In common with many other rural parishes in the West of Ireland, Mayo Abbey had a long tradition of providing men and women for the religious life. Many generations of priests, brothers and sisters from the parish have preached the Gospel in Ireland and in the missionary fields of England, The Continent, Africa, Asia and The Americas.
1994 marked the golden jubilee of the ordination of one such man, Fr. James G. Brett, of Shinganagh. Fr. Brett has spent his life on the American Mission, in Mississippi. We reprint part of an article written by the Editor of "The Vicksburg Sunday Post", which was published in "The Western People" and "The Connacht Telegraph" six years ago.
Father James Brett had a flair for writing when he was a schoolboy in his native Ireland. When he came to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in June 1945, he made a hobby of composing short essays that touched the heartstrings. He wrote under the pen name of "Rusticus", which in Latin means "a lad of rural origin".
His work caught the eye of the late P. P. Cashman Snr., then editor of the Vicksburg Evening Post who persuaded him to write a column for the newspaper. For several years, "Rusticus" was a popular item in the Post. His copy was handwritten, letters immaculately drawn. Older printers would marvel at his manuscripts. "Studying Greek, I found their Alphabet very beautiful. Their delicate letters influenced my hand-writing" he said. After an interval at St. Paul, his priestly mission took him from Vicksburg to Greenville, Oxford, Shelby,and other towns. Four years were spent in his native Ireland, after which he returned to St. Paul's.
James Brett grew up in Mayo Abbey, on the West coast of Ireland, where his father farmed. He was one of eight sons, there were 11 in the household. They grew such crops as oats, hay and potatoes, raised cattle and sheep. "The idea of joining the priesthood developed gradually," he said. "It was probably always in my mind, but in the beginning it would be vague. I entered the seminary when I was 19." For 22 years he never visited home. Now he returns every year.
A large man, Father Brett would lean back in his chair as he talked, clasp his hands in prayerful gesture. He would chuckle at happy memories, grieve over unpleasant revelations. He spoke softly in distinct Irish brogue that friends have likened to "the voice of God." He had come to America in an Allied convoy during World War II. The ships used evasive action to escape German submarines, landing at Montreal, Canada, instead of New York as scheduled. He came to Vicksburg by train. "It was June, and there was snow on the mountains in Canada. I was astonished at the size of the farms in the United States, particularly the Mississippi Delta. My father's place in Ireland had about 90 acres". Monsignor D. J. O'Beirne met him at the railway station when he arrived almost 45 years ago. Every year, a young priest would arrive from Ireland and would be extended a special welcome. "Three- fourths of young priests in Mississippi were from Ireland when I arrived. The country is more prosperous now, there are barely enough to fill the needs of the Church in Ireland," he said, lamenting the decline of young men and women entering religious life, particularly among the Irish-born.
Written by Charles Faulk, Associate Editor, Vicksburg Sunday Post (1994)
On front row left to right: Unidentified, Marlene Wilson Caston, Mytle Loviza Curro Alvarado and Theresa Martin Kitowski. 
Top Row: Sister Mary Assumpta and Sister Mary Rita
Here we are (I'm here somewhere) in the SFXA high school library back in the fifties. This picture is in the hallway at our old school which is now the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. (Click on picture to enlarge)
Pictured above is Sister Mary Callista Reddoch, (Principal), Monsignor O'Beirne and Sister Mary Romuald Burns checking out the schools new intercom system. 
After the tornado hit Vicksburg on December 5, 1953, it had destroyed St. Paul's Catholic Church and Mass was held inside our school auditorium until a new church was built.
Ina looking through some boxes to find material for our 50th class reunion.
A mannequin dressed up in a Sister of Mercy habit in our old 7 & 8th grade classroon where all the old photos, etc., are being held.
Looking out towards Cherry Street - Playground was on the left.
My husband, Bob, worked for Anderson-Tully Company (ATCO), a lumber company, as Director of Labor Relations, coming to Vicksburg in 1980 from Champaign, IL. He worked with them until he went on disability retirement in 1994.
Auditorium door to the right and looking out towards Crawford Street entrance.
Writings on the wall made by donors to the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation in the tunnels.
Ina standing on the upper court looking at the children playing hide and seek. Notice the grass and trees now that have been planted.
The incinerated is crumbling.
A handicapped ramp has been constructed for those who can't take the steps.
About two weeks ago Ina Lott Whittington (Class of 1959) and I went to our Alma Mater (SFXA), now the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, to look for some material/pictures for our "50" Class Reunion. While there I took some digital pictures around the school yard. Here we are on the lower court by the O'Beirne Gym. The corner classroom seen used to be the first grade and is now used for ballroom dancing. Jim Frechette comes twice a month to teach classes. He is a professional dancer and has a studio called, Applause Dance Factory in Jackson, MS. I attend these classes every once in awhile. Going back to the old school really brings on a flood of good and happy memories of days gone by.
Left to right, Monsignor M. J. McCarthy, Monsignor Hannon, Unidentified, Bishop R. O. Gerow, Unidentified, Bishop Joseph B. Briene, Monsignor Josiah G. Chatham and Monsignor Quinn.
Picture was taken April 1948 at St. Paul's Catholic Church. 
(Click on pictue to enlarge)
Left to right - William "Bill" Marion Adams, Jr., John Richard Baker, Paul Booth, Edward Franklin Crevitt (Deceased), Ivan Hamilton Cunningham and Phillip Logue Doiron (Deceased).
Left to right - Louis "Sonny" Harry Logue, Alexander Birchett Mackey (Deceased), Loren "Larry" Laurence Miller (Deceased), Mickey Albert Sullivan, Gordon Campbell Sutton, Jr., and Roy Vernon Turcotte (Deceased).
The courtyard at St. Francis Xavier Academy is abuzz with students in uniforms. Not sure when this picture was taken. It looks like our 2nd grade teacher, Miss Frances Herbert, standing with her students to the right.
(Click to enlarge) 
