Meet Carlisle Beggerly

In preparation for our Homegrown Harvest Gala in the fall, which will benefit the Diocese of Jackson Office of Vocations, over the next several weeks we will feature a Q&A with one of our seminarians. This week, meet Carlisle Beggerly, who is entering his fourth year of formation.

Carlisle Beggerly

What is your home parish?
Immaculate Conception, West Point

What is your background? (Where are you from, how did you end up in Mississippi, etc.)
I was born in Jackson. I grew up in Florence. I now live in West Point. I have lived most of my life in Mississippi.

What is your vocation story? Who influenced you and why?
I grew up Protestant. In college, I read St. Augustine’s Confessions. This led me to seek out the church to which he belonged. I entered the church after instruction from Father Bill Voller in Hattiesburg. I felt a call to priesthood from the beginning of my conversion. I spent about a year and a half with a religious order. However, I did not feel it was the right fit for me. I left and went to law school, but continued to feel a calling to priestly life. After completing law school and working for awhile, I entered seminary for the Diocese of Jackson.

What draws you to diocesan priesthood? And to the Diocese of Jackson?
I am very much a son of Mississippi and Jackson Diocese. I want to minister to the people who have helped form me through the years. My family and friends also live here and I want to be near them in the future.

What are your hobbies/interests?
I paint religious icons. I also play the piano. Hagiography (writings about the lives of saints) is one of my favorite things to study. I also enjoy reading and music.

Who is your favorite saint and why?
I have many favorite saints. Different saints have assisted me at different periods of my life. St. Stanislaus Kostka is probably my favorite at the moment. He overcame many seemingly impossible obstacles in his formation for religious life and endured to a happy death. I find his intercession very powerful at this point in my discernment.

Do you have a favorite devotion? What draws you to this devotion?
I have a fascination with relics. For Catholics, the body and the soul are essential for salvation. I like praying before these physical reminders of the saints since they were temples of the Holy Ghost. I also like meditating on the fact that the holy relics will be restored to the glorified bodies of their owners after Christ’s Second Coming.

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I was an exchange student to Japan when I was in high school.

Who is your favorite sports team?
Manchester United.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a seminarian? And the most challenging?
The most rewarding part of being a seminarian is having my day revolve around prayer. The Eucharist truly is the source and summit of my life in formation. This is a great blessing. The most challenging aspect of formation is probably the length of time in formation. Six years is a very long time.

What advice do you have for those discerning a vocation?
Go to Jesus in the Eucharist. Stay close to Mary and Joseph. Seek the help of the Saints and Angels, especially your Guardian Angel.

Where can people send you a personal note?
I will be at St. Joseph’s in Starkville this summer or you can mail a note to me at Notre Dame Seminary.

Youth news

Pomp and pandemics …

HOLY SPRINGS – Cameron Walton rides in the eighth grade graduation parade around Holy Family school on May 15. In celebration, principal Tunia Sangster prepared gift bags for each student and tokens of love from teachers and staff. (Photo by Laura Grisham)

Thank you teachers

MADISON – Second graders show appreciation for their teachers, Mrs. Gail Kraft and Mrs. Beth Burns, in this heartfelt photo collage. (Photo by Kati Loyacono)

Public Mass returns to the Diocese of Jackson with precautions

Masses returned to many parishes within the diocese over Pentecost weekend, May 30 and 31, after over a two-month break.
While some parishes added more Masses, some are not yet ready to fully open, making sure they have all mechanisms in place to assure the safety of parishioners in light of the pandemic. Please check with your individual parish for proper procedure on attending Mass.
Several restrictions for the safety of parishioners include mandatory masks for those over age 2, social distancing, Communion in the hand only, no choir or ensemble singing and the sign of peace should not include physical contact.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz continues to dispense all of the faithful from the Sunday Obligation to participate in Mass until further notice.

JACKSON – Blue painters tape separates the pews at St. Richard to help ensure proper social distance is kept. Father John Bohn and Father Nick Adams celebrated Pentecost Mass with parishioners for the first time since churches were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Beth de Gruy)
SOUTHAVEN – Father David Szatkowski, SCJ, of Sacred Heart parish distributes communion into the hands of a parishioner, while maintaining social distancing. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace parish welcomed Emily Mendoza into the church on Pentecost Sunday as her parents, Janie and Jeffery, sister Madilynn and sponsor Connie Hegwood look on. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
PEARL – St. Jude parishioners enjoyed a drive-in Mass on Saturday, May 30. Pictured are chancery employee, Carolyn Callahan and her husband (Danny) receiving Communion from Father Lincoln Dall. (Photo by Tereza Ma)

Inmigrantes deciden entre vida y muerte

Mensaje del Departamento de
Salud del Estado de Mississippi

NO se le pedirán documentos.
Las pruebas están disponibles en centros de salud comunitarios, a través del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Mississippi y en clínicas temporales de UMC, que hacen la prueba sin que usted salga
de su automóvil.
• Para obtener una cita para las clínicas de
MSDH/UMC, llame al
601-496-7200
• Su información no se comparte con ninguna agencia gubernamental encargada de hacer cumplir la ley.
• Las pruebas positivas para COVID-19 no son
absolutamente nada de lo que avergonzarse.
• Es importante saber si eres positivo. Esto protege a su familia y lo ayuda a obtener atención médica.
Distancia social y lavarse las manos son importantes para prevenir la propagación de COVID-19.
• No vaya a trabajar si se siente enfermo.

Por Berta Mexidor
JACKSON – Durante la crisis de COVID-19 los inmigrantes se cruzan hoy entre la ayuda económica y su estado legal. Las medidas de “distanciamiento social”, los paquetes de ayuda gubernamental y los debates sobre cómo reabrir la economía se siguen con atención. Cada persona está contemplando su propia situación, cómo mantener a su familia o cuidando a las personas en riesgo en su propio círculo. Todo esto está dejando un lugar muy pequeño de caridad para los extraños.
Algunos residentes legales e inmigrantes indocumentados ahora son parte “esencial” para la sociedad por su participación en la entrega de productos y servicios, haciendo que el tema sea más confuso y controvertido.
Todos están en la “misma tormenta, pero no en el mismo bote”, según Kimberly Mukherjee, MD, profesora asistente de pediatría clínica de la Facultad de medicina de la Universidad de Tulane, quien, entre otros, buscan nuevas formas de atender a los pacientes de la población vulnerable, en especial a inmigrantes. El mismo sentimiento se comparte con varias voces que reclaman atención a los inmigrantes, desplazados y víctimas de la trata de personas.
La reciente legislación de EE. UU. para el alivio financiero a individuos y familias durante la actual pandemia de COVID-19 no incluyó ninguna asistencia a inmigrantes ilegales, pero también excluyó a los niños ciudadanos estadounidenses que pertenecen a una familia con un estatus migratorio mixto. Para recibir los $500 por cada niño menor de 18 años, los padres tenían que haber presentado el impuesto sobre la renta y poseer un número de seguro social. Muchas familias inmigrantes pagan sus impuestos, bajo un TPIN, pero debido a la falta de SSN, no reciben los fondos de ayuda por cada menor de edad elegible.
Otra de las preocupaciones es sobre los 643,560 adultos y jóvenes adultos bajo la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA), aprobada en 2012 y pendiente hoy de una decisión de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos. Algunos de los beneficiarios son médicos, enfermeras y trabajadores esenciales en la primera línea contra la pandemia, y por ley, a la espera de la deportación si el estado de DACA se niega en el futuro.
Dauda Sesay, presidente de la Organización de Louisiana para Refugiados e Inmigrantes reconoce la intrincada participación emocional de los inmigrantes y refugiados legales, que son elegibles para los beneficios y temen que recibir los mismos. Algunos refugiados e inmigrantes legales están teniendo problemas con los beneficios de desempleo debido a la falta de familiaridad con el proceso, la barrera del idioma, las habilidades de internet y que declarar una reducción de ingresos se considere en el futuro como Cargo Público, lo que afectará sus intenciones de ciudadanía. o continuación de la residencia legal.
Existe una aprehensión nacional sobre la liberación a la sociedad de los reclusos infectados por el nuevo coronavirus. ICE también liberó a algunas personas con condiciones de alto riesgo, que no representan un peligro para la población en general. Amelia McGowan, abogada de inmigración del Centro de Justicia de Mississippi, ha seguido de cerca el número de 181 inmigrantes internos afectados por COVID 19, reportados por ICE 15 en Mississippi y 166 en Louisiana. McGowan tiene la respuesta a la pregunta: ¿Por qué los centros de detención son tan vulnerables al virus?:
• El hacinamiento debido a las transferencias regulares entre las instalaciones, el aumento de las redadas, la mayor colaboración entre el estado, la policía local y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS), el aumento de la detención de personas que huyen de la persecución y la tortura, en busca de asilo político y humanitario.
• Limitado acceso a productos de limpieza e higiene.
• Atención médica deficiente
Las familias con todos los miembros indocumenta
dos, algunos de ellos en centros de detención, dependen de sus propios ingresos y caridad del público, esta vez al final de la lista, cuando más de 36 millones de estadounidenses están desempleados y millones de personas están necesitadas.
En Mississippi: la ayuda humanitaria proporcionada por Caridades Católicas a las parroquias con familias indocumentadas afectadas después de la redada de ICE, el 7 de agosto de 2019, continúa. Después de las redadas, alrededor de 700 familias se vieron afectadas, principalmente trabajadores en fábricas de pollos en Carthage, Canton, Forest y Morton. Muchos han estado recibiendo apoyo emocional y fondos de donaciones nacionales y Extensión Católica a través de Caridades Católicas. Además del miedo a la deportación y la separación de la familia se suma al miedo a enfermarse.
Muchos guatemaltecos se vieron afectados en Forest. Monika Soto es tutora de inglés para el distrito escolar municipal de Forest y está preocupada porque los niños están en casa, enfrentando la agravada situación de sus padres, la falta de comidas escolares y de materiales de aprendizaje for falta de computadoras personales y servicio de internet para continuar sus clases, viviendo con padres que no pueden ayudarlos en sus deberes escolares debido a la falta de instrucción y las barreras del idioma que tienen muchos.
Monika también describió que algunos trabajadores reciben una carta donde se les considera “trabajadores esenciales”, pero si se enferman, los beneficios del desempleo o los fondos de ayuda no son una opción. La necesidad de ingresos lleva a un trabajador de una planta procesadora a traer la infección por COVID-19 al hogar, donde todos se enferman. Varios de ellos tienen miedo de admitir que están enfermos y siguen trabajando. Los inmigrantes se encuentran en una encrucijada con dos problemas, la propagación de la enfermedad y la falta de dinero. Esta situación se reproduce no solo en Forest pero en todo el estado y país.

Rose Ocampo, a leader in the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, urges passersby in Maywood, Ill., May 9, 2020, to complete the U.S. census, while she maintains social Rose Ocampo, líder de la Coalición para el Liderazgo Espiritual y Público, insta a los transeúntes en Maywood, Illinois, el 9 de mayo de 2020, a completar el censo de EE. UU., mientras mantiene el distanciamiento social debido a la pandemia del coronavirus. (Foto del CNS/cortesía Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership)

Catholic Charities Bishop’s Ball goes virtual

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Typically Catholic Charities would be in the middle of final preparations for their annual Bishop’s Ball fundraiser at the Country Club of Jackson, but because of COVID-19 they’ve had to get creative with the way they raise money for the many programs they operate that help so many in need around the state.

So, this year, Catholic Charities is inviting all to support the fifteenth annual Bishop’s Ball fundraiser “at home” on Friday, June 5, 2020 at 6 p.m. through Facebook Live at facebook.com/catholiccharitiesjackson, where participants can attend regardless of their location and dress up or dress down for the cause.

While the current health crisis has interrupted plans to host the event in person, the need to raise funds for Catholic Charities is as critical as ever. Virtual attendees will be able to participate in an online silent auction and raffle at bidpal.net/bb20 that includes items such as an autographed Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey, a Joseph’s Studio 10-piece nativity set, a personalized comedy hour for friends and family by a professional stand-up comedian, art by William Dunlap, and a Godfather movie poster autographed by Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire and Francis Ford Coppola. Additionally, the auction and raffle will include lots of local artwork for every collector. People can join the auction beginning May 23 by texting bb20 to 243725 to receive a personalized one-click login for the auction event. Bidding begins on May 30. Raffle winners will be announced during the Facebook Live event on June 5.

The site is open to anyone, anywhere and items that are won can be picked-up the week following the Bishop’s Ball virtual event at Catholic Charities office in Jackson or shipping is available for an additional fee.

Most events are not complete without a cocktail hour and Catholic Charities virtual Bishop’s Ball is no exception. Colton Woodward of Fizz Mobile Bartending will be on hand during the Facebook Live event to demonstrate how to make the event’s signature cocktail. To participate gather vodka, lemon juice, two strawberries, a few fresh basil leaves, some sugar and club soda (for those 21 and older, of course).
Julie O’Brien, development associate at Catholic Charities Jackson, says “we would like to encourage folks to host a small viewing party at their home. We are even offering gift boxes that include cups, napkins, drink ingredients (including alcohol) and snacks.” The boxes have everything needed for the cocktail demonstration for up to 10 people and cost $250. Just call 601-331-1152 or 601-362-3758 by May 29 to place your order.

At the close of the Bishop’s Ball “at home” event the organization will be saluting essential workers in our community. “We want to honor healthcare workers, first responders, grocery store workers, service industry workers and everyone who has kept our community going during this crisis,” says O’Brien.
For additional information, visit www.catholiccharitiesjackson.org or call 601-355-8634.

Floyd Q. Doolittle Memorial Golf Classic

Floyd Q. Doolittle Memorial Golf Tournament Logo

The Knights of Columbus from Council 9543 at St. Francis of Assisi in Madison will take another big swing at the costs of seminarian education with their annual Floyd Q. Doolittle Memorial Golf Classic. Open to the public, the four-person scramble is set for Saturday, March 28 at Whisper Lake Golf Club and starts at 1 p.m.

            “This is a fundraiser for seminarian education and provides crucial financial assistance for future priests of the Diocese of Jackson, as it costs approximately $37,000 a year to educate one new seminarian,” said Tunney Vandevender, past Grand Knight at Council 9543. “It’s an exciting day of golf, fellowship, and celebration. We’ve raised nearly $70,000 over the last four years.”

“Please consider being a sponsor and/or a participant. There will be silent auctions for a Smart TV from Cowboy Maloney and a set of all-weather tires from Nokian among other prizes. Lunch, dinner, and beverages are included in your registration.”

Register at https://uknight.org/CouncilSite/?CNO=9543. Or download forms here. Contact Tim Prater at 601-955-1715 or mississippiredleg@yahoo.com for more information.