VICKSBURG –At left, Father Tom Lalor extends a blessing to the children of his parish, St. Paul, on Sunday, August 5, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Many of these children attend Vicksburg Catholic School, which started classes Tuesday, August 7. (Photo by Allyson Johnston)
PEARL – At right, Father Lincoln Dall snaps a photo of backpacks waiting to be blessed at St. Jude Parish while the director of religious education, Stacy Wolf, begins the blessing service. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
By Maureen Smith
MADISON – On Saturday, July 28, more than two dozen youth minister representing four deaneries and 10 parishes gathered at Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish for a day-long event. The theme was “Reflect, Renew, Recharge” as an effort to offer support, encouragement, time for personal reflection, prayer and to share best practices.
The agenda included Youth Culture/GenZ, study from St. Mary’s Press called “Going Going Gone,” the Pre-Synodal Document on “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment,” Creating a Vision in Ministry, Spirituality of a Youth Leader and best practices for youth ministry. The presentation involved prayer, discussion, activities, multimedia, and resources for youth ministers to take home to their parishes. Abbey Schuhmann, coordinator for youth ministry for the diocese, coordinated the day, compiled the materials and lead the workshop.
“We’ve added new diocesan events for youth over the past couple of years and I knew we needed to include something to offer support specifically for youth ministers which is what sparked the birth of this event. It was purposely planned for this time of year to “recharge” youth ministers before the start of a new ministry year which often coincides with the start of a new school year,” said Schuhmann.
By Sister Maria Elena Mendez. MGSPS
CARTHAGE – The St. Anne Parish community celebrated their patroness on Sunday, July. 29. The women of the parish led a procession with the statue of St. Anne around the Church’s property followed by a bilingual Mass at 10:30. Father Odel Medina, ST, was the celebrant. After the Mass everyone was invited to a celebratory meal. Representatives from many cultures were on hand to celebrate their “grandmother,” as they call St. Anne since she was Mary’s mother.
Her actual feast day is July 26. Legend holds that Anne and her husband Joachim thought they were barren so Anne prayed for a child. When she found out she was pregnant with Mary, she promised to concecrate the child to God and took Mary to the temple at the age of three to fulfill that promise. The parishioners in Carthage have celebrated this feast with a procession for several years.
St. Anne is the patron of women in labor and miners.
(Sister Maria Elena Mendez is a coordinator for Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Jackson.)
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CULLMAN, Ala., Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center, “Celebrating Women,” September 28-30. This weekend for women will be framed with the Navajo story of Spider Woman, who wove the way in the richness of form and color of our present world. Women will be invited to explore ways they can celebrate beauty and create it in their own lives. Retreat Director: Sister Mary McGehee, O.S.B. and the Celebrating Women Team. Cost: $245; shared room $205 per person. Details: (256) 734-8302, retreats@shmon.org or www.shmon.org.
BROOKSVILLE The Dwelling Place, Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, September 7-9. A beautiful opportunity for any person who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of abortion. The weekend is an opportunity to surface and release repressed feelings of anger, shame, guilt and grief. Donation: $180. Scholarships available upon request. Details: (662) 738-5348 or maria_vineyard@yahoo.com or dwellpl@gmail.com.
Olive Branch Senior Center, 8800 College Street, Alzheimer’s And Dementia Support Group, Thursday, August 16 from 1- 2 p.m. Details: Pat Youd at (662) 892-8102.
PARISH, SCHOOL AND FAMILY EVENTS
CLARKSDALE Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth, Parish Fair, Tuesday, September 18. Help-wanted sheets will be located at all church doors. Details: church office (662) 624-4301.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories, Parish indoor picnic, Sunday, August 26, following 10 a.m. Mass. Food will be provided by the church and games in the parish center. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
COLUMBUS Annunciation, social and overview of the RCIA process, Tuesday, September 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Activities Center. All are welcome. Details: Maria Dunser at dunserfarm@att.net or call the church office (662) 328-2927.
GLUCKSTADT St. Joseph, Save-the-Date: The 32nd annual GermanFest is Sunday, September 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The family-oriented festival is best known for its delicious German food and authentic German Folk music provided by the band, Polkameisters from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cost: Advance meal tickets are $6 and are available from parishioners. Meals the day of the festival will be $7. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
GRENADA St. Peter, Knights of Columbus are selling tickets for the football raffle for the upcoming season. Tickets will be on sale until September 1. Take time to support your local Knights of Columbus! Details: church office (662) 226-2490.
HERNANDO Holy Spirit, Annual Ladies Association Appreciation Dinner, Saturday, August 25, 7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. This year’s theme is: “Color Me Purple”. Wear your purple clothes, hat, shoes and purse. Prizes will be given for best outfit, best purse and best accessories. RSVP by August 13. Details: church office (662) 429-7851 or email holyspirit.la.hernando@gmail.com
Save the date, Church Bazaar, Saturday, September 22 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Details: Barbara Smith at (662) 233-4833 (home) or (901) 413-8102 (cell).
MADISON St. Francis of Assisi, “A Taste of St. Francis” annual multicultural event, Sunday, September 30, in the Family Life Center following 10:30 Mass. Details: call the church office (601) 856-5556 or Amy Hornback (601) 953-4182 for more information about how you can volunteer and cook/bring a dish.
NATCHEZ St. Mary Basilica, Appreciation and gratitude meal Wednesday, August 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center to all parishioners and sponsors who donated to help their youth attend Catholic Heart Work Camp in June. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
OLIVE BRANCH Queen of Peace, Women’s Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 16. Sister Rose Hacker, SSSF, will present a talk on Human Trafficking. The group will also be making sandwiches for the needy of New Hope Village in Holly Springs and which is an ongoing project. Details: church office (662) 895-5007.
TUPELO St. James, Study Theology in English or Spanish. Are you inspired by Pope Francis’s commitment to the “freshness and fragrance of the Gospel”? Do you want to better answer the call to holiness in everyday life and bring disciplined study to your Catholic faith? Consider pursuing studies in theology and spirituality in English or Spanish. Loyola University in New Orleans offers Master’s level and Certificate classes at Saint James. Orientation is Sunday, August 19; classes start in September. Details: go to https://cnh.loyno.edu/lim/tupelo or call the local class facilitators: Mrs. Gail Boland, (662) 889-8771 or Dr. Len Pinkley, (662) 640-2221.
YOUTH BRIEFS
MADISON St. Joseph School, Spirit Steppers are sponsoring a “Spirit Stepper for a Day” Dance Clinic on Saturday, August 18 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the school gym. “Mini Steppers” will perform during the St. Joe vs. St. Andrew football game on Friday, September 7. K-6th grade are eligible to participate, and the cost is $50. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.
Hna. María Elena Méndez, MGSPS
En el curso se inscribieron 74 personas de las parroquias de St Jude, Pearl; San Pedro y Santa Teresa, Jackson; Sagrado Corazón, Canton; Santa Ana, Carthage; San Miguel, Forest; San Martín de Porres, Morton y San Martín de Tours, Hazlehurst. El programa consistió en cinco clases del Nuevo Testamento: los Evangelios sinópticos, evangelio de Juan y sus cartas, los hechos de los apóstoles y las cartas apostólicas, cartas paulinas y apocalipsis.
JACKSON – La miembros de la cumunidad el San Pedro, reciben su certificado de participación. Arededor de 26 personas tomaron el curso del Neevo Testamento. Foto de la Hna. Josefa Garcia, MGSPS, asesora espiritual del MFCC)
En su mayoría, todos los estudiantes estuvieron muy participativos e interesados en conocer más sobre la Biblia. El Instituto de Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI) estuvo a cargo de los maestros quienes también vinieron con mucho gusto.
CANTON – Después de entregar las certificados en la Parroquia del Sagrado corazón, Blanca Peralta, cordinadora de la comunidad hispana, invita a la comunidad a participar en el siguiente curso. (Fotos por Eduardo Zúniga)
Una vez terminado el curso, el equipo de ministerio hispano: Hno Ted Dausch, CFC y las Hnas. María Josefa Garcia y María Elena Méndez MGSpS, nos propusimos ir a dar el certificado de asistencia (firmado por nuestro obispo Joseph Kopacz) a las parroquias a la que pertenecen los estudiantes, esto también con la finalidad de agradecer su comunidad, a los sacerdotes y a los ministros eclesiales laicos por su apoyo a estos estudiantes, a la vez, también para promover a otras personas para participar en los próximos cursos tanto en el área de Jackson como de Túpelo y a la gente de las parroquias vecinas.
Felicitamos a cada uno, cada una que ha terminado estos cursos y los animamos a seguir con los siguientes y a que pongan en servicio de su comunidad lo que van aprendiendo. Los esperamos en las clases siguientes.
By Maureen Irby
GLOSTER – On Saturday, June 23, parishioners and friends at Holy Family Parish gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of Agnes McCraine. She was presented a beautiful bouquet of red roses from her church family. Bill Vallely led the group in singing Happy Birthday. June Vallely baked a delicious cake and a pot luck supper was enjoyed by the many who attended.
Later that week, she celebrated with her family in Centreville. She received 352 birthday cards, including a greeting from Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and a gift from her favorite team, the Atlanta Braves
McCraine was the recipient of the Bishop Chanche award for service to the church in 2016 and she attended the ceremony in Jackson.
(Maureen Irby is the parish secretary for Gloster Holy Family Parish)
Father Malcolm O’Leary sprinkles Holy Water onto the quarter boats during the Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District Blessing of The Fleet Tuesday. (Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)
VICKSBURG – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg Districted hosted the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony Tuesday, July 10, at the Vicksburg Harbor. Father Malcolm O’Leary and the Rev. Joe Mosley performed the ceremony on the fleet that consists of tow boats, quarter boats and dredge, including the motor vessels Benyaurd, William James and Harrison.
The blessing of the fleet tradition dates back to medieval times and originally started in early European fishing communities. A blessing bestowed by a local priest was meant to ask for an abundant and safe season. (reprinted with permission from the Vicksburg Post. Photo by Courtland Wells, the Vicksburg Post)
Whole issue of Spring Sacrament 2018
GREENVILLE – (l-r) Hunter Ford, Lela Hallman, Olivia Nevels, Julia Hooker and Emerson Lipscomb explore the “Marvelous Mystery” of the Mass during Saint Joseph Parish’s Vacation Bible School- June 11-14. (Photo by Rayetta Serio)
JACKSON – St. Richard Parish Vacation Bible School during the first week of June. Teen volunteers joined adult organizers for the week. (Photo by Shannon Garner)
PEARL – The children of St. Jude Parish went “around the world in five days” for their Vacation Bible School June 11-15. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
Top left, Father Aaron Williams waits to be called by name at his ordination Mass. At right, Father Williams with his neices, Hadley and Eva Williams. At bottom left, Father Williams celebrates his first Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. (Photos by Maureen Smith and Tereza Ma)
Background:
Father Aaron Williams is a Jackson native who knew from his earliest memories that he wanted to be a priest. Chancellor Mary Woodward, who watched Father Williams grow up, allowed him to serve at a very young age. His family jokes that this was a way to make him sit still during Mass. He has one older brother, Matthew, and sister-in-law Marie, who have two girls, Ava and Hadley.
In addition to loving the liturgy, Father Williams is a life-long learner. “I attended St. Therese Catholic School for a few years and finished at St. Richard Catholic School. I did middle and high school at St. Joseph in Madison. After graduating from high school, I entered St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana, where I earned a B.A. in Philosophy. From there I entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where I earned an Masters in Divinity. I will complete the course requirements this summer to also earn a M.A. in Liturgical Studies from the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, Illinois,” he said.
Father Williams will share his love of learning with the students at Greenville St. Joseph School, where he will teach fifth and sixth grade this fall as well as serving as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish.
Father Williams’ mother, Julia is a long-time employee of the diocese, having worked at Madison St. Joseph School, the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle and now as the Human Resources coordinator for the Diocese of Jackson.
Home parish: The Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle
Favorite Saints and why?
Saint Philip Neri. He is a model of priestly zeal and joy. He was known both for his deep devotion to the Lord, but also the levity by which he handled himself. He was fiercely devoted to his friends, and sought to grow in love with the Lord by forming communities of other devoted persons around him who could work together in fraternity to spread the gospel message and offer fitting worship to God.
Do you have a favorite devotion, religious image or prayer and why?
I have a great love for the Divine Office. There are certain texts which pop up each year that I look forward to hearing again and again. My favorite prayer is the Suscipe of Saint Ignatius of Loyola — it entrusts the whole will to the Lord, confident that He will take care of us, and requests His grace as our only benefit.
Who vested you at ordination and why?
Father Jeffrey Waldrep. He was my pastor when I entered seminary and provided me great help and encouragement in making that step.
Do you have any hobbies?
I am an organist and composer. I also enjoy reading theology and research, though I occasionally read or listen to a fictional book. Apart from that, I am a cyclist when time permits it and enjoy going out to see new movies.
In what parishes have you served?
St. Francis in Brookhaven, St. Mary’s in Yazoo and All Saints in Belzoni, St. Jude in Pearl, and St. Patrick and St. Joseph in Meridian.
Can you tell me a little about your vocation story ?
I’ve always wanted to be a priest. I began serving at the Cathedral when I was very young and began to love the Mass. This love was encouraged by my parents, pastors, members of the Cathedral, and my school teachers. Eventually I applied to the seminary in my senior year of high school.
Can you share something about yourself people may not know?
My first year at Notre Dame Seminary I published a volume containing English adaptations of the Gregorian Chants used for Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Sundays and Feasts during the academic year. It is the only book of it’s kind currently in existence. I have received multiple requests from religious communities and houses to finish the text to include the full liturgical year, but I have been unable to make time to respond to these requests.
What advice do you have for those discerning a vocation?
My generation has a tendency to see discernment (or all life decisions) as a sort of all-or-nothing consideration—one choice necessitates the closing of all other pathways. But, a true discernment is not a negative choice. We choose a certain path out of love for that life, and ultimately out of love for the Lord. Certainly there will be difficulties along the way, but love is powerful enough to drive us on despite the apparent sacrifices which will need to be made. But, we need not immediately consider all those sacrifices—they will come in time. Discernment in the present moment means to follow the movements of the heart, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. He will guide us into all truth, and we have no need to fear following Him wherever He leads.
Is there one part of priesthood in particular you are looking forward to?
I am looking forward to celebrating the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and hearing confessions.
What are you looking forward to about your first parish assignment?
I have a great love of teaching and sharing the faith. My assignment in Greenville will have me directly teaching in the elementary school and continually present in the high school.
