SOUTHAVEN – Sister Margaret Sue Broker shows students at Sacred Heart School how the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday procession are burned to use as ashes to mark everyone’s forehead during this year’s Ash Wednesday. Sister teaches the students how this connects the Liturgical calendar. (Photos courtesy of Laura Grisham)
CLARKSDALE – Cold temperatures didn’t stop the students from St. Elizabeth School from celebrating Mardi Gras with a parade around campus. Older students threw the traditional beads and prizes from convertables to their younger classmates. Mardi Gras, literally Fat Tuesday, was a day to eat all the sweets and meat a family might have to prepare for fasting and abstience during the season of Lent. (Photos by Dawn Spinks)
BATESVILLE St. Mary, Thursday April 11 from 4-6 p.m.
CANTON Sacred Heart, Monday March 25 at 6 p.m.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Stations of the Cross, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Wednesday, April 10, from 5–7 p.m.
Stations of the Cross – Wednesdays, 6 p.m., March 13, 20, 27 and April 3
GREENVILLE Sacred Heart, Fridays, Mass at 6 p.m. followed by Stations of the Cross
GRENADA St Peter, Wednesday, April 10 at 6 p.m.
Stations of the Cross, Fridays at 6:15 p.m. followed by soup and salad supper in the Family Life Center
MERIDIAN Catholic community of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, Thursday, April 4 at noon. A light lunch will follow. Donations to a local ministry will be collected.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica and Assumption Church will have a Lenten Parish Reconciliation Service with Bishop Kopacz at St. Mary Basilica on Sunday, March 24 at 3:30 p.m.
St. Mary Basilica, Stations of the Cross, Fridays at 12:05 and 5:15 p.m.
Assumption, Stations of the Cross, Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
VICKSBURG St. Paul, Thursday, April 11at 7:00 p.m.
WOODVILLE St. Joseph, Monday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.
(To add your parish service to this list, email editor@mississippicatholic.com.)
By Elsa Baughman
JACKSON – Sunday, Feb. 24, was a sunny and cool day, perfect for the dedication of St. Therese Parish New Life Building. After several days of rain, the weather cleared and Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Msgr. Elvin Sunds, pastor, Deacon Adolfo Suarez and parishioners stood outside the new building after the 12:30 bilingual Mass for the blessing and dedication.
The construction of this building, which will be used for parish offices and religious education classes, began in February 2018 and was finished on Saturday, Feb. 23. The cost of the construction was $1.5 million, Msgr. Sunds said, adding that most of money from the sale of St. Therese school, about $500,000, and a little from the sale of Jackson St. Mary Church’s building in 2015, were the seed money to start the project.
“We also had very generous donations from parishioners and friends in the community,” he said. Msgr. Sunds noted the parish had two large donations, one for $100,000 from a Catholic Mississippian and $70,000 from a non-Catholic.
“A big help also came from members of the Hispanic community of St. Therese Parish who provided labor for free in the amount of $115,000. Joel Montoya, a contractor who recently received the Bishop Chance Award, coordinated the Hispanic volunteers who donated their labor. “We also had some volunteers from Jackson St. Peter Parish and from other area Catholic parishes who came to the site and asked how they could help,” he said. “I didn’t know them but if they wanted to help I directed them to the areas where they could work.” Montoya said about 45 Hispanic volunteers and a few Americans did about 40 percent of the labor including sheet-rocking, framing, insulating, painting,, brick laying and other tasks.
He said that few who had committed to help but at the last minute couldn’t do it, paid others to do it for them. “That shows how serious they were about being part of this project,” he said. Msgr. Sunds and Montoya feel very blessed for all the help and donations the parish received for the construction of the New Life Building and the day of the blessing they wanted to have a photo with all the volunteers as a memory for the future.
A loan was taken for the rest of the money, about $600,000, which will be paid in 17 years. Msgr. Sunds said Bishop Kopacz is very committed to making sure that St. Therese Parish is an anchor for the South Jackson community and a large anchor for the Hispanic community. “That is why he extended the loan a little further than normal so we were able to go ahead with the project. It was a project that was really necessary for the parish but it is also a statement about St. Therese Parish saying ‘we are here to stay.’”
The parish is very multicultural, including Hispanics, non-Hispanics, African Americans, and others from Vietnam, Africa, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
Msgr. Sunds said they tried to utilize as many of the sacred objects as they could from St. Mary Parish. Some were old or in disrepair and had to either be buried or burned. “We felt it was appropriate to bury them under the foundation of the new building as saying that we are continuing the life of St. Mary here at St. Therese,” he added. The Stations of the Cross at St. Therese are part of St. Mary Parish too.
Volunteers also helped with moving furniture and items from storage and from the current offices to the new building. After the blessing and dedication of the building parishioners gathered to enjoy a reception and cook out.
JACKSON – Almost four dozen women from St. Therese Parish gathered to reflect on the theme “Be who God meant you to be and you can set the world on fire” during a two-day bilingual retreat led by the Redemptorist Fathers from Greenwood. The gathering featured group and individual sessions as well as personal free time. One member, Rosa Saldana, crocheted flowers for each woman to wear. Each flower had a prayer on the back. (Photo by Cathy Eaves)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
COVINGTON Louisiana, Married Couples Retreat, March 16-17, at St. Joseph Abbey Christian Life Retreat Center. Come away for rest and spiritual strength and nourishment. Suggested donation: $275 per couple. Details: www.faithandmarriage.org or call (504) 830-3716.
CULLMAN, Ala., Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, John Donne and George Herbert: Poets of the Paschal Mystery, March 22-23. They were 17th century metaphysical poets and how exploration of their poetry will enhance the Lenten journey. Retreat Director: Sister Marian Davis, O.S.B., Ph.D. Cost: Private room $145; shared room $110 per person. This is a one-night retreat. An additional night of retreat is available for those who wish. Details: (256) 734-8302, retreats@shmon.org or www.shmon.org.
COLLIERVILLE Tenn, Men’s Morning of Spirituality, Saturday, March 23. Doors open at 7 a.m., program begins at 8 a.m. Catholic Church of the Incarnation, 360 Bray Station Road. There is no cost and is open to all men seeking a deeper relationship with Christ and a greater unity with other men seeking to grow their Catholic faith. Keynote speaker: Damon Owens, a gifted and sought-after speaker for national conferences, marriage seminars, seminaries, and youth groups on Theology of the Body, Theology of the Family and NFP. Details: www.castyournets.org/mmos.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY
BROOKHAVEN St. Francis, Lectio Divina, Fridays during Lent at 6:30 p.m. in the library. Presented by Shelley Harrigill. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
CLARKSDALE St. Elizabeth, No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk through Christ’s Passion, five-week study, Thursday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. in McKenna Hall, then meets after 5:30 Mass on the following Tuesdays. Join scholar Edward Sri as he sheds light on the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death and how it can draw you closer to Jesus. Study books will be available for $15 each. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Ladies Bible study resumes Wednesday, March 20, at 6 p.m. discussing Chapter 17 “Can God Really Change me or is that just wishful thinking?” Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Knights of Columbus Lenten dinners, Fridays, March 22 (fish fry); March 29 (shrimp etouffee) and April 5 (shrimp po’boy). Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
JACKSON St. Richard, Lectio Divina during Lent meets Tuesdays, March 12, 19, 26, April 2 and 9 from 10 -11:30 a.m. in the Mercy Room. Come experience a way to pray the Lenten Sunday scriptures during this season. Facilitators: Mary Louise Jones and Claudia Addison. You can come to any or all sessions. All are welcome. Details: Claudia at claudiaaddison@mac.com or the church office (601) 366-2335.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Save the Date, Cajun Fest, Sunday, May 5, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sponsors still welcome. Details: church office (601) 856-5556 or visit https://www.facebook.com/stfrancismadison/. Sponsors contact Mike and Mary Robinson, Cajun Fest Chairs at robinson557176@bellsouth.net.
Save the date, Miraculous Mission Vacation Bible School 2019: Blast off for Pre-K-4th graders is June 17-21. Details: Mary Catherine George at mc.george@stfrancismadison.org to volunteer or call the church office (601) 856-5556.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Ladies of the Natchez area retreat at Our Lady of the Oaks, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, December 5-8. A $25 deposit is needed for holding your room ASAP. Details: Kot Morris at (601) 334-8339.
Knights of Columbus fish fry, Fridays during Lent in the Family Life Center from 5-7 p.m. Catfish dinners $10; shrimp dinners $11 and combo dinners $12. For grilled catfish, please call 30 minutes ahead. A movie will be shown each Friday. Details: (601) 897-0295.
PEARL St. Jude, Life Walk on Saturday, April 13 at Flowood Nature Park. Registration is at 8 a.m. and walk begins at 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Proceeds from the walk will provide no cost pregnancy testing and ultrasounds. Details: Anja Baker at anja@cpcmetro.org if you would like to join the St. Jude team.
Save the Date, Vacation Bible School, “Surf’s Up – Chill Out with the Beatitudes” on June 17-21, 9 a.m. – noon. Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
SHAW St. Francis of Assisi, Day of Reflection at Locus Benedictus, Greenwood, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The theme will be Stations of the Cross. Be sure to register before the workshop so they know how much food to prepare. Cost: $10. Details: church office (662) 754-5561.
YOUTH BRIEFS
JACKSON Sr. Thea Bowman School, Draw Down, Saturday, April 27, in the Multipurpose building. Grand prize: $5,000. Tickets are $100 and second chance insurance: $20. Details: school office (601) 352-5441.
MADISON St. Anthony School is now accepting applications for new students entering grades K4 – 6th. Details: visit www.stanthonyeagles.org or contact Michele Warnock at (601) 607-7054.
Youth brief
The Office of Faith Formation will once again offer a diocesan High School Confirmation Retreat. This year’s event is set for March 30-31, at Lake Forest Ranch in Macon. The cost is $50 per person, which covers food, the accommodations and event materials. Each attendee must be registered through a parish by Monday, March 11. Even teens who miss their parish retreat and would like to attend this must register through their parish to attend.
Famous Mississippian interviewed
Dorothy by St Anthony
JACKSON – Murphy Moorehead, a fourth-grader at Madison St. Anthony School interviews Dominican Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, of St. Dominic Health Foundation.Moorehead is researching Sister as a “famous Mississippian” for a school project. Students will report on and then portray their Mississippian during a living museum. Other famous people will include Sister Thea Bowman. (Photo by Bridget Moorehead)
Catholic Schools Week Service
Fun Sunday at St. Jude
PEARL – (I-r) Eaten Dowdle, Aubey and Ross Lee enjoyed an evening full of fun, kids activieties and food as part of a series called Faith and Fun Sundays at St. Jude parish on Sunday, Feb 3. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, Seven Last Words of Christ, March 22-23. The retreat will examine selected reflections by several prominent voices within the church, among them Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Bishop Robert Barron and Father James Martin. Presenter: Melvin Arrington, parishioner of Oxford St. John and a retired professor of Spanish. He is a student of the life and writings of Venerable Archbishop Sheen. Begins with dinner at 6:30 Friday and concludes mid-afternoon on Saturday. Donation: $100. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com for more information.
COVINGTON, Louisiana, Married Couples Retreat, March 16-17, at St. Joseph Abbey Christian Life Retreat Center. Come away for rest and spiritual strength and nourishment. Going on a Married Couples Retreat does not mean that something is failing but rather it is a falling into the graces of our Lord. Suggested donation: $275 per couple. Details: www.faithandmarriage.org or call (504) 830-3716.
CULLMAN, Alabama, Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, Flannery O’Connor: suffering and redemption in the life and literature of a great world writer, Tuesday, March 12. In the more than 50 years since her death from Lupus at the age of 39, Flannery O’Connor’s literary and spiritual legacies have continued to grow. The retreat will acquaint newcomers with a complete overview of her life and work. Presenter: David King, professor of English and Film Studies at Kennesaw State University. He has published and presented widely on Catholic artists and writers and enjoys sharing the richness of the Catholic aesthetic and intellectual tradition. Cost: $30, includes lunch. Details: (256) 734-8302, retreats@shmon.org or www.shmon.org.
METAIRIE, LA, the Southern Regional Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, “The Spirit of Truth: Signs Wonders and Miracles” on Friday-Sunday, March 29-31 beginning at 7 p.m. and concluding with 11 a.m. Mass. It will be held at the Copeland Tower Suites and Conference. All priests, religious brothers and sisters, deacons and their families are invited to attend at no charge, but pre-registration is requested. Details: (504) 828-1368 OR info@ccrno.org or www.ccrno.org.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen, Book Discussion Group will read The Rent Collector by Cameron Wright Monday, March 11, at noon in the parish hall. Everyone is invited to read the book and plan to join the discussion. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
FLOWOOD St. Paul, Women’s Guild Lenten Day of Reflection, “Refreshing the Body, Mind and Soul” Saturday, March 23, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Deadline to register is March 18. No cost, suggested donation for Domestic Violence Shelter. Details: wgstpaul@gmail.com or Renee Gosselin (601) 966-5452; Linda Rainey (601) 212-9802; Cheryl Marsh (860) 823-7878 or Renee Carpenter (601) 214-9457.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Yoga Classes continue each Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The cost is $7 each class and is donated back to the parish. Details: Teresa Speer at (769) 233-1989.
GRENADA St. Peter, Lenten Retreat, Saturday, March 16, begins at 9 a.m. and ends with 6 p.m. Mass. Bishop Sam Jacobs, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux, will be the special speaker. Details: church office (662) 226-2490.
JACKSON St. Richard, Yoga classes focused on basics through foundation poses to promote flexibility, balance and a more relaxed body. This session will have a special focus on awareness of the core muscles. Classes continuing to meet Fridays from 9 – 10:15 a.m. in the Chichester Room on the following dates: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5. The cost is $8 per class. Proceeds go to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Richard. Checks can be made out to St. Vincent de Paul. Details: claudiaaddison@mac.com or (601) 594.3937.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday March 5, at 5:15 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Youth are needed to cook and serve. All monies raised will go to benefit their youth group activities. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
MERIDIAN Catholic Community of St. Joseph and St. Patrick, Mardi Gras Party hosted by Knights of Peter Claver and Servants of Mary, Saturday, March 2, 6-10 p.m. Adults only please. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Adult Sunday School is currently studying Robert Barron’s series The Mass. Details: Karen Verucchi at (601) 870-5388.
PEARL St. Jude, Women’s Retreat, Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Retreat Directors: Fran Lavelle, diocesan director of Faith Formation, and Father Lincoln Dall. Morning prayer, adoration, and the sacrament of reconciliation will be a part of the day. Forgiveness, reconciliation, and learning from the saints will be our themes. All women are invited. Details: Call the parish office to register in advance: (601) 939-3181.
SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Mark’s Gospel live, Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. A first century story of love and healing. Solo performance by Father Joseph Morris. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
TUPELO St. James, North Mississippi Journey of Hope with special guest Father Burke Masters. Meet and greet Thursday, April 25, luncheon, Friday, April 26, 12–1 p.m. Father Masters is a former Mississippi State baseball player and current chaplain of the Chicago Cubs. This free luncheon will showcase the great work that Catholic Charities does in Mississippi. Meet and greet is $25, luncheon is free, but reservations are required. Details: To be a table captain for the event, go to https://catholiccharitiesjackson.org/joh/ or (601) 326-3714 or (601) 326-3758.
YAZOO CITY St. Mary, course on the Book of Revelation, Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. in the Parish Office. Please remember to bring your Bible to class. Details: (662) 746-1680.
YOUTH BRIEFS
JACKSON St. Richard, The St Richard Special Kids Parish Ministry will be hosting a Spring Art Show on Saturday, April 6, from 5-7 p.m. in Foley Hall. Pieces from the “Through Their Eyes” photography collection, a new series of saint icons, candles, as well as ceramic pieces will be available for purchase. Details: church office (601) 366-2335.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Movie night, Friday, March 1. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie “I Can Only Imagine” starts at 6:45 p.m. Bring your favorite tailgating chair. Pizza, popcorn and nachos will be provided. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
By Maureen Smith
GREENWOOD – The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity are celebrating 150 years as a religious community. The community is based out of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, but different sisters have served in Greenwood at St. Francis of Assisi Parish and School for 21 years.
Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity collaborate with the Franciscan Friars of the Assumption of the BVM Province serving as teachers at St. Francis of Assisi School, as well as catechists, spiritual advisor to Secular Franciscans, organist, choir director, visitor to the elderly, and in other supportive parish leadership roles.
On Sunday, Jan. 27, the sisters currently serving in Mississippi – Sister Judith Norwick, Sister Annette Kurey, Sister Kathleen Murphy and Sister Maria Goretti Scandaliato – helped their students serve at Mass to kick off Catholic Schools Week. At the end of Mass, Father Camillus Janas invited the congregation to bless the sisters in prayer. Then they invited the congregation to the convent for an open house.
People were able to pray a house blessing in the sisters’ chapel as well as add a prayer intention to their prayer book. The sisters had historical photos on display of the mother house as well as photo books from the order’s service in Greenwood. Many attendees found themselves and their children in the photos. The parish has been publishing articles about their service in the community in the bulletin.
VICKSBURG – Father Rusty Vincent greets from right to left, (with baby) Sarah Franco Pinson, Velma Robichaux, Mary Myers Franco Mitts, and Denise Franco during a reception to welcome Father Vincent to St. Paul Parish Sunday, Feb 3. (Photo by Connie Hosemann)
