Presentatión de la Bienaventurada Virgen María. Noviembre 21
Día de Acción de Gracias. Noviembre 28
San Andrés, Apóstol. Noviembre 30
Inmaculada Concepción. Diciembre 9
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Diciembre 12
RIPLEY – St. Matthew, visita del Consulado de México, sábado y domingo, 23 y 24 de noviembre. Detalles: stmatthewcatholicchurch@ripleycable.net.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Programa de Adviento 2024, 1 de diciembre de 2024 a las 4 p.m. seguido de la cena.
Christ the King, Desayuno y oración para hombres en Chick-fil-A Southaven (235 Goodman Rd W). Todos los miércoles a las 7 a.m. Únase a nosotros para una mañana de oración y compañerismo. Más información con Tom (901) 406-4063.
Christ the King, Vacunas Gratuitas Contra la Gripe después de las misas de 11 y 12:30 del domingo 17 de noviembre. Para reservar su vacuna, por favor registrese en el área de reunión este fin de semana.
TUPELO – St. James, Evento familiar de formación de la fe «Me Pregunto», domingo 15 de diciembre a las 10:15 a.m. en Shelton Hall. Detalles: Rhonda at rhondaswita13@gmail.com.
St. James, Taller Creciendo en el Diálogo Espiritual para Ministerios de Música, sábado 16 de noviembre a las 18:30. Cómo mejorar nuestra comunicación de acuerdo con nuestra fe. Detalles: confirma tu asistencia Olga (787) 379-3499.
St. James, Reunion de Parejas, Tema confianza y diálogo en la pareja, 14 de noviembre a las 6:30 p.m. en la Salón María.
By Joanna Puddister King CLEVELAND – In 1924, a tiny church building and three-room rectory were built on a lot in Cleveland near the railroad tracks. When it rained in the Delta, the tiny church was described as looking “like it is standing in the middle of a sea,” by accounts from Bishop R.O. Gerow in his diaries. Father Victor Rotondo, pastor in 1924, stated in accounts that the church had no electricity and had to use small birthday candles for light.
Today, Our Lady of Victories Church has grown immensely from its humble beginnings 100 years ago, moving to its final location on the west side of Cleveland in 1976 and with beautiful renovations that took place in 2020-2021.
Parishioners celebrated the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Victories on Sunday, Oct. 6 with a special Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Kent Bowlds, pastor. Families celebrating the milestone traveled from near and far to reminisce over past parish events and sharing memories of past pastors, including Msgr. Michael Flannery and Father Charles Bucciantini, both present at the celebration.
Bishop Kopacz delivered a homily at the 100th anniversary event commemorating Our Lady of Victories milestone, summing up the rich history of the parish:
“The image of the Lord embracing and blessing the child, and his words demanding conversion of mind and heart to grow in God’s image and likeness describe much of what has taken place at Our Lady of Victories for a century. To welcome, to bless, to forgive in the name of our Lord as his body is the work of the church.
“After reading the history of the parish from many perspectives from the binder that Father Kent sent to my office, possibly the first time that I have ever received such a corpus in anticipation of a milestone anniversary, I have a much deeper appreciation for the name of the parish – Our Lady of Victories. I enjoyed the narrative, page by page.
“The parish family has faithfully gathered for worship, education, fellowship and service over the past century and longer, and at key moments have rallied together to overcome setbacks, adversity and obstacles. Under the title and mantle of Our Lady of Victories, the parish remained steadfast in the face of flooding, earthquake and fire. Indeed, you have endured and have compiled numerous victories. …
“We see these realities in the lives of the faithful from the beginning of Our Lady of Victories: courage, mutual support, with hopes and dreams for the parish. This closeness and loving support for one another flow from the heart of God in Jesus Christ for as his body the church. The Lord’s absolute commitment to us, an eternal yes, inspires our commitments in marriage and family, and in the family of the church. …
“Father Rotundo who served for over 20 years was not overwhelmed, and he and the parishioners wasted no time in making the improvements through sweat labor and financial contributions. The courage to begin in that moment set the standard for many critical moments to follow over a century when the members rallied to begin again in successive generations with the second and third church structures, and the numerous accompanying facilities. …
“The Word of God today inspires us to appreciate that the courage, beauty and hope that marks Our Lady of Victories’ history in a spirit of closeness, compassion and loving support. These virtues are to be lived daily in the home, as the heart and soul of loving marriages and families. In smaller parish communities there is a closeness among the members, and when the Holy Spirit is driving the bus, families and parish communities flourish as a gift to one another. The parish community has heeded the Lord’s words to “let the children come to me” through the sacraments, baptism, reconciliation, confirmation eucharist, marriage, anointing of the sick, through catechetical formation, and through numerous parish activities. As we heard in the Gospel the Lord wants the church to be a family where God’s children, younger and older are welcomed, loved, and blessed, and set on the path to eternal life.
“We know that our generation is faced with many challenges in our call to faithfully follow the Lord. With 100 years under your belts, we pray for the courage to begin again at the beginning of this second century for the grace to remain close to the Lord, and with hope that fosters dreams and growth.
“Asking the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Victories, and all the saints let us continue to walk confidently in faith, because our Lord Jesus has given us the ultimate victory in his death and resurrection, he who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.”
MACON – St. Jude youth leaders Lauren and Jojo Roberts with youth participants in Midle School Retreat on Oct. 5/6. (Photo by Lauren Roberts)FOREST– St. Michael celebration in Gattis park on Oct. 6. Jeunn Guroin and Jerry Tambriz preparing piñata for youngsters. (Photo by Tereza Ma)MADISON – St. Joseph Catholic School students Keden Murry, left, Riley Bianchini and Pierce Johnston pack donated items in a box for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Jackson. St. Joe students, faculty, staff and families have spent the past few weeks collecting non-perishable food items, paper towels and other items for the Hope Lodge where cancer patients stay free of charge when receiving necessary medical treatment. St. Joseph and St. Richard Schools in Jackson combined this year to collect more than 3,000 items and more than $3,500 in cash to help Hope Lodge. (Photo by Terry Cassreino)JACKSON – Students line up at this year’s St. Richard School Cardinal Fest Dunking Booth for a chance to dunk their teachers! This is a favorite for all students! (Photos by Celeste Saucier)GREENVILLE – St. Joseph school celebrated a special Mass with Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Wednesday, Oct. 16 before a blessing of the new athletic facility made possible by a generous bequest from alumni, Salvador Sarullo. Pictured: Father Gabriel Savarimuthu, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Father Sleeva Reddy, Fletcher McGaugh, Tayshun Bonney and Victor Baker as altar servers. (Photos by Tereza Ma)GREENVILLE – Several young ladies in the St. Joseph choir got in some extra practice with Laura Jackson before a Mass with Bishop Kopacz on Wednesday, Oct. 16.PEARL – St. Jude youth celebrated Hispanic Heritage month on Sept. 18 with an afternoon full of creative activities and delicious food. Pictured: David Hall, Kathleen Edwards and Lauren Roberts help children choose items for their chosen project. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi Early Learning Center recently received a visit from the local Fire Department for a presentation on fire prevention. (Photo by Chelsea Scarbrough)
By Monsignor Michael Flannery Bishop Louis Kihneman, (Bishop of Biloxi), Bishop Kopacz, Terry Dickson, (editor of Gulf Pine Catholic), Juliana Skelton, (photographer), and I, have returned from our yearly visit to our mission, San Miguel, Saltillo. We flew into Monterrey on Tuesday, Sept. 24 and returned on Sept. 29. Father David Martinez, pastor of San Miguel was there to meet us with the parish van. We rode 75 miles to Saltillo. As always, Father David had a full schedule lined up for the bishops.
SALTILLO, MEXICO – Bishop Kopacz conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on many during his annual trip to the Saltillo mission in Sept. 2024. (Photos courtesy Terry Dickson/Diocese of Biloxi)
After getting settled in at our new surroundings we had Mass at San Miguel and a meal with the parish council. On Wednesday morning, bright and early, we were on the road, heading for the rancho of San Francisco, which is about 60 miles from Saltillo. Confirmations were scheduled for 9:30 a.m. We were met about a mile from the village, with a float, complete with streamers, tied to a tractor. We rode the tractor into the village. About 100 villagers were there to greet us, singing Alabare a mi Senor. (I will praise my Lord). From there the bishops journeyed on to another village, Nuevo Gomez where we had First Holy Communions. Again, the same performance with a procession greeting the bishops. On return to Saltillo, there was time to visit the burial site of Father Quinn, who was the founding pastor of our mission in Mexico.
Each day of our visit was taken up with visiting the mountain villages for Mass and Confirmations. After evening Mass at San Miguel, each evening, the bishops were introduced to different parish groups, ranging from Eucharistic ministers, choirs and catechists. Saturday morning was reserved to visit the churches served by San Miguel within the city. At each site there were parishioners there to meet the bishops.
On Saturday afternoon, we met with Bishop Hilario, Bishop of Saltillo. He expressed his gratitude to all the people of Mississippi who have supported the mission in the past and continue to do so. He expressed his intentions of creating a new parish in Derramadero where a good deal of the factories from the United States have built such as GM, BMW and Ford. Already, 8,000 people have settled in the area and the projected growth over the next 10 years is that there will be over 100,000 people there. That is a sizeable city.
At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, a procession began of the catechism children, from the churches in the outlying area, came dressed as angels. Each of the churches within the city under the direction of San Miguel were represented such as: St. Michael the Archangel, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Christ the King, St. William, St, Francis of Assisi, Divine Mercy, The Mexican Martyrs and Juan Diego. After the closing Mass there was a “Noche Mexicana” (a Mexican night) complete with Mexican dancing, the Mariachi band, and ending up at 11:30 p.m. with a firework display. It was a full five days for the bishops.
Bishop Joseph Kopacz talks to staff at the San Miguel parish medical and dental clinic about a recent break in that damaged equipment and left little in terms of medical supplies, leaving the clinic unable to serve those in need in the community.
The only negative note in our visit to San Miguel, was the fact we became aware of a break in at the parish medical and dental clinic which was donated by Dr. Charles Caskey some years ago. The break in took place two months ago. Any moveable equipment within the facility was stolen. It seemed like an organized group did it. They broke away the iron protection bars in the front window and entered the building. From there, they broke the front door lock. The means of escape seemed to be through the back door where transportation was awaiting them. I spoke to one of the nurses who donates her time to assist the patients served by the medical and dental clinic. She cried all the way through, giving her description and explaining to me how the clinic serves so many poor people who cannot afford a doctor’s visit and have no insurance. Services at the clinic are for suspended for the moment.
Bishop Kopacz and Bishop Kihneman have assured Father David that restoring the medical and dental services to the poor will be their top priority. However, some safeguards must be in place such as: a secure alarm system and a modern security system. We will also check with the insurance company as to what reimbursement we might expect for the damage done. The good news is that the mission work begun more than 50 years ago continues south of the border.
This past year at San Miguel there were 60 Baptisms, 116 Confirmations, 171 First Holy Communions and 24 marriages. The pastor’s name is Father David Martinez Rubio and the associate pastor is Father Michael Angel Sifuentes.
WINONA – Sacred Heart Church recently held a St. Francis Blessing of Pets and fundraiser for WAAG (Winona Animal Advocacy Group). All proceeds from the event went to the WAAG organization. Pictured: Brenda Mancini and Father Hilary Brzezinski, OFM. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Ruffo)WEST POINT – Animals were blessed on Oct. 6 at Immaculate Conception. Pictued: J.R. Pope and Maria Sandown with Blaise, Rosey Baby, Cricket, Katsu and Gary. (Photo courtesy of Maria Sandown)MERIDIAN – Father Carlisle Beggerly gave a special blessing to all dogs who came to St. Joseph parish. (Photo courtesy of Ida Bea Tomlin)PEARL – Father Cesar Sanchez a gave blessing to all animals who came to St. Jude. Pictured: Sosha. (Photo by Tereza Ma)NATCHEZ – Father Aaron WIlliams welcomed animals to St. Mary Basilica on Oct. 2 for a blessing. (Photo courtesy of parish)TUPELO – Father Tim Murphy blessed winged and four-legged friends of St. James parish. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Harkins)
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The listening that has been part of the Synod of Bishops changes people, can change the Catholic Church and can change the world for the better, four synod members told U.S. university students in Rome.
“The person with a different opinion is not an enemy,” Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the relator general of the synod, told about 140 students gathered Oct. 18 in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall at the tables used by synod members.
The students, from 16 Catholic universities in the United States – along with a small group of young adults from Germany, Austria and Switzerland – had spent a week in Rome studying synodality and had questions for synod leaders.
Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, center, speaks to the artist who made a mosaic with thoughts about the Synod of Bishops and prayers for the synod written by U.S. university students as Cardinal Mario Grech, kneeling, adds his prayer to the mosaic in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Oct. 18, 2024. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
The questions included: whether the listening sessions held at the beginning of the synod process reached enough people; why young people who are not involved in the church should care; how they could guarantee that the synod’s outcomes would be faithful to the teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church; and would the synod really change anything.
Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, general secretary of the synod, told the students that “it aches me” when people say the listening sessions reached only a small percentage of Catholics when the outreach for the 2021-2024 synod was much broader than anything achieved before and will keep growing.
Cardinal Hollerich, noting that most of the students were from the United States, told them, “When I see on television about the elections in the States, there are two worlds which seem to be opposed, and you have to be enemy of the other – that thinking is very far from synodal thinking.”
The synodal listening, he said, helps people experience that “together we are part of humanity, we live in the same world, and we have to find common solutions.”
Company of Mary Sister Leticia Salazar, a U.S. synod delegate and chancellor of the Diocese of San Bernardino, California, told the students that learning to really listen changes a person.
“We come together, we get to know each other, we pray. We listen to one another,” she said. Members hear from people with similar ideas and experiences, but also hear “our differences, our cultures, our way of seeing things, our ways of experiencing God. And at the end, we realize that we are in communion, that we are the church and that we are one church, and we are transformed by that.”
“Once you are touched with that experience, you take it with you,” she said, “and you prolong it in time, and you share it with the people that you encounter.”
Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, one of synod’s presidents delegate, said he was asked in his own diocese about the purpose of the listening sessions and whether there were plans to change church teaching.
“The aim of synodality is for the sake of the mission,” he said. “And the mission is to announce the Gospel and to invite (people) to a richer, fuller life that comes through Christ, crucified and risen from the dead.” But, he said, “we really do have to be real.”
“That is to say, you can’t keep announcing the Gospel if you don’t have a sense of the reality people are living,” the bishop told the students.
The listening is not just about hearing someone’s words, he said. It is trying to hear “the realities under the words – the experiences, the pains, the hopes and the longings, because underneath a lot of the words there is a longing. And one of the church’s convictions is that the longing is for a sense of belonging and a sense of communion.”
“It is a gift when somebody tells you something about their life,” Bishop Flores said. “It’s a gift that you should appreciate as something rather sacred.”
But the synod also is listening “to the voice of those who have gone before us” – Catholic tradition – and, especially, to the Scriptures and to the voice of the Holy Spirit in prayer.
“I trust the Holy Spirit,” the bishop said. “I really do. I mean, the church has been messy for 2,000 years, and the Holy Spirit still manages to keep us together. It’s bumpy, it’s messy, but I have faith that we will be faithful to the teaching of the church.”
By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D. World Mission Sunday, which is always celebrated on the second to last Sunday of October, was undertaken on Oct. 20 this year. Instituted in 1926 by Pope Pius XI as a mandatory, global second collection, the banquet that is World Mission Sunday has since then been hosted by the Pope, and the table set by those who answer Christ’s call to “Go and make disciples of all nations,” (Mt 28:19) extending an inclusive invitation to all corners of the earth. Meant to be held in every parish in the world, the proceeds benefit 1,150 territories where the Gospel has not yet been received, has been only recently embraced, or is courageously upheld in the face of persecution. It is a special commemoration that unites Catholics worldwide in prayer, solidarity and support for the church’s mission efforts.
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
This year’s theme, chosen by Pope Francis, is rooted in the Gospel of Matthew: “Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet,” reflecting the inclusive and urgent call to bring God’s love to everyone. This is the universal mission to spread the Gospel and invite all to experience the joy of Christ’s message! In recent times the world-wide pandemic weakened our church’s missionary efforts, and the annual Mission Sunday collection was adversely affected. This created a ripple effect whereby many throughout the world in the mission churches felt the pain of diminished resources coming their way. The past couple of years have seen a gradual return to pre-pandemic levels and we are hopeful that we continue to trend in the direction of greater generosity and prayerful solidarity.
Recently, Pope Francis undertook an amazing pastoral journey, considering his age, to several countries in Asia, including Indonesia, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea. During his homily in Papua New Guinea, he touched upon various themes that provide for us a deeper understanding of God’s providence for all nations and peoples. In the recalling of the pioneer missionaries in their country, Pope Francis shared these thoughts. “Our forebearers in the faith had the courage to begin, the commitment to share their lives in the beauty of being present, and the profound hope of growing what they began. They did this in a spirit of closeness to the people with compassion and tenderness.” This is the Gospel worldview that galvanizes the mission fields of evangelization and re-evangelization. Although we cannot be physically transported to the far-flung corners of our universal church with the Holy Father, we can be there through prayer, generosity, and a more thoughtful understanding of the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ.
The Diocese of Jackson’s direct connection to the mission experience has been our relationship with San Miguel (Perpetuo Socorro for the first 30 years) in the Diocese of Saltillo, Mexico for 55 years. Although they are not a church undergoing persecution, nor are they a young church; nonetheless, they need our financial assistance throughout their chapels and desert ranchos where economic development is marginal. My recent annual trip to San Miguel with Bishop Louis Kihneman of Biloxi reenforced for us the strong bond that we share with our brothers and sisters in another country and culture. In the works of Pope Francis ours is a relationship marked by closeness, compassion and tenderness.
This year’s theme for Mission Sunday, “Go and invite everyone to the Banquet” harmonizes well with the Eucharistic Revival. The banquet of God’s abundant love is proclaimed each time we gather around the table of God’s Word, and his Body and Blood, and one of the earthly goals of Mission Sunday is to gather all the nations at the Eucharistic banquet, the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Thank you to all for your prayer and generosity on behalf of the universal call to bring the Gospel to all the nations.
JACKSON – Father Nick Adam speaks to Homegrown Harvest attendees on the vocations office’s new partnership with Vianney Vocations on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Two Mississippi Museums. (Photos by Joanna Puddister King)
We had a wonderful evening at the 5th Annual Homegrown Harvest. I didn’t get an official count, but we packed the space at the Two Mississippi Museums downtown. The final proceeds of the event stand at $113,500. All these funds will go to pay for seminarian tuition, books and fees along with helping to fund our discernment groups within the diocese and other ways that we are fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Our next big event will be our Called By Name Weekend. When you come to Mass on Nov. 9 or 10, you will be asked if you know of any young men in your parish who you think should consider the priesthood. These recommendations will be used by the Department of Vocations to invite even more guys to take part in discernment groups, which will lead to even more guys being open to priesthood, which will lead to more visits to the seminary, more seminarians entering the seminary, and more priests for our diocese in the long run. This will be an annual event in the diocese going forward, as we are truly trying to take the long view and we are setting the foundation for a greater number of seminarians and a greater number of ordinations in the future. Right now, according to my records, we have 25 guys in discernment groups. This number should rise greatly following the Called By Name Weekend.
The Homegrown Harvest is the most public way that we are increasing awareness and support for these vocation initiatives, but I know that there are many people who support us throughout the years in various ways. I truly appreciate your prayers and support, and as I told the guests at the Homegrown Harvest, I always wants to be clear about how your donations are being spent. Thank you all for your support and thanks to our great team at the Chancery Office, the Vocation Department, and the team of volunteers and seminarian parents that helped us make this year’s Festival a big success. Special thanks to Lynne Evans, Shelia Foggo, Laura Foley and Danielle Murphy for running the silent auction and raffle, and to Frances Nelson who teamed up with the Vocation Department to decorate the space at the venue. See y’all next year!
– Father Nick Adam, vocation director
Diocesan seminarians gather for introduction to those in attendance at the fifth annual Homegrown Harvest fundraiser.A “packed house” at the fifth annual Homegrown Harvest fundraiser for Jackson seminarians on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis called again for “an immediate cease-fire on all fronts” in the Middle East, urging leaders to “pursue the paths of diplomacy and dialogue to achieve peace.”
The pope made the appeal Oct. 13 after leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer with visitors in St. Peter’s Square.
A year after Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing and taking hundreds of hostages, Israel’s retaliation and attack on Gaza continues. Fighting has expanded to the Israeli-Lebanese border, with Hezbollah militants firing on northern Israel and Israel invading southern Lebanon and bombing Hezbollah positions in Beirut. Iran, which supports Hezbollah, fired ballistic missiles at Israel Oct. 1 and Israel was expected to retaliate.
All forces involved have inflicted death and hardship on civilians.
After reciting the Angelus, Pope Francis told the crowd, “I am close to all the populations involved, in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon, where I ask the United Nations peacekeeping forces to be respected.”
Several U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in Lebanon in the days before Pope Francis spoke; it was not clear who was responsible, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the United Nations Oct. 13 to move the peacekeepers from the border area, claiming Hezbollah was using the peacekeepers and their bases as shields.
While Pope Francis prayed for “all the victims (and) for the displaced” throughout the region, he also repeated his call for Hamas to release the hostages they took a year ago.
“I hope that this great pointless suffering, engendered by hatred and revenge, will end soon,” the pope said.
“Brothers and sisters, war is an illusion, it is a defeat: it will never lead to peace, it will never lead to security, it is a defeat for all, especially for those who believe they are invincible,” he said. “Stop, please!”
Two days after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pope Francis also appealed for peace and humanitarian assistance for the victims of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
“I appeal for the Ukrainians not to be left to freeze to death,” he said, referring to the approach of winter and Russia’s destruction of power plants and gas supply lines. “Stop the airstrikes against the civilian population, which is always the most affected. Stop the killing of innocent people!”
Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, the pope’s envoy for peace in Ukraine, arrived in Moscow Oct. 14 to speak with government officials “to facilitate the family reunification of Ukrainian children” forcibly taken to Russia and about “the exchange of prisoners, with a view to achieving the much hoped-for peace,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.
Pope Francis also told the crowd that he is following the “dramatic situation in Haiti” where extreme gang violence “continues against the population, forced to flee from their own homes in search of safety elsewhere, inside and outside the country.”
Since 2020 Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has been the scene of ferocious gang battles, and since February most of the capital has been in the control of gang members. But the violence is spreading. In the town of Pont-Sondé Oct. 3 gang members killed at least 115 people and caused more than more than 6,000 people to flee their homes.
“I ask everyone to pray for an end to all forms of violence” in Haiti, Pope Francis said, and he encouraged the international community “to continue working to build peace and reconciliation in the country, always defending the dignity and rights of all.”
