NATCHEZ – Nearly 30 young men and women brought the joy and love of God to the Natchez community as part of a mission of the Institute of the Incarnate Word.
The mission, coordinated through St. Mary Basilica and St. Joseph Monastery in Adams County, began on March 1 and continued through March 12.
The young men and women are seminarians and postulants preparing to join orders within the Institute of the Incarnate Word and the Servants of the Lord and of the Virgin of Matara, communities that are in relationship with the monks at St. Joseph Monastery at Edgewood.
“They are so full of joy; it is extremely contagious,” said Heddy Boelte, who helped coordinate the mission with the Father Aaron Williams of St. Mary Basilica and the monks at the monastery, which is housed at Edgewood under the generosity of the Boelte family.
“St. Mary’s … host[ed] the novice classes of the communities, meaning the younger men and women who are preparing to make their profession as brothers and sisters,” Boelte said. “During their stay, the missionaries … engaged in evangelical efforts in our area, including visiting homes and preaching.”
Describing the mission as a providential opportunity to share their faith and the love of God, Boelte said the missionaries actively engaged throughout the community during their visit. The program, open to Catholics and people of all faiths, included daily Mass, adorations, home visits with small groups, evening mission talks, visits to Cathedral School, and visits to nursing homes, hospitals and other areas.
(Reprinted with permission of The Natchez Democrat.)
DCYC participants made blankets for the homeless as a service project. On left, youth engage in small group discussions. (Photos by Melissa Smalley)
DCYC participants had a chance to play some fun games in between worship and talks. (Photos by Fran Lavelle)
DCYC the Catholic Community of Meridian sent 8 high school students and it was a great weekend. From a youth director’s perspective, it was great to see the Holy Spirit move in and around them. We have a great group of kids. (Photos by Angela Dove)
DCYC St. Michael (Photos by Liz Edmondson)
Picture on left: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Vicksburg participated at the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference, March 3-5 held at Vicksburg Convention Center. Pictured left to right are Dr. Josephine Calloway, (Religious Director), Fr. Joseph Chau Nguyen, SVD, (Pastor), Erin Watson, Crystal Slaughter, KeAsia Slaughter, and De’Marques Flowers.
Picture on right: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Vicksburg participated at the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference, March 3-5 held at Vicksburg Convention Center. Pictured left to right are Fr. Joseph Chau Nguyen, SVD, (Pastor), KeAsia Slaughter, Crystal Slaughter, Erin Watson and De’Marques Flowers. (Photos by L. Thomas)
PEARL – Rhonda Bowden and members of the “kitchen crew” at St. Jude Pearl worked to cook up a feast for priests, deacons and lems present for their continuing ed gathering on Feb. 28 and March 1. (Photo by Deacon Denzil Lobo)
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS COLUMBUS Annunciation, Blood Drive, Sunday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bank First parking lot. Sign-ups available soon.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, KC Ladies Auxiliary Charity Tea, Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m. in the parish hall. Tickets on sale after Masses on March 12. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph School, Muffuletta Sale, Pick up on April 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets available at school or church office. Details: church office (662) 335-5251.
JACKSON St. Richard, Men’s Prayer Breakfast with Bishop Kopacz, Monday, April 3 at 7 a.m. in Foley Hall following Mass at 6:30 a.m. Details: contact Anthony at (601) 573-8574 or eanthonythomas@gmail.com. St. Richard, Special Kids Art Show, Thursday, March 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Special Kids House on Lynwood. Unique artworks (ceramics, platters, “peeps,” icons, religious items, wine glasses and more) for sale. Kendra Scott will also be there with 20% of proceeds to Special Kids. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
MADISON St. Joseph School, 17th annual Bruin Classic Golf Tournament, Monday, March 27. Register or sponsor a hole by visiting https://bit.ly/17thStJoeGolfTournament. Details: email danacaskey15@gmail.com.
St. Joseph School, Egg My Yard Fundraiser, for Madison County residents only. Order your pre-filled eggs to be hidden in your yard the night before Easter. Book your spot today. Orders due by March 24. Cost: 30 eggs $30; 50 eggs $45; 70 eggs $60. Proceeds benefit St. Joe cheer programs. Order at https://bit.ly/StJoeEggMyYard2023. Details: email sjcheer@stjoebruins.com with questions.
MADISON St. Catherine’s Village, Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, meets fourth Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Campbell Cove building. Lunch provided. All are welcome. Details: call to RSVP (601) 856-0123 or email cynthia.armstrong@fmolhs.org.
RIDGELAND Catholic Charities, Sleep Safe Event, Friday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Event for expectant women, couples, fathers and caregivers on awareness of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Free giveaways and resources with guest speaker. Event at 731 S. Pear Orchard Rd, Ste. 51, Ridgeland. Details: Register at https://bit.ly/March17SleepSafeEvent or call (601) 355-8634.
SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Forgiveness Walk, Tuesday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Walk is a silent meditative prayer journey reflecting on our own need for forgiveness and need to forgive. Opportunity to stop at nine different stations each with its own theme to read a short scripture passage and reflect on questions. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
Christ the King, Blood Drive, Sunday, March 26 from 12-3 p.m. Sign up sheets in gathering space. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
Sacred Heart School, Trivia Night and Auction, Saturday, March 25. Doors open 6 p.m; Trivia at 7 p.m. Cost $25 per player or $160 per team. Groups under eight members will be assigned to a team. Eat, drink and tease your brain. Door prizes, giveaways, split the pot raffle and more. BYOB and snacks. Details: email Allison to register abaskin@shsm.org.
SAVE THE DATE COLUMBUS Annunciation School, Draw Down and Art Auction, Friday, April 14 at the Trotter Convention Center from 6:30-11 p.m. Adults only (21 and up). Event includes dinner and open bar.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Yard Sale, Friday, May 19-20. Start saving item donations now. Donations accepted beginning May 8. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON 17th Annual Sister Thea Bowman School Draw Down, Saturday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the school multi-purpose building. $5,000 Grand prize. Cost $100, second chance insurance extra $20 per ticket. Details: (601) 351-5197 or stbdrawdown@gmail.com.
MADISON St. Francis, Rocky Railway VBS express, June 19-22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All pre-K4 through fourth graders are invited. Details: mc.george@stfrancismadison.org.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Countdown scheduled for April 21. Grand prize $5,000. Tickets on sale soon!
MERIDIAN Knights of Columbus State Convention, April 28-30 at the Threefoot Hotel. For more information visit: kofc-ms.org/convention/2023.
PEARL St. Jude, Easter Egg Hunt after Mass on April 9.
REMINDERS/NOTICES NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC CONGRESS GATHERING, July 20-23 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Join with other Black Catholics and those who minister to Black Catholics for a celebration of faith and culture. Details: nbccongress.org.
INDIANAPOLIS Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21, 2024. Registration is now open. See what Our Lord has in store for this next chapter for the Catholic Church in United States. Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/3ydav9Q. Details: EucharisticCongress.org.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m. Remember to set your clock AHEAD one hour before you go to bed. Don’t miss church!
VOCATIONS RETREAT Come and See event for men ages 16-24 at St. Joseph Seminary College, March 31 through April 2. Details: for more information or to sign-up contact nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org or (601) 969-4020.
WORLD YOUTH DAY: LISBON 2023 Event for young Catholics ages 16-35, though all are welcomed to attend in Lisbon, Portugal. For more information visit: https://www.lisboa2023.org/en/
Through the kindness of Most Reverend Chinnabathini Bagyaiah, Bishop of Guntur; and the acceptance of Most Reverend Joseph R. Kopacz, Bishop of Jackson; Reverend Suresh Reddy Thirumalareddy, pastor of St. James the Greater Parish in Magnolia and St. Alphonsus Parish in McComb, has been incardinated into the Diocese of Jackson, effective Feb. 14, 2023.
SOUTHAVEN – The Sacred Heart community said goodbye to their Brazilian exchange students over the last weekend in January. By all accounts, their time in the United States was much too short. The four students – Alice, Joana, Luisa and Maria, along with their teacher, Mariane – are from São Luiz (St. Louis) in Brusque, a school sponsored by the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
Sacred Heart School (SHS) students have been pen-pals with students from São Luiz for several years. As part of the Dehonian educational community, students are also able to connect with POSH schools throughout the United States and in other parts of the world via zoom at various times through the year. While visiting the SHS students, the girls from Brazil were fascinated by all things new and different, but more importantly, formed a bond through a shared universal language love and sisterhood.
The girls attended regular classes on weekdays with their Sacred Heart counterparts. Though many activities during the school day here and abroad are similar, there are some subtle differences. “The sequence of the classes and everyday life at school are so different from ours in Brazil. For example, we don’t have lunch at school. Classes finish at 12 p.m. Most of us go back home and eat lunch with our families. It has been a great experience to eat at school,” said Luisa.
Touring the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis was a special treat for the Brazilian exchange students of Sacred Heart School in Southaven. The Brazilian students spent the month of January attending classes and bonding with their American penpals. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
Another difference the girls found curious was the changing of classes. “In Colégio São Luiz, in Brazil, we don’t exchange between rooms; we stay all the period in our homeroom,” Alice explained. “It is really nice to stand up and move between classrooms!”
Sacred Heart welcomed the girls with open arms. The camaraderie between the Dehonian students was instantaneous. Students were particularly enthusiastic about the Dehonian crosses on the Brazilian uniforms, inquiring if this was something that could be incorporated into the Sacred Heart uniforms in the future.
During their month-long stay, the São Luiz crew was able to experience a great deal of the Mississippi Dehonian community, including celebrating Mass at several of our parishes, and touring many of our facilities. They were able to meet with Holy Family School students, tour Sacred Heart Southern Missions’ main office, the Walls Food Pantry and the Dehon Village neighborhood. The girls also lent a hand at two mobile food distributions and helped serve meals at the Garden Café. “We loved being part of the mobile food pantry and the dinner at the Garden Café,” said Maria. “It felt so good being part of the community and helping the people. That is an idea we are going to propose back home!”
Their time in the country was also filled with all kinds of special activities, such as seeing the Memphis Zoo Lights, attending a local high school basketball game and going to Memphis to tour the National Civil Rights Museum. The girls were also introduced to something very familiar to many of us – a Walmart Supercenter.
One of their first excursions was to Graceland to celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday. (The King of Rock n Roll would have been 88 years old this year.) Unfortunately, during their stay in our country, his only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, passed away unexpectedly. While the student visitors would have loved to have gone to her memorial service, an early morning visit to Lisa’s grave later in the week gave them a private opportunity to send up a prayer and say goodbye.
While here, the Brazilian guests were able to taste all kinds of cuisine, with stops at a Waffle House, a Wendy’s and the exquisite Peabody Hotel. Throughout the month they got a heavy dose of local flavor as a number of families from the Sacred Heart School community hosted dinners, welcoming the girls to their homes.
When asked about their time here in the United States, the response from each of the exchange students was the same, “Everything has been so great! These days here in Southaven are going to be in our memories forever.”
No doubt these young women have left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone here. As one of our parents so eloquently put it, “There are times in our lives when God delivers special and unexpected gifts right to your front door. Never having experienced exchange programs before, I was unsure of how it would work within our school system. I was met with such unconditional love and openness! The culture and universal language of kindness that these students and teacher brought will forever be part of me. I feel honored and grateful that I have met such sweet friends … and I know I am not alone! God is so very good and this is an example of his perfect love working around us every single day.”
(Laura Grisham is the communications manager for Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Walls.)
CAMDEN – In celebration of Black History Month, National Marriage Week and Valentine’s Day, parishioners at Sacred Heart parish in Camden gathered to celebrate “Jumping the Broom Sunday” on Feb. 12. Father Guy Wilson, invited all married couples to receive a special blessing and take part in a reception after Mass, after “jumping the broom.”
Father Guy said that “jumping the broom signifies sweeping away the past and starting a new life as a married couple. It also signifies the freedom of a couple to choose who they love and commit to.” “Today, it represents great joy yet at the same time serves as a reminder of the past suffering and the unconquerable will of men and women to celebrate their lives with God’s blessing.”
Pictured: Father Guy Wilson and Martina Griffin line up couples for the broom jump at Sacred Heart parish on Sunday, Feb. 12. The first couple lined up to jump the broom, Leon and Susie Ware, are celebrating 63 years of happy marriage this year. (Photos by Tereza Ma)
Schedules subject to change. Some meals may have cost associated.
LENTEN MEALS AND STATIONS ABERDEEN St. Francis, Lenten meal of soup and bread after Stations at 6 p.m. on March 24. BATESVILLE St. Mary, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry on March 31 from 5-7 p.m. Cost $12/plate. BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by a light meal. CANTON Sacred Heart, Stations every Friday at 5:30 p.m. followed by a soup supper in the parish center (no charge). All are welcome! CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Lenten lunch and reflection on Fridays during Lent from 12-1 p.m. in McKenna Hall. CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Parish potluck after Stations at 5:30 p.m. on March 17. Meat available due to dispensation by Bishop Kopacz for St. Patrick’s feast day. COLUMBUS Annunciation, Fish Fry in the Activity Center, after Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel. FLOWOOD St. Paul, Knights of Columbus Fish dinner every Friday after Stations at 6 p.m. Donations accepted. All are welcome. On March 17, Knights will serve corned beef, cabbage and potatoes with dispensation granted by Bishop Kopacz. GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Lenten dinner/Fish Fry on March 31 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Stations every Friday at 6 p.m. Cost: $10 per plate. Includes three strips of catfish, coleslaw, fries, hushpuppies, tea or water. Dine-in or carry out. Grilled cheese sandwiches with fries for $3. GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, Friday, March 31 in the parish life center from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $15 per plate. GREENWOOD Immaculate Heart of Mary, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, every Friday during Lent from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $12 per plate. Dine in or carry out. HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Soup Supper after Stations on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Holy Spirit, Men’s Association Fish Fry on March 31 beginning at 4 p.m. – eat in or takeout. JACKSON St. Peter Cathedral, Stations at 5:15 every Friday in Lent (except March 10 at 6 p.m.), followed by simple, meat-free meal in the parish center. Spanish stations at 7 p.m. JACKSON St. Richard, Stations at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays during Lent with Knights of Columbus Fish Fry in Foley Hall following. Dine-in or carry out. Cost: $12 adults; $6 children; $40 families of 5+ members. MADISON St. Francis, Rosary 6 p.m., Stations 6:30 p.m. and Lenten meal 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent. MERIDIAN St. Joseph, Stations at 6 p.m. on March 17 and 31, followed by fish fry in Kehrer Hall. Plates $10 each. NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, every Friday of Lent, beginning Feb. 24 from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. No fish fry on March 17 due to St. Patrick parade. Cost: Catfish $12; Shrimp $12; Combo $14. Dinners include fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. For grilled fish, call 30 minutes ahead. Details: Darren (601) 597-2890. OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace, Soup Suppers at 5:30 p.m. March 10, 24 and 31; Knights of Columbus Fish Fry fundraiser on Friday, March 17. OXFORD St. John, Stations in Church at 5 p.m. and Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at 5:30 in parish hall. Dine-in or take-out. Cost $10, plate includes fish, fries, hushpuppies, slaw and a drink. PEARL St. Jude, Fish Fry following Stations every Friday at 6 p.m. Reservations required. Dinner includes catfish, fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw and tea. Dine-in only. No cost, donations encouraged. Details: church office (601) 939-3181. STARKVILLE St. Joseph, Knights of Columbus catfish dinner after Stations in the Church at 5:30 p.m. every Friday during Lent. SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Fish Fry at 5:30 p.m. and Stations at 7 p.m. on March 17 and 31. Lenten meal served on March 10 and 24. Potluck meal at 5:30 p.m. on March 31. Seder meal on Monday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. TUPELO St. James, Lenten Pasta Dinners, Friday March 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Shelton Hall. Dine-in or carry-out. Meatless spaghetti (choice of red or white sauce), salad, garlic bread and dessert. Cost: adults $9; kids $6. VICKSBURG Knights of Columbus Fish Fry every Friday during Lent. YAZOO CITY St. Mary, Stations and Soup, Tuesdays during Lent at 5:30 p.m.
On March 10, the Knights of Council 9543 of Madison, cook crawfish etouffee for a Friday Lenten Meal. Pictured left to right: Gerry Clark, Buddy Voelkel, Doug Leo, Joe Lee, Tim Prater and Jim Griffin. (Photo courtesy Sheri Krause)
PENANCE/RECONCILIATION SERVICES BATESVILLE St. Mary, Penance service, Thursday, March 23 from 5:30-7 p.m. Youth Penance service, Saturday, March 25 at 1 p.m. CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Reconciliation with several priests available, Thursday, March 30 from 5-7 p.m. CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Reconciliation with several priests available, Wednesday, March 22 from 4-6:30 p.m. Fr. Bowlds will hear confessions beginning at 4 p.m. with three other priests joining at 5 p.m. COLUMBUS Annunciation, Penance Service, Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. FLOWOOD St. Paul, Penance Service, Monday, March 27 at 6 p.m. GREENVILLE Sacred Heart, Penance Service and Individual Confessions, Wednesday, March 29 at 6 p.m. GRENADA St. Peter, Penance Service, Wednesday, March 22 at 6:15 p.m. JACKSON St. Richard, Reconciliation with four priests available, Thursday, March 23 from 6-8 p.m. MAGEE St. Stephen, Penance Service, Saturday, April 1 at 4 p.m. OXFORD St. John, Penance Service, Monday, March 27 from 5-6:30 p.m. RIPLEY St. Matthew, Lenten opportunity for Reconciliation/Confession, Friday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. with Father Cesar Sanchez or Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. with Father Mario Solorzano. SHAW St. Francis, Penance Service and Individual Confessions, Monday, March 27 at 6 p.m. SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Penance Service, Wednesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. STARKVILLE St. Joseph, Penance Service, Tuesday, March 28 at 6 p.m. TUPELO St. James, Reconciliation Service, Thursday, March 30 from 5-7 p.m. in the Church. YAZOO CITY St. Mary, Penance Service, Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m. Confession also available in Spanish. VICKSBURG St. Michael, Reconciliation Service, Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m.
STATIONS ONLY BATESVILLE St. Mary, Stations, 30 minutes before all weekend Masses and on Fridays before 11 a.m. Mass. CANTON Holy Child Jesus, Stations at 12 p.m. on Fridays during Lent. CHOCTAW St. Therese, Stations on Fridays during Lent at 6 p.m. CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, Stations on Fridays during Lent at 2:30 p.m. (with school students) and 5:30 p.m. rotating between St. Elizabeth and Immaculate Conception. CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. CLINTON Holy Savior, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. followed by Mass. FOREST St. Michael, Way of the Cross in Spanish at 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent. GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Stations on Fridays at 6 p.m. during Lent. GREENVILLE Sacred Heart, Stations, Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m. GREENWOOD Immaculate Heart of Mary, Stations at 12 p.m. on Fridays during Lent. GREENWOOD St. Francis, Stations at 6 p.m. on Fridays during Lent. GRENADA St. Peter, Stations at 6:15 p.m. on Fridays during Lent. JACKSON Christ the King, Stations at 6 p.m. every Friday during Lent. Rosary after Stations. JACKSON Holy Ghost, Stations at 4 p.m. every Friday during Lent. MADISON St. Francis, Live Way of the Cross, Good Friday, April 7 at 2 p.m. MAGEE St. Stephen, Way of the Cross, Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Bible study to follow in parish hall. MAGNOLIA St. James, Stations at 5 p.m. every Friday during Lent. MCCOMB St. Alphonsus, Stations at 6 p.m. every Friday during Lent. MERIDIAN St. Patrick, Stations, March 24 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; March 31 at 2 p.m. and outdoor Stations led by Hispanic community on April 7 at 5 p.m. NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Stations every Friday during Lent beginning March 3 at 5:15 p.m. No Stations on March 17, will have Mass at 5 p.m. Assumption, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. NEW ALBANY St. Francis, Mass followed by Stations, every Friday during Lent at 8:30 a.m. (English) OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace, Stations every Friday during Lent at 7 p.m. PHILADELPHIA Holy Rosary, Stations on Fridays during Lent at 6 p.m. PONTOTOC St. Christopher, Stations at 6 p.m. each Friday during Lent. RAYMOND Immaculate Conception, Stations at 6 p.m. every Friday during Lent. RIPLEY St. Matthew, Stations at 4:30 p.m. (English) every Friday during Lent; Way of the Cross (Spanish) at 6:45 p.m. ROBINSONVILLE Good Shepherd, Stations on Wednesdays during Lent at 2 p.m. SHAW St. Francis, Stations every Friday after 6 p.m. Mass. SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Stations every Friday during Lent at 7 p.m. Good Friday there will be a live outdoor Stations at 3 p.m. TUPELO St. James, Stations on Fridays following 12:10 p.m. Mass (English) and at 6 p.m. (English). Spanish stations following 6:30 p.m. Spanish Mass. VICKSBURG St. Mary, Stations every Friday during Lent at 6 p.m. VICKSBURG St. Michael, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. VICKSBURG St. Paul, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m.
SPECIAL LENTEN NOTICE Abstinence: Catholics abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023) and Good Friday; and also on Fridays during Lent; however, Bishop Joseph Kopacz has granted a dispensation from the requirement of abstaining from meat on Friday, March 17, 2023 in honor of the Feast of St. Patrick, as on this feast day various cultural dishes with meat are traditionally served. The dispensation is granted with the condition that those who take advantage of the dispensation will substitute another profound act of penance, such as prayer and alms giving to mark this day. Norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding on Catholics from age 14 onwards.
Fasting: Catholics fast (eating one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal) on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and Good Friday (April 7). Catholics 18-59 years old are bound by this obligation.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS COLUMBUS Annunciation, Blood Drive, Sunday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bank First parking lot. Sign-ups available soon.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, 113th annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday March 5, 8 a.m to 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Hall at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Village, Arkansas. Cost: $15 adults/$10 children. Dinner includes noodles, red gravy, meatballs, italian salad, lemon dessert and bread. Details: limited reserved tables and individual dine-in tickets. For dine-in call (214) 533-0227 or (870) 489-2883.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in church gym. Join us for a presentation by Deacon Ted Schreck “Where do you find hope? Jean Valijean’s life changed in a moment.” Details: sign up at https://bit.ly/March2023CocktailsCatholicism.
JACKSON St. Richard, Men’s Prayer Breakfast with Bishop Kopacz, Monday, April 3 at 7 a.m. in Foley Hall following Mass at 6:30 a.m. Details: contact Anthony at (601) 573-8574 or eanthonythomas@gmail.com.
MADISON St. Joseph School, 17th annual Bruin Classic Golf Tournament, Monday, March 27. Register or sponsor a hole by visiting https://bit.ly/17thStJoeGolfTournament. Details: email danacaskey15@gmail.com.
St. Joseph School, Egg My Yard Fundraiser, For Madison County residents only. Order your pre-filled eggs to be hidden in your yard the night before Easter. Book your spot today. Orders due by March 24. Cost: 30 eggs $30; 50 eggs $45; 70 eggs $60. Proceeds benefit St. Joe cheer programs. Order at https://bit.ly/StJoeEggMyYard2023. Details: email sjcheer@stjoebruins.com with questions.
MADISON St. Catherine’s Village, Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group, meets fourth Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Campbell Cove building. Lunch provided. All are welcome. Details: call to RSVP (601) 856-0123 or email cynthia.armstrong@fmolhs.org.
MCCOMB St. Alphonsus, St. James Lenten Mission, Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. through Wednesday, march 8 at 6:30 p.m. “Behold, I Make All Things New,” presented by Jim Murphy, a Catholic missionary and evangelist. Mission schedule: March 5 at 7 p.m.; March 6, 7 and 8 at 6:30 p.m. Reconciliation held on Wednesday, March 8. Supper will be served in Liguori Hall at 5:30 prior to the Mission Monday through Wednesday.
MERIDIAN Travel with Father Augustine to Italy and France, Sept. 9-19. Trip includes stops in Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Assisi, Venice, Italy and Lourdes, France. cost is $4,999 – airfare and all included. Details: contact (855) 842-8001 or register online at proximotravel.com.
MEMPHIS 40 Days for Life, Feb. 22 – April 2. Vigil location at Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, 1203 Poplar Ave. Details: Sarah at (901) 450-5433 or sarah@memphiscoalitionforlife.org.
PHILADELPHIA Holy Rosary, Lenten Mission (for Holy Rosary, St. Therese and St. Catherine) with Father Dennis Berry, ST, March 9-11. Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. with Mass and Saturday at 5 p.m. followed by potluck supper in the parish hall. Details: church office (601) 656-2880.
RIDGELAND Catholic Charities, Sleep Safe Event, Friday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Event for expectant women, couples, fathers and caregivers on awareness of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Free giveaways and resources with guest speaker. Event at 731 S. Pear Orchard Rd, Ste. 51, Ridgeland. Details: Register at https://bit.ly/March17SleepSafeEvent or call (601) 355-8634.
SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Forgiveness Walk, Tuesday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Walk is a silent meditative prayer journey reflecting on our own need for forgiveness and need to forgive. Opportunity to stop at nine different stations each with its own theme to read a short scripture passage and reflect on questions. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
SAVE THE DATE COLUMBUS Annunciation School, Draw Down and Art Auction, Friday, April 14 at the Trotter Convention Center from 6:30-11 p.m. Adults only (21 and up). Event includes dinner and open bar.
JACKSON 17th Annual Sister Thea Bowman School Draw Down, Saturday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
MADISON St. Francis, Rock Railway VBS express, June 19-22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All pre-K4 through fourth graders are invited.
MERIDIAN St. Patrick School, Countdown scheduled for April 21. Grand prize $5,000. Tickets on sale soon! DIOCESE Join us in honoring 2023 Bishop Chanche service award winners. Adult awards presentation and Mass, Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson. Youth award presentation will be during the closing Mass at DCYC in Vicksburg on Sunday, March 5.
SPECIAL LENTEN NOTICE Abstinence: Catholics abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023) and Good Friday; and also on Fridays during Lent; however, Bishop Joseph Kopacz has granted a dispensation from the requirement of abstaining from meat on Friday, March 17, 2023 in honor of the Feast of St. Patrick, as on this feast day various cultural dishes with meat are traditionally served. The dispensation is granted with the condition that those who take advantage of the dispensation will substitute another profound act of penance, such as prayer and alms giving to mark this day. Norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding on Catholics from age 14 onwards.
Fasting: Catholics fast (eating one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal) on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and Good Friday (April 7). Catholics 18-59 years old are bound by this obligation.
By Laura Grisham SOUTHAVEN – Leadership at the Catholic parishes of Northwest Mississippi were in for a surprise when they held their first evening of “Cocktails and Catholicism” at Sacred Heart School in Southaven in January. What was thought that would be a group of maybe 20 to 30 people intimately gathered in the school library, exploded into nearly 250 in attendance gathered in the school gym.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, staff, alumni, as well as parishioners from each of the six Northwest parishes that include Christ the King, Southaven; Good Shepherd, Robinsonville; Holy Spirit, Hernando; Queen of Peace, Olive Branch; St. Gregory, Senatobia; and St. Joseph, Holly Springs, were there.
“We have been blown away by the number of people who have been interested and participated,” said David Delgado, parishioner and Sacred Heart School parent and alumnus.
Delgado and Father David Szatkowski, SCJ, moderator of the six Northwest parishes, were the brains behind the event. Others joined them in helping to make it a success, including fellow parishioner and Sacred Heart School parent, Brad Palmertree and Deacon Ted Schreck.
SOUTHAVEN – Parish members from the Catholic parishes of Northwest Mississippi came out to socialize and listen to a presentation by Father David Szatkowski, SCJ on “The Real Story of Angels and Demons” at Sacred Heart School. The new initiative is called “Cocktails and Catholicism.” The first event brought out almost 250 individuals to participate. The events will take place the second Friday every month. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
The idea for the sessions began in the summer of 2021. The vision was for a small group of adult Catholics to come together and be drawn back into church life through a series of topics. But the pandemic still had tight reigns on large gatherings, so the idea was tabled for a bit. It was reintroduced as school began in fall of 2022.
Taking cues from input gathered in the synod process, adding more adult faith formation opportunities was a key component. “But we also heard a large number of people talk about their desire to know others better,” said Father David.
From there, the plan came together, creating a casual, fun environment for people to gather in fellowship, in conjunction with a 30-minute-long presentation on a theological topic. The hospitality aspect was added to make people feel at home once they arrived at the sessions. Snacks and faith-related discussion would be provided; the cocktails (and colas) would be BYOB.
So far, nearly 200 have already signed up for the next session, with more and more responding every day. In order to handle the volume of attendees without the event conflicting with school activities or creating parking issues, it was decided to move gatherings to the family life center at Holy Spirit Church in Hernando.
SOUTHAVEN – Father David Szatkowski, SCJ is part of the brains behind the “Cocktails and Catholicism” event in the northwest region of the state. He is pictured at the first event on Friday, Jan. 13 at Sacred Heart School giving a talk entitled “The Real Story of Angels and Demons.” A copy of the presentation can be found on YouTube at @NWMSCatholic. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
“We hope to establish a stronger Catholic community in our area,” says Delgado. “And provide a spiritual ‘ramp’ for those who might need it. Sharing topics of faith in a unique, less intimidating setting seems to attract a really good crowd.”
The topic for the first gathering was “The Real Story of Angels and Demons” presented by Father David on – most appropriately – Friday the 13th. (One can find Father David’s full presentation on the Catholic Parishes of Northwest Mississippi’s YouTube channel @NWMSCatholic.)
“Cocktails and Catholicism” sessions will be held monthly on the second Friday of each month, with doors opening at 6 p.m. for socializing and presentations beginning at 7:15 p.m., followed by a short question and answer session.
Organizers have scheduled speakers from across northwest Mississippi and greater Mid-South through mid-year. Future topics include the following:
• “Can We Eat Alligator on Friday and Other Important Things to Know as You Prepare for Lent” on Feb. 10 with Father Ben Bradshaw of St. Michael’s parish in Memphis and creator of “Soul Food Priest.” • March 10: “What gives you Hope? Jean Valjean’s Life Changed in a Moment” with Deacon Ted Schreck. • April 14: “The Resurrection: Fulfillment of God’s Promises – If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain” with Sister Mary Lawrence, OP. • May 12:“Sister Says…” with Sister Margaret Sue Broker, OSF. • June 9: “Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk: Evangelizing as a Catholic” with Father Dennis Schenkel. • July 14: “Confession” with Father Gabe Bouck.
(All events are adults only and arecurrently held at Holy Spirit parish in Hernando at 545 East Commerce Street. More information contact Deacon Ted Schreck at Christ the King parish at (662) 342-1073.)
