity and openness to children; nor is it a step toward the ratification of same-sex unions nor a compromise of the church’s teaching on these irregular relationships. It is a document on the nature of blessings and the pastoral use of giving informal, spontaneous blessings to individuals seeking to experience God’s healing love and grace in their lives. To quote the document directly, the DDF sums up its declaration thusly: “ … following the authoritative teaching of Pope Francis, this Dicastery finally wishes to recall that ‘the root of Christian meekness’ is ‘the ability to feel blessed and the ability to bless. This world needs blessings, and we can give blessings and receive blessings. The Father loves us, and the only thing that remains for us is the joy of blessing him, and the joy of thanking him, and of learning from him to bless.’ [Catechesis on Prayer: The Blessing (2 December 2020)] In this way, every brother and every sister will be able to feel that, in the church, they are always pilgrims, always beggars, always loved, and, despite everything, always blessed.” (FS #45) The full text of the document may be found on line at: https://bit.ly/FiduciaSupplicansDeclaration I encourage all the faithful to read the actual document in its entirety.
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As an expression of ongoing affection and gratitude for the late Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis led tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square in a round of applause for his predecessor on the first anniversary of his death. “A year ago, Pope Benedict XVI concluded his earthly journey after having served the church with love and wisdom,” Pope Francis told an estimated 20,000 people gathered in the square for the midday recitation of the Angelus prayer Dec. 31. Pope Benedict, who led the church from 2005 to 2013, died Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 95. “We feel so much affection, gratitude and admiration for him,” the pope said. “From heaven, he blesses and accompanies us.”
Before the Angelus, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Pope Benedict’s former personal secretary, presided over a memorial Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. German Cardinal Gerhard Müller and Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, concelebrated the liturgy. In his homily, the archbishop shared some of Pope Benedict’s meditations on the readings for the day’s feast, the feast of the Holy Family. Several times his voice broke with emotion remembering the pope he lived with and served. Looking at how prayer was an essential part of the life of Mary and Joseph, Archbishop Gänswein quoted Pope Benedict’s last Angelus address, just days before his resignation went into effect, when he explained: “The Lord is calling me ‘to scale the mountain,’ to devote myself even more to prayer and meditation. But this does not mean abandoning the church; indeed, if God asks me this it is precisely so that I may continue to serve her with the same dedication and the same love with which I have tried to do so until now, but in a way more suited to my age and strength.” In the same way, the archbishop said, prayer marks the rhythm of the life of the church, “which is the great family of God.” As the retired pope aged, he said, his life – with a growing intensity and interiority – became more focused on prayer. Born Joseph Ratzinger, he tried to model his life on St. Joseph, the archbishop said. It could be seen in his intimacy with the Lord and with the people around him, “relationships distinguished by great courtesy, humility and simplicity.”
