First of all, let me wish all my friends a Happy and Healthy New Year. I’ve been spending the new Year in a place called, Hattiesburg, in Mississippi, and it has been a wonderful experience, all told, in spite of the cold. I came prepared, however. I brought warm clothes with me to ward off the chill, the frost, and the icy wind. You would think that Mississippi in the Deep South would have a much warmer climate even in winter, but it has been snowing here. 

My reason for being here was to conduct a Cross Mission at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. I celebrated all the masses last Saturday and Sunday, delivering the sermons at all of them. Meeting the outgoing people here was a joy. 

One beautiful woman I met, the Deacon’s wife, was from Donegal in Ireland where I come from. I got with Mary and her husband in their home for a lively chat yesterday. It was like being back in Donegal, and I felt like I was talking to an old friend. The Home resonated with the atmosphere and mementos from the “ Auld Sod.” 

The parishioners here are a very close knit community, and they love their Church. The Church property looks like it’s part of the campus of the University of South Mississippi. My room overlooks the University baseball field.

The last mass yesterday at 6:00pm was for the students attending University, mainly. The parish has a large student center that caters to student needs. I met the very personable student leader who gave me the run down on their activities at the center. 

An interesting parishioner I met was Wilbur, a professor of music at USM, who was also a cantor at St. Thomas Aquinas. He took me out to dinner on Saturday.

Hattiesburg is a city of over 70,000 inhabitants. I’m told it is the second largest city in Mississippi after Jackson.

I’ll be flying back to Florida today, New Year’s Day, and will join some friends, please God, for a New Year’s evening celebration later this evening.

–Fr. Hugh Duffy