A Parish on Old Vicksburg Road
Holy Savior Catholic Church stands on the corner of Old Vicksburg Road and Lindale Drive in Clinton, Mississippi, a quiet street corner where Sunday mornings bring a steady procession of families, college students, and longtime parishioners through its doors. For more than half a century the parish has served Catholics in Clinton and the surrounding Hinds County area, and through its mission church, Immaculate Conception, it also reaches the small town of Raymond a few miles to the south. The church describes itself as a multi-cultural community that gathers every Sunday to worship and to receive God's grace through the Eucharist, and it counts well over 350 registered families among its members.
Visitors arriving for the first time are met by ushers at the door and seated in a worship space designed in the late 1980s to accommodate 750 people, with wide aisles and comfortable pews. The parish office, open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., handles registrations, sacramental records, and the many details that keep a busy parish running. Mailing address is P.O. Box 85, Clinton, MS 39060; the office phone is (601) 924-6344, and the email is holysavior@att.net.
From a Trailer in 1967 to a 750-Seat Church
Holy Savior is a young parish by Mississippi Catholic standards. In the early 1900s only a handful of Catholics lived in Clinton, and those who did made the trip into Jackson to attend Sunday Mass at St. Mary's on Claiborne Avenue. By the early 1960s, Clinton had grown enough that local Catholics petitioned for a parish of their own. Bishop Gerow responded by establishing the Parish of Holy Savior on August 12, 1966, and appointed Father George Uricheck as its founding pastor.
The first Mass was celebrated in the upper room of the Student Union Building at Mississippi College. Within two months the new parish family numbered 45, and the faithful in nearby Raymond, who had been attending Mass at Immaculate Conception since 1885, began sharing worship with the fledgling Clinton community. In September 1967 the parish purchased land at Old Vicksburg Road and Lindale Street, and a triple-wide trailer donated by the Extension Society was placed on the property. The following month Bishop Gerow, joined by Bishop Brunini and Father Patrick Farrell, dedicated what was the first Catholic Church in Clinton.
Father Uricheck was reassigned to a parish in Virginia in 1968, and visiting priests celebrated Mass until Father Marion Spadini arrived later in the decade. Under Father Spadini the first parish council was elected, a building committee was formed, and construction of a permanent church was begun. On November 1976, the parish's tenth anniversary, Bishop Joseph Brunini dedicated the new church building, which still serves the parish as an activities center. Father Spadini left for sabbatical in 1980, and Father Martin Ruane became the third pastor.
Father Ruane is remembered as the priest who built the church the parish worships in today. Noting that Holy Savior was strong in baptisms and weak in funerals, he led extensive growth through the RCIA program and worked with parishioners to design a building solely for worship. In 1985 plans were drawn, and after nearly two years of construction Bishop William Houck dedicated a new 750-seat church in 1987, with wide aisles and comfortable pews at Father Ruane's insistence.
Father Noel Prendergast, the fourth pastor and the second Irish priest to serve the parish, followed in 1991 and oversaw the construction of a new combined parish offices and religious education building, dedicated by Bishop Houck at the end of 2002. Father Thomas McGing succeeded Father Prendergast in January 2003, the same year that the parish recovered from a serious structural crisis: in July 2004, termites destroyed portions of two beams supporting the church roof, forcing a fifteen-month restoration during which Mass and services were held in the parish center. Bishop Joseph Latino rededicated the church on October 17, 2004. The parish hall built during Father Prendergast's tenure now bears the name McGing Hall in Father McGing's honor.
The current pastor, Reverend Lincoln Dall, arrived in July 2022. A priest of the Diocese of Jackson since 2008, Father Dall previously served as associate pastor at St. Richard in Jackson and as pastor of St. Jude in Pearl, St. Mary in Yazoo City, All Saints in Belzoni, and St. James in Tupelo. He also served for seven months as interim director of temporal affairs for the Diocese. In addition to his role as pastor of Holy Savior, Father Dall serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of Jackson. A native of Chicago and a fifth-generation Lincoln in his family, he holds a BS in accounting from Wake Forest University, a Master's in Education from Ole Miss, a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Wisconsin, and a Master of Science in Ecclesial Administration and Management from Catholic University in Washington DC. Before entering seminary he worked as a CPA, served as a missionary in Canada and Ecuador, and taught Spanish at Greenville High School through the Mississippi Teacher Corps.
Mass Times and the Rhythm of the Week
The parish's weekend schedule is straightforward: Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. Weekday Mass is celebrated on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. Two special Friday Masses round out the monthly rhythm. On the first Friday of each month, the parish gathers for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass at 8:30 a.m., and on the second Friday of each month, the Mass of Healing and Anointing is offered at the same time. On the third Wednesday of the month, an 11:00 a.m. Mass is followed by lunch in McGing Hall for the Young at Heart seniors' group.
Adoration and Benediction is held on the first Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Confessions are heard each Saturday from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. before the Vigil Mass, or by appointment through the parish office. The bulletin and the online calendar carry the most up-to-date information on any schedule changes.
For Catholics in Raymond, Immaculate Conception Mission Church offers Sunday Mass at 8:00 a.m., and parishioners are encouraged to make it a part of their worship routine if they live on that side of the parish boundaries.
Liturgy Ministries
Mass at Holy Savior is supported by a wide circle of lay men and women who serve at the altar and in the pews. The parish draws on seven formal liturgy ministries, each with its own expectations and training.
Altar Servers assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy. Servers must be at least in the fourth grade and have received the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, and Eucharist; they must also attend Mass regularly and attend CCD. Two mandatory training sessions are held in the fall.
Altar Care is the behind-the-scenes work of the ladies of the parish, who clean the sanctuary and chapel altar areas every Saturday of the year. Coordinators serve twice a year and general members once every two years, vacuuming, dusting holy statues and candle holders, cleaning and refilling holy water bowls, and laying out the chalices, purificators, pall, and paten.
Catechists are the volunteer teachers of the faith who share Catholic teachings, values, and traditions with younger generations. The catechist is described as a vital ministry to the Church, and all adults working with children must complete Safe Environment training.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay people appointed every two years by the pastor and approved by the Bishop to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion. They must be practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church and registered members of Holy Savior.
Lectors are the men and women chosen by the pastor to publicly read Scripture at Mass. At each Sunday Mass lectors read the two readings, the responsorial psalm, the Prayers of the Faithful, and announcements, and they are expected to prepare their readings in advance.
Music Ministry facilitates the liturgy with active music participation and enhances the experience of worship. The choir sings at the Christmas Vigil Mass, the Easter Vigil Mass, and other special liturgical occasions, with rehearsals before the 10:30 Mass during Advent and Lent and as needed. All are welcome to join.
Ushers are often the first point of contact for those arriving at Mass. They greet worshipers, ensure all scheduled ushers are present, watch for security concerns, find families to bring up the gifts, seat latecomers, take up the collection, help with any special needs during Communion, distribute bulletins, straighten pews, and lock up after Mass.
Becoming Catholic and Adult Faith Formation
For adults considering the Catholic faith, the parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, now commonly called OCIA (formerly RCIA). Classes meet from September through Easter at 6:15 p.m. in the RE building, and candidates are gradually introduced to the beliefs and practices of the Church. The program welcomes unbaptized catechumens, baptized Christians who wish to become Catholic, baptized Catholics who have not yet received Communion, Reconciliation, or Confirmation, and any non-Catholic who wishes to learn more about the Catholic faith.
Adults who are already Catholic have their own gathering in Coffee and Creed, a Sunday morning adult education class held from 9:00 to 10:10 a.m. in McGing Hall. Topics rotate, with presenters leading in-depth discussions of faith and Jesus Christ, and previous series have included the video-based study Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist.
Small Faith Communities meet on Mondays in the parish community, offering adults a chance to grow together through open dialogue about faith and Scripture, with additional meetings during Lent. For those who want to grow at home, the parish subscribes to Formed.org, a Catholic media platform with video studies, audio talks, and e-books, and the parish's resources page links to a wide range of Catholic media including the USCCB, the Vatican, the Diocese of Jackson, Word on Fire, the St. Paul Center, EWTN, Dynamic Catholic, Catholics Come Home, For Your Marriage, Life Teen, Catholic News Agency, Catholic Answers, and the National Catholic Register.
Parish School of Religion and Youth Group
Holy Savior offers a dynamic, family-centered religious education program for children in grades PK3 through 12. Classes meet on Sundays and are designed to educate children about Jesus and their Catholic faith, while preparing them to receive the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation. PK3 through sixth grade classes meet from 9:00 to 10:10 a.m., and seventh through twelfth grade CCD meets from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Religious Education office can be reached at REHolySavior@outlook.com.
The parish's youth group, working alongside the religious education program and sacrament preparation, is a place of fun, faith, and fellowship for students in grades 7 through 12. Throughout the year the youth participate in service projects and in local and national retreats and conferences. Diocesan Youth Permission Forms A, B, C, and E are available for download for those attending off-site events. Hunter Yentzen serves as Youth Minister alongside Director of Religious Education Tammy Threadgill.
Catholic Campus Ministry
Because of its location next to Mississippi College and not far from Hinds Community College, Holy Savior has developed a Catholic Campus Ministry aimed at helping college students maintain a Catholic community connection while away from their home parish. The ministry serves students at Mississippi College, Hinds Community College, and any other colleges in the surrounding area. On the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month the group gathers for a free dinner and Bible study, and on the first and third Wednesdays it meets for fellowship over a Dutch dinner at local restaurants. Any college student who wants to grow stronger in their faith is welcome.
Parish Life for Every Stage
Young at Heart is an informal gathering of the parish's senior parishioners, age 50 and over (though anyone is welcome). The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month after the 11:00 a.m. daily Mass, with lunch served in McGing Hall and a brief presentation on a theological topic.
Mother's Group provides mothers with fellowship, support, and opportunities to grow their Christian faith. Monthly meetings bring together Catholic women at every stage of motherhood, from expectant mothers to those with adult children, for prayer, conversation, and friendship. Recent gatherings have included a Rosary in the church followed by dinner, a Paint Night, and a Friendsgiving.
Knights of Columbus Council 7854 is the local council of the world's largest Catholic fraternal benefit society, founded in 1882 by Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney. The council is open to practicing Catholic men 18 and older in union with the Holy See, and it provides service to the parish, parishioners, the Carmelite Monastery, parish youth, and many others in need. Sausage and biscuits are sold the first Sunday of each month before and after Mass to support council charitable works.
KC Ladies Auxiliary, sometimes called the Lady Knights, gathers in fellowship and provides organized assistance to Holy Savior Parish's Knights of Columbus Council. The Auxiliary meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall, beginning with a potluck meal shared with the Knights at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Auxiliary meeting. All ladies of the parish are invited.
Reaching Out Beyond the Parish
Outreach is woven into parish life at Holy Savior, anchored by the verse from Matthew 25:40 that opens the outreach page: "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." The parish supports Catholic Charities of Jackson in its mission of helping the poor and vulnerable, especially children, women, and families. Each Friday, a group of ladies delivers nutritious lunches through the Meals on Wheels program to homebound, elderly, and disabled neighbors. Holy Savior also partners with the Mississippi Food Network, which distributes more than 1.5 million pounds of food each month, and with Stewpot Community Services, which provides hot meals, groceries, clothing, shelter, childcare, mentoring, and other programs.
On the last weekend of each month, the parish collects non-perishable food items in a box in the vestibule to donate to the Clinton Community Christian Corporation Food Pantry, locally known as 4C's. During the Christmas season, the Ladies Auxiliary partners with the ARC of Mississippi to provide Christmas gifts to vulnerable adults, with lists and name tags available in the vestibule after Thanksgiving.
Immaculate Conception in Raymond
Immaculate Conception Mission Church at 232 Main Street in Raymond is the second home of the parish and one of the oldest Catholic sites in central Mississippi. The history of Catholic worship in Raymond stretches back to the 1870s, when Mass was celebrated only intermittently in private homes due to the scarcity of priests and the difficulty of travel. On December 1, 1883, Reverend Janssens, Bishop of Natchez, purchased property from C. R. Robinson near the railroad depot as a site for a permanent church. Two years later, in 1885, Reverend Paul Korstenbroek, pastor of Greenville, succeeded in building the church. Russell Patrick of Vicksburg served as contractor for the 25-by-40-foot building with arched roof and intricately designed sugar-based plaster molding around the top of the walls. Bishop Janssens dedicated the completed church on September 6, 1885, with 54 members on the rolls.
For decades Immaculate Conception was served by visiting priests from Natchez, Woodville, Port Gibson, and Vicksburg. From 1928 to 1996 it was a mission of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jackson, and in 1966, when Bishop Brunini formed Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton, Immaculate Conception became a mission of Holy Savior, a relationship that continues today. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:00 a.m. in the historic church, and weekly bulletins are archived online alongside those of the main parish.
Becoming Part of the Parish
Newcomers are invited to register as members of Holy Savior, a step that allows them to participate in the sacraments and to sponsor children or adults for baptism or confirmation at Holy Savior or any other Catholic Church. Registration can be completed online through a link on the New Parishioners page, by filling out a paper form available in the vestibule of the church or at the parish office, or by stopping by the office during the week. Adults over 21 must register as members. Each November the parish hosts a newcomer's lunch hosted by the parish staff, a chance to meet parish members and learn about the many opportunities to get involved.
Online giving is available through ParishSoft for those who wish to support the parish financially, and the parish keeps a current Facebook page and a YouTube channel with recordings and reflections. A printed directory of parishioners is hosted online through Instant Church Directory, and a weekly bulletin is published with announcements, Mass intentions, and reflections. The Pastor's Reflection blog, written by Father Lincoln Dall, appears on a companion blogspot page. For newcomers and longtime members alike, Holy Savior offers a place to worship, to learn, to serve, and to belong, in a parish that has watched over its corner of Clinton and its mission in Raymond for nearly sixty years and counting.