Around the diocese: Snow day pictures from January 11
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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
NEW ORLEANS Our Lady of the Cenacle Retreat Center, Women’s Retreat – “The Infinite Tenderness of God,” Feb. 19-21. Presenter: Reverend Jacob DuMont, LC. God is infinite love and out of that love, he created and redeemed us. Father DuMont currently serves as the local superior and chaplain for Lumen Institute, as well as a spiritual director for the seminarians at Notre Dame Seminary. Their capacity is limited due to COVID-19 – registration on a first come first serve basis. A non-refundable deposit is required. Details: to register, contact the retreat office at (504) 267-9604 or https://www.neworleansretreats.org/retreats.
Women’s Retreat – “Lent: Untying the “NOTS” – Feb. 24-26. Presenter: Sister Judy Gomila, MSC. With God’s grace, this Lent can be different. The retreat offers an opportunity to eliminate the “nots” in your vocabulary and to get busy living in spiritual fitness leading to deep Resurrection Joy! A Marianite Sister of Holy Cross and New Orleans native, Sister Judith is known for her practical spirituality and storytelling. She speaks from a grateful and happy heart and delights in interfacing with the “people of Gawd.” Their capacity is limited due to COVID-19 – registration on a first come first serve basis. Details: to register, contact the retreat office at (504) 267-9604 or https://www.neworleansretreats.org/retreats.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
GREENVILLE St. Joseph, Society of St. Vincent de Paul volunteers are needed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Please come to 711 Washington Avenue if you can help. Details: church office (662) 335-5251.
JACKSON St. Richard, Volunteers are needed for Meals-On-Wheels and Stewpot Lunch and Pantry. St. Richard Meals-On-Wheels delivers meals from an assigned menu to the Jackson area the second Tuesday of every month. St. Richard sends volunteers to Stewpot Lunch Service and Pantry one week per quarter. Details: call Tommy Lamas at the church office (601) 366-2335 or email him lamas@saintrichard.com.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Oremus Study Program For Lent, St. Mary will be offering a study program for parishioners who wish to deepen their prayer life. The Oremus program is from Ascension Press, led by Father Mark Toups of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, and teaches you the essentials of an effective and fruitful prayer life. Over the course of eight weeks, you will discover how God speaks to you, even in the smallest encounters. Following the Tradition of the Catholic Church and the wisdom of the saints, you will learn how to express yourself to God in prayer and how to hear his voice. We intend to offer the program in both an in-person and a virtual format. Watch the bulletin for more information regarding registration for the program. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
VIRTUAL The Diaconate: Are you called? If you think you may be called to the permanent diaconate, the Diocese of Jackson is offering a series of five inquiry meetings via Zoom. Are you called? – Saturday, Feb. 13 and Wednesday, Feb. 17; What’s involved? – Saturday, March 13; The application process – Saturday, March 20; and Meeting recap – Wednesday, March 24. Details: Deacon John McGregor, Director of the Permanent Diaconate – john.mcgregor@jacksondiocese.org.
NOTICE: ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS BANKRUPTCY ABUSE CLAIM DEADLINE
The Archdiocese of New Orleans has declared bankruptcy. If you were sexually abused in connection with the Archdiocese, including schools, orphanages, parishes, or an affiliated ministry, you could receive compensation but you need to file a claim so it is received by March 1, 2021. Sexual Abuse Survivors include anyone who was sexually abused, on or before May 1, 2020, and believe the Archdiocese may be legally responsible for the sexual abuse. This may include sexual abuse in connection with any entity or activity associated with the Archdiocese, including schools, orphanages, parishes, or an affiliated ministry. You can obtain further information and materials by visiting www.NOLAchurchclaims.com or calling 1-877-476-4389.
Featured photo Mississippi Snow Day …
LELAND – St. James Catholic Church in Leland was covered in snow on Monday, Jan. 11. Mississippi Catholic would like to publish snow day photos of our parishes and schools in our next edition and online, if you have a photo you would like to submit for possible publication, please send to editor@jacksondiocese.org by Jan. 20. (Photo by Deborah Ruggeri)
Youth news
MADISON – St. Anthony kindergarten students prayerfully gather around the advent wreath during morning Prayer and Pledge. Pictured from left: Mae McDaniel, Ellison Cole, Emma Kassinger, Seth D’Mello, Caroline Hammett, Kaitlyn Rottman, Lucy Sanders and Olivia Howell. (Photo by Keri Dare)
(First pic) Second grade St. Anthony students created volcanos in conjunction with their classroom lessons. Addy Griffin is filled with excitement as her volcano erupts. (Photo by Kati Loyacono)
Posadas pickup pilgrimage gives gift of charity to Louisiana parishes affected by hurricanes
By Daisey Martinez
PEARL – Sister Marirose Rudek, R.S.M., Director of the Office of Religious Education and Evangelization in the Diocese of Lake Charles, shared during a regional meeting of the diocesan faith formation directors back in November. She spoke about the great loss people in her diocese have faced and how they are all just trying to navigate these troubled times, together.
“After the hurricane Laura, people had the attitude of, ‘It’s okay we can do this. We can handle it’, but after Hurricane Delta, people were just sobbing, sobbing, sobbing. … On top of everything else, people are losing loved ones due to natural deaths, heart attacks, suicide. There’s this sense of being overwhelmed and fatigued.” These are some of the words that Sister Marirose used to describe the difficult situation over in Lake Charles.
Daniel McCormick, Director of the Office of Religious Education from the Diocese of Birmingham, was touched by what Sister Marirose had shared with the group and knew he wanted to find a way to help out. After speaking with Sister Marirose, McCormick came up with the idea of a supply drive for faith formation for the parishes who lost their religious education buildings and more due to the wind and rain damage of the hurricanes.
This was the genesis of the “Posadas Pickup Pilgrimage” project. The objective was to gather parish leaders and catechists for charitable Advent celebrations at parishes across the dioceses of Birmingham, Jackson, and Alexandria and encourage the celebration of the Posadas in parish communities and families this Advent.
McCormick planned the trip to include nine stops to symbolize the nine nights leading up to Christmas in the Posadas tradition. Three of those stops were in the Diocese of Jackson: St Patrick Meridian; St Jude Pearl, and Mary Basilica Natchez on Dec. 16 and 17. Items were collected from their parishioners and from St. Francis Madison, St. Paul Flowood and Holy Family Jackson, whom actively participated by collecting and dropping off donations at the Pearl pickup location. St. Anthony in Madison and Cathedral in Natchez were some of the local Catholic schools that were also involved in collecting supplies for the pilgrimage. The parishes in these cities provided a welcoming environment for those who dropped off donations on the dates of the pickup.
In a time when everyone must be socially distant, this served as a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and show love and kindness to our neighboring brothers and sisters.
Sister Marirose messaged everyone involved by sharing her gratitude “Thank you to everyone, … no matter what you’re able to give. Just your prayers are much appreciated because the people in our diocese are overwhelmed and things have been stressful … so we’re grateful.”
COVID RESTRICTIONS
UPDATED COVID RESTRICTIONS – AS OF DEC. 4, 2020
In light of the current surge of COVID-19 cases, the Diocese of Jackson has updated the restrictions for church gatherings. Please do everything you possibly can to enforce our safety protocols currently in place. We cannot stress enough the importance of these protocols being followed completely. We do not want to add to the burden of our already overwhelmed healthcare system. These heroes need our prayers, our cooperation, and our diligence every day.
To be transparent, we will be monitoring the situation closely and if protocols are not being followed and numbers of cases continue to spiral upward, we will be forced to suspend in person Masses again.
Effective immediately:
• All church gatherings other than Masses are suspended until further notice.
• All protocols currently in place for Masses must be strictly enforced.
• Social-distance church capacity numbers must be kept.
• Weddings, if scheduled, must be small and all present must wear a mask. This includes entire wedding party, priest or deacon, photographer, coordinator and guests.
• Funerals must be small and graveside only.
• Sacraments such as baptisms and confirmations if possible should be delayed until after the Baptism of the Lord in January.
COVID-19 REMINDER
All over the age of two are required to wear a mask to attend Mass.
The obligation to attend Mass continues to be dispensed by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, so if you do not feel safe attending, or have an underlying health condition, or feel sick, please stay home. Be safe and stay vigilant!
PRAYER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO MARY FOR PROTECTION DURING THE PANDEMIC
“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God.”
In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.
Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.
Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.
Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.
Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.
Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.
Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.
Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.
Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his allpowerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.
To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.
Drive-in Mass services becoming a Sunday favorite at St. Jude parish
By Joanna Puddister King
PEARL – During the COVID-19 crisis, parishes have had to get creative to keep doing the things they did pre-COVID and St. Jude parish in Pearl is no exception.
Tucked in the city of Pearl Pine Park subdivision, St. Jude parish has found great success holding drive-in Mass on Saturdays and Sundays.
“The idea for a drive-in Mass was thrown around by staff as a joke in the early spring as we discussed plans to resume the celebration of public Mass,” said Rhonda Bowden, director of liturgy and pastoral care at St. Jude. But the parish quickly figured out that they would not be able to accommodate the number of parishioners they normally expected at Mass.
“With a drive-in Mass, we could increase the number of congregants by 50% over in-church Mass. We felt like we had to give it a try,” said Bowden.
As for a drive-in set up, that is where things got interesting. A few years ago, a parishioner donated an old mobile home to the parish to refurbish into a Mardi Gras float. “The exterior was painted Mardi Gras green. It rolled through downtown Brandon this past February on its inaugural parade route,” said Bowden.
After trying to conduct drive-in Mass from the porch of the rectory the parish decided to try the float with the Mardi Gras decorations removed, of course, and it worked so well that it became the platform for Mass.
“One parishioner with telecommunication experience setup mics, a mixer and a transmitter that didn’t require FCC licensing. Another parishioner added an awning over the midsection of the trailer for protection from the sun and rain,” said Bowden.
The help didn’t end there. Another parishioner built steps and a handrail and a portable sacristy was set up with altar linens, sacred vessels, the Roman Missal and other items normally used at Mass.
“Through the experience of the past six months we have added a few other items to our portable sacristy that you won’t find in a church sacristy such as wasp spray, extra masks, traffic control flags and safety vests,” Bowden elaborated.
Having Mass outdoors also brings comedic challenges, parishioner Cathy Haden shared. “One Sunday … as [Father Lincoln Dall] was giving his homily, his cat … wanted his attention.”
After meowing loudly up on the outdoor platform and being removed a few times, the cat jumped in Father Lincoln’s lap, Haden recalled fondly.
It definitely takes more time and effort to pull everything together for a drive-in Mass but parishioners, like Hayden have grown to appreciate the change.
At first, she was resistant to even try drive-in Mass, but through the encouragement of other friends who “loved it,” Haden gave it a try.
“The first couple of times I went, I admit I wasn’t crazy about it. But … I grew to love it as much as my friends did.”
Hayden said that the changes the church has had to make to allow parishioners to attend Mass more safely “have been stressful … but I have found our own attitude has a lot to do with what we get out of it.”
Over the summer, faith formation coordinator Stacy Wolf utilized the parish drive-in setup for Vacation Bible School.
“I took the ideas for an in-person Sunday School series about King David and adapted them to fit a drive-in format,” said Wolf.
“It brought so much joy to look out and see the families singing … in their cars. My husband, Michael took great pride in coming up with voices for the Bible stories. … My son, Owen, was a huge help with passing out our bags filled with snacks and at home activities for the week,” said Wolf. “It was a lot of work, but something I don’t think I will ever forget. Such special and sweet memories.”
Attending drive-in Mass at St. Jude is simple. Congregants stop at the check-in station at the entrance of the parking lot. There they receive the bulletin and any handouts. They are then directed to a parking spot by the ushers. Once settled, they tune their radio to FM 101.1 to hear and participate in Mass. At communion time, congregants are asked to put on a facemask and sanitize their hands. They are directed to get out of their cars if they can. The ministers of communion come to each car to distribute the Precious Body of Christ. After receiving communion, attendees get back in their vehicles. When Mass is over, the ushers direct traffic out of the parking lot quickly and smoothly.
Bowden says, “The drive-in Mass format has been well accepted here at St. Jude. While I certainly miss the liturgical beauty of Mass in the church, it is sacrifice that I’m willing to make so that others can attend Mass. We have a great number of our older parishioners and those with underlying illnesses that come to the drive-in Masses that could not come to Mass indoors. It is also a good option for families with small children and those people that have a difficult time wearing a face mask for long periods of time. We have had quite a few regular visitors from other parishes that state they do not feel comfortable inside with others for more than a few minutes. Certainly, being surrounded by God’s own creations of nature adds beauty to the drive-in Mass, too.”
As an added bonus to the seasons, the St. Jude staff also try to decorate the trailer for the liturgical and calendar seasons. For Pentecost, the green sidewalls were covered with red tablecloths. During the fall, they put bales of hay, pumpkins, gourds and potted fall flowers. Recently, the trailer got a coat of purple paint for Advent and an Advent wreath.
Right now, with the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases, all of the weekend Masses at St. Jude are conducted in drive-in fashion. Bowden invites anyone that is interested in coming to a drive-in Mass at St. Jude to join them at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, 8 a.m., 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. (Spanish) on Sundays. Just be sure to register by going to this link: https://signup.com/go/vyZbHGK.
(Photos by Rhonda Bowden, Tereza Ma contributed to this story.)
Karla McHan experiences the unique challenge of leading her school in 2020
By Heather Williams (Vicksburg Daily News)
VICKSBURG – When Karla McHan was looking for a challenge last year, she had no way of knowing exactly how challenged she would be.
McHan spent 22 years teaching social studies (mostly U.S. history but also world history, government, psychology and sociology) at Warren Central High School when she was offered the lead teacher position in 2012.
“I really enjoyed seeing education from a different perspective and loved the opportunity to work more directly with teachers,” McHan said.
The experience motivated her to go back to school for her master’s degree in educational leadership, something she had put off when her children were young.
“I decided it was time to venture out and knew I could bring my perspective as a longtime teacher to educational decision making,” she said.
A rare history position opened at Vicksburg Catholic School in 2016, and McHan could not pass up the chance of working with a man who had been the principal of her elementary and junior high schools when she was a student: Dr. Buddy Strickland.
“It seemed like everything just fell in place,” she says of making the move to St. Aloysius High School. VCS also offered McHan a unique opportunity to advance her career and more openly share her faith.
“As a practicing Catholic, I was excited about being in a school environment that so beautifully incorporates faith and love of God and neighbor in its daily activities.”
St. Aloysius is much smaller than Warren Central, and McHan said it was a great place to step into the role of principal last year. “The smaller setting helped create a stronger sense of family, and I got to know everyone better,” she said. “That’s important when taking on an administration role.”
As far as finding the challenges she was searching for, McHan got what she wanted in more ways than one in her position as the school’s principal. She experienced the typical new-principal challenges such as gaining the faculty’s trust and learning how to best utilize each staff member’s individual strengths, but then life threw her a curve ball.
”Hands down, the biggest hurdle I have faced has been COVID-19,” she said. “I think all new principals spend their first year in survival mode, but that moves into a whole different level when a pandemic hits three-quarters of the way through.”
McHan said that creating a distance learning program and putting it into action effectively was one of the most difficult tasks she has faced on any level of her education career, but it has been especially trying when coupled with the responsibility of every student and faculty member in her school.
“I considered all of the typical administrator duties when I was deciding to move,” she said, “but helping teachers and students adapt to distance learning while identifying the academic gaps that come with extended time away from the classroom was never on my radar.”
McHan credits her faith, the support of her family and the “fabulous faculty and staff at St. Al” for her success. She also credits the great relationship she has developed with Mary Arledge, principal of St. Francis Xavier Academy. “She is just an incredible mentor and supporter,” McHan said of Arledge.
McHan is clearly not a person to relax when the going gets good. In addition to constantly trying to better the distance learning processes, she plans to continue her education and pursue a specialist’s degree. Her plans also include more time with family and traveling with her husband, David.
“It may sound crazy considering the current state of educational practices, but I definitely foresee being able to relax a little soon,” she said, “and I can confidently say that because I know I have the backing of such a hard-working, supportive staff.”
(Reprinted with permission of the Vicksburg Daily News, www.vicksburgnews.com.)
Give thanks – Give Back – Give Catholic
By Julia Williams
JACKSON – The Catholic Diocese of Jackson is once again partnering with #iGiveCatholic, kicking off the charitable season by bringing together the Catholic community to ‘give thanks and give back.’
iGiveCatholic provides a unique opportunity to support the organizations that shape our souls and make a positive impact … our parishes, schools and nonprofit ministries. In 2019, the #iGiveCatholic campaign raised more than $7.4 million from over 29,530 donors. Since its inception in 2015, almost $20 million has been raised through #iGiveCatholic.
Declared “the most successful Catholic crowdfunding event to date” by the National Catholic Register, #iGiveCatholic was originally meant to counter the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The ‘Annual Day of Giving’ is known as #GivingTuesday and is a ‘global’ day of giving back. This year’s initiative will include organizations under the umbrella of 40 Catholic Dioceses across the nation.
iGiveCatholic’s #GivingTuesday will run from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1, with the Advance Giving Day phase beginning on Nov. 16 through Nov. 30th.
Visit www.igivecatholic.org to participate in #iGiveCatholic by making a secure online donation (minimum gift of $25) to your favorite organization or cause on #GivingTuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Offline gifts in any amount are welcome and appreciated and may be sent directly to the participating organizations.
Mark your calendar and Save the Date! Your gift makes a difference.
Join Catholics around the World … ‘Give Thanks, Give Back and Give Catholic!’
Featured photo…A special cemetery blessing …
