Category Archives: Parish News

Knights fight cool weather with chili

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PEARL – St. Jude parishioners gathered on Saturday, November 1 to pit their chili-cooking skills against one another for a family-oriented competition organized by the Knights of Columbus. The winners are: Third place Melissa O’Brien, team Women of Faith; second place Victoria and April McDonald and Matthew Meadows, 1st place. Shannon Roe Torregano team Roe-Tel it on the Mountain. Pastor Father Lincoln Dall selected Dan and Danny Nelson’s chili for the “father’s choice award.”

The family of Dennise Riordan and Jamison Taylor sharing thoughts about the chili during the Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-off.

Parishioners Nina Couey and Sandra Walker examine the chili very well before they pick their winning choice.

Mr. Walker

Brodey and Farren Clark

Jose and JJ Arellano

Dori, Beth, Jo and Thomas Paczak participated in judging the chili.

Aniston Pitts

Rory Clark

All kids from St. Jude having good time to get together

Shannon Roe Torregano from team Roe-Tel it on the Mountain.

The winner Shannon Roe Torregano from team Roe-Tel it on the Mountain.

Shannon Roe Torregano

Shannon Roe Torregano

Second place Victoria McDonald, Matthew Meadows and April McDonald.

Third place Melissa Obrien team Women of faith.

The Nelson team

Danny Nelson with Nora and Father Lincoln

Line to pick the samples was pretty long

Father Lincoln Dall collects his chili samples from Pat McBride.

Father Lincoln with ladies from Philippines Riza Caskey, Myra Woodward and Ellen Bruno

Featured photo . . . Come, Lord Jesus – Advent retreat

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RAYMOND – Sister Michele Doyle, left, along with about 25 women sing “Come Lord Jesus” accompanied by Mary Robinson playing the guitar (right) during an Advent retreat at St. Moses the Black Priory on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Participants are part of the Martha and Mary Bible Book Club at Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish. The theme of the day was center on the prophets, “The Bible’s Human Bridges.” (Photo by Elsa Baughman)

Parish calendar

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, An Advent Overnight – the Good and Perfect Gift, December 7-8. Beginning Friday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m. until Saturday, December 8, at 4 p.m. GIve yourself or a friend the gift of a day to celebrate the Christ Child. Spiritual Director: Clare Van Lent, MA CSp., Director. Donation: $100. Details: (662) 738-5348 or email dwellpl@gmail.com for more information.
CHATAWA St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center, A Lenten Day of Reflection, God’s Love and Mercy. Saturday, February 17, 2019, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Presenter: Sister Dorez Mehrtens, SSND. Cost: Suggested donation: $40, includes lunch. Details: Sister Sue Von Bank (601) 783-0801 retreatcenter@ssndcp.org

PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
AMORY St. Helen, Grandparents’ Day Mass and Children’s Play, Sunday, December 16 at 11 a.m. Details: church office (662) 256-8392.
JACKSON Advent Lessons and Carols service at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Tuesday, December 4, at 6:30 pm. A reception will follow in the Parish Center. Details: (601) 969-3125.
Candlelight Remembrance Celebration sponsored by the St. Richard Bereavement Support Group, Thursday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Foley Hall. There will be a discussion of various ways to honor our deceased loved ones followed by a brief candle-lit prayer service. A social time of wine and refreshments follows the service. Please RSVP so we will know how many to plan for. Details: Linda Lalor (601) 853-8840, Suzie Cranston (601) 982-5464 or Nancy McGhee (601) 942-2078, or email ncmcghee@bellsouth.net.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, “The Catholic Stuff You Should Know” adult education class will be showing “The Wild Goose,” Sunday mornings at 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. in the Family Life Center lounge. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.

NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Alcorn State University Christmas Concert presented by the Natchez Festival of Music, Sunday December 2, at 7 p.m. Open to the public and no cost to attend. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
SOUTHAVEN Christ the King, Advent/Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 2, at 4 p.m. followed by dinner. Details: church office (662) 342-1073

YOUTH BRIEFS
COLUMBUS Annunciation School, Christmas Extravaganza, Thursday, December 13, 6:30 p.m. at Mississippi University for Women Rent Auditorium. Details: school office (662) 328-4479.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph School, Band Concert, Tuesday, December 11, at 6 p.m. Details: school office (662) 378-9711.
Our Lady of Lourdes School, Christmas Program “Special Delivery,” Tuesday, December 18, matinee and evening performances. Details: school office (662) 334-3287.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, “How the Grinch Gave Christmas Back” Young People’s Christmas program, Sunday, December 9, at 6 p.m. Details: Barbara Smith at (662) 233-4833 or (901) 413-8102.
JACKSON St. Richard School, Save the Date, Krewe de Cardinal, Friday, March 1, 2019, at The Railroad District, Jackson. Creole Cuisine, Live Music and Premium Auction. Details: school office (601) 366-1157, Wendi Shearer wshearer@strichardschool.org or www.strichardschool.org.
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, Boys’ Church Basketball Winter league for 7/8 grade, 9/10 grade and 11/12 grade teams. Registration and money due by November 28. Details: amy.lipovetsky@stfrancismadison.org or (601) 856-5556.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Pancake Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 8 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the O’Connor Family Life Center, 613 Main Street. Cost: $10 per person. Details: Carrie Lambert at stmaryyouth@cableone.net or (601) 445-5616.

SAVE THE DATE
“A Guide for Grievers” Through a partnership between Catholic Charities’ Parish Health Care Ministry and the Catholic Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Family Ministry, Bob Willis; artist, author, sculptor and grief specialist from Oklahoma City will present half-day workshops and discussions on grief, and how to adapt to loss. Workshops will be offered at the following locations/times: Hernando Holy Spirit, Wednesday, November 28, 9:30-1:30 p.m.; Indianola Immaculate Conception, November 28, 5:30-9 p.m.; Starkville St. Joseph, Thursday, November 29, 12:30 – 5 p.m.; Gluckstadt St. Joseph, Friday, November 30, 12 – 4 p.m. Details: Sister Pat Clemen, Coordinator of Parish Health Ministry at (601) 213-6378, or sisterpat.clemen@ccjackson.org or Charlene Bearden, Coordinator of Family Ministry at 601-960-8487, or charlene.bearden@jacksondiocese.org. Ministry at 601-960-8487.
VICKSBURG Prayer Ministry, The Mercy Associates are a group of lay men and women who work with the Sisters of Mercy to further the charism of mercy in our parishes and community. The group of 20 women is committed to pray for each intention several times each day for seven days. All prayer requests are held in complete confidentiality. Details: Karen Harrison at (601) 397-7879 to submit a prayer request.

Todos los Santos y Fieles Difuntos

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Por Berta Del Carmen Mexidor
CORINTH y JACKSON – El día de Todos los Santos fue celebrado en Corinth con una misa oficiada por el padre Mario Solórzano el día primero de noviembre. Al día siguiente, el 2 de noviembre en la parroquia de St. Therese en Jackson, el grupo de jóvenes de la parroquia celebró el día de los Fieles Difuntos con un altar. Monseñor Elvin Sunds y las Hermanas Guadalupanas del Espíritu Santo, María Elena Méndez y María Josefa García, los acompañaron en la víspera, día de todos los Santos.
La vida eterna es la recompensa por el bien hecho en la vida. La muerte es un acto que acerca a la verdad de la fe.
La Iglesia Católica celebra primero a todos los que murieron, después de dedicar su vida al servicio de los demás- la comunidad amplia y que aún después de muertos continúan su trabajo de asistencia desde el altar de Todos los Santos. A ellos la muerte los coronó con el título más alto: SANTO.

JACKSON – (i-d) Los jóvenes Guillermo S. Montoya y Ramiro Ginez contemplando el altar y el joven Joel Andrés Montoya explicándole a la niña Jaslene Castillo. (Foto por Rosalinda Montoya)

Después de ellos viene la celebración de los que murieron en la fe de la resurrección, siguiendo el ejemplo de los santos y con la esperanza de un día encontrarse con su Creador. Los fieles difuntos se recuerdan en cada familia y grupo de amigos, esa pequeña comunidad en la que vivieron, sirvieron y dejaron un legado, válido para recordar en cada uno de los corazones de los que los conocieron, y digno para contar a las generaciones nuevas que no tuvieron el placer de su compañía.
Luis Rosales, miembro de la comunidad, y el grupo de catequistas de St. James de Less en Corinth tratan de enseñar cada año a los niños de la parroquia sobre la vida de los Santos y a la vez mantener la tradición de recordar la vida de estos de una forma especial. En la celebración participaron los niños de la catequesis, quienes representaron a varios santos.

CORINTH – Los niños Mili Rosales, Carlos Acaña, Yuridia Luna, Mia Francisco, Ariel Mejía, Judith Mejía, Leonardo, Francisco del Ángel y Kimberly Santamaría acompañan al padre Solórzano. (Foto por Luis Rosales )

Cada católico tiene uno o más santos afines, alguien al que tratan de imitar o que sirve de amparo y mediador ante Dios en momentos de duda y turbulencia de la vida. Este año cada niño escogió un santo en particular y se vistió acorde a él o ella. Santos como San José, Santa Rita, Santa Mónica, San Francisco de Asís fueron algunos de los representados. No faltaron además la personificación de la Santísima Virgen María, un sacerdote y un ángel. “Parte de nuestra cultura es celebrar el día de los santos” dice Rosales. En la celebración de este año contribuyeron además los catequistas María Cano, María Del Ángel, Devani Ocaña, Magali Heredia, Suemi Rodríguez, Teresita Peña, Yolanda Salinas, Tomas Lara, Saily Salinas, Mariana García y Roberto Santamaria
Joel Montoya de la parroquia de St. Therese in Jackson cuenta que es originario de Tampico, Tamaulipas y quiere que los jóvenes conozcan esta tradición popular. En la presentación del altar participaron los integrantes del grupo de jóvenes de la parroquia de Santa Teresa: Diana Vox, Viviana Martínez, Guillermo Montoya, Juan Sebastián, Juan Diego Chacón y Yovanis Duarte.
En el altar se mostraron algunas fotos de seres queridos de familias hispanas y estadounidenses. Se adornó con las típicas flores de muerto, Zempaspuchitl or Cempaspuchitl (Marigold) y el típico pan de muerto, que ahora se puede comprar en una tienda mexicana. Se adornó además con calaveras de papel representando a cada difunto. La tradición mexicana prepara calaveras de azúcar que los niños comen al final de la celebración, porque al final, la muerte es dulce porque acerca a Dios.

Project CHEW offers colorful food lesson

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COLUMBUS – Annunciation prek through second grade students were honored to have the ladies from Project CHEW with the MUW (Mississippi University for Women) Culinary Arts Institute join them on Thursday, October 18. Chef Mary Helen Hawkins and Registered Dietitian, Amanda Dahl, along with student Chef Nicole and student Chef Nolan demonstrated how to “Eat the Rainbow” to get all the nutrients they need to grow. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)

St. Anthony recognized by Arts commission

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MADISON – The Mississippi Arts Commission recently recognized two schools in the state as models of exemplary practice in arts integration. One of them was St. Anthony, which has had a longstanding participation in MAC’s Whole Schools Initiative.
“St. Anthony Catholic School is extremely honored to be recognized as a model of exemplary practice in arts integration,” said Megan Leake, St. Anthony Whole Schools Initiative project director. “We take pride in teaching the whole child through the integration of the four arts disciplines. St. Anthony knows the value of allowing all types of learners to demonstrate mastery of a skill in a variety of ways. It is intrinsically who we are and what we stand for.”

MADISON – Nicholas Horne and Cy Nobleza worked with visiting artist Laurie Hamilton-Smith to learn about coloring blocking and murals. The art they created will be auctioned at the school’s Starry Night Gala. (Photo by Mary Venable.

The awards presented signify each school’s deep commitment to exemplary arts-integrated teaching, creating a campus-wide culture of arts learning and supporting innovative, educational excellence through the arts.
“Based on decades of research, we know the arts are highly effective as an educational tool, but when you walk into schools like Nora Davis Magnet School and St. Anthony Catholic School, the power of the arts is at every turn,” said Malcolm White, executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. “The children are excited to learn in and through the arts and the value of arts integrated education is evident.”
The Whole Schools Initiative is Mississippi’s first comprehensive statewide arts education program, which uses the arts as a vehicle for promoting high-quality instruction and learning for students in all disciplines. Whole Schools Initiative evaluation results have shown increased standardized test scores, increased community involvement and support, increased parental involvement and improved overall teacher morale. Jackson St. Richard also participates in the program.

Vicksburg Catholic School breaks ground on Early Learning Center

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By Mary Margaret Halford
VICKSBURG – For years, there’s been chatter among people involved with Vicksburg Catholic School (VCS) about adding another piece to the school — an early learning center. It was brought up at Advisory Council meetings; it was discussed by leaders; it just never quite materialized.
But while sitting in his office one day last year, Principal Buddy Strickland got a phone call “out of the blue” from Sam Scott, a graduate of VCS.
“He told me there was a lot for sale adjacent to the school,” Dr. Strickland said. “He said ‘I don’t want to buy the lot for the school and just have it sit there. But if you have a need for it, if you can use it, I’d love to purchase it and donate it to the school.’”
Fast forward about a year to October 2018, and Strickland found himself standing on that very lot surrounded by officials from the City of Vicksburg and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as supporters of VCS.
“From a single phone call, we now find ourselves breaking ground for the construction of our early learning center,” Strickland said.
Lori Tzotzolas, who was tapped to be the Director of the Early Learning Center, is a lifelong resident of Vicksburg who understands the need for such a place in the community.
“I’m so very excited that VCS had the vision and insight to expand our early learning education opportunities and continue our legacy in Catholic education in this community,” Tzotzolas said. “I’m honored and blessed that they trusted in me. I look forward to continuing the legacy and seeing all this come to fruition.”

Father Curley

Students Madalyn Burke and Zoey Nichols help (l-r) Pablo Diaz, of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Deveopment Parternerhip and school respresentatives Riley Nelson, Kristi Smith, Maggie McGahey, Lori Tzotzolas, who will direct the center, and Ken Cook turn the earth.

Pablo Diaz, president and CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership said that the center is coming at a pivotal time for Vicksburg.
“This answers the call for better quality of life to attract more jobs and investment in Warren County,” Diaz said. “From 0 to 5, every small child deserves the best education they can have, and this adds to our ability to demonstrate that we can provide that.”
Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs also attended the groundbreaking ceremony, and he, too, noted how important the center will be for the community as a whole.
“This is the kind of vision we’ve always hoped for in this city,” Flaggs said. “It’s what makes this city move forward, and what better way than to start with the youngest generation?”
Flaggs also announced a financial commitment on behalf of the city.
“We owe you a debt of gratitude for this,” he said. “Partnership and collaboration are what speaks volumes about this community.”
But that sense of partnership is nothing new to the VCS and Vicksburg community, as Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education Catherine Cook pointed out at the groundbreaking.
“I don’t need to tell you the rich history you have, you know that already. We are honored to be part of the rich history of Vicksburg,” Cook told the crowd gathered at the groundbreaking. “We’re about to celebrate 158 years here. Today we stand on the shoulders of all those who came before us — priests, sisters and brothers that paved the way.”
Cook added that the center will make VCS the only Catholic school in the state that educates and cares for children from infancy through high-school graduation all in one unified school.
“Not only is VCS still going strong, it’s expanding into the 21st century,” she said. “I’m sure if those early missionary priests, brothers and sisters were here today, they would say with great appreciation, ‘Well done, good and faithful servants.’”
The VCS Early Learning Center will serve those from six-weeks to three years old, and the administration is hoping to open in fall of 2019.

(Mary Margaret Halford is a member of Vicksburg St. Paul Parish.)