NOVEMBER 8, 2024
mississippicatholic.com
Synod calls for quick steps to involve more people in church life BY CINDY WOODEN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Parishes and dioceses must move quickly to give life to the consultative bodies and broad participation in mission and ministry already foreseen by church law if the Catholic Church is to have any hope of becoming a more “synodal” church, members of the Synod of Bishops said. “Without concrete changes in the short term, the vision of a synodal church will not be credible and this will alienate those members of the People of God who have drawn strength and hope from the synodal journey,” the members said in the final document they approved Oct. 26. Pope Francis convoked the synod in 2021 and called on parishes, dioceses and bishops’ conferences to hold listening sessions before the first synod assembly in Rome in 2023. The current assembly, including most of the same members, began with a Mass at the Vatican Oct. 2. Members voted on each of the 155 paragraphs of the document, which made suggestions and requests to Pope Francis that included long-term projects, such as continuing discernment about the possibility of women deacons, the need to reform seminary training and the hope that more lay people would be involved in the selection of bishops. But they also included actions that could and
– Continued on page 6 –
Pope Francis speaks to members of the Synod of Bishops on synodality after they approved their final document Oct. 26, 2024, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
St. Joseph School launches “We Are St. Joe” capital campaign BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
MADISON – St. Joseph School has launched its first major capital campaign in 17 years, introducing ambitious plans for new classrooms, a state-of-the-art multipurpose athletic facility, campus-wide upgrades and debt retirement. The three-year, $5 million “We Are St. Joe” campaign was unveiled before the school’s Homecoming football game on Friday, Sept. 27. This initiative is aimed at strengthening St. Joe’s legacy of academic and athletic excellence while addressing the evolving needs of its students. “Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are ready to make a big investment in the future of St. Joseph Catholic School,” said Dr. Dena Kinsey, principal of St. Joe. “With the help of our families, alumni and other incredible supporters, this campaign will make a great school even better.” Dr. Kinsey highlighted the success of St. Joe students across academics, the arts and athletics. “Our
students continue to achieve remarkable things,” she said. “By supporting this campaign, our alumni, friends, families and supporters will help us build on that well into the future. We are 154 years strong and pushing forward.” In early 2024, St. Joe’s Canonical Board, Advisory Council, and school administration conducted an extensive planning study to identify the school’s immediate and long-term needs. The resulting projects were divided into two phases: the Celebration Goal and the Challenge Goal. The Celebration Goal aims to raise $2 million to support critical campus upgrades. This phase includes adding two classrooms to the Middle School Building, implementing a new public address system, enhancing HVAC systems campus wide, constructing a retaining wall for the campus lake, and reducing debt on the Fine Arts building. The Challenge Goal target is to raise an additional $3 million to construct a multipurpose athletic facility. This facility will feature a high-quality floor for volleyball, basketball and cheer, as well as a covered turf field for multi-sport practices and use by the school marching band.
– Continued on page 6 –
INSIDE THIS WEEK FOLLOW US
@jacksondiocese DIGITAL EDITION Text MSCATHOLIC to 84576
Centennial 9 Our Lady of Victories celebrates 100th anniversary
Sisters’ 150th 15 School Sisters of St. Francis celebrate 150 years
St. Joe Dedication 17 Ribbon cutting for upgraded athletic facility