The News According to St. Thomas8

The NewsA ccording to St. Thomas

Vol. 9 Spring 2015

Photos by Steve Coleman

Charismatic Retreat

Irish-Italian FestStaff report

Colleen Carolyn Petro and King Dr. Rodney Bennett ruled over the parade and Irish Italian’s 14th annual festival on March 14. Grand Marshall was Forrest-Perry County District Attorney Patricia Burchell.

After a week of rain the Saturday weather cleared, allowing parishioners from area churches, universities, and the community to enjoy the fun. A 5K run on the Longleaf Trace kicked off events on Friday afternoon. The parade rolled Saturday morning. Following a Celtic Mass, the festival opened at five pm.

Leprechaun (Sherry Finneran), St. Patrick (Hilary Englert), and St. Joseph (Joe Lichtenhan) mingled with the crowd as they enjoyed food, drink, children’s games, a Silent Auction, Art Show, and raffle for an international trip with Fr. Tommy. It was won by Jerry and Margie Thomas.

14th Irish Italian Fest Rolls

Photos by: Steve Coleman. Brent Wallace and Joey Venus

The News According to St. Thomas The News According to St. Thomas 72

CSA students take mission trip to North Dakotaby Elizabeth Calamari

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Catholic Student Association recently got back from the beautiful state of North Dakota.

A group of 15 students along with St. Thomas Aquinas’ Pastor, Father Mark Ropel, CSA’s minister, Jonna Van Thiel, and four other volunteers (Teri Patton, Glyn Guidry, Quitman Lockley, and Pieter van Thiel) headed north, Friday, March 7th, for a long, but enlightening journey to the Turtle Mountain Reservation.

CSA was greeted by so many welcoming people of the SOLT community and Franciscan University mission team, where they got to see the love of the Catholic Church. Some students stayed on the reservation and volunteered at St. Ann’s Catholic School, while others headed to nearby churches, nursing homes, and retirement homes. Not only was this a time to serve the people of the Turtle Mountain community, but this was a time for the CSA students to grow spiritually as they experienced the different gifts that the Catholic community offers.

Overall, this experience was different for each individual with lessons learned and bonds made with each other, residents on the reservation, and Franciscan students that will never be forgotten.

Bible Study course a successStaff report

A 24-week Bible Study course begun last fall has been completed.The Bible Timeline, The Story of Salvation incorporated weekly

lesson plans with questions, suggestions for application and review. Each week, parishioners from St. Thomas and St. Fabian met in small groups to discuss their answers to each lesson. Each group selected a discussion facilitator, and Fr. Mark would drop in on various tables during the allotted time. This was followed by a 45 minute video by Jeff Cavins, who wrote the program along with Tim Gray and Sarah Christmyer. The workbook was supplemented with references from The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“I’ve always read the Bible as just books and individual stories. I never tried to connect it from start to finish which was my loss,” explained Eliska Schilling. “I have a whole new outlook on the story as a WHOLE from creation to the earliest history of the church. Readings at Mass now have a place in the story rather than just a story in itself.”

Ellen Smith felt that, “The Bible Timeline Study helped me learn how the Old Testament stories all point to the birth of Jesus Christ and the stories of salvation in the New Testament. The Study author, Jeff Cavins, is an excellent speaker who makes the lessons enjoyable and easy to understand. Because of the Bible Timeline Study, I have a deeper understanding of the foundations of our Catholic faith and a desire to learn more.”

“I now have a much better grasp both of the events of the Old Testament and how those events relate to the New Testament,” noted Judy Kufaphl. “Jeff Cavins does a great job of bringing ‘The Great Adventure’ to life.”

Fr. Mark plans to begin a second course by Jeff Cavins on the Gospel of Martthew. Watch the bulletin for details.

In the meantime, the Adult Bible Study ministry continues on Sunday mornings between Masses. All are welcome. No materials are required.

Dried palms from Palm Sunday are burned to ashes for distribution on Ash Wednesday. Palms should never be discarded in the trash. They should be treated with reverence, saying a prayer as they burn.

Volunteers help during Stand Down 2015by Tony Bonfanti

Twelve members of St Thomas Social Services volunteered at the Stand Down for homeless veterans on January 30.

The volunteers served breakfast and lunch and escorted the veterans to various information tables. During Stand Down, more than 70 veterans received information on mental health counseling, health care services, housing, VA benefits assistance and even free haircuts, manicures and vision screenings. The veterans also received back packs, sleeping bags, blankets, underwear, socks, t-shirts, toilet articles and snacks.

According to the official Stand Down website, the original event was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. “At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment.”

It was founded in 2002 in San Diego, California, and is recognized as the most valuable outreach tool to help homeless veterans in the USA. It gives homeless veterans the chance to renew their spirit, health and sense of well-being.

“Being a veteran, I was pleased to see the veterans get some help and being recognized by the Hattiesburg community,” said Joe Niezgoda. “I enjoyed talking with some of them and sharing our military experiences. They definitely are proud of having served their country and stood proudly when the National Anthem was sung. The Honor Guard from the VFW did an outstanding job as always. It was also wonderful to see all the volunteers we had from St. Thomas Catholic Social Services.” St. Thomas Social Services

volunteers Mary Ellen Kincade, and Jackie Melancon.

Joe Niezgoda and Mary Ellen Kincade volunteered for Stand Down 2015.

Sherry Finneran, Joe Niezgoda and other St. Thomas Social Services members lent their help to Stand Down 2015.

Jean Fertita, Ann Compton, and Judy Allard helped hand out meals for Stand Down 2015.

Thanks for prayersby Mamie Walters

A sincere thank you for everyone’s prayers and support throughout my surgery and recovery. I can assure you that your prayers were answered, and I feel so very blessed. There is no doubt in my mind that St. Thomas is a very special church, one where her people are Godly and caring for each other. May your blessings towards me be returned to you tenfold!

Hannah Lee, our regular St. Thomas choir flutist, was chosen to participate in the 2015 High School Honors Performance Band. She played flute along with other international band participants at Carnegie Hall, New York, February 22. She is the only Mississippian in the group.

Prayer choices at St. Thomas

St. Thomas parishioners now have two choices for prayer meetings.

Following the Charismatic Retreat in February, a Charismatic Prayer Group numbering 30 people was formed. It meets in the old Parish Hall on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.

The prayer group that resulted from last year’s Cursillo meets on Thursdays at 5:15 pm to lift up prayer intentions and pray the rosary together. The rosary is also said at 5pm before mass on Minday.

The Prayerline accepts prayer requests by contacting kathyschimmel@gmail.com or calling the office 601-270-4741

The News According to St. Thomas The News According to St. Thomas6 3

Staff reportThe Daughters of the American Revolution awarded Jax Fernandez

First Place in Mississippi for his grade level in an essay writing contest.

The son of St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners, Carol Soriano and Jose Fernandez, Jr., Jax is in the 6th grade at Sacred Heart School. The subject of this year’s contest was “A Child’s Journey Through Ellis Island.”

2015 marks the 125th anniversary of Ellis Island as an immigration station. According to the DAR website, “On a typical day, immigrants arriving on the island could expect to spend up to seven hours in processing activities intended to determine whether or not they were legally and medically fit to enter the United States.”

Contest rules stated, “Imagine yourself as a child traveling through Ellis Island in 1892. How would you describe your experience to your cousin who has never heard of Ellis Island?”

Congratulations Jax! Well done!

DAR Award winner announcedOn the road to St. Gabriel MissionSocial Services report

A trailer filled to the top with boxes was loaded up in early November. The destination was the St. Gabriel Mission in the Delta.

Headed by Sr. Carmelita Stinn, St. Thomas Social Services volunteers asked for donations from parishioners. “Volunteers were extremely generous.” This made loading Doug Lipka’s trailer in a matter of hours.

The next day Doug Lipka, Carl Peterson, Elsie Harris and Sr. Carmelita left for the Mission located in Mound Bayou in the Mississippi Delta. They learned that the Mercy Sisters they had met previously at the Mission had retired and were replaced by three Franciscan Sisters. They gratefully received the trailer load of goods, and gave the St. Thomas volunteers a grand tour, including the convent. All were invited for lunch upon their return in the Spring. Later, Sr. Monica sent a letter of gratitude for all the volunteers and St. Thomas’ generosity.

Collection needs and times for the next trip to the St. Gabriel Mission will be announced in the bulletin.

Lumen Christi awardedStaff report

Ondine Rudolph was honored as a recipient of the Lumen Christi Award by Bishop Roger Morin in October, 2014.

Nominated by Fr. Mark Ropel, Lumen Christi recipients are given to parishioners who go above and beyond the call of duty in their parishes. There were 58 recipients in 2014.

Ondine schedules the Altar Guild members, has helped at Covered Dish Sundays, and she sets an example of service in all that she does for St. Thomas. As a Hospitality Host, she and her grandson, Arya Shoja, enjoy greeting people coming to Mass.

Ondine serves as a Eucharistic Minister, volunteers with CCD, and works with St. Vincent de Paul. She and Arya can also be found working at the Irish/Italian Festival. Due to all of her ministry involvement, she and Arya were recognized as the St. Thomas Volunteers of the Month in January 2014.

Fr. Mark joins students in March for LifeStaff report

In January, Fr. Mark joined members of the Biloxi Diocese for the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Enduring wet, cold weather and a 17-hour bus ride, 268 people, mainly students, joined the march to the Capitol making a statement to legislators about the Right to Life from conception to natural death. This year’s theme was “Every Life Is A Gift.” While the Biloxi Diocese filled five buses, there were 19 from Baton Rouge.

“This was the biggest march you’ll never hear about,” said Fr. Mark, citing today’s culture that allows abortion. The march, mainly comprised of Catholics, numbered around 650,000.

Diocesan Youth Ministry Director, Bragg Moore said this was his sixth march. “I missed the first one. This was the biggest I’d ever seen.”

“Churches held banners, and made a statement not by anything they said, but just by being there,” Fr. Mark said.

In previous years Mississippi students stayed at the Marriott Hotel, however because the rates were higher, the Diocese looked for lodging elsewhere. Marriott personnel wondered where the Mississippi delegates were, and when they learned the reason they didn’t have their booking, Marriott lowered their rates to accommodate the well-behaved youth.

Returning to Hattiesburg on a cold, rainy night, one of the buses made too sharp a turn and ended up a ditch. They had to wait for a second bus to help them. Area Knights of Columbus cooked a meal for the weary travelers, providing a warm welcome and thank you for their dedication to this cause.

And The World Stands By

Jesus and His followers were persecuted and slain and the world stood by. Two thousand years now the evil continues and the world stands by.

Thanks be to our merciful God evil has yet to win.__________________

The King Walks the Earth

The King came and walked the land of milk and honey, was slain for His love.

The King comes now, walks the earth of milk and honey, is slain for His love.

(No title)Praying in silence,no spoken words to hear,lets you see your soul.

(no title)A silent prayer,offered in humility,a private talk with God.

(no title)Confessionlike shock absorberssmoothes your ridealong the road of life, not the road itself.

Don Hegwood

SOS: “Send Our Signal” WJPE-LPFMby Pat Vanderloo

B i r t h r i g h t of Hattiesburg was issued a construction permit for a low power FM radio station on January 27, 2014. This station will be a voice for Catholic radio in the Hattiesburg community.

With a 2 bay FM antenna transmitting 100 watts of power at 30 meters above ground, and with a few additional components we can go ON AIR immediately to broadcast EWTN radio. We plan to put our broadcast and production studios inside Sacred Heart High School. Soon after we go ON AIR with the free programming from EWTN, we will begin broadcasting sporting events and competitions of Sacred Heart students. From there we can develop local news and interviews

highlighting Catholic persons and events in the community. You will tune to WJPE in your car, through apps for your smartphone

and related devices, and through streaming on your computer.Why is Birthright sponsoring this radio station? The answer lies in

its name, its identity: WJPE. The letter W is pre-determined by the FCC because Hattiesburg is east of the Mississippi River. The letters JP are for St. John Paul, the great defender of Life. And the letter E is for evangelization. As never before, we are required to spread the Truth of our Faith.

Through this Catholic Radio Ministry, Birthright will raise funds to continue and expand our ministry. This will be accomplished through our underwriters sponsoring our programs and sponsored announcements. It will also evangelize our purpose as a pregnancy support center with our station liner airing 24/7/365, “This is WJPE-LPFM brought to you by Birthright of Hattiesburg because it is the right of every pregnant to give birth, and the right of every baby to be born.”

Birthright has laid much of the groundwork to date but we need to sprint home to the finish ON AIR. For more information, contact Pat Vanderloo, Birthright Executive Director: pvanderl@netdoor.com

The News According to St. Thomas The News According to St. Thomas4 5

CSA Sponsors Charismatic Retreatby Carolyn Nation

“Fire from Heaven” rained down on St. Thomas during a Catholic Student Association sponsored three-day Charismatic Retreat in February.

CSA students, Catholics from Hattiesburg churches and surrounding areas joined people who had come from as far away as Michigan. Hands were raised amid songs and shouts of joy and praise during presentations by Fr. Mark Goring, (pictured on cover and upper right) and lay ministers Pauline Brazil and Jay Flunker from the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston, Texas.

“We have the Ritz Carlton here, with everything the Catholic Church has to offer,” said Fr. Mark Ropel during introductions. “It’s up to us to explore the hotel.” He called the retreat an opportunity to stir into flames gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are already present from Baptism.

“Open your heart,” he urged. “People are praying for us in front of the Blessed Sacrament.”The first presenter was Canadian Fr. Mark Goring, who joined the Companions of the Cross when he was

18 and was ordained at age 26. In his testimony he described how as a teen he questioned if there really was a God. Sharing his doubts with his father, his father urged him to study the lives of the saints and the love they had for God. They embraced suffering and trials, he explained. Driving with his mother shortly after receiving his license, he was surprised to learn that she had the gift of singing in a prayer language. “I can’t believe you’ve lived with me 16 years and never told me,” he told her with surprise.

He began praying the “Our Father,” “Hail Mary” and “Glory Be” very slowly each night. Over time he had three visions that opened his heart to God and fed his hunger to learn more.

Lay evangelist Jay Flunker, who is involved in prison ministry, shared his struggles with rejection as a child and into adulthood. “We weren’t created to be rejected. We were created to be loved,” he said. He offered numerous scripture references - John 10:10, Psalm 119: 9 and 11, Jeremiah 29:11, among others -

and challenged us to make small changes, one a month, repeated daily, until it becomes a virtue.Originally from Newfoundland, Pauline Brazil now considers herself a Texan. She led the group in

rousing songs of praise and gave her personal testimony to the group. “Whatever the Lord has planned for you, you’re going to love it,” she said. “The Holy Spirit has so much more to give.”

On Saturday evening, everyone present was prayed over individually by either Fr. Mark Goring, Fr. Mark Ropel, Fr. Godfrey Andoh, or one of four deacons present.

Sunday morning talks centered on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jay said that people will see gifts in you that you may not recognize yourself. “Gifts are like muscles,” Jay said. “They need to be exercised and practiced.”

Answering questions from the audience, Pauline explained what the gift of a prayer language, the “gift of tongues” means to her.“It’s very powerful, between you and God,” she said, and smiled, “and the Devil can not intercept it.” The scriptural reference is Romans 8: 26, “...for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.”

Fr. Goring said deepening your prayer life can be as easy as saying “yes” and showing up. “Starting a prayer group is simple,” he said. “Just get two other people.” He asked participants to share their dreams or desires for the parish.

Deacon Randy Duke from Sacred Heart said that it had been 25 years since Hattiesburg had a Charismatic retreat and he would like to see this happen more often.

Fr. Mark Ropel described the retreat as a “gentle swell,” said he plans to make this an annual event. Thanks to organizer Jonna van Thiel, her husband Pieter, the CSA students, those who prepared meals for

the team, and all who participated.To learn more visit the Catholic Charismatic Center at www.cccgh.com.

Photos by Steve Coleman