FEBRUARY 23, 2024
mississippicatholic.com
Decade of faith: Bishop Kopacz celebrates 10-year milestone By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz, surrounded by priests and deacons from the Diocese of Jackson, commemorated his 10th anniversary of ordination to the episcopacy at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson with a special Mass on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Bishop Kopacz was ordained and installed as the 11th Bishop of Jackson on Feb. 6, 2014, but he fondly remembers getting the initial call the day before Thanksgiving – in an unforgettable Italian accent – “Holy Father is directing you to be the bishop of Jackson in Mississippi.” Bishop mused to those gathered at his anniversary Mass, that “it was an offer you can’t refuse.” “These 10 years later has given me an opportunity to reflect and appreciate the call and the ongoing challenge and blessing of serving as the 11th bishop of the diocese,” said Bishop Kopacz.
– Continued on page 6 – JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz lays prostrate during his ordination as Bishop of Jackson on Feb. 6, 2014 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. He recently celebrated his 10th anniversary at the Bishop for the Diocese of Jackson. (Photo from archives)
St. Francis New Albany celebrates 75 years By Galen Holley
and Father Cletus Manon became responsible for making the rounds and celebratNEW ALBANY – The theological term “domestic church” expresses well the ing Mass in people’s homes. Under Father Manon’s leadership, the New Albany Catholics (consisting of less genesis of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, which began as a modest gathering of Caththan 20 adults) built their first, physical church on Cleveland Street. Bishop Richard olics who met in their homes and were ministered to by missionary circuit priests. In 1922, E.W. Viola, and Dorothy Kelso moved from Jackson, Tennessee, to New Gerow bought the land in 1948, and the construction was made possible by aid from Albany, in order to open a bakery. That’s when the first Catholic community be- the Extension Society, along with private donations, including those from Mr. and gan to take shape. Because there was no church in New Albany, the Kelsos had to Mrs. Frank Lewis, as well as Dr. Palmer Patterson, and volunteer labor, as from the drive to Oxford or Tupelo for Mass. That changed when an Irish priest, Father Pat– Continued on page 8 – rick Moran, became pastor of the already established St. Patrick Parish in Water Valley. He also assumed responsibility for St. Patrick’s missionary district, which, INSIDE THIS WEEK among 11 counties, included New Albany. The fledgling Catholic community celebrated the first Mass in Union County in the fall of 1938. It was in the Kelsos’ home, at 357 Garfield Street, with Father Moran as celebrant. The faithful used a portable altar, about the size of a card table. Dorothy Kelso joked that the table and furnishings were so modest, that, as she put it, “We often thought that only a prayer held it up.” Those present at the first Mass included Viola and Dorothy Kelso, Tom Bonner, a Mr. Flanagan, Mrs. John Tilly and her daughter, Margaret Ellen, and Mrs. Edith World Marriage Day 7 Baseball blessing 13 From the archives 10 Stone. Couples around the diocese Father Mark Shoffner Bishop Elder's diary to The following year the center of the missionary circuit shifted from Water Valley to St. John’s in Oxford, celebrate anniversaries blesses Swayze Field Bishop Brunini's yearbook
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, March 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. with talk and cocktails after with Debbie Tubertini with the Office of Family Ministry for the diocese. She is speaking on marriage. Details: church office (662) 429-7851. JACKSON – Bishop Chanche Awards, Saturday, March 2 at 11 a.m. at Cathedral of St. Peter. Honoring parishioners with outstanding service to the diocese. JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman School, Annual Draw Down, Saturday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose building. Grand prize $5,000; tickets $100 (admits 2), second chance insurance $20. Enjoy great food, entertainment, silent auction, door prizes and more. Casual attire. Details: contact Shae at (601) 351-5197 or stbdrawdown@gmail.com. NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Presentation on St. Peter’s Rome, Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. All history buffs are invited to join Dr. Elizabeth Boggess dscussing the Rome of St. Peter’s time and the history of Jewish communities in Rome from the Diaspora to the present. Details: church office (601) 445-5616. ROBINSONVILLE – Good Shepherd, Labor of Love – Day of Service, Saturday, March 9. Adult volunteers and grades 9-12, come help our fellow parishioners at Good Shepherd with a list of items that need to be fixed, cleaned and organized. Details: church office at Christ the King Southaven (662) 342-1073. SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Lenten Lunch and Learn, Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. Topic: Conversations Overheard by the Cross. RSVP by Sunday, March 10. Details: church office (662) 693-1321.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, Wednesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. during Lent. Details: church office (601) 833-1799. St. Francis, Parish Lenten Mission, March 18 and 19 from 6-8 p.m. Gifts of the Holy Spirit presented by Father Bill Henry. Details: church office (601) 833-1799. MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Parish Lenten Mission,
FEATURED PHOTO
Feb. 25-27 from 6-7 p.m. Mission featuring Father Phil Krill, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. All are welcome. Details: church office (601) 693-1321. NATCHEZ – 2nd annual Believe Conference, April 19-21, 2024. Featured speakers are Anne Trufant, Catholic speaker and founder of The Mission on the Mountain; Barbara Heil, Catholic speaker and founder of From His Heart Ministries; and Joanne Moody, minister author, and founder of Agape Freedom Fighters. Cost: $100 for the weekend; $50 for students. Lunch included on Saturday. Details: visit https://www.themissiononthemountain.com. SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, Thursdays, April 4, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 30; and June 6 from 6:30-8 p.m.How do these Jewish roots help us, today to understand his real presence in the Eucharist? Facilitator is Don Coker. Details: church office (662) 342-1073. COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. – Women’s Morning of Spirituality, Saturday, April 13 at Catholic Church of the Incarnation (360 Bray Station Road). Continental breakfast in the gym at 7:15 a.m; Program begins in Sanctuary at 8:15 a.m.; Mass at 12:15 p.m. Opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Details: church office (901) 441-6157.
TRAVEL
“SPIRIT OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND” WITH FATHER O’CONNOR – Join Father David O’Connor on a trip to Ireland and Scotland, June 8-17. Itinerary includes: flight to Dublin, two nights in Belfast, ferry to Scotland, two nights in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh and return flight from Edinburg. Travel in a luxury coach from arrival time until departure, a professional driver/guide, 4-star hotels. Tour highlights include City of Belfast, Titanic, historic and architectural sites, wonderful landscapes and lakes of the Scottish highlands, Scottish food and entertainment. Cost: $4,955 (per person sharing) or $5,950 single. Only a few spots left! For more information/reservations contact Cara Group Travel at (617) 639-0273 or email bookings@ caragrouptravel.com. IRELAND AND SCOTLAND WITH FATHER AUGUSTINE – Join Father Augustine on a trip to Ireland and Scotland, Sept. 6-18. Trip includes stops in Galway, Our Lady of Knock, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Edinburgh and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Cost: $5,499 – all inclusive, including airfare. To register, contact Proximo Travel at (855) 842-8001 or visit www.proximotravel.com.
JOB OPENING
JACKSON – The Department of Faith Formation is looking for a full-time administrative assistant. The successful candidate will provide administrative assistance exercising quality pastoral skills for those in pastoral and formational ministry in the Diocese of Jackson. Details: 3-5 years’ experience in an administrative role providing direct support to a multicultural intergenerational department. Understanding basic accounting a plus. High school diploma or GED certificate required; completion of college degree in business preferred. Contact fran.lavelle@jacksondiocese. org with questions or for full job description. Send a cover letter and resume no later than March 11, 2024.
2155 TERRY ROAD JACKSON MS 39204 601-373-1460/601-373-3412
... Mardi Gras blessing ...
Thank you for your support to our apostolate of prayer. To donate online, please visit our website www.jacksoncarmel.com
God bless you! Our loving prayers, Carmelite Nuns of Jackson
APPLIANCE AUDIO VIDEO BEDDING FURNITURE SUPERSTORE
BRANDON – Parishioners of St. Jude parish in Pearl participated in the Brandon Mardi Gras Parade on Friday, Feb. 9. Pictured is Bishop Joseph Kopacz blessing the participants and their float. See additional pictures at mississippicatholic.com. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
Jackson Flowood R dgeland Pearl Cl nton V cksburg Tupelo Columbus Laurel Oxford Hatt esburg
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2024
let there be light
Ambassadors of Jesus Christ By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
God of all ages, You always work to save us, and now we rejoice in the great love You give to your chosen people. Bless and protect all who are about to become Your children through baptism, and all who seek full communion with us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. This opening prayer is proclaimed at the Rite of Election for Catechumens, the elect who are preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist; and Candidates, those preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist, all who are seeking to enter into full communion in the Catholic Church through their parish communities. This is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process through which adults, primarily but also those above the age of reason, like Sister Thea Bowman at age nine, discern if the Holy Spirit is directing them to the bosom of the Catholic Church. This year the Rite of Election in the Diocese of Jackson took place at St. Francis in Madison, and St. John in Oxford. The OCIA is a hope-filled and joyful process for individuals, families, parish communities, and dioceses. It can also assist the traditional Catholic in their Lenten journey to hear the Lord’s call to repentance to live in a manner worthy of our calling and for the renewal of our Baptism promises at Easter. You are always at work to save, O God, is the initial verse of the above prayer, and Pope Francis in his Lenten address recounts God’s words to Moses at the Burning Bush to bring forth the active presence of God in our world and in our lives. “When the Lord calls out to Moses from the burn-
ing bush, he immediately shows that he is a God who “Do you reject the glamor of evil and refuse to be sees and, above all, hears: ‘I have observed the mismastered by sin?” ery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their Our affirmative responses express our commitcry…. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come ment to the spiritual warfare against sin and evil that down to deliver them.’ (Exodus 3:7-8)” In the fullness prayer, fasting and almsgiving effectively counter. of time God’s personal encounter with all humanity At the end of his Lenten message Pope Francis enreaches its fulfillment in Jesus Christ who is “with us deavors to rally the faithful. “To the extent that this always until the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20) Lent becomes a time of conversion, an anxious humanIn his Lenten address ity will notice a burst of crePope Francis often speaks of ativity, a flash of new hope. the journey from slavery in Allow me to repeat what I “Our affirmative responses express our its many forms to freedom told the young people whom commitment to the spiritual warfare through faith in Jesus Christ. I met in Lisbon last summer: “In the Exodus account, there Keep seeking and be ready to against sin and evil that prayer, is a significant detail: it is God take risks. At this moment in fasting and almsgiving effectively who sees, is moved and brings time, we face enormous risks; counter.” freedom; Israel does not we hear the painful plea of so ask for this. Pharaoh stifles many people. Indeed, we are dreams, blocks the view of experiencing a third world heaven, makes it appear that war fought piecemeal. Yet let this world, in which human dignity is trampled upon us find the courage to see our world, not as being in and authentic bonds are denied, can never change. He its death throes but in a process of giving birth, not at put everything in bondage to himself. Let us ask: Do I the end but at the beginning of a great new chapter of want a new world? Am I ready to leave behind my comhistory. We need courage to think like this.” promises with the old?” Pharoah, who easily stands for By putting on the armor of God we claim our dignithe evil one, in league with any of the idols we conty as God’s children, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, struct, wants us to be subjects; the God and Father of ministers of reconciliation, in effect, new creations. our Lord Jesus Christ wants beloved children. What a (2Corinthians 5:20) Indeed, the Kingdom of God is at difference! hand for our receiving. An essential part of the Liturgy of Baptism is a series of questions adBISHOP’S SCHEDULE dressed to the parents and godparents, as well as to adult catechumens. They Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. – Rite of Election, St. John, Oxford place us in the desert with Jesus who rebuffed the Sunday, Feb. 25, 5 p.m. – Confirmation, St. Richard, Jackson devil’s allures and temptations. Saturday, March 2, 11 a.m. – Bishop Chanche Awards, Cathedral of “Do you reject Satan, St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson and all his works, and all his empty promises?”
Tuesday, March 12, 7:30 a.m. – Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Jackson
Happy Ordination Anniversary March 2
Father Henry Shelton Retired
Monday, March 25, 6:30 a.m. – Mass and Men’s Prayer Breakfast, St. Richard, Jackson Tuesday, March 26, 10:30 a.m. – Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson
March 6
Father Albeenreddy Vatti St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
Thank you for answering the call!
Wednesday, March 27, 5:30 p.m. – Adoration and Reconciliation, St. Elizabeth, Clarksdale Thursday, March 28, 12:05 and 5:15 p.m. – Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson
Volume 70 Number 6 (ISSN 1529-1693)
P.O. Box 2130 Jackson, MS 39225-2130 Phone: 601-969-3581 E-mail: editor@jacksondiocese.org Publisher ........................................................................................... Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz Communications Director ....................................................................... Joanna Puddister King Production Manager....................................................................................................Tereza Ma Contributors ......................................................................................................... Berta Mexidor MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC is an official publication of the Diocese of Jackson, 601-969-1880, 237 E. Amite St., Jackson, MS 39201. Published digitally twice per month January – April and September – December; once per month June, July and August. Mississippi Catholic mails 14 editions per year – twice per month in December and January; and once per month February – November. 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 w www.jacksondiocese.org
Friday, March 29, 6 p.m. – Good Friday Service, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson Saturday, March 30, 8 p.m. – Easter Vigil Mass, Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Jackson Tuesday, April 2, 7:30 a.m. – Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Jackson Wednesday, April 3, 6 p.m. – Confirmation, Holy Savior, Clinton Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m. – Confirmation, St. Anne, Carthage Saturday, April 6, 6 p.m. – Confirmation, St. Elizabeth, Clarksdale Sunday, April 7, 1 p.m. – Confirmation, St. Therese, Jackson Wednesday, April 10, 6 p.m. – Confirmation for Sacred Heart and St. Joseph parishes, Sacred Heart, Greenville All events are subject to change. Check with parishes and schools for further details.
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
4 VOCATIONS CALLED BY NAME To discern the diocesan priesthood is to discern whether the Lord is calling you to a certain place. Religious priests can get assignments in a variety of locations based on where their order is serving. For instance, a Jesuit might get assigned to teach at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, or at Jesuit High School in New Orleans. We have Franciscan priests serving in our diocese, and they could be called to serve in various other locations outside of our diocese, and the same could be said of the Sacred Heart Fathers that serve the Northwestern part of the diocese. But for Father Nick Adam the men who are discerning whether to enter the diocesan priesthood, they need to discern whether the Diocese of Jackson will be the place where they will give their life away to Jesus and His church. In order to help our seminarians get a ‘good look’ at our diocese, we’ve been making concerted efforts to assign them to parishes whenever they have extended breaks from their studies in New Orleans. I appreciate that the seminaries we use are very supportive of these efforts. This past Christmas break I had three of our seminarians staying with me at the Cathedral Rectory, and when the seminarians were off again earlier this month for Mardi Gras, Francisco Maldonado spent his five-day break back up here at the Cathedral. Over that
weekend we visited a homebound parishioner, helped out at a Confirmation retreat, went to a Super Bowl party, and went to the movies, along with the weekend and weekday Mass schedule of course! It was a great picture for him of a priests’ day-to-day existence! As I continue to learn how to be a better vocation director, I’ve started being more focused with our guys regarding the need to discern this place. During my time in seminary, I prayed long and hard regarding whether God was calling me to serve these people in this diocese. Knowing that I focused on that during my formation has helped me be more ‘all-in’ when it comes to my priestly ministry. As my assignments have changed and my responsibilities have increased, I can look back on my time in seminary as confirmation that the Lord called me to serve these people in this place, and so I need to do whatever it takes to serve them well. Having seminarians around the parish is also just life-giving. There is something energizing about having men who are freshly on-fire for the Lord around. They have helped me rededicate myself to the ‘basics’ that I learned back in my days of seminary. Thank you for your encouragement of our men while they spend time in parishes around the diocese.
– Father Nick Adam, vocation director
(Father Nick Adam can be contacted at nick.adam@jacksondiocese.org.)
Lenten meals, Stations and Reconciliation LENTEN MEALS/STATIONS
BATESVILLE – St. Mary, Stations, every Friday during Lent at 10:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis of Assisi, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. with meal following. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry on March 8. Details: church office (601) 833-1799. COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Fish dinner following Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. Details: church office (662) 328-2927. CORINTH – St. James, Soup supper, 5 p.m. Fridays during Lent. Stations to follow at 5:45 p.m. (bilingual) and Mass at 6:30 p.m. FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Fish Fry following Stations, every Friday during Lent at 6 p.m. Participants in Sattions served first, then if enough food, take-out orders may be available. GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Fish Fry, Friday, March 1 and 22 after Stations at 6 p.m. GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, Friday, Feb. 23 in the parish hall. Details: church office (662) 335-5251. GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, every Friday during Lent through March 22 from 5-7 p.m. Cost: $15 per plate. Details: church office (662) 453-3980. HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Soup and Stations, every Friday during Lent at 6:30 p.m. Variety of meatless soups available with bread/crackers and tea. Donation of $1 per person with proceeds to go to Hernando Catholic Social Services. JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Stations in English at 5:30 p.m and in Spanish at 7 p.m. Simple Lenten meal served in between. JACKSON – St. Richard, Knights of Columbus Fish Fry following Stations, every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. Dine-in at Foley Hall or carry out. Cost: $12 adult plate; $6 children’s plate; $40 all inclusive price
for families of four or more. Details: church office (601) 366-2335. MADISON – St. Francis, Stations every Friday during Lent at 6:30 p.m. with Lenten meal at 7 p.m. MERIDIAN – St. Patrick/St. Joseph, Stations and Lenten Fish Fry, every Friday in Lent. Fry follows Stations at 6 p.m. Rotates between parishes. St. Joseph on Feb. 23 and March 8 and 22; St. Patrick on March 1 and 15. Details: church office (601) 693-1321. NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Lenten Fish Fry, Every Friday beginning Feb. 23 from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Cost: Catfish $12; Shrimp $12; Combo $14. Dinners include fries, hushpupppies and coleslaw. For grilled catfish call 30 minutes ahead to Darren at (601) 597-2890. PEARL – St. Jude, Lenten Fish Fry, Every Friday beginning Feb. 16, immediately following 6 p.m. Stations. Menu: catfish, fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw and tea. Dine-in only. Proceeds benefit Knights of Columbus community programs. Details: church office (601) 939-3181. SENATOBIA – St. Gregory, Stations every Friday during Lent at 6 p.m. followed by Lenten potluck meal. SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Lenten Fish Fry, Feb. 15, March 1 and 15. Potluck Lenten meals, Feb. 23, March 8 and 22. Meals at 5:30 p.m. with Stations at 7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 342-1073. VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus Council 898, Fish Fry, Fridays during Lent from 5:30-7 p.m. Cost $15, dine-in or carry out. Meal: fried or grilled catfish, hushpuppies, fries, coleslaw, baked potato, baked beans and bread.
STATIONS ONLY
CANTON – Holy Child Jesus, Stations every Friday during Lent at 12 p.m. CORINTH – St. James, Stations every Wednesday during Lent at 2 p.m. and Fridays at 12 p.m.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Stations every Friday during Lent at 6 p.m. GREENVILLE – St. Joseph, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5 p.m. HOLLY SPRINGS – St. Joseph, Stations every Friday during Lent at 7:30 p.m. and following Mass at 4 p.m. JACKSON – Christ the King, Stations every Friday during Lent at 6 p.m. Rosary after Stations. MAGEE – St. Stephen, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:15 p.m. Assumption, Stations every Friday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. SARDIS – St. John, Stations, every Wednesday during Lent at 4:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 5 p.m.
LENTEN RECONCILIATION
BATESVILLE – St. Mary, Penance Service, Thursday, March 21 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Reconciliation Service, Monday, March 18 from 6-8 p.m. CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Reconciliation, Wedneday, March 6 from 4-6:30 p.m. Several priests will be available. HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Reconciliation Service, Wedneday, March 6 at 7 p.m. OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Reconciliation Service, Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m. PEARL – St. Jude, Reconciliation Service, Wedneday, March 20 at 6 p.m. SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Reconciliation Service, Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. YAZOO CITY – St. Mary, Reconciliation Service, Monday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.
Spirituality 5
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2024
Praying the Psalms IN EXILE By Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
the images in the psalms are offensive. Second, we tend to be in denial about our actual feelings. It’s hard to admit that we feel some of the things we sometimes feel – grandiosity, sexual obsessions, jealousies, bitterness, paranoia, murderous thoughts, disappointment with God, doubts in our faith. Too often our prayer belies our actual thoughts and feelings. It tells God what we think God wants to hear. The psalms are more honest. To pray with full honesty is a challenge. Kathleen Norris puts it this way: If you pray regularly “there is no way you can do it right. You are not always going to sit up straight, let alone think holy thoughts. You’re not going to wear your best clothes but whatever isn’t in
the dirty clothes basket. You come to the Bible’s great `book of praise’ through all the moods and conditions of life, and while you feel like hell, you sing anyway. To your surprise, you find that the psalms do not deny your true feelings but allow you to reflect them, right in front of God and everyone.” Feel-good aphorisms that express how we think we ought to feel are no substitute for the earthy realism of the psalms which express how sometimes we actually do feel. Anyone who would lift mind and heart to God without ever mentioning feelings of bitterness, jealousy, vengeance, hatred, and war, should write slogans for greeting cards and not be anyone’s spiritual advisor.
God behaves in the psalms in ways that God is not allowed to behave in theology. That quip comes from Sebastian Moore and should be highlighted at a time when fewer people want to use the psalms in prayer because they feel offended by what they sometimes find there. More and more, we see people resisting the psalms (Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teachas a way to pray (or desire to saner and award-winning author. He can be contacted itize them) because the psalms through his website www.ronrolheiser.com.) speak of murder, revenge, anger, violence, war-making, and patriarchy. The Pope’s Corner Some ask, how can I pray with words that are full of hatred, anger, violence, speak of the glories of war, and of crushing one’s enemies in the name of God? For others, the objection is to a patriarchal coloring in the psalms – where the divine is masbreathed his breath of life,” he said. “And if, in the ashculine and the masculine is too-much deified. For By Justin McLellan yet others, the offense is aesthetic. Their objection: ROME (CNS) – In an age when even one’s most in- es that we are, the fire of the love of God burns, then “They’re bad poetry!” timate thoughts and feelings can become fodder for we will discover that we have indeed been shaped by Perhaps the psalms aren’t great poetry and unsocial media, Lent is a time to cast aside appearances that love and called to love others in turn.” Pope Francis also recalled the day’s Gospel reading deniably do smack of violence, war, hatred of one’s and to find God at work in the depths of the heart, Pope from St. Matthew, in which Jesus tells his disciples not enemies, and the desire for vengeance, all in the Francis said. name of God. Admittedly, they’re also patriarchal Without realizing it, Christians have become im- to make a public show of their prayer but to rather “go in character. But does that make them a bad lanmersed “in a world in which everything, including our to your inner room” to pray. Jesus’ message “is a salutary invitation for us, guage for prayer? Let me suggest something to the emotions and deepest feelings, has to become ‘social,’” contrary. the pope said while celebrating Mass at the Basilica of who so often live on the surface of things, who are so One of the classical definitions of prayer says Santa Sabina in Rome to mark the beginning of Lent concerned to be noticed, who constantly need to be admired and appreciated,” he said. “prayer is lifting mind and heart to God.” Simple, Feb. 14. The pope urged Christians to “return to the center clear, accurate. I suggest that the actual problem Today, “even the most tragic and painful experiis that we seldom actually do this when we pray. ences risk not having a quiet place where they can be of yourself,” where “so many fears, feelings of guilt Rather than lifting up to God what is actually on kept,” he said. “Everything has to be exposed, shown and sin are lurking.” “Precisely there the Lord has descended in order our minds and in our hearts, we tend to treat God off, fed to the gossip mill of the moment.” as someone from whom we need to hide the real Dressed in purple vestments to mark the Lenten to heal and cleanse you,” he said. “Let us enter into truth of our thoughts and feelings. Instead of pourseason, Pope Francis said Lent is a chance for Chris- our inner chamber: There the Lord dwells, there our ing out mind and heart, we tell God what we think tians to ensure their relationship with God “is not re- frailty is accepted and we are loved unconditionally.” Pope Francis suggested that during Lent ChrisGod wants to hear – not murderous thoughts, deduced to mere outward show.” sire for vengeance, or our disappointment with Lent “immerses us in a bath of purification,” he tians make space to incorporate silent adoration into God. said. “It means looking within ourselves and acknowl- their lives, as practiced by Moses, Elijah, Mary and But expressing those feelings is the whole edging our real identity, removing the masks we so Jesus. “Have we realized that we’ve lost the meaning of point. What makes the psalms particularly apt for often wear, slowing the frantic pace of our lives and adoration? Let us return to adoration,” he said. prayer is that they do not hide the truth from God embracing the truth of who we are.” Like St. Francis of Assisi, Christians should “strip but express the whole gamut of our actual feelings. The Lenten practices of “almsgiving, prayer and They give an honest voice to what’s actually going fasting are not mere external practices; they are paths ourselves of worldly trappings and return to the heart, on in our minds and hearts. that lead to the heart, to the core of the Christian life,” to what is essential,” the pope said. “Let us acknowledge what we are: dust loved by God.” Sometimes we feel good and our spontaneous he added, encouraging Christians to “love impulse is to speak words of praise and gratitude, the brothers and sisters all around us, to be and the psalms give us that voice. They speak of considerate to others, to feel compassion, God’s goodness in everything – love, friends, faith, to show mercy, to share all that we are and health, food, wine, enjoyment. But we don’t always all that we have with those in need.” feel that way. Our lives also have their cold, lonely The liturgy began with a prayer at seasons when disappointment and bitterness simthe nearby Church of St. Anselm, which mer or rage under the surface. The psalms give us is part of a Benedictine monastery on honest voice where we can open up all those simRome’s Aventine Hill. Chanting the litany mering feelings to God. Also, there are times when of saints, cardinals, joined by Benedictine we are filled with the sense of our own inadequaand Dominican religious, then processed to cy, with the fact that we cannot measure up to the the Basilica of Santa Sabina – considered trust and love that’s given us. Again, the psalms the mother church of the Dominican order give us voice for this, asking God to be merciful and – for Mass. to soften our hearts, wash us clean, and give us a Pope Francis, who has regularly used new start. a wheelchair since May 2022, did not parAs well, there are times when we feel bitterly ticipate in the procession. In the basilica disappointed with God and need some way to exthe pope blessed the ashes with holy wapress this. The psalms give us voice for this (“Why ter, praying that “we recognize that we are are you so silent?” “Why are you so far from me?”) dust and to dust we will return.” even as they make us aware that God is not afraid The pope received ashes from Cardiof our anger and bitterness; but, like a loving parnal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolent, only wants us to come and talk about it. The ic Penitentiary, who also was the Mass’s psalms are a privileged vehicle for prayer because main celebrant at the altar. they lift the full range of our thoughts and feelings In his homily, Pope Francis said “the Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, to God. ashes placed on our head invite us to redis- sprinkles ashes on Pope Francis’ head during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome Feb. 14, 2024. However, there are a number of reasons why cover the secret of life.” we struggle with that. First, because our age tends “We are ashes on which God has (CNS photo/Vatican Media) to eschew metaphor and taken literally, some of
Pope: During Lent, leave appearances aside and listen to God
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
6 DIOCESE
' ... I know a little bit about Mississippi ...' – Continued from page 1 – He fondly remembered traversing the diocese by airplane days after being installed as Bishop and visiting a few parishes across the diocese, including St. Mary’s Basilica in Natchez, St. Joseph in Greenville, St. James in Tupelo and to St. Joseph in Starkville. “It was great to experience and see what a large swath of land the diocese covers,” said Bishop Kopacz. “So, 10 years later and possibly 300,000 miles later on my car, I think I can say I know a little bit about Mississippi and its geography.” But more than miles, Bishop Kopacz reflected, are the countless souls who have touched his life along the way through parishes and the variety of missions and ministries that make up the diocese. He continued by celebrating the dedication of the clergy, the resilience of parishioners and the transformative power of God’s grace working through each individual. In his homily, Bishop Kopacz credits his enthusiasm and energy for the diocese to the Eucharistic prayer at Mass when the clergy pray for him every day. Joking with those clergy present, that they “can’t skip that part … as a lot of grace flows from that on good days and bad. It truly carries me forward.” Turning 74 later this year, Bishop Kopacz says that he hopes to still be around to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the diocese in 13 years. He expressed how grateful he was for the people of the diocese, all of the priests and religious, coworkers at the Chancery and all the staff at parishes across the diocese who respond to God’s call every day. “I thank everyone for the kindness and generosity for the 10th anniversary of my consecration and installation as the 11th Bishop of Jackson,” said Bishop Kopacz. “It was a splendid and joyful occasion.”
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrated his 10th anniversary as the Bishop for the Diocese of Jackson with priests and deacons from around the diocese on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Inset, a comemorative photo collage with scenes from the past 10 years. (Photos by Tereza Ma)
' ... St. Francis will always have a special place in my heart ...' – Continued from page 1 – Milton DeNault family. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was dedicated on June 19, 1949, by Archbishop William O’Brien of the Extension Society. The first child to be baptized at St. Francis was a young man named Robert Thomas, in 1950. St. Francis continued as a mission of St. John’s in Oxford, and throughout the years the Sisters of Mercy taught vacation Bible school, and later, Franciscan Sisters from Holly Springs headed educational endeavors. For 10 years, Sacred Heart priests from St. Joseph Parish in Holly Springs served as pastors at St. Francis. In 1965 it was announced that the small community of St. Christopher’s in Pontotoc would be linked to St. Francis, under the leadership of the Cincinnati based Glenmary Home Missioners. Father Bob Rademacher became the first Glenmarian to pastor both the New Albany and Pontotoc churches in 1967. Rademacher was a robust, hands-on man, and he continued the tradition of visiting families, celebrating Mass in members’ homes, and maintaining close ties with the rural community. He was even known to help farming families harvest crops. In October of 1986 the congregation purchased the land on which the church now stands, on Highway 15.
By the late 1990’s many Catholics had begun arriving from Latin America, primarily from Mexico. Mississippi had not experienced an influx of native Catholics like that since the Irish arrived in the early part of the 20th century. Like the Irish, Hispanic Catholics brought with them folk customs, liturgical traditions, and valuable cultural symbols, perhaps none more sacred than the Virgin of Guadalupe. Their contributions enriched and deepened the Catholic heritage at St. Francis and gave members a good perspective on the universality of the Catholic faith. Glenmary priest, Father Will Steinbacher was pastor when the present sanctuary was built in 1993. He spoke about the intentional choice of architecture. “We chose the design to symbolize arms, reaching into and embracing the community,” said Father Will. Steinbacher spoke glowingly of the Kelso family, having once humorously referred to Dorothy as “the bishop” as well as of the other hardworking people who built the community. True to the Glenmary spirit, and in perfect agreement with the life of St. Francis, Father Will recalled the creation of the Good Samaritan Center as one of the highlights of his time in New Albany. The Good Samaritan Center is an inter-faith, non-profit that helps meet the emergency needs of the
poor. Father Steve Pawelk followed Steinbacher as the pastor in 1993. Pawelk, a Minnesota native, oversaw many of the developments with which younger parishioners are familiar. Pawelk started the Spanish Mass, as well as overseeing the church paying off its debt for the sanctuary and rectory. He was a member of the Board of Directors at New Albany’s Boys and Girls Club and worked vigorously in ecumenical efforts. Pawelk spoke warmly about his time in New Albany. “St. Francis will always have a special place in my heart,” said Pawelk. “This was my first pastorate. During this time the parish grew with new converts, people moving in and with the beginning of the Spanish Mass. We had a wonderful youth group. Part of my heart will always be there.” Father Xavier Jesuraj took over as pastor in February 2016, and he has worked hard to learn Spanish as his third language in order to serve the flourishing Hispanic community, while also honoring the Anglo traditions that were there from the church’s inception. The welcoming spirit upon which it was founded still abides today in the congregation of St. Francis of Assisi, as together in Christ, they continue their seventh decade of worship.
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2024
World Marriage Day celebration By Joanna King
JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson celebrated the anniversaries of married couples from around the diocese with two special Masses celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz. The first on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson and the second on Sunday, Feb. 11 at St. James in Tupelo. Coordinator for the Office of Family Ministry, Debbie Tubertini said the change was to accommodate more couples in the celebration with recognition in the northern and central areas of the state. According to World Marriage Day history, the idea of celebrating marriage began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1981, when couples encouraged the Mayor, the Governor and the Bishop to proclaim St. Valentine’s Day as “We Believe in Marriage Day.” In 1993, Pope St. John Paul II imparted his Apostolic blessing on World Marriage Day. Celebrations continue to grow and spread to more countries and faith expressions every year. At the World Marriage Day celebrations in the Diocese of Jackson, couples receive an anniversary certificate blessed and signed by Bishop Kopacz. Please join us in celebrating the anniversaries of these very special couples.
DIOCESE 7
Happy Anniversary 61 Years Calvin & LaVerne Leverett
60 Years Charles & Ann Gammill Jim & Mary Lipscomb Jimmy & Johnnie Mascagni
52 Years Jim & Jane Missett Joe & Margaret Smith
50 Years Tom & JoAnne Ethridge Greg & Gio Chinchar John & Elizabeth Cmar Wesley & Margaret Gannon James & Susan Giachelli Colin & Sarah Greenwood Mike & Jane Henry Terry & Ann Jensen Authur & Mary Louise Jones Al & Sandra Latham Raymond & Mary Longoria Ray & Pam Millwood Ouida & Ronnie Muffuletto Bill & Rochelle Paretti Louis & Marie Renaud Arnie & Lois Senger Dennis & Sammye Short Avery & Lynn Slay Robert & Vicki Thigpen Curt & Dolores Ulmer
40 Years Daniel & Dianne Harper
35 Years TUPELO – Azucena and Erick Carrasco celebrate five years of marriage at the World Marriage Day celebration at St. James parish in Tupelo on Sunday, Feb. 11. (Photo by Michelle Harkins) JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz is pictured with couples celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2024 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson on Saturday, Feb. 10. More photos at mississippicatholic.com. (Photo by Debbie Tubertini)
Vicente & Maria Conuelo Gonzalez Victor & Marina Rodriguez
30 Years Stephen & Denise Martinolich Thomas & Michelle Whitenton
25 Years
Jeffrey & Lisa Crout Fernando & Leticia Gomez Buddy & Marie Hargrove Doug & Tricia Harris Aljandro Rivera & Sandra Hernandez Keith & Anne Fulcher James & Vera Kelley Jim & Robin Mack Servando & Laura Cristina Murillo Israel & Isidora Murillo Patrick & Jennifer Spencer Matt & Melinda Weisenberger David & Leigh Wright
Other Paul & Michelle Harkins – 38 years Martin & Fabiola Bedolla – 34 yeas Ted & Raquel Thompson – 28 years Reynaldo & Araceli Acosta –27 years Leonel & Cristina Blanco – 27 years James & Jo Pilgrim – 27 years Reynaldo & Araceli Acosta – 26 years Robin & Anne Haire – 26 years Leo & Glenda Bautista – 23 years Arturo & Sonia Torres – 21 years Juan Vazquez & Rosario Gonzalez – 19 years Jose Luis & Rocio Espericueta Lopez – 18 years Felipe & Gaudelia Gonzalez – 16 years Martin Hernndez & Maria Mariela Martinez – 15 years Jose Solis & Maria Sandoval – 15 years Joe & Jennifer Torrent – 15 years Shane & Bettye Dalton – 12 years Jose Luis & Maricruz Rojas – 12 years Karlo & Neyda Martinez – 10 years Francisco Aguilar & Yolanda Chavez – 8 years Rigoberto & Virginia Quiroz – 5 years Erick & Azucena Carrasco Varela – 5 years Julian & Hermila Torres Amaya Jorge & Ana Gonzalez
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
8 NaTION
New study examines common features in some families where children grew into Catholic adults than being this overbearing parental force,” he said. The study also included an analysis of existing data from the General Social Survey, or GSS, going back to the 1970s, which showed a marked decline in the number of U.S. adults who were raised Catholic and stayed Catholic while still attending Mass weekly. In the 1970s, “an average of 36% of those who were raised Catholic remained Catholic as adults and attended Mass weekly (peaking at 40% in 1977).” GSS data later showed “this average percentage declined to 32% in the 1980s, 25% in the 1990s, and 21% in the 2000s. In the 2010s, this averaged 15% and was 14% in the 2018 study.” These numbers exclude those who converted to Catholicism but were not raised Catholic. The study also notes the large number of Catholics who have immigrated to the U.S. Focusing on the 51% of U.S. adults who were raised Catholic and had remained so between 2010 to 2018, there were some commonalities. Among weekly Mass attendees who had remained Catholic, 81% were “more likely to have been living with both parents at age 16” compared to the 72% who attend Mass less often than weekly or the 63% who left the Catholic faith. Gray said that the families they spoke with referenced things that “any parent can do,” noting the importance of the child to see their parent be “Catholic every day of the year, not just on Sundays” and for the parent “to listen to their children and have conversations with them, and guide them through what the faith teaches and why the faith teaches it.” (Lauretta Brown is culture editor for OSV News. Follow her on X ( formerly Twitter) @LaurettaBrown6.)
A Catholic family is pictured having dinner together at their home in Valatie, N.Y. The recent “Future Faithful Families Project” study identifies families who successfully raised most – and in many cases all – of their children to a faithful adulthood. The study was conducted by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate and the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life. (OSV News photo/Cindy Schultz via The Evangelist)
By Lauretta Brown
(OSV News) – Only about 15% of U.S. adults who were raised Catholic said they had remained practicing Catholics attending weekly Mass into adulthood, according to data from the General Social Survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. But what were some of the things that distinguished the families of those children who remained practicing Catholics as adults from those who left the faith entirely? Seeking answers to this question, researchers at Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate and the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life conducted the “Future Faithful Families Project” study. The interviews for the study were conducted with 28 individuals from June 2021 to February 2023 and included qualifying participants from past CARA surveys. The study noted “a greater lack of response from the adult children than the parents who had been interviewed,” but added that “it is well known in the social science research fields that it is often easier to recruit participation from older adults than young adults.” The study found that participants from these families generally described their households as “warmer and more affectionate than the average family.” Most of the participants also indicated “very good communication” within the family. Another shared thread among those interviewed was having rituals of meals eaten together and prayer, with most indicating that faith was a part of family routines regardless of the routines themselves. Additionally, all participants emphasized the importance of weekly Mass attendance and nearly all participants reported doing service work and giving to charity, with many doing so through their parish or a church organization. Mark Gray, director of CARA Catholic Polls, co-wrote the study along with Greg Popcak, co-executive director of the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life. Gray told OSV News that while the findings from these qualitative interviews were not meant to be taken as some sort of “checklist” of things to keep one’s child Catholic, parents could gain insight from the common responses. For these families, he said, “their faith wasn’t just something that they went and did on Sunday morning; their faith was present in the household. It was present every day. It came out in conversations about the faith, with prayer, with things that are in the home.” He also noted that when children would come to the parents with doubts about the faith, most of the parents “went on a journey with their children and said, ‘Well, let’s see why the church teaches this,’” as opposed to strictly shutting down questioning of the church’s teachings. “It’s a lot of discussion, working through things, thinking about things rather
In memoriam: Sister Barbara Ann Fava, OP ST. CATHARINE, Ken. – Dominican Sister of Peace Barbara Ann Fava, OP (87), a native of Greenville, Mississippi, died on Feb. 8, 2024, at Sansbury Care Center, St. Catharine, Kentucky. Sister Barbara is survived by two sisters, Annette Willis (Lynn, Massachusetts) and Paula Fava (Brandon, Mississippi), and several nieces and nephews. A Dominican for 63 years, Sister Barbara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies/English/Education from Siena College (Memphis); a Master of Arts in Theology from Catherine Spalding College (Louisville, Kentucky) and a Master of Arts in History from Memphis State University (Memphis). She ministered as a teacher at St. Dominic (Springfield, Kentucky); St. Joseph (Mattoon, Illinois); Bishop Donahue High (McMechen, West Virginia); Owensboro Catholic (Owensboro, Kentucky); St. Catharine Academy (St. Catharine, Kentucky) and as an instructor at St. Catharine College. Sister also served as parish and campus minister at St. Clare Parish (Berea, Kentucky) and Memphis State University Catholic Center. In 1993, Sister Barbara taught adult education (GED classes) in Marks, Mississippi until 2002. Sister returned to St. Catharine Motherhouse (Kentucky) where she began the ministry of Dominican coordinator at Sansbury Care Center. She held this position from 2002 until 2012. Beginning in 2013, Sister Barbara spent several years at Springbank Retreat Center (Kingstree, South Carolina) where she served on the staff and assisted with the retreat programs on a part-time basis until 2022. Early 2024, Sister Barbara moved to Sansbury Care Center (St. Catharine, Kentucky) where she began a ministry of prayer and presence. A funeral for Sister Barbara was held on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Sansbury Care Center Chapel, with burial in the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery. Memorial gifts in Sister Barbara’s memory may be sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098. To make a secure online donation or to view a full obituary, please visit www.oppeace.org
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2024
NATION
RAPID CITY, S.D. (OSV News) – The Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota, announced “with sorrow” that its shepherd, Bishop Peter M. Muhich, died Feb. 17. “Bishop Peter, 62, was in hospice care after suffering from esophageal cancer. Please continue to pray for the soul of our shepherd,” the Bishop Peter M. Muhich of diocese said in a Rapid City, S.D., revealed statement. “Eternal Feb. 14, 2024, that he was rest grant unto him, entering hospice due to can- O Lord, and may cer and subsequently dies on your perpetual light shine upon him.” Feb. 17. He is pictured in an Funeral arrangeundated photo. (OSV News ments are pending. photo/courtesy Diocese of Two days earlier a Rapid City) message from the Diocese of Rapid City called for a novena for their bishop Feb. 15-22, the feast of the chair of St. Peter. “In our prayers for Bishop Peter leading up to this feast, we are also giving thanks for his leadership and imploring the Lord that we may enjoy this leadership for more years to come,” it said. On Feb. 14, Bishop Muhich had announced he was moving into hospice treatment, and planned to offer his suffering from cancer to increase devotion to the Eucharist. “I have reached another step along my journey with cancer. Despite the best efforts of my health care team, all treatment options have been exhausted and there is no more that can be done without causing greater harm to my system,” Bishop Muhich said in an announcement released by the diocese. On Feb. 15, a message from the Diocese of Rapid City called for a novena for their bishop Feb. 15-22, the feast of the chair of St. Peter. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSV News) – The Nashville Diocese announced Feb. 9 that Father Juan Carlos Garcia, a former associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, who was ordained nearly four years ago, has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple sex abuse charges. A Williamson County grand jury indicted the priest on one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and two counts of sexual battery. The Nashville Diocese removed Father Garcia from his parish post and from public ministry in January while the Franklin Police Department investigated reports of sexual misconduct. The police began their investigation of Father Garcia after representatives of the Nashville Diocese contacted the police department to provide information it had received regarding alleged misconduct. He was booked into the Williamson County Jail Feb. 9 and as of midday Feb. 13, he remained in custody. Father Garcia, ordained to the priesthood in 2020, was assigned to St. Philip in July 2022. In early November, St. Philip officials reported to the Diocese of Nashville Safe Environment Office that a teen in the parish had made a report of improper touching involving Father Garcia. Per diocesan protocols, a report was immediately made by the diocese and St. Philip representatives to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
VATICAN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The second assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality will meet Oct. 2-27 and will be preceded by several formal studies coordinated by the synod general secretariat working with various offices of the Roman Curia. The Vatican announced the dates for the assembly Feb. 17, indicating that the desire of some synod members to spend less time in Rome was not accepted. The fall assembly will be pre-
BRIEFS 9 ceded by a retreat for members Sept. 30-Oct. 1, the Vatican said. And in response to a formal call by members of the first assembly of the synod, Pope Francis has agreed to the establishment of “study groups that will initiate, with a synodal method, the in-depth study of some of the themes that emerged.” In a chirograph, or brief papal document, released Feb. 17, the pope said that “these study groups are to be established by mutual agreement between the competent dicasteries of the Roman Curia and the General Secretariat of the Synod, which is entrusted with coordination.” However, the papal note did not list the topics to be studied nor the members of the groups. The synod office said it hoped the approved groups and their members could be announced by mid-March. VATICAN CITY (CNS) – One day, Jesuit Father Jorge Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis, wanted to make sure a group of visitors did not go home hungry, so he whipped up a huge omelet loaded with onions and potatoes. One of those guests, Claudio Perusini, who still remembers that meal fondly, was in Rome for the canonization of Argentina’s first female saint Feb. 11. It was his inexplicable recovery from a devastating stroke in 2017 that became the second miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed María Antonia de Paz Figueroa, known as Mama Antula. Perusini met the pope when he was 17 on a trip with five others for an ordination. After the ordination, then-Father Bergoglio, who was provincial superior of the Jesuits, invited the group “to the residence of the Catholic university, where he cooked us an enormous omelet with 30 eggs,” onions and potatoes, he told the Punto Medio program on Radio2 in Argentina. “He divided it into six and served each of us, and since then I have been friends with him,” he told the radio in late October after the Vatican announced Pope Francis had approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of Mama Antula. The last time Perusini saw the pope was in 2014 when he and his wife, María Laura Baranda, had an audience at the Vatican. “I brought him ‘dulce de leche,’ ‘alfajores’ (cookies) from Santa Fe, drawings from my children and craft beer that I make,” he told the radio. The pope gave away the food, but not the beer, he said.
WORLD
LVIV, Ukraine (OSV News) – As Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine reaches the two-year mark, the Knights of Columbus are calling for nine days of prayer to end the bloodshed. The national chaplains of the Knights in Ukraine, Metropolitan Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lviv and Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishop Mykhailo Bubniy of the Archiepiscopal Exarchate of Odesa, recently announced a “Novena for Peace and Healing in Ukraine.” In their joint appeal, the bishops invited “the brotherhood of the Knights and people of good will around the world” to begin the novena on Feb. 15, nine days ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty on Feb. 24, 2022. The war has been declared a genocide in two collaborative reports by the New Lines Institute and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights. Szymon Czyszek, director of international growth in Europe for the Knights of Columbus, previously told OSV News that his organization’s members are “doing heroic work, and they are willing to risk their lives to bring aid to people in places like Avdiivka and ... other villages that (are) close to the front line.” To date,
the Knights have provided close to $22.4 million in aid to Ukraine, even as their organization, along with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, was outlawed by a Russian occupation official in the Zaporizhzhia region. MAKURDI, Nigeria (OSV News) – Nigeria is one of the countries in the world with the best Mass attendance. As many as 94% of self-identified Nigerian Catholics surveyed said they attend weekly or daily Mass, according to a study published in early 2023 by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The World Values Survey, which conducted the poll, doesn’t survey all countries in the world, but among those asked, Nigerian Catholics had the highest Mass attendance, followed by Kenya (73%) and Lebanon (69%). At the same time, both Christian Concern and Open Doors, organizations that track Christian persecution in the word rank Nigeria as one of the worst countries for Christians to live in after North Korea, and followed by India, Iran, China, Pakistan and Eritrea as top countries for Christian persecution. Father Moses Iorapuu, director of social communications for the Diocese of Makurdi, said that Christianity should continue to grow in an environment as hostile as Nigeria, because “this is the mystery of our faith: The blood of the martyrs remains the seed of Christianity.” Nigeria’s Intersociety advocacy group said over 100,000 unarmed and defenseless citizens have died directly or indirectly outside the law in the hands of security forces in the past eight years, between August 2014 and December 2023. Emeka Umeagbalasi, director of Intersociety, said the killings are part of a government agenda to “Islamize Nigeria.” VALPARAISO, Chile (OSV News) – Since wildfires devastated areas in the province of Valparaíso and other regions of Chile early February, authorities and international agencies have multiplied their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the communities. OSV News spoke with Lorenzo Figueroa, director of Caritas Chile, about what he called a tremendous catastrophe, saying that in addition to at least 131 lives lost, the number of those missing and the extent of the damage has yet to be determined. “There is talk of up to 20,000 houses affected,” said Figueroa, for whom psychological damage is also a determining factor during and after these emergencies. Figueroa highlighted the community’s participation in the recovery and assistance efforts amid this natural and human tragedy. “Their knowledge, their experience. They know their territory and are active protagonists,” he explained. And after the emergency aid organizations leave “the community is no longer the same because they remain organized” to face emergencies, he added. For Figueroa, the support of other organizations is fundamental, not only financially but also in terms of experience, training and human resources, which add up when it comes to providing the necessary support to the victims. “The action of Caritas all over the world is an expression of humanitarian action in which we express ourselves as a family and the help of CRS and USAID allows us to take care of our common home, our people and those most in need,” Figueroa said.
10 DIOCESE
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Living in different times
FROM THE ARCHIVES By Mary Woodward
JACKSON – Managing the Diocese of Jackson’s historical archive is always an adventure and takes me down many paths to a plethora of requests for great grandparent’s marriage records, decrees of establishing long lost churches, name of saint whose relic is in an altar, and so on. Unfortunately, I cannot always fulfill these requests because the information might not have been recorded or it might not be in the place it is supposed to be according to the index. I always tell people our diocesan archives do not exist for genealogical purposes or answering various questions from the street; and that as a “lone arranger” it will take a long time before I can even get to their request. Most people are fine with that. With that being said, working with history and the documentation of it is quite a rewarding adventure. Right now, I am working on developing a project that will look at some pivotal moments in recent history that affected our state, country and church. Recent for people in archives is 75 years or less. I always laugh and cry a little to myself when someone asks for an old baptismal record from 1970. As part of this still evolving venture, I ran into another research mission that had been initiated more than 10 years ago and had fallen by the wayside as can happen when you get distracted by more pressing matters in church life. In 2012, as part of exploring possible events to highlight our diocese’s 175th anniversary, I came across a thread that led me to the location of the original handwritten copy of Bishop William Henry Elder’s diary he kept during the Civil War. Bishop William Henry Elder, a native of Baltimore, studied at Mount St. Mary College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He graduated in 1837 and entered Mount St. Mary Seminary. Following completion of seminary studies, he was sent to Rome for graduate studies at the Pontifical Urban University where he earned a Doctor of Divinity in 1846. After his ordination there on March 29, 1846, he returned to Maryland and Mount St. Mary where he served as a professor at the seminary. Eleven years later in 1857, he was named the third Bishop of Natchez by Pope Pius IX. In 1880, he was named co-adjutor
Archbishop of Cincinnati. Upon departing the then Diocese of Natchez in 1880, Bishop Elder took many of his personal papers with him to Cincinnati. His Civil War diary was one of these items. The diary travelled even more making stops in the collections of Mount St. Mary Seminary, Woodstock College, and ultimately the archives of Georgetown University in Washington. Twelve years ago, I had made contact with the Georgetown archivist, a Jesuit, and worked with him to get the diary in digital format. Bishop R.O. Gerow had created and published a typed version of the diary, but here we had the handwritten version. In the midst of the project which involved complicated file formats for our fledgling digital system, contact was lost, and the project was forgotten. Recently, while researching the current project mentioned above, I did a side search for the diary in the Georgetown archives special collections. There it was the original handwritten diary available for viewing in PDF format. Soon I’ll have a link to it on our website. Bishop Joseph Brunini, our eighth bishop and only native son from Vicksburg, went to Georgetown in the late 1920s and graduated in 1930. He was editor of the campus newspaper The Hoya. His brother Ed was The Hoya’s sports editor. According to the description next to his senior photo in the 1930 Ye DoBishop Joseph Brunini is pictured in the 1930 “Ye Domesday mesday Booke, Georgetown’s yearBooke,” the yearbook for Georgetown University. (Photos courtesy book, Joseph B. Brunini was: “The Hoya’s high priest. Joe lives a hectic of archives) life dashing around from printer to printer…all the while pulling copy studies at Georgetown, Bishop Brunini was sent to from the humble newswriters by means of his persua- Rome where he finished his seminary studies at the sive Southern ‘oil.’” North American College, which at that time was in In his senior year, Bishop Brunini was also vice downtown Rome. He was ordained there on Dec. 5, 1933. president of the Philodemic As you can see, exploring archives creates a web Society, one of the country’s of interconnectedness among collections scattered oldest debating societies in across not only the country but also across epochs of the United States and the time. It is easy to end up down a different rabbit hole oldest secular student orga- from the original one intended. nization at Georgetown. In The phrase “hunh, what a small world” is heard fact, Philodemic was mark- and uttered infinitely. Until next time… ing its centennial in 1930. That’s kind of a big deal. (Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for Like Bishop Elder, upon the Diocese of Jackson.) completion of his collegiate
Pictured is a digital copy of the handwritten Civil War diary of Bishop Elder, which over the years was found in the archives of Mount St .Mary Seminary, then Woodstock College and ultimately at Georgetown University in Washington.
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2024
Catholic prayer app Hallow, He Gets Us campaign runs faith-focused Super Bowl commercials
NATION 11
By Maria Wiering
(OSV News) – Super Bowl LVIII watchers can saw at least three faith-based commercials during the televised Feb. 11 showdown in Las Vegas between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. The Catholic prayer app Hallow plans to run a 30-second commercial featuring Catholic actors Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie. According to Hallow, the advertisement “will encourage fans to take time away from the spectacle of the big game and enjoy a moment of prayer on the Lord’s day.” Wahlberg, who played prizefighter-turned-priest Father Stuart Long in the 2022 biopic “Father Stu,” is helping to lead Hallow’s annual #Pray40 Lent prayer challenge. Pray40 also features Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the popular series “The Chosen.” Roumie voices other Hallow audio content, including the Divine Mercy Chaplet, scriptural rosary and daily Gospel readings. “The goal at Hallow has always been to reach out to as many folks as possible, both those who take their faith seriously and especially those who might have fallen away, and invite them deeper into a relationship with God,” said Alex Jones, Hallow co-founder and CEO, in a statement announcing the commercial. A teaser for the commercial posted on YouTube shows Wahlberg in a church dipping his hand in holy water and making the sign of the cross, and Roumie receiving ashes. Wahlberg says, “God, we take this moment,” as the screen reads, “For the first time ever, join over 100 million people in prayer during the Big Game. ... Pray this Lent with Hallow.” According to Hallow’s media statement, the commercial is expected to run “shortly before halftime.” A recent survey by NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics found that a record 200.5 million U.S. adults plan to watch this year’s game. A 30-second Super Bowl commercial spot reportedly costs around $7 million.
During Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers Feb. 11, 2024, the Hallow app ran a 30-second commercial featuring Catholic actors Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie. The app is centered on prayer and meditation. (OSV News photo/courtesy Hallow) Launched in December 2018, Hallow has more than 10,000 guided prayer sessions. It claims to be the No. 1 Catholic app in the world, with more than 10 million downloads across more than 150 countries. After appearing at the Super Bowl for the first time last year, ads from the He Gets Us campaign also are expected to run during this year’s game. Backed by Hobby Lobby co-founder and Christian David Green,
last year’s ads presented Jesus as relatable and compassionate, and encouraged people to love their enemies. This year’s ads – a 60-second spot followed later by a 15-second spot – focused on loving one’s neighbor as Jesus did. Maria Wiering is senior writer for OSV News.
Catholic mother of 2 killed in Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade mass shooting By Lauretta Brown
(OSV News) – Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a Catholic mother of two and beloved disc jockey for the KKFI radio station in Kansas City, Missouri, was killed Feb. 14 amid a mass shooting following the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade. “It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally,” the radio station announced on Facebook that Wednesday evening. “This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community.” Lopez-Galvan was an active parishioner at Sacred Heart-Guadalupe Parish in Kansas City, Missouri, where she was fondly remembered by her fellow parishioners. Ramona Arroyo, director of religious education at the parish, told OSV News that Lopez-Galvan’s whole family is “devoted to the church.” Her brother, Beto Lopez Jr., is the chief executive officer of Guadalupe Centers, one of the nation’s first social service agencies for the Latino community. Arroyo said the loss was “devastating” to the community. “She was a beautiful person,” Arroyo said. She expressed her sympathy for Lopez-Galvan’s husband, Michael, saying, “It’s a horrible thing that happened to a good family.” Monica Palacio, another parishioner who knew
Lopez-Galvan, said the shooting was a “tragedy for our whole community because everybody knows the family” and they “grew up within blocks of each other.” She also noted Lopez-Galvan’s role as host of Tejano Tuesdays at KKFI and as a well-known DJ presence at local weddings and quinceañeras. “She was an amazing person,” Palacio said. “She was full of joy all the time, no matter where she was.” Palacio remembered Lopez-Galvan as the “life of the party” who “came with red lipstick and a big smile.” The Kansas City Star reported that Lopez-Galvan, who was in her mid-40s with two adult children, died in the hospital during surgery after a gunshot wound to her abdomen. Arroyo and Palacio said Lopez-Galvan, a known Chiefs fan, was at the parade with her family, including her son and nieces and nephews, and they had heard that other family members had been injured as well. Father Luis Suárez, parochial administrator of Sacred Heart-Guadalupe Parish, remembered Lopez-Galvan in his homily at the Ash Wednesday evening Mass and encouraged the community to unite in prayer amid the tragedy.
Lisa Lopez-Galvan, second from right, stands with her family in a photo posted to her Facebook account Sept. 26, 2022. Lopez-Galvan, a parishioner of Sacred Heart-Guadalupe Parish in Kansas City, Mo., was killed Feb. 14, 2024, Ash Wednesday, during a mass shooting Lauretta Brown is culture editor for OSV News. following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory pa- Megan Marley, digital editor for OSV News, contribrade. (OSV News screenshot/Facebook) uted to this report.
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
12 Column
Let God choose your Lent GUEST COLUMN By Jaymie Stuart Wolfe
”What are you giving up for Lent?” For many Catholics, the question appears almost automatically – and even before the last box of Christmas decorations has been packed up and stowed away. As someone who spent most of my life in that category and with that crowd, I think it’s because Lent can feel a lot like a competition, a 40-day spiritual marathon with winners and losers. Every Ash Wednesday, it seemed to me, the church threw personal holiness down like a gauntlet. The point, I thought, was to accept the challenge and do everything in my power to excel in achieving it. My naturally competitive nature means that I have always been more than willing to take up just about any challenge. Living the faith was no exception. That’s one reason why I figured that the more demanding and strenuous Lent was, the better. It was a matter of simple logic. If fasting on Fridays demonstrated my love for God, then fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays would do so even more. If praying one novena was good, two or three had to be even more beneficial. Whenever I heard about
someone else’s sacrifice, I’d up the ante for myself. If someone was giving up coffee, I’d commit to drinking only water. When someone I knew gave up chocolate (and there was always someone who did), I’d attempt to give up sweets of any kind. There were years I even put pebbles or toothpicks in the soles of my shoes for the season. Nothing was too much for me. And that was the problem. In doing all those things, I failed to grasp the point of Lenten penitential practices and disciplines. I didn’t realize that because nothing was too much, nothing would ever be enough. Rather than accepting my weaknesses, I tried to live my spiritual life beyond my means and the measure of my strength. And those efforts never produced the fruit of repentance in my life. Instead, they left me exhausted and puffed up. Eventually, I finally recognized that intensifying penitential practices in preparation for Easter isn’t about spiritual bootstrapping or one-upmanship. As a result, I decided to give up giving up things for Lent. So, for more than a decade now, I’ve been letting God choose what I give up for Lent. And he has chosen some real doozies. The things God has invited me to sacrifice have challenged me at a much deeper level because they call for more faith than I can muster on my own. This approach has made a real difference in what I gain from Lenten practices because God knows what I need better than I do. He is happy to show me all the things I have allowed to take his place. And he is
more than willing to reveal the pantheon of idols in my heart, especially when I am convinced that I have none. The truth is that the crosses I used to choose – even the most difficult ones – were still within my control, simply because I was the one who chose them. Sometimes, they required significant discipline on my part, but they also fueled my pride. In contrast, moving across the country, facing a health scare or losing financial security pulls the ground out from under me. And that’s the only way I can truly know what I’ve been standing on all along. God understands precisely what it will take to make each one of us rely on him, to accept his grace and to trust him more completely. As St. Francis de Sales wrote, “The everlasting God has in his wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that he now presents to you as a gift of his inmost heart. This cross he now sends you he has considered with his all-knowing eyes, understood with his divine mind, tested with his wise justice, warmed with loving arms, and weighed with his own hands to see that it is not one inch too large nor one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with his holy name, anointed it with his grace, perfumed it with his consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God.” (Jaymie Stuart Wolfe is a sinner, Catholic convert, freelance writer and editor, musician, speaker, pet-aholic, wife and mom of eight grown children, loving life in New Orleans.)
St. Josephine Bakhita was a victim of modern-day slavery WALKING WITH MIGRANTS By Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio
January was National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, leading up to the Feb. 8 feast of St. Josephine Bakhita. St. Josephine Bakhita was a young southern Sudanese girl who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. She eventually was bought by an Italian diplomat and taken to Venice, where she encountered the Catholic faith. Her story is an interesting one, since escaping from slavery was not an easy task even in Italy during the 19th century, yet Josephine persevered and became a Canossian sister. She was canonized by St. John Paul II, who in his homily said, “We find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation.” Josephine has become the patron saint of those enslaved and trafficked, as well as one venerated by African American Catholics in the United States and also the patron saint of Sudan. Human trafficking, often referred to as a modern form of slavery, involves using force, fraud or coercion to make someone provide labor or engage in sexual activities against their will. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to trafficking because, in their desperation, they may resort to paying a smuggler to arrange transportation to their destination. Exploiting this vulnerability, smugglers may then traffic migrants for labor or sex. The hazards migrants encounter during their difficult journeys can expose them to trafficking, regardless of whether they have used a smuggler before. Even though those who are smuggled might initially consent and pay a fee for transportation to their desired country, some soon find themselves recruited or lured into situations of sexual exploitation, forced labor or indentured servitude – whether it happens before, during or after their migration journey. Trafficked individuals are frequently deceived with promises of a good job and a better life or, like St. Bakhita, kidnapped. Awareness of the problem is a critical tool to combat the crime of human trafficking, which is a worldwide problem. Due to the underreported nature of the crime, it is difficult to gather accurate statistics of those trafficked and exploited. Nevertheless, the Global Slavery Index reports that at any given moment there are nearly 50 million people living in a situation of modern slavery. Estimates show there are about 1 million people living in situations of slavery in the United States.
The bimonthly newsletter put out by the anti-trafficking office of the U.S. bishops’ conference titled “Hidden in Plain Sight,” highlights how often we fail to see trafficking situations in our own communities. Hidden in plain sight is the best way to describe this reality, as they are sometimes hidden in nail salons, massage parlors or in sectors of the entertainment industry. Awareness, prevention and detection are effective tools to eliminate human trafficking from our midst. How important it is that we keep watch for any signs of those who may be ill-treated in their workplaces, understand what might constitute a human trafficking situation and then report it to the proper authorities who can then intervene. It is admirable that many female religious orders have dedicated much of their resources, both personnel and financial, to combating this terrible scourge on our world society. Most of those trafficked are women, but young and middle-aged men are among those trafficked. A Prayer to St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child and endured untold hardship and suffering. Once liberated from your physical enslavement, you found proper redemption in your encounter with Christ and his church. O, St. Bakhita, assist all those trapped in a state of slavery; Intercede with God on their behalf so that they will be released from their chains of captivity. Those whom man enslaves, let God set free. Provide comfort to survivors of slavery and let them look to you as an example of hope and faith. Help all survivors find healing from their wounds. We ask for your prayers and intercessions for those enslaved among us. Amen. (Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio is the retired bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York. He writes the column “Walking With Migrants” for The Tablet and OSV News.)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2024
NATION 13
A blessed season for Ole Miss baseball By Staff Reports
OXFORD – Holy water hit Swayze field the first Friday of February when Father Mark Shoffner blessed the field for the upcoming season. Head Coach Mike Bianco invited his pastor Father Shoffner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford to pray for the upcoming season. “Blessings can be bestowed upon people and all manner of objects,” said Alexandra Barfield, campus minister for St. John the Evangelist. Last year, after a difficult run, Father Shoffner blessed the field, and the Rebels had a winning home tournament. “Blessings aren’t magical,” said Barfield, “but a petition to God for the good things that He gives.” The video of the blessing has been viewed 50,000 times, reaching over 33,000 people. The introduction to the blessing reads, “God has given us our physical powers in order that we may serve him joyously, help one another, and, by discipline in accord with the law of God, make our body fit for every good work. “God therefore approves of sport for the relaxation of the mind and the exercise of the body. Care of our bodies fosters mental well-being, and we more readily establish friendly and affable relations with other people,” it continues. Read more coverage: https://olemiss.rivals.com/news/i-mean-it-couldn-t-hurt-local-pastor-blesses-ole-miss-baseball-stadium?fbclid=IwAR2oW-NTeOve0wsAdDN_6sllzLkMvUGYu0ICqf_NKhNeDWQgwKr2JJ-7Q9Y View the video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3BhMAXNIKd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_ link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has once again been targeted by vandals. This time, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the north lawn of the basilica grounds, located in an area known as Mary’s Garden, suffered severe damage. At approximately 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15, a visitor praying the rosary in the garden discovered the desecrated statue. The individual immediately alerted the basilica staff, prompting an inspection. It appeared that the Blessed Mother’s face had been deliberately struck with a hammer, and the surrounding light fixtures, meant to illuminate the path for visitors, were shattered. According to Msgr. Walter Rossi, the basilica’s rector, this act of vandalism seems to have occurred shortly before its discovery, given the routine checks performed by the security staff. This act of vandalism echoes a disturbing pattern of disrespect towards religious symbols at the national shrine. Msgr. Rossi recalled, in a statement, a similar incident on Dec. 5, 2021, when the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, an image of the Virgin Mary located in the Rosary Walk and Garden across Harewood Avenue from the basilica, was also vandalized. The statue vandalized Feb. 15, “Mary, Protector of the Faith” by sculptor Jon-Joseph Russo, depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the child Jesus. According to the basilica’s website, it was erected in 2000 in honor of Bishop Thomas J. Grady, the fifth director of the national shrine, who oversaw the construction of the Great Upper Church. Msgr. Rossi expressed concern and compassion not only for the sanctity of the shrine but also for the person or people responsible for the damage. “While this act of vandalism is very unfortunate, I am more concerned about the individuals who perpetrate such activity and pray for their healing,” he said. The basilica is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and one of the 10 largest churches in the world. The basilica welcomes nearly a million visitors annually. The shrine’s security team is working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department to investigate the vandalism and bring those responsible to justice. Sources tell Our Sunday Visitor that the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. The Metropolitan Police Department has not yet returned Our Sunday Visitor’s request for comment.
UP
By OSV Staff
DULTS 21 GA AN UN O
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Virgin Mary statue vandalized at national shrine in Washington
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Father Mark Shoffner, pastor of St. John Oxford, blessed Swayze Field at Ole Miss ahead of their baseball season at the invitation of head coach Mike Bianco. (Photo screengrab of Ole Miss Catholic Campus Ministry video)
About: Catholic Campus Ministry is at the service of the students at the University of Mississippi. CCM is a Registered Student Organization associated with St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford, Mississippi. Alexandra Barfield serves the students as campus minister under the direction of St. John’s priest and pastor Father Mark Shoffner.
Theology on Tap
sday e n d We th ch 6 r a M 7PM ’s tinw r a M nto n w son Doa J ck GUEST SPEAKER: FATHER LINCOLN DALL
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT AMELIA RIZOR AMELIA.RIZOR@JACKSONDIOCESE.ORG
14 YOUTH
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
Ash Wednesday NATCHEZ – Religion teacher, JoAnn Waycaster places ashes on the forehead of Cathedral School senior, Gracie Bradley on Wednesday, February 14 at St. Mary Basilica. (Photo by Cara Moody)
SOUTHAVEN – Father Hendrick Ardianto, SCJ, distributes ashes to Cash Fortin during Sacred Heart School’s Ash Wednesday Mass. (Photo by Laura Grisham)
JACKSON – Deacon Denzil Lobo places ashes on Sister Thea Bowman School second grader, Azaria Weems, on Ash Wednesday. (Photo by Christopher Payne)
GREENVILLE – Kent Tonos, Father Sanchéz and Fletcher McGaugh get ready to process out of St. Joseph School Mass on Ash Wednesday. (Photo by Elese Serio) MADISON – (Right) St. Francis of Assisi student Avery Cook receives ashes from Father Albeenreddy Vatti. (Photo by Chiquita Brown)
MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC FEBRUARY 23, 2024
YOUTH 15
Around the schools
JACKSON – Sister Thea PreK students, Kendrea Bass, Amirah Wilson and Rhyleigh Deans enjoy some hula-hoop activities. JACKSON – Pre-K5 stu(Photo by Christopher Payne) dents at St. Richard School process as floats through the parking lot for the schools annual Mardi Gras celebration. (Photo by Chelsea Dillon) MADISON – St. Joseph Spirit Steppers, Emerson Erwin, Cambell Miller, Stella McCarty and Sophia Liberto enjoy dancing in the Mardi Gras parade at St. Anthony School. (Photo by Candace Sigler NATCHEZ – Cathedral fifth grader, Anna Cooper throws beads to the crowd of students at school. (Photo by Cara Moody)
VICKSBURG – Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center had a "Red, White and Blue Day" on "Celebrate our Nation" day recently at the school. Pictured: Mary Blake Brown, Emma Parrish, Emery Weeks, Hadley and Hunter Strickland. (Photo by Lindsey Bradley)
FEBRUARY 23, 2024 MISSISSIPPI CATHOLIC
16 NATION
Want to join the National Eucharistic Congress? Financial aid now available
By Gina Christian
(OSV News) – The organizers of the National Eucharistic Congress are making it easier for cash-strapped families to attend the July 17-21 gathering in Indianapolis. The congress will cap the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year grassroots initiative launched in June 2022 and sponsored by the nation's Catholic bishops to enkindle devotion to the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The congress – to which young adult pilgrims will travel on foot along four Many events during the National Eucharistic Congress will take place at Lucas cross-country routes – is expected to draw some 80,000 participants. The event is the first such national congress in the U.S. in 83 years, and in 48 years since the 1976 Oil Stadium from July 17-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Picture from BigStock) International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia. Now, a new "Solidarity Fund" has been unveiled by the U.S. Catholic bishops to help those in need of financial assistance to cover the registration costs of the five-day congress. "Led by our bishops, we have raised nearly one million dollars to give away so people from all over the country can join us in Indianapolis and return home filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to bring renewal to their families, churches and communities," Kris Frank, vice president of growth and marketing for the National EuEntering ministry through a lifelong sense of calling, Deacon John McGregor recharistic Congress, told OSV News. flects on how God has prepared him for his journey towards becoming the Director of Full event passes, which do not include transportation, housthe Permanent Diaconate. The joy of connecting with others to the love of God surpassing or meals, cost $360 per individual, $299 per parent and $250 per teens ages 13-18. Children age 12 and under are free. es any sense of pride. "Sometimes people say, 'thank you for ...' but the real reward is Group fees range from $299-$349 per person, while admission for internal, a sense that somehow, I may have made a difference in that person’s life," says priests, deacons, seminarians and religious has been set at $299. Deacon John. Attendees traveling to the congress can hope for a dip in gas Even in the most difficult times, there have been profound moments. During a hosand diesel prices in 2024, but airfare projections for the coming year remain mixed, with some analysts predicting slight drops but othpital visit, offering communion to a patient near death, through the Holy Spirit he was ers pointing to stabilized prices that will nonetheless remain on the given words and prayer that brought true hope to the distressed family, reinforcing the higher side. beauty and impact of what he has dedicated his life to. With group room blocks now sold out, lodging costs at surDeacons serve an essential role in our Catholic communities, ministering the homerounding hotels are anywhere between well over $100 to more than $600 per night during the congress. bound, engaging in advocacy, calling others to service and bridging gaps. Support is "The Solidarity Fund allows us to take the financial burden off critical, as Deacon John emphasizes the financial needs of individuals and groups to ensure this moment is affordable and acthe ministry are increasing. His ultimate vision of the cessible to anyone who wishes to join us for this historic event," Permanent Diaconate, is to be the hidden force of the Frank said. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need and be Spirit, fostering an intimate relationship with Christ prepared to secure their own lodging for the congress. Secondary through service and calling others to do the same. criteria include coming from an underrepresented area or group, Contributions to the Catholic Service Appeal and seeking support to bring a larger group to the gathering. help enable deacons to continue their transformative Religious, seminarians and diocesan-organized groups in those dioceses supported by Catholic Extension will be directed to apply for funding through Catholic Extension. Your gift to the Catholic Service Appeal The online application form for the Solidarity Fund can be accessed online at eucharisticcongress.org/solidarity-fund. helps Deacon John McGregor and other Congress organizers also are accepting donations to the fund. deacons throughout the diocese to fulfill "The aim of the National Eucharistic Congress has always been that our church would experience profound and personal revival," their call to serve. Frank said, "so that we can be sent to share Christ’s love with a world that desperately needs it."
“Sometimes people say, 'thank you for …' but the real reward is internal, a sense that somehow, I may have made a difference in that person’s life.”
NOTES: To apply to the National Eucharistic Congress Solidarity Fund, visit https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/solidarity-fund. To donate to the Solidarity Fund, visit https://pushpay.com/g/ necsolidarityfund (Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X at @GinaJesseReina.)
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