Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • March 9, 2018 7 Let Us Host Your Parties! Restaurant of the Year AwardedbyOceanSpringsChamber Chef & Owner Sam Sabagh reminds you, “Bring your favorite bottle of wine to dinner!” 1223 Government Street, Ocean Springs (228) 875-0603 GREEK & LEBANESE CUISINE 5-Course Phoenicia Gourmet Specials $24.95 (after 4 p.m.) pita w/hummus, choice of salad or cup of our signature lentil soup, entree & dessert Wednesday Family Nite Special Chicken Sharwarma..... $9.95 “Come experience a little Heaven on Earth with sacramental gifts beyond expectations that will stir your soul.” “When You Care Enough To Give The Very Best” Bella Grace Gifts Courthouse Plaza, 516-D Courthouse Rd., Gulfport, MS 39507 228-864-9061 COMMUNION - INCREDIBLE SELECTION Jewelry - Designer Bibles, Books Crucifixes Easter Basket Gifts NEW - PROFOUNDLY BEAUTIFUL CHRISTENING Gifts - Accessories LARGEST SELECTION OF CATHOLIC GIFTS AVAILABLE ON THE COAST Gifts for BAPTISM, RECONCILIATION, FIRST COMMUNION, CONFIRMATION, HOLY ORDERS, MATRIMONY and RCIA Serving the Community within the Diocese of Biloxi with Dignity & Respect. There is a Difference... Riemann Service A Riemann Family Company Phone: 228-539-9800 www.RiemannFamily.com Thank you, Jesus, Mary, St. Jude and St. Anthony, for prayers answered. CS Prayers answered. MAL THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St. Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glorias. Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been known to fail. I have had my request granted. Publication promised. LCL Guest Columnist From page 6 What happens next is well known. Two disheveled, dusty, bloodied men leap at each other and lock in what seems an endless embrace. Neither speak, for they are both mad with joy. After an eternal moment, after the tears and the groans begin to ebb, the thin bald man speaks attempting to voice his contrition. But the father asks no questions. He has no recriminations. He does not chastise. He does not shout in anger. He does not remember the initial offence, nor the public shame in- curred, nor his long anguish, nor his endless vigils. He has forgiven. And forgiveness fills him with joy. 4) Father is a metaphor for trust. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Psalm 31:6, Luke 23:46) Trust is a secular word. Faith is a religious one. They are synonyms in that both express confidence in something unseen, not yet realized or made visible. I trust my father will take care of me. I abandon myself without fear, doubt or hesitation into my father’s care. The son of the good father trusted in the constancy of his father’s love. He knew that his offences could never shake the love of his father. Thus he undertook the long return trip. He began with no provisions, and with just the clothes he was wearing. His employers gave him nothing. His only hope was that his father’s prayers for him would be heard, and that God in heaven would provide for his needs. The return journey was fraught with the temptation to stop. The thought came to him that he was beyond redemption; he thought of himself as worthless. Why would his father want to see him again? There were many watering holes full of people who had aban- doned similar journeys, and were wasting away their lives stuck in vicious circles of search and disappoint- ment. Some sought beauty, some wealth, some popu- larity, some oblivion in forgetfulness and despair. But faith kept the son going. He was sure that his fa- ther would, at least, receive him as a servant. As the journey went on, he began to remember his father in a different light. He now saw him as gentle, kind, patient, forgiving, caring in his discipline and apparent sever- ity. He re-evaluated the father’s frequent correction as evidence of his love. He now saw that the father was training him to be a man of character and good values. He began to meditate on his life. He now saw the sense- lessness of his rebellions, and he painfully recollected his offences. Suffering was making him grow up. He saw with deep regret the pain he had caused his father. And at the end of the journey the son realized that he was right about his father, and that his trust in his father had not been misplaced. Deacon Ed Ramos is assigned to Most Holy Trinity Parish, Pass Christian. This is Part 2 of a three-part series. Ponder the questions: What have I done to deserve so strong a love from so perfect a God? How can I best respond to God’s love? How do I react when God tries to get closer and befriend me? Have I stepped out of sin’s darkness and into the light of God’s grace by celebrating sacramental recon- ciliation? Will I continually adjust and correct my thoughts, words and actions to serve God more faithfully? What love- steps can I tangibly apply to those around me? How can I dedicate my life to Jesus more than I ever have before? Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his website: www. homilypearls.com. Sunday Scripture Commentaries From page 5