2026 SacramentS S pecial e dition
JACKSON– This mosaic of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman was created through a collaborative effort involving students, teachers and local artists. Designed from original artwork by Brother Mickey McGrath with permission of the artist, the piece depicts Sister Thea holding the Eucharist and rosary, symbols of the faith passed from one generation to the next through the sacramental life of the Church. (Photo courtesy of Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School)
CANTON – First Holy Communion was celebrated at Sacred Heart parish on June 13. Pictured with Father Mario Solorzano are Jaime P. Temaj, Albert Darleth Cruz, Evelyo Florence, Zury Villegas, Jefferson Lopez, Candelaria Alejo-Marin, Dennis Ramirez, Cindy Mariela Temas, Jenifer Lopez, Danny Alonzo, Andres Rodriguez, Jason Derer, Litzy Felix, Brandon Fuentes, Marcos Antonio Garcia, Sofia Castillo, Leandro Gael Huizar, Marcos Garcia, Alondra Villegas and Melissa Villegas. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
Yllianna Manriquez, Mary Milton Burd, Mallie Dill, Drew Worsham and Camilla Tavera; and second row, from left, Mateo Hernández, Micah Hardesty, Santiago Sanchez-Flores, Saxton Greenlee and Powell Fioranelli. (Photo by William Powell Photography)
JACKSON – First Holy Communion was celebrated at Holy Family Church on May 10. Pictured are Jonathan Ponce, Nameetha Pucot, Stacey Santiago, Vincent Shealy and Mary Leyson. (Photo by Camila Pesántez)
GREENVILLE – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Joseph Church. Pictured are, back row, from left, Fletcher McGaugh, Father José de Jesús Sánchez, Gabriel Theunissen and Tayshun Byas; third row, from left, Luke Hunter, Easton Williams, Robert New, Henry Morris, Mary Liza Brozovich and Haziel Perez; second row, from left, Nadine Riefers, Santiago Perez, Juan Gonzalez, Amelia Pieroni and Bennett Nichols; and front row, from left, Mollie Walker Edwards, Amy Gonzalez, Liam Chisolm and Noah Ruble. (Photo by Schrie Duthu)
FLOWOOD – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Paul Church on May 3. Pictured are, back row, from left, Sofia Roman, Lori Lee, Henry Moore, Bennett Shapley, Father Gerry Hurley, John Coulter Stewart, Hazel Thrash, Carmen Claire Thrash, Rory Clark, Gavin Goodwin and Reagan Irby; middle row, from left, Axton Curro, Elijah Moore, Jackson Frier, Eli Nguyen, Ethan Nguyen, Zaine Vaughn and Sistina Patterson; and front row, from left, Farren Clark, Leona Winham, Natalie Wozniak, Riley-Francis Jordan, Charlotte Walker, Laurel Goodwin and Moon Gray. (Photo by Matt Torres)
YAZOO CITY – James Worthy and Rosie Dew were all smiles after celebrating their First Holy Communion at St. Mary Church on May 17 with Father Joseph Golamari. (Photo by Babs McMaster)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC JULY 17, 2026
CLINTON – First Holy Communion was celebrated at Holy Savior Church on May 3. Pictured are, front row, from left, Grace Babu, Ximena Mazy, Natalie Aponte, Chloe Threadgill and Liv Tyler Huff; and back row, from left, Lazarus Dillon, Bently Upp, Michael Onyirimba, Father Lincoln Dall, Aiden McDowell, Daniel Bostick, Matthew Reynolds and Ezra Alford. (Photo by Janeth Mazy)
PEARL – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Jude Church on May 9. Pictured with Father Cesar Sánchez are Maya Conely, Olivia Don, Aryanna Jaleco, Eleanor Jaroszewski, Teagan Khong, Nicholas Lemus Alavarez, Lydia Malmar, Elvis O’Bier, Jo Paczak and Kylee Yabut. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
MERIDIAN – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Joseph Church in May. Pictured with Father Augustine Palimattam are Noelle Rich, Lena Williams, Hazel-Belle Lindsey, Aubrey Jones, Amonie Laws and Max Cylkowski. Also pictured are teachers, catechists and altar servers. (Photo by John Harwell)
JACKSON – St. Richard Catholic School students Thea Saucier, Marilee Nelson and Cecilia Brown were all smiles after celebrating their First Holy Communion at St. Richard Church on April 25 with Father Andrew Bowden. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
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Pictured are Jace Andy, Thyron John-Munar, Ailyn Arreola-Patino, Evelyn Ayala, Caroline Bailey, Brody Booker, Kennedy Brown, Reina Buckner-Gustafson, Cooper Chancelor, Tate Dial, Ellor Hajner, Yurani Hernandez, Arrabelle Holloway, Darcy Huntley, Hayden Huynh, Romina Malvaiz, Nick and Nolan Mascaro, Juliana McKenna, Heidy and Omar Medina-Ibarra, Milo Polichnia, Jose Flores-Abarca and Erick Urbina. Also pictured are teachers, catechists, altar servers and Father Augustine Palimattam. (Photo by John Harwell)
MERIDIAN – First Holy Communion
St. Patrick Church.
CLARKSDALE – Stone Antici, Everly Hill and Romie Roach were all smiles after celebrating their First Holy Communion at St. Elizabeth Church with Father Raju Macherla and catechist Catelin Britt. (Photo courtesy of Catelin Britt)
VICKSBURG – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Mary Church on May 10. Pictured are Jaxson Wilson, Scarlett Cooks, Father Marvin Gyasie, SVD, pastor, LaKaiya Slaughter, Mekhi Mims and Dr. Josephine Calloway, director of religious education. (Photo by Emmanuel Maduforo)
GRENADA – Gideon Harris, Gunner Huddleston and Lauren Felicity Wood were all smiles after celebrating their First Holy Communion at St. Peter Church with Father Joseph Ashok Thumma. (Photo by Lori Arreola)
MADISON – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Pictured are, front row, from left, Declan Mitchell, Karlson Pham, Nelson Burns, Rita Daghmach, Jonaz Glorioso, Adalynn Lynch, Elliot Potvin, Logan D’Mello, Carson Sigler and Walker Kivlan; middle row, from left, Katherine Jenkins, Claire Kim, Charlie Brown, Sophia Urena, Everly Acklin, Holden Hood, Kendra Kolb, Garrett Naegele, Ezra Hall, Emma DeVassy, Abigail Luckhardt, Tristan Dennis, Wyatt Claire Dickerson and Mallie Harreld; back row, from left, Owen Burrage, Mary Rob Harris, Vivian Lester, Raelynn Palacios, Karol Diaz, Cameron Necaise, Khahn Dao, EJ Perolino, Lily Deery, Rhett Coffelt, Mary Frances Wright and Grayson Jones; and, in the back, Msgr. Michael Flannery and Father Albeenreddy Vatti. (Photo by Mary Catherine George)
VICKSBURG – Crosby Lyons, Redfield Kneip, Clara Ryan Gonzalez, An derson Lawrence, Kate Ashley and Benji Corley were all smiles after celebrating their First Holy Communion at St. Paul Church on May 3 with Father Rusty Vincent. (Photo by Connie Hosemann)
GLUCKSTADT – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Joseph Church on April 25. Pictured are, front row, from left, Serah Bailey, Luke Finnegan, Charlie Lane, Elle Hartlein, Emerie Dahduh, Cooper Hasenbein, June Richmond, Asher Hinton and Sterling Sinclair; second row, from left, Thomas Campbell, Margaret Ann King, Matthew McCabe, Whitley Thompson, Penny Herr, Wilder West, James Andries and Gaines Harrison; and third row, from left, Father Matthew Simmons, Tatum Harkey, Joseph Womack, Arleth Campos, Abel Pergande, Miriana Campos, Leonardo Arellano, Molly Beers and Deacon Tony Schmidt. (Photo by Karen Worrell)
VICKSBURG – Kimberly Anne Nippes and Gabriela Victoria Gonzalez-Aquino were all smiles after celebrating their First Holy Communion at St. Michael Church with Father Robert Dore. (Photo by Amy Chaney)
BATESVILLE – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Mary Church on April 26. Pictured are, front row, from left, Nathalia Ramirez Juarez, Grecia Servin Chavez, Finnley Grace Smith, Ariadne Torres, Diego Serna and Matteo Cabello; and back row, from left, Daisy Nunez, catechist, Kaley Guadalupe Juarez, Alexandra Juarez Hernandez, Hadley Grace Smith, Father Pradeep Thirumalareddy, Felix Elzora Roman, Cristy Ixmata Garcia and Diana Cruz, catechist. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
STARKVILLE – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Joseph Church on March 24. Pictured with Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz are Ethan Alexander, Carter Basel, George Bock, Oscar Bock, Alejandro Camarena, Elijah Camba, Noah Camba, Kate Couvillion, Cole Crowson, Cambell Davis, Nate Fratesi, Brennan George, Anthony Gruidl, John Lee, Olivia Martin, Joseph Portera, Maritza Trejo and Elsa Twietmeyer. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
PEARL – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. Jude Church on May 9. Pictured are Kimberly Arrioja, Abelyn Becerra, Geraldine Camiarollo, Mateo Cerrato-Rodriguez, Jefferson Cortez Gonzalez, Allison Damian Escobedo, Eva Diaz, Hannah Duarte, Alejandra Garcia, Angela Lozano, Maydelin Martinez, Francisco Martinez, Santiago Montes Martinez, Dalilah Pena, Ariana Perez, Dirlan Rojas Perez, Allyson Romero, Ana Sebastian Juan and Daniela Villa Arenas. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
CORINTH – Manuel Uscanga, Carlos Morales, Miguel Hernández, Omar Berestain, Isabella Robles, Magdalena Matías Miguel and Shaneli Rodríguez were all smiles outside St. James the Less Church after Mass celebrating their First Holy Communion. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
MADISON – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Pictured are, front row, from left, Chloe Turner, Kate Therrell, Emily Loyacono, Vivian Fugate, Hannah Kraman, Harper Schuhmann, Audrey Young, Katie Venable and Anais Garcia; second row, from left, Nick Glorioso, Charles Bergin, Simone Chandler, McKenzie Cummings, Adrian Kalichka-Paiva, Camp Hlavac and Thomas Pound; and back row, from left, Father Albeen Vatti, Father Guy Wilson, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Deacon Denzil Lobo and Msgr. Elvin Sunds. (Photo by Melissa Smalley)
JACKSON — The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Peter the Apostle Church. Pictured are, top row, from left, Father Nick Adam, Axel Peñaloza Ibarra, Gabriel Peñaloza, Johan Peñaloza, Ismael Vásquez Martínez, José Fernando Juárez García, Dominic Magaña, Sahir Fabricio Domínguez Sosa, Junia Peace Dillard, Mary Ellen Curley and Alexandra Gace Creasey; and front row, from left, Daniel Emilio Nazario, Vanessa Martínez, Judith Marie Hernández, Fátima Vaca, Dayna Fernanda Reyes Flores, Juan Pablo Román Castro, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Juan Alexander Álvarez, Allison Castillo García, Lluvia
MERIDIAN – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated on May 9 for parishioners of St. Joseph and St. Patrick churches. Pictured are, from left, James Ross, Diego Espino, Kenton Meachum, Nhi Nguyen, Michelle Arreola, Amelia Cylkowski, Giselle Sanchez, Briseidy Medrano, Regina Galvan, Sophie Perez, Yareli Rangel, Ben Cylkowski and Cooper Berryhill. (Photo by John Harwell)
VICKSBURG – Kay Rader and MeKayla Flowers were all smiles after celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Mary Church on April 22 with Father Marvin Gyasie and Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
VICKSBURG – Parishioners from St. Michael, St. Mary and St. Paul churches celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Paul Church on April 22 with Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz. Confirmands included Addison Bednar, Patrick Blake, Beau Bradley, Eriam Diaz-Mejias, Jack Dickerson, Ashley Flores, Dayana Gonzalez, Hanna Hadia, John Hossley, Camille Jeffers, Elle Larson, Jane Matthews, Juan Mendoza, Camden Meyer, Maria Nguyen, Cole Nolan, Stella Owen, Caroline Ponder, Michael Purdy, Tyler Roberts, Keyla Rodriguez, Anthony Streif, Graham Streif, James Tate, Megan Theriot, Sebastian Tuminello, MeKayla Flowers, Kay Rader, Marley Gibellino, Sophie Johnston, Madelyn Kavanaugh, Julia Nelson, Jackson Rainer, Carter Smithhart and Donovan Winschel. Not pictured: Maya Diaz. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
JACKSON – Between smiles, side glances and a few wandering eyes toward other cameras, confirmands at St. Richard Church paused long enough for a group photo following the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation. Pictured are Sydney Elizabeth Clayton, Emily Erwin Crongeyer, William Harris Crowder, Ollie June Davis, Morgan Kennadi Gates of Holy Child Jesus Mission in Canton, Ali Blake Haile, Annie Mae Harkins, Mae Rosemary Harkins, Mattie Elizabeth Hodges, Price Andrew Jones, Murphy Mary Moorehead, Nicholas Edward Sivak, Malia Allena Tatum, Lexie Brooks Tripoli, Alden Peets Ward, Ella Brianne Wynter and Erin Ilene Wynter. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
are, front row, from left, Jehoshabeth Vargheese, Skylar Senger, Scarlett Rodgers, Helena Zmitrovich, JT Threadgill, Karyssa Hamilton, Olivia Weisenberger, Marley Champlin, Cort Bennett, Corban Rogers, Adam Gipson, Daniel Presley and Evan Thornhill; and, in the back, their sponsors, Father Lincoln Dall and Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz. (Photo by Mary Katherine Yentzen)
GREENVILLE – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Joseph Church on April 10 for parishioners from St. James Church in Leland, St. Joseph Church and Sacred Heart Church in Greenville, and Immaculate Conception Church in Indianola. Confirmands from St. James and St. Joseph were Susannah Samantha Swindle, Fletcher Douglas McGaugh, Charles Owen McCormack Walker, Michael Presley Columbus, Victor Curtis Baker, Nhan Truong Le, Gloria Camarena, Estrella Camarena and William Hayden Hanos with Father José de Jesús Sánchez and Father Sleeva Mekala. Confirmands from Sacred Heart were Dayanna Ramirez and Stephany Zuniga with Father Tom Mullally. Confirmands from Immaculate Conception were Aiden Alcantara, Danica Carrera, Landon Moncada, Karla Moncada, Evelyn Grace Franklin and Ansleigh Reece Franklin with Father Sleeva Mekala. (Photo by Mary Lynn Powers)
CANTON – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on May 17 with Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Father Mario Solorzano. Pictured are Hector Manuel Luna Guevara, Efren Bonillas Masias, Vissel Hernandez Romero, Maricza Hernandez Andres, Saul Hernandez Andres, Jemie Elizabeth Villegas Tolentino, Yandel Marin, Allison Altair Cruz, Brayan Farias Sanchez, Jasmen Guerrero Garcia, Henry Diomiso Nolasco Moralez, Jose Ruben Martinez, Sair Martinez, Pedro Mendieta Flores, Brandon Oswaldo Baltazar Felix, Kevin Lemaj Lopez, Jessica Amaro, Marizol Barrera Jax, Korina Huizar Inostros, Hector Aaron Huizac Inostros, Estefany Danela Garcia Munguia and Paula Escudero Simon. (Photo courtesy of Mario Solorzano)
CLINTON – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at Holy Savior Church on April 8. Pictured
PEARL – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Jude Church on April 11. Pictured with Father Cesar Sánchez, left, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, center, and Deacon Mark Bowden, right, are José de Jesús Arellano, Ashley Arenas, Amelia Rosalyn Garcia, Nicholas Guzman, Alexander Alfredo Hernandez, Rosamarie Bicaldo Lopez, Ashley Noel Lowe, Ivanna Alexandra Lozano, Eduardo Luevano, Edwin David Martinez, Maya Olivia, Dori Ann Paczak and Christopher Alexander Rodriguez. (Photo by Rhonda Bowden)
FLOWOOD – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Paul Church on May 6. Pictured with Father Jeffrey Waldrep, Father Gerry Hurley, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Father Nick Adam are Sasha Callais, Kirtsten Childer, Kayliegh Drennan, McKinley Drennan, James Duffy, Nick Fede, Will McFadden, Kurt Mendoza, Kane Nelson, Millena Silva, Bryan Sistrunk, Shelby Smith, Maxwell Smith, Alexander Speed, Katie Torregano, Andrew Valino, Abby Welch and Conner White. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
– The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Joseph Church on April 19. Pictured are, back row, from left, Father Matthew Simmons, Noah Sanders, William Kraft, Crawford Kraft, Colin Didion, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Elek Duhon; third row, from left, Joseph Porter, John Harris, Brayden Davidson, Brooks Davidson, Walker Wasson, Everette Nelson, Michael Soucie, Tucker Rice, Graham Rafaelle and Cole Torricelli; second row, from left, Kylie Emrick, Reagan Kelly, Bailey Sylve, Madelyn Rodrigue, Katherine Dussouy, Patrick Moity, Luke Sheehan, David Robertson, Evan McCarty and Deacon Tony Schmidt; and front row, from left, James Michael Joiner, Ellie Kraft, Josie Ricotta, Jazmin Tovar-Santos, Molli Corley, Jenna Willsey, Anna Grace White, Valeria Valdez, George Greene, altar server, and Deacon Denzil Lobo. (Photo by Karen Worrell)
McCOMB – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Alphonsus Church on May 7. Pictured are, front row, from left, Angie Barrios, Lily Harrington, Elizabeth Lane, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Lexie Chauvin, Ana Montalvo, Alexis Lott and Lauren Codding; and back row, from left, Jak Gonzalez, James Tisdale, Father Suresh Reddy Thirumalareddy, Josh Heroman and Luke Tullos. (Photo courtesy of parish)
GLUCKSTADT
VICKSBURG – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Paul Church on April 22. Pictured with Father Rusty Vincent and Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz are Carter Smithhart, Donovan Winschel, Julia Nelson, Jackson Rainer, Marley Gibellino, Madelyn Kavanaugh and Sophie Johnston. (Photo by Connie Hosemann)
BROOKHAVEN – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Francis Church. Pictured are, front row, from left, Father Vijaya Manohar Reddy Thanugundla, Jenna Beth Townsend, Camille Calcote, Keylee Izard, Kenna Izard, Yessi Gonzalez, Melvin Hernandez and Father Kevin Slattery; and back row, from left, Lucas Phillips, Barrett Womack, Braden Allen, Parker Shann, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Joseph Anoop, Jose Dardon and Joseph Postma. (Photo by Eileen Neal)
BATESVILLE – The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated at St. Mary Church on May 3. Pictured are, front row, from left, Joselyn Cristina Moreno, Julissa Varela, Paloma Anyelin Vazquez, Evelyn Liliana Guzman, Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Lila Ray Mabus, Delaney Anna Azar, Jennifer Arias Mendez, Ana Laura Moreno and Alina Angelic Robles; and back row, from left, Omar Garfias, Luis Serna, Miguel Angel Torres, Elijah Kerby, Javier Garcia Vazquez and Father Pradeep Thirumalareddy. (Photo courtesy of the parish)
– Father Carlisle Beggerly baptizes St. Patrick Catholic School second grader Aubrey Jones as classmate Amonie Laws waits to receive the sacrament at St. Patrick Church on April 9. The two students were received into the Catholic faith during the ceremony. (Photo by Helen Reynolds)
GRENADA – New members of the Catholic faith who completed the OCIA process at St. Peter Church pose with Father Joseph Ashok Thumma following Easter Vigil celebrations. Pictured are David Livingston, Gabriel “Gabe” Reyna, Lily Milner, Duncan E. Dees, Karmen Dees and Maria Russell. (Photo by Lori Arreola)
MAGEE – (Right) Callie Breaux celebrates entering the Catholic Church through the OCIA process at St. Stephen Church during Easter Vigil celebrations with her husband, Garrett Breaux, and children, Honey Bea Breaux and Levi Breaux. (Photo courtesy of Callie Breaux)
OXFORD – First Holy Communion was celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Henry Kordsmeier, Abe Samuels, Aerabella Batte, Maddie Gasca, Neely Clark, Emerson Clark, Isla Cortes, Mary Chapel Dixon, Rory Edwards, Allie Branton Van Devender, Winnie Holladay, Luca Harris, Maria Juarez and Alison Juarez. In the back row, left to right, are Joseph Wise, Eli Reyes-Muñoz, Nico Capomazza, Colin Yates, Father Robert Antony, Father Mark Shoffner, Andrew Whelan, Samuel Allen, Ranger Alcorn, Lucas Pomin, Duke Hill and Michael Chaney. (Photo by Jennifer Newsom, edited by Mississippi Catholic)
MERIDIAN
Sacramental life around our Saltillo Mission
SALTILLO, Mex. – Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of Jackson and Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III of Biloxi joined Catholics in the Diocese of Saltillo during their annual mission visit to northern Mexico. The joint mission effort of the Mississippi dioceses included celebrating hundreds of confirmations and first Communions and participating in faith formation events in parishes and ranchos throughout the region. Father David Martínez Rubio of the Diocese of Saltillo coordinates ministry to mission communities in the city and surrounding ranchos, helping bring the sacraments and catechesis to Catholics across the area.
(Photos by Tereza Ma)
Saltillo City – St. Miguel – Children from parishes across the region gather for faith formation, Oct. 17.
Nuevo Gómez Rancho – Santa Teresa – Children participate in Confirmation celebration, Oct. 18.
Garambollo – First Communion celebration, Oct. 16.
Nuevo Gómez Rancho – San Francisco del Ejido –Confirmation celebration, Oct. 18.
Sagrado Corazón, Tonque del Cerro –Confirmation celebration, Oct. 19.
Saltillo – St. Juan Diego – Faith formation leaders and catechists from mission communities, Oct. 16.