Domingo de la Divina Misericordia Domingo. 27 de abril
Santa Catalina de Siena. 29 de abril
San Pio V, Papa. 30 de abril
San José Obrevo. 1 de mayo
Santos Filipe y Santiago, Apóstoles. 3 de mayo
Día de las Madres. 11 de mayo
Visitación de la Santísima Virgen María. 31 de mayo
Fiesta de Pentecostés. 8 de junio
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Únase a lista de correos electrónicos Mande un texto: MSCATHOLIC a 84576
LÍNEA DIRECTA DE PREVENCIÓN DE FRAUDE El Departamento de Asuntos Temporales de la Diócesis de Jackson ha contratado a Lighthouse Services para proporcionar una línea directa anónima de fraude financiero, cumplimiento, ética y recursos humanos. Esta línea directa permite un método adecuado para reportar sucesos relacionados con la administración temporal dentro de parroquias, escuelas y la oficina de cancillería.
(OSV News) – Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires made history with his election on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Argentine and first Latin American to become pope.
As Pope Francis died in the Vatican April 21 at 88, it was in his Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, where now-Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva remembered him as “the pope for all” and the “the pope of the poor.” The archbishop also remembered him as the pope for all Argentines and exhorted the country to remember their late countryman as a figure of unity in a divided nation.
“Now we’ll have to be a little bit like Francis and also be more merciful to one another. I think the best tribute we Argentines can pay to Francis is to unite. The best tribute we can pay him is to build bridges, to engage in dialogue, to stop constantly confronting each other,” Archbishop García Cuerva said at a Mass celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires for Pope Francis.
“What greater pain for a father is there than to see his children divided. May Francis go to heaven with the peace of mind that his children will try to live the national unity between us that is still pending.”
Women pray inside Buenos Aires’ Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 21, 2025, after the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican. Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died April 21 at age 88. (OSV News photo/Agustin Marcarian, Reuters)
The Argentine bishops conference added in an April 21 statement, “We thank God for the life, ministry and testimony of faith of someone who knew how to guide the universal Church with humility, evangelical firmness and unconditional love for the poor, the discarded and those who suffer.”
The Argentine pope of the people
While his election sparked outpourings of pride, patriotism and hope for reconciliation in a politically divided country – his legacy in his homeland is a complicated one. Few photos of Pope Francis are spotted in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital, unlike soccer stars Diego Maradona and Leonel Messi, who led their country to World Cup success.
Observers credit the pope’s modest stature in his homeland to politics – with politicians from all sides trying to portray him as a fellow traveler or, in the case of current President Javier Milei, badmouthing the pope for his teachings. The pope’s comments were often scrutinized as much for political sentiments as anything pastoral.
Many Argentines seemingly continued seeing the pope as Cardinal Bergoglio, a figure focused on local matters rather than the leader of the universal church.
“We Argentines have not allowed Bergoglio to be Francis,” Archbishop García Cuerva said at a Feb. 24 Mass, where Argentines prayed for the then-hospitalized pope. “We have always put him in the middle of our sterile discussions, we have put him in our political divides.”
Attendees clutched photos of Pope Francis, wore Argentina’s familiar colors of sky blue and white and carried images of Our Lady of Luján, the national patroness.
“He confirmed me,” said Felipa Acosta, a parishioner at the Our Lady of Caacupé, named for the patroness of Paraguay. Acosta recalled Pope Francis visiting the parish in one of the many villas (shantytowns) in Buenos Aires – places avoided by polite society.
“He was always very close to us,” said Claudia Tejada, who remembers the future pope visiting her parish monthly. She recalled him sipping yerba mate, a popular infusion, and chatting with parishioners.
But there was no avoiding the complicated relationship between the pope and his native country — something Archbishop García Cuerva addressed in comments alluding to Argentine attitudes and those of Catholics further afield.
“We have tried to teach him, almost in a daring way, what it meant to be pope as if we had the manual for that,” Archbishop García Cuerva said in February.
“Yet he loves us, and yet he has us in his heart. He did what a loving father does. That is Francisco, the father of all, but we know that in his heart there is a lot of Argentine and a lot of porteño,” he said of Pope Francis, using a common and affectionate nickname for natives of Buenos Aires.
A complicated legacy
Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires and raised in the middle-class Flores neighborhood. He served as Jesuit provincial – though his term ended in acrimony, according to observers – and was named auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992. He was raised to archbishop in 1998 and cardinal in 2001.
As archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis was known for his grassroots ministry and confrontations with Argentina’s political elite – particularly with the late President Néstor Kirchner and his wife, former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, over their Peronist politics. Though initially icy, Fernández de Kirchner later warmed to Francis, visiting him in Rome multiple times. Still, his papacy has often been entangled in Argentina’s political tensions, with his expressions — or silences — scrutinized by leaders across the spectrum.
So-called “friends of Francis” also started appearing, along with supposed spokesmen with messages after trips to Rome. This forced the Argentine bishops’ conference to ask people to desist, saying the practice “has generated confusion and justified regrettable distortions of his figure and his words.”
Criticisms also emerged about the pope not visiting Argentina. He visited some countries of South America during his pontificate and twice flew over Argentine territory en route to Paraguay and Chile. He often spoke of visiting, but never did.
“If Francis were to come to Argentina, it would be assumed that he would be used politically in favor of the government in power or against the government in power,” De Vedia said. “I think that he would have had great popular fervour in the streets” had he visited “and at the same time debates about his positions,” Marianon De Vedia, editor for Argentina’s La Nacion said.
A changing nation
Argentina continued its drift away from Catholicism after Francis’ election. Some 62.9% of Argentines identified as Catholic in a 2019 survey from research institution CONICET, down from 76.5% in 2008. The number of people identifying as non-religious reached 18.9%, outpacing the growth in Protestant and other congregations.
Abortion was decriminalized in 2020 as a feminist movement became influential. Argentina’s bishops bitterly opposed abortion decriminalization, especially as it came during a pandemic in which the church – especially priests in the shanties, known as “curas villeros” – worked to feed and care for populations thrown into economic hardship.
Pope Francis paid special attention to the “villas” at a time when few others would enter the shantytowns, supporting their work serving communities rife with poverty and addictions.
“We felt really close (to him) and that he has acted like a bishop who is present and also seeks to solve the problems,” said Father José María di Paola, a prominent cura villero known as Padre Pepe.
The curas villeros promoted the pope’s vision of going to the peripheries. They took special offense at the rise of President Milei, who once branded the pope a “filthy leftist.” The curas villeros celebrated a Mass of reparation in a shantytown after Milei’s comments.
Milei took office in 2023 on an agenda of slashing the government. Pope Francis was quick to congratulate him. Milei traveled to the Vatican for a visit and asked the pope to visit.
On April 21 Milei said: “Despite our differences, experiencing his kindness was a true honor.”
The president’s office had formally communicated the news saying that the pope led the Catholic Church “with dedication and love from the Vatican.”
(David Agren writes for OSV News from Buenos Aires.)
CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — La esperanza de los cristianos no es un signo de evasión de la realidad, sino de confianza en el poder de Dios para vencer al pecado y a la muerte, como demuestra claramente la resurrección de Jesús, escribió el Papa Francisco en su mensaje de Pascua.
“Los que esperan en Dios ponen sus frágiles manos en su mano grande y fuerte, se dejan levantar y comienzan a caminar”, decía el mensaje, leído antes de que el Papa Francisco diera su bendición pascual “urbi et orbi” (a la ciudad y al mundo) el 20 de abril.
El Papa Francisco saluda a la multitud tras pronunciar su bendición de Pascua “urbi et orbi” (a la ciudad y al mundo) desde el balcón central de la Basílica de San Pedro en el Vaticano el 20 de abril de 2025. (Foto CNS/Lola Gomez)
La voz del Papa era débil, como lo ha sido desde que fue dado de alta del hospital el 23 de marzo, y apenas levantó los brazos al hacer la señal de la cruz, pero las decenas de miles de personas en la Plaza de San Pedro agradecieron el gesto y aplaudieron con fuerza después de decir: “Amén”.
“Junto con Jesús resucitado”, escribió en su mensaje, los que confían en Dios “se convierten en peregrinos de esperanza, testigos de la victoria del Amor, de la potencia desarmada de la vida”.
El Papa, de 88 años, que aún se recupera de una neumonía, no estuvo presente en la Misa de la mañana de Pascua en la Plaza de San Pedro, pero llegó poco después del mediodía para dar la bendición solemne.
El vicepresidente estadounidense JD Vance y su familia tampoco asistieron a la Misa, pero Vance llegó al Vaticano alrededor de las 11:30 a.m. para una reunión privada con el Papa Francisco en la residencia papal, Domus Sanctae Marthae. El Vaticano dijo que la reunión duró sólo unos minutos y permitió a los dos intercambiar saludos de Pascua.
Vance se había reunido el 19 de abril con el cardenal Pietro Parolin, secretario de estado del Vaticano, y con el arzobispo Paul R. Gallagher, ministro de Asuntos Exteriores del Vaticano. El Vaticano dijo que discutieron los esfuerzos para defender la libertad religiosa, así como la situación internacional, especialmente en relación con los países afectados por la guerra, las tensiones políticas y las situaciones humanitarias difíciles, con especial atención a los migrantes, los refugiados y los presos.
La seguridad en la Plaza de San Pedro y sus alrededores era estricta. A las afueras de la plaza, un oficial del ejército italiano manejaba una gran pistola antidrones, que, según dijo, utiliza pulsos electromagnéticos para inutilizar la capacidad del operador del dron para controlarlo.
Con la voz aún débil, el Papa Francisco deseó a todos una Feliz Pascua y luego pidió a su maestro de ceremonias litúrgicas, el arzobispo Diego Ravelli, que leyera su mensaje, que insistía en que “¡La Pascua es la fiesta de la vida!”
“¡Dios nos ha creado para la vida y quiere que la humanidad resucite!”, escribió. “A sus ojos toda vida es preciosa, tanto la del niño en el vientre de su madre, como la del anciano o la del enfermo, considerados en un número creciente de países como personas a descartar”.
El Papa Francisco condenó la “voluntad de muerte” que se observa en la violencia y las guerras en todo el mundo y en el “desprecio” que la gente, incluidos los gobernantes, dirige hacia “los más débiles, los marginados y los migrantes”.
Como es tradicional en el mensaje, el Papa también rezó por la paz en las naciones devastadas por la guerra, mencionando por su nombre a Israel, Palestina, Ucrania, Yemen, Sudán, Sudán del Sur, Congo y Myanmar.
El Papa Francisco condenó “el creciente clima de antisemitismo que se está difundiendo por todo el mundo”. Pero también llamó la atención sobre “la comunidad cristiana de Gaza, donde el terrible conflicto sigue llevando muerte y destrucción, y provocando una dramática e indigna crisis humanitaria”.
“Apelo a las partes beligerantes: que cese el fuego, que se liberen los rehenes y se preste ayuda a la gente, que tiene hambre y que aspira a un futuro de paz”, decía el mensaje papal.
El Papa Francisco había elegido al cardenal Angelo Comastri, arcipreste emérito de la basílica de San Pedro, como su delegado para presidir la Misa matutina y leer su homilía.
Unos 50.000 tulipanes, narcisos, jacintos, rosas y otras flores y arbustos decoraban la escalinata de acceso a la basílica de San Pedro, mientras que las guirnaldas enmarcaban la entrada principal al atrio de la basílica y adornaban el balcón central.
Como la Pascua caía el mismo día en los calendarios juliano y gregoriano, es decir, que católicos y ortodoxos celebraban el mismo día, el Vaticano añadió “stichera” o himnos bizantinos y “stichos” o versículos de los salmos tras el canto del Evangelio en latín y en griego.
La homilía que preparó el Papa se centró en la descripción que hace el Evangelio de Pascua de María Magdalena corriendo a decir a los discípulos que Jesús había resucitado y de Pedro y Juan corriendo a verificar la noticia.
Correr, escribió el Papa, “manifiesta el deseo, el impulso del corazón, la actitud interior de quien se pone en búsqueda de Jesús”.
Y porque ha resucitado de entre los muertos, la gente debe buscar a Jesús en otro lugar que no sea el sepulcro, decía el texto del Papa.
“No podemos quedarnos inmóviles. Debemos ponernos en movimiento, salir a buscarlo: buscarlo en la vida, buscarlo en el rostro de los hermanos, buscarlo en lo cotidiano”, dijo.
“Buscarlo siempre. Porque si ha resucitado de entre los muertos, entonces Él está presente en todas partes, habita entre nosotros, se esconde y se revela también hoy en las hermanas y los hermanos que encontramos en el camino, en las situaciones más anónimas e imprevisibles de nuestra vida”.
Jesús “está vivo y permanece siempre con nosotros, llorando las lágrimas de quien sufre y multiplicando la belleza de la vida en los pequeños gestos de amor de cada uno de nosotros”, escribió el Papa Francisco.
Tras la Misa y la bendición pascual, el Papa Francisco se subió al papamóvil y recorrió la Plaza de San Pedro, saludando a la multitud y bendiciendo bebés.
Por David Agren (OSV News) – La policía y los paramilitares mantuvieron una fuerte presencia fuera de la catedral nicaragüense de Managua el Domingo de Ramos, asegurándose de que las celebraciones tuvieran lugar en su totalidad en la propiedad de la iglesia – y enviando un mensaje no tan sutil de intimidación. Dentro de la catedral, el cardenal Leopoldo Brenes de Managua no le prestó atención a este acoso. Centró su homilía en el perdón.
“El perdón es parte de la pasión del Señor, es parte de ese fruto de una experiencia de sufrimiento, de una experiencia de dolor pero que ha hecho con amor y Cristo Jesús lo ha hecho porque ha sido la misión que se le ha encomendado”, dijo el cardenal Brenes. “Que sea eso un punto fuerte cuando tengamos alguna duda recordemos eso Dios que nos ama y nos ama intensamente, como bien nos dice el Papa Francisco, Dios perdona todo y nos perdona a todos”.
Nicaragüenses levantan hojas de palma para bendiciones durante una Misa de Domingo de Ramos 24 de marzo 2024, en Managua, Nicaragua. (Foto OSV News/Maynor Valenzuela, Reuters)
Los católicos de toda Nicaragua celebran la Semana Santa bajo vigilancia, ya que el régimen sandinista prohíbe las procesiones públicas por tercer año consecutivo.
Las restricciones profundizan la represión del régimen de los copresidentes Daniel Ortega y Rosario Murillo, que han tachado a los líderes católicos de “terroristas”, han enviado al clero al exilio y han intentado controlar cada vez más las actividades de la Iglesia.
“La dictadura de Nicaragua ha prohibido las procesiones en la calle. Lo que no podrán impedir es que el Crucificado revele su victoria en cada lucha por la verdad y la justicia, en cada esfuerzo por defender la dignidad de las personas y en cada acto de solidaridad por las víctimas”, dijo el obispo auxiliar de Managua, Silvio José Báez, a través de una publicación en las redes sociales. El obispo Báez abandonó Nicaragua en 2019 por motivos de seguridad, pero ha atendido a nicaragüenses exiliados en la zona de Miami y ha seguido denunciando la represión del régimen sandinista.
La represión del régimen implica cada vez más la intimidación de los sacerdotes, que son espiados por la policía, los paramilitares e incluso los feligreses, según observadores eclesiásticos. Según un informe de Church Solidarity Worldwide, los sacerdotes deben presentarse periódicamente ante la policía y dar detalles de sus actividades semanales. Tampoco pueden salir de sus municipios locales sin permiso, algo que dificulta la celebración de misas en las diócesis diezmadas por el exilio del clero. También deben cuidar sus palabras durante la Misa.
“Los dirigentes religiosos de todo tipo denunciaron haber recibido regularmente o´rdenes verbales de los agentes de seguridad, de no mencionar temas especi´ficos, como los presos poli´ticos, Israel y la situacio´n general en Nicaragua, en ninguno de sus discursos pu´blicos y de no utilizar la combinacio´n de los colores azul y blanco (los colores de la bandera nicaragu¨ense) en ninguna decoracio´n u otro material”, dice el informe.
“Predicar sobre la unidad o la justicia u orar por li´deres religiosos encarcelados o incluso por la situacio´n general del pai´s, por ejemplo, puede considerarse una cri´tica al gobierno y clasificarse como un delito”, añade el informe.
Los espías asisten habitualmente a las misas y se infiltran en las comunidades parroquiales. La policía suele hacer visitas intimidatorias a los sacerdotes.
Flag of Nicaragua
“Lamentablemente, el régimen ha logrado infiltrar dentro de las parroquias, dentro de los cuadros pastorales, como lectores, catequistas y otros miembros de cuadros pastorales” a través de una red de espionaje conocida como consejos de poder ciudadano, dijo Denis Alaniz, periodista de Panorama Católico, que cubre la Iglesia católica nicaragüense desde el exilio.
“Algunos sacerdotes que han tenido la valentía de mencionar algo sobre la justicia social. Entonces, para poder predicar les están exigiendo enviar sus homilías, pero no en todos los casos”, dijo.
Alaniz dijo a OSV News que algunos sacerdotes en la Diócesis de Matagalpa – donde el Obispo local Rolando Álvarez y muchos sacerdotes fueron forzados al exilio – están omitiendo las homilías y “o sea, no están predicando durante la misa para evitar ser secuestrados”.
Añadió que el trabajo de los sacerdotes “consiste básicamente en sobrevivir y poder estar lo más callado posible para poder continuar su labor pastoral. Al menos la administración de los sacramentos”. La Iglesia Católica se había convertido en el último bastión de la disidencia en Nicaragua mientras el régimen sandinista cerraba los medios de comunicación independientes, extinguía la personalidad jurídica de las organizaciones no gubernamentales y religiosas – incluidas las congregaciones religiosas y los proyectos caritativos de la Iglesia – y amedentrar a la comunidad empresarial para que guardara silencio.
El régimen ha retratado a la Iglesia católica como un enemigo desde 2018, cuando los manifestantes exigieron la destitución de Ortega. La Iglesia proporcionó refugios a los manifestantes que fueron atacados por la policía y los paramilitares y trabajó con las familias de los presos políticos. “Siempre aumentan la represión durante las fiestas, o en cualquier lugar donde la gente se reúne con fines prácticos”,dijo Caroline Cowen, consultora de asuntos internacionales, a OSV News. El Viernes Santo de 2025 cae el 18 de abril, aniversario del día en que estallaron las protestas, algo por lo que “todavía están enfadados”, dijo.
Al menos 226 eclesiásticos – entre ellos cuatro obispos – se han visto obligados a abandonar Nicaragua o se les ha prohibido regresar tras viajar al extranjero, según Martha Patricia Molina, abogada nicaragüense en el exilio que documenta la represión contra la Iglesia católica en su país de origen. Unas 14 órdenes religiosas también han abandonado Nicaragua desde 2018, según Molina, y al menos 74 organizaciones patrocinadas por católicos han sido cerradas, incluidas universidades, capítulos de Cáritas y proyectos de caridad, según su último informe de diciembre de 2024.
“Es una muestra de temor ante el poder espiritual de la Iglesia”, dijo Arturo McFields, un ex diplomático nicaragüense, sobre la continua represión en comentarios a OSV News. “A pesar de los controles, de los encarcelamientos, de las expulsiones de sacerdotes, de la quema de templos, de la profanación de símbolos sagrados a pesar de de la censura a las procesiones religiosas de Semana Santa”, expresó. “A pesar de todo, la fe del pueblo sigue intacta y eso les da temor”.
By Justin McLellan CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – Con su muerte el 21 de abril, el papa Francisco marcó otra primicia en la historia de la Iglesia católica: se convirtió en el primer papa en abrir la Puerta Santa de la Basílica de San Pedro sin vivir para cerrarla.
El Papa abrió la Puerta Santa el 24 de diciembre de 2024, marcando el inicio del Año Santo 2025, una tradición que normalmente se celebra en la Iglesia cada 25 años como un tiempo de renovación espiritual y peregrinación. Su muerte, cuatro meses después, significa que la Puerta Santa será sellada por su sucesor, un momento sin precedentes en la historia moderna de las celebraciones jubilares.
Sólo una vez antes un Jubileo había comenzado bajo un Papa y concluido por otro. En 1700, el Papa Inocencio XII, ya gravemente enfermo, dio su bendición para el inicio del Jubileo que había declarado en 1699, pero no pudo presidir la apertura de la Puerta Santa. Murió en septiembre de 1700 y correspondió al Papa Clemente XI, elegido ese mismo año, cerrar la Puerta Santa y concluir el Jubileo.
Ha habido otros casos en los que un Pontífice proclamó un Jubileo y otro lo llevó a cabo.
En 1389, el Papa Urbano VI declaró que el año siguiente sería un año santo, cambiando el ciclo de celebraciones jubilares a observarse cada 33 años. Su muerte ese año hizo que el Año Santo de 1390 fuera presidido por el Papa Bonifacio IX.
Una situación similar se produjo cuando el Papa Pablo II proclamó el Año Santo 1475 y estableció el requisito de visitar las cuatro basílicas mayores de Roma, pero murió antes de que comenzara el Jubileo y éste fue presidido por el Papa Sixto IV.
El Papa Francisco abre de un empujón la Puerta Santa de la Basílica de San Pedro en el Vaticano el 24 de diciembre de 2024, inaugurando el Año Santo 2025. (Foto de CNS/Cristian Gennari, pool)
El Papa Julio III presidió el Año Santo 1550 proclamado por su predecesor, el Papa Pablo III, y el Papa Pío VI presidió el Año Santo 1775 proclamado por su predecesor el Papa Clemente XIV.
Sin embargo, el Papa Francisco se ha convertido en el único Papa que ha abierto personalmente la Puerta Santa para inaugurar un Año Santo sin cerrarla él mismo.
Anteriormente abrió y cerró la Puerta Santa de la basílica durante el Jubileo extraordinario de la Misericordia que convocó en 2015. El Papa también fue el primero en abrir una puerta santa fuera del Vaticano, al abrir ese año la Puerta Santa de la catedral de Notre-Dame de Bangui (República Centroafricana).
En diciembre de 2024, abrió la Puerta Santa de la iglesia del complejo penitenciario Rebibbia de Roma como signo de esperanza para las personas encarceladas.
Pocos días antes de que el Papa Francisco fuera elegido en marzo de 2013, dijo a sus compañeros cardenales: «Tengo la impresión de que Jesús está encerrado dentro de la iglesia y que llama a la puerta porque ¡quiere salir!»
Entre sus últimos gestos como Papa, dejó abierta de par en par la puerta de la mayor iglesia del mundo.
JACKSON – When Bishop John Joseph Chanche arrived in the newly formed Diocese of Natchez in May of 1841, there were no Catholic Churches, only a couple of missionary priests, and his flock was far flung. He rose to the challenge and laid the foundation for the Diocese of Jackson. The diocese honors his legacy and thanks those who continue to build on his foundation with the Bishop Chanche medal for service. This year, Bishop Joseph Kopacz gave 48 adults their awards on Saturday, March 29, at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. The brief descriptions on these pages come from the Bishop Chanche Award nomination forms and offer a glimpse into the men and women who serve the church today.
John Alford – Christ the King, Jackson John is a dedicated leader and a gifted musician who has faithfully served his parish for over 25 years. His exceptional musical talents enrich the liturgy, and his commitment to mentoring children and adults fosters a deep love for the Mass. Through his guidance in music ministry – directing choirs, teaching, and encouraging student participation – he has strengthened both his parish and the broader faith community. His unwavering dedication, leadership, and ability to make each Mass a joyful and spiritually uplifting experience make him highly deserving of the Bishop Chanche Award.
Marie Antici – Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland Marie is a devoted servant of her faith, dedicating the past 14 years to ministering to the homebound, hospitalized, and nursing home residents. As a Eucharistic minister, she ensures that the most vulnerable members of her parish receive Holy Communion, companionship, and spiritual support. Her unwavering commitment extends beyond Catholic residents, as she also provides comfort and care to non-Catholics, acting as an extra set of eyes for families who cannot always be present. Her faith-filled leadership, involvement in study groups, funeral ministries, and parish missions exemplify her deep devotion to her church and community.
Hilda Bankston – St. Anne, Fayette Hilda has been a dedicated and selfless servant of her parish for over ten years, serving as sacristan, volunteer secretary and bookkeeper. At 83 years old, her unwavering faith drives her to be the first to arrive at church, open the doors, set up for parish activities and stay until everything is in order. She plays a vital role in organizing church programs, ensuring smooth operations even in the priest’s absence. Her commitment extends to keeping the parish’s financial and accounting records up to date and assisting parishioners with their yearly contributions. Through her tireless dedication, leadership and deep love for the church, Hilda has made a lasting impact on her parish community, making her truly deserving of the Bishop Chanche Award.
Donald Charles and Ann Janette Barrios – St. Alphonsus, McComb Donald and Ann are devoted and selfless servants of their parish, actively contributing to its spiritual and communal life. As members of the Liturgy and Pastoral Committees, they help shape the parish’s worship experience. They also serve as lectors, teach Confirmation classes, and are core team members for Life-Teen, “That Man is You,” and the Men’s Group. Their musical talents enrich weekend Masses, funerals, weddings, and adoration hours – all offered freely without charge.
Donnie and Linda Sherwood Dick – Our Mother of Mercy Mission, Anguilla Donnie and Linda have been devoted to their Catholic faith and parish community since the 1970s. As catechism teachers, they have prepared children for First Communion and Confirmation, served as godparents and sponsors, and actively engaged in parish life. Linda is a parish council member, while Donnie dedicates himself to church upkeep and community involvement. Their generosity, joy, and welcoming spirit have inspired and strengthened the faith of manyin the community.
Michael and Marsha Domino – All Saints, Belzoni Mike and Marsha are a devoted Catholic couple deeply involved in parish life for nine years. Mike serves as a lector and parish council member, while Marsha is active in the All Saints Altar Society. Their dedication to Mass, parish activities, and community service, including organizing cemetery blessings and supporting the Delta Farmers Association, inspires fellow parishioners, especially children.
Cathy Edwards – Sacred Heart, Winona Cathy has dedicated over 20 years of faithful service, living her Catholic faith through her roles as church secretary, bookkeeper, and active participant in ecumenical services, prison ministries, and community projects. Her husband Marvin, who was awarded the Bishop Chanche Medal in 2015, has been a supportive partner in her ministry, and together, they have made a significant impact on both the parish and community.
Kay Farrell – St. Michael, Vicksburg Kay has dedicated over 50 years to St. Michael Parish, serving as an RCIA team member, lector, Eucharistic minister, and community advocate. Her theological expertise, leadership in the Synodal process, and commitment to Catholic education make her an exemplary witness of faith and service.
Charles Hunter – Holy Cross, Philadelphia Charles has dedicated over 40 years to Holy Cross Parish as an extraordinary minister, lector, usher, sacristan and altar server. His leadership as Grand Knight, active involvement in the Finance Council, and unwavering service make him a model of faith and commitment.
Roosevelt and Linda Johnson – Immaculate Conception, Clarksdale Linda and Roosevelt have served their parish for over 15 years with unwavering dedication. Linda sings in the choir, teaches RCIA, and organizes events, while Roosevelt oversees church maintenance and assists with food distribution. Their commitment, service and faith make them invaluable members of our community.
Valeria Johnson – Holy Family, Natchez Valeria has dedicated eight years to serving as Director of Religious Education, preparing candidates for First Communion and Confirmation, organizing parish activities and mentoring future leaders. Her unwavering faith, leadership and selfless service have made a lasting impact on the parish and community.
Erica Jones – St. Mary, Batesville Erica has selflessly served St. Mary’s for seven years, leading music at Mass, lectoring and supporting religious ed. Despite a busy schedule, she sacrifices her time to practice and inspire the congregation, exemplifying dedication, faith and service, while mentoring her daughter.
Scott and Mary Leary – St. John the Evangelist, Oxford Scott and Mary have dedicated over 15 years to youth ministry and marriage preparation at St. John’s, guiding countless generations through retreats, counseling, and education. Their unwavering faith, leadership, and exemplary family life have made them pillars of the community, deeply influencing both parishioners and the wider Oxford area.
David Madere and Melissa Madere – St. Joseph, Gluckstadt David and Missy have selflessly served St. Joseph Parish for 16 years, leading adult education, OCIA, and providing music for Masses and funerals. They also contribute to charitable works through the KC Council and are known for their deep faith and community involvement.
Fagin and Mary Ann Mauney – St. Matthew, Ripley Fagin and Mary Ann have dedicated over 25 years to St. Matthew Parish, serving in pro-life, liturgical ministries and community building. Though retired from active service, their faithful attendance, support of parish activities, and spirit of inclusivity continue to inspire and strengthen the parish and broader community.
Rose Mcgraw – St. Joseph, Greenville Rose has dedicated over 30 years to St. Joseph Parish, leading ministries like bereavement, hospitality, and St. Vincent de Paul. Her selfless service, warm presence and commitment to community building make her a vital spiritual and practical leader.
Diane Melton – St. Mary, Yazoo City Diane has dedicated 41 years to serving her parish, teaching catechism, leading the Altar Society, and volunteering as lector and Eucharistic minister. Her leadership as Parish Council president and commitment to charity make her an exemplary Catholic role model.
Juana Mollinedo and Edy Meza – St. Anne, Carthage Juana and Edy have dedicated over 15 years of service to the parish, actively participating as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, readers and youth ministry leaders. They inspire others through their consistent Christian witness and commitment to both faith and community.
Melanie Norwood – Holy Ghost, Jackson Melanie has dedicated over five years to various parish ministries at Holy Ghost, including religious education, RCIA and youth ministry. She actively helps with sacrament preparation and supports the parish through service, demonstrating strong faith and commitment to community.
Patricia Potter – St. Therese, Kosciusko At 85, Pat has faithfully served St. Therese for over 40 years. She is active in multiple ministries, including altar preparation, Eucharistic ministry, and Helping Hands, always showing generosity, leadership and dedication to both the parish and community.
Michael and Sharron Scheel – St. James, Magnolia Michael and Sharron have faithfully served St. James for 50 years in numerous ministries, including finance, liturgy and outreach. Their devotion, leadership and commitment to parish life and service make them exemplary models of Catholic faith.
Richard and Aileen Semmes – St. Patrick, Meridian Richard and Aileen have served their parish for over 20 years, with Richard leading the music ministry and Aileen as chair of the Liturgy Committee. Their leadership, service and commitment to charity have profoundly enriched our parish and community, inspiring others to live their faith.
Barbara and Daniel Setaro – St. Joseph, Starkville Danny and Barbara have dedicated themselves to the parish through the food pantry, Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary. Their unwavering service, even through health struggles, has made a lasting impact on the community since 2005.
Joe Michael Shaw – Holy Savior, Clinton Michael has been the inmate leader of our Catholic ministry at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility since our ministry restarted after the pandemic, back in March 2022. He kept Catholic ministry going when outside volunteers were unable to enter the facilities during the pandemic. He has helped grow the ministry tremendously as we are now the largest Christian presence at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. He is very worthy of recognition in the Bishop Chanche award.
Joan Shell – Christ the King, Fulton Joan’s unwavering dedication to service, leadership in Sunday school, Mass preparation, food ministry and Bible study, along with her humility and tireless commitment, make her a true embodiment of Catholic faith and an inspiration to all.
Bernardo Sorcia – St. James the Less, Corinth Bernardo’s unwavering commitment to service through leadership in the Pastoral Council, Hospitality Ministry, and retreats, alongside his dependable, solution-oriented attitude, has made him an invaluable asset to the parish for over 11 years.
Edith Wilson Spells – St. Francis of Assisi, Greenwood Edith exemplifies faithful Catholic leadership through her roles as Parish Council president, lector, Secular Franciscan, educator and musician, inspiring others with her dedication, positivity and unwavering commitment to service for over 60 years.
Ann Summers – Holy Family, Jackson Ann deserves the Bishop Chanche Award for over 40 years of quiet, selfless service as sacristan, lector, commentator and behind-the-scenes helper, ensuring a meaningful worship experience and supporting various parish ministries with compassion and dedication.
Julia Criss Tartt – St. Peter, Grenada Julia deserves the award for her 10 years of dedicated service in pastoral ministry, leading music, supporting social outreach and inspiring the community through her devotion to faith and service.
Robert and Lydia Trotter – St. Joseph, Meridian Robert and Lydia are devoted church leaders, serving through finance, hospitality and community outreach. As Finance Council chair, Robert ensures stewardship while actively volunteering. His work with the Knights of Peter Claver and the cooking crew fosters fellowship; while Lydia’s contributions through various ministries highlight her compassion and commitment to supporting parishioners in times of both joy and grief.
Tunney and Debra Vandevender – St. Francis, Madison Debra and Tunney deserve the award for their selfless, behind-the-scenes service, including leadership in scouting, Eucharistic ministry, parish communications, and community events, all while fostering faith, humility, and dedication since 2008.
Frank and Marcia Weaver – St. Paul, Vicksburg Marcia and Frank’s lifelong dedication to St. Paul shines through their leadership in parish council, Bible studies, choir and Mass ministries. Their willingness to serve whenever needed has strengthened the parish community for decades.
Eileen Weisenberger – Holy Savior, Clinton Eileen’s lifelong devotion to faith and service is evident in her outreach to the elderly, the poor and her parish community. Through quiet acts of love, she exemplifies selfless Catholic living, inspiring generations to follow.
Myra Woodward – St. Jude, Pearl Myra’s unwavering dedication, joyful spirit and willingness to serve make her an invaluable part of St. Jude. From liturgy to teaching, decorating to hospitality, she selflessly gives her time.
JACKSON – Parishioners from across the Diocese of Jackson were honored for their service to the church on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the annual Bishop Chanche Awards Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson with Bishop Joseph Kopacz. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Youth across the Diocese of Jackson were honored at the the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) at the Vicksburg Convention Center on Sunday, March 23 for their service to their respective parishes and to the diocese.
Elizabeth Bednar – St. Michael, Vicksburg
Vanessa Espino – St. Joseph, Meridian
Joselin Flores – St. James, Tupelo
Ann Elise Gatlin – St. Alphonsus, McComb
Hannah Kate Hooker – St. Joseph, Greenville
Avery Hornback – St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
Austin SEALS Love – St. Joseph, Gluckstadt
Anna Kay Martin – Holy Cross, Philadelphia
Jamichael Owens – Holy Family, Natchez
Peyton Rainer– St. Paul, Vicksburg
Valeria Rangel – St. Patrick, Meridian
Abbygale Roberts – St. Jude, Pearl
Charles Jonathan Vasquez Sebastin – Holy Family, Jackson
By Madelyn Johnson JACKSON – On March 29, Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church celebrated the life of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA.
Born on Dec. 29, 1937, Sister Thea converted to Catholicism at the age of nine and attended Holy Child Jesus School in Canton. A passionate educator and lover of music, she dedicated her life to teaching and advocating for faith and justice. After a courageous battle with breast cancer, she passed away on March 30, 1990, at the age of 52. Each year, Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church commemorates her life around the anniversary of her passing.
Holy Child Jesus was Sister Thea’s home parish, and the celebration drew many of her former students, colleagues, and friends. Participating choirs included Holy Child Jesus, Sacred Heart Canton and Camden combined choirs, Christ the King choir, and the Rembert Washington Memorial Chorale of Canton, led by Pastor John Woodard Jr. Soloists Frazier Riddell and Elaine Gager also performed. Artwork by Father Guy Wilson, ST, was sold to support Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in Jackson, including special ornaments featuring Sister Thea’s likeness.
The spirit of Sister Thea resonated throughout the event, especially through songs like “I Just Wanna Praise You.” Attendees shared personal memories of Sister Thea and her ability to encourage people beyond their comfort zones.
CANTON – Parishioners and guests are filled with song at the annual Sister Thea Bowman celebration at Holy Child Jeus parish on Saturday, March 29. (Photos by Madelyn Johnson)
Edd Hightower, one of Sister Thea’s former students, recounted a memorable experience:
“Sister Thea really had a way of getting everyone out of their comfort zone. She invited me on a trip to the Virgin Islands and invited me to go horseback riding. I was nervous, because I don’t like animals that are larger than me. The instructor told me how to control the horse with the reins, but I forgot it all the second he encouraged him forward. But you know what? That horse got me up the mountain and back down. I had to have faith in that horse. And I believe Sister Thea really wanted me to experience that.”
The choirs created an atmosphere of praise, with guests dancing and singing along. Frazier Riddell and Elaine Gager performed moving duets, while Pastor Woodard engaged the audience as his choir delivered a stirring performance. Pastor Woodard, a former student of Hightower, founded the Rembert Washington Memorial Chorale in honor of his mentor. Christ the King choir also delivered a dynamic performance, and in a powerful closing moment, Hightower took to the piano and invited all former students, teachers and choir members of Sister Thea to stand and sing together.
DeAsia Evans, who coordinated the choirs, also shared her memories of Sister Thea. Despite recently undergoing knee replacement surgery, she stood before the crowd, proclaiming:
“I just had a knee replacement, but Lord willing I am standing up here on two feet today ready to give some praise and celebrate Sister Thea!”
By Mary Woodward JACKSON – Back in December, Bishop Joseph Kopacz blessed and dedicated a statue of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA. The statue was a gift from the bishops of the Province of Mobile, which consists of the Metropolitan Archdiocesan See of Mobile and the Dioceses of Jackson, Biloxi and Birmingham. These four venerable dioceses encompass the Catholic Church in Mississippi and Alabama. Since then, the statue has been seen by a multitude of people from around the South and beyond. We have several pilgrimage groups coming to visit the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle and the statue throughout this Jubilee Year of Hope.
MEMPHIS – Pictured is the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, the site where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The historic site now serves as the National Civil Rights Museum. (Photo courtesy of archives)
Furthermore, some anniversaries of key events in the history of the region have occurred. March 7 marked the 60th anniversary of what is referred to as Bloody Sunday, when civil rights marchers were attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama; March 30 was the 35th anniversary of Sister Thea’s death in Canton; and on April 4 we reached the 57th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis at the Lorraine Motel, which now serves as the National Civil Rights Museum.
Our diocesan archive contains a chronicling of the Catholic Church’s role in the civil rights movement in Mississippi. Bishop Richard Gerow’s diary describes many events and efforts by the local church to be a voice for justice in a very difficult, tumultuous time, including a visit to the White House in July 1963 to meet with President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy to discuss how the administration could help with the volatile situation in Jackson after the assassination of Medgar Evers in June.
Some of the earliest meetings between local clergy – black and white – happened in our diocesan chancery building prior to 1963. Bishop Joseph Brunini, who had been ordained and appointed something similar to an apostolic administrator to assist Bishop Gerow in 1957 worked alongside Black Pastors, the bishops of the Episcopal and Methodist church, and the local Rabbi to speak out against intimidation and the bombing of black churches.
During this time, Sister Thea would be finishing up her undergraduate studies at Viterbo University in LaCrosse in 1965 and heading off in 1966 to Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to get her M.A. in 1969 and her Ph.D. in 1972. All the while she was keeping a close eye on her home in Mississippi. Then in 1978 after Sister Thea had returned to Canton to care for her aging parents, Bishop Brunini invited and hired Sister Thea to serve as the Diocesan Consultant for Intercultural Awareness. From this role she was able to travel and inspire myriads of people by being a beacon of truth, justice and hope in a world in need of such light.
The Chancellor’s office will be sponsoring a “Sister Thea Bowman Jubilee of Hope Tour” to Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama the weekend of Nov. 15-16 during Black Catholic History Month. (Photo courtesy of archives)
This past week we received word that a biography of Sister Thea by Mary Verrill entitled Thea Bowman: A Story of Triumph has been approved for use in Mississippi schools as a fourth-grade elective textbook for social studies. So, Sister Thea will be able to inspire another generation of young minds.
Looking back to the statue installation, there was a great deal of enthusiasm and interest in Sister Thea’s cause for beatification and canonization. At the reception following the dedication, the desire to form a province-wide guild to help promote the cause and educate others on Sister Thea’s legacy was introduced. In the months since that introduction, we have been in dialogue with Rev. Victor Ingalls, director of the Office of Multicultural Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile, about launching the guild this November during Black Catholic History Month.
In conjunction with celebrations in Mobile, the Diocese of Jackson through the Archives and Chancellor’s office will be sponsoring a bus tour to Mobile and Montgomery the weekend of Nov. 15-16. We are calling it The Sister Thea Bowman Jubilee of Hope Tour.
Details will be released soon but the trip will include a visit to Africatown where the Clotilda, the last slave ship, arrived in 1860, 52 years after the international slave trade had been outlawed; after that we will participate in a Black Catholic History Month Mass in Mobile where the guild will be formally launched; then on to Montgomery to visit St. Jude Parish where civil rights marchers were housed during the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 mentioned above; finally we will tour the Equal Justice Initiative Museum and grounds.
The province guild will be the charter guild for Sister Thea’s cause and will be open to Catholics and friends in Mississippi and Alabama who want to support and promote Sister Thea’s Cause. Other guild branches will be formed around the country as we move forward as well. We still are working on a basic set of guidelines and responsibilities for membership, but we hope the guild will be a place to share the excitement around and the beauty of Sister Thea’s inspiring life and legacy.
Sister Thea Bowman, pray for us!
(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)
Rev. Augustine Palimattam Poulose appointed Administrator Pro Tempore of St. Michael Parish Forest and its mission, St. Anne in Newton; St. Michael Parish Paulding and Centro Católico in Morton, effective April 1, 2025.
