MAY 15, 2026
mississippicatholic.com
Listening leads to new lay formation hub honoring legacy of Bishop William Houck BY JOANNA KING
JACKSON – A new diocesan initiative focused on strengthening lay leadership and faith formation across the Diocese of Jackson is taking shape through the newly established Bishop William R. Houck Center for Lay Formation, an effort church leaders say grew directly out of listening sessions held during the diocesan Pastoral Reimagining process. Led by the diocesan Office of Faith Formation under the direction of Fran Lavelle, the center is designed to provide accessible formation and ministry training opportunities for parish and school leaders, catechists, youth ministers and other lay leaders throughout the diocese. “The absolute best part of my ministry is working with people,” Lavelle said. “The second-best part of my job is looking at ways to better serve our parishes and schools, especially concerning faith formation.” Lavelle said the idea for the center emerged after parish and deanery listening sessions identified the need for
stronger lay leadership formation. “Better formation for lay leaders was one of the clarion calls from both individual parishes and the deaneries,” she said. “When you ask people how the Church can better serve them, it is important to act on what you hear.” An advisory committee formed in late 2024 began reimagining how the diocese could support lay ministry and leadership development. That process ultimately led to the creation of the Bishop William R. Houck Center for Lay Formation. The center is named in honor of former Bishop William R. Houck, who served the Diocese of Jackson from 1984 to 2003 and was widely recognized for his commitment to Catholic education, evangelization and lay ministry. During his tenure, Houck served as chairman of the The Bishop William R. Houck Center for Lay Formation webpage serves as a U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Evangenew diocesan resource for faith formation, leadership training and ministry lization, which published the landmark 1992 document, Go and Make support for lay leaders across the Diocese of Jackson. The online hub includes Disciples: A National Plan and Strat-
formation opportunities, ministry resources and training programs offered in both English and Spanish. (Photo illustration by Joanna King)
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Catholic Charities to honor Father Burke Masters, Tommy Turk at annual Bishop’s Ball BY JOE LEE
JACKSON – Originally from Joliet, Illinois, and the parish priest at St. Isaac Jogues Church in nearby Hinsdale, Father Burke Masters almost seems like a native Mississippian despite living most of his life near Chicago. Even casual sports fans remember his starring role on the 1990 Mississippi State baseball team that made the
College World Series, and many people across the state have met him through his keynote appearances at Journey of Hope luncheons in 2019 and 2025. “Since college, Mississippi has always been like a second home,” said Masters, who was ordained as a priest in 2002 and authored A Grand Slam for God, published in 2023 by Word on Fire Press. “I grew up in Illinois but spent five years in Starkville. Coming back to see friends I’ve known since I arrived there in 1985 is like a home week for me.” Masters will be honored at the 21st
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Father Burke Masters
annual Bishop’s Ball on Thursday, June 18 at the Jackson Country Club. Also honored will be Jacksonian Tommy Turk, whose “Friends for a Cause” nonprofit supports Squat & Gobble each Thanksgiving, a beloved event that helps fund the Catholic Charities domestic violence program. “The Bishop’s Ball gives us a chance to honor the support of the bishop each year, as well as others who have contributed significantly to Catholic Charities,” said executive director Christina Bach.
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