By Joanna King and Tereza Ma GLOSTER – Families gathered to celebrate a relatively “new” church in the history of the diocese on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Holy Family in Gloster. Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Anthonyclaret Onyeocha and several of the founding families gathered for a special Mass in celebration of 40 years of the “young” parish.
In 1983, the few Catholics of Amite County were scattered but one woman had a dream to bring them together.
June Vallely moved to Gloster in 1980, she and her husband Bill, along with their five children had to travel over 23 miles away to St. Joseph in Woodville for Mass.
“Trying to get the kids ready, get them up, feed them, get them ready to go to church … it was hard work,” said Vallely.
GLOSTER – June Vallely displays her plaque presented to her for her contributions to the Holy Family parish in Gloster. On left, the tabernacle sits behind the altar at Holy Family parish. It was donated to the fledgling parish in 1983 from a church in Illinois. (Photos by Tereza Ma)
“So, I started asking around in the community if there were any Catholics, or did they know of a Catholic.” From that, Vallely began making a list; making it her mission to establish a Catholic Church in Amite County.
“Something was just pushing me and pushing me,” said Valley.
Then it hit like lightening.
One night in the middle of a thunderstorm, Vallely shot up from a slumber and went to the kitchen table and began to write.
Father Anthonyclaret Onyeocha and Bishop Joseph Kopacz process out after Mass at Holy Family parish in Gloster on Saturday, Sept. 23 for the 40th anniversary of the parish.
“I started writing this letter to the Bishop. The words kept coming out.”
A couple of months later, Bishop Brunini gave permission for a church building in the small Catholic community in Gloster. The name Holy Family was even drawn from a brown paper bag. Everyone at Mass that given Sunday submitted a name and the youngest member of the church, Jason Chabreck, drew the name.
With the assistance of Sister Margaret Maria Coon, a retired college philosophy teacher and former provincial of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth of Kentucky, who had retired to the area, the fledgling congregation began to take shape.
The first location was an old store front on Main Street, the walls of which were covered in burlap to cover large holes.
“Our first altar was a kitchen cabinet from one of our parishioners,” said Vallely, reminiscing.
Other first items were a brass crucifix from an army surplus story, a baptismal font from a Methodist church in Crosby, a tabernacle from a Catholic Church in Illinois and various hand-me-downs from other parishes across the diocese. It didn’t matter where the items came from, the founding families were happy to have a church of their own for their growing community.
June Vallely visits with Bishop Kopacz and Pauline Gauthier after Mass, about her history with the parish. Vallely and other founding members were present for the 40th anniversary celebration of Holy Family Gloster.
To fundraise families would hold dinners on Fridays during Lent, serving Cajun delicacies such as jambalaya and shrimp etouffee. Parishioners would take orders from the area, including Liberty, Woodville, Centreville and Gloster. Each week earning $1,000 or more for their young parish.
“It was lots of fun,” said Vallely. “We loved bringing the whole community together.”
Michele Chabrek was also of one of the founding families of Holy Family. Along with Vallely, she is one of the only remaining families from the beginning of the parish.
“Through hard work and faith, we’ve managed to come together and provide for the community and any of our spiritual needs.”
At the 40th anniversary celebration, Vallely was recognized for her contributions to the history of the parish with a special plaque.
“We wanted to do something special for June to let her know all of her hard work did not go to waste,” said Pauline Gauthier, a resident of Gloster for 36 years.
“We’re not a big parish or big community, but those of us that are here – we’re family.”
By Berta Mexidor and Tereza Ma WOODVILLE – A grand gathering, after a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, took place in the gardens of the St. Joseph community in Woodville where parishioners and Catholic community commemorated the 150th anniversary of the founding of the parish, on Sunday, Sept. 9.
The historic Mass was concelebrated by Father Anthonyclaret Onyeocha, pastor of St. Joseph Woodville and Holy Family Mission Gloster and Father PJ Curley, who served the parish in the 1970s.
WOODVILLE – Samuel Bray reaches in for a hand shake hand with Bishop Joseph Kopacz after a Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph parish. Also pictured is Spencer Bray.
The congregation that filled the pews came from Woodville, Baton Rouge and other surrounding areas.
The year 1873 marked the opening of St. Joseph Catholic Church, under the direction of Father Germain Martin. Catholic believers were present around Fort Adams area since 1682, when on Easter Sunday, historians claimed the celebration of the first Mass, not only of the area but for all Mississippi soil.
The town of Woodville was incorporated in 1811, and for years the only Catholics families were the Elders, the Gordons, and the Poseys, who gave the community and history from a General to a Bishop.
The first Mass for the Woodville community was celebrated in the Gordon family house. The first families and their descendants have claimed and kept the history until these times.
For years the Catholic community of Woodville was served by priests of Natchez, until 1905 when Father Joseph B. Weis was the first resident priest.
The history of the Woodville community is rich, with many home and buildings, including St. Joseph Church, being included on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
St. Joseph’s current pastor, Father Anthonyclaret was also celebrating his American citizenship during the festivities. He stated that all the parishioners “worked on weekends for months and contributed to the celebration.”
Bishop Joseph Kopacz blesses new vessels, surrounded by (right) Father Curley who served at St. Joseph in early 70s, Father Anthonyclaret Onyeocha (left) with Wil Seal and Wallace Ferguson as altar servers.
Edward (Eddie) Rispone, a Catholic from Baton Rouge, owns acres of property in the area for recreation, and even though he has his parish at home, he registered his family at St. Joseph, and contributes to the area because “it is special to belong to a historical Catholic Church.” Like him, many of the attendees from Louisiana came because of the ties of their ancestors to the parish. Ann and Octavio Gutierrez were parishioners for years. They moved back to the area from Texas, sharing their ties of many sacraments in this church. Ann now sings in the choir. Even though they have other homes, she said this has always been her “home church.”
Beautiful weather provided for a wonderful outdoor gathering for the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph Church. On right, smoke- master Mac Fletcher of Daddy Mac’s BBQ in action at the event. (Photos by Tereza Ma)
ADRIAN, MICHIGAN – Sister Angela Susalla, formerly known as Sister David Mary, died on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 71st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican congregation.
Sister Angela was born in Detroit, Michigan, to David and Bertha (Zinger) Susalla. She graduated from Rochester High School in Rochester, Michigan, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Mixed Science, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.
Sister ministered for 24 years in elementary and secondary education in Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Grafton, West Virginia. This includes 10 years as elementary and secondary teacher at Rosarian Academy, a sponsored ministry of the Adrian Dominican congregation in West Palm Beach. She also served six years as a pastoral minister: a year in Eleuthera, Bahamas; and five years for the Diocese of Memphis in Lexington, Tennessee. Her last 31 years of service were spent as a social service minister for Catholic Social Services in Tunica, Mississippi. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2014.
Sister Angela was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Thomas, Ernest, Larry and David; and a sister, Elda. She is survived by sisters Elaine Campbell of Troy, Michigan, and Karen Swaim (Gary) of Sevierville, Tennessee; other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
A Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
In memoriam: Curtiss McKee
MADISON – Curtiss wanted his obituary to be short because he was never interested in accolades. He requested that it state only that “he was born, he lived, he died.” However, no one who ever knew him could ever stop there because he truly was a “gentleman” – one of faith, loyalty, generosity, intelligence, wit and unfailing love.
Miles Curtiss McKee was born Aug. 21, 1930 in Cleveland, Mississippi to Samuel Melvin and Alethea (Alice) Miles McKee. At age sixteen, he went to Millsaps College for two years before moving to Clarksdale to work for the Bank of Clarksdale. As the Korean War was beginning, he joined the Navy to become an aviator. As a Naval aviator, he served as a hurricane hunter, flying just 100 feet above the water and in anti-submarine warfare missions. He served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the Naval Reserves. Curtiss retired as a Captain after 30 years of military service. Curtiss was President of Naval League of Mississippi for several terms.
After his four years of active duty service in the Navy, Curtiss finished his undergraduate degree at Ole Miss and then attended University of Mississippi Law School while also teaching Political Science. Curtiss was an editor of the Law Journal and a member of the Lamar Order. He graduated from law school in 1959 at the top of his class with many distinctions, and he was elected as a member of the Ole Miss Hall of Fame.
Curtiss became one of the leading labor and employment lawyers in Mississippi. He took two cases to the U.S. Supreme Court. He was Chairman of the Judicial Selection Committee of the Mississippi Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He was also an active member of the Mississippi Bar Foundation of which he was also a Fellow, the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employer Lawyers. He was continuously chosen for The Best Lawyers in America from 1987-2010.
When Curtiss retired, he was asked to become the in-house attorney for the Catholic Diocese of Jackson. He served pro bono there for five years. Curtiss was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison where he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Curtiss is survived by his wife, Ann, of 50 years, daughters Carol Brame of Madison and Laura McKee Zouein (Fouad) of Ridgeland; sons David McKee (Shannon) of Gluckstadt and Reid McKee (Rachel) of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren Lindsay Casperson (Eric), Allison Dotson (Alex), Taylor Brame, Shelby Partridge (Austin), Betsy McKee, Miles McKee, Jackson Lindsey, Juliet Lindsey, Molly McKee, Ava Cate McKee, Lucy McKee; and great-grandchildren Caylee Casperson, Connor Casperson, Chloe Casperson, and Luke Dotson.
A Requiem Mass was held Wednesday, Sept. 6 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. In memory of Curtiss, donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4000 W. Tidewater Lane, Madison, MS 39110, University of Mississippi Medical Center Children’s Hospital and/or your charity of choice.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT DOWNINGTOWN, PA – Day of Prayer for the Health and Wellness of Clergy and Men and Women Religious, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 20. The main event for is a live-streamed Mass from the Our Lady of Hope Chapel on Saint John Vianney Center’s campus at 10 a.m. CST. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of the need to support our men and women in ministry and to pray for them in solidarity as one community of faith. No cost to participate. Details: https://www.sjvcenter.org/dayofprayer/
SAINT LOUIS, MO – The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) invites young adults ages 18 and older to a monthly online evening prayer on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. CST via Zoom. Upcoming dates for evening prayer are Sept. 26, Oct. 24 and Nov. 28. Details: ssnd.org/events/
WASHINGTON D.C. Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage, Sept. 30 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Join with Catholics from around the country to seek the intercession of Our Lady. Hear life-changing talks; celebrate Mass and pray the rosary. Details: for more information visit rosarypilgrimage.org.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS ABERDEEN – St. Francis, Parish Picnic, Saturday, Oct. 14 following Mass. Enjoy a good meal and fellowship. Details: (662) 813-2295.
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Parish picnic with bingo and games, Sunday Oct. 1, after 9 a.m. Mass. Details: office@stfrancisbrookhaven.org.
CLARKSDALE – St. Elizabeth, Parish Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 5-8 p.m. Food, raffles, fun, games and more. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation School, Beats on the Blacktop, Thursday, Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy music, games and fellowship. Details: psa.acseagles@gmail.com.
FLOWOOD – Homegrown Harvest Fest, sponsored by office of vocations, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul parish. Proceeds support our seven seminarians. Evening includes dinner, silent auction and fellowship. Silent auction items are needed! Contact Shelia at sheliafoggo@gmail.com or Laura at lfoley929@gmail.com to help. Details: Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/HGHarvest2023.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Men’s Association Fish Fry, Friday, Sept. 22 from 4-7 p.m. Cost: $13 adults/$6 kids. All are welcome. Eat-in or take out. Plates include catfish, hushpuppies, fries, slaw, drink and dessert. Details: Jon at (901) 481-0228.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Fellowship Night on Oct. 4. Schedule: 4:30 p.m. Adoration, 5:30 p.m. pot luck meal in the center and 7 p.m. presentation by Father Nick in the church followed by Benediction. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
JACKSON – St. Richard, Special Kids Golf tournament at Deerfield Country Club on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
LELAND – St. James, Spaghetti Dinner and Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 26. Dinner and silent auction begin at 5 p.m., booths open at 6 p.m. Cost: $15 per plate. Details: Donna at (662) 207-8844.
MADISON – St. Francis, Fall Parish Mission “Igniting the Light of Christ within you,” Oct. 1-3 at 6:30 p.m. each night in the church. Featured speaker is Paul Koleske. Hear practical techniques you can use to increase your connection with the presence of the Holy Spirit. All are welcome! Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
St. Francis, Taste of St. Francis Feast takes us around the world on Sunday, Oct. 8 in the Family Life Center following 10:30 a.m. Mass. Details: parish office at 601-856-5556 or Amy at 601-953-4182.
MERIDIAN – St. Joseph, Octoberfest on Oct. 7 from 11 am to 2 p.m. Enjoy this day of fellowship and fun! There will be youth activities, plenty of food and more. Details: contact Rhonda (601) 227-1199.
NATCHEZ Cathedral School, Fall Festival, Sept. 23-24. Enjoy food, games, raffles, bingo, adult night and more. Details: school office (601) 442-2531.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Men’s Club Golf Tournament 4-person scramble, Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. Dinner included. Cost: $100 per person. Details: contact Tim at (901) 515-8598. OXFORD – St. John the Evangelist, Red Mass on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. Details: email Olivia at orschwab@go.olemiss.edu.
PEARL – St. Jude, Day-trip Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 28. Tour the Shrine, Mass, Adoration and more. Cost est. $75. Details: email kmcgregor@stjudepearl.org or call (601) 939-3181.
RIPLEY – St. Matthew, Feast day and 13th anniversary celebration of church building dedication, Saturday, Sept. 23. Enjoy food booths, games and competitions. Bilingual Mass with food and fellowship following on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m. Details: church office (662) 993-8862.
STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Fall Trivia Night, Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph parish hall. Cost $20/person – $10/college student. Details: email ben.bachman@gmail.com for reservations and other questions.
VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus 898 $3,000 Drawdown, Sunday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. Tickets $75 each. One ticket gets one draw and dinner for two. Details: kc898.square.site or see any 898 Knight. Hall located at 310 Fisher Ferry Road.
By Joe Lee MADISON – On the evening of Aug. 7, the family life center at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Madison resembled a fine restaurant, with white tablecloths and soft candlelight creating the perfect backdrop for a huge crowd to congratulate Msgr. Elvin Sunds on the golden anniversary of his ordination as a priest.
It was a fitting tribute to the kind, soft-spoken man who grew up in Iowa and has spent more than fifty years of his life bringing Mississippians of different backgrounds together. The throng waiting to enjoy the mouth-watering dinner was no surprise after the standing room only gathering at Mass, which made Sunds feel, in his words, deeply affirmed.
“When I first saw the church packed for the Mass, I was genuinely overwhelmed,” he said. “I had no idea so many people over the years from so many parishes – and from Catholic Charities – wanted to express their gratitude.”
MADISON – Msgr. Elvin Sunds (second from right) celebrated his golden jubilee on Monday, Aug. 7 at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Madison. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Sunds felt the call toward the priesthood while a senior in high school, but he wanted something more exciting than the Diocese of Des Moines, especially after being told by his vocation director that he was expected to teach high school for the first ten years after ordination.
“During my junior year at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, my spiritual director suggested I spend a summer working for a friend of his in New York City named Father John Powis. This was 1967, and Father Powis was working in the rough Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, a largely Puerto Rican and African American neighborhood.
“I was impressed at what Father Powis was doing and found an apartment in a condemned building for the summer. I worked mornings at a commercial laundry to support myself and spent afternoons organizing recreational programs for the neighborhood kids.”
Sunds had seminarian classmates from Mississippi who urged him to visit the state, which he did for the first time that fall.
“Cardinal Bernard Law was the vocation director then for what was the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson,” Sunds said. “He arranged for me to spend several months with Father Nathaniel Machesky, who was pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Greenwood.
“This was predominantly an African American parish. They were offering education for the kids in the grade school there, a wonderful alternative to what wasn’t a good education in the Greenwood public schools. I realized the Natchez-Jackson Diocese was where I needed to be.”
Since his ordination by Bishop Joseph Brunini at Our Lady of the Gulf in Bay St. Louis on Aug. 5, 1973, Sunds has pastored in Biloxi, Jackson, Meridian, Greenville and Corinth. Revered for his work with Catholic Charities (where he served as executive director from 1978-1994), he was honored by the Mississippi NAACP in 1982 with the organization’s Outstanding Service Award.
Msgr. Elvin Sunds pictured at his priestly ordination on Aug. 5, 1973 in Bay St. Louis. (Photo from archives)
“We established programs while I was there to serve people that had not been served in Mississippi,” Sunds said. “I really encouraged the employees to think toward trying to change the system and make a bigger impact than just the person we were serving. My first hire was Linda Raff as associate director. We made a great team.”
“Msgr. Sunds brought a sense of social justice for all of God’s children, especially those poor and vulnerable,” said Raff, who succeeded Sunds as executive director in 1994 and served in that role 14 years before returning for a final year as director in 2014. “I appreciated that he administered the agency in a very fair-minded way, and it will always be one of my greatest privileges to have worked for him.”
“We’re only 2.5 percent Catholic in the Jackson diocese,” Sunds said. “But we have a tremendous impact, and we have an even bigger impact when we work together ecumenically. The Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference was Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Jewish – lots of denominations – that worked together in the civil rights era.
“When we work together as people of faith, we can make a tremendous impact in Mississippi, such as the changing of the state flag. The football community, the academic community and the business community were behind it, but it was also the Catholic bishop, Methodist bishop, Episcopal bishop and others that agreed we needed to change it.”
“Msgr. Sunds and I have been friends for almost 30 years,” said retired pastor Raymon Leake. “He invited me to speak in his church (St. Patrick in Meridian at the time), and I invited him to speak in mine (First Baptist of Meridian).
“We’ve worked together on projects as significant as establishing a children’s home, and as seemingly insignificant as sharing with a community that Christians of different backgrounds can work together for the benefit of those who need us.”
“Msgr. Sunds was my predecessor at St. Patrick and did the hard work in setting up a relationship between (predominantly white) St. Patrick and (predominantly black) St. Joseph,” said retired priest Father Frank Cosgrove. “What he did should serve as a model for other places.”
“The attendance at 8:30 Sunday Mass at St. Joseph is now about fifty percent white – they come for the music and hospitality, both of which are wonderful – and Msgr. Sunds deserves great credit for that. A St. Patrick parishioner told me that Msgr. Sunds brought the Meridian Catholic community into the twenty-first century.”
In residence at St. Francis in Madison since officially retiring in 2019, Sunds has taken time off to travel the country, most notably an 8,000-mile excursion that took him to eight national parks and three national monuments. He and Leake, both avid outdoorsmen, have hiked together through the Tetons, the Sierras, the Rockies, and from France into Switzerland through the Alps. He even pastored for a month in 2021 in Nome, Alaska. [Click here to ready the story on his trip to Nome]
Sunds has the admiration of St. Francis pastor Father Albeenreddy Vatti, who praised his brother priest’s work ethic, organizational skills and the simple lifestyle he leads. He has also earned the trust and respect of the parish’s youth.
“When you’re a young priest, you’re kind of a mentor to young people because you’re not far removed from them in age,” Sunds said. “When you get to be middle age, you’re more like a parent, and the relationship changes a bit. Then you get to a stage where you’re more like a grandparent. Maybe they relate to you in a way they wouldn’t relate to their parents.
“You reach out by being accepting and non-critical. And listening.”
HOLY LAND – Pilgrims listen to a tour guide in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem. (Photos courtesy of Father Mark Shoffner)
By Bryce Newsom OXFORD – The Holy Land. Though the locations in which our Lord made the greatest sacrifice are a world away, this didn’t prevent Father Mark Shoffner and several members of our diocese from journeying that distance. Traveling by plane, these pilgrims visited stunning locations such as the former home of our Mother Mary, the workshop of her husband, Joseph, and the Sea of Galilee. Many miracles, and similarly many tragedies, happened in and around these areas. Upon their return, Father Mark shared their story.
The holy sites that were visited left a deep impression on many of the pilgrims, as could be gathered by their reactions to the meaning of the grounds as well as the architecture of the buildings themselves. For example, when asked what his favorite stop of their itinerary happened to be, Father Shoffner replied, “Definitely the Holy Sepulchre, it’s always been my favorite place to visit in the Holy Land.”
Father Mark Shoffner celebrated Mass on Mount Tabor on July 4 during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Father Mark also specified a particular experience which he and his fellow pilgrims were involved in at The Basilica of the Annunciation: “When we were there, by the ruins of Mary’s house, above us Mass was happening. And as the bells were ringing for the consecration, we realized that we were in the place where the Word became flesh … as the Word was becoming flesh in the Eucharist above us. It was a surreal experience.”
Continuing about their venture to the Holy Sepulchre, Father Mark spoke about his feeling that he had “completed his mission” as a Knight Chaplain of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He saw the reaction of many to the holy site, with awestruck wonder and adoration, and it warmed his soul. For not only was he himself able to observe and appreciate these passages he had read, made real in front of him, but he was able to help bring others to this realization as well. Father Mark was able to go up Mount Tabor, often called the Mount of Transfiguration, and look out on the Sea of Galilee. When doing this in reflection, a thought dawned on him: “When you’re up there, you’re seeing the exact same locations that Jesus saw.” This revelation put the trip in perspective for Father Shoffner. The trip brought the Bible to life for many people, with other locations such as Capernaum, Nazareth, and the site of the Wedding at Cana, where Christ performed His first miracle.
For many, this was a trip which changed the way they viewed their faith. It became tangible, physical and more impactful. And in this process, grew that faith in Christ. Which, of course, was one of the primary goals of the pilgrimage. Another, however, was to observe the current state of Catholics in the Holy Land. Many are struggling to support their families, and often ask St. George, a former Roman soldier whose icon many place above their doorways, to pray for them. Let us, as their brothers and sisters, continue to pray fervently for them throughout this trying time.
Father Mark Shoffner and his pilgrims sailing on the Sea of Galilee.
BOONVILLE – Pictured are School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters Jane Wand, Rose Mock and Carol Ann Prenger at the 60th jubilee celebration for Sister Jane at St. Francis parish with Bishop Joseph Kopacz. From 2019 to 2022, Sister Jane served as an ecclesial minister at St. Francis. She is currently on sabbatical discerning her next ministry. For more on Sister Jane and other SSND celebrating jubilees in 2023, visit https://www.ssndcentralpacific.org/who-we-are/jubilarians. (Photo by Michelle Harkins)
PEARL – Father César Sanchez was installed as pastor of St. Jude parish in Pearl by Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Sunday, Aug. 19. During an installation Mass, the new pastor is presented to the parish community and is also presented with symbols of his ministry and his new position. The symbols were presented by Bruns Guevara, Myra Woodward, Vicki Thigpen, Nadya Villafranca and Patrick Fields (pictured left to right). Also pictured is altar server, Ximena Villafranca. (Photos by Tereza Ma)
NEW ORLEANS – The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxillary, Father Anthony Bourges Junior Daughter Court #171 of Holy Ghost parish in Jackson attended the 25th Biennial Junior National Convention in New Orleans from July 13-16. Pictured left to right: Lady Rosalind Moses (Jr. Daughter Counselor), Lady Cinteria Green (Jr. Daughter Counselor Assistant), Bella Moses (Junior Daughter) and J’Nyah Slaughter (Junior Daughter). (Photo courtesy of Rosalind Moses)
Msgr. Michael Thornton, retired priest from the Diocese of Biloxi, age 77, of Biloxi, passed away on July 26, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Nora Thornton; and a grand-niece, Cairín.
He was much loved and deeply regretted by his siblings, May (Frank), Frank (Evelyn), Padraic (Catherine), Kathleen, and Noel (Josephine); many nieces and nephews and their spouses and partners, grandnieces and grandnephews, and all extended family, neighbors and friends. Michael is also deeply regretted by Bishop Louis Kihneman, fellow priests and friends in the Diocese of Biloxi and Diocese of Jackson, and a wide range of colleagues and friends in the United States, Mexico and Ireland.
Msgr. Thornton was a native of Headford, County Galway, Ireland and he attended St. Patrick Seminary in Carlow, Ireland where he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson on June 7, 1969. He has served as an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Biloxi and Jackson Dioceses’ mission in Saltillo, Mexico, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pascagoula, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Laurel, St. Bernadette Parish in Waynesboro, Holy Trinity Mission in Leakesville, and he retired to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi. He was also administrator of St. Louis Parish in Biloxi and served as the diocesan Chancellor, Judicial Vicar and Tribunal, as well as a tribunal judge and member of the presbyterial council.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Bishop Louis Kihneman as the principal celebrant.
Msgr. Thornton will be buried in Cloughanover Cemetery in Headford, County Galway, Ireland.
In memoriam: Father Mark Beard Father Mark Bryan Beard, a loving son, brother, uncle, pastor, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 at the age of 62. Father Beard was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He held a
Master’s degree in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and a Master’s in Divinity (M.Div) from Notre Dame Seminary. He also received a certification in Spirituality (Spiritual Direction), and Divinity.
Father Beard worked for a number of years in his family’s business, Beard Engineering and United Industries, a company working in the manufacturing and engineering of wastewater equipment. Here, he received a U.S. Patent for Inventor of Turbulence Control System. After a trip to Medjugorje in 2000, he began to consider priesthood as a possible vocation. After four years of discernment, Father Beard entered Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans in 2004 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Baton Rouge on May 30, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. He was associate pastor at Most Sacred Heart-Gramercy, St. Joseph-Paulina, St. Michael the Archangel-Convent, and Our Lady of Prompt Succor Chapel-Lutcher for two years. He was pastor of St. Helena Catholic Church, in Amite, Louisiana, for the last twelve years. During that time he has built a beautiful campus where tours and retreats are offered. For the last two and a half years, he was also the administrator at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Retreat Center in Osyka, Mississippi.
Father Beard is survived by his loving mother, Florence Mariotti Beard; brother, Gary Beard and his wife, Diane; nieces and nephews, Jason, Jennifer, Nathan, Nicholas, Jacob and Jon; great-niece, Gabriella Beard; and godmother, Nita Vicari and family. Father Beard is preceded in death by his father, Harold James Beard.
A Memorial Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, and a Funeral Mass was also celebrated at St. Helena Church in Amite for family members and parishioners on Friday, Aug. 11.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to continue supporting Father Beard’s vision, please consider donating on the website to ourladyofhopems.com or mail to P.O. Box 130, Osyka, MS 39657 or to sthelenachurch.net or mail to 122 South First Street Amite, LA 70422.
In memoriam: Sister Mary Anne O’Brien, RSM
Sister Mary Anne O’Brien entered eternal life on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. A native of Ireland, Sister Mary Anne was the seventh of nine children of Mary Anne and Patrick O’Brien.
Upon completion of her high school education with the Presentation Sisters she entered the Sisters of Mercy at Webster Groves, Missouri in September 1951.
Her first ministry assignment in 1956 was in Mississippi where her brother, Rev. John T. O’Brien was a priest. She remained in Mississippi until she retired at Catherine’s residence in St. Louis in 2018.
Sister Mary Anne held degrees from Webster College, Marquette University and the University of Southern Mississippi. She served as an elementary and high school teacher and she also taught ECD on weekends and during the summers. She spent six years as administrator of McAuley Home, a retirement home for the Sisters of Mercy in Vicksburg. In addition, she served as a psychologist at Gulf Coast Mental Health Centers, Catholic Social Services Biloxi.
Her final and longest ministry was at St. Thomas Parish in Long Beach where she served in various capacities, including being Chaplain to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She also volunteered for a short time at the local jail. While at Gulf Coast Mental Health Center she introduced a program for bereaved parents. She continued this ministry throughout the rest of her life.
Sister Mary Anne is survived by one sister, 14 nieces and nephews; 31 grand nieces and nephews and one great-great niece.
She will be interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Vicksburg.
In memoriam: Sister Miriam J. Nolan, RSM
Sister Miriam J. Nolan, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas for 65 years, died on July 26 at Catherine’s Residence, the community’s retirement center, in Frontenac. She was 82 years old.
Johanna Nolan was born on April 6, 1941, in Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland. She was the daughter of James Nolan and Mary Costigan Nolan. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Mary, and brothers Dan and Oliver Nolan.
On Sept. 8, 1958, Johanna Nolan entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy and later received the name Sister Miriam Joseph. She professed her first vows in 1961 and made perpetual profession on Aug. 16, 1966.
Sister Miriam completed her high school studies at St. Mary’s Presentation College High School, Mountmellick, Ireland in 1958 and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Webster College in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1963. She earned her secondary education teaching certificate in 1965; and a Master of Science in Chemistry from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York in 1971. She also received a certificate for Religious Formation/Spiritual Direction in 1975. Sister Miriam taught at Sacred Heart High School, Biloxi, Mississippi; St. Joseph Secondary School, Jeanerette, Louisiana; and St. John’s Inter-Parochial High School, Gulfport, Mississippi.
Sister Miriam held numerous integral staff positions within the Sisters of Mercy including vocation and formation ministry and community leadership. In addition to her love of teaching, Sister Miriam established Mercy Conference and Retreat Center and became its first executive director. Sister Miriam served on numerous Mercy Health System boards and most recently was an active volunteer at the Pratt Cancer Center outpatient laboratory.
Sister Miriam is survived by her brother, Tom, and numerous nieces and nephews from County Tipperary, Ireland.
Her ring motto was “Thy Will Be Done.” A Mass was celebrated July 31, 2023, in the chapel at Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in Frontenac, Missouri. A private burial was held at Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mercy Conference and Retreat Center – Mercy Heroes Fund or another fund supporting the retreat center.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
