Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish
870 Howard Avenue
Biloxi, Mississippi  39530

Phone:  228-374-1717
Fax:  228-374-1773
Email:   jhewitt@nativitybvm.org

Cathedral Rector:
Very Reverend Dennis Carver
dcarver@biloxidiocese.org

Parochial Vicar:
Reverend Colten Symmes
coltensymmes@gmail.com

Pastoral Associate:
Sr. Jackie Tarrant, R.S.M.
jtarrant@mercysc.org

Parish Office Manager:
Jackie Hewitt 228-374-1717
jhewitt@nativitybvm.org

Director of Religious Education
Barbara Ziz 228-918-9778
btziz@att.net

R.C.I.A. Coordinators:
Greg & Penny Payne 228-365-6348
pennyapayne@hotmail.com
gregapayne@cableone.net

Minister of Music and Director of Fine Arts:
Terry Maddox 251-406-1454
terrydalemaddox@gmail.com

Directions to Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral
 

VERY REVEREND DENNIS CARVER, RECTOR

I am very blessed to serve the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary community of faith in the role of rector.  It excites me to be part of a Catholic Faith legacy that stems back to 1843 yet continues to strive to provide a faith experience that is relevant to the twenty-first century.  I have the highest respect for the Office of Bishop made sacramentally manifest in his Cathedral Church.  As Tradition teaches us, made manifest in Sacred Scripture, it is the bishop who holds the fullness of the priesthood in which I, the regular priest, share.  Thus, my service as rector outwardly demonstrates my understanding of collaboration and the priestly pledge of obedience made on the day of my ordination.  Being a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I have a familial love for the Cathedral’s parishioners who live so well the multi-cultural sea-side values of South Mississippi.
 
I am a native of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi who grew up in the solid faith of my parents and the community of Our Lady of the Gulf Parish.  My entire education is from Catholic Schools having attended St. Joseph’s Academy, Our Lady of the Gulf Elementary School, St. Stanislaus College, Loyola University, and Notre Dame Seminary.  I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, a Master’s Degree in Divinity, and post-graduate certification in Ignatian based Spiritual Direction.  I was admitted into the St. Stanislaus Hall of Fame in 2015.
 
I was ordained to the priesthood in 1994.  I have pastored Sacred Heart Church in Dedeaux and St. Paul Parish in Pass Christian.  With the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I became the founding pastor of Holy Family Parish which comprised the merged parishes of St. Paul and Our Lady of Lourdes in Pass Christian.  During this time, I served as the co-founding pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Long Beach, Mississippi.  I have assisted our three diocesan bishops in the work of Presbyteral Council membership, Vocations Director, membership on the Bishop’s Board of Consulters, Diocesan School Advisory Board, and Chair of the Priest Personnel Committee.  I have assisted Notre Dame Seminary in Spiritual Direction and I teach several classes for men in formation to the deaconate.
 
I give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of priesthood, delighting in sharing my service to the Lord with others.

REVEREND COLTEN SYMMES, PAROCHIAL VICAR

A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, I am Fr. Colten Symmes. I was born and raised on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi in the beautiful city of Gulfport. I had the privilege of attending Catholic schools throughout my educational journey of elementary and high school: St. James Elementary, St. John High School, and St. Patrick’s Catholic High School. 

Coming up through the Catholic school system, the Catholic faith was always a part of my formation for which I am extremely grateful. My relationship with Jesus Christ was always being enriched and cultivated through sacraments, prayer, and community. Alongside school, I developed a great love for sports. I primarily participated in baseball and soccer, which were my favorites! Music and dancing are other interests of mine as well.

The discovery of my vocation to the priesthood began at a early age when I served on the altar at Mass. I enjoyed serving and wanted to be like the priests. After having a real spiritual awakening at 13 years old during adoration, my faith journey began to flourish. The Eucharist and the Rosary were the foundation of my prayer and spirituality. It was during this time that the idea of priesthood resurfaced and something that never left me from then on. With the encouragement of others and an interior conviction that I might be called to be a priest, I continued to ask the Lord what he wanted me to be. This was constantly in my prayer.

Unsure of what I was going to do upon finishing high school in 2009, I attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, MS. I had a fun and exciting two years there. As I reached the end of my time there, I knew I needed to begin making decisions about the future. A possible priestly vocation was still lingering and so I decided to enter formation as I ended my time at MGCCC and graduated with an Associates Degree. Being accepted by the Diocese of Biloxi, to study and discern as a seminarian, I enrolled into St. Joseph Seminary College (“St. Ben’s”) in the fall of 2011. I studied there for two years, graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy. I continued priestly formation at Notre Dame Seminary where I would study for the next four years. 

On May 7, 2016 I was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Roger Morin. I was assigned to Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi for five months. During my time there, I served in various capacities while also working with Resurrection Catholic High School. After finishing my studies and formation at Notre Dame in May of 2017, I was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 2017—the feast of St. John the Baptist (my patron saint!)—by our new ordinary, Bishop Louis Kihneman.

It is a great joy and pleasure for my first assignment to be able to serve the good people of Biloxi at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I look forward to the many memories I will make here but most importantly to being a spiritual father to those God has entrusted to me. My prayer is that, together, we can grow in faith, forming us to be bold and joyful missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. He must increase, [we] must decrease (John 3:30)!

Fr. Colten's homilies can be heard on his podcast. Click Here to listen!

SISTER MARY JACQUELINE TARRANT, R.S.M., PASTORAL ASSOCIATE

A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Sister Mary Jacqueline Tarrant, R.S.M., was born in Biloxi and grew up just a block south of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  She attended Sacred Heart Academy/High School and upon graduation entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate on September 8, 1959.  Sr. Jackie professed her vows in 1962 and 1967.
 
Sr. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Elementary Administration.  She attained her Certification of Spiritual Direction from Springhill College in Mobile, Alabama.  Putting her vocation, knowledge, and love of God in service to others, Sr. Jackie taught for five years at Holy Name of Jesus, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St. Alphonsus, all located in New Orleans, Louisiana.  From there she spent time teaching at St. Joseph Junior/Senior High in Greenville, Mississippi before returning to Biloxi to teach at her alma mater, Sacred Heart Girls High School.  After a four-year stint in Biloxi, Sr. Jackie spent the next 10 years as an administrator at St. Patrick in Meridian, Mississippi.  She then moved to St. Francis Xavier in Vicksburg, John Carroll in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Immaculate Conception in Laurel before returning to the Coast in 2001. 

Upon her return, Sr. Jackie worked as Campus Minister/Pastoral Associate at St. Paul School/St. Vincent/Holy Family Parish.  She is the Director of the Mercy Associate Program for Mercy Community, and spent many years teaching parish CCD programs and Vacation Bible Schools.  Sr. Jackie has been involved in Faculty Staff retreats, children retreats and adult retreats for the Mercy Associate Program, Mercy Community, and RCIA. 
 
Sr. Jackie came home to Nativity B.V.M. in November 2015 and serves our cathedral parish in a number of capacities.  In a wonderful short story written to the parishioners upon her arrival, Sr. Jackie shared her mission:  “Together we can inspire each other, strengthen our faith, share our values, and bring hope into the lives of those we waken, worship with, and welcome.  This is what Christ impels all of us toward.”

TRACI KESSLER, PRINCIPAL, NATIVITY B.V.M. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Traci Kessler is a Biloxi native and has been a Nativity Cathedral parishioner for many years.  She attended Nativity B.V.M. Elementary School as a child and graduated from Mercy Cross High School.  Traci holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi University for Women, a Master’s degree in Mild/Moderate Disabilities from William Carey College, and a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Traci began her career in Columbus, Mississippi where she taught 3^rd and 5^th graders.  She then moved back home to Biloxi where she worked for Biloxi Schools for thirteen years as a 3^rd grade teacher and an Academic Strategist.

In 2011, Traci married Michael Kessler, also a Biloxi native.  Being married to an active-duty U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, Traci had the opportunity to live in San Diego, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads Virginia.  She was blessed to be able to return to Catholic education in 2013 when she worked as a Kindergarten and then resource teacher at All Saints Catholic School, in Manassas, Virginia.  Upon Michael’s retirement in 2016, Traci and her husband returned to Biloxi.

Traci is an active member of Nativity Cathedral parish. Currently, she is an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.  In the past, Traci volunteered at the rectory and was a substitute CCD teacher. She was an active volunteer at Naval Services FamilyLine in Washington, D.C. and Merit Health Hospital in Biloxi.  Traci is honored and blessed to be able to continue her career where her education began.
 
GREG & PENNY PAYNE, R.C.I.A. COORDINATORS


Greg and Penny Payne are residents of Biloxi and have been lifetime residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.   A program specialist at Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District, Greg is currently the State Director for the Mississippi Council of SHRM.  He is also on the Advisory Board for the Junior Leadership Program of Harrison County.  A nationally certified paralegal, Penny works for Walter Dukes of Dukes, Dukes, Keating & Faneca, P.A.  She is a graduate of the New Wine program and a former CCD teacher.




As converts, both Greg and Penny found a love for the RCIA Program.  They are currently the RCIA Coordinators for Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish.  They also serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, members of the Liturgical and Spiritual Life Committee, and are Ministers of the Sick.  

Greg and Penny are volunteers for the Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Non-Violence, the Harrison County Youth Court Children’s Shelter, and are very involved with local political endeavors, as well as other civic and professional organizations.

TERRY MADDOX, M.M., MINISTER OF MUSIC & DIRECTOR OF FINE ARTS

A native of Indiana, Terry received his Bachelor of Science in Music and Religion with an emphasis in organ performance from the University of Evansville.  He also attended Harlaxton College of Grantham, England.  Mr. Maddox received a full fellowship and assistantship from Loyola University of New Orleans, Louisiana, where he earned a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting.  He is married to Rebecca Rasmussen Maddox, a former politician, a singer, jeweler, and artist.  

During a span of twelve years of his career, Mr. Maddox served as an educator for three private Christian school systems in the position of Director of Fine and Performing Arts.  He has directed the Honor Chorus for youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lower Alabama with his wife, Rebecca, for nine years.  For the past fifteen years, Mr. Maddox served as an Adjunct Professor of Spring Hill College’s Choral and Music Education programs, and conducts studio education programs of music instruction.  In the spring of 2007 and again in March of 2009, Mr. Maddox prepared and led a large choral group to Carnegie Hall.  The 2007 program was a presentation of Faure’s Requiem Mass.  In 2009, with nearly 100 area residents performing or sharing in the experience, Mr. Maddox conducted John Rutter’s Requiem Mass which was performed as the featured evening program in a near capacity Isaac Stern Auditorium.  
Mr. Maddox has led several “Choir Trips with Friends” to Europe, visiting and singing in Italy, Austria, France, and the Czech Republic.  During Mr. Maddox’s career he has had the privilege and opportunity to work with regional and national artists, including Marcia Ball, Kermit Ruffins, Jeremy Davenport, Teresa Anderson, John Boutte, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Dr. Michael White, Paul Schaefer of NBC’s David Letterman Show, the Walter Wolfman Washington Trio, and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band of New Orleans, LA.  In May 2017, Terry joined the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Minister of Music and Director of Fine Arts.

BARBARA ZIZ, DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Barbara Ziz is a Biloxi native.  She and her husband, George, have been parishioners of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral Parish  for many years. They are the proud parents of three grown children and ten grandchildren. Barbara retired from Biloxi Schools after teaching for 25 years. She then dedicated her skills to Nativity B.V.M. Elementary, from which she is also now retired. At the present time, Barbara instructs part time in the Library and Computer Lab at Sacred Heart Elementary in D'iberville. 

Barbara is a member of Mercy Associates and a board member for Mercy Housing. As a member of St. Vincent DePaul, she ministers to the sick at Merit Health. At Nativity B.V.M., she serves as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Barbara has served on the Parish Council, the Parish Life Committee, and Education Committee. She taught CCD for many years. Barbara volunteers with Loaves and Fishes as well as Martha's Meals, delivering food to the  homebound.

JACKIE HEWITT, OFFICE MANAGER

I was born and raised in the small town of Bassfield, Mississippi.  My family attended St. Peter’s Catholic Church throughout my childhood.  I was married to Arthur Hewitt (d.) and lived in Hattiesburg, Mississippi for over 20 years.  We had three wonderful children together and one adorable granddaughter.  In 2005, my husband was offered a wonderful job here on the Coast, helping the poor and under-privileged people with legal assistance.  I worked with the Biloxi Public School District for five years until my daughter was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  She lived with me for the next year and I was blessed to be able to stay home and care for her during her last year on earth.  I became secretary/office manager at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral in June of 2014. It has been an honor and blessing to work with such devoted and giving people.