Category Archives: Featured

Knights deliver coats for children in shelters

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By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Four Mississippi Knights of Columbus councils participated in the National Coats for Kids program this year, donating more than 70 coats to Catholic Charities’ shelters for battered women. Members of the councils from Flowood, Gluckstadt, Madison and Pearl delivered six cases of coats to Arteria Puckett, the shelter director, at Catholic Charities’ downtown Jackson headquarters on Friday, Dec. 12.
Philip Jabor, Chris Sigler, Tunney Vandevender and Tony Kumor brought some samples up to the office and then helped Puckett load the cases into her vehicle so she could deliver the coats to children in both the Jackson and Natchez shelters, which are usually full at this time of year. “This is perfect. We had a little boy in the Jackson shelter last night ask for a coat, so this couldn’t come at a better time,” said Puckett.

Tony Kumor hands a donated coat to Arteria Puckett, director of the Catholic Charities Battered Womens’ Shelter.

Tony Kumor hands a donated coat to Arteria Puckett, director of the Catholic Charities Battered Womens’ Shelter.

The Knights of Columbus work with a manufacturer on a national level to make the coats available at discount rates. Each case of 12 fleece-lined, puffer coats in blue and pink costs $220 and contains a variety of sizes. Last year was a record-breaking year for the program nationally.
“We usually try to find out how many coats Catholic Charities needs and then ask each council who is willing to sponsor as many cases as they can,” said Jabor, the state treasurer who has organized the drive for the past few years.
“We really appreciate these coats. Even if we don’t give them all out right now, we now have enough to last most of the winter season and that’s a good feeling,” said Puckett.

Pope teaches children joy of Christmas

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) – No saint was ever known for having a “funeral face,” Pope Francis said; the joy of knowing one is loved by God and saved by Christ must be seen at least in a sense of peace, if not a smile.
Celebrating the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Dec. 14, Pope Francis paid an evening visit to Rome’s St. Joseph Parish, meeting with the sick, with a group of Gypsies, with a first Communion class and with dozens of couples whose newborn babies were baptized in the past year.

A Nativity scene and Christmas tree decorate the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Dec. 15. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

A Nativity scene and Christmas tree decorate the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Dec. 15. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

“Be joyful as you prepare for Christmas,” he told them at Mass, urging as a first step that people thank God each day for the blessings they have been given.
A Christian’s Christmas joy has nothing to do with “the consumerism that leads to everyone being anxious Dec. 24 because, ‘Oh, I don’t have this, I need that’ — no, that is not God’s joy.”
With Christmas “less than 15 days away, no 13 days, let us pray. Don’t forget, we pray for Christmas joy. We give thanks to God for the many things he has given us and for faith, first of all.”
Earlier in the day, reciting the Angelus with visitors in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis blessed the statues of the Baby Jesus that will take center place in Nativity scenes in Rome schools, churches and homes.
Addressing the children who brought their figurines to the square, the pope said, “When you pray in front of your creche at home, remember to pray for me, like I will remember you.”
At the end of the Angelus, volunteers distributed a little booklet, marked “gift of Pope Francis,” containing the texts of the Our Father and Hail Mary and other “traditional prayers,” as well as prayers drawn from the Psalms and the “five-finger prayer.”
Using the fingers on one hand, the prayer guides people in praying for those closest to them, for those who teach, for those who govern, for those who are weak and – on the pinkie or smallest finger – for one’s own humility.
“The human heart desires joy,” the pope said in his Angelus address. “We all want joy; every family, all peoples aspire to joy. But what kind of joy are Christians called to witness? It is that joy that comes from closeness to God and from his presence in our lives.”
“A Christian is one who has a heart full of peace because he or she knows how to find joy in the Lord even when going through difficult moments in life,” he said. “Having faith does not mean not having difficulties, but having the strength to face them knowing that we are not alone.”

Pope Francis greets a boy as he arrives to celebrate Mass at St. Joseph Parish in Rome Dec. 14. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis greets a boy as he arrives to celebrate Mass at St. Joseph Parish in Rome Dec. 14. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

When joy or at least peace shines through a person’s face, he said, others will wonder why, opening the possibility of sharing with them the Gospel.
With Christmas approaching, the pope said, “the church invites us to give witness that Jesus is not just a historical figure; he is the word of God who continues to illuminate people’s paths today; his gestures – the sacraments — show the tenderness, consolation of love of the Father for every human being.”
Dressed in rose vestments for the evening Mass at the parish on Rome’s western edge, Pope Francis explained that usually Advent vestments are a dark color, “but today they are rose because the joy of Christmas is blossoming.”
“The joy of Christmas is a special joy, a joy that is not only for Christmas Day, but for the entire life of a Christian,” he said.
Speaking without a prepared text, the pope said someone could say, “’Oh, father, we make a big meal (at Christmas) and everyone is happy.’ This is beautiful. A big meal is good, but it is not the Christian joy we’re talking about.”
Christian joy, he said, “comes from prayer and from giving thanks to God.” It grows as one reviews all the blessings God has given.
“But there are people who do not know how to thank God; they always look for things to complain about,” the pope said. Speaking confidentially, he told parishioners that he used to know a nun who worked hard, “but her life was all about complaining,” so much so that “in the convent they called her ‘Sister Whiner.’ But a Christian can’t live that way, always looking for something to complain about!”
(Copyright © 2014 Catholic News Service/United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news services may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to, such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method in whole or in part, without prior written authority of Catholic News Service.)

Women of Spirit: Diocesan Sisters celebrated

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The Leadership Conference for Women Religious has turned a touring exhibit, seen above, into a one-hour documentary called “Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America.” The documentary is coming to Jackson St. Richard Parish in January. (Photos courtesy of www.womenandspirit.org)

As part of the celebration for the Year of the Consecrated Life, St. Dominic Hospital and Jackson St. Richard Parish are hosting a screening of the documentary, “Women and Spirit, Catholic Sisters in America,” as well as a discussion on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at 1 p.m.
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) prepared an exhibit that traveled to several cities in the U.S. The documentary is an offshoot of the exhibit. The exhibit and film, according to press materials, narrates the virtually untold story of women who exercised leadership at a time when few women enjoyed such possibilities. Theirs is a story of quiet courage during many dramatic moments in the history of America.
The one-hour film documents the work these women did in healthcare, education, social justice, civil rights, research and many other fields as well as profiling modern women religious with an eye to the future.

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Sisters were able to advocate at events such as the March on Washington. The documentary tells the story of how Catholic religious women in America took on leadership roles and how they impacted the history of the nation through their work in healthcare, education, social justice and many other areas.

“To understand what the women religious have done for our state of Mississippi and their faithful engagement in ministry the past 150 years, is an overwhelming gift to us as well as all of America,” said Sister Therese Jacobs, BVM, the event organizer. After the screening, Sister Helen Garvey, BVM, the chairperson of the LCWR Committee which prepared the traveling exhibit, will speak. “Sister Helen is informed, articulate, delightful and has a great sense of humor,” said Sister Jacobs.
In the morning, before the public viewing, sisters from across the diocese will enjoy a reception and luncheon in their honor. To learn more about the exhibit and film, visit www.womenandspirit.org.
The planning committee is also hoping to make DVDs of the documentary available after the event. For information, contact Sister Jacobs, 601-366-2335.

St. Joe juniors elected Youth Legislature governor, lieutenant governor

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00121214legilsatureMADISON – Two St. Joseph Catholic School juniors were elected to the top two leadership spots at the Mississippi Youth and Government 2014 Youth Legislature held Nov. 19-21. Benjamin Payne ran unopposed for governor, while Noah Greene won a two-person race for lieutenant governor. This is the first time that St. Joe students have won and will serve in the top two Youth Legislature leadership positions at the same time.
“This is a great and notable achievement for two outstanding students,” St. Joe Principal Keith Barnes said. “To win the top two elected positions – one unopposed – says a lot about Ben’s and Noah’s leadership skills and their ability to get things done. It also says a lot about the quality of students we have here at St. Joe.”
During the three-day conference, high school students from across the state proposed, debated and voted on legislation in a mock legislative session that took place in the Old Capitol, the War Memorial building and the Marriott in downtown Jackson.
Payne and Greene led a 27-member delegation from St. Joe that attended Youth Legislature this year. Payne and Greene will preside as governor and lieutenant governor over the Junior Youth Assembly in spring 2015 and over Youth Legislature in fall 2015. Junior Youth Assembly is for sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth graders; Youth Legislature is for high school students.

Mother Delille effort in hands of Vatican investigators

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The Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans await authentication of a miracle of the Venerable Henriette Delille, their founder, as her cause for sainthood moves through the final steps. Sister Delille was the first native-born African American to have her cause for canonization officially opened by the church. In 2010 Pope Benedict XVI declared her venerable. The authentication of one more miracle would result in beatification.
In September of this year the congregation 111414delilleunveiled a portrait of their founder. The nine-by-four-foot painting by artist Ulrick Jean-Pierre was commissioned by late congregational leader, Sister Eva Regina Martin, SHF, and hangs in the motherhouse. It shows Sister Delille surrounded by the poor she served for her whole life with St. Augustine church in the background.
Delille was born a free woman of color in New Orleans in 1812. She was born into a family of concubines and may have even borne two sons who died as toddlers, but she had a conversion at the age of 24. At that time African-American women were not allowed in any religious order. Undaunted, Sister Delille studied with white nuns to learn about religious life. She and two friends formed a society, professed their own vows and started serving the poor and elderly of color in their community.
The group was recognized years later as the Sisters of the Holy Family. Last year two members of the congregation came to the Diocese of Jackson to encourage devotion to their founder in hopes of advancing her cause.
Sisters Doris Goudeaux and Laura Mercier, both SHF, said during their 2013 presentation that the Sisters of the Holy Family begged for support from the very start of their order. “No matter how they were treated, they depended on the Divine Providence of God,” said Sister Goudeaux. “They knew no matter what they suffered they would be rewarded. They knew they were doing what Jesus wanted them to do.” They picked up poor elderly and children off the streets and found a way to care for them. The Sisters are credited with opening the first nursing home in the United States, a ministry they are still running in New Orleans.
They educated slaves and made sure they were baptized as well as caring for those affected by yellow fever. In many cases, they had to teach their students in secret with little or no reliable support. “They begged in the street daily and some days they went to bed having only had sugar water,” said Sister Goudeaux.
Sister Delille died at the age of 50. Only one example of her writing exists, a simple but profound prayer she penned in the flyleaf of a book on the Eucharist right after her conversion. The congregation still uses the prayer today, encouraging others to say it. “I believe in God.  I hope in God. I love. I want to live and die for God.”

Embrace light, purpose of Advent

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By Elsa Baughman
I remember reading years ago in a religious column that the only place where Advent has not disappeared is in the church. It usually begins at the end of November or early December, when people are thinking more about Christmas presents, parties and activities than  preparing themselves spiritually for the coming of Christ. This liturgical season of anticipation can be very noisy, surrounded by secular music, lights, and television, newspaper and radio ads urging us to buy gifts for this or that special person.
When we go to church on the four Sundays of Advent we are reminded of the true meaning of this season by the Scripture readings which reflect on the coming of our savior.

COVINGTON – On October 25, 2014 Father Brian Kaskie, pastor of McComb St. Alphonsus, led a group of about 30 members from his parish to St. Joseph Abbey. The group attended Mass, ate lunch and had a tour of the Abbey, which has undergone recent renovations to mark its 125th anniversary this year. Diocesan seminarians attend the college there. (Photo submitted by Ruth E. Phillips)

COVINGTON – On October 25, 2014 Father Brian Kaskie, pastor of McComb St. Alphonsus, led a group of about 30 members from his parish to St. Joseph Abbey. The group attended Mass, ate lunch and had a tour of the Abbey, which has undergone recent renovations to mark its 125th anniversary this year. Diocesan seminarians attend the college there. (Photo submitted by Ruth E. Phillips)

Here in the Diocese of Jackson parishes and missions observe Advent with a variety of activities. Some  schedule time for silent prayers and reflection, others hold retreats, candlelight vigils or celebrate daily Mass, and the majority offer penance services.
Just as last year, Pearl St. Jude Young Apostles will pray an illuminated Advent rosary in their rosary garden. In Corinth St. James Parish children brought ornaments (symbols of a Bible story or figure) to place on a “Jesse Tree” while hearing a short story about each character from the ancestry of Jesus during Advent last year.
New Albany St. Francis of Assisi Parish has spiritual reflections on Wednesdays. Every year, Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish holds an Advent Fair where children make Advent wreaths for their homes.

Carmelite Sisters L. J. Therese Lazard (left) and Mary Jane Agonoy arrange the display of the Advent wreaths at the Carmelite Gift Shop. The store carries a wide selection of wreaths, candles and pamphlets for the Advent season. The open house weekends and bake sales run from Nov. 15-Dec. 21. (Photos by Elsa Baughman)

Carmelite Sisters L. J. Therese Lazard (left) and Mary Jane Agonoy arrange the display of the Advent wreaths at the Carmelite Gift Shop. The store carries a wide selection of wreaths, candles and pamphlets for the Advent season. The open house weekends and bake sales run from Nov. 15-Dec. 21. (Photos by Elsa Baughman)

The church does its best to encourage all of us during these four weeks to center our lives, minds and hearts on the coming of Christ. It’s up to us to hear the message and anticipate his coming, not with fanfare but with a quiet, humble heart, a burning heart.
For me, this year is special. I wanted to do something different to really immerse myself in the “coming” of our King. I bought an Advent wreath! I have been wanting to participate in this tradition for years, but always put it off for one reason or another.
The wreath is an old tradition meant to remind us of the coming of the light of the world. It has three purple candles, symbolizing penitence and preparation, and one pink candle, used on Gaudete Sunday, to symbolize hope. As the days of winter get darker and shorter, we light another candle each week until we welcome Christ, the real light of the world, at Christmas. There are many prayer books and online resources with prayers you can use with  your Advent wreath.
As I light each candle on my Advent wreath, I am preparing my heart to receive Christ with a new purpose in life.

This Advent wreath is on sale at the Carmelite Gift Shop. The wreath is an old tradition meant to remind us of the coming of the light of the world.

This Advent wreath is on sale at the Carmelite Gift Shop. The wreath is an old tradition meant to remind us of the coming of the light of the world.

I might also try to do something similar to what my sister does during Advent. She makes a list of simple things to do each day during the season – just one per day. For instance, one day she would pray for the intentions of the pope; another day she buys a small toy for a needy child, or calls a friend who is sick or going through a hard time in life. They are all very small sacrifices but with a kind, loving purpose.
During this Advent season, let us prepare our hearts to hear the message of our savior and receive him in all his glory.
(Editor’s note: see page 2 for Advent services and programs in parishes.)

Community invited to parish fair

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A blues musician entertained the crowd.

JACKSON – St. Mary Parish hosted its Fall Carnival Saturday, Oct. 18. This year’s emphasis was placed on increasing participation from the surrounding community. Local residents joined parishioners for activities including a performance by the “Blues Man,” a mini petting zoo, and  a magical clown. The local fire department brought a truck for the young people to explore. In addition, representatives from local religious orders were available to share information about their faith, and a representative from the American Cancer Society had an exhibit about breast health.
Food was prepared by Daniel Dillon and was free so everyone would feel welcome to attend regardless of their ability to pay.

Volunteers make plates for people attending the St. Mary Parish Fair Saturday, Oct. 18. (Photos courtesy of Monique Davis)

College retreat inspires director

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By Fran Lavelle
My last official act as the campus minister for the college students at Mississippi State was a peer-led retreat at Lake Forest Ranch the weekend of October 17-19. This year’s theme was “The One and Only” and the talks revolved around on the things that keep us from staying focused on God. The weekend was glorious. The weather was beautiful, the camp was enshrined with early signs of fall, and the students who took this spiritual

LAKE FOREST RANCH – John Suedel and Anna Jackson give a talk about time at the college retreat sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry (Photo courtesy of Fran Lavelle)

LAKE FOREST RANCH – John Suedel and Anna Jackson give a talk about time at the college retreat sponsored by the Office of Campus Ministry (Photo courtesy of Fran Lavelle)

journey to the woods were exceptional. It was in a word: perfect. I was reminded of how precious and essential these opportunities away with God really are.
Once back in Jackson I wondered why more people don’t take advantage of opportunities to take retreats. One of the talks, given by college sophomores Anna Jackson from Starkville and John Suedel from Clinton, was on time. They correctly pointed out that we have a misguided concept of “making time” for God. God, they asserted, made time. We do not need to make more of it. What we do need, however, is recognize that God should not be appropriated to a few fleeting minutes in the “busyness” of our days.
Rather, they contended, God should be in all that we are and all that we do. In essence, all our words, actions and thoughts should be focused on bringing greater glory to God. If we “take” time to center ourselves on Christ and we take time to deepen our intimacy with Him we will as a result be more intentional and focused on God. I marveled at their awareness and insight.
It occurred to me that we “make” time for the things that matter most to us. We travel weekend after weekend to tournaments, juggle kids between activities, travel to major cities to hear our favorite artist in concert or spend an entire day taking in a college football game. Now, before you criticize me let me say I love the garden and enjoy entertaining dinner guests. I love watching the sunset. I love spending time with family and friends. I get it.
These are the activities that make life special. It is not in the “doing” of these things that trips us up. It is when we adopt “activity” over presence. It’s when we jump from activity to activity rendering ourselves completely exhausted at the day’s end. It’s when we are so busy taking pictures to post on social media that we failed to “see” what is actually happening. Perhaps we fail to recognize that how present we are to others impacts how present we are to God.
I was walking into the office this morning with the usual background sounds of city traffic, sirens and car radios. The juxtaposition of waking up Sunday morning to the calls of nature versus the daily noise of life called me to recognize why retreats really matter. We were not hard-wired for the fast-paced, instantaneous world we live in. However, we have become conditioned to accept the insidious pace of modern life.
I remember in the 80s my dad used to give me a hard time about yuppies being “stressed out” all of the time. Our world then was a cacophony of bleeping fax machines, conference calls and hauling around cell phones that were the size of a shoe box. We thought we were busy.
The speed of life has exponentially increased since then. We multitask, we devour media nearly 24/7, we are literally lost without our smart phones and Facebook reminds us daily of how we’re doing in “keeping up with the Joneses.” Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God.” What better way than a retreat to help us find the space and the freedom to put on pause the duties that press us into frenzied activity?
Advent will soon be here. Perhaps a retreat would help integrate a prayerful experience in the midst of Christmas parties, shopping and decorating. You don’t have to make a special trip to a retreat center. If you love the beach, make a trip to your favorite coastal town. If you enjoy hiking a trip to the mountains may be just what you need to reconnect with God.
A favorite retreat for me has always been a weekend alone at a state park. I fast from noise – no radio, television or cds. I take a journal, my Bible and spiritual reading. In the beginning the silence is too much to bear. I think I’ll go crazy before the weekend ends. Many years later, the silence for me has become a welcomed opportunity. My visits with God rarely involve audible words.
My college students reminded me quite profoundly the misguided notion of making time for God. If we take two weekends a year for retreat, that leaves us with 50 more to do the other things we enjoy. If weekends away are not for whatever reason do-able let’s be aware of those pockets of time and space which allow our hearts and minds to be present to God, our One and Only.
(Fran Lavelle is the director of the Office of Faith Formation)