Abbey Youth Fest returns

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Tereza Ma

By Abbey Schuhmann

COVINGTON, La., – On Saturday, March 25, more than 300 teens and adult leaders from around the Diocese of Jackson traveled to St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College in Covington, La., for the 2017 Abbey Youth Festival (AYF). The 16th annual festival fell on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and this year’s theme was “Be It Done Unto Me.”

The seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary College play a vital role in the production of AYF including our own, Andrew Bowden, Hayden Schmitt, and Tristan Stovall. The festival has grown over the years and now hosts around 250 groups from all across the south with more than 4,500 participants coming together each year for a day-long event to experience music, prayer, catechesis, fellowship and fun.

With the torrential rain and devastating floods that affected the Covington-area last spring, the 2016 festival was cancelled for the first time in its history. While this year’s forecast was not ideal for an outdoor event, accommodations were made and the program continued.

The teens and adults from our diocese remained optimistic and weathered the storm throughout the day determined to experience all the festival has to offer. The program featured keynote presentations from Katie Prejean McGrady, Stephanie Grey and David Calavitta. Dave Moore and The Josh Blakesley Band entertained the crowd with awesome music. Each speaker shared thoughts regarding the theme, “Be It Done Unto Me,” on how we all have a call to serve the Lord, how do we discern that call in our daily lives and how can we live as faithful sons and daughters of our Lord.

Participants have the opportunity throughout the day to visit different vendor booths including religious orders and communities from all around the country. Groups also have the opportunity to tour the beautiful Abbey church on campus. The event focuses on evangelization and faith formation through vocational discernment, prayer, and catechesis.

The entire event ends with Mass and candlelight adoration; often times the highlight of the event for most participants. This year the Mass was celebrated by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the homilist was Father Joshua Johnson of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Father Johnson challenged the teens to become fully alive in Jesus Christ. He gave witness to this through his own, personal vocation story as well as stories that he shared that have impacted him throughout the years.

He suggested the teens follow “The 5 W’s” in order to help them enter into a deeper relationship with Christ.1. When will you pray and spend time with the Lord? 2. Where will you pray? 3. What will you do? Read scripture, attend adoration, spend time with the Blessed Sacrament after mass – were just a few of his suggestions. 4. Who will be your accountability partner? 5. Why are you going to do this? To become fully alive in Christ.

It was no doubt a wet and soggy day for our group, however; the weather did not dampen our experience with Abbey Youth Festival 2017. This event is an excellent opportunity for our teens to see the bigger church and fellowship with other young Catholics. This was the 7th year for our diocese to sponsor a trip to the Abbey Youth Festival. Make plans to participate in the 2018 event scheduled for Saturday, March 17th!

(For more information visit www.abbeyyouthfest.com or contact Abbey Schuhmann in the Office of Youth Ministry – 601-949-6934 or Abbey.Schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org)

Abbey Youth Fest, Covington, LA 2017

“Boss Baby” amusing, but flimsy offering for families

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Tereza Ma

By John Muldering

NEW YORK (CNS) – Fans of Stewie Griffin, the “enfant terrible” of Fox-TV’s “Family Guy,” will know in advance just what effect the folks behind “The Boss Baby” (Fox) are aiming for with their incongruously mature title character.

Mother, voiced by Lisa Kudrow, Boss Baby, voiced by Alec Baldwin, and father, voiced by Jimmy Kimmel, appear in the animated movie “Boss Baby.” The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. (CNS photo/DreamWorks) See MOVIE-REVIEW-BOSS-BABY-(EMBARGOED) March 28, 2017.

Whether the filmmakers have managed to create a similarly memorable prodigy is, however, another question.

In fact, considered overall, this animated take on the trauma of acquiring a younger sibling can best be described as amusing but flimsy. On the upside, objectionable elements are sufficiently few that all but the very youngest family members can safely enjoy the fleeting fun.

As narrator Tobey Maguire informs us, 7-year-old only child Tim (voice of Miles Bakshi) is a contented lad. He enjoys the undivided attention of his hard-working but solicitous parents (voices of Jimmy Kimmel and Lisa Kudrow), so life is good.

Until, that is, the arrival of the eponymous — and otherwise unnamed – infant (voice of Alec Baldwin) whose disruptive presence promptly turns Tim’s well-ordered world upside down. Resentful of the newcomer, Tim is also suspicious of such peculiarities as the fact that his brother arrived as the sole passenger in a taxi and that he wears a business suit.

A little investigation proves that this is, indeed, no ordinary babe in arms. Endowed with an adult personality and the ability to speak, he also has a corporate agenda to pursue.

As a representative of the company that manufactures infants, Boss Baby is out to thwart the multiply named Francis Francis (voiced by Steve Buscemi), the head honcho of a pet marketing conglomerate. Francis, we learn, has developed a puppy so irresistible that no one will want to have children once the pooch becomes available. It’s up to Boss Baby to prevent the product launch of this heart-hogging animal.

All of this is explained with the aid of pie charts showing cuddly dogs eating into the market for youngsters, a satiric point that can be seen as vaguely pro-life.

But a darker tone – in line with the movie industry’s disdain for all other forms of profit making endeavor – is introduced as Boss Baby schemes shamelessly and callously threatens Tim with the loss of their parents’ affection. (Once further exposition reveals that success will mean Boss Baby’s permanent return to headquarters, however, Tim becomes his willing collaborator.)

Beyond gentle domestic discord and the caricaturing of executives, a more pressing concern for real-life moms and dads may be the repetition in the dialogue of the question, “Where do babies come from?” The answer is always, of course, a whimsical one, though a whispered exchange between Tim and Boss Baby, inaudible to the audience, briefly hints at the true explanation before both agree in rejecting it.

Along with some silly potty and anatomical gags – this is not a movie for those averse to the sight of an animated newborn’s bottom – that’s about all there is to worry about in director Tom McGrath’s ephemeral adaptation of Marla Frazee’s 2010 picture book.

As for Stewie, he’s unlikely to eat his heart out over the debut of his big-screen rival.

The film contains some slapstick violence, mild scatological humor and a religiously themed but not irreverent joke. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I – general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG – parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Thea’s Turn to be staged in Canton

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Tereza Ma

CANTON – The life of Canton native Sister Thea Bowman comes to life on stage in her hometown thanks to a performance of “Thea’s Turn” on Saturday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. at the Canton High School Auditorium. The project has been declared an official state bicentennial project.

“Thea’s Turn” has strong ties to Canton beyond just Sister Thea’s upbringing. The play’s author, Mary Queen Donnelly, knew the title character while the two grew up in Canton. Canton native, Dr. Mark Henderson, chair of the department of speech, communication and theatre at Jackson State University, serves as executive director. The cast and crew include members of the nationally acclaimed MADDRAMA, an award winning drama troupe under his direction.

The play tells the story of Sister Thea Bowman from her childhood as Bertha Bowman through her conversion to Catholicism and vocation to religious life all the way to the discovery of cancer and her death. The scenes include periods from the late 1940’s through late 1989. Flonzie Brown-Wright, a classmate and playmate of Bertha (Sister Thea), saw the play in Madison during the summer of 2015 and thought it should be staged in Canton. She enlisted the help of Jana Padgett-Dear, executive director of the Canton Convention and Visitors Bureau. Padgett-Dear immediately agreed because in part, it continues her personal commitment to increase the awareness of Sister Thea’s life.

During the spring and summer of 2016, she spent endless hours working with Brown-Wright to update the large display of Sister Thea’s artifacts displayed at the Multicultural Center in town. Incidentally, Padgett-Dear never met Thea, but has been inspired by what she has read and heard about her.

The play attempts to capture the essence of Thea’s struggle of what it meant to be black and Catholic” and her ultimate decision to reconcile Bertha, the great- granddaughter of a slave, and her African American culture with that of the all- white, traditional culture of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wis., where she was Sister Thea.

The play gives the viewer a broader understanding of the complexities of the multifaceted Thea. Donnelly used music to portray different periods of Thea’s life. Being a singer, Spirituals and Gospel songs allowed Bertha to remain connected to her southern heritage, while her appreciation for traditional Latin chant and church music gave her the opportunity to remain true to her beliefs as a Catholic sister.

The advisory committee for this production includes a number of people who knew Thea personally during their days at Holy Child Jesus School and Church, either as classmates, students, priests, parishioners, or members of the Thea Bowman Choir.

“Thea’s Turn” first premiered in New Orleans, LA and later in Madison, MS.

Readings continue as far away as New York City.

This official bicentennial project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities through support from the Mississippi Development Authority.

To reserve seating and for more information contact: jana@cantontourism.com or call (601) 859-1307.

(Story submitted by Flonzie Brown-Wright)

Members of the award-winning drama troupe MADDRAMA will perform the play Thea’s Turn in Canton April 21 and 22. (Photo courtesy of Mark Henderson)

Thea’s Turn to be staged in Canton

Bishop makes visit to Saltillo mission

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Tereza Ma

Bishop Joseph Kopacz made his annual journey to Saltillo, Mexico Thursday, March 30- Monday, April 2. Msgr. Michael Flannery accompanied him on his visit. He traveled around to the ranchos and villages, celebrating Masses, Confirmations and helping with the distribution of food to the people. Read more about their trip in the April 21 edition of Mississippi Catholic.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Tereza Ma

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BROOKSVILLE Dwelling Place Retreat Center, Paschal Triduum, April 14-16. Join the staff in observing the spirit of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday in silence and prayer. Attend the special services at Corpus Christi, Macon. Begins 5:00 p.m. Holy Thursday service; concludes with Easter Sunday breakfast. Donation $200. Details: Sheila Avery, (662) 738-5348 or www.dwellingplace.com to register online.

GREENWOOD Locus Benedictus, Sunday, April 23, Feast of Divine Mercy, prayer service, 3 p.m. at the Chapel of Mercy. Come and thank our Lord Jesus for his limitless mercy and love. Details: call Magdalene Abraham (662) 299-1232.

PEARL St. Jude, “Liturgical Music: Ministry Encounters Mystery,” a retreat for parish music directors, musicians and clergy, June 8-9. Sponsored by the Office of Liturgy. Presenter: Alexis Kutarna, director of music for St. Mary Seminary in Houston, Texas. It is requested that all parishes send a representative from their music ministry to this enriching experience. Details: Mary Woodward, (601) 960-8475 or mary.woodward@jacksondiocese.org.

CHICAGO Ill., “Disciples Making Disciples,” National Gathering on Christian Initiation is sponsoring a conference for Catechumenal Ministers and Pastoral Leaders on July 5-6. They will be exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of the ministry of Initiation. Details: ngci@ltp.org, (773) 579-4900, ex. 3554 or www.NationalGatheringOnChristianInitiation.org to register.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

AMORY St. Helen, book discussion on “Dispatches from Pluto” by Richard Grant, Monday, April 10. Everyone is invited to read the book and plan to join in the discussion. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.

COLUMBUS Annunciation School, Annual $10,000 Drawdown fund-raiser, Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center. Tickets are $100 and admit two adults (21 and older). Includes dinner catered by Huck’s restaurant, live music by Winwheel and open bar. Drawdown purpose is to fill in the tuition gap between tuition and actual cost of education. Details: Katie Fenstermacher at acsmarking@cableone.net or (662) 328-4479.

GREENWOOD Immaculate Heart of Mary parish center, annual blood drive, Monday, May 8, 2:30 – 7:00 p.m. Details: parish office (662) 453-3980.

HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Annual Yard Sale, April 28-29. Sponsored by the Ladies Association. Proceeds go to debt reduction of the church. Setup will start April 17 at 9 a.m. Details: Barbara Wilder (901) 832-0672; Pat Kuehnel (662) 996-6622 or LaRae Walgenbach (901) 486-0225.

JACKSON Holy Ghost Parish will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, April 23 with a Holy Hour and singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet starting at 2 p.m. The hour will close with benediction and Mass. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Details: Father Alfred Ayem, SVD, pastor, (601) 353-1339.

– St. Richard, a group of men and women within the parish and Jackson community (between the ages of 28-42) is forming to socialize and network in faith and fellowship. People from different backgrounds, stages of life, and relationships (single or married) to meet over food and drinks. First meeting is Thursday, April 20 at 6 p.m. in Foley Hall. Details: Katherine Capocelli, (804) 301-4590 or email katherine.capocelli@gmail.com.

MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Cajun Fest 2017. Sunday, May 21, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Features Cajun food, Cold drinks and live music, children’s games, raffles, General Store and plenty of opportunity to socialize in a family friendly atmosphere. Sponsorships of $300 or more will be included on the back of Cajun Fest T-shirt. Sponsorship form must be received by April 14 to be included on the back of t-shirts. Details: (601) 856-5556 (CORRECTION: The March 24th paper had an incorrect date for Cajun Fest. This is a corrected entry. We regret the error.)

SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Trivia Night, Saturday, April 29. Cost: $15.00/person or $25.00/couple. Mark your calendars now for a fun night out. Details: call Karin (901) 289-0311 or email Donna ctksdonna@gmail.com.

TUPELO St. James, Save the Date, Vacation Bible School “SUPER SAINTS,” July 17-21. Registration will be in Shelton Hall foyer during CCD hours. Details: Jessica (662) 871-5033 or email jvaughnii@aol.com if you can volunteer.

VICKSBURG, St. Michael, Softball league for 16 years of age or older. League play starts in April. Details: call Joe Loviza at 636-1694.

GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Joint Elementary and Secondary School Live Stations of the Cross presented by the Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School at 9:15 AM Wednesday, April 12, in the Philip and Louise Mansour Gymnasium.

YOUTH BRIEFS

GREENVILLE St. Joseph Catholic School, Summer Camp Dates:

Mini-Cheer, June 5-7, 8-11 a.m.

Football, June 5-7, 8-11 a.m.

Basketball, June 5-7,12 noon – 3 p.m.

Baseball, June 12-14, 8-11 a.m.

Science, June 12-14,12 noon- 3 p.m

Soccer, June 19-21, 8-11 a.m.

Registration forms will be mailed this week. Details: Missi Blackstock, (662)378-9711.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. Snacks at the Family Life Center, 9:30 – 10 a.m. KCYO in Memorial Park. Younger Children at Family Life Center. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

VICKSBURG St. Paul, Easter Egg Hunt for children up to fourth grade, Saturday, April 15, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Food and games as well as egg hunt with prizes. Bring a basket. Details: church office (601) 636-0140.

Historical drama shines light on prejudice

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Melisa Munoz

By Kurt Jensen
NEW YORK (CNS) – The historical drama “A United Kingdom” (Fox Searchlight) tells the story of Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), an African royal who faced down mid-20th-century racial prejudice to marry Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), a white office worker he met in post-World War II London.
Seretse and Ruth cross paths at a dance where they discover a mutual love of jazz. She subsequently learns that he’s a prince of what was then called Bechuanaland, a British protectorate (the future Botswana). Their romance proceeds at a rapid clip despite occasional encounters with racist street punks.
Political considerations pose a much larger obstacle, however. The British government has to deal with Bechuanaland’s neighbor, South Africa, which is on the verge of installing apartheid as official – and violently enforced – government policy and is outraged by the high-profile marriage.
The match also runs into considerable resistance from Seretse’s uncle, Tshekedi (Vusi Kunene), who has long been the protectorate’s acting regent. It draws the scorn of many native women as well.
The generic portrayal of this last group reveals the basic flaw hobbling director Amma Asante and screenwriter Guy Hibbert’s film: Virtually everyone on screen is an archetype.
Although dealing in generalities can be an efficient way to boil down episodes of the past that are likely unfamiliar to modern audiences, it also hinders the storytelling.
Sometimes, an epic, in-your-face treatment, such as that seen in 1982’s “Gandhi” or 2014’s “Selma” is the best way to go with stories of bigotry, since such an approach gets facts across in an easily comprehensible way. Without it, they can become difficult to follow, as in last year’s “Loving.”
But there are obvious budgetary constraints at work here. As a result, members of Seretse’s tribe have little to do except chant and sing in crowd sequences.
Similarly, the perfidy of British politicians, including Prime Minister Clement Attlee (Anton Lesser), is mostly kept off-screen, except for sneering appearances by diplomat Sir Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport). Canning opposes Seretse’s union to such an extent, he forces the prince into exile.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, “A United Kingdom” does boast a strong moral component.
Ultimately, for example, official acceptance of a marriage that threatened to undermine Britain’s fragile postwar remnants of empire depended not on a court ruling, but on the conscience of the British people. It was they who finally persuaded their political representatives that this couple was no menace to international relations.
Yet, except for the core romance and Ruth’s struggles for acceptance, little of this complicated saga – in addition to everything else, the machinations of an American diamond-mining company get thrown into the mix – comes across clearly. There is inspiration to be found here. But it requires quite a bit of patience on the viewer’s part to locate it.
The film contains brief sensuality and some racial slurs. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

“Before I Fall” conversion story with problematic setup

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Melisa Munoz

By John Mulderig
NEW YORK (CNS) – Sound values underlie the conversion story “Before I Fall” (Open Road). But the path toward its positive conclusion takes twists and turns that will give the parents of targeted teens pause in considering whether their kids should travel it.
Early in the film, its main character, seemingly successful high school student Samantha Kingston (Zoey Deutch), is killed in a car crash. But instead of this being the end of her tale, it turns out to be just the beginning. Samantha awakens again on the morning of her last day on earth, a period of time, she soon discovers, that she will be forced to relive over and over until she discerns what she needs to change about her life to escape the cycle.
Additionally, she’ll need to re-examine her bond with her shallow boyfriend, Rob (Kian Lawley), her treatment of Kent (Logan Miller), the less glamorous but more caring lad who has loved her from afar since childhood, and her persecution of troubled schoolmate Juliet (Elena Kampouris) whom Samantha and her clique relentlessly torment.
Symptomatic of the problem with director Ry Russo-Young’s adaptation of Lauren Oliver’s 2010 novel for young adults is Samantha’s attitude toward romance and sexuality. This is another area in which her values take a posthumous turn for the better. Yet her starting point on this journey finds her besties celebrating the fact that she is about to lose her virginity, and presenting her with a condom for the occasion.
Together with some of the language in Maria Maggenti’s script, such behavior makes “Before I Fall” a risky proposition for any but grownups. But for Catholic moviegoers, at least, Samantha’s experience can be viewed from a theological perspective as representing a sort of purgatory through which she must pass.
The fact that she not only sees through the illusions that have blinded her in the past but reaches a high level of compassion and altruism fittingly fulfills the goal of that cleansing state. So it’s a shame that other aspects of the movie preclude endorsement for the young people at whom “Before I Fall” is clearly aimed.
The film contains semi-graphic premarital sexual activity, partial nudity, underage drinking, a single use each of profanity and rough language, a mild oath, frequent crude talk and mature references, including to homosexuality. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
(Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.)

Mississippi Catholic - Serving Catholics of the Diocese of Jackson Since 1954

Category Archives: Entertainment

Abbey Youth Fest returns

“Boss Baby” amusing, but flimsy offering for families

Thea’s Turn to be staged in Canton

Bishop makes visit to Saltillo mission

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Historical drama shines light on prejudice

“Before I Fall” conversion story with problematic setup