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8<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong><br />

Mudbugs in season<br />

<strong>St</strong>aff report<br />

Following an early morning rain<br />

s<strong>to</strong>rm, the 12 th annual James<br />

Loftus Crawfish Boil rocked and<br />

rolled April 14 with music by DJ<br />

Trae Griffin of Trazy Productions.<br />

This year’s theme on navy T-shirts announced the “Next<br />

Generation” of crawfish lovers with a tiny baby at the bot<strong>to</strong>m of the<br />

logo representing James Loftus’ first grandson, James Bennett Loftus.<br />

He is the son of Laura and Jared Loftus, who designed the T-shirt.<br />

Members of the Loftus family traveled from the coast, Ba<strong>to</strong>n Rouge,<br />

and Hattiesburg <strong>to</strong> join the festival.<br />

James Loftus was a beloved parishioner who maintained the<br />

grounds for <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> through his lawn service. Whenever he<br />

arrived for work, he always s<strong>to</strong>pped first in church <strong>to</strong> pray. Before<br />

the Loftus Crawfish Boil was established in his memory, James was<br />

always the first <strong>to</strong> serve at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> food events, particularly when<br />

crawfish were on the menu.<br />

By noon the skies were blue and the crawfish red and hot for mudbug<br />

lovers who paid $20 for all they could eat. Other food included hot<br />

dogs and hamburgers, chips and soft drinks. Asked if people ate<br />

crawfish in Ghana, Fr. Godfrey replied that he was introduced <strong>to</strong> them<br />

in South Mississippi and is now a big fan.<br />

New this year was a Crawfish Eating Contest. Brad Diaz was the<br />

first <strong>to</strong> empty his plate. “Woo hoo!” His winning advice was, “Go<br />

fast. Don’t s<strong>to</strong>p because you ate a shell.” He won a $50 bar tab from<br />

Keg & Barrel.<br />

Tommy Fields came in second. “I missed by one or two crawfish,”<br />

he said, but was delighted <strong>to</strong> win a round of golf at Timber<strong>to</strong>n. “I’ve<br />

always wanted <strong>to</strong> play golf but never have except for Putt Putt.”<br />

Third place went <strong>to</strong> Solomon Tuvai who won a month’s membership<br />

at Revolution Fitness plus six sessions with a trainer.<br />

New leaders, Louis and Rhonda Irizarry, were pleased with the<br />

results of their first Boil. 1300 pounds were served, with none left<br />

over.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong><br />

<strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong><br />

Vol. 7 Summer 2013<br />

Jeremy Zipple ordained a priest P. 2


2<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> 7<br />

Jeremy Zipple ordained a priest<br />

Because He is<br />

Because He is<br />

I am.<br />

Because He lives<br />

I serve.<br />

God is neither up nor down.<br />

He is here<br />

Waiting <strong>to</strong> be found.<br />

don hegwood<br />

By Carolyn Nation<br />

Hattiesburg native, Jeremy Zipple, 35, was ordained a priest by<br />

Archbishop Gregory Aymond in early June at Holy Name of Jesus<br />

Church in New Orleans.<br />

Like most youth growing up in a <strong>Catholic</strong> family, Jeremy, the son of<br />

Francis and Kathy Yadrick Zipple, was an Altar Server and involved<br />

in CYO at Sacred Heart and the diocesan level. Wanting <strong>to</strong> be where<br />

<strong>Catholic</strong>s were less of a minority and have more opportunities <strong>to</strong> be<br />

engaged in faith, he went <strong>to</strong> Bos<strong>to</strong>n College in 1996.<br />

Administered by the Jesuits, Bos<strong>to</strong>n College offered insights in<strong>to</strong><br />

the Jesuit model of the priesthood and their mot<strong>to</strong> of “God in all<br />

things.”<br />

While earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in<br />

film and music, he worked in campus ministry, played piano for student<br />

liturgy, worked in an inner city homeless shelter, did volunteer<br />

work in a prison, and worked on the campus newspaper. He also likes<br />

watching college sports. “I’m like Fr. Tommy in that regard.”<br />

In 2002 he entered the Society of Jesus as a novitiate, which he calls<br />

“Jesuit boot camp.” While it takes ten years for a Jesuit <strong>to</strong> become a<br />

priest, he considered this “a great time. <strong>The</strong>re is a lot of school work.<br />

It’s not for the faint of heart.” While a novitiate, his documentary film<br />

work on Jesuit missionary <strong>St</strong>. Francis Xavier aired on PBS.<br />

Following two years of teaching in the northeast, he spent time at<br />

Grand Coteau, Louisiana. “<strong>The</strong> quiet offered a stilling of my soul,” he<br />

said, “especially after New York.”<br />

He earned a master’s degree in Philosophy at Fordham University<br />

followed by a three-year regency assignment with National Geographic<br />

Television. As a writer, producer and direc<strong>to</strong>r, he worked on<br />

documentaries about a lost Mayan civilization and the quest <strong>to</strong> find<br />

King Solomon’s mines. His ministry work with youth and prisoners<br />

has taken him from South Dakota <strong>to</strong> Belize.<br />

In 2010, he was missioned <strong>to</strong> the Bos<strong>to</strong>n College School of <strong>The</strong>ology<br />

and Ministry where he earned a Master of Divinity while serving<br />

as a deacon at <strong>St</strong>. Joseph’s Parish in Belmont, Massachusetts.<br />

His world travels and social justice ministry work could only be<br />

<strong>to</strong>pped by his ordination. “It was pretty amazing,” he said. “Key moments<br />

were the laying on of hands while lying in the middle of the<br />

aisle. You had the sense the whole time these people of God were lifting<br />

you up. It was very moving. All the Jesuit priests came through<br />

silently (for) laying on of hands.<br />

“It was wonderful <strong>to</strong> have friends and family from <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> and<br />

Sacred Heart there. I felt joy and gratitude for the role they all played<br />

in getting me <strong>to</strong> this point.”<br />

His first home parish Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart June 16.<br />

While he will remain at Immaculate Conception in New Orleans for<br />

the summer, he will return <strong>to</strong> Bos<strong>to</strong>n in the fall <strong>to</strong> continue work on<br />

his Licentiate in Sacred <strong>The</strong>ology.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Richness of Great<br />

Moments<br />

<strong>The</strong> richness of a great<br />

moment<br />

cannot be fully savored<br />

until it has grown <strong>to</strong> maturity<br />

in a fertile mind field<br />

where its memory has been<br />

nourished<br />

<strong>to</strong> its fullest treasure.<br />

don hegwood<br />

Discover your gifts with Life Keys<br />

by Carolyn Nation<br />

“<strong>The</strong> more we realize that God has furnished us with a gift, the<br />

more completely we will be united with Jesus,” wrote 19 th century<br />

British spiritual leader, Smith Wigglesworth.<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> is now offering Life Keys, a workshop program<br />

designed <strong>to</strong> help individuals discover their gifts and how they can be<br />

used <strong>to</strong> serve others.<br />

Sessions are based on the Life Keys book Discover Who You Are<br />

by Jane Kise, David <strong>St</strong>ark and Sandra Hirsh. Its purpose is <strong>to</strong> help<br />

discover the answer <strong>to</strong> these questions: Why Are You Here? What Do<br />

You Do Best? What Are You Passionate About? What Do You Value?<br />

and What Are Your Priorities?<br />

Little drummer boy<br />

By Carolyn Nation<br />

Those of us who have heard Fr.Godfrey’s a capella singing at Mass<br />

will not be surprised <strong>to</strong> learn he also loves <strong>to</strong> play the drums.<br />

“I love rhythm,” he said. “Even as a child, whenever I heard a song<br />

I liked I looked for any container <strong>to</strong> beat the rhythm.”<br />

Although he plays different types of drums, he enjoys conga drums<br />

best. <strong>The</strong>se are placed on a stand and beat by hand. Different hand,<br />

knuckle, and finger positions help <strong>to</strong> vary the rhythm and <strong>to</strong>ne, which<br />

takes a degree of mastery <strong>to</strong> perfect.<br />

While at the seminary, he wanted <strong>to</strong> learn <strong>to</strong> play the guitar.<br />

However, he is left handed and the only guitar teacher was right<br />

handed and couldn’t teach him using a right-handed guitar. <strong>The</strong><br />

seminary choir had a set of drums, so he began playing them instead.<br />

When Fr. Tommy is saying Mass and Fr. Godfrey is free, he will<br />

play the drums, adding his own special talent for music. He has<br />

also performed impromptu dancing and drumming at the church<br />

Christmas party.<br />

Thirty one people signed up for the first Life Keys retreat/workshop<br />

in April, which covered a Friday evening and Saturday. “I’m not sure<br />

what I expected, but this was powerful,” said Jean Fertita. <strong>St</strong>ephen<br />

Ryan commended our choice of a strong program. Mamie Walters<br />

said, “This was confirmation for me. Sometimes you wonder if<br />

you’re on the right track or need <strong>to</strong> do more.”<br />

A fall session will be offered in September. Barbara Ellender<br />

will present the Life Gifts session. Fr. Godfrey will cover Spiritual<br />

<strong>St</strong>rengths. Joe Olmi will lead Personality Types. Jim Ghents will<br />

present Values and Passions.<br />

Watch the bulletin for details and dates.<br />

A farewell party was held for Cecelia Carl<strong>to</strong>n who was involved<br />

in numerous ministries at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong>. She will be missed.<br />

SIBS (<strong>St</strong>udents Inspired By <strong>St</strong>udents)<br />

CSA’s <strong>St</strong>udents Inspired by <strong>St</strong>udents (SIBS) held monthly <strong>to</strong>pics<br />

on <strong>Catholic</strong> traditions, the Liturgical seasons, scripture readings<br />

and guest speakers.<br />

By Carrie Bell<br />

About three years ago several college students involved with the<br />

<strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>St</strong>udent Association (CSA) were looking for a way <strong>to</strong> learn<br />

more about their faith and strengthen their spiritual life through a<br />

small group format. This led <strong>to</strong> the development of the CSA small<br />

faith group, SIBS (<strong>St</strong>udents Inspired By <strong>St</strong>udents) and it continues <strong>to</strong><br />

evolve and grow each year.<br />

SIBS is coordinated by the Spiritual Committee co-chairs who also<br />

serve on the CSA Leadership Team. During the first year interested<br />

students were put in small groups of about 5-7 people. <strong>The</strong>y selected a<br />

group leader and met at least once a month on campus <strong>to</strong> pray <strong>to</strong>gether,<br />

read the Bible, talk about current events and other <strong>to</strong>pics of interest<br />

<strong>to</strong> the group. Based on students’ feedback, the second year SIBS<br />

organizers tried a new format with a Women’s group and a Men’s<br />

group. This was also successful but the students discovered they were<br />

talking about very similar issues and sharing common events.<br />

This past year the students combined the Men’s and Women’s<br />

groups <strong>to</strong> form one group that met twice a month. This preferred<br />

format for the program helped increase the diversity and<br />

participation in SIBS.<br />

This year SIBS was organized by Serena Williams and Kyle<br />

Ladner, CSA’s 2012-2013 Spiritual Committee, and they did a<br />

great job. Monthly <strong>to</strong>pics included <strong>Catholic</strong> traditions, the Liturgical<br />

seasons, scripture readings and guest speakers such as a Seminarian<br />

from New Orleans. With a new Leadership Team in place CSA looks<br />

forward <strong>to</strong> another success and enriching SIBS program.


6 <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong><br />

3<br />

Happy birthday Sister Carmelita<br />

<strong>St</strong>aff report<br />

On April 28, Sister Carmelita <strong>St</strong>inn celebrated her birthday with<br />

her parish family at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> <strong>Aquinas</strong> in Hattiesburg.<br />

Since this was the regular date for Covered Dish Sunday, she was<br />

surprised by singing and a birthday cake in her honor.<br />

2013 marks her 63 rd year as a religious sister serving in the Sisters<br />

for Christian Community. She first came <strong>to</strong> Mississippi in 1952 and<br />

later returned <strong>to</strong> earn a Masters Degree in social work in 1977 at the<br />

University of Southern Mississippi. She did her practicum at Ellisville<br />

<strong>St</strong>ate School and continued working there until her retirement in 1993.<br />

Currently she serves as <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong>’ <strong>Catholic</strong> Social Services<br />

ministry leader where she and her team work tirelessly <strong>to</strong> meet many<br />

unmet needs in the community such as delivering household items,<br />

diapers and food <strong>to</strong> the poor, many of whom are Hispanic. In 2011 she<br />

served as the reigning Colleen for <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong>’ Irish Italian Festival<br />

parade.<br />

She has said that she is most at peace during her hour of morning<br />

prayer and when attending daily Mass. She also enjoys reading and<br />

traveling, along with occasional rides on a mo<strong>to</strong>rcycle.<br />

Irish Italian Festival cooking on sale<br />

<strong>St</strong>aff report<br />

Do you have Two Saints in your Kitchen?<br />

That’s the title of the 281 page parish cookbook that has become<br />

a souvenir cookbook from the Irish Italian Festival. It is packed with<br />

recipes from the original Our Daily Bread parish cookbook that came<br />

out in the 1990s with so much more.<br />

From “Conway’s Cuisine & Other Irish Delights,” you can make<br />

Father Tommy’s Irish Scones, Irish <strong>St</strong>ew, and Blarney S<strong>to</strong>ne-Kissed<br />

Cookies, among other Irish traditions. “Mama Mia! Now That’s<br />

Italian!”covers everything from Italian Appetizer Thang! <strong>to</strong> Delta<br />

Redneck Italian Gravy and Meatballs with Italian Love Cake for<br />

dessert. <strong>St</strong>art preparing for Golden Eagles Tailgating Favorites such<br />

as Mississippi Sin (jalapeno pepper lovers take note), For lagniappe<br />

- a little something extra - Two Saints in My Kitchen includes the<br />

his<strong>to</strong>ry of the <strong>St</strong>. Joseph’s Altar, and a paragraph on Saint Patrick,<br />

Saint Joseph, and Saint <strong>Thomas</strong> <strong>Aquinas</strong>.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cookbooks can be found in the church foyer and cost $15. All<br />

proceeds go <strong>to</strong>ward our Disaster Relief Fund.<br />

Pas<strong>to</strong>rs attend Police<br />

Chaplain training<br />

<strong>St</strong>aff Report<br />

Fr. Tommy and six other Hattiesburg pas<strong>to</strong>rs attended training<br />

for Police Chaplains in Shalimar, Florida in April.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first day sessions covered responding <strong>to</strong> a crisis, a sherif’s<br />

perspective of chaplains, and how <strong>to</strong> react <strong>to</strong> the trauma from an<br />

officer down. <strong>The</strong> second day attendees learned about human<br />

trafficking, how <strong>to</strong> respond <strong>to</strong> an officer’s death or injury, and<br />

keys <strong>to</strong> being a successful chaplain.<br />

<strong>The</strong> final day focused on self defense with tips for street<br />

survival for chaplains and what <strong>to</strong> do when things go wrong.<br />

Trainees were placed in mock scenarios <strong>to</strong> show them how <strong>to</strong><br />

react <strong>to</strong> a DWI traffic s<strong>to</strong>p, domestic violence call, how <strong>to</strong> notify<br />

a family of a death from a tragic accident, and how <strong>to</strong> determine<br />

if a person is high on drugs or mentally ill in order <strong>to</strong> place them<br />

in the correct facility.<br />

<strong>The</strong> number of options for the three day workshop were <strong>to</strong>o<br />

numerous <strong>to</strong> attend all events. It ended with a service honoring<br />

fallen officers.<br />

“It was one of the best courses I ever attended,” Fr. Tommy<br />

said.<br />

Now that the pas<strong>to</strong>rs have returned home, they will be available<br />

on a rotating basis <strong>to</strong> aid the police. <strong>The</strong>y are encouraged <strong>to</strong> go<br />

on ride-a-longs during night time patrols.<br />

Kathy Schimel joins staff as Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Volunteerism<br />

<strong>St</strong>aff report<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> now has a ministry matchmaker<br />

called the Direc<strong>to</strong>r of Volunteerism.<br />

In accepting this new staff position,<br />

Kathy Schimel said she hopes <strong>to</strong> help people<br />

feel more comfortable in ministries and<br />

involve more people so that those already in<br />

ministries won’t feel burned out. She plans<br />

<strong>to</strong> work with newcomers and those who<br />

want <strong>to</strong> be of service but don’t know which ministry <strong>to</strong> choose.<br />

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she and her husband,<br />

Bob, moved <strong>to</strong> Mississippi when his company closed. <strong>The</strong>y lived in<br />

Alabama before Bob <strong>to</strong>ok a job in Collins. He has since retired and<br />

started his own payroll service business. “Hattiesburg seemed like a<br />

nice place <strong>to</strong> live,” Kathy said. “We’ve been here 25 years.”<br />

One of the first things they looked for was a community theater<br />

group, a love for both of them. Bob builds sets and is the mastermind<br />

behind the Irish Italian Festival’s welcoming rainbow arch. Kathy<br />

works with the costumes. She will be the President of the Hattiesburg<br />

Civic Light Opera in the 2014-15 season. She also enjoys reading,<br />

word puzzles, sewing, and the theater. Ready <strong>to</strong> tackle a new<br />

challenge, she said, “I feel like it’s something I can do. I look forward<br />

<strong>to</strong> working with the staff and ministry leaders, and of course, my boss.<br />

I hope <strong>to</strong> bring new life, and new ideas <strong>to</strong> help build the ministries.”<br />

In addition <strong>to</strong> scheduling and training Eucharistic Ministers,<br />

Lec<strong>to</strong>rs and Commenta<strong>to</strong>rs, Kathy launched the Prayer Blanket<br />

Ministry, leads two Small Faith Communities Groups, and serves on<br />

the <strong>News</strong>letter and Welcoming Newcomers teams. Welcome aboard!<br />

Fr. Tommy takes sabbatical in Rome<br />

By Carolyn Nation<br />

When everyone goes back <strong>to</strong> school, Fr. Tommy will begin his 10<br />

week sabbatical at the Pontifical North American College in Rome in<br />

early September.<br />

“I’ve already been <strong>to</strong>ld <strong>to</strong> bring my alb, s<strong>to</strong>le, collar, and a black<br />

suit,” he said, since among other activities he and 40 others will be<br />

meeting Pope Francis.<br />

Priests are allowed <strong>to</strong> take a sabbatical every seven years, although<br />

Fr. Tommy had not asked for leave earlier. <strong>The</strong> diocese covers half<br />

the cost of the program with the other half equally divided between<br />

the priest and the parish.<br />

He applied <strong>to</strong> programs in Ireland, Berkeley, California, Notre<br />

Dame and the North American College in Rome and was accepted<br />

there fairly quickly. <strong>The</strong>n he had <strong>to</strong> send in pho<strong>to</strong>s, references and<br />

blood work. Although he doesn’t have any family or friends in Rome,<br />

he does have a connection with Cardinal Peter Turkson, who was<br />

Bishop Turkson at the time he ordained Fr. Godfrey.<br />

“Many priests, including Msgr. Mike Thorn<strong>to</strong>n (in Laurel)<br />

recommended this course,” Fr. Tommy said. <strong>The</strong> four hours of class<br />

work each weekday are not manda<strong>to</strong>ry. “I’m <strong>to</strong>ld the classes are so<br />

good that participants don’t want <strong>to</strong> miss them.” In addition <strong>to</strong> free<br />

afternoons, there will be excursions <strong>to</strong> holy sites and day trips such as<br />

<strong>to</strong> Sienna and Assisi. Previous classes have said Mass in the Tomb of<br />

<strong>St</strong>. Peter, and the Angelus with the Pope at Castel Gandolfo, the papal<br />

retreat. At the Vatican special <strong>to</strong>urs have included the excavations<br />

beneath <strong>St</strong>. Peter’s Basilica and the Swiss Guard Barracks.<br />

“I feel that I am more than halfway through my priesthood,” Fr.<br />

Tommy said. “This will recharge my batteries for the next assignment,<br />

new beginnings.” He hopes that when he returns around Thanksgiving<br />

that the Bishop will let him know if he will return <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> or<br />

be assigned elsewhere.<br />

While in Rome, he plans <strong>to</strong> check in<strong>to</strong> the possibility of leading a<br />

<strong>to</strong>ur <strong>to</strong> Italy next fall. He is also looking forward <strong>to</strong> visits from some<br />

of his family. This will be his first trip <strong>to</strong> Rome. So far, he speaks “not<br />

a word” of Italian. Buon Viaggio!<br />

Altar Servers recognized<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> and Knights of Columbus Council 15382 honored<br />

the eighth grade altar servers at the end of 10:15 Mass on May<br />

19th. Pictured with Robert Lawson of the Knights and Fr. Tommy<br />

are Landry Filce, Dalen Pierce, and Jourdan Green. Not pictured<br />

is Anna Pecunia. <strong>The</strong>y were presented with appreciation medals<br />

with a thank you message engraved on the back.<br />

Duke and Roberts ordained<br />

permanent Deacons<br />

by Judy Showalter<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> <strong>Aquinas</strong> parishioners Randy Duke and Truett Roberts<br />

began their journey <strong>to</strong> become permanent deacons four years<br />

ago.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first year was spent in prayerful discernment. <strong>The</strong> next three<br />

years of formation <strong>to</strong> the permanent diaconate included study of<br />

scripture, theology, canon law and pas<strong>to</strong>ral ministry. Bishop Roger<br />

Morin will ordain Randy, Truett and nine other men on June 22, 2013<br />

at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Biloxi.<br />

Truett said, “I am very excited <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong> serve the Lord in<br />

this manner, and I’m looking forward <strong>to</strong> working with the bishop<br />

in whatever capacity he desires.” <strong>The</strong> men will receive their official<br />

assignments from Bishop Morin after their ordination.<br />

As permanent deacons they cannot celebrate Mass, but they will<br />

be assisting the priest during the Mass by proclaiming the Gospel,<br />

preaching the homily and distributing communion. Permanent<br />

deacons do not hear confessions, but they administer the Sacrament of<br />

Baptism, witness the Sacrament of Marriage and officiate at funerals<br />

and burials.<br />

Truett is looking forward <strong>to</strong> baptizing his granddaughter, Lillian,<br />

the day after his ordination. Randy said he is experiencing “a sense<br />

of awe” and “tremendous excitement” in anticipation of his upcoming<br />

ordination <strong>to</strong> the permanent diaconate. He reflected on Philippians<br />

4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That<br />

scripture has guided him throughout his life, but it has been especially<br />

helpful <strong>to</strong> him over the past four years, and he knows it will continue<br />

<strong>to</strong> help him as he strives <strong>to</strong> do his best in service <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Catholic</strong><br />

Church as a permanent deacon.<br />

Randy and Truett are grateful for the love and support of their<br />

families. <strong>The</strong>y also want <strong>to</strong> express their appreciation <strong>to</strong> the<br />

parishioners of <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> for their prayers and encouragement.<br />

Congratulations Randy and Truett!<br />

<strong>The</strong> Wise Person<br />

<strong>The</strong> wise person,<br />

when faced with and resolving issues,<br />

assigns emotion <strong>to</strong> a special place in the mind<br />

where it, upon resolution of the problem,<br />

becomes the building blocks<br />

of the mind’s moral fiber.<br />

don hegwood


4 <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>According</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong><br />

5<br />

RCIA changes lives: Recent graduates give insight <strong>to</strong> RICA<br />

<strong>St</strong>aff report<br />

We asked some of the recent “graduates” of RCIA <strong>to</strong> tell us what<br />

the experience meant <strong>to</strong> them.<br />

Returning <strong>Catholic</strong> Noel Anne Bennett said RCIA gave her a<br />

chance <strong>to</strong> relearn the his<strong>to</strong>ry of the <strong>Catholic</strong> faith, meet new people,<br />

and find a new home. She grew up <strong>Catholic</strong> in Natchez, but drifted<br />

away after her marriage. “I didn’t realize how important it was until I<br />

came back <strong>to</strong> it,” she said. “God was waiting for me all that time. He<br />

didn’t give up on me.”<br />

Mandy Baker explained, “For me, RCIA broke down all of the<br />

important parts of the <strong>Catholic</strong> faith and allowed us <strong>to</strong> explore them<br />

individually at a much deeper level. <strong>The</strong> RCIA classes showed us<br />

how <strong>to</strong> apply these beliefs <strong>to</strong> our everyday lives, and how <strong>to</strong> grow<br />

deeper in our faith and our relationship with God. How <strong>to</strong> not just read<br />

scripture, but <strong>to</strong> read it in the way that it was meant <strong>to</strong> be read.<br />

<strong>The</strong> MOST wonderful thing about RCIA was the manner in which<br />

it was led: Open communication about our previous faiths without<br />

judgement. It was so incredibly wonderful <strong>to</strong> gather with people from<br />

other faiths and backgrounds <strong>to</strong> discuss why we are here and what led<br />

us <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Catholic</strong> Church. For these relationships that have been built,<br />

I am eternally grateful.”<br />

Tessa Willoughby said, “Prior <strong>to</strong> RCIA, I had done a lot of praying<br />

and asking God if becoming <strong>Catholic</strong> was what He wanted for me.<br />

I also did a <strong>to</strong>n of reading and delved deep in<strong>to</strong> the Catechism and<br />

the Church Fathers’ writings. But when I got in<strong>to</strong> RCIA, I finally<br />

had people who were going through the same thing as me and could<br />

understand where I was coming from. I did not feel alone. I could talk<br />

<strong>to</strong> real people.<br />

<strong>The</strong> community aspect of RCIA was wonderful and I particularly<br />

enjoyed breaking bread with my friends every Monday night. I also<br />

appreciated the way we always started out in God’s Word and then<br />

heard from several members of the parish. In this way, I felt as though<br />

I was being adopted in<strong>to</strong> the family. My favorite presentations in<br />

RCIA were about Church His<strong>to</strong>ry, Old Testament Scripture, and the<br />

Sanctity of Life.<br />

RCIA will always have a special place in my heart. I’m sure many<br />

years from now when I think back on the beginnings of my conversion,<br />

I will remember RCIA as being a place of safety and friendship. I<br />

thank everyone involved for I have truly never learned so much about<br />

my God in heaven or my brothers and sisters in Christ.”<br />

Diana Little said, “I instinctively felt a comfort in that room<br />

and listening <strong>to</strong> the facilita<strong>to</strong>rs. <strong>The</strong>y presented each segment with<br />

intelligence and reason, backing up each lesson with scripture and/<br />

or his<strong>to</strong>ry. <strong>The</strong>ir kindness and patience surpassed any expectation I<br />

had. My heart felt settled while my mind expanded as I listened <strong>to</strong><br />

them. I gravitated <strong>to</strong> what was being said because it did not come<br />

from a subjective thought or ego, rather from a solid and substantial<br />

and intelligent knowledge of faith that has been consistent for over<br />

2,000 years. I found that the most amazing part.<br />

I am so grateful for Beverly Frosch, my sponsor. She was always<br />

available, always loving, always knowledgeable, gently admonished<br />

me when I needed it, and had infinite patience. I was looking for<br />

something <strong>to</strong> believe in that I knew was true and I found it. I wanted<br />

authenticity more than anything else and I found it with RCIA - when<br />

you find authenticity, everything else seems secondary, and that is<br />

how I feel now - nothing will ever be the same.<br />

I view life now, with all it’s goodness and challenges, with a more<br />

settled feeling knowing that this is a continuous journey and I can turn<br />

<strong>to</strong> my faith, and all it encompasses, for fortitude and gratefulness in<br />

everything. <strong>The</strong> lessons I learned from RCIA are with me every day,<br />

and I find myself applying them as a way of life now.<br />

Vacation Bible School - “SonWest Roundup” - FUN for All!<br />

By Kelly Lamunyon<br />

Lots of excitement filled the air at <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> during the week of<br />

June 3-7 as Vacation Bible School activities were in full swing!<br />

Several senior youth ministry members and young adults helped<br />

<strong>to</strong> construct and paint props <strong>to</strong> convert the old student center in<strong>to</strong><br />

a western <strong>to</strong>wn. Classrooms became other western scenes. Pre-K<br />

children through 4th graders enjoyed Bible s<strong>to</strong>ries, music, games,<br />

crafts, and snacks that all revolved around the Western <strong>The</strong>me<br />

“SonWest Roundup.”<br />

Each morning at the gathering assembly, one of God’s Ultimate<br />

Gifts was introduced, and then following the assembly that gift was<br />

focused upon through the day’s activities. <strong>The</strong> children became aware<br />

of God’s Ultimate Plan, Power, Rescue, Trust, and Love throughout<br />

the week!<br />

<strong>The</strong> VBS week came <strong>to</strong> a close with a children’s Mass in which<br />

the children served as lec<strong>to</strong>rs, commenta<strong>to</strong>rs and gift bearers. <strong>The</strong><br />

children provided music for Mass by singing songs they had learned<br />

during the week. An indoor picnic followed.<br />

Each participant received a Certificate of Attendance, a Bop’s<br />

coupon for free ice-cream, and a ConniCone sno-ball as they departed.<br />

A huge THANK-YOU <strong>to</strong> the many volunteers who made this such<br />

a successful event!<br />

<strong>The</strong> heart of Toni Wild<br />

By Shar Drennan<br />

Meet Toni Wild, representative for the American Heart Association’s<br />

2013 Go Red Campaign. She’s also a wife, mother, surgical nurse and<br />

daughter of <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> parishioners, Sydney and John Cuccia. She is<br />

a lady who has fought hard battles and come out a winner.<br />

Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29 she went through surgery,<br />

chemotherapy and radiation and made the disease a thing of the past.<br />

Five years later, on vacation in Tennessee, she lost her first husband<br />

when a car struck him while he was changing a tire. <strong>The</strong> injuries<br />

he sustained left him brain dead, forcing her <strong>to</strong> make the difficult<br />

decision of removing him from life support then donating his organs<br />

- heart and both kidneys, knowing that this would give three people a<br />

new chance at life.<br />

About a year later she was diagnosed with a second round of<br />

breast cancer. After surgery and more treatments she was then<br />

<strong>to</strong>ld she had chemotherapy-induced congestive heart failure. But<br />

through medication and rest her condition stabilized. With help from<br />

her parents and friends she returned <strong>to</strong> work, exercise and normal<br />

activities with limited symp<strong>to</strong>ms.<br />

Toni enjoyed a normal and happy life for the next ten years. In 2000<br />

she married Jim Wild and became a mother <strong>to</strong> his two boys, ages 6<br />

and 8. In 2009 Toni again started having symp<strong>to</strong>ms and knew her<br />

heart was failing her once more. Extensive testing confirmed Toni’s<br />

heart was badly damaged. She and her family were <strong>to</strong>ld that short of a<br />

heart transplant there was nothing that could be done.<br />

During this time she drew strength from prayer and was ready<br />

<strong>to</strong> face whatever it was God had planned for her. She says she felt<br />

the prayers that emanated from family, friends and her church. She<br />

went home <strong>to</strong> begin the wait for a new heart. <strong>The</strong> call came only<br />

a week later. She made emotional farewells not knowing what was<br />

ahead. During the next few hours Jim said they experienced a Godgiven<br />

peace. Doubt never entered their minds. <strong>The</strong> operation was a<br />

complete success.<br />

Always thinking of others, Toni has donated her hair <strong>to</strong> Locks of<br />

Love three different times. In Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2012, she ran a half-marathon<br />

in San Francisco, raising $5,000 <strong>to</strong> fight lymphoma. Now, as a Go<br />

Red representative she spreads the message <strong>to</strong> women <strong>to</strong> take care<br />

of themselves and their health issues. This extraordinary woman<br />

has beaten tremendous odds, yet through faith, prayer and medical<br />

technology she has triumphed.<br />

Wisconsin students aid <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> Disaster Relief efforts<br />

Some 50 students and parents from ten churches in the LaCrosse<br />

Diocese of Wisconsin spent a week in mid June helping with home<br />

repairs and cleanup from the February Tornado. Most were high school<br />

and college students, although the youngest team member was nine.<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> provided two meals each day and parishioners stepped up<br />

for lunches. Each evening Fr. Tim Oudenhoven celebrated Mass and<br />

invited the students <strong>to</strong> pause awhile in Adoration. He said, “When you<br />

reach out your hand <strong>to</strong> your neighbor is when you see God reaching<br />

out his hand <strong>to</strong> us.”<br />

Sidewalk Counselor speaks <strong>to</strong> <strong>St</strong>.<br />

<strong>Thomas</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> Social Services<br />

by Jean Fertita<br />

Kathy Greene, a 10-year veteran Sidewalk Counselor, spoke with<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Thomas</strong> Social Services on the Abortion Issue in late April.<br />

She gave the his<strong>to</strong>ry and present status of the Jackson Abortion<br />

Clinic stating “70 babies die each week.” She explained the devastating<br />

news that a Judge Jordan signed an order where the Jackson Clinic<br />

does not have <strong>to</strong> abide by <strong>St</strong>ate Law 1390.<br />

She said that Hattiesburg’s Planned Parenthood organization has<br />

moved <strong>to</strong> 27th Avenue and has changed it’s name <strong>to</strong> Pine Belt Life<br />

League. To date there has not been an abortion at the Hattiesburg<br />

Planned Parenthood clinic.<br />

Ms Greene repeated that Roe vs. Wade must be overturned and<br />

offered suggestions of things <strong>to</strong> do:<br />

* Commit <strong>to</strong> meet at the Clinic and pray the rosary.<br />

* Contact any hospital Board Member and ask denial of any privileges<br />

<strong>to</strong> doc<strong>to</strong>rs who work in Abortion Clinics.<br />

* Write letters or make calls <strong>to</strong> our Congressmen asking for the<br />

impeachment of Judge Jordan who handed down the ruling that<br />

allows the Jackson Clinic <strong>to</strong> remain in operation.<br />

* Vote for Candidates who support Pro life.<br />

* Support Pro life groups such as the Crises Pregnancy Center and<br />

Birthright with the baby bottle project.

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