JUNE 23, 2023
mississippicatholic.com
Sacred calling answered, Beggerly ordained as new priest for diocese BY JOANNA KING
PUDDISTER
Point and joining Immaculate Conception parish, Beggerly made the decision to enter seminary for the Diocese of Jackson, drawn by a deep desire to minister to the people who influenced and shaped his life. After the Liturgy of the Word during the Mass of ordination for Beggerly, Bishop Joseph Kopacz called upon his worthiness and testimony was given by Father Nick Adam, director of vocations for the diocese. “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose this man, our brother, for the order of the priesthood,” said Bishop Kopacz to applause from those gathered for the occasion. During the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Kopacz anointed Beggerly’s palms with holy chrism. Afterward, his hands were wrapped in a binding cloth. At his first Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish of Immaculate Conception West Point, Beggerly explained a tradition that sometimes accompanies the ritual. JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz pours holy chrism on the hands of Carlisle Beggerly during his “The cloth symbolically Solemn Mass of Ordination at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. Pictured left to right, Deacon represents the ropes that were
JACKSON – Homegrown seminarian, Carlisle Beggerly was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Jackson on May 27 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, where family, friends, priests, deacons, fellow seminarian and supporters from around the diocese were present for the joyous occasion. Growing up in Florence, Beggerly had a profound spiritual awakening during his college years. Influenced by St. Augustine’s Confessions, Beggerly embarked on a quest to find the church to which Augustine belonged, ultimately leading him to the Catholic faith. Under the guidance of Father Bill Voller in Hattiesburg, Beggerly received instruction and embraced Catholicism, sensing a calling to the priesthood from the very beginning of his conversion. After spending time with a religious order, Beggerly realized it was not the perfect fit and decided to pursue a different path. Even upon completing law school at Mississippi College, the call to priestly life continued to resMark Bowden, Chancellor Mary Woodward, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Deacon Denzil Lobo, Father onate within his heart. After moving to West Carlisle Beggerly and Will Foggo, seminarian. (Photo by Michael Barrett)
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Seminarian takes next step towards priesthood, Stovall ordained to transitional diaconate BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING AND TEREZA MA
to the care of souls, he felt a calling to the diocesan priesthood, which he believed JACKSON – In a momentous ceremony held at the Cathedral of St. Peter the was his specific ministry within the church. The ordination ceremony itself, was presided over by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Apostle on May 20, Tristan Stovall was ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Jackson, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards the who bestowed the sacrament of Holy Orders upon Stovall. As the faithful witnessed priesthood. Surrounded by family, friends and members of the diocese, the ordina- the laying on of hands and the prayers of consecration, the solemnity of the motion of Stovall was a joyous occasion filled with faith, hope – Continued on page 6 – and celebration of vocations. Deacon Stovall’s path to the diaconate began in the INSIDE THIS WEEK red clay hills of Neshoba County, where he first encountered Catholicism, being fascinated with the funeral of Pope St. John Paul II as a young boy. At the age of 15, his interest and thirst for knowledge of the Catholic faith grew when he attended Mass for the very first time at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. After that experience the young Baptist knew then that he “had to become Catholic.” This journey ultimately led him to convert to Catholicism in 2014, where he was received into full communion with the church. Throughout his faith journey, Stovall’s desire to U.S. bishops meeting 7 Director retires 17 Movie review 15 dedicate his life entirely to God grew stronger, and the Recap of U.S. bishops Long-time band director OSV's John Mulderig reexample of the saints, particularly St. Catherine of Siena, played a significant role in his discernment. Drawn spring assembly in Orlando Russell retires from St. Joe views "Padre Pio"