MS Catholic 4 17 2026

Flowers, faith and the “Divine Dance” bring Easter vision to life at St. Paul parish

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

FLOWOOD – A life-size bride dressed in handmade flowers greeted parishioners at St. Paul Church this Easter, her gown a delicate arrangement of soap petals crafted by members of the parish just weeks before.

Inside the church, those same flowers adorned the altar, the result of a daylong, bridal-themed workshop that invited participants to reflect on the Church as the Bride of Christ and her call into the “Divine Dance.”

More than 100 parishioners gathered March 14 for the Easter soap flower workshop led by Amber Earles, owner of A’Marie’s Bath Flower Shop, along with Cecilia Carlton, director of liturgy at St. Paul, and parishioner Pam Harkins. Guests of all ages filled tables, shaping delicate soap petals into flowers that would become part of the parish’s Easter environment.

The event blended creativity, catechesis and celebration, with each element of the bridal theme

pointing to a deeper spiritual meaning.

“We’ve worked on this for a year, just letting things come to us from the Holy Spirit,” Earles said. “It wasn’t forced – it just unfolded, like the flowers.”

Earles, a St. Paul parishioner, began her business more than a decade ago after creating a bouquet of soap flowers for her hospitalized mother-in-law. When her mother-in-law hesitated to use them because they were “too pretty,” Earles developed a petal-by-petal design that could be enjoyed both visually and practically.

While her handcrafted flowers are now shipped nationwide, Earles said opportunities like the parish workshop remain central to her mission.

“This is why I do what I do,” she said. “Yes, I work to live, but this – seeing people come together, creating and finding joy – this is the purpose behind it.”

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Diocese explores future campaign through feasibility study

BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING

JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson has entered an important period of listening and discernment as it explores the possibility of a future diocesan-wide capital campaign. This effort, known as a feasibility study, is being led by the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Jackson and is designed to gather input from clergy, parish leaders and parishioners across the diocese.

A feasibility study is a critical first step in determining whether a campaign is both needed and achievable. It allows diocesan leadership to better understand the needs, hopes and priorities of the faithful before making any decisions. Rather than beginning with assumptions, the diocese is committed to ensuring that any future campaign reflects the real needs of parishes, ministries and the broader Church.

“This is first and foremost a listening process,” said Rebecca Harris, executive director of the Catholic Foundation. “We want to hear what matters most to our parishioners and how we can best support the mission entrusted to us as a diocese.”

Bishop Joseph Kopacz also emphasized the importance of participation in a recent letter to parishioners: “I write to you with gratitude and hope as our diocese enters a time of prayerful listening and discernment … Your voice is essential in this process.” His invitation underscores the central goal of the study which is to ensure that every voice has the opportunity to be heard.

The feasibility study will explore several key areas, including support for parish needs, a retired priest endowment, parish endowments, and the Bishop Houck Lay Leader Center endowment. Another component of the campaign being tested is seminari-

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SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

DIOCESE – Engaged Encounter 2026: May 1-3; Aug. 28-30; Oct. 2-4. Details: couples may register at https://jacksondiocese.flocknote.com/signup/230073 or email debbie.tubertini@jacksondiocese.org.

GREENWOOD – Locus Benedictus, Inner Healing Retreat, April 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details: (662) 299-1232.

HOLLY SPRINGS – Catholic Parishes of Northwest MS, Ladies Group Retreat, Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gregory House, with a talk by Sisters Leonora and Susan. Sign up by April 19. Details: church o ce (662) 342-1073.

PILGRMAGE – Travel with Father Carlisle Beggerly to Italy/Greece, Oct. 7-20, 2026. Cost: $5,999 per person. Details: Contact Proximo Travel (855-8428001) or visit proximotravel.com (enter Fr. Carlisle in search box).

Travel with Father Raju Macherla to Portugal, Spain and France, July 6-17, 2026. Cost: $5,500 per person (sharing room), with departure from Memphis. Details: visit https://bit.ly/4efWoql.

PARISH & YOUTH EVENTS

FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Calling all Catholic Homeschoolers! We are forming a Catholic Homeschool coop, join us for Mass and an interest meeting, Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. Bring lunch for your family for a picnic following Mass. Details: lumenmundihs@gmail.com.

GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, CYO Bingo Night Fundraiser, Wednesday, April 22, in the parish center. Games at 6 p.m., doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $40 at the door for one card for all 10 games. $5 burger meals available. Details: o ce (662) 453-3980.

HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Annual Yard Sale, Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: Tena at (901) 598-7927.

JACKSON – St. Richard, Special Kids Art Show, Thursday, April 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Foley Hall. Details: call (601) 366-2335.

MADISON – St. Francis, Luella and Floyd Q. Doolittle Golf Tournament, Friday, May 8 at Whisper Lake Country Club. Fun costests begin at noon and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. An awards presentation and a home-cooked meal by KC 9543 will take place in the clubhouse after all participants have cleared the course. Details: Tunney at (601) 622-4145 or tunneyv1@icloud.com.

St. Francis of Assisi, Cajun Fest, Sunday, May 17 from 12-4 p.m. Details: church o ce (601) 856-5556.

CORRECTION

Lewis and Dinah Slay of Sacred Heart parish in Greenville are recipients of the Bishop Chanche Medal for Service this year. The couple were inadvertently left o the list in the last edition of Mississippi Catholic. We apologize for the error.

Encountering the Risen Lord

BY BISHOP JOSEPH R. KOPACZ, D.D.

For 50 days the Church throughout the world celebrates the Easter season culminating in the great Solemnity of Pentecost. From the empty tomb on Easter Sunday morning to the community of disciples – including the Apostles and the Blessed Mother – gathered in expectant faith for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Church each year returns to her roots to rediscover our founding story.

The kerygma is the theological understanding that arises from an encounter with Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen one. “Repent and believe in the one risen from the dead and be baptized and your sins will be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 2:38)

In the time between the resurrection and ascension into heaven – ten days before Pentecost in our finite framework of time – the Lord appeared to his apostles and disciples on numerous occasions in order to reconcile their doubts, fears, denials, trauma, and confusion, and to prepare them to be the first family of witnesses of God’s love in the world.

Pope Benedict in his concise and eloquent manner often spoke about the impact of encountering the crucified and risen Lord on our daily journey. “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”

We see this clearly in the lives of the Lord’s first followers who were scattered after the crucifixion, but by Pentecost Sunday these same lost sheep were fearless in the face of considerable opposition to proclaim the Gospel to the nations,

Happy Ordination Anniversary

April 6

Father Joseph Golamari

April 10

Father Pradeep Kumar irumalareddy

April 12

Father Raju Macherla and Father Sleeva Reddy Mekala

April 14

Father Suresh Reddy irumalareddy

April 18

Father Vijaya Manohar Reddy anugundla

April 19

Father Sebastian Myladiyil, SVD and Father Joseph Ashok umma

April 26

Father Jesuraj Xavier

May 7

Bishop Joseph Kopacz (ordained priest)

May 11

Father Mark Sho ner and Father Adolfo Suarez Pasillas

Thank you for answering the call!

P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org

6 (ISSN 1529-1693)

DATE: APRIL 10, 2026

Publisher Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

Communications Director Joanna Puddister King

Production Manager Tereza Ma

MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC is an official publication of the Diocese of Jackson, 601-969-1880, 237 E. Amite St., Jackson, MS 39201. Published once per month, Mississippi Catholic mails 12 editions per year.

For address changes, corrections or to join the email list for the digital edition, email: editor@ jacksondiocese.org. Subscription rate: $20 a year in Mississippi, $21 out-of-state. Periodical postage at Jackson, MS 39201 and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Catholic, P.O. Box 2130, Jackson, MS 39225-2130. Website: www.mississippicatholic.com  www.jacksondiocese.org

beginning in Jerusalem. Through the encounter they were at peace, alive for God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11) with a decisive direction toward a new horizon.

Our dawning Christian story reveals that the encounter with the risen Lord is always both inwardly and outwardly directed. During three resurrection appearances, the Lord rallied and gathered his disciples with the gift of his peace, Shalom. This was the inward healing that had to flourish before it was possible to bring the horizon of God’s salvation into clear focus. The gift freely received was to be given as a gift.

This is the Lord’s mandate in all four Gospels, not only for the first family of disciples but for all time:

• “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)

• “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21)

• “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins is to be preached to all the nations beginning in Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-49)

• “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Ongoing conversion and evangelization are the constant markers of our life in God. Yet, there are many outside the walls and halls of the Church, and our commitment to the Kingdom of God in the world – a kingdom of justice and peace and the joy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) – is an essential marker of the Church.

The mission continues in our own time. Last Saturday on Divine Mercy Weekend, Pope Leo XIV from Rome conducted a worldwide prayer service for peace. Like the popes of the modern era before him he is a prophetic voice for justice, peace, sanity and fraternity in a world a icted by violence, terrorism, war and greed. This is the voice of the risen Lord, the light of the Gospel, and the power of faith, hope and love.

The Lord is risen, alleluia! May the 50 days of Easter be for us a season of refreshment and a gift of the risen Lord to align our lives with a decisive direction and with an ever-new horizon in God.

BISHOP’S SCHEDULE

Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. John the Evangelist, Oxford

Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass for the Vicksburg Community, St. Paul, Vicksburg

Friday, April 24-26 – Knights of Columbus State Convention, Natchez

Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 a.m. – Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Jackson

Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Elizabeth, Clarksdale

Saturday, May 2, 5:30 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, Our Lady of Victories, Cleveland

Sunday, May 3, 10:30 a.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Mary, Batesville

Wednesday, May 6, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Paul, Flowood

Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Alphonsus, McComb

Saturday, May 9, 11:30 a.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Michael, Forest

Saturday, May 9, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass for Meridian Community, St. Patrick, Meridian

Sunday, May 10, 1 p.m. – Confirmation Mass, St. Therese, Jackson

Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m. – Confirmation Mass for St. Mary, St. Joseph Woodville and St. Anne Fayette, at St. Mary, Natchez

Saturday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. – Priestly Ordination of Will Foggo, Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson

All events are subject to change. Check with parishes for further details.

VOCATIONs 4

We are nearing the end of a historic year for our seminary program. We jumped up from six seminarians to 12, and I’m very grateful for all of the support we have received to help our men engage in their formation.

About half of our seminarians are at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and the other half are at St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana.

After a man is accepted to the seminary, we consider which environment would be ideal for him to start his time as a seminarian. As you would expect, the atmosphere in New Orleans is city immersed.

Classes are held within two large buildings on the west end of New Orleans, and while there is space to play basketball and tennis out back, there is not much in the way

CALLED BY NAME

of nature – with mostly cars zooming up and down South Carrollton Avenue.

St. Joseph is nestled in the farmland north of Covington. It’s less than an hour to the Mississippi line on I-55. There are plenty of walking paths, a river and lakes. It’s a nature-lovers paradise, but it is more isolated from the conveniences of the city.

Both places are beautiful and have pluses and minuses. The biggest consideration is typically the age of the new seminarian. Anyone who is still within the age-range of an undergraduate college student will start at St. Joseph. The community there tends younger and I would be concerned about someone in their early 20s feeling comfortable and confident at Notre Dame at such a young age. Once a man turns 25, typically we send him to New Orleans so that he doesn’t start to feel like a ‘senior citizen’ in the community. I know, it’s funny to think of someone in their 20s thinking of themselves as ‘old!’

We have used seminaries in different parts of the country throughout the years, including during my time as Vocation Director, but typically I like to keep our men at these more local seminaries so long as the program there

Dominican Sisters to host national discernment event in June

BY STAFF REPORTS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Women who are discerning a call to religious life as Dominican Sisters are invited to Mr. Lincoln’s Hometown in June for a national event hosted by the Springfield Dominican Sisters.

Applications are being received now, and up to fifteen women will be selected for participation in the event, scheduled for June 16-20. The group will live at Sacred Heart Convent and experience the rhythms of apostolic religious life, which includes community life, prayer, active service, and theological reflection.

Any single Catholic woman age 20-45 who would like to participate is encouraged to apply at springfieldop. org/events.

Local non-profit organizations will provide sites for service activities.

Three additional congregations of Dominican Sisters are also participating: The Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Mich., the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wis., and the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Columbus, Ohio, are co-sponsoring the project. Vocation ministers from each congregation will be present to the participants and animate group activities. Vocation ministers are those who accompany women discerning God’s call to religious life.

“Springfield is a perfect place to

give women a taste of the foundations of Dominican life: community life, prayer, study, and preaching, or service.” said Sister Denise Glazik, OP, minister of vocation accompaniment for the Springfield Dominican Sisters.

“Our senior sisters at the motherhouse are gracious and welcoming, and the city is home to some stellar nonprofit organizations that will provide a wonderful immersion experience for participants.

“All single Catholic women, 20-45 are welcome to apply – but do it soon!” Sister Denise added. There is a limit to the number of participants who can come.

The $50 participation fee should not be a barrier for any applicant. Scholarships will be available for those who need them.

Why Dominican Life?

The Dominican Sisters hosting the 2026 Summer Immersion Experience are part of a worldwide Dominican family, the Order of Preachers. For more than 800 years, Dominicans have preached the Gospel in word and deed. Today, thousands of Dominican sisters, nuns, priests, brothers, associates and laity minister in more than 100 countries around the world. To learn more about the U.S. Dominicans visit dominicansistersconference.org.

remains solid. It is a great gift to be able to drive to see our guys.

Bishop Kopacz has made it a priority to attend annual evaluations in person, which is not typical, but it is a great gift. His presence helps the men feel connected to the diocese and to realize how seriously we are taking their journey through formation. When Bishop and I come down for evaluations we like to pray evening prayer with them and take them out to dinner so that the day isn’t just ‘all-business.’ We also ask the guys at the ‘other seminary’ to drive up, or down, for the occasion so we can all be together. I think this has helped create an atmosphere of trust and accountability over the years. I am grateful for these trips because it has really helped me continue to update the bishop on the men’s progress in a way that is consistent and personal, and he gets to check in on them himself, which means so much to our seminarians.

(Father Nick Adam is Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Jackson. He can be contacted at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.)

Discover Life with the Dominican Sisters at the 2026 Summer Immersion Experience!

The Dominican Sisters warmly invite single Catholic women ages 20–45 to step into a meaningful encounter with their vibrant mission Join with your peers or with other young women from June 16-20 for a unique opportunity to pray learn and serve alongside the Dominican Sisters Experience their rich traditions of community life contemplative prayer preaching and ministry Throughout the event you ll meet other discerning women and Sisters from various apostolates, hear their stories and explore how God may be calling you to live out your own mission in the Church inspired ins ired nspired wel pcomed welcomed elcomed Spirit Spirit pirit

Come to be Come to be

Come to see where the may be leading you.

WHEN: June 16-20, 2026

WHERE: Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 West Monroe St Springf ield, IL 62704

WHO: Single, Catholic Women ages 20-45

COST: $50

For Additional Information: Sister Denise Glazik, OP at dglazik@spdom org Register by June 1 at springf ieldop org/events/

Time started over

IN EXILE

By Father ron rolheiser, oMi

With the resurrection of Jesus, time started over. Simply put, up until Jesus rose from the dead all things that died stayed dead. After Jesus’ resurrection, nothing stays dead anymore. Time has begun anew.

Luke’s Gospel account of the resurrection begins with the words “on the morning of the first day.” This is a double reference. He is referring to Sunday, the first day of the week, but he is also referring to the first day of a new creation. With the resurrection, time has started over. In fact, the world measures time by that day. We are in the year 2026 since that morning when Jesus rose from the dead.

From the beginning of time until Jesus’ resurrection, everything mortal died and remained in death. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, in the story of Adam and Eve and their fall from grace, we are given to believe that originally humans were not intended to die. In this view, death entered the world through the sin of our first parents. Today, for sound theological and scientific reasons, the Adam and Eve story is considered, like the other “in the beginning” stories in Genesis, to be more metaphoric and archetypal than literal. To be human is to be mortal.

Irrespective as to whether you take the Adam and Eve story literally and see death because of their sin or not, the bottom line is the same: From our first parents onward, everything that died stayed dead.

That changed with the resurrection of Jesus. When God raised him from the dead, creation was changed at its very roots. Nature changed. A dead body was brought to new life. Impossible? Yes, except that time started over! There was a new first day, a new Genesis, a second time when we can say, “in the beginning.”

And nothing stays dead now because Jesus is the “first fruit” of this new creation. What happened to him now happens to us. We too will not stay dead but will rise to new life. Moreover, this isn’t just true for us as humans. It’s also true for the earth itself and everything on it. Jesus came to save the world, not just the people living in the world.

St. Paul makes this clear in his Epistle to the Romans when he writes that all creation, physical creation, has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth and – it itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:21-23)

Our planet earth, like our human body, is also mortal. It is dying too. As we know, the sun will eventually burn out and that will spell the death of our planet. Our planet also needs to be resurrected, and scripture assures us that it will.

What all this means stretches our imagination beyond its limits. Does this mean that animals will also have eternal life? Will our beloved pets be with us in heaven? Will plants enter heaven? Will the whole cosmos and our planet earth be transformed and enter heaven?

The answer is yes, though how this will happen is beyond our imagination. Our human mind is too limited. This is impossible to imagine, except, except that God

who is the Father of Jesus Christ is ineffable, beyond imagination, and can do the unimaginable, including transforming all things into new life.

The Gospel of John has a particularly poignant text which links the resurrection of Jesus to the original creation as described in Genesis. John tells us that in his first resurrection appearance to the apostles, Jesus finds them huddled in fear inside a room with the doors locked. The resurrected Jesus goes right through the locked doors, enters their midst, greets them, shows them his hands and his side, and then breathes on them. (John 20:21)

This breathing out by Jesus parallels what happened at the original creation when God breathed over the formless void, and light began to separate from darkness and creation began to take shape.

After the resurrection, Jesus breathes on his disciples and for the second time in history light begins to separate from darkness. The confusion, fear, timidity, and the weaknesses of the apostles, their “formless void,” their darkness, begins to separate from the new light brought by the resurrection, namely, the eternal light of charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

So, it’s appropriate to say that with the resurrection of Jesus, time started over. There was a new first day where light again separated from darkness. The resurrection of Jesus is the most radical thing that has occurred since God originally said – let there be light! – nearly fourteen billion years ago. The earth itself and everything on it, humans, animals, plants, and minerals, and the earth itself, are now given life beyond death.

Until the resurrection of Jesus, all things that died stayed dead. This is no longer true. Time has started over.

(Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a professor of spirituality at Oblate School of Theology and award-winning author.)

The Pope’s Corner

Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Pope Francis, urges Catholics to proclaim truth in troubled world

By Junno arocho esteves

(OSV News) – Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Pope Francis and called on Catholics to follow the late pontiff’s example in proclaiming the truth in a troubled world.

Addressing pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square April 6, the pope remembered his predecessor “who, on Easter Monday of last year, returned to the Lord.”

“As we recall his profound witness of faith and love, let us pray together to the Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, that we may become ever more radiant heralds of the truth,” Pope Leo said before praying the “Regina Caeli” prayer.

Pope Francis died April 21, 2025, just one day after delivering what would be his final Easter Sunday “urbi et orbi” blessing.

In his address, Pope Leo recalled the day’s Gospel reading, which gave the dual accounts of the women who encountered the risen Christ and the guards who accepted a bribe in exchange for publicly denying the resurrection.

The two contrasting narratives, he explained, are an invitation to reflect “on the value of Christian witness and the integrity of human communication.”

“Often, the proclamation of truth is obscured by what we today call ‘fake news’ – lies, insinuations, and unfounded accusations. Yet, in the face of such obstacles, the truth does not remain hidden; rather, it comes forth to meet us, living and radiant, illuminating even the deepest darkness.”

Like he told the women at the tomb, Jesus calls on Christians not to be afraid and to announce the good news of his resurrection.

“The Passover of the Lord is our Passover –the Passover of all humanity – for this man who died for us is the Son of God, who gave his life for us,” the pope said. “Just as the risen One, ever living and present, frees the past from a destructive end, so the Easter proclamation redeems our future from the tomb.”

Pope Leo emphasized the importance of the Gospel’s reach to “those oppressed by the evil

that corrupts history and confuses consciences,” particularly those “afflicted by war, of Christians persecuted for their faith, of children deprived of an education.”

“To proclaim the Paschal mystery of Christ in both word and deed means to give a new voice to hope – a hope otherwise stifled by the hands of the violent. Wherever it is proclaimed, the Good News sheds light upon every shadow, in every age,” the pope said.

After praying with the faithful, Pope Leo expressed his gratitude for the prayers from those who “have sent me messages of good wishes for Easter during these days.”

“I hope you spend this Easter Monday and these days of the Easter Octave – during which we continue to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection – in joy and faith,” he said. “Let us continue to pray for the gift of peace for the whole world.”

(Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on X @jae_journalist.)

Pope Leo XIV smiles while leading the “Regina Caeli” prayer in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 6, 2026. Pope Leo paid tribute to Pope Francis and called on Catholics to follow the late pontiff’s example in proclaiming the truth in a troubled world. (OSV News photo/Elisabetta Trevisan, Vatican Media)

‘... We are invited ... to the dance itself ...’

ment of love within the Trinity and the invitation extended to all believers.

Throughout the day, participants created mostly white flowers symbolizing the purity of the Bride of Christ, along with multicolored blooms representing the unique gifts within the Body of Christ. These were later incorporated into both the altar display and the atrium scene depicting Jesus inviting His Bride into the Divine Dance.

During a midday reflection, Carlton guided participants into the theological meaning behind the imagery.

“We are not meant to stand apart from the Lord,” Carlton said. “We are invited to the feast of the Lamb – invited into relationship, into communion, into the dance itself.”

Drawing from Scripture and tradition, Carlton described the Divine Dance as the move-

“No more standing at a distance,” she said. “There is a place set for you at the table.”

The bridal theme carried through the day with a wedding-style cake, a bouquet toss and soap flower bases given as favors – lighthearted touches that reinforced the central message of the wedding feast of the Lamb.

By the end of the workshop, the room that once buzzed with conversation and careful handiwork reflected a shared sense of joy and participation in something greater.

“It’s not just about making something beautiful,” Earles said. “It’s about being invited into something deeper – into God’s love.”

(Below) A life-size display depicting Jesus inviting His Bride, the Church, into the “Divine Dance” is featured in the atrium of St. Paul Catholic Church for Easter. (Photo by Amber Earles)

Continued from page 1 –– Continued from page 1 –

(Above) Kerry Doyle, a parishioner of St. Paul Church, displays a handmade soap flower she crafted during a March 14 workshop preparing decorations for the Easter altar and atrium. (On right) Amber Earles speaks to participants about the origins of her handcrafted soap flowers and A’marie’s Bath Flower Shop. (Photos by Joanna King – For more photos visit jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com.)

‘... Diocese feasibility study ...’

an education. As the diocese continues to experience growth in vocations, the financial commitment required to educate and form future priests has also increased.

“As we look to the future, investing in seminarian education is essential to the life of our Church,” Harris said. “We are seeing great momentum in vocations, and we must ensure we have the resources to support these men as they prepare for the priesthood.”

Participation from across the diocese is essential to the success of this effort. Feedback gathered during this phase will help determine not only whether to move forward with a capital campaign, but also what priorities it should include if it proceeds.

As part of the process, parishioners should have received a Flocknote message inviting them to complete a brief survey. This survey is one of the primary tools being used to collect input from parishioners around the diocese. All parishioners are encouraged to take a few minutes to share their thoughts.

You can access the survey here: https://bit.ly/jacksondiocesestudy

Results of the feasibility study are expected in mid-May and will guide diocesan leadership in determining next steps.

“This is a moment of opportunity for our diocese,” Harris added. “By listening carefully and planning responsibly, we can ensure that any future campaign strengthens our parishes, forms future priests, and supports the mission of the Church for generations to come.”

All are invited to participate and to keep this effort in prayer as the Diocese seeks to follow God’s guidance in the months ahead.

Meet the artist behind the 47 paintings supporting Sister Thea Bowman’s cause for canonization

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

(EWTN News) – Nearly 30 years ago, Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, an award-winning artist, found himself in a hospital room as his father battled colon cancer. One afternoon he came across a magazine and in it was the last interview with Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman – an African American woman who challenged the Church in the 20th century to confront its history of racial exclusion and to embrace Black Catholics through her work as a scholar, teacher and speaker.

“I had never heard of the woman in my life, but I read this article right there on the spot and I thought, ‘Wow, she was something. How did I miss her all this time,’” McGrath told EWTN News.

“Music was at the very heart of her whole ministry,” he added. “And so, that struck me too as an artist, that she was using her artistic gifts to advance her spirit.”

One year later, McGrath welcomed a couple of brothers into his home who were preparing to take their final vows. Together they watched a video on Bowman that left him “energized and inspired.”

“The next morning, I got up and started painting and I didn’t stop for two weeks,” he said. “And in two weeks’ time I had nine paintings in a style very different from anything I had ever done before … It was like I was touching things that were already deep in me, you know, spiritually, but I didn’t have access to.”

Now McGrath has 47 paintings inspired by Bowman that have been packaged into boxes and sent to Rome for review to advance her cause for canonization.

The diocesan phase of Bowman’s cause for canonization was officially closed by the Diocese of Jackson, on Feb. 9. McGrath attended the Mass for this occasion, which was celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz and held in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson.

He called it a “truly wonderful event.”

Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, with the boxes containing his paintings of Sister Thea Bowman, which were sent to Rome to support her cause for canonization. Below is a a sketch he completed during the Mass for Sister Thea’s cause for canonization at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson on Feb. 9, 2026. (Photos courtesy of Brother Mickey McGrath)

Reflecting on his paintings, McGrath said one stands out among the rest: a painting titled “This Little Light of Mine.” A painting from his first nine paintings inspired by Bowman – which he calls “the spirituals” – this painting depicts Bowman in a green habit holding a monstrance up in the air. He explained that it connects the classic song with “the light of Christ.”

McGrath shared that Bowman continues to provide Catholics with an important message today: “We’re all made in the image and likeness of God, and that’s got to be preeminent.”

Bowman, born in 1937, was a trailblazing Catholic sister, educator, and evangelist. A member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, she converted to Catholicism as a child and later became one of the most compelling advocates for Black Catholic spirituality in the United States.

With a gift for storytelling, Bowman traveled the country speaking, singing, and teaching – urging the Church to embrace the cultural gifts of African American Catholics.

In 1989, despite battling cancer, Bowman addressed the U.S. bishops with a now-famous speech that blended gospel song, humor and a prophetic call for unity. Her witness left a lasting impression, and in 2018 her cause for canonization was formally opened by the Diocese of Jackson, giving her the title “servant of God.”

(This article is reprinted with permission from EWTN News. Visit bromickeymcgrath.com for more on the artwork of Brother Mickey McGrath.)

The Diocese of Jackson has launched a third-party reporting system that will enable all diocesan employees, volunteers and parishioners to anonymously (or named if preferred) make reports. Examples of this activity include fraud, misconduct, safety violations, harassment or substance abuse occurring at a Catholic parish, Catholic school or at the diocesan level. The system is operated by Lighthouse Services.

To make a report visit www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish).

The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicate their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to: Diocese of Jackson, P.O. Box 22723, Jackson, MS 39225-2723

MAY 16 & 17, 2026

Sacerdotes: Los detenidos por ICE ven las visitas del Triduo Pascual de un grupo de Chicago como un signo de 'humanidad'

Por SiMone orenDain

CHICAGO (OSV News) – Las visitas del Triduo Pascual pusieron fin al tiempo de Cuaresma para un pequeño grupo de religiosos y clérigos del área de Chicago que atendían a personas sin autorización legal en Estados Unidos, detenidas en un centro del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés).

El mismo grupo inició el período de 40 días de preparación para la pasión, muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo con una visita el Miércoles de Ceniza al centro de tramitación de Broadview, Illinois, para llevar la Sagrada Comunión, impartir las cenizas y rezar con los católicos allí recluidos.

Las visitas durante el período más sagrado del año para la Iglesia fueron el resultado de órdenes judiciales que obligaron al Departamento de Seguridad Nacional a permitir el acceso a los miembros de Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL). El año pasado, esta organización católica de justicia social con sede en Chicago intentó en varias ocasiones entrar en la unidad de procesamiento del ICE, pero fue rechazada cada vez. El padre jesuita David Inczauskis formó parte del equipo de CSPL, com-

Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, director ejecutivo de Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, lava los pies de un inmigrante el Jueves Santo, a media cuadra del centro de procesamiento del ICE en Broadview, Illinois, mientras tres sacerdotes y una religiosa brindan asistencia pastoral a 14 personas detenidas en las instalaciones del ICE, el 2 de abril de 2026. (Foto OSV News/cortesía de CSPL)

La diócesis explora futuras campañas

Por Joanna PuDDiSter KinG

JACKSON – La Diócesis de Jackson ha entrado en un periodo importante de escucha y discernimiento mientras explora la posibilidad de una futura campaña de capital a nivel diocesano. Este esfuerzo, conocido como estudio de viabilidad, está liderado por la Fundación Católica de la Diócesis de Jackson y está diseñado para recopilar información de clérigos, líderes parroquiales y feligreses de toda la diócesis.

Un estudio de viabilidad es un primer paso fundamental para determinar si una campaña es tanto necesaria como alcanzable. Permite al liderazgo diocesano comprender mejor las necesidades, esperanzas y prioridades de los fieles antes de tomar cualquier decisión. En lugar de partir de suposiciones, la diócesis se compromete a garantizar que cualquier campaña futura refleje las necesidades reales de las parroquias, los ministerios y la Iglesia en general.

"Esto es, ante todo, un proceso de escucha", dijo Rebecca Harris, directora ejecutiva de la Fundación Católica. "Queremos escuchar qué es lo que más importa a nuestros feligreses y cómo podemos apoyar mejor la misión que se nos ha encomendado como diócesis."

El obispo Joseph Kopacz también subrayó la im-

puesto por tres sacerdotes y una religiosa, que entró en las instalaciones de Broadview el Jueves Santo, 2 de abril.

El 6 de abril, Lunes de Pascua, el sacerdote declaró a OSV News que le impactó ver, cuando el grupo llegó, a las personas que eran conducidas para ser procesadas con esposas y grilletes en los tobillos.

Era la primera vez que el padre Inczauskis se encontraba con detenidos encadenados. Ha realizado labores de pastoral carcelaria (o penitenciaria) en Perú y Honduras, y también ha atendido a menores en Estados Unidos que habían sido separados de sus padres.

"Creo que ver esto fue algo único, y especialmente devastador y deshumanizador", afirmó.

El padre Inczauskis y otro sacerdote que habló con OSV News describieron el escenario de las visitas pastorales. Contaron que la pequeña delegación rezó, leyó las Escrituras y administró la comunión a través de una puerta dividida en dos mitades, en lo que describieron como una "intersección entre dos largos pasillos" separados por esa puerta. Explicaron que las 14 personas a las que atend-

– Continúa en la página 2 –

mediante estudios de viabilidad

portancia de la participación en una reciente carta dirigida a los feligreses: "Les escribo con gratitud y esperanza mientras nuestra diócesis entra en un tiempo de escucha y discernimiento en oración ... Tu voz es esencial en este proceso." Su invitación subraya el objetivo central del estudio, que es garantizar que cada voz tenga la oportunidad de ser escuchada.

El estudio de viabilidad explorará varias áreas clave, incluyendo el apoyo a las necesidades de la parroquia, un fondo de dotación para sacerdotes jubilados, las dotaciones parroquiales y la dotación del Centro de Líderes Laicos del Obispo Houck. Otro componente de la campaña que se está poniendo a prueba es la educación de seminaristas. A medida que la diócesis continúa experimentando un crecimiento en vocaciones, también ha aumentado el compromiso financiero necesario para educar y formar a futuros sacerdotes.

a estos hombres mientras se preparan para el sacerdocio.”

La participación de toda la diócesis es esencial para el éxito de este esfuerzo. Los comentarios recopilados durante esta fase ayudarán a determinar no solo si avanzar con una campaña de financiación, sino también qué prioridades deben incluirse si sigue adelante.

Como parte del proceso, los feligreses deberían haber recibido un mensaje de Flocknote invitándoles a completar una breve encuesta. Esta encuesta es una de las principales herramientas que se utilizan para recopilar opiniones de los feligreses de toda la diócesis. Se anima a todos los feligreses a dedicar unos minutos a compartir sus opiniones.

Puedes acceder a la encuesta aquí: https:// bit.ly/jacksondiocesestudy.

“A medida que miramos hacia al futuro, invertir en la educación de seminaristas es esencial para la vida de nuestra Iglesia", dijo Harris. "Estamos viendo un gran impulso en las vocaciones, y debemos asegurarnos de contar con los recursos para apoyar

Los resultados del estudio de viabilidad se esperan a mediados de mayo y guiarán al liderazgo diocesano en la determinación de los próximos pasos.

"Este es un momento de oportunidad para nuestra diócesis", añadió Harris. "Escuchando atentam-

– Continúa en la página 2 –

ieron el Jueves Santo fueron llevadas hasta la puerta en dos grupos de cinco y, luego, de cuatro.

Los demás días del Triduo, había muchos menos detenidos a los que atender, a veces solo uno o dos, añadieron.

A un sacerdote se le permitió lavar los pies encadenados de los detenidos después de que el padre Inczauskis leyera el Evangelio del Jueves Santo sobre la Última Cena. En la lectura, Jesús lavó los pies de sus discípulos antes de ir al huerto de Getsemaní a orar, donde luego fue arrestado.

El superior de la provincia de Estados Unidos y Canadá de los Claretianos, el padre Paul Keller, dirigió las oraciones y las bendiciones de apertura y clausura. También el Lunes de Pascua, describió la misma expresión de "conmoción y desorientación" en los rostros de los detenidos que había percibido la última vez que estuvo dentro del centro, el Miércoles de Ceniza. Señaló que se encontraban en los primeros minutos y horas tras su llegada.

"Algunas personas realmente se derrumbaron", dijo. "Fue un momento en el que quizá dejaron salir la tristeza y la frustración que venían sintiendo".

"Pero también tuve la sensación de que algunos de ellos interpretaron el lavatorio de pies como un signo de cuidado y humanidad en una situación de tal deshumanización, que esto les permitió experi-

personas realmente se derrumbaron ...' ' ... estudios de viabilidad ...'

mentar esas emociones de sentirse cuidados en este momento de gran angustia", declaró a OSV News. El centro de tramitación se encuentra en Broadview, un suburbio a unos 20 km al oeste del centro de Chicago. Fue un punto álgido de enfrentamientos acalorados entre manifestantes y personal del ICE en el momento álgido de la campaña de represión migratoria de la administración Trump.

La CSPL presentó una demanda para obtener acceso al centro en noviembre del año pasado, alegando violaciones de su derecho a ejercer libremente su religión en virtud de la Primera Enmienda, la Ley de Restauración de la Libertad Religiosa y la Ley de Uso del Suelo para Fines Religiosos y Personas Institucionalizadas (RLUIPA, por sus siglas en inglés). OSV News solicitó comentarios al Departamento de Seguridad Nacional sobre las recientes visitas y aún no ha recibido respuesta.

Entre los migrantes con mayor riesgo de ser detenidos y deportados por ICE, alrededor del 80% son cristianos; la mayoría de ellos (61%) son católicos, según un informe conjunto católico-evangélico publicado por World Relief y la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos.

permitieran a los ministros religiosos y laicos volver a rezar frente a las instalaciones de Broadview, tal y como habían hecho durante años hasta que se intensificó la campaña de control de la inmigración.

En la orden judicial parcial dictada el 31 de marzo que obligó a permitir las visitas durante el Triduo, Gettleman escribió: "El tribunal considera que el Gobierno ha obstaculizado sustancialmente el ejercicio de la religión por parte de los demandantes".

Señaló: "El tribunal también coincide con los demandantes en que la orden judicial redunda en interés público. Permitir a los demandantes prestar atención pastoral a los migrantes y detenidos mejorará las condiciones de quienes se encuentran recluidos en Broadview".

Gettleman reiteró la necesidad de que ambas partes programen más visitas periódicas y oraciones a las puertas del centro de Broadview, a la vista de los detenidos. Se fijó una audiencia para revisar los avances para el 7 de abril.

Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, director ejecutivo de CSPL, declaró a OSV News que las visitas del Triduo y de Pascua fueron una "experiencia profundamente conmovedora y emotiva... no solo para nuestros ministros que entraron, sino también para las comunidades que rodearon a esos ministros con sus oraciones".

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ente y planificando con responsabilidad, podemos asegurar que cualquier campaña futura fortalezca nuestras parroquias, forme a futuros sacerdotes y apoye la misión de la Iglesia para las generaciones venideras."

Todos están invitados a participar y a mantener este esfuerzo en oración mientras la Diócesis busca seguir la guía de Dios en los próximos meses.

El juez federal de distrito Robert W. Gettleman, del Distrito Norte de Illinois, dictó una orden judicial preliminar para permitir que los miembros de CSPL impartieran las cenizas y la comunión el Miércoles de Ceniza. Asimismo, ordenó a ambas partes que acordaran un calendario para futuras visitas y que

"Y para nuestros hermanos y hermanas que están detenidos y sus familias", dijo, "supuso un consuelo y un alivio en un período de profunda oscuridad".

(Simone Orendain es corresponsal de OSV News. Escribe desde Chicago.) – Viene de la página 1 –

El Pentágono desmiente el informe según el cual altos funcionarios reprendieron a un diplomático del Vaticano por el papa León

Por Kate Scanlon

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – El máximo representante diplomático del Vaticano en Estados Unidos fue convocado al Pentágono en enero para recibir una "dura reprimenda" por los comentarios del papa León XIV, que algunos altos funcionarios de Defensa estadounidenses interpretaron como una crítica a la administración Trump, según informó The Free Press el 6 de abril. "Los funcionarios del Vaticano informados sobre la reunión, que hablaron con The Free Press bajo condición de anonimato, la describieron como una reprimenda en la que se advertía que Estados Unidos tiene el poder militar para hacer lo que quiera, – y que más le vale a la Iglesia ponerse de su lado", señaló el informe.

La Embajada del Vaticano en Washington confirmó a OSV News en un comunicado escrito que la reunión tuvo lugar, pero no dio detalles sobre el tono de la misma ni ofreció información específica sobre lo que se discutió allí.

En un comunicado escrito proporcionado a OSV News, un funcionario del Departamento de Defensa dijo: "La descripción que hace The Free Press de la reunión es muy exagerada y distorsionada", y afirmó que la reunión "fue una discusión respetuosa y razonable". Añadió: "No sentimos más que el mayor respeto y acogemos con agrado el diálogo continuo con la Santa Sede".

Varias horas más tarde, la Embajada de Estados Unidos ante la Santa Sede también refutó el informe, afirmando que el exembajador papal en Estados Unidos, el cardenal Christophe Pierre, "negó enfáticamente la descripción que los medios de comunicación hicieron de su reunión" en el Pentágono. El cardenal Pierre

no se ha pronunciado públicamente sobre estas afirmaciones.

Matteo Bruni, director de la Oficina de Prensa de la Santa Sede, reconoció el informe de The Free Press en declaraciones a los periodistas en Roma el 9 de abril, pero se negó a comentar sobre su veracidad.

El diario The Free Press informó de que, tras el discurso pronunciado por el papa León el 9 de enero ante los miembros del cuerpo diplomático, Eldridge Colby, subsecretario de Guerra para Asuntos Políticos, convocó al entonces embajador de la Santa Sede en Estados Unidos, el cardenal Christophe Pierre, al Pentágono. En el discurso, el pontífice había condenado el afán de guerra y había alertado de que "el principio establecido tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial, que prohibía a las naciones utilizar la fuerza para violar las fronteras de otras, se ha visto completamente socavado".

El Free Press describió la reunión entre Colby y el cardenal Pierre como probablemente sin precedentes, ya que no parece haber ningún registro público de que algún funcionario del Vaticano se haya reunido jamás en el Pentágono.

El cardenal Pierre, de 80 años, se jubiló este año como embajador del Vaticano – o nuncio apostólico – en Estados Unidos, y el 7 de marzo el papa León nombró al arzobispo Gabriele G. Caccia como próximo nuncio apostólico en Estados Unidos.

El arzobispo Caccia se reunió con Brian Burch, embajador de Estados Unidos ante la Santa Sede, para hablar sobre las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y la Santa Sede y sobre temas de interés mutuo, según informó la Embajada de Estados Unidos el 8 de abril.

Encontrándose con el Señor resucitado

Por obiSPo JoSePh r. KoPacz, D.D.

Durante 50 días, la Iglesia de todo el mundo celebra la temporada Pascua, culminando en la gran solemnidad de Pentecostés. Desde la tumba vacía en la mañana del domingo de Pascua hasta la comunidad de discípulos – incluidos los Apóstoles y la Santísima Virgen – reunidos en la fe expectante para la venida del Espíritu Santo, la Iglesia regresa cada año a sus raíces para redescubrir nuestra historia fundacional.

El kerigma es la comprensión teológica que surge de un encuentro con Jesucristo, el crucificado y resucitado. "Arrepiéntanse y crean en el que resucita de entre los muertos, sean bautizaos, y vuestros pecados serán perdonados y recibirán el don del Espíritu Santo. (Hechos 2:38)

En el tiempo entre la resurrección y la ascensión al cielo – diez días antes de Pentecostés en nuestro marco finito de tiempo – el Señor se apareció a sus apóstoles y discípulos en numerosas ocasiones para reconciliar sus dudas, miedos, negaciones, traumas y confusión, y prepararlos para ser la primera familia de testigos del amor de Dios en el mundo.

El Papa Benedicto, en su manera concisa y elocuencia, hablaba a menudo sobre el impacto de encontrarse con el Señor crucificado y resucitado en nuestro viaje del diario. "Ser cristiano no es el resultado de una elección ética ni de una idea elevada, sino del encuentro con un acontecimiento, una persona, que le da a la vida un nuevo horizonte y una dirección decisiva."

Vemos esto claramente en la vida de los primeros seguidores del Señor que fueron dispersados tras la crucifixión, pero para el domingo de Pentecostés estas mismas ovejas perdidas no tenían miedo ante una considerable oposición para proclamar el Evangelio a las naciones, comenzando en Jerusalén. A través del encuentro estaban en paz, vivos para Dios en Cristo Jesús (Romanos 6:11) con

La Esquina del Papa

una dirección decisiva hacia un nuevo horizonte.

Nuestra historia cristiana al amanecer revela que el encuentro con el Señor resucitado siempre está dirigido tanto internamente como hacia fuera. Durante tres apariciones de resurrección, el Señor se reunió y reunió a sus discípulos con el don de su paz, Shalom. Esta era la sanación interior que debía florecer antes de que fuera posible enfocar claramente el horizonte de la salvación de Dios. El regalo recibido libremente iba a ser dado como un regalo.

Este es el mandato del Señor en los cuatro Evangelios, no solo para la primera familia de discípulos sino para siempre:

• “Ve por todo el mundo y proclama el evangelio a toda la creación.” (Marcos 16:15)

• “Así como el Padre me envió, así te envío a ti." (Juan 20:21)

• “El arrepentimiento por el perdón de los pecados debe ser predicado a todas las naciones que comienzan en Jerusalén." (Lucas 24:46-49)

• “Id entonces, y haced discípulos de todas las naciones." (Mateo 28:18-20)

La conversión y evangelización continuas son los marcadores constantes de nuestra vida en Dios. Sin embargo, hay muchos fuera de los muros y pasillos de la Iglesia, y nuestro compromiso con el Reino de Dios en el mundo — un reino de justicia, paz y la alegría del Espíritu Santo (Romanos 14:17) — es un marcador esencial de la Iglesia.

La misión continúa en nuestro propio tiempo. El pasado sábado, durante el fin de semana de la Divina Misericordia, el Papa León XIV de Roma celebró un servicio de oración mundial por la paz. Como los papas de la era moderna antes que él, es una voz profética por la justicia, la paz, la cordura y la fraternidad en un mundo afligido por la violencia, el terrorismo, la guerra y la codicia. Esta es la voz del Señor resucitado, la luz del Evangelio y el poder de la fe, la esperanza y el amor.

¡El Señor ha resucitado, aleluya! Que los 50 días de Pascua sean para nosotros una temporada de renovación y un regalo del Señor resucitado para alinear nuestras vidas con una dirección decisiva y con un horizonte siempre nuevo en Dios.

El Papa León XIV honra al Papa Francisco e insta a los católicos a proclamar la verdad en un mundo convulso

Por Junno arocho eSteveS

(OSV News) – El Papa León XIV rindió homenaje al Papa Francisco y pidió a los católicos que siguieran el ejemplo del difunto pontífice al proclamar la verdad en un mundo convulso.

Dirigiéndose a los peregrinos reunidos en la Plaza de San Pedro el 6 de abril, el Papa recordó a su predecesor "quien, el Lunes de Pascua del año pasado, entregó su vida al Señor".

"Al recordar su gran testimonio de fe y de amor, recemos juntos a la Virgen María, Trono de la Sabiduría, para que podamos convertirnos en anunciadores cada vez más luminosos de la verdad", dijo el Papa León antes de rezar la oración "Regina Caeli".

El Papa Francisco falleció el 21 de abril de 2025, apenas un día después de impartir la que sería su última bendición "urbi et orbi" del Domingo de Pascua.

En su discurso, el Papa León recordó la lectura del Evangelio de ese día, que ofrecía el doble relato de las mujeres que se encontraron con Cristo resucitado y de los guardias que aceptaron un soborno a cambio de negar públicamente la resurrección.

Las dos narraciones contrastantes, explicó, son una invitación a reflexionar "sobre el valor del testimonio cristiano y sobre la honestidad de la comunicación humana".

"A menudo, el relato de la verdad es oscurecido por 'fake news' – como se dice hoy – es decir, por mentiras, alusiones y acusaciones sin fundamento. No obstante, frente a tales obstáculos, la verdad no permanece oculta, al contrario, viene a nuestro encuentro, viva y radiante, iluminando las tinieblas más densas".

Al igual que les dijo a las mujeres junto al sepulcro, Jesús exhorta a los cristianos a no tener miedo y a anunciar la buena nueva de su resurrección.

"La Pascua del Señor es nuestra Pascua – la Pascua de la humanidad – porque este hombre, que ha muerto por nosotros, es el Hijo de Dios, que por nosotros ha dado su vida", afirmó el Papa. "Así como el Resucitado – siempre vivo y presente – libera el pasado de un final destructivo, así el anuncio pascual exime del sepulcro nuestro futuro".

El Papa León destacó la importancia de que el Evangelio llegue a "quienes están oprimidos por la maldad, que corrompe la historia y confunde las conciencias", en particular a "los pueblos atormentados por la guerra, en los cristianos perseguidos por su fe, en los niños privados de la educación".

"Anunciar con palabras y obras la Pascua de Cristo significa dar nueva voz a la esperanza, que de otro modo sería sofocada en manos de los violentos. Cuando es proclamada en el mundo, la Buena Nueva disipa toda sombra, en cada época", dijo el Papa.

Tras rezar con los fieles, el Papa León expresó su gratitud por las oraciones de quienes "me han enviado sus buenos deseos con motivo de la Santa Pascua". "Les deseo a todos ustedes

que vivan con alegría y fe este lunes del Ángel y los demás días de la Octava de Pascua, en los que se prolonga la celebración de la Resurrección de Cristo", dijo. "Y que perseveremos implorando el don de la paz para todo el mundo".

(Junno Arocho Esteves es corresponsal internacional de OSV News. Síguelo en X @jae_ journalist.)

En esta foto de archivo aparece la emblemática caja de cartón de la Campaña del Cuenco de Arroz de CRS. El papa Francisco felicitó a Catholic Relief Services con motivo del 50.º aniversario de esta iniciativa cuaresmal destinada a apoyar su labor caritativa en el extranjero en nombre de la Iglesia católica de Estados Unidos. (Foto de OSV News/Karen Kasmauski, CRS)

NACIÓN

HOUSTON – NASA en sobrevolar la Luna en medio siglo alcanzaron su punto de máxima aproximación a la Luna, el piloto del equipo recordó a la Tierra el mandamiento de Jesucristo de amar tanto a Dios como al prójimo. "A medida que nos acercamos al punto más cercano a la Luna y al más alejado de la Tierra, ... "Me gustaría recordarles uno de los misterios más importantes que hay en la Tierra, y ese es el amor", dijo el astronauta Victor Glov-

er, piloto de la misión Artemis II, al dirigirse al control de tierra el 6 de abril desde a bordo de la nave espacial Orion Integrity de la NASA. "Cristo dijo, en respuesta a cuál era el mandamiento más importante, que era amar a Dios con todo tu ser", dijo Glover. "Y él también, siendo un gran maestro, dijo que el segundo es igual a este. Y ese es amar a tu prójimo como a ti mismo". El llamado a la unidad de Glover, quien ha hablado públicamente sobre su fe cristiana, adquirió una urgencia inmediata cuando la tripulación enfrentó una

17 de abril de 2026

interrupción de 40 minutos en la comunicación con el control de tierra el 6 de abril, cuando la nave espacial pasó detrás de la Luna, bloqueando las señales. Momentos antes de la pérdida de señal —que terminó según lo previsto, con la tripulación emergiendo a salvo en una trayectoria de regreso a casa—, Glover dijo: "Mientras nos preparamos para salir de la comunicación por radio... a todos ustedes allá abajo en la Tierra y alrededor de la Tierra, los amamos desde la Luna".

VATICANO

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italia (OSV News) – El papa León XIV pidió a todas las personas de buena voluntad que busquen siempre la paz y no la violencia, en una reprimenda tácita a la amenaza del presidente Donald Trump de que "toda una civilización morirá esta noche" si Irán no llega a un acuerdo antes de las 8 p. m. EDT del 7 de abril. Sin nombrar a Trump, el papa León calificó la amenaza de "verdaderamente inaceptable", abordándola como una cuestión moral que afecta al bien de todo un pueblo. Añadió que quería recordar a todos los involucrados que "los ataques contra la infraestructura civil van en contra del derecho internacional". Tales ataques, añadió, son una señal del "odio, la división y la destrucción de que es capaz

el ser humano". "Y todos queremos trabajar por la paz, la gente quiere la paz", dijo el papa Leo. "Invitaría a los ciudadanos de todos los países involucrados a ponerse en contacto con las autoridades, los líderes políticos y los congresistas para pedirles y decirles que trabajen por la paz y rechacen la guerra". Más temprano el 7 de abril, en una publicación en su red social, Truth Social, Trump dijo: "Toda una civilización morirá esta noche, para no volver jamás. No quiero que eso suceda, pero probablemente sucederá". El papa León dijo que debido a la guerra de Irán, que "muchas personas han calificado de injusta", existe "una crisis económica mundial, una crisis energética" y una "situación de gran inestabilidad en Oriente Medio, que solo está provocando más odio en todo el mundo". Dijo: "Hablemos, busquemos soluciones de manera pacífica".

MUNDO

LOURDES, Francia (OSV News) –Tras 17 años al frente de las investigaciones médicas de Lourdes, el médico italoamericano Alessandro de Franciscis se jubiló como director de la Oficina de Observaciones Médicas del santuario. Le sucederá la cirujana italiana Giada Monami, quien se convertirá en la primera mujer en ocupar el cargo. Nombrado en 2009 como el primer médico jefe no francés, de Franciscis supervisó la rigurosa evaluación de las curaciones reportadas en el santuario mariano. "Nuestro papel como médicos es únicamente determinar si una persona ha sido curada y si esa curación es inexplicable dado el estado actual del conocimiento científico", dijo, señalando que solo la Iglesia juzga los milagros.

TOME NOTA

La Diócesis de Jackson se compromete a garantizar que ninguna persona a la que sirva la iglesia corra el riesgo de sufrir abuso o explotación sexual por parte del clero, los religiosos o el personal laico de la iglesia.

El bienestar espiritual de todas las víctimas, sus familias y otros miembros de la comunidad es de particular interés para la iglesia. De acuerdo con nuestra política, a todas las víctimas se les ofrece asesoramiento y atención pastoral.

Se alienta a cualquier persona que haya sido víctima de abuso o explotación por parte del clero, religioso o personal de la iglesia laica y aún no lo haya denunciado, a que lo haga. Nuestra coordinadora de asistencia a víctimas, Jenifer Jenkins, una trabajadora social con licencia, está disponible para ayudar a hacer un informe. Números de contacto del Coordinador de Asistencia a las Víctimas: (601) 326-3736; (601) 326-3760.

Para obtener más información sobre las políticas y procedimientos diocesanos y para saber qué está haciendo la diócesis para crear un entorno seguro para todos, visite el sitio web diocesano en www.jacksondiocese.org y haga clic en "Protección de Niños."

Para hacer una denuncia de abuso o mal manejo de denuncias de abuso sexual por parte de un obispo, visite https://reportbishopabuse.org.

+Joseph R. Kopacz D.D., Ph.D.

Bishop of Jackson

Vírgenes, Santos y Días Festivos

La Santisima Virgen Dolorosa del Colegio, Ecuador. 20 de abril

Día de la Tierra. Día de los Profesionales Administrativos. 22 de abril

San Marcos, Evangelista. 25 de abril

San Pió V, Papa. 30 de abril

Cinco de Mayo, Batalla de Puebla, México, 1862. 5 de mayo

Día Nacional de Oración. 7 de mayo

Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Sacramento. 13 de mayo

La Ascensión Del Señor. 14 de mayo

Envíenos sus fotos a editor@jacksondiocese.org

Síganos en Facebook: @DiócesisCatólicadeJackson 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.

www.lighthouse-services.com/ jacksondiocese

Hispanohablante USA: 800-216-1288

the second is equal to it. And that is to love your neighbor as yourself.” The call for unity by Glover, who has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, took on an immediate urgency as the crew faced a 40-minute communication lapse with ground control April 6, when the spacecraft passed behind the moon, blocking signals. Moments before the loss of signal –which ended as scheduled, with the crew safely emerging on a homeward bound trajectory – Glover said, “As we prepare to go out of radio communication ... to all of you down there on Earth and around Earth, we love you from the moon.”

NATION

HOUSTON (OSV News) – As the astronauts of NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in half a century reached their closest approach to the moon, the team’s pilot reminded the Earth of Jesus Christ’s command to love both God and neighbor. “As we get close to the nearest point to the moon and farthest point from Earth, ... I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on Earth, and that’s love,” said astronaut Victor Glover, pilot of the Artemis II mission, speaking to ground control April 6 from aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft Integrity. “Christ said, in response to what was the greatest command, that it was to love God with all you are,” said Glover. “And he also, being a great teacher, said

VATICAN

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (OSV News) – Pope Leo XIV asked all people of goodwill to search always for peace and not violence, in a tacit rebuke of President Donald Trump’s threat that a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT on April 7. Without naming Trump, Pope Leo called the threat “truly unacceptable,” addressing it as a moral question that affects the good of an entire people. He added that he wanted to remind all involved that “attacks on civilian infrastructure is against international law.” Such attacks, he added, are a sign of “the hatred, the division and the destruction that the human being is capable of.” “And we all want to work for peace, people want peace,”

Pope Leo said. “I would invite the citizens of all the countries involved to contact the authorities, political leaders, congressmen, to, ask them, tell them to work for peace and to reject war.” Earlier April 7, in a post on his social media website, Truth Social, Trump said, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.” Pope Leo said that due to the Iran war, which “many people have said is an unjust war,” there is “a worldwide economic crisis, energy crisis,” and a “situation in the Middle East of great instability, which is only provoking more hatred throughout the world.” He said, “Let’s talk, let’s look for solutions in a peaceful way.”

WORLD

LOURDES, France (OSV News) – After 17 years at the helm of Lourdes’ medical investigations, Italian American physician Alessandro de Franciscis retired as head of the sanctuary’s Office of Medical Observations. He will be succeeded by Italian surgeon Giada Monami, who will become the first woman to hold the post. Appointed in 2009 as the first nonFrench chief physician, de Franciscis oversaw the rigorous evaluation of reported healings at the Marian shrine. “Our role as doctors is solely to determine whether a person has been cured, and whether that cure is unexplained given the current state of scientific knowledge,” he said, noting that the Church alone judges miracles. Since 1883, tens of thousands of healings have been reported at Lourdes, but only a fraction undergo detailed review. Strict criteria require verified diagnosis, sudden and lasting recovery, and extensive follow-up. Of roughly 8,000 recorded cases since 1858, just 72 have been recognized as miracles. De Franciscis, the bureau’s 15th physician, said five miracles were confirmed during his tenure.

Recovering lost treasures o ers bright spot in the dust

FROM THE ARCHIVES

BY MARY WOODWARD

Occasionally, we have people wandering in wanting to stroll through our diocesan archives hoping to find long lost information about a parish event in 1950 or a baptismal record for a great grandparent. Often, these items are available at the local parish.

As a gentle reminder, the diocesan archives house the historical papers of each bishop and are open by appointment to scholars and historical researchers writing dissertations and articles for historical and church journals. Right now, we are doing some cleaning and reorganizing so the archives are closed to researchers until that is completed.

However, on the Thursday before Holy Week an old friend showed up in the chancery lobby and asked to see me. He had with him something I thought was lost forever – a large canvas painting of St. Augustine that once adorned the walls of the sanctuary in our Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle.

The current St. Peter’s was completed in 1900. It is the third church building. [The first burned in 1863; the second built in 1868 was moved in 1913 a few blocks north to become the first Holy Ghost church.] Its interior has gone through several renovations over the last 126 years, most recently in 2011-2012.

During a renovation in the 1950s, eight large canvas paintings of the four evangelists and four church fathers – Augustine, Ambrose, Athanasius and John Chrysostom were added to the sanctuary walls. The

saints would gaze down upon the sacred mysteries with great joy and serenity.

In a later renovation, the interior went through a monochromatic phase and the eight canvases were removed. I had seen photos of them, but I never thought I would see them in person. But right here in front of me was one of them.

My friend explained that a former organist of the cathedral had found them discarded during renovation and took them home. Just recently he was moving and contacted my friend to come and get a few things he was not taking with him. Augustine was among those things.

What is even better is my friend told me he had seven more of these at home and would be happy to donate them to our archives. He just wanted me to see one and decide if we could take them on. (n.b., we do not take everything, so please call or email before bringing items for archives.)

The next day he brought in the remaining seven and all now reside

safely in an ancillary archive room waiting for an opportunity to be cleaned and restored. We have just the spot for them.

The lesson is: when a renovation occurs at a parish, keep meticulous notes and records in a parish file of all contractors, architects, artists and craftsmen who do the work. If items are removed document where they go – to the parish hall or parish school, another parish, or if they are destroyed properly. Fifty to 100 years later, they may be the perfect piece needed to complete a renovation.

From Mississippi to Rome: Sister ea Bowman’s cause progresses

On March 18, the Diocese of Jackson received confirmation that Sister Thea’s boxes had arrived at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and were o cially opened by dicastery o cials as part of a studium (class) teaching canon law students about the canonization process. Sister Thea is still teaching even in death. Normally, it takes several months after arrival for the boxes to be scheduled for an o cial opening, but Sister Thea’s boxes arrived and two weeks later they are open.

The next step is to receive a decree of validity from the dicastery, which verifies that all the documents are in order and the process has been followed. Once this decree is received by our postulator, Emanuele Spedicato, the hard work of writing the “positio” or position paper will begin in earnest.

Keep the prayers coming!

ROME – Boxes containing the collected works and testimonies for the cause of Sister Thea Bowman are opened at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on March 18.

JACKSON – Chancellor and archivist Mary Woodward examines a recently recovered canvas painting of St. Augustine, one of eight works that once hung in the sanctuary of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle before being removed during a mid-20th-century renovation. The paintings, long thought lost, have now been returned to the diocesan archives for preservation and future restoration. (Photos from archives)

Protection of CHILDREN

The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that no one being served by the church be (is) at risk of sexual abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay church personnel. The spiritual well-being of all the victims, their families and others in the community is of particular concern to the church. In accordance with our policy, all victims are o ered counseling and pastoral care.

Anyone who has been a victim of abuse or exploitation by clergy, religious or lay church personnel and has not yet reported it is encouraged to do so. We encourage any victim to contact Jenifer Jenkins, Coordinator of Victim Assistance & O ce of Protection of Children and Safe Environments at 601960-8471.

For more information about diocesan policies and procedures and to learn what the diocese is doing to create a safe environment for everyone, please visit the diocesan website at www.jacksondiocese.org and click on “Protection of Children.”

To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by a bishop, please visit https://reportbishopabuse.org.

+Joseph R. Kopacz D.D., Ph.D. Bishop of Jackson

APRIL 25 & 26, 2026

WE’RE HIRING

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR (middle and high school)

• Lead a comprehensive athletic program

• Supervise support and evaluate coaching sta

• Coordinate schedules, facilities, transportation and game operations

• Ensure compliance with MAIS eligibility and regulations

• Manage athletic budgets, events and program logistics

Quali cations

• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters degree in Education or MS Administration preferred, MAIS certi cation or State License

• Previous experience as a coach, athletic director; and /or administrator

• Strong communication, organizational and leadership skills

For both positions: Salary commensurate with experience; Bene ts available https://bit.ly/OCEJobs scan to learn more

Join Our Mission of Catholic Education in Greenville, Mississippi

THEOLOGY TEACHER (middle and high school)

• Teach and witness the Catholic faith

• Guide students in spiritual and academic growth

• Create an engaging, discussion based learning environment

• Participate in liturgies, retreats and service opportunities

Quali cations

• Practicing Catholic commited to living and modeling the faith

• Bachelor’s degree required; teaching experience preferred

• Strong communication, organization and class room management skills

• Catechist certi cation (or willingness to obtain)

• Mississippi licensure (or eligibility) preferred

Questions?

Robin Perry, Principal rperry@stjoeirish.org stjoeirish.org

Surrounded by beauty

REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

BY MELVIN ARRINGTON

Our modern culture tells us beauty is in the eye of the beholder, that it’s subjective, something each person can determine for himself. But in the Catholic tradition that which is genuinely beautiful can be verified objectively because it has been so imbued with harmony, order and splendor, that personal preference no longer has any bearing on the matter. Simply put, the eye and the ear have to be trained to recognize and appreciate the beautiful.

One of my first discoveries of the beauty of classical (actually baroque) music occurred during my sophomore year of college, long before I became Catholic. One afternoon while passing through the auditorium to get to a class, I happened upon the college choir and orchestra rehearsing for a concert. As I entered the auditorium and made my way down the side aisle, I was so moved by the majestic harmony of sounds and words that I quietly eased into a seat and sat there captivated by the heavenly music. Later, I learned that what had caused me to be late to class was a portion of Handel’s Messiah, specifically the part taken from the ninth chapter of Isaiah that deals with the birth of Christ: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Every time I hear that selection it brings up memories of that day when I stumbled upon something truly beautiful.

On the other hand, my enjoyment of Gregorian chant and the use of Latin during Mass developed over a period of time. Neither chant nor the Latin language appealed to me at all when I was a Protestant, but after being received into the Catholic Church I slowly gained an appreciation for that ancient musical form and idiom. Although I have no technical knowledge of music theory, I’m fascinated by the way the voices of the chanters resonate as they blend together in o ering up prayers to God. During reconciliation services at my church, recordings of Gregorian chant play softly over the speaker system, providing a soothing backdrop that aids prayer and reflection and enhances the overall experience of those in attendance.

Because Latin is the o cial language of the Church, most of our traditional prayers are translations from the Latin original. Despite my low-level proficiency in the language, I’ve found abundant joy in learning to sing various parts of the Mass – the Gloria, the Sanctus, the Agnus Dei, and the Marian antiphons – in that age-old tongue. When we pray and sing these prayers in that so-called dead language, we unite our voices to those of the great saints across the centuries. But in the final analysis, the beauty of the liturgy comes across no matter what language is spoken. I discovered this to be true several years ago when I visited a foreign country and found out how relatively easy it was to follow along during the Mass, even though I didn’t know the language.

St. Augustine wrote, in his Confessions: “Late have I loved Thee, o Beauty, ever ancient, ever new; late have I loved Thee.” He was speaking about God in the context of his conversion experience when he

was in his 30s, but a beauty “ever ancient, ever new” might also apply to our Catholic faith and to the Church itself.

Everything about the Catholic Church draws me in, beginning with its history that stretches all the way back to antiquity. I find satisfaction in knowing that I belong to the one and only Church Jesus founded back in the first half of the first century rather than to a religious congregation established in the sixteenth century or later by a Protestant reformer. As St. John Henry Newman said: “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.”

When you enter a Catholic Church you leave behind all the noise and ugliness of the outer world – the hatred, violence, greed, political shenanigans – and enter into a sacred precinct, a place where heaven and earth meet. Look around inside and you’ll find yourself surrounded by beauty in its many forms, shapes, colors, and sounds.

It’s impossible to catalog everything about Catholicism that exerts a pull on me, but any listing must include Catholic art, architecture, music, literature, the tandem of Scripture and Tradition, the concept of the Church as Christ’s Bride (all brides are beautiful!), the communion of saints, the treasury of Catholic prayers and devotions, the Sacraments, statues, icons, stained glass windows, relics, incense, holy water, candles, vestments, and the in cense, holy water, candles, vestments, and the sym-

bolism that can be found in practically everything in the Catholic Church (although, as we know, everything is not just a symbol). All these things are beautiful in themselves, but they are also reflections of the perfect and eternal Beauty of God.

Inside the Church the most beautiful element of all is, of course, the Blessed Sacrament, whether exposed in the monstrance on the altar or reposed in the tabernacle. During Adoration, one can experience the full range of a church’s beauty – including the splendor of silence.

We can also find heroic beauty in the social teachings of the Church, especially those that remind us of our obligations to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger. Consider how St. Teresa of Calcutta dedicated her life to care for the poorest of the poor, those Our Lord called “the least of these my brethren.” Her constant desire was, as she put it, to “do something beautiful for God.”

What things did I do today that could be called beautiful? That’s a question we all need to ask ourselves every evening before going to bed. Christ paid the ultimate price. I should at least be willing to make some small daily sacrifice in order to advance the Kingdom, something that would be pleasing to the One Who is the source of all beauty.

(Melvin Arrington is a Professor Emeritus of Modern Languages for the University of Mississippi and a member of St. John Oxford.)

Support our Seminarians

May 9 & 10, 2026

One hundred percent of this collection is for the Diocese of Jackson vocations/seminarians. On average it costs more than $58,000 per year to support one single seminarian. The blessing of 12 seminarians brings a tremendous financial challenge.

Though critically important, this Easter season special collection provides only a small portion of the vocations budget. Please support this extra special collection to assist in cultivating the future of the Church.

If you are interested in making a large donation, bequest or setting up an annuity, please contact: rebecca.harris@jacksondiocese.org.

For more information call: 601-969-4020

Education of Future Priests

Youth “Rise Up” at DCYC

VICKSBURG – More than 300 youth from across the Diocese of Jackson gathered March 20-22 for the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) at the Vicksburg Convention Center, embracing the theme “Rise Up.” The weekend featured keynote presentations, small group sessions, games, Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration and a high-energy concert with Catholic hip-hop artist Joe Melendrez and DJ Code.

“This weekend is about helping our young people encounter Christ in a real and personal

way and giving them the confidence to rise up and live their faith,” said Abbey Schuhmann, diocesan coordinator for the Office of Youth Ministry.

The conference concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz and the presentation of the Bishop Chanche Youth Service Awards to 12 youth from around the diocese.

Youth participants kneel in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic Adoration at the Diocese of Jackson’s DCYC. The event also offered opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation.

(Left) Youth from St. Michael Church in Forest celebrate with Bishop Joseph Kopacz after Mass on the final day of DCYC, inviting him to open trading cards for good luck.

Youth react during a group game at DCYC, using emoji clues to identify moments from Scripture.

Emoji Miracle – Can you solve it?

VICKSBURG – Evangelist and Catholic hiphop artist Joe Melendrez engages youth in a high-energy session during DCYC March 2022 at the Vicksburg Convention Center, serving as keynote speaker for the weekend. (Photos by Joanna King – For more photos visit https://bit.ly/DCYC26photos)

(Left) Youth and leaders from St. Paul Church in Flowood erupt in cheer after earning the most points during DCYC and winning a giant stuffed crocodile, a prize that becomes a group mascot and returns each year.

Youth raise their hands in praise as Joe Melendrez and DJ Code lead a concert during DCYC at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Bishop Joseph Kopacz is pictured with Bishop Chanche Youth Award recipients, from left, Cheyenne Vrbicky of Holy Cross, Phildelphia; Jessie Torres of Sacred Heart, Greenville; Gabriel Theunissen of St. Joseph, Greenville; Edwin Sebastian of St. Michael, Forest; Amenia Rozzelle of St. Alphonsus, McComb; James Ross of St. Joseph, Meridian; Dori Paczak of St. Jude, Pearl; Arely Gomez of St. Patrick, Meridian; Alexander Glass of St. Francis, Madison; Kameron Fox of Holy Ghost, Jackson; Hayden Bell of St. Paul, Vicksburg; and Anna Christine Antici of St. Joseph, Gluckstadt.

MADISON – (Above) Noah Harris, a seventh-grader at St. Joseph School, prepares the ground for new plants. Harris and other Bruin tennis players spent part of April 4 sprucing up flower beds on campus.

(Right) St. Joseph student journalists pose with awards earned at the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association spring 2026 convention at the University of Mississippi. The group won 26 awards, including high school Newscast of the Year for “Bruin News Now” and middle school Newscast of the Year for “JV Bruin News Now.” Back row (l-r): John Harris, Davis Hammond, Mary Alice Foster, Ellery Skipper and Addison Olier; fourth row: Liv Hager, Ashleigh Mason, Alex Hood, Branson Payne and Robert Ostrenga; third row: Calese White, McKenzie Cummings and Noah Sanders; second row: Jason Buckley, Reid Hager and Sawyer Helms; front row: Audrey Young and Thierry Freeman. (Photo by Terry Cassreino)

– (Left) Students in Ms. Riley’s PreK3 class participate in an airport-themed lesson, claiming tickets, passing through “TSA” and boarding a classroom “flight” as part of a transportation unit. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)

es

Thursday

parishioners

Mary Woodward speaks to sixth-grade students from Catholic schools across the Diocese of Jackson about the history of the diocese and the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle following the Chrism Mass on March 31.

JACKSON – St. Richard School second-graders Marilee Nelson, Winn Nicholas and Leland Parkinson participate in the school’s “Living Stations,” a long-standing Holy Week tradition. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)