The News According to St. Thomas8 The NewsAccording to St. Thomas

Vol. 7 Summer 2013

Jeremy Zipple ordained a priest P. 2

Mudbugs in seasonStaff report

Following an early morning rain storm, the 12th annual James

Loftus Crawfish Boil rocked and rolled April 14 with music by DJ Trae Griffin of Trazy Productions.

This year’s theme on navy T-shirts announced the “Next Generation” of crawfish lovers with a tiny baby at the bottom of the logo representing James Loftus’ first grandson, James Bennett Loftus. He is the son of Laura and Jared Loftus, who designed the T-shirt. Members of the Loftus family traveled from the coast, Baton Rouge, and Hattiesburg to join the festival.

James Loftus was a beloved parishioner who maintained the grounds for St. Thomas through his lawn service. Whenever he arrived for work, he always stopped first in church to pray. Before the Loftus Crawfish Boil was established in his memory, James was always the first to serve at St. Thomas food events, particularly when crawfish were on the menu.

By noon the skies were blue and the crawfish red and hot for mudbug lovers who paid $20 for all they could eat. Other food included hot dogs and hamburgers, chips and soft drinks. Asked if people ate crawfish in Ghana, Fr. Godfrey replied that he was introduced to them in South Mississippi and is now a big fan.

New this year was a Crawfish Eating Contest. Brad Diaz was the first to empty his plate. “Woo hoo!” His winning advice was, “Go fast. Don’t stop because you ate a shell.” He won a $50 bar tab from Keg & Barrel.

Tommy Fields came in second. “I missed by one or two crawfish,” he said, but was delighted to win a round of golf at Timberton. “I’ve always wanted to play golf but never have except for Putt Putt.”

Third place went to Solomon Tuvai who won a month’s membership at Revolution Fitness plus six sessions with a trainer.

New leaders, Louis and Rhonda Irizarry, were pleased with the results of their first Boil. 1300 pounds were served, with none left over.

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

Jeremy Zipple ordained a priestBy Carolyn Nation

Hattiesburg native, Jeremy Zipple, 35, was ordained a priest by Archbishop Gregory Aymond in early June at Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans.

Like most youth growing up in a Catholic family, Jeremy, the son of Francis and Kathy Yadrick Zipple, was an Altar Server and involved in CYO at Sacred Heart and the diocesan level. Wanting to be where Catholics were less of a minority and have more opportunities to be engaged in faith, he went to Boston College in 1996.

Administered by the Jesuits, Boston College offered insights into the Jesuit model of the priesthood and their motto of “God in all things.”

While earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in film and music, he worked in campus ministry, played piano for stu-dent liturgy, worked in an inner city homeless shelter, did volunteer work in a prison, and worked on the campus newspaper. He also likes watching college sports. “I’m like Fr. Tommy in that regard.”

In 2002 he entered the Society of Jesus as a novitiate, which he calls “Jesuit boot camp.” While it takes ten years for a Jesuit to become a priest, he considered this “a great time. There is a lot of school work. It’s not for the faint of heart.” While a novitiate, his documentary film work on Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier aired on PBS.

Following two years of teaching in the northeast, he spent time at Grand Coteau, Louisiana. “The quiet offered a stilling of my soul,” he said, “especially after New York.”

He earned a master’s degree in Philosophy at Fordham Universi-ty followed by a three-year regency assignment with National Geo-graphic Television. As a writer, producer and director, he worked on documentaries about a lost Mayan civilization and the quest to find King Solomon’s mines. His ministry work with youth and prisoners has taken him from South Dakota to Belize.

In 2010, he was missioned to the Boston College School of Theol-ogy and Ministry where he earned a Master of Divinity while serving as a deacon at St. Joseph’s Parish in Belmont, Massachusetts.

His world travels and social justice ministry work could only be topped by his ordination. “It was pretty amazing,” he said. “Key mo-ments were the laying on of hands while lying in the middle of the aisle. You had the sense the whole time these people of God were lift-ing you up. It was very moving. All the Jesuit priests came through silently (for) laying on of hands.

“It was wonderful to have friends and family from St. Thomas and Sacred Heart there. I felt joy and gratitude for the role they all played in getting me to this point.”

His first home parish Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart June 16. While he will remain at Immaculate Conception in New Orleans for the summer, he will return to Boston in the fall to continue work on his Licentiate in Sacred Theology.

by Carolyn Nation“The more we realize that God has furnished us with a gift, the

more completely we will be united with Jesus,” wrote 19th century British spiritual leader, Smith Wigglesworth.

St. Thomas is now offering Life Keys, a workshop program designed to help individuals discover their gifts and how they can be used to serve others.

Sessions are based on the Life Keys book Discover Who You Are by Jane Kise, David Stark and Sandra Hirsh. Its purpose is to help discover the answer to these questions: Why Are You Here? What Do You Do Best? What Are You Passionate About? What Do You Value? and What Are Your Priorities?

Thirty one people signed up for the first Life Keys retreat/workshop in April, which covered a Friday evening and Saturday. “I’m not sure what I expected, but this was powerful,” said Jean Fertita. Stephen Ryan commended our choice of a strong program. Mamie Walters said, “This was confirmation for me. Sometimes you wonder if you’re on the right track or need to do more.”

A fall session will be offered in September. Barbara Ellender will present the Life Gifts session. Fr. Godfrey will cover Spiritual Strengths. Joe Olmi will lead Personality Types. Jim Ghents will present Values and Passions.

Watch the bulletin for details and dates.

Discover your gifts with Life Keys

Little drummer boyBy Carolyn Nation

Those of us who have heard Fr.Godfrey’s a capella singing at Mass will not be surprised to learn he also loves to play the drums.

“I love rhythm,” he said. “Even as a child, whenever I heard a song I liked I looked for any container to beat the rhythm.”

Although he plays different types of drums, he enjoys conga drums best. These are placed on a stand and beat by hand. Different hand, knuckle, and finger positions help to vary the rhythm and tone, which takes a degree of mastery to perfect.

While at the seminary, he wanted to learn to play the guitar. However, he is left handed and the only guitar teacher was right handed and couldn’t teach him using a right-handed guitar. The seminary choir had a set of drums, so he began playing them instead.

When Fr. Tommy is saying Mass and Fr. Godfrey is free, he will play the drums, adding his own special talent for music. He has also performed impromptu dancing and drumming at the church Christmas party.

A farewell party was held for Cecelia Carlton who was involved in numerous ministries at St. Thomas. She will be missed.

SIBS (Students Inspired By Students)

By Carrie BellAbout three years ago several college students involved with the

Catholic Student Association (CSA) were looking for a way to learn more about their faith and strengthen their spiritual life through a small group format. This led to the development of the CSA small

faith group, SIBS (Students Inspired By Students) and it continues to evolve and grow each year.

SIBS is coordinated by the Spiritual Committee co-chairs who also serve on the CSA Leadership Team. During the first year interested students were put in small groups of about 5-7 people. They selected a group leader and met at least once a month on campus to pray together, read the Bible, talk about current events and other topics of interest to the group. Based on students’ feedback, the second year SIBS organizers tried a new format with a Women’s group and a Men’s group. This was also successful but the students discovered they were talking about very similar issues and sharing common events.

This past year the students combined the Men’s and Women’s groups to form one group that met twice a month. This preferred format for the program helped increase the diversity and participation in SIBS.

This year SIBS was organized by Serena Williams and Kyle Ladner, CSA’s 2012-2013 Spiritual Committee, and they did a

great job. Monthly topics included Catholic traditions, the Liturgical seasons, scripture readings and guest speakers such as a Seminarian from New Orleans. With a new Leadership Team in place CSA looks forward to another success and enriching SIBS program.

CSA’s Students Inspired by Students (SIBS) held monthly topics on Catholic traditions, the Liturgical seasons, scripture readings and guest speakers. Because He is

Because He isI am.Because He livesI serve.

God is neither up nor down.He is hereWaiting to be found.

don hegwood

The Richness of Great MomentsThe richness of a great momentcannot be fully savoreduntil it has grown to maturity

in a fertile mind fieldwhere its memory has been nourishedto its fullest treasure.

don hegwood

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

Duke and Roberts ordained permanent Deacons

by Judy Showalter

St. Thomas Aquinas parishioners Randy Duke and Truett Roberts began their journey to become permanent deacons four years

ago. The first year was spent in prayerful discernment. The next three

years of formation to the permanent diaconate included study of scripture, theology, canon law and pastoral ministry. Bishop Roger Morin will ordain Randy, Truett and nine other men on June 22, 2013 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Biloxi.

Truett said, “I am very excited to be able to serve the Lord in this manner, and I’m looking forward to working with the bishop in whatever capacity he desires.” The men will receive their official assignments from Bishop Morin after their ordination.

As permanent deacons they cannot celebrate Mass, but they will be assisting the priest during the Mass by proclaiming the Gospel, preaching the homily and distributing communion. Permanent deacons do not hear confessions, but they administer the Sacrament of Baptism, witness the Sacrament of Marriage and officiate at funerals and burials.

Truett is looking forward to baptizing his granddaughter, Lillian, the day after his ordination. Randy said he is experiencing “a sense of awe” and “tremendous excitement” in anticipation of his upcoming ordination to the permanent diaconate. He reflected on Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That scripture has guided him throughout his life, but it has been especially helpful to him over the past four years, and he knows it will continue to help him as he strives to do his best in service to the Catholic Church as a permanent deacon.

Randy and Truett are grateful for the love and support of their families. They also want to express their appreciation to the parishioners of St. Thomas for their prayers and encouragement. Congratulations Randy and Truett!

Happy birthday Sister CarmelitaStaff report

On April 28, Sister Carmelita Stinn celebrated her birthday with her parish family at St. Thomas Aquinas in Hattiesburg.

Since this was the regular date for Covered Dish Sunday, she was surprised by singing and a birthday cake in her honor.

2013 marks her 63rd year as a religious sister serving in the Sisters for Christian Community. She first came to Mississippi in 1952 and later returned to earn a Masters Degree in social work in 1977 at the University of Southern Mississippi. She did her practicum at Ellisville State School and continued working there until her retirement in 1993.

Currently she serves as St. Thomas’ Catholic Social Services ministry leader where she and her team work tirelessly to meet many unmet needs in the community such as delivering household items, diapers and food to the poor, many of whom are Hispanic. In 2011 she served as the reigning Colleen for St. Thomas’ Irish Italian Festival parade.

She has said that she is most at peace during her hour of morning prayer and when attending daily Mass. She also enjoys reading and traveling, along with occasional rides on a motorcycle.

Pastors attend Police Chaplain trainingStaff Report

Fr. Tommy and six other Hattiesburg pastors attended training for Police Chaplains in Shalimar, Florida in April.

The first day sessions covered responding to a crisis, a sherif’s perspective of chaplains, and how to react to the trauma from an officer down. The second day attendees learned about human trafficking, how to respond to an officer’s death or injury, and keys to being a successful chaplain.

The final day focused on self defense with tips for street survival for chaplains and what to do when things go wrong. Trainees were placed in mock scenarios to show them how to react to a DWI traffic stop, domestic violence call, how to notify a family of a death from a tragic accident, and how to determine if a person is high on drugs or mentally ill in order to place them in the correct facility.

The number of options for the three day workshop were too numerous to attend all events. It ended with a service honoring fallen officers.

“It was one of the best courses I ever attended,” Fr. Tommy said.

Now that the pastors have returned home, they will be available on a rotating basis to aid the police. They are encouraged to go on ride-a-longs during night time patrols.

By Carolyn NationWhen everyone goes back to school, Fr. Tommy will begin his 10

week sabbatical at the Pontifical North American College in Rome in early September.

“I’ve already been told to bring my alb, stole, collar, and a black suit,” he said, since among other activities he and 40 others will be meeting Pope Francis.

Priests are allowed to take a sabbatical every seven years, although Fr. Tommy had not asked for leave earlier. The diocese covers half the cost of the program with the other half equally divided between the priest and the parish.

He applied to programs in Ireland, Berkeley, California, Notre Dame and the North American College in Rome and was accepted there fairly quickly. Then he had to send in photos, references and blood work. Although he doesn’t have any family or friends in Rome, he does have a connection with Cardinal Peter Turkson, who was Bishop Turkson at the time he ordained Fr. Godfrey.

“Many priests, including Msgr. Mike Thornton (in Laurel) recommended this course,” Fr. Tommy said. The four hours of class work each weekday are not mandatory. “I’m told the classes are so good that participants don’t want to miss them.” In addition to free afternoons, there will be excursions to holy sites and day trips such as to Sienna and Assisi. Previous classes have said Mass in the Tomb of St. Peter, and the Angelus with the Pope at Castel Gandolfo, the papal retreat. At the Vatican special tours have included the excavations beneath St. Peter’s Basilica and the Swiss Guard Barracks.

“I feel that I am more than halfway through my priesthood,” Fr. Tommy said. “This will recharge my batteries for the next assignment, new beginnings.” He hopes that when he returns around Thanksgiving that the Bishop will let him know if he will return to St. Thomas or be assigned elsewhere.

While in Rome, he plans to check into the possibility of leading a tour to Italy next fall. He is also looking forward to visits from some of his family. This will be his first trip to Rome. So far, he speaks “not a word” of Italian. Buon Viaggio!

Fr. Tommy takes sabbatical in Rome

Altar Servers recognizedSt. Thomas and Knights of Columbus Council 15382 honored the eighth grade altar servers at the end of 10:15 Mass on May 19th. Pictured with Robert Lawson of the Knights and Fr. Tommy are Landry Filce, Dalen Pierce, and Jourdan Green. Not pictured is Anna Pecunia. They were presented with appreciation medals with a thank you message engraved on the back.

Staff reportSt. Thomas now has a ministry matchmaker

called the Director of Volunteerism.In accepting this new staff position,

Kathy Schimel said she hopes to help people feel more comfortable in ministries and involve more people so that those already in ministries won’t feel burned out. She plans to work with newcomers and those who

want to be of service but don’t know which ministry to choose. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she and her husband,

Bob, moved to Mississippi when his company closed. They lived in Alabama before Bob took a job in Collins. He has since retired and started his own payroll service business. “Hattiesburg seemed like a nice place to live,” Kathy said. “We’ve been here 25 years.”

One of the first things they looked for was a community theater group, a love for both of them. Bob builds sets and is the mastermind behind the Irish Italian Festival’s welcoming rainbow arch. Kathy works with the costumes. She will be the President of the Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera in the 2014-15 season. She also enjoys reading, word puzzles, sewing, and the theater. Ready to tackle a new challenge, she said, “I feel like it’s something I can do. I look forward to working with the staff and ministry leaders, and of course, my boss. I hope to bring new life, and new ideas to help build the ministries.”

In addition to scheduling and training Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Commentators, Kathy launched the Prayer Blanket Ministry, leads two Small Faith Communities Groups, and serves on the Newsletter and Welcoming Newcomers teams. Welcome aboard!

Kathy Schimel joins staff as Director of Volunteerism

Staff reportDo you have Two Saints in your Kitchen? That’s the title of the 281 page parish cookbook that has become

a souvenir cookbook from the Irish Italian Festival. It is packed with recipes from the original Our Daily Bread parish cookbook that came out in the 1990s with so much more.

From “Conway’s Cuisine & Other Irish Delights,” you can make Father Tommy’s Irish Scones, Irish Stew, and Blarney Stone-Kissed Cookies, among other Irish traditions. “Mama Mia! Now That’s Italian!”covers everything from Italian Appetizer Thang! to Delta Redneck Italian Gravy and Meatballs with Italian Love Cake for dessert. Start preparing for Golden Eagles Tailgating Favorites such as Mississippi Sin (jalapeno pepper lovers take note), For lagniappe - a little something extra - Two Saints in My Kitchen includes the history of the St. Joseph’s Altar, and a paragraph on Saint Patrick, Saint Joseph, and Saint Thomas Aquinas.

The cookbooks can be found in the church foyer and cost $15. All proceeds go toward our Disaster Relief Fund.

Irish Italian Festival cooking on sale

The Wise PersonThe wise person,

when faced with and resolving issues,assigns emotion to a special place in the mind

where it, upon resolution of the problem, becomes the building blocks

of the mind’s moral fiber.don hegwood

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

Staff reportWe asked some of the recent “graduates” of RCIA to tell us what

the experience meant to them.Returning Catholic Noel Anne Bennett said RCIA gave her a

chance to relearn the history of the Catholic faith, meet new people, and find a new home. She grew up Catholic in Natchez, but drifted away after her marriage. “I didn’t realize how important it was until I came back to it,” she said. “God was waiting for me all that time. He didn’t give up on me.”

Mandy Baker explained, “For me, RCIA broke down all of the important parts of the Catholic faith and allowed us to explore them individually at a much deeper level. The RCIA classes showed us how to apply these beliefs to our everyday lives, and how to grow deeper in our faith and our relationship with God. How to not just read scripture, but to read it in the way that it was meant to be read.

The MOST wonderful thing about RCIA was the manner in which it was led: Open communication about our previous faiths without judgement. It was so incredibly wonderful to gather with people from other faiths and backgrounds to discuss why we are here and what led us to the Catholic Church. For these relationships that have been built, I am eternally grateful.”

Tessa Willoughby said, “Prior to RCIA, I had done a lot of praying and asking God if becoming Catholic was what He wanted for me. I also did a ton of reading and delved deep into the Catechism and the Church Fathers’ writings. But when I got into RCIA, I finally had people who were going through the same thing as me and could understand where I was coming from. I did not feel alone. I could talk to real people.

The community aspect of RCIA was wonderful and I particularly enjoyed breaking bread with my friends every Monday night. I also appreciated the way we always started out in God’s Word and then

heard from several members of the parish. In this way, I felt as though I was being adopted into the family. My favorite presentations in RCIA were about Church History, Old Testament Scripture, and the Sanctity of Life.

RCIA will always have a special place in my heart. I’m sure many years from now when I think back on the beginnings of my conversion, I will remember RCIA as being a place of safety and friendship. I thank everyone involved for I have truly never learned so much about my God in heaven or my brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Diana Little said, “I instinctively felt a comfort in that room and listening to the facilitators. They presented each segment with intelligence and reason, backing up each lesson with scripture and/or history. Their kindness and patience surpassed any expectation I had. My heart felt settled while my mind expanded as I listened to them. I gravitated to what was being said because it did not come from a subjective thought or ego, rather from a solid and substantial and intelligent knowledge of faith that has been consistent for over 2,000 years. I found that the most amazing part.

I am so grateful for Beverly Frosch, my sponsor. She was always available, always loving, always knowledgeable, gently admonished me when I needed it, and had infinite patience. I was looking for something to believe in that I knew was true and I found it. I wanted authenticity more than anything else and I found it with RCIA - when you find authenticity, everything else seems secondary, and that is how I feel now - nothing will ever be the same.

I view life now, with all it’s goodness and challenges, with a more settled feeling knowing that this is a continuous journey and I can turn to my faith, and all it encompasses, for fortitude and gratefulness in everything. The lessons I learned from RCIA are with me every day, and I find myself applying them as a way of life now.

RCIA changes lives: Recent graduates give insight to RICABy Shar Drennan

Meet Toni Wild, representative for the American Heart Association’s 2013 Go Red Campaign. She’s also a wife, mother, surgical nurse and daughter of St. Thomas parishioners, Sydney and John Cuccia. She is a lady who has fought hard battles and come out a winner.

Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29 she went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and made the disease a thing of the past. Five years later, on vacation in Tennessee, she lost her first husband when a car struck him while he was changing a tire. The injuries he sustained left him brain dead, forcing her to make the difficult decision of removing him from life support then donating his organs - heart and both kidneys, knowing that this would give three people a new chance at life.

About a year later she was diagnosed with a second round of breast cancer. After surgery and more treatments she was then told she had chemotherapy-induced congestive heart failure. But through medication and rest her condition stabilized. With help from her parents and friends she returned to work, exercise and normal activities with limited symptoms.

Toni enjoyed a normal and happy life for the next ten years. In 2000 she married Jim Wild and became a mother to his two boys, ages 6 and 8. In 2009 Toni again started having symptoms and knew her heart was failing her once more. Extensive testing confirmed Toni’s heart was badly damaged. She and her family were told that short of a heart transplant there was nothing that could be done.

During this time she drew strength from prayer and was ready to face whatever it was God had planned for her. She says she felt the prayers that emanated from family, friends and her church. She went home to begin the wait for a new heart. The call came only a week later. She made emotional farewells not knowing what was ahead. During the next few hours Jim said they experienced a God-given peace. Doubt never entered their minds. The operation was a complete success.

Always thinking of others, Toni has donated her hair to Locks of Love three different times. In October 2012, she ran a half-marathon in San Francisco, raising $5,000 to fight lymphoma. Now, as a Go Red representative she spreads the message to women to take care of themselves and their health issues. This extraordinary woman has beaten tremendous odds, yet through faith, prayer and medical technology she has triumphed.

The heart of Toni Wild

Vacation Bible School - “SonWest Roundup” - FUN for All!By Kelly Lamunyon

Lots of excitement filled the air at St. Thomas during the week of June 3-7 as Vacation Bible School activities were in full swing!

Several senior youth ministry members and young adults helped to construct and paint props to convert the old student center into a western town. Classrooms became other western scenes. Pre-K children through 4th graders enjoyed Bible stories, music, games, crafts, and snacks that all revolved around the Western Theme “SonWest Roundup.”

Each morning at the gathering assembly, one of God’s Ultimate Gifts was introduced, and then following the assembly that gift was

focused upon through the day’s activities. The children became aware of God’s Ultimate Plan, Power, Rescue, Trust, and Love throughout the week!

The VBS week came to a close with a children’s Mass in which the children served as lectors, commentators and gift bearers. The children provided music for Mass by singing songs they had learned during the week. An indoor picnic followed.

Each participant received a Certificate of Attendance, a Bop’s coupon for free ice-cream, and a ConniCone sno-ball as they departed.

A huge THANK-YOU to the many volunteers who made this such a successful event!

Some 50 students and parents from ten churches in the LaCrosse Diocese of Wisconsin spent a week in mid June helping with home repairs and cleanup from the February Tornado. Most were high school and college students, although the youngest team member was nine. St. Thomas provided two meals each day and parishioners stepped up for lunches. Each evening Fr. Tim Oudenhoven celebrated Mass and invited the students to pause awhile in Adoration. He said, “When you reach out your hand to your neighbor is when you see God reaching out his hand to us.”

Wisconsin students aid St. Thomas Disaster Relief efforts

by Jean FertitaKathy Greene, a 10-year veteran Sidewalk Counselor, spoke with

St. Thomas Social Services on the Abortion Issue in late April. She gave the history and present status of the Jackson Abortion

Clinic stating “70 babies die each week.” She explained the devastating news that a Judge Jordan signed an order where the Jackson Clinic does not have to abide by State Law 1390.

She said that Hattiesburg’s Planned Parenthood organization has moved to 27th Avenue and has changed it’s name to Pine Belt Life League. To date there has not been an abortion at the Hattiesburg Planned Parenthood clinic.

Ms Greene repeated that Roe vs. Wade must be overturned and offered suggestions of things to do: * Commit to meet at the Clinic and pray the rosary. * Contact any hospital Board Member and ask denial of any privileges to doctors who work in Abortion Clinics. * Write letters or make calls to our Congressmen asking for the impeachment of Judge Jordan who handed down the ruling that allows the Jackson Clinic to remain in operation. * Vote for Candidates who support Pro life. * Support Pro life groups such as the Crises Pregnancy Center and Birthright with the baby bottle project.

Sidewalk Counselor speaks to St. Thomas Catholic Social Services