Category Archives: Parish News

Vandalism damages items procured from days of ‘Apostle of the Delta’

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From the Archives
By Mary Woodward

JACKSON – Somewhere around Jan. 26, our diocesan church family was wounded by an act of violence and evil against Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Greenwood.

Most likely the work of someone high on crack or mentally ill, nonetheless the church was broken into and vandalized – the altar was overturned, and an antique five-foot statue of the Blessed Mother was heavily damaged. The Blessed Sacrament was removed from the tabernacle and placed on the church’s original altar. The antique baptismal font was damaged, and songbooks were strewn all over the pews. Fortunately, no spray paint was involved.

Throughout its early history, Greenwood Catholics were served from Water Valley and Lexington. The initial church structure was built in 1901 and in 1912, Father John Clerico, a young priest from Italy, was appointed the first resident pastor.

Msgr. John Clerico was known as the “Apostle to the Delta” because he ministered to much of the area, including Grenwood, Shelby, Leland, Hollandale, Anguilla, Indianola and Belzoni. Many of the items damaged in a break-in at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish were procured from Italy by Msgr. Clerico.

Father Clerico was ordained on June 9, 1906, in Genoa, Italy and came to the diocese in March 1907, where he began serving in Shelby at St. Mary Church and its missions. Father Clerico who became a monsignor in 1951, became known as the “Apostle to the Delta” because he ministered to much of the area from Greenwood for the next 52 years until 1964.

Msgr. Clerico considered the entire area, which included Greenwood, Shelby, Leland, Hollandale, Anguilla, Indianola and Belzoni, as his parish and he knew all the families of the region. Hence, he was given the title mentioned above. There is even a park named after him in Greenwood.

Many of the furnishings in IHM church were procured from Italy by the apostle. The 100-year-old statue which was heavily damaged was hand-painted and made of plaster. I have brought it to Jackson in the hopes that a local artist might be able to repair it.

The altar that was turned over was restored more than 10 years ago and was rededicated by Bishop Joseph Latino in a beautiful ceremony with the whole parish present. The parishioners were so excited to have another piece of their history becoming a part of their worship.

On Tuesday, Feb. 1, in a very moving and compassionate manner, Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated a Mass of Rededication for the parish and again anointed the altar and walls of the church returning it to sacredness from the evil that had been wrought upon it. There was a sense of resolve and relief among those present that what Msgr. Clerico had put in place was now made whole and healed once more.

It is hard to put into words the myriad of feelings experienced when evil attacks the church – even if it was a misguided or mentally ill person who perpetrated the acts. It was still evil. IHM is home to many, and the violence of this vandalism was heart-breaking.

In its infinite wisdom, Holy Mother Church has beautiful and deeply profound rituals that bring solace and a renewed sense of hope in the Lord by reclaiming the sacred from the profane. I consider it a blessing and a privilege to have been present for Bishop Latino’s dedication of the refurbished altar many years ago and for the rededication on Feb. 1, by Bishop Kopacz.

As Bishop Kopacz anointed the walls of the church with Chrism, I imagined Msgr. Clerico looking down lovingly upon all gathered in IHM from where he now celebrates endlessly at the table of the heavenly banquet.

The next morning as I was driving home from Greenwood in the rain with the broken statue of the Blessed Mother lying in the back of my car, I reflected on the liturgy the night before and the beautiful depth of faith shared at IHM. What an awe-inspiring numinous moment in the life of our universal church where the communion of saints joined with the people to restore a sacred space.

When it began to rain harder and I approached several 18-wheelers spraying blinding mist on my windshield, I felt fear rising in my heart as I engaged to pass them one at a time on the slick, ponding road. We have all been in this situation and it is no fun thinking about passing these mammoth vehicles in those conditions.

GREENWOOD – Pieces of the Blessed Mother statue damaged in a break-in at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, pictured below, ride in the back of Chancellor Mary Woodward’s vehicle brought back to possibly be repaired by a local artist. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

Suddenly, I remembered I had the Blessed Mother with me in the back seat. Even though she was battered and broken in many pieces, she came together and gave me the strength to put the pedal to the metal and get past those trucks.

Thank you, Blessed Mother! What a great church!

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)

Bishop reconsecrates church, parish community stronger after desecration

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By Joanna Puddister King

GREENWOOD – The faith-filled parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Greenwood refuse to let a break-in that desecrated their parish triumph over their spirit, choosing to forgive and pray for the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of the perpetrators.

On Wednesday, Jan. 26 choir members arriving for practice discovered their parish had been vandalized. Some parishioners described the scene as if a tornado had blown through it.

The altar was overturned, hymnals were ripped from their spines with papers strewn around the sanctuary, the pulpit was overturned, as well. A statue of Mary, over 100 years old, was pulled down and her face broken into pieces. Many other items were turned over and bent. Also broken was an antique baptismal font.

Most disturbing for some parishioners was that the tabernacle was breached and the Blessed Sacrament removed, it being place on the church’s original altar. But through grace, the hosts did not appear to be touched. Parishioners like Mary Jane Faulkner felt the situation could have been worse.

GREENWOOD – Bishop Joseph Kopacz pours Chrism on the altar at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish after a break-in desecrated the altar, statues and other sacred items in the church. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

“They didn’t break the windows … they could have caught the church on fire, when they destroyed Mary next to the candles,” said Faulkner, who also works for the parish in communications. “So, we were blessed. It is amazing they didn’t demolish some of the other things they could have,” she concluded.

According to the USCCB at least 120 incidents, like the one occurring at Immaculate Heart, have occurred across 31 states and the District of Columbia since May 2020. Incidents include arson, statues beheaded, limbs cut, and smashed and painted, gravestones defaced with swastikas and anti-Catholic language and American flags next to them burned, and other destruction and vandalism. The conference even has a dedicated page on its website listing news stories that detail vandalism by month, since they began tracking incidents in May of 2020.

Pastor of Immaculate Heart, José de Jesús Sánchez expressed his “shock and grief” over the break-in over social media to the Catholic community, alerting them of the destruction in his parish. He was away at a family wedding in his home country of Mexico at the time of the incident.

People were hit hard by the images shared by Father Sánchez, including Bishop Joseph Kopacz, who said “at the same time, much prayer has been offered” from those across the diocese through the power of social media.
Amid all of the destruction at Immaculate Heart, Bishop Kopacz traveled to the parish on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to reconsecrate the church.

“We will reconsecrate this church once again to God in the Lord,” said Bishop Kopacz. “With great faith, hope and love with the desire to truly go forward, knowing that we have reconciled on a very deep level.”

Some in the parish, felt that the intent behind the destruction was to have parishioners lose their faith but the faith of the Immaculate Heart community is strong.

“We give thanks for this gift of faith, that can be assaulted, that can be hurt, but cannot be overcome in the Lord,” said Bishop Kopacz.

Pictures from Facebook posts show some of the damage done to the parish from a break-in discovered on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

During his homily, Bishop Kopacz spoke of the destruction and evil that occurred within the walls of the church, mentioning the overturned pulpit and altar.

“The Word of God, another sacred part of who we are, was overturned, as if to say ‘We don’t want this Word proclaimed from this pulpit,’” said Bishop Kopacz, likening the destruction as malice. “That’s not just juvenile, ‘let’s just wreak a little havoc in this building.’”

Additionally, mentioned was the overturned altar and disturbed sacrament with Bishop Kopacz stating that “it was a deliberate blow to all that is sacred to us.”

As a part of the reconsecration of the church, Bishop Kopacz took great care in anointing the altar and with Chrism, in addition to the use of holy water to renew the baptismal promise of those present. “This seeks to make right, what has been wronged,” he said.

On Feb. 1, parishioners assist Father Sánchez in replacing the altar linens after Bishop Joseph Kopacz reconsecrated the altar after the parish was broken into and the altar overturned a week earlier.

“Our altar represents Christ – it is Christ. … In the anointing, we are allowing the Lord to again come before us in a most powerful way to be our Good Shepherd and for us to know Him. For us to then enter deeply into the mystery of his life. … Heaven and earth are joined together each time we celebrate the Eucharist.”

After the Mass, parishioners like Faulkner expressed their gratitude and were moved by the beauty in the care of the reconsecration.

“I have never seen anything like it. It was extremely moving and beautiful,” said Faulkner.

Father Sánchez gave thanks for the experience of the reconsecration and was grateful for the feeling of hope, also witnessing a consecration of a church for the first time. “It was really beautiful and we know that we are not alone.”

“It is a new opportunity for all of us in the Body of Christ … and we can say to the enemy that if Christ is with us, who is against us.”

Parish coordinator and director of religious education, Emelia Joseph, who has worked tirelessly getting new keys, meeting with police officers and more in the wake of the break-in, is thankful for the support of the Greenwood community and the people of the diocese.

“We know through the grace of God and all the people who have contacted us, with prayer and their support, that we are not only going to rally through this, but we are going to be stronger than ever.”

Father José de Jesús Sánchez prepares to read the Gospel during the reconsecration Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, while Father Joachim Studwell, OFM looks on. (Photos by Joanna Puddister King)

New monastery established at Edgewood

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By G. Mark LaFrancis

NATCHEZ – The broad stately oaks and rolling manicured lawns of Edgewood just off Airport Road beckon those who visit to enjoy its serenity.

Thus, it seems, Edgewood has become a natural setting for a monastery, the new home of a chapter of the international Institute of the Incarnate Word, a Catholic religious order of missionary priests and brothers.
“So, the monastery is a place where he (the monk) can find solitude where he has everything that he needs, and, and it’s the place where he can orient his whole life towards God, through work, through prayer, through silence,” said Father Charles Yaklin, a member of the order and local superior.

The institute will occupy a portion of the property, which is owned by Jerry and Hedy Boelte. Including Father Charles, there are four monks living there who are from around the globe.

Establishing a monastery at Edgewood was, in a way, decades in the making. Hedy Boelte has attended and organized many religious retreats and prayer groups in her Roman Catholic life. “Ever since I was a little girl, I have always desired to do things for others based on my Catholic faith, so I was born to serve. And in doing that, I worked with the nuns at my school and my priest. And I love my Catholic faith more than anything.”

The moment of significant religious transformation for Boelte came in 1987 when she attended a retreat. “I went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and had the call to devote the rest of my life to serving Jesus through Mary. Starting prayer groups, organizing retreats, giving testimonies, serving God by living a fully dedicated Catholic life was the outcome of this willingness to work for the Kingdom of God. The Monastery is the pearl of great price, and we will continue to pray, serve and trust.”

NATCHEZ – The chapel at Edgewood was created for religious activities and celebration of the Mass at the new St. Joseph Monastery. (Photos courtesy of G. Mark LaFrancis)

She began what could be described as a religious stepladder, each new rung creating a new opportunity for her to invest her life and property to serve the Lord. All the while, she said, she prayed for direction. “Every time my husband would buy a piece of property as an investment or for the protection of the land and wildlife, I would always dedicate that property to a saint. And I would ask the saint, ‘What are we going to do with this property?’”

For years, Boelte sponsored retreats, prayer groups and events at those properties and at Edgewood, but the concept of the 100-acre property becoming a monastery gelled several years ago when she and her husband traveled to Wyoming where they own a ranch. There, she learned about Institute of the Incarnate Word and the monks. After a series of meetings and consultations, including with Father Scott Thomas, pastor at St. Mary Basilica in Natchez, wheels were in motion for the establishment of the monastery at Edgewood.

“It’s stunning,” Father Charles said of his first impression of Edgewood. “So, we’re seeing how we can make our mission work in this beautiful place to foster a move to prayer, which is really what we’re trying to do.”

Father Charles said the monks will pray for the entire Natchez community, not just Roman Catholics. “Yes, absolutely, for everyone. God wants all men to be saved and to come the knowledge of the truth. So, we pray for everyone.”

He said other monks may arrive and become part of the local monastery. Although the order is contemplative, that is, they spend considerable portions of the day in prayer, there will be opportunities for interaction with the community.

Already, retreats and prayer groups are in the planning session. “As a rule, we will be staying put here in the house and working on the grounds here, but we do have to get groceries, for example. So, you may see us at Walmart; that has happened a few times already, but other than that, we try to stay put.”

Father Charles said his journey in the religious life took many turns until he said he discovered his calling with the Institute of the Incarnate Word, a missionary religious congregation established in Argentina in 1984, which now has missionaries working in more than 40 different countries. Its members are priests, seminarians and brothers, the majority of them forming part of the “apostolic branch” of the Institute, typically working in parishes. The four monks who now live in Natchez belong to the “contemplative branch” of the Institute and contribute to the missionary work by their life of prayer.

A brochure about St. Joseph Monastery and the congregation states, “We want to be rooted in Jesus Christ. We want to love and serve Jesus Christ, and to help others love and serve Him. The Eucharist is the center and root of our consecration as religious.”

NATCHEZ – Monks who have moved to the St. Joseph Monastery off Airport Road are, from left, Brother Denis Lemire, Brother Nelson Pena, Father Gabriel Prado, and Father Charles Yaklin, local superior.

Father Charles added, “Seven times a day, we go to the chapel to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. This is a way of sanctifying all the hours of our day by interrupting our activities and returning to chapel, to pray, to be in the presence of God, and in this way to prolong each morning’s Mass throughout the whole day.” The pool house has been converted to a chapel for the monks and the celebration of the Mass for the community. Special additions to the chapel will be made soon, Boelte said.

A monastery in Natchez might seem unusual, but monasteries exist worldwide. Father Charles said, “Monastery comes from the Greek ‘monos’ meaning alone. And so, the monk lives alone, even though he can be in a community. He spends the majority of his time in solitude and not for the sake of being away from other people, but for the sake of being in silence with God.”

Father Charles said that a Spanish Mass is under consideration as well as regular Masses on weekends. Also, the monks are considering producing items to sell as a way to help sustain their lives at Edgewood.

(Story special to Mississippi Catholic. More information is available at the website saintjosephmonastery.com.)

Featured photo … Farewell to Sister Paula …

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MADISON – Sister Paula Marie Blouin, SSND celebrated her retirement on Friday, Feb. 4 in her home parish of St. Francis of Assisi.

Sister Paula opened the Assisi Early Learning Center at St. Francis in 1987 and served as the director. She helped cultivate the prototype for all Early Learning Center in the diocese. Her devotion to child development for Catholic families has been nothing less than exceptional. She wanted all children in her care to know that Jesus loved each of them and that they should, in turn, love each other.

The diocese extends our warmest gratitude to Sister Paula for her dedication to the young people of the metro Jackson area and her contribution to the high standards used by all of the Early Learning Centers in the diocese: St. Paul Early Learning Center and the Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center in Vicksburg.
Sister Paula takes with her many prayers and best wishes for a happy and restful retirement. (Photo by Maria Teresa Salzman)

Over 60 years of teaching, heart of service of Sister Margaret Sue Broker

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By Laura Grisham
SOUTHAVEN – If you have attended, sent your children to, or simply visited Sacred Heart School, you know Sister Margaret Sue. Sister Margaret Sue Broker, OSF, is, as they say, the stuff of legend. She quietly goes about her work each day with the purpose of making the school — and each child that passes through its doors — great. Sister has been doing this for more than six decades.

Upon entering School Sisters of St. Francis, the once shy and quiet Sister Margaret Sue wanted to work in an orphanage and cook. Instead, her first year on mission was teaching the third and fourth grade at Our Lady of Victory School in Chicago. The next year she taught at St. Mary’s, a small school in Pine Bluff, Wisconsin. But just as her second year at the little rural school was to begin, her road to teaching took a turn south.

“The night before I was supposed to go back to Pine Bluff, I was called in and told to tear up my obedience slip for that year. I would, instead, be going to Mississippi,” said Broker.

SOUTHAVEN –Sister Margaret Sue Broker is pictured in her early years teaching at Sacred Heart School. She began her 61st year of teaching this school year. (Photo courtesy of Laura Grisham)

Sister Margaret Sue arrived at Sacred Heart School in 1961. At that time, every elementary teacher was responsible for 45 students and two grades, a far cry from the intimate class settings of today.

Class size is not the only thing that is different at the school. Sister Margaret Sue has seen many changes through her years at Sacred Heart. Tuition at the beginning of her tenure, for instance, was only five dollars per month, per family.

“During my early years we had children who lived in homes that had no running water and heat was provided using old oil drums,” Sister recalled. “And many of our parents back in the day had third grade or less of education. That has definitely changed.”

Over the years Sister has taught some class or another in every grade. She has taught first through fourth grades full time, sixth-grade religion and English, and library for the lower grades. She has been curriculum director and even the principal during her time at the school. Today, Sister Margaret Sue teaches Pre-K through second-grade religion classes, but she is quick to tell you her favorite.

“By far, first grade has been my love and that is what I have taught most of my life. That is where you see those marvelous ‘aha’ moments when the rose buds open wide into marvels to behold.”

Broker is also Sacred Heart School’s official green thumb. The school’s courtyard and vegetable garden are a delight to students, faculty and visitors alike … and at the center of it all is Sister Margaret Sue. Her love of all things green is no secret. She lovingly tends to the gardens and takes great pleasure in sharing her ecological knowledge with the children.

Looking down memory lane, Sister Margaret Sue has many things she holds dear. Cooking with her first graders in the convent kitchen ranks near the top, as do the “hootenannies” in the gymnasium and the all-school musicals. Wrangling 90 or so first and second graders together for art classes might seem a little daunting, but for Broker and Mrs. Stanford, her fellow teacher at the time, it was just another occasion that is looked back upon fondly.

SOUTHAVEN – Sister Margaret Sue Broker is pictured at a recent Christmas event at the school. She began her 61st year of teaching this year. (Photo courtesy of Laura Grisham)

Generations of students also look upon Sister Margaret Sue fondly as well. It is easy to see why she is held in such high regard. Teaching and caring for students is not only second nature to her, but also a deeper calling, a prayer lived each day. In a reflection written for an issue of Dehonian Spirituality a few years ago, she shared the following:

“When I console, encourage, or bring a child to an ‘aha’ moment, I nurture the spirit. When I get and give a hug; when I sit with a child and study flashcards; when I guide the hand in forming a letter; when I write out my lesson plans; when I dictate words or numbers; or when I do the thousands of acts of teaching, I am dealing with the physical or corporal. If I do it well, in a compassionate, joyful, loving, merciful way, I nurture the spirit. The act of teaching is an amazing corporal and spiritual work of mercy.”

Several times during her first 20 years at Sacred Heart, Broker was reassigned to Honduras, but each time the order was changed to stay in Walls. Eventually, the School Sisters of St. Francis were given the choice of whether to stay or transfer. It is pretty obvious what her choice was. “No, I never figured I would be here more than six years … I fell in love with the people, the school, the area, the children, and here I am in my 61st year. It has been a short time as far as feelings go. I have never been bored, or wondered about how long it has been. It has just been love at first sight … and ever after!”

To the many children she has taught over those 61 years, she says, “To all my former students, my wish is that they be happy; that they remember the fun learning times and not the hard ones, nor the fussing; that they always keep their hands a little dirty in God’s good earth and that they model the joy of learning.”

Featured photo… Door Restoration

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JACKSON – The doors at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle must be refinished every two to three years due to their exposure to the elements. Keeping the Cathedral in beautiful condition to inspire worship of God is a labor of love that never ends. The Cathedral is grateful for the generosity of parishioners and other donors. Pictured are members of the Wood Door Restoration company, owned by Clint Ertle of Terry, installing the newly refinished doors earlier this month. (Photo by Father Matthew Simmons)

Coraje para enfrentar el rechazo

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Por Padre Clem Oya
Un pasaje del evangelio nos presenta la reacción de los judíos a Jesús cuando les declara su misión mientras lo escuchan en la sinagoga.

La Biblia nos dice, “Al oír esto, todos los que estaban en la sinagoga se enojaron mucho. Se levantaron y echaron del pueblo a Jesús, llevándolo a lo alto del monte sobre el cual el pueblo estaba construido, para arrojarlo abajo desde allí. Pero Jesús pasó por en medio de ellos y se fue.” Lc 4:28-30

La Biblia contiene una situación similar. Dios fortalece al profeta Jeremías cuando comienza su misión con una nación obstinada: “Ellos te harán la guerra, pero no te vencerán porque yo estaré contigo para protegerte. Yo, el Señor, doy mi palabra.” Jeremías 1:1-19

¿Cuál es el significado de este mensaje? ¿Cómo nos afecta esto hoy? ¿Qué desafío nos plantea como Iglesia?

Cuando escuchamos la palabra “profeta”, nuestra mente va directamente a los tiempos bíblicos. Pensamos en Isaías, Elías, Jeremías, etc.

JACKSON – “Sacerdote, Profeta y Rey,” resume el Padre Clem cuando asegura en esta reflexión que “como Jeremías, cada uno de nosotros es un profeta, llamado por Dios, para proclamar la Verdad a todas las naciones.” El Padre Odel Medina se despide de Mississippi después de diez años de Misión. Deja un ejemplo de cómo tocar vidas y desafiar el miedo para denunciar injusticias. En foto, el Padre Odel Medina testifica sobre el estado de sus parroquianos después de las redadas de ICE de agosto 2019, ante un Comité del Congreso de Estados Unidos, el 7 de Nov 2019, en Tougaloo College. (Foto de Berta Mexidor)

Pero es más que eso. En virtud de nuestro bautismo, cada uno de nosotros se ha convertido en un “Sacerdote, Profeta y Rey”. Como Jeremías, cada uno de nosotros es un profeta, llamado por Dios, para proclamar la Verdad a todas las naciones.

Hay momentos, sin embargo, en que tenemos miedo de decir la verdad, de denunciar situaciones de injusticia y prácticas contrarias al evangelio; tenemos miedo de enfrentarnos a los opresores por temor a ser rechazados o a perder nuestra popularidad. A veces tenemos miedo de decir la verdad porque no queremos perder a nuestros amigos, familiares o personas que siempre se sienten ofendidas al escuchar la verdad. El pasaje del evangelio de hoy nos desafía a enfrentar el rechazo, incluso por parte de los amigos más cercanos, por el bien de la verdad.

Es muy fácil para nosotros como Iglesia criticar las estructuras sociales, políticas y económicas de nuestro tiempo, pero como cristianos debemos ser fuertes y valientes para llevar a cabo nuestro papel profético, primero, entre nosotros. Como cristianos, nuestro papel comienza en la familia, la Iglesia doméstica. Como dice el refrán, “La caridad comienza en casa”. Debemos ser valientes para hablar entre nosotros contra situaciones, tradiciones y prácticas que contradicen el Evangelio.

Como Iglesia, el Evangelio nos desafía a aceptar las críticas constructivas de nuestros propios miembros, ya sean jóvenes o mayores. Como miembros de la familia, debemos ser lo suficientemente humildes para aceptar las críticas, correcciones y observaciones de nuestros hijos, hermanos o padres con espíritu de amor.

Como individuos, debemos ser lo suficientemente humildes para aceptar la crítica constructiva de nuestros amigos y compañeros de trabajo. Pero en realidad, es más fácil para nosotros aceptar alguna verdad de los extraños que de nuestros parientes. De ahí el dicho: “Ningún profeta es aceptado en su propio pueblo.”

¿Quiénes son los profetas? Según Albert Nolan:
“Los profetas son personas que hablan cuando otros permanecen en silencio. Critican su propia sociedad, su propio país o sus propias instituciones religiosas. Los que critican naciones hostiles o religiones extranjeras no son llamados profetas. Los verdaderos profetas son hombres y mujeres que se ponen de pie y hablan sobre las prácticas de su propia gente y sus propios líderes, mientras que otros permanecen en silencio.” (Albert Nolan, Jesus Today: A Spirituality of Radical Freedom, New York: Orbis Books, 2007 pág. 53).

Los verdaderos profetas no son parte de la estructura de autoridad de su sociedad o de su institución religiosa. A diferencia de los sacerdotes y los reyes, los profetas nunca son designados, ordenados o ungidos por el establecimiento religioso. Experimentan un llamado especial que viene directamente de Dios, y su mensaje viene de su experiencia de Dios: “Así dice el Señor Dios”. (Ibíd. p. 64) También estoy de acuerdo con Nolan en que: “Cualquier intento de practicar la misma espiritualidad que Jesús implicaría aprender a hablar con valentía como lo hizo él… y afrontar las consecuencias”. (Ibíd. p.64).

Los profetas generalmente no mueren naturalmente. Son castigados, perseguidos y asesinados, generalmente por su propia gente. En el Antiguo Testamento, los profetas de Dios no fueron asesinados por los paganos sino por el “pueblo de Dios”. Pero un profeta moriría antes que contar sus palabras. Los profetas piensan muy por delante de su generación y la mayoría de las veces muy pocos entienden sus puntos. Más que nunca, necesitamos más profetas y voces proféticas hoy. ¿Sabes que eres ontológicamente un profeta? Al leer esta reflexión, puede relacionarse con lo que les sucedió a todos los profetas de Dios en todas las tradiciones religiosas.

Es mi esperanza que puedas sacar algo de fuerza para continuar tu misión en este planeta.

Hermanos, cumplamos nuestra misión profética con valentía y amor sabiendo que si todos nos rechazan, Dios siempre nos aceptará. Si Jesucristo fue rechazado por su propio pueblo, ¿quiénes somos nosotros para buscar aceptación? Aristóteles, un antiguo filósofo griego, dijo una vez: “Nuestros amigos son queridos para nosotros, pero lo más querido para nosotros es la verdad”.

Es mejor ser rechazado por amigos y familiares que ser rechazado por Jesús que es el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida. Él es el único que no podemos darnos el lujo de perder.

Ustedes también son Misioneros

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Por Berta Mexidor
CARTHAGE – En la tarde del sábado 22 de enero los feligreses, mayoritariamente Hispanos de St. Anne en Carthage celebraron la despedida del Padre Odel Medina con la alegría de todos los momentos compartidos y con la normal tristeza que aparece al separarse territorialmente de personas que se han convertido casi en familia.

La tristeza de la despedida fue aliviada por la calurosa bienvenida al Padre Marco Antonio Sanchez, también Misionero de la Santísima Trinidad.

CARTHAGE – Después de diez años, el Padre Odel deja muchas memorias. Arriba, concelebrando con Obispo Kopacz, Misa de Santa Ana en 2016, debajo: caminando en Posadas de 2019, durante la visita del Cardinal Ramazzini a las parroquias afectadas por las redadas. (Fotos de Hna. María Elena Mendez, MGSpS y Berta Mexidor)

El padre Odel celebró su ultima Misa dando las gracias, visiblemente emocionado, por todo el cariño recibido de la comunidad. Su Misa, concelebrada por los sacerdotes Alexis Zúñiga, Marco Antonio Sanchez y Guy Wilson, fue seguida de una bendición comunitaria al Padre Odel y dirigida por el Padre Guy. El Padre Guy explicó que el Misionero llega a un lugar sin saber ni conocer a nadie, pero cuando se va ya sabe y conoce a todo el mundo.” Ustedes también son Misioneros,” les dijo el Padre Guy a los parroquianos y los instó a seguir con ese estimulo.

El Padre Guy resumió el trabajo del padre Odel, de 8 años en Carthage y diez en general en la diócesis. El padre Odel fue el primer Misionero Trinitario que regreso a Jackson, después que en 1944 los Trinitarios comenzaran su Misión para evangelizar a los afrodescendientes y construyeran la iglesia de St. Anne. El Padre Odel fue seguido por numerosos trinitarios más que han servido a la Diócesis, que a su vez se ha vuelto más diversa.

Misoneros vienen y van
Ya en días anteriores las comunidades de Canton, Camden y Carthage hacían la despedida al Padre Trinitario Gustavo Amell. El padre Odel Medina es asignado a una comunidad de California, según carta de Mike Barth, custodio General de los Misioneros Trinitarios y leída por el Padre Guy.

El padre Odel, al menos en Carthage deja cuatro Ministerios de música formados y varios líderes comunitarios, además de haber sido el guía espiritual del Movimiento Cristianos Católico Familiar de Jackson.

El Padre Odel recordó que las muchas oraciones de la comunidad Latina en Jackson, hizo realidad que muchos sacerdotes de habla Hispana hayan llegado como bendición a estos lugares.

Después se hizo una meditación y oración dirigida por el Padre Alexis y seguidamente líderes comunitarios y de Ministerios de Alabanza fueron haciendo una lista compacta de todos los momentos alegres y tristes que compartieron con su párroco, asegurando que los atesorarán con cariño.

”Gracias a Dios por dejarnos conocer a un ‘buen hombre de Dios,’” dijo el líder del ministerio Nueva Alianza. Uno de ellos definió al Padre Odel no solo como un sacerdote, sino más bien como un líder, espiritual y humano, que guio a la comunidad a un lugar mas alto de reconocimiento local, a través de momentos humana y emocionalmente desafiantes.

La audiencia presente, llevaba máscaras de protección, porque según explicó el padre Odel, el virus ha hecho estragos no solo en los Latinos, sino más bien en todos los grupos étnicos de la comunidad: afrodescendientes y vietnamitas; los demás parroquianos, algunos convalecientes en sus casas, siguieron la Misa en línea.

Por muchas oraciones llegaron los Trinitarios y muchos más. Sigan orando, los instó y “Dénle su apoyo a todos los demás sacerdotes que vengan,” les pidió a los parroquianos el Padre Odel al despedirse.

Niños reciben y continuan tradiciones familiares

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Tupelo

TUPELO – De diciembre 2021 hasta enero 2022, los parroquianos de St. James disfrutaron del advenimiento del niño Jesús con varias actividades para niños y adultos. (Fotos cortesía de St. James Facebook)

Canton

CANTON – Niñas de Sacred Heart traen flores al altar en celebracion del Cristo Negro de Esquipulas el sabado 15 de enero. (Foto cortesía de Blanca Peralta)

Pearl

PEARL – El Movimiento Familiar Cristiano Católico (FMCC), Federación Jackson realizo una posada en St. Jude Pearl, en 18 diciembre 2021, representando a María y José, los niños Leonardo Jared y Miranda Henríquez. (Foto de Tereza Ma)

Jackson

JACKSON – Muchas familias participaron en diciembre 2021 en la tradicional celebración de las posadas de St. Therese, que estuvieron cargadas de música y alegria. (Fotos cortesía de Rosalinda Montoya)

Bless the Kelly’s of Potato Hill

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From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – As we begin the new calendar year, let’s visit another interesting stop in Bishop John Gunn’s diary. This time we are on the road in northeast Mississippi in June of 1912.

On this trip, Bishop Gunn visits Tupelo and Plantersville among other places. He conferred the sacrament of confirmation and spoke to large gatherings of Catholics and non-Catholics in each location.

On June 12 he arrived in Tupelo and here is what he had to say about his visit: “Tupelo is a boom town of new growth with plenty of activity, and a promise that it may become something. The town hall was secured, much free advertisement was given, and I said Mass on the stage, confirmed a few Catholics there and found the big event of the visit was to be a mass meeting in the theatre to hear the Bishop talk of Catholic claims.”

“I spoke about an hour in Tupelo on that night and was congratulated for nearly another hour afterwards with such vigorous handshaking that I was afraid of arm dislocation.”

Similar to the Kelly cabin in Plantersville, this house from our diocesan archives photo collection in Hickory Flats could have been a visiting place for our early bishops, such as Bishops Elder and Gunn.

From Tupelo, Bishop Gunn headed the next day to Plantersville – called Potato Hill by locals. There he encountered an elderly Mrs. Kelly, who was overcome with tears of joy to meet the Bishop. Bishop Gunn’s diary account gives the reason for her outpouring.

“There was one family of the name Kelly – the oldest settler in that section – and after walking, riding and climbing for a number of hours we reached the little log cabin on a hill where Mrs. Kelly was rocking herself in expectation.”

“She was old and very religious and as soon as she heard that there was actually a Bishop on her porch she commenced to weep and to talk about John. ‘Do you think, Bishop, he will ever be forgiven, or what part of hell is he in, or can you get him out?’ Or other questions equally hard to answer.”
“I thought that John probably had misconducted himself in years gone by – he was now eleven years dead – and his wife had not completely forgiven him. I tried to make the man’s excuse as well as I could, but she would talk of John and finally I let her tell the whole story.”

“John and I came from Ireland to Mobile and we got married there and struck out to find a quiet place to spend our honeymoon. We got tired just here and we camped and thought it would be a good place to remain.”

“The Indians were everywhere but they didn’t bother us. John – who was a carpenter – cut down the logs and I was strong enough to drag the logs up here. John and I built this log house, and we were the happiest people in the world for some thirty or forty years. The Indians roundabout didn’t bother us, but the Protestants wanted me and John to go to their meeting houses, or they wanted us to pray with them.”

“This made John mad and every time he saw anything like a preacher he commenced to curse and swear, and I had great trouble in keeping John from attacking the preacher. This kept on for years and finally the great trouble came to John one evening when two men came up the side of the hill on horseback. John and I were on the porch looking at them coming.”

“John whispered to me ‘here are two more preachers’ and it was not long until one of them came up and said, ‘Aren’t you John Kelly?’ He said ‘Yes, what do you want?’ “Well, John, I heard you are a Catholic.’”

“Then John got mad, and he asked the preacher what in —- did it matter to him, and the preacher smiled, and that made John madder and madder. He told the preacher to go to the bad place. This made the man get off his horse and John got ready to thrash him when the preacher said to him: ‘Why, John Kelly, I am Bishop Elder, the Bishop of Natchez, and that is the way you receive me and treat me.’”

“Poor John was dumbfounded that he couldn’t speak but fainted. To send his Bishop, who had come 28 miles on horseback to see him – to welcome him in such a way. And Mrs. Kelly’s whole trouble was to find out if poor John, who had received the last Bishop who had visited them, was still suffering from the reception given.”

“The Kelly’s had been visited 28 years before by Bishop Elder and poor Mrs. Kelly was glad to see another Bishop who promised all kinds of excuses for her old man, John.”

“She had a number of grown-up children and their families. They were all at supper in the log cabin at Potato Hill. I got the best room and enjoyed it as the trip was long and tiresome.”
This is a great account of life on the road in our diocese. We take for granted being able to travel most places in the diocese in one day. Here we have the accounts of bishops travelling to some outlying areas to find their sheep – even sheep who greet them in a not so pleasant way.

God bless the Kelly’s of Potato Hill – salt of the earth.


(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson)