Gulf Pine Catholic

20 Gulf Pine Catholic • October 4, 2019 Cathedral honors first responders during annual Blue Mass Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III was principal celebrant and hom- ilist for Nativity BVM Cathedral’s annual Blue Mass on Sept. 22. The annual Mass honors first responders from throughout the local communities. In his homily, which focused on the theme of “stewardship,” Bishop Kihneman alluded to his late grandfather, L.F. Kihneman, who served as fire chief of Morgan City, Louisiana, where there is a fire station named after him, and later for the entire state of Louisiana. “This summer we took some of my great nieces and nephews to the fire station and the young guys were just wonderful with them,” Bishop Kihneman said. “They brought out the plastic fire hats and let them get into the fire truck, let them turn on the lights, let them turn on the horn. They were just super excited. It really became a moment when my great-nieces and nephews realized that these men were in service, as you are as first responders. “That’s part of our stewardship. Who are we serving in our own lives? Who are we giving our lives for? Christ, of course, is number one. Beyond him, who is it that we give our lives for? That’s really what you who are dressed in blue have said. You give your lives to the community in faith, hope and love in faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ. We pray for all of you but we also pray for us that we may know that we are stewards called by Jesus Christ to love in deep stewardship in faith hope and love for each and every one of us.” Bishop Kihneman is pictured with first responders after the annual Blue Mass Sept. 22 at Nativity BVM Cathedral. Also pictured with the bishop are, front, l-r, Deacon Johnny Williams, Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gillich and Deacon John Jennings, who is retired from the Biloxi Fire Department. PRAYER FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS God of all, we pray for those who respond at the first call, For those who rush toward danger, bringing hope and comfort; For those who serve, protect and guide others to safety. Keep them in Your care and safely protect them as they follow Your command to love their neighbors. Amen (Printed with permission of Columban Fathers – Mission Society of St. Columban)

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzEwNTM=