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Mississippi Sisters Drive-Thru Farewell for the Sisters in Greenwood June 29, 2020 by webadmin Leave a Comment St. Francis Parish and School held a Drive-Thru Farewell for the Sisters. It was a beautiful day with bright sunshine and welcome shade in the Sisters’ front yard. The scent of magnolias rode on the playful breeze. 2 small tents contained tables filled with happys” for all who would attend. The planning committee had filled white lunch bags with a bag holding two remarkably delicious chocolate chip cookies, a bookmark from our own Vocation Department and a photo souvenir of the occasion. The cover of the souvenir was filled with verbs describing all the ways our sisters had formed the faith of those they worked with and met. Inside were the photos and names of all who had served here at St. Francis over the years. It was all beautifully done. Brother Patrick had prepared simple signs saying Vaya con Dios” and God Go with You”. There were balloons and decorated baskets for cards. The event began with a small gathering of all the Friars, several of the parish women who would help greet guests, and the Sisters. Father Cam began by reading a Proclamation from the Leflore County Board of Supervisors. This was then presented to Sister Janet. Next, Father Kim read a Proclamation from Mayor Carolyn McAdams which was then presented to Sister Janet. This was followed by a key to the city being bestowed on each of us by Fr. Kim in the name of the Mayor. Both proclamations communicated gratitude for all the many listed ministries done by our Sisters here over the years. Sister Kathleen also received a special plaque from the school listing all the staff members she had worked with over the years. Following the presentations, the Sisters were seated near the driveway in front of the convent. Over the next 2 hours about 50 cars pulled up, placed cards and remembrances in the baskets and called out wishes and thankful thoughts from their cars and then drove on. About midway through the event, a parade” of about 12 vehicles gathered to drive through. They were led by Andrew McQueen, Leflore County Constable. He used his squad car with lights flashing and siren blaring. As he drove the full length of the property driveway at about 1 mph, the other cars followed honking and waving. Soraya Ratliff, granddaughter of Preston and Jackie Ratliff, stood and waved from the sunroof of their car. It was quite a sight. The above photo includes 2 former students of St. Francis School, Soraya and Preston Ratliff III. In the background Mrs. Edith Spells and Ms. Maxine Ford enjoy some shade. After many greetings and as many photo-ops, the Sisters retired to the Convent, the helpers headed home and the Friars removed the tables, tents, etc. It was a memorable afternoon which was followed by a 4:00 p.m. Pentecost Mass. This was the first public liturgy since mid-March. Members of the liturgy committee came at various times to contribute to various parts of the Pentecost environment. All was aflame with the color red and with candles. 15 parish members took part in the 4 p.m. Mass. Sunday was highlighted by the 11:00 Mass which brought together 18 parish members while others participated via Facebook. It was a source of joy to see and pray with the good people of St. Francis. In the afternoon the Sisters sat down to open cards and gifts. It had been announced that contributions be made to a scholarship fund for the school in lieu of gifts. So after sharing cards, messages and gifts, the Sisters wrote thank you cards and prepared the $300 received for presentation to Jackie Lewis, principal. Others have communicated the fact that they will be contributing to the scholarship by mail. We have much to be thankful for! Filed Under: Our Mission Tagged With: Drive thru , farewell , Greenwood , Sisters Opening St. Francis of Assisi Church for Public Mass June 16, 2020 by webadmin Leave a Comment Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Kathleen Murphy shares on the opening up of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Greenwood, Mississippi for public Masses. The Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi declared that Pentecost Sunday would be the day that parishes would open their churches for public Mass. So, preparations began to make this a safe, welcoming and joyful liturgical celebration. One of the first tasks was to take down the hymn numbers which remained from the season of Lent. Father Kim met with the ushers during the week preceding Pentecost. They developed a seating chart to be used as church members arrived. This provided for seating at opposite ends of the pew and leaving an empty pew between worshippers. Father also scheduled an English and Spanish Mass on Saturday and the same on Sunday. Staff called each parish member to find out which Mass they planned to attend. Sister Kathleen and the ladies of the Liturgy Committee worked at separate times to cooperatively create a fitting environment for the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit among us. Father Kim had also requested help from Sister Linda and her sewing crew to provide masks for those who needed one. This help was much appreciated and the mask basket was soon nearly empty! The church maintenance crew worked to sanitize all areas of the church and hand sanitizer bottles stood ready near the entrance. No hymnals were to be used so Brother Craig prepared typed copies of song lyrics which were projected on the wall. With all in readiness, the church was unlocked about 45 minutes before the 4:00 p.m. liturgy. Brother Craig and Mr. Jones head usher stood near the doors with no-contact thermometers in hand. As parish members arrived, their temperature was taken and they were shown a place to sit. 16 members attended this first Mass with great joy. The process was repeated on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. 20 attended this Mass which was also livestreamed for those not comfortable in attending. When the last hymn was finished, the ushers led church members out one pew at a time so that they could socialize outside in the fresh air and at a distance. All seemed filled with joy to return to the church on the Birthday of the Church! As the parish gathered again for Trinity Sunday, numbers increased at each of the Masses and all seemed very comfortable and joyful in offering praise to God together. Filed Under: Our Mission Tagged With: Public Mass , St. Francis of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi Convent at Pentecost June 1, 2020 by webadmin Leave a Comment Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Kathleen Murphy shares two images of the St. Francis of Assisi Convent Chapel, Greenwood, Mississippi. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” Mk 1:10-11 Filed Under: Our Mission Tagged With: Convent , Pentecost , St. Francis of Assisi Franciscan Sisters Are Guests for Parish Radio Show May 1, 2020 by webadmin Leave a Comment Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Kathleen Murphy, Sister Janet Rose and Sister Maria Goretti Scandaliato talk about a recent invitation to be guests on the parish radio show and other pandemic developments at St. Francis of Assisi, Greenwood, Mississippi . Here we are, masked and live at WGNL, a local radio station owned and operated by members of St. Francis Parish. Each Thursday, owners Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Hughes, provide 30 minutes of free on air time for The St. Francis Show”. This week the host, Mr. Robert Tanner invited us to join Fr. Kim on the show. The conversation covered many topics, but we were happy to speak about our ministry in the school and parish and the many joys and blessings that life in Greenwood has brought. We invite you to watch the radio show. Outside of this brief claim to fame, life with COVID continues in our new found routine of daily Zoom classes. This will end next Friday. Between classes and time to...