JACKSON – Deacon Denzil Lobo places ashes on Sister Thea Bowman School second grader, Azaria Weems, on Ash Wednesday. (Photo by Christopher Payne)
NATCHEZ – Religion teacher, JoAnn Waycaster places ashes on the forehead of Cathedral School senior, Gracie Bradley on Wednesday, February 14 at St. Mary Basilica. (Photo by Cara Moody)
SOUTHAVEN – Father Hendrick Ardianto, SCJ, distributes ashes to Cash Fortin during Sacred Heart School’s Ash Wednesday Mass. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi student Avery Cook receives ashes from Father Albeenreddy Vatti. (Photo by Chiquita Brown)
GREENVILLE – Kent Tonos, Father Sanchéz and Fletcher McGaugh get ready to process out of St. Joseph School Mass on Ash Wednesday. (Photo by Elese Serio)
ST. LOUIS, MO – Ole Miss students from the College Campus Ministry through St. John Oxford participated in the annual SEEK24 Conference. The group is pictured at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. (Photo courtesy of Alex Barfield)
By Alex Barfield ST. LOUIS, Mo. – College students from Mississippi joined approximately 20,000 others for a five-day conference focused on faith in St. Louis from Jan. 1-5.
The University of Mississippi brought a group of 18 students, and Mississippi State brought about 80 students.
SEEK is a national conference organized by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Each day, students attended Mass in the former hockey arena, listened to speakers like Father Mike Schmitz, and formed community with the universal church.
“SEEK was the most incredible experience that I had no idea I needed so much! Getting to hear the most amazing speakers, meeting so many people on fire for the Lord, and singing and worshipping alongside 20,000 other students truly made me fall in love with the Catholic Church in a whole new way,” said Olivia DeGravelle, sophomore.
“SEEK 24 was yet another reminder to me that the Catholic Church is alive and thriving! I encountered Christ through the many interactions I had with fellow college students, through powerful speakers, and through the sacraments. The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly doing incredible things,” said, Frank Galeziewski, senior.
A yearly event, the SEEK conference will be held in Salt Lake City, UT as its main location in January 2025.
(Alex Barfield is the campus minister at The University of Mississippi through St. John the Evangelist parish in Oxford.)
High School Confirmation Retreat – MACON
St. Michael parish in Forest
MACON – A group of youth from St. Michael parish in Forest participate in group circle time at the annual diocesan Confirmation retreat.(Photos courtesy of Fran Lavelle)
St. Peter parish in Grenada
MACON – A group from St. Peter Grenada participate in the annual Confirmation retreat at Lake Forest Ranch. (Photos courtesy of Fran Lavelle)
COLUMBUS – Annunciation School second grader, Garrison Westby celebrated “In Our Nation” day during Catholic Schools Week. (Photos by Jacque Hince)
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth School students celebrated their community during Catholic Schools Week. Pictured are members of the sixth grade class volunteering at a Local Care Station. (Photos by Mary Evelyn Stonestreet)
MADISON – St. Anthony
MADISON – St. Anthony School celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a special Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Wednesday, Jan. 31. (Photos by Kati Loyacono)
VICKSBURG schools
MADISON – St. Joseph
JACKSON – St. Richard
Catholic Schools Week teachers & students at St. Richard Catholic Church.Ms. Eve being recognized at Catholic School Week mass for her many years of service at St. Richard Catholic School. (Photos by Chelsea Dillon)
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.
HOLLY SPRINGS – Teachers at Holy Family School collaborated while starting the process of reviewing the English/Language Arts academic standards on Tuesday, Jan. 2. (Photo courtesy of school)MADISON – St. Anthony students Hunter Smith, Collin Rayner and Greta Kate Ostrenga work together to build a sailboat during a STREAM lesson on Friday, Jan. 5 at St. Anthony School. (Photo courtesy of school)JACKSON – Mrs. Sandel’s Pre-K3 class wrapped her in wrapping paper for their Christmas party at St. Richard School. (Photo by Chelsea Dillon)SOUTHAVEN – For an Advent Service on Dec. 11, each Pre-K through second grade student placed a leaf on a circle on the gym floor to form a wreath. Then the candles were added, followed by the lighting of the candles and the singing of the “Advent Song.” (Photo by Sister Margaret Sue)MADISON – St. Anthony sixth grade student Natalia Rojas spends time with second grade student Matthew Price preparing for First Reconciliation. (Photo by Kati Loyacono)COLUMBUS – Annunciation fourth graders recently participated in a Science Fair. They presented their projects to the entire school and visitors, alike. (Photo by Logan Gentry)
Posadas, Belen and Reyes Magos
By Berta Mexidor JACKSON – In the Latino Hispanic tradition, Christmas starts with Posadas, weeks ahead of Dec. 25, and ends on Jan. 6 with the celebration of the Epiphany. Every Christmas season, parishioners decorate the building with nativity scenes, “El Belen” that include each protagonist of the most important event for the Christian community worldwide. The decoration came alive when people started representing the season’s most important moments. The Posadas (translation for Inn) is a remembrance of the time when Mary and Joseph were looking for a place where pregnant Mary could deliver the baby, but only received rejections. Posadas are a procession during the night, led by Mary and Joseph’s actors accompanied by people singing villancicos (Carols for this special occasion), and holding candles. “The Pilgrims… I’ve asked you for lodging Dear innkeeper Because the mother is going to be The queen of the heavens. The Innkeepers… Then if it is a queen Who requests it How is it that at nighttime She’s traveling so alone?” Posadas are hosted by a family who opened their house’s doors at the end. At the Christmas vigil, the Nativity scene is alive with people impersonating the story’s characters. The Epiphany, in most of the towns, is celebrated with a big parade where three people impersonate the Reyes Magos (the wise men), who distribute sweets, and gifts among the crowd. This action is replicated at home by adults giving gifts to children.
PONTOTOC – Parishioners of St. Christopher parish represented the Nativity scene during “Posadas.” (Photo by Aracely Nieves)PEARL – St Jude parish celebrated “Posadas” on Wednesday, Dec. 20. In front, Jospeh and Mary are looking for a room at the inn. (Photo by Lauren Roberts)
By Berta Mexidor NATCHEZ – On Monday, Dec. 11, a vibrant procession coursed through historic downtown Natchez, featuring the revered Our Lady of Guadalupe with a group of devoted Guadalupeans present for the celebration. The culminating event was a Mass presided over by Father Aaron Williams, accompanied by Father Charles Yaklin, IVE, who delivered the homily.
This marked the second instance in which Hispanic Catholics from the Natchez-Vidalia area received the support of Father Williams, of the Basilica of St. Mary, and Father Charles, a monk hailing from St. Joseph Monastery in Natchez.
NATCHEZ – On Dec. 11 the faithful participated in a procession in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, before Mass celebrated by Father Aaron Williams and Father Charles Yaklin, a monk from St. Joseph’s Monastery. (Photo by Berta Mexidor)
Father Charles, who arrived in Natchez two years ago, has been offering Mass in Spanish to the local Catholic community. In his Spanish homily, he emphasized the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stating that her call is for everyone to draw near to Jesus. He highlighted, “She asked to build a temple, not for her glory, not for us to praise her, because she is surrounded by thousands of angels, but the message of her heart is for us to be close to her son, through the Eucharist.”
The successful organization of the 12-day celebration, including Rosaries and traditional dances, is attributed to the dedicated efforts of numerous volunteers, notably Lupe Valencia, of Mexican heritage. Valencia led a group of dancers adorned in ponchos featuring the image of Guadalupe, conchas (shells) and tambor (drum), performing various routines in honor of the Virgin Mary.
A separate dance ensemble from Guerrero, Mexico, showcased the tradition of Los Chinelos, a cultural heritage from Morelos, a region in Mexico. Dressed in colorful attire, the group depicted an elderly figure with a long beard, carrying the image of Guadalupe on the back of the cape. They danced joyously to regional music, adding a dynamic element to the festivities.
Valencia received valuable assistance from a dedicated team, including Paola Siles from Nicaragua, Guillermina Vega, and Monzerrat Gonzalez, a mother-daughter duo from Mexico residing in Vidalia. Rosendo Gonzales and Antonio Ortiz carried the image of Our Lady in the procession, while Bettina Coffey provided translation services for Father Williams at the Family Life Center. The celebration concluded with a heartfelt blessing, lively dances and a shared feast in honor of Our Lady.
JACKSON – St. Richard sixth graders carried on the tradition of putting on the “Manhattan Mall” for the residents of the Manhattan nursing home across from campus. Seniors are able to “shop” for gifts for their loved ones. (Photo by Chelsea Dillon)MADISON – Student musicians practice for St. Joseph Catholic School’s annual “Gifts of the Season” Christmas concert that took place on Sunday, Dec. 10, in the school Fine Arts auditorium. Pictured are sophomore Talia Ramos, far right, and freshman Mackenzie Maberry rehearsing for “Gifts of the Season.” (Photo courtesy of school)COLUMBUS – Annunciation dad, James Wagner, teaches students about electricity during a Superhero themed STREAM Day at the school. (Photo by Logan Gentry)
Around the diocese
COLUMBUS – Father Jeffery Waldrep assists Mrs. Ford’s Kindergarten class with their Thanksgiving story bracelets. (Photo by Logan Gentry)MADISON – St. Anthony School PreK-4 students, Bryan Gardner and Ridge Bond, were excited to find a candy treat and prayer card in their shoes on the Feast of Saint Nicholas on Dec. 6. (Photo by Kati Loyacono)PEARL – St. Jude youth performed their annual Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 12. (Photo courtesy of Lauren Roberts)AMORY – The children of St. Helen Church proclaimed the Christmas Story, “Our Chaos, His Peace,” for parishioners and all grandparents following Mass on Dec. 10. Afterwards, they presented grandparents with hand-painted ornaments. High school youth served as lectors, intercession readers and greeters for the Mass. (Photo by Jean Pinkley)
VICKSBURG – The second grade “Saints Celebration”, with assistance from sophomores, is a wonderful tradition at Vicksburg Catholic School. (Photo courtesy of school)JACKSON – Kindergarteners at St. Richard School performed “The Great Turkey Day Race” play for school students and families before Thanksgiving break. (Photo by Chelsea Dillon)WEST POINT – Adults and youth at Immaculate Conception parish get competitive at a game of musical chairs with Father Binh Nguyen at the parish fall festival event. (Photo by Cathy Johnson)PEARL – Nate Pearson and Jojo Roberts get ready for Christmas at the St. Jude Young Apostles youth center on Wednesday, Nov. 15. (Photo by Tereza Ma)WEST POINT – Two “Ninja Turtles” play some croquet at Immaculate Conception parish’s annual Fall Fest. (Photo by Cathy Johnson)SOUTHAVEN – PreK three and four year old students culminated their unit on Nursery Rhymes with a Nursery Rhymes Olympic Day. Pictured: Addison Wade as one of the King’s Men gives her crown to another one of the king’s men to ride off and try to put Humpty dumpty back together again. (Photo by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)MERIDIAN – St. Patrick first graders enjoys a super “Saints-giving” party. They learned about their individual saint, dressed as that saint and enjoyed a special snack. (Photo by Kasey Owen)
