SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dominican Sister M. Kristin Rever died Dec. 27, 2023, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. She was born in 1942, in Assumption, Illinois, to John H. and Wanda M. [Nee: Simpson] Rever who gave her the name Kay Frances. She was baptized at Assumption BVM, Assumption, Illinois, and in 1962 made her profession of vows at Sacred Heart Convent.

Sister M. Kristin taught elementary school for 19 years at parochial schools in Chicago, Matteson, and Newton, Illinois, and in Duluth, Minnesota. After study, she began ministry as a respiratory therapist, serving in that capacity intermittently at St. Dominic Hospital, Jackson, Mississippi, for a total of 14 years and at St. Mary-Rogers Memorial Hospital, Rogers, Arkansas, for two. While in Jackson she also served in the development office for St. Catherine’s Village, and as pastoral visitor at St. Catherine’s Village, 2006-2019.
She remained deeply committed to the healing ministry of Jesus in all of her healthcare assignments. She frequently volunteered as pastoral visitor in parishes and worked in parish healthcare in Springfield.
Sister M. Kristin was preceded in death by her parents and her brother John. She is survived by her nephew Robert Rever and niece Rhonda Beck, both of Taylorville, Illinois, her nephew John Rever, Omaha, Nebraska, and many dear cousins.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister M. Kristin may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.

PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
ANGUILLA – Our Mother of Mercy, Celebrating 100 years of our Catholic faith, Saturday, Jan. 27. Mass at 10:30 a.m. with reception following. Please join us!
CLINTON – Holy Savior, Garage Sale, Saturday, Jan. 27 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Proceeds benefit youth program. Donation collection begins weekend of Jan. 21. Details: church office (601) 924-6344.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Mardi Gras Mambo, Friday, Feb. 9 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Annunciation Gymnasium. Adults only. Dinner and open bar included. To attend purchase a draw down ticket for $100 or $35 silent auction ticket at the door. Details: email psa.acseagles@gmail.com.
Annunciation School, Open House, Sunday, Jan. 28 from 1-3 p.m. Accepting students Pre-K3 through eighth grade. Learn more at www.annunciationcatholicschool.org.
DIOCESE – World Marriage Day, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter Jackson and Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. James Tupelo. This is a wonderful celebration of the sacrament of matrimony for those couples in the diocese celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th or greater anniversary. To register contact your parish office or go to www.jacksondiocese.org/family-ministry to register yourself. Details: Office of Family Ministry (601) 960-8487.
GREENWOOD – St. Francis, Mardi Gras Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 10, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Leflore County Civic Center (200 Hwy 7). Cost: $40 donation per adult. Event includes New Orleans style buffet served at 8 p.m.; entertainment by DJ Traxx; swing dance contest and more. Attire: mardi gras festive or semi-formal dress. Tickets available at the church office. Details: church office (662) 453-0623.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School, Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, Saturday, Feb. 3 from 6-8 p.m. Community-wide event for PreK-3 through sixth grade. St. Joe School cordially invites dads or special loved ones and their daughters to an evening of good food, music and company. Cost: $50 per couple ($10 per extra). Tickets may be purchased at the school. Details: school office (662) 378-9711.
HOLLY SPRINGS – Love Your #Selfie Weekend, Jan. 26-28 at Gregory House. Life is like a camera, just focus on what is important! For young women in grades 9-12. Enjoy fun, crafts, games, prizes, food and more. Details: Vickie at (662) 895-5007 or sign up in the commons area.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Mass of Thanksgiving for MLK, Jr. and Sister Thea Bowman, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at 3 p.m. Details: Office of Intercultural Ministry at (601) 949-6935.
St. Richard School, Krewe de Cardinal, Friday, Feb. 2 from 7-11 p.m. at The South Warehouse. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.
Theology on Tap, Dates for 2024: Feb. 7 with Bishop Kopacz; March 6 with Father Lincoln Dall; April 10 – Easter celebration. Meetings are on Wednesdays at Martin’s Restaurant Downtown Jackson. Details: Amelia Rizor at (601) 949-6931.
MADISON – St. Joseph School, Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues $10,000 Draw Down, Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Reunion Country Club. Sponsorships available. Details: www.stjoedrawdown.com.
St. Joseph School, Evening with Legendary MSU Baseball Coach Ron Polk, Saturday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at the St. Joseph Fine Arts Building. (Doors open at 5 p.m.) Cost: $30 per person and don’t miss the 50/50 cash raffle. All proceeds support the St. Joe Baseball team. Details: https://bit.ly/StJoePolkFundraiser or call (601) 317-8050 with questions.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary, Trivia Tuesday Night, on Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. Cost: $5 to play; $1 soft drinks; $5 potato bar. Prizes awarded. Event is BYOB. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
PEARL – St. Jude, Floral Design for Churches Workshop, Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $20 to cover cost of flowers and lunch. Details: RSVP at mary.woodward@jacksondiocese.org or call (601) 969-1880.
St. Jude, Knights of Columbus Super Bowl Spaghetti Dinner, Sunday, Feb. 4. Tickets $7 each. All dinners are to-go only. Spaghetti and sauce are imported from Italy! Details: church office (601) 939-3181.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Youth Activities Night, Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. in the parish hall. Event is for children from Kindergarten to fifth grade. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
Christ the King, Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner, Saturday, Jan. 20 in the parish hall after Mass. Please sign up in the gathering space. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Parish Mission, Sunday/Monday, Jan. 28-29 from 6:30-8 p.m. Featured speaker is Paul J. Kim. He utilizes his many talents (music, comedy, inspirational talks) to communicate the Gospel message of Christ to people in a way that is engaging, entertaining and life-changing. Free meals (5:30-6:30) and babysitting! Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
DIOCESE – Office of Catholic Education Monthly Virtual Rosary, Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. (Link opens at 6:30 p.m. for prayer intentions.) Visit https://jacksondiocese.org/events for Zoom link and details.
NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, Catholic speaker and founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters. Cost: $100 for the weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com.
PINE MOUNTAINS, GA – The Girls Garden Retreat, April 4-7, 2024 at Callaway Resort and Gardens. Retreat is for any woman who seeks goodness of God through beauty, rest, prayer and small community. Featured speaker is Laura Huval, a Grammy-nominated recording artist, Catholic speaker, author and more. Details: for registration, information and pricing visit www.girlsgardenretreats.com.
LOUISVILLE, KY – National Black Catholic Women’s Gathering, July 26-28, 2024. Join Black Catholic women to engage talents for becoming and forming missionary disciples. Sponsored by the National Black Sisters’ Conference. Details: nbsc@nbsc68.org.
GLOBAL ROSARY for World Peace, Friday, Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. CST. This digital prayer event will begin live from Rome. Details: visit www.HCFM.org/PrayForPeace for more information.
“9 DAYS FOR LIFE” – Respect Life Novena begins Tuesday, Jan. 16 and concludes Wednesday, Jan. 24. Join Catholics nationwide in pray for the protection of human life! Download the novena or get the daily prayers and reflections by email or text message at 9daysforlife.com.

SAVE THE DATE
VICKSBURG – DCYC (Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference), March 1-3 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. All youth in grades 9-12 are invited. Keynote speaker is Doug Tooke and Catholic worship leader, Steven Joubert. Check with your parish youth leader to register.

TRAVEL
“SPIRIT OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND” WITH FATHER O’CONNOR – Join Father David O’Connor on a trip to Ireland and Scotland, June 8-17. Itinerary includes: flight to Dublin, two nights in Belfast, ferry to Scotland, two nights in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh and return flight from Edinburg. Travel in a luxury coach from arrival time until departure, a professional driver/guide, 4-star hotels. Tour highlights include City of Belfast, Titanic, historic and architectural sites, wonderful landscapes and lakes of the Scottish highlands, Scottish food and entertainment. Cost: $4,955 (per person sharing) or $5,950 single. Only ten spots left! For more information/reservations contact Cara Group Travel at (617) 639-0273 or email bookings@caragrouptravel.com.
IRELAND AND SCOTLAND WITH FATHER AUGUSTINE – Join Father Augustine on a trip to Ireland and Scotland, Sept. 6-8. Trip includes stops in Galway, Our Lady of Knock, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Edinburgh and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Cost: $5,499 – all inclusive, including airfare. To register, contact Proximo Travel at (855) 842-8001 or visit www.proximotravel.com.

By Berta Mexidor
GREENVILLE – Bishop Joseph Kopacz presided over a momentous Mass for the parish of St. Joseph in Greenville on Sunday, Dec. 10, marking the end of a seven-month renovation period. The historic church, steeped in significance, opened its doors to eager parishioners who had patiently awaited this joyous occasion.

Prior to the blessing Mass, a multitude of parishioners gathered in anticipation, radiating joy as they reveled in the transformed ambiance of the sacred place. The church, which had been closed for months, now showcases a renewed vitality that captivated the attention of all who entered.

Parishioners and visitors alike marveled at the renovations, noting the enhanced brightness and vibrant colors that adored the church. One notable renovation was the Stations of the Cross. Conversations around the parish buzzed with admiration, as parishioners reminisced about the church’s previous state and expressed gratitude for the remarkable conclusion of the renovation.

As Bishop Kopacz delivered his blessing, spanning not only the people but every corner of the building, including the Stations of the Cross, culminating in the blessing of the altar.

During his homily, Bishop Kopacz drew parallels between the Gospel centered on the Holy Spirit, water symbolism and the themes of preparation and repentance. Quoting Isaiah, he urged the congregation to “prepare the way of the Lord in the Delta,” drawing a connection between the spiritual journey and the geographical context.

Commending the parishioners who contributed to the renovation, Bishop Kopacz emphasized the significance of their collective effort – including that of Salvador Sarullo, who bequeathed a large portion of his estate to the parish.

GREENVILLE – On left, the original hand-carved altar remains as a part of the renovations at St. Joseph parish. On right, Bishop Joseph Kopacz prepares to bless the walls of the parish on Sunday, Dec. 10 after a seven month renovation period for the parish. (Photos by Berta Mexidor)

“Today is very special … the hand of the Lord has blessed us, the generosity of Salvador Sarullo, and all of those … who made this possible,” said Bishop Kopacz.

Mary Lynn Powers, the parish historian, shared a brief history of St. Joseph parish with the parishioners gathered for the renovation blessing. The church, a dream of Canon Paul Korstenbrock, an architect-turned priest, was erected in 1908, designed in true Dutch Gothic style. The renovation retained antique features, including hand-carved altars, original windows depicting the lives of saints, and the more modern Stations of the Cross from 2008.

Powers noted the fortuitous contributions of the estates of Joe and Katherine Reilly, in addition to that of Sarullo, which she said truly helped save the church from deterioration.

As the Mass concluded, Father Jose de Jesus Sanchez, pastor of St. Joseph, expressed gratitude to Bishop Kopacz and the supportive community. Attendees were then invited to the community center, where the atmosphere buzzed with joy. Reflecting on the church’s 115-year journey, the community embraced the timeless legacy shaped by the Holy Spirit, Father Korstenbrock’s vision, parishioners’ generosity, contractors’ hard work, and the prayers of past, present and future generations in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.