NOVEMBER 11, 2022
mississippicatholic.com
Diocese hosts event as part of National Eucharistic Revival BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
The diocesan Eucharistic event held at St. Joseph included adoraGLUCKSTADT – For much of tion, vespers, spiritual talks on the the evening and morning of Oct. Eucharist, opportunities for reconcil28 and 29 at St. Joseph Church in iation and Mass with Bishop Joseph Gluckstadt, the sanctuary was relKopacz. atively silent with the occasional Selected as the featured speaker sound of movement or a cough. for the event was Father Ajani GibUpon entering some had their son of the Archdiocese of New Orheads bowed in prayer and others leans. A relatively new priest, only with their eyes fixed on the consebeing ordained about a year and a crated Eucharist host placed in the half, Father Ajani’s passion and love center of the altar. The host was for the Eucharist was evident as he contained in a monstrance from the focused event attendees on internalBishop R.O. Gerow collection and izing and externalizing the Eucharist. modeled off the one used for the In his first spiritual talk, he 1932 Eucharistic Congress in New touched on how much COVID-19 Orleans, a fitting receptacle for the affected us as a Body of Christ, with Eucharistic Revival moment help by many not returning to Mass or conthe Diocese of Jackson. tinuing to view Mass virtually. Of The event was held as a part of Mass, Father Ajani said that “we the National Eucharistic Revival, decome to be reminded of the beauty veloped by the United States Conferand the gift that is the Eucharist.” ence of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) This moment of Eucharistic Reand the diocesan “Year of the Euchavival, says Father Ajani, is about rist.” renewing our relationship with the The national revival comes at a time when many Catholics don’t be- GLUCKSTADT – Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Father Ajani Gibson administer Communion person of Jesus Christ. He asked in lieve the church’s teaching that the during the Eucharistic Revival moment held at St. Joseph parish in Gluckstadt. The two his first talk for everyone to contemconsecrated bread and wine become day event was a part of the National Eucharistic Revival featuring adoration, vespers, plate the simple question – “Do I bethe actual body and blood of Jesus. spiritual talks on the Eucharist, opportunities for reconciliation and Mass. (Photo by lieve in Jesus Christ?” “The Lord in the moment of EuPew research reported in 2019, that Joanna Puddister King) charistic renewal is drawing us to be 69% of self-described Catholics say they personally believe the bread and wine are just “symbols of the body and blood in communion and unity with Him,” Father Ajani told those gathered at the event. of Jesus Christ.” Continued on page 6 –
Boy Scouts honor Dominican sisters with citizenship award BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
JACKSON – On Thursday, Oct. 27, the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored the Dominican Sisters of St. Dominic with this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award at a luncheon held at the Jackson Country Club. Tony Haines has served as the chief executive officer for the Andrew Jackson Council of the scouts for twelve years and is described by some as a “huge fan” of the Dominican sisters and their work providing quality, compassionate care to the community. The sisters of St. Dominic “save the lives of the individuals of this community ... they save the community at times from itself, they impact the quality of lives in our area, and I would probably say outside of our area. They do a lot of good,” said Haines. He also believes joy comes from their service to others. “They pass along that joy to God. ... They are leading lives that are very dedicated to Christ and dedicated to the community.” Kay McRee says what makes St. Dominic so special is the Dominican sisters.
As the executive director of St. Dominic Health Services Foundation, McRee talked to those gathered at the luncheon about the history of the Dominican sisters beginning with the Jackson Infirmary in the center of the city in 1946. Also, at the event celebrating the Dominican sisters of St. Dominic was Bishop Joseph Kopacz. Growing up in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, he was a part of “Troop 66” at
his local parish starting with Cub Scouts and eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. Bishop Kopacz also talked to the group gathered about merit badges, how special they are and how “blessed” he was during his eight years of scouting. “There are very special merit badges in scouting – I believe they may still require merit badges like ‘Citizenship in the Community, in the Nation and in the World,’” – Continued on page 6 –
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Centennials 7 St. Alphonsus and St. Thomas celebrate 100 years
Foundation meets 8 Catholic Foundation meets, celebrates accomplishments
Youth 21 Photos from around the diocese