Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • November 29, 2019 8 Prominent Catholic theologian Dr. Scott Hahn speaks at St. Thomas Aquinas in Hattiesburg Colleen Weis gets a book signed by renowned Catholic theologian and author Scott Hahn Friday, Nov. 7 at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Hattiesburg. Photo/David Tisdale BY DAVID TISDALE HATTIESBURG -- Dr. Scott Hahn, an internationally renowned thought leader on topics involving the Catholic faith and biblical scripture, visited Saint Thomas Aquinas Church Nov. 7-8 to give a series of talks on a variety of topics related to biblical scripture and Catholicism. A best-selling author and frequent guest on Eternal Word Television Network ( EWTN ) programming, he is a convert from the Presbyterian Church who joined the Catholic faith in 1986. His presenta- tions at Saint Thomas Aquinas included “Marriage and the Eucharist” on Friday evening, Nov. 7, followed on Saturday morning, Nov. 8, by “Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession” ; a Saint Paul Center-sponsored presentation, and then “St. Joseph and the Holy Family,” followed by concluding remarks. A highly sought speaker, Hahn has been a member of the faculty at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Pennsylvania, since 1990, where he was awarded the Father Michael Scanlan, T.O.R., Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization, He is also founder and president of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Many of his lectures can be heard through Lighthouse Catholic Media . Copies of many of Hahn’s books were also available for sale throughout the weekend at Saint Thomas Aquinas, with Hahn remaining to sign copies following his talks. “It’s so cool to be here at Saint Thomas [Aquinas} Church,” Hahn said at his Nov. 7 presentation. “He’s my favorite [saint]. You have a great patron.” Hahn talked of his passion for the Catholic faith, the scripture, how it gives Catholics a roadmap for our walk with God, and how we can use it to not only enrich our own lives as Christians, but bear witness through our daily thoughts and actions so that others may be inspired to join us in the same walk. He reflected on his conversion, but also noted, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that the second largest faith group in the U.S. after Catholics are “non- practicing Catholics,” and expressed hope that those in his audience would see these fellow members of the faith who had fall- en away as individuals who can immedi- ately benefit from our own outward expression of our love for God. “Your example [as believers] is the new evangelism,” Hahn said in encourag- ing his audience to embody the word in their daily lives. “We need to renew a covenant [in our faith] that is life-giving.” “God loves us madly,” he continued, “giving us lots of ‘loves’ to open ourselves to Him,” and, later, in further exhorting Catholics to reclaim their belief system, said “we need to allow this faith to take hold of us, for us to live this faith. We need to go to God to renew us.” Saint Thomas Aquinas pastor Father Mark Ropel, a former student of Hahn’s, said his college mentor is “Intense and passionate” about his work and the Catholic faith. “It’s nice to hear from someone like Scott Hahn who can get you pointed in the right direction,” Ropel said. “I was so blessed by the three talks given by Scott Hahn,” said Anne Kathryn DeViney. “He is such a gifted speaker and helps bring such clarity to deep issues. His talk on the healing power of reconciliation was especially powerful and meaningful to me, and brought me to tears several times. I left feeling so renewed and so grateful for our Holy Faith.” Bishop Kihneman visits St. Alphonsus School in Ocean Springs Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III recently visited St. Alphonsus School in Ocean Springs. At left. from l-r, Bishop Kihneman, St. Alphonsus pastor Father Mike Snyder and St. Alphonsus principal Deacon David Allen are pictured during Mass. Center, fifth graders perform in concert for Bishop Kihneman. Right, Bishop Kihneman says to the little ones, “Love your neighbor; Who is your neighbor?” Photos/Juliana Skelton