The multi-parish communities of St. Mary, Assumption and Holy Family in Natchez, and St. Ann Parish in Fayette have been gathering for several years to celebrate our oneness as Catholics and worship in unity of our faith.

We have a vibrant, committed planning team comprised of members from each parish dedicated to enriching our faith in communal prayer.

St. Mary, Holy Family, St. Ann and Assumption parishes are of the Denery II of the Diocese of Jackson. This year we will be celebrating year three of Why Catholic: Journey through the Catechism series.

This series is sponsored by Renew International, a Catholic organization which assists Catholic Dioceses throughout the United States in fostering and strengthening the faith of their members in the Catholic tradition. In year three, we will explore Life in Christ: Walking with God.

The first six weeks of the series will focus on our freedom and responsibility, conscience, virtues, moral law and grace. The second six weeks will focus on the Ten Commandments.

Each parish will have small faith sharing groups with a leader who will function in the role of facilitator. The small faith group leaders are not theologians, the group leaders are not counselors and the group leaders are not teachers. Each group leader will encourage participation and encourage the spiritual growth of each member. Each individual is on a personal spiritual journey and the Why Catholic small group sessions are tools to empower each person in his or her faith process to encounter God in everyday life. Each person must focus on the meaning of Christ’s mission, and we do this through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the faith sharing groups.

I encourage parishioners of St. Mary, Holy Family, St. Ann and Assumption to join a small faith-sharing group on sign-up this Sunday.

Rev. John O’Hallaran, S.S.J is the pastor of Holy Family and St. Ann parishes and a member of the multi-parish planning team.