OXFORD – New officers for Knights of Columbus Council 10901 were inducted July 7 during the Knights Annual Summer Social held at Marge and Forrest Hinton’s home in Oxford. Approximately 90 Knights and their families attended the social which also celebrated the July 4 holiday. In addition, the gathering of members gave the Knights an opportunity to introduce new and prospective members to the Knights of Columbus and their families as well as honoring the induction of the new officers who will serve as the leaders in carrying out the charitable, outreach and service functions of the Knights of Columbus for the coming year.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, Feel the need to get away for one or several days of solitude and self-care? The Dwelling Place is a place of hospitality and prayer open to people of all Christian traditions. Treat yourself to an overnight, a weekend or longer to let God in. It can be a life-changing experience. They have everything you need–a beautiful quiet setting, a lovely chapel, library and good food! No stress! Just rest in the Lord. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com for more information.
CHATAWA St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center, Theology of the Body, a Retreat Focusing on Women, Thursday, Sept. 26, supper until Sunday, Sept. 29, lunch. It was written by St. Pope John Paul II and is an in-depth study of the human person. Focuses on the meaning of being women, ways of relating to men. Presenters: Becky Clements and Paula Hunter are from Southwest Louisiana. They are both experienced, certified retreat directors and leaders of groups in their Catholic Church communities. Suggested donation: $250 (private room) or $200 (shared room) Details: Sister Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 or retreatcenter@ssndcp.org.
CULLMAN, Ala. Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, Celebrating Women: Women’s Ways of Healing, Sept. 27-29. During this weekend for women, we will explore ways to calm the mind, relax the body and enliven the spirit. If you are longing to be restored and rejuvenated, looking for peace and calm, join us for this weekend. Retreat Directors: Sister Mary McGehee, O.S.B. and Celebrating Women Team. Cost: Private room $255; Shared room $225 each. Details: (256) 734-8302, retreats@shmon.org or www.shmon.org.
SCHRIEVER, La. Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans (CCRNO), Healing Retreat for Men and Women, “Holiness and Wholeness”, Sept. 20-22 at Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever, Louisiana. Retreat leaders: Jim Murphy, founder and president of Vera Cruz Communications. In 1992, Jim undertook a 4200-mile journey on foot across America, carrying a six-foot cross, praying and evangelizing. It took eighteen months and fourteen pairs of shoes! Jim is a prophetic leader and teacher. The other retreat leader is Father Bill Henry, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Greenville and a sought-after spiritual director with a special gift of prayer for healing. Both bring their extensive pastoral experience and charismatic healing ministry. Details: www.ccrno.org; info@ccrno.org or (504) 828-1368.
U.S.A Free Ministry to Traveling Catholics, for nationwide Mass times and locations, call 800-627-7846 or www.Masstimes.org.

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS

BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Genesis to Jesus Bible Study Fridays at 8 a.m. or Saturdays at 5 p.m. in the library. Details: Becky Corkern at (601) 757-5526 or Emily Phillips at (601) 757-0579.
CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, Parish Fair, Tuesday, Sept. 17. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Italian Language and Culture Class beginner class, Tuesdays beginning Sept. 3 for eight weeks at 6 p.m. Cost: $40. Teacher: Dr. Franco Zangaro. Details: David Malatesta at (954) 608-8913.
FLOWOOD St. Paul Early Learning Center’s, Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, Sept. 6 at Bay Pointe Golf Club, 800 Bay Pointe Dr, Brandon. Details: Early Learning Center (601) 992-2876.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Germanfest 2019, Sunday, Sept. 29, 11a.m. – 5 p.m. The family-oriented German food and authentic German Folk music provided by the band, Polkameisters from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Advance meal tickets are $6 and meals the day of the festival will be $7. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
JACKSON St. Richard, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, 9-week course rooted in biblical wisdom beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in Foley Hall. It is designed to help you tackle budgeting, pay off debt and make your money work for you! Cost: $109 per person/couple. Cost includes one workbook, exclusive online benefits and a full year of Financial Peace Membership. Details: Debbie Tubertini at (601) 366-2335 ext. 107, tubertini@saintrichard.com or www.saintrichard.com.
MADISON Lake Caroline Golf Course, 37th Bishop Cup Annual Golf Scramble, Tuesday, Sept. 10. Lunch at noon; Tee Time at 1 p.m. and Social/Dinner/Auction at 5:30 p.m. Each golfer receives cart and green fees, hat and golf towel, catered lunch, snacks and beverages on the course, dinner and social. Details: Rebecca Harris at (601) 960-8477 or rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, ChristLife Catholic Ministry for Evangelization, Sundays from 5:30 – 7:40 p.m. (starting with dinner) on Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3, 17, 24. A retreat day will be held after the fifth session on Saturday, Nov. 9. Sessions will be held at the O’Connor Family Life Center in the main hall. Babysitting provided. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.

By Berta Mexidor
CARTHAGE – The feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim, grandparents of Jesus, takes on a different grandeur in Carthage, where Catholics there lovingly refer to their patroness, St. Anne, as abuela or grandmother, looking up to her as their own grandma.
The Feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim is officially July 26 on the Church calendar, but many parishes select a day close to the actual feast day to bring families together in celebration. St. Anne Parish began their weekend celebration July 28 with a bilingual Mass and procession to honor the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Anne Church was beautifully decorated with dozens of roses and the parish’s Sacred Heart of Jesus group under the direction of Marco Antonio Vázquez provided the music and the songs adding to the joyful celebration.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz was main celebrant for the Mass. Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity Father Odel Medina, St. Anne pastor, was on hand and concelebrated the Mass.
Filling the church were the diverse families of the parish many from the local African American, Hispanic and Vietnamese communities. Among the families were many grandmothers and grandfathers and their grandchildren.
In his homily, Bishop Kopacz continued to reflect on a solid theme: Grandparents and their important role as the backbone of family and the hope of the Church. He explained that many times it is the grandparents who witness faith and pass on religious traditions and good morals and values to their children and grandchildren.
Bishop Kopacz also talked about the vocation of parenting emphasizing the important job of parents and how they can play a significant role in the spiritual lives of their children today. He shared stories of his own role model parents and talked about his father’s great faith. He fondly recalled his father kneeling near the bed at night in prayer. His mother sat in an armchair in the living room praying the rosary.
“We learn to pray in the house. Children listen to elders and adults. (They) see them make the sign of the cross or pray the rosary,” he said. “I urge everyone to be like children in their relationship with the heavenly Father. Ask, strive and seek always for your relationship with God.”
Mass was a great parish celebration bringing members of the diverse parish family together to reflect on the grandest of all grandparents, St. Anne and St. Joachim, recognized as the patrons of grandparents.
Lynett, a young lady was the bilingual community leader and Sonia Cardona and Richard Polk Gospel assisted with the Mass by reading the Gospel and presenting the gifts. At the end of Mass, Emy Lee, Theresa Wen and Sam Lee of the Vietnamese community and active parishioners at both St. Anne and St. Michael in Forest, presented Bishop Kopacz with a small gift of appreciation, a nice ending to the celebration of praise and thanksgiving.

NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica Parish member Philip Zuccaro presents Father Scott Thomas with a basket during the Mass of Installation celebrated by Bishop Kopacz on Aug. 4. Father Thomas is now pastor of St. Mary Basilica and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parishes. (Photos by Joanna Puddister King)