Catholic Service Appeal kicks-off

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – As the Diocese of Jackson kicks off the 2023 Catholic Service Appeal (CSA), director of Stewardship and Development, Rebecca Harris shared her thanks for the Synod process over the last year.

“As a diocese, we listened and heard the voices of the people calling for more programs for youth and young adults, more faith formation for adults and opportunities for healing,” said Harris.

“I’m pleased that the CSA can be a part of aiding ministries grow and flourish in our church in these ways.”

In the fall of 2022, the diocese began an office for young adult and campus ministry as a response to the call for more opportunities for young adults. This year, the CSA is able to assist this office with funds raised through the appeal to help young adults continue to grow in their faith beyond college.

Each year in January Bishop Joseph Kopacz sends letters to all parishioners in the diocese asking for support of ministries that are vital to the Catholic faith.

“When you make a gift you become the ‘Hope Rising’ to those served by the appeal,” Harris says.

The Catholic community can become the hope to those served by these ministries: Seminarian Education, Catholic Schools, Retired Priests, Clergy Assistance, Permanent Diaconate Ministry, Catholic Charities, Campus Ministry, Formation Ministry and Religious Education, Intercultural Ministry, Evangelization and Communication, Family Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Youth Ministry and grants for Parishes and Schools.

For detailed information on each of these ministries supporters can visit website csa.jacksondiocese.org.

Harris says that supporters will also find stories from people who have been supported by the Catholic Service Appeal.

“This year, we are featuring stories that show a small piece of how donations to the CSA make huge impacts.”

Supporters can click on the “Voices” page to see how donations supported Izzy from the Catholic Charities Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program; or learn how Catholic Charities Born Free program supported Jada to deliver a healthy baby boy free of drugs. Site visitors can also read how the vocations ministry supported Deacon Carlisle Beggerly as he answered the call of God; and discover how Eduardo Padilla reached deep into his faith and became a leader at his parish. And lastly, read how youth ministry supports youth like Emerson Erwin of St. Joseph Gluckstadt to attend retreats like SEARCH.

“Your prayers and generosity always make a difference,” says Bishop Joseph Kopacz.

There are several ways to give to the 2023 Catholic Service Appeal. Pledge cards can be mailed to PO Box 22723; Jackson, MS 39225; and supporters can visit csa.jacksondiocese.org to donate online.

Gifts of stocks can also be made to support the Catholic Service Appeal. For more information on the CSA, contact Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477.

(Editor’s note: See the special Catholic Service Appeal insert in this edition of Mississippi Catholic to learn more about all the ministries supported by this appeal.)

Youth

COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS – Annunciation Art Teacher, Emmie Sherertz, assists students in Art Club. She teaches painting at the Columbus Arts Council and teaches art here at Annunciation Catholic School and her art work will be featured at Van Der Plas Gallery in New York City read more: https://www.annunciationcatholicschool.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=315795&type=d&pREC_ID=746385. (Photos by Logan Waggoner)

VICKSBURG

VICKSBURG – Senior Theology students hold a monthly food drive the for Storehouse Community Food Pantry of Vicksburg. (Photos by Lindsey Bradley)

MADISON

MADISON – Mrs. Dukes fourth grade class at St. Anthony School, packs and delivers healthy backpack meal kits each week for local students facing hunger. Students pictured from left to right: Lily Le, Cade Beard and Addison Santana (pictured with their teacher, Mrs. Dukes – center) are working hard to unload the nonperishable healthy food items to be packed into backpack meal kits for local students. (Photos by Celeste Tassin)

CLARKSDALE

CLARKSDALE – Grandparent, Ann Ruscoe watches as sixth grader, Reed Chapman shows fourth grader, Ridgely Walls how warm Polar Bear skin feels at St. Elizabeth School’s Math and Science Family Fun Night. (Photos by Sarah Cauthen)

MADISON

MADISON – Parents and children enjoy fun and fellowship at St. Francis of Assisi’s annual Thanksgiving feast. (Photo by Chelsea Scarbrough)

SOUTHAVEN

SOUTHAVEN – Seventh and eighth grade girls at Sacred Heart School set up a play to get the volleyball over the net. (Photos courtesy of school)

JACKSON

JACKSON – St. Richard sixth grade girls (in red) played Jackson Academy students on Jan. 17. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

NATCHEZ

NATCHEZ – National Honor Society members at Cathedral School sort and distribute coats at the Natchez Stewpot. (Photos by Cara Moody)

MERIDIAN

MERIDIAN – Youth dash from the starting line for the kids run at the 6th annual Candy Cane Dash 5K Run for St. Patrick School. (Photos by Emily Thompson)

Youth

VICKSBURG – Tenth graders and second graders from Vicksburg Catholic School gathered for a photo op after the second grade Saints Celebration program. The Sophomores assisted the second graders in learning about their assigned saints to prepare for the program. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
LELAND – Children of St. James parish celebrated Christmas Eve Mass. (Photo by Peyton Palasini)
OXFORD – Christmas Eve Mass at St. John was a success thanks to Gemma Yates, Ian Yates, Jacob Zerangue, Maddie Thornton and John Whelan. (Photo by Tim Walsh)
COLUMBUS – Father Jeffrey Waldrep gives a blessing during Mass on Thursday, January 5. (Photo by Logan Waggoner)
GREENVILLE – Youth play their version of “Dirty Santa,” with another winning ticket being pulled from the pool of tickets at Sacred Heart parishes annual Christmas raffle and party. (Photo by Maurice Mosley)
TUPELO – During arts and crafts with Katya Cruz, students constructed “joy” ornaments, individual “joy” banners and created a group “joy” poster, pictured. (Photo courtesy Rhonda Hanby)

At funeral, pope remembers Benedict’s ‘wisdom, tenderness, devotion’

By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI “spread and testified to” the Gospel his entire life, Pope Francis told tens of thousands of people gathered Jan. 5 for his predecessor’s funeral Mass.

“Like the women at the tomb, we too have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, in order to show him once more the love that is undying. We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years,” Pope Francis said in his homily.

The Mass in St. Peter’s Square was the first time in more than 200 years that a pope celebrated the funeral of his predecessor. Pope Pius VII had celebrated the funeral of Pius VI in 1802 when his remains were returned to Rome after he died in exile in France in 1799.

Pope Benedict, who had retired in 2013, had requested his funeral be simple; the only heads of state invited to lead delegations were those of Italy and his native Germany.

However, many dignitaries – including Queen Sofia of Spain and King Philippe of Belgium – and presidents and government ministers representing more than a dozen nations were in attendance, as were most of the ambassadors to the Holy See.

Pope Benedict XVI poses in Alpeggio Pileo near his summer residence in Les Combes, at the Valle d’Aosta in northern Italy, July 14, 2005. Pope Benedict died Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 95 in his residence at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Reuters/Vatican Pool)

Members of the College of Cardinals sat on one side of the casket, while, on the other side, sat special guests, including the late pope’s closest collaborators and representatives of the Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and U.S. evangelical communities. Jewish and Muslim organizations also sent delegations.

Pope Francis presided over the Mass and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, was the main celebrant at the altar. Some 120 cardinals, another 400 bishops and 3,700 priests concelebrated. The vestments and stoles were red in keeping with the color of mourning for deceased popes.

Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, who turns 91 Jan. 13, was allowed to leave China to attend the funeral of Pope Benedict, who had made him a cardinal in 2006. The retired cardinal was arrested in May and fined in November together with five others on charges of failing to properly register a now-defunct fund to help anti-government protesters.

More than 1,000 journalists, photographers and camera operators from around the world were accredited to cover the funeral in St. Peter’s Square.

An estimated 50,000 people filled the square for the Mass, and a number of visitors told Catholic News Service that banners and flags were being confiscated by security upon entrance. Of the few flags and banners that did make it past security was a white cloth with “Santo Subito” (“Sainthood Now”) written in red and a “Thank you, Pope Benedict” written in light blue in German.

Just as Pope Benedict dedicated his pontificate to directing the faithful’s focus to the person of Christ, Pope Francis dedicated his homily to Christ’s loving devotion and suffering witness as the “invitation and the program of life that he quietly inspires in us,” rather than on a summary of his predecessor’s life.
Pope Francis spoke of Jesus’ grateful, prayerful and sustained devotion to God’s will and how Jesus’ final words on the cross, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” summed up his entire life, “a ceaseless self-entrustment into the hands of his Father.”

“His were hands of forgiveness and compassion, healing and mercy, anointing and blessing, which led him also to entrust himself into the hands of his brothers and sisters,” he said.

“Father into your hands I commend my spirit,” the pope said, is the plan for life that Jesus quietly invites and inspires people to follow.

However, he said, the path requires sustained and prayerful devotion that is “silently shaped and refined amid the challenges and resistance that every pastor must face in trusting obedience to the Lord’s command to feed his flock.”

“Like the Master, a shepherd bears the burden of interceding and the strain of anointing his people, especially in situations where goodness must struggle to prevail and the dignity of our brothers and sisters is threatened,” said the pope.

“The Lord quietly bestows the spirit of meekness that is ready to understand, accept, hope and risk, notwithstanding any misunderstandings that might result. It is the source of an unseen and elusive fruitfulness, born of his knowing the One in whom he has placed his trust,” he said.

“Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer. Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God’s truth, of God’s word, the nourishment of his presence,” Pope Francis said, quoting his predecessor’s homily marking the start of his pontificate April 24, 2005.

“Holding fast to the Lord’s last words and to the witness of his entire life, we too, as an ecclesial community, want to follow in his steps and to commend our brother into the hands of the Father,” he said of Pope Benedict. “May those merciful hands find his lamp alight with the oil of the Gospel that he spread and testified to for his entire life.”

“God’s faithful people, gathered here, now accompany and entrust to him the life of the one who was their pastor,” the pope said. “Together, we want to say, ‘Father, into your hands we commend his spirit.'”
“Benedict, faithful friend of the Bridegroom, may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever!” he concluded, as the crowd prayed in silence.

Pope Francis touches the casket of Pope Benedict XVI at the conclusion of his funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Jan. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Among the people in the crowd was Georg Bruckmaier who traveled nearly 10 hours by car to come to the funeral from his home in Bavaria, not far away from where the late pope was born.

Wearing a Bavarian flag around his back, he told CNS, “There are a lot of Bavarians here today, I’ve seen people I know from university. I wanted to be here for the atmosphere.”

“People felt very close to him, because he is a Bavarian, so this is a really big event to be here,” Bruckmaier said, adding that being able to pay his last respects before the pope’s remains in St. Peter’s Basilica, “is a different thing than seeing it on television. It’s something I won’t forget in my whole life.”
Fiona-Louise Devlin told CNS she and her companions were wearing scarves from the late pope’s visit to Scotland in 2010. She said they traveled to Rome from Scotland specifically for the funeral, booking their flight the day the pope passed away.

“He’s the pope of our generation. Like, how so many people say that John Paul II was their pope, he was mine. I’ve traveled around the world to go to celebrations that he’s been a part of, so I wanted to be here for this,” she said.

As the day began, the thick morning fog obscuring the cupola slowly began to lift as 12 laymen emerged from the basilica carrying the pope’s casket. The crowd applauded as the cypress casket was brought into the square and placed before the altar.

The pope’s master of liturgical ceremonies, Msgr. Diego Giovanni Ravelli, and Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the late pope’s longtime personal secretary, together placed an opened Book of the Gospels on the casket. The simple casket was decorated with his coat of arms as archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany, which depicts a shell, a Moor and a bear loaded with a pack on his back.

The Bible readings at the Mass were in Spanish, English and Italian, and the prayers of the faithful at the Mass were recited in German, French, Arabic, Portuguese and Italian.

The prayers included petitions for “Pope Emeritus Benedict, who has fallen asleep in the Lord: may the eternal Shepherd receive him into his kingdom of light and peace,” followed by a prayer “for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and for all the pastors of the church: may they proclaim fearlessly, in word and deed, Christ’s victory over evil and death.”

The other prayers were for justice and peace in the world, for those suffering from poverty and other forms of need, and for those gathered at the funeral.

At the pope’s funeral, like any Catholic funeral, Communion was followed by the “final commendation and farewell,” asking that “Pope Emeritus Benedict” be delivered from death and “may sing God’s praises in the heavenly Jerusalem.”

Pope Francis prayed that God have mercy on his predecessor, who was “a fearless preacher of your word and a faithful minister of the divine mysteries.”

While the funeral was based on the model of a papal funeral, two key elements normally part of a papal funeral following the farewell prayer were missing: there were no prayers offered by representatives of the Diocese of Rome and of the Eastern Catholic churches, since those prayers are specific to the death of a reigning pope, who is bishop of the Diocese of Rome and is in communion with the leaders of the Eastern-rite churches.

A bell tolled solemnly and the assembly applauded for several minutes – with some chanting “Benedetto” – as the pallbearers carried the casket toward St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Francis blessed the casket and laid his right hand on it in prayer, then bowed slightly in reverence before it was taken inside for a private burial in the grotto of St. Peter’s Basilica, in the same tomb that held the remains of St. Pope John Paul II before his beatification.

The evening before the funeral Mass a small assembly of cardinals, officials of St. Peter’s Basilica and members of the late pope’s household gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica to witness Pope Benedict’s body being placed into a cypress casket and closed. The ceremony took place Jan. 4 after about 195,000 people had paid their respects to the pope over three days of public viewing.

The “rogito,” a document rolled up and placed in a tube, was placed in the casket with the body. In addition to containing his biography, the legal document, written in Latin, also attested to his death and burial. Medals and coins minted during his pontificate also were placed in the casket.

Archbishop Gänswein and Msgr. Ravelli extended a white silk cloth over the deceased pope’s face. The pope was wearing a miter and the chasuble he wore for Mass at World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008; between his clasped hands were a rosary and small crucifix.

After the funeral Mass, the pope’s casket was taken to the chapel in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica where he was to be buried.

Although the burial was private, images supplied by Vatican Media showed Cardinal Re leading prayers and blessing the remains during the burial rite attended by a small number of senior cardinals, the retired pope’s closest aides and others.

The cypress casket was wrapped with red ribbon, which was affixed to the wood with red wax seals, then placed inside a zinc casket soldered shut and put inside a larger casket made of oak. The tops of both the zinc and oak caskets were decorated with a simple cross, a bronze plaque with the pope’s name and dates of birth, papacy and death, and his papal coat of arms.

His tomb is located between the only two women buried in the grotto under the basilica: the 15th-century Queen Charlotte of Cyprus and the 17th-century Queen Christina of Sweden.

The burial ceremony ended before 1 p.m. but Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, said he thought the crypt would not be open to the public until Jan. 8.

(Contributing to this story was Justin McLellan at the Vatican. available to all of us through the sacraments and in loving union with one another.)

Merry Christmas

CLINTON – The Nativity scene is depicted in stained glass at Holy Savior Church in Clinton. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)
JACKSON – Merry Christmas from the Carmelite Gift Shop. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
JACKSON – The creche at St. Richard parish is awaiting the coming of the Lord. (Photos by Tereza Ma)
PEARL – Nativity silhouettes are illuminated on the parade float at St. Jude parish in Pearl. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
JACKSON – St. Richard School decked out all of the hallways and the front office window for Christmas.

Youth

Advent programs at our Catholic Schools

Columbus

Jackson

JACKSON – St. Richard students perform for parents and loved ones for their annnual Advent program on Friday, Dec. 16, orchestrated by teacher, Andrew Dillon. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Serving Our Lady

PEARL –St Jude parish held their first Guadalupe procession on Saturday, Dec. 10. Altar servers, Thomas, Dori Pazcak and Olinsar Villafranca are pictured. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Principal serves with a smile

VICKSBURG – St. Aloysius Assistant Principal, Jon Graham, helped serve lunch with a smile to students and staff. Vicksburg Catholic School students, faculty and staff: “lead with humility, serve with love, strive for excellence and prepare for distinction.” (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
HOLLY SPRINGS – Cazateatro Theatrical Group helped celebrate Hispanic Heritage month at Holy Family School. Brother Diego Diaz enjoyed every second of the production. (Photo by Tunia Sangster)
JACKSON – St. Richard School sixth grade girls (white) play a game on their home court against Jackson Prep (blue). (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Youth

JACKSON – St. Richard Catholic School

JACKSON – St. Richard School’s community service project, Manhattan Mall, runs in November and December when sixth graders collect gift items and wrapping supplies to host a shopping event for the residents at Manhattan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jackson. (Left photo by Tammy Conrad and right/bottom photos by Cathy Tebo)

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart Catholic School

SOUTHAVEN – Sacred Heart School celebrated Thanksgiving blessings with a family dinner before Thanksgiving break. (Photos by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)

GREENVILLE – St. Joseph Catholic School

GREENVILLE – Maleah Morris walks away after receiving a blessing. Father Sanchez and Bishop Joseph Kopacz gave blessings and distributed communion during a special Mass honoring Salvador Sarullo at St. Joseph School. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

COLUMBUS – Annunciation Catholic School

COLUMBUS – Families gathered for a Thanksgiving feast at Annunciation Catholic School. (Photo by Logan Waggoner)

MERIDIAN – Catholic Community

MERIDIAN – Father Augustine Palimattam Poulose and Father Justin Joseph try to warm up in between building beds for children in need on Nov. 12. A group of youth and parishioners worked to build 10 beds for an organization called Sleep In Heavely Peace. (Photos courtesy of Catholic Community of Meridian)

CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth

CLARKSDALE – On Sunday, Nov. 20, St. Elizabeth parish held a triple celebration – the 110th aniversary of the church and the feasts of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Christ the King. On left, Elizabeth Blaine Cauthen, Brooks Cauthen and Father Raju Macherla read a beautiful prayer at the end of Mass.
(Below) Luke Agostnelli, Steele Britt, Father Raju, William Walker and Isabel Walker participate in Adoration before Mass. (Photos by Tereza Ma)

Fourth and Glory! St. Joseph continues dynasty with victory over Tri-County in state title game

By David W. Healy/Delta Democrat-Times
JACKSON – It takes more than one player to make a dynasty.

These were the words from St. Joseph Catholic School coach John Baker just minutes after his Fighting Irish defeated Tri-County Academy 26-14 to win the MAIS Class 4A State Championship Thursday at Jackson Academy. It was the Irish’s fourth state championship in school history and fourth in six years.

As they have done in their previous three state championships, the biggest stars on this year’s St. Joseph (11-1) team shined the brightest. But it was not just one star. The night and the glory belonged to the entire St. Joseph team who avenged a loss last season to Tri-County in last year’s state semifinal game.

Senior running back Kye Nelson, who played as a 5-foot-9 wrecking ball the entire game, carried the ball for crucial yardage time after time again. In the second half, Nelson’s determination came to a crescendo when his 34-yard touchdown score put the Irish in the lead for good at 20-14 with 1:56 to play in the third quarter. Nelson finished the night with 144 yards rushing on 16 carries.

“I was just thinking after every carry to keep going and keep fighting,” Nelson said. “This game was revenge for us because Tri-County beat us in the semifinals last season.”

JACKSON – The Fighting Irish of St. Joe Greenville toppled Tri-County Academy for the MAIS Class 4A State Championship on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Jackson Academy. (Photos by Joanna Puddister King)

Said Baker, “Kye and the offensive line, they put the whole team on their backs and they got us in the endzone. We made the decision to run the ball in the second half because we felt like we were more physical team and at halftime we thought if we ran the ball we could win.”

Nelson missed last year’s state semifinal with an injury.

Senior quarterback CJ Moore was another Irish player who helped cement the Irish dynasty Thursday night.

Moore is the brother of the first two Irish quarterbacks, Brice Johnson and Dillon Johnson, who helped lead the Irish to their first three state championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019. During Thursday’s contest, Moore looked much like his older two brothers when they were leading the Irish to state glory. As he had all season, Moore extended offensive plays with his speed and escapability.

After Tri-County opened the scoring when QB Bryce Warriner connected with Ty Milner on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 2:59 left in the first quarter, Moore found a wide-open Christian Foster in the back of the endzone for 24-yard touchdown reception to give St. Joseph a 7-6 lead.

Later in the second quarter, Moore made his biggest play of the game when he raced down the right sideline for a 76-yard touchdown run to put the Irish up 14-6 with 2:57 left in the second quarter. The Irish finished with 264 rushing yards.

“CJ pulls a rabbit out of his hat every time,” Coach Baker said. “He is the best athlete on our team. He doesn’t let things get to him. He threw an early pick, but he came back and reset and ran that long touchdown for us.”

Moore ended the game 14 of 29 with 163 yards passing. He had 114 yards rushing. St. Joseph’s Stank King led the Irish with 55 yards receiving on five catches. Chris Mayfield had 53 yards receiving for the Irish on three catches.

While the St. Joseph offensive players did their part for the victory, the Irish defense also stood tall when it mattered the most, holding the Rebels scoreless in the second half.

On Tri-County’s first offensive possession of the game, defensive end Donnie Smith recovered a Rebel fumble at the Tri-County 38-yard line. In the second quarter, defensive back Stank King made an interception and returned it 15 yards to the Irish 37-yard line.

In the third quarter, St. Joseph defensive lineman Alex Foster helped to end a Rebel drive with a 15-yard sack for a loss.

Later in the third, King deflected a Tri-County pass in the back of the endzone that looked at first like it was a sure touchdown.

The Rebels managed just 49 rushing yards in the game.

Tri-County head coach Phillip Wasson, a Greenville native who once coached at St. Joseph and Washington School, praised the Irish on their state championship.

“St. Joe is a really good team,” Coach Wasson said. “Most of their best players are all back from last year. Coach Baker has done a good job with them. They have only lost one game this year. I am proud of that group because I know a lot of those kids over there at St. Joe.”

(David Healy is sports editor for the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com. Re-printed with permission.)

Youth

Activities around the diocese

MADISON – St. Joseph students (l-r) Jarret Hall (Ralphie) and Turner Brown (Ralph Parker – the older-wiser narrator of the story) at the production of “A Christmas Story” on Saturday, Nov. 12. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
JACKSON – The mascot and cheerleaders for St. Joe Greenville celebrate after a big play at the MAIS 4A state championship game on Thursday, Nov. 17. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)
JACKSON – On Thursday, Nov. 17, Sister Thea Bowman students faced off against St. Richard sixth grade girls on the court. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Thank you Veterans!

HERNANDO – On Sunday, Nov. 13, the youth of Holy Spirit Church honored Veteran’s with a reception, cards and a jar of red, white and blue M&M’s. (Photos by Amanda Ready)

Youth life around the diocese

VICKSBURG – Coach Larry Calhoun, the star of the Move To Learn exercise break videos came to Vicksburg Catholic School to introduce administrators, teachers and students to the Move to Learn Initiative! The videos feature Calhoun leading students in simple movement exercises that can be done in a small space. Teachers are noticing that incorporating the fitness breaks in the classroom has increased their students’ ability to learn and to focus on schoolwork. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)