Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • December 27, 2019 15 Parishioners from St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in White Cypress recent- ly traveled to the Eternal Word Television Network in Irondale, AL, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, AL, and to St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, AL. Parishioners who participated in this spiritual pil- grimage were Pam Blais, Joyce Cantrell, Darnell Cuevas, Elbert Cuevas, Karen Hebert, Deacon Richard Kren (from Atlanta), Mary Jane Lizana, Allison Martin, Merle Martin, Jackie Necaise, John Necaise, Sherman Necaise, Daleen Neal, and Sheron Randall. The group began their journey by attending Mass at St. Matthew and then traveled to Irondale for a tour of the Eternal Word Television Network . The tour included an introductory video on the history of Mother Angelica’s found- ing of the world’s largest Catholic television network, world’s largest Catholic radio station, and the largest Shrine for the Blessed Sacrament in the United States. They were able to see the sets where programming originates, view the technology involved in the produc- tion of worldwide Catholic programming, and actually visit Mother Angelica’s office where her many plans were created. Following the tour, the group participated St. Matthew the Apostle parishioners make pilgrimage to EWTN , St. Bernard Abbey in Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary in the Chapel that is used for daily Mass viewed on the EWTN Network . The group then journeyed to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. Accommodations were made at guest houses located just outside of the shrine. Our meals during the day were prepared by a Seven Winds Catering Service on the Monastery site in the St. Raphael Dining Hall; evening meals were at local restaurants and were filled with much laughter and socializa- tion. Karen Hebert, group pilgrim, stated “It was my first time visiting the Shrine which is such a beautiful, peaceful place for spiritual renewal and prayer. I had heard how special it was; yet, experienc- ing it exceeded my expectations. I will be going back.” The final stop was at St. Bernard Benedictine Abbey located in Cullman, AL. The group especially enjoyed the Ave Maria Grotto that was constructed by Brother Joseph Zoettl in the early 1930’s. The four-acre Grotto was created using recycled materials. A pilgrimage provides an opportuni- ty to get away and spend some uninter- rupted time with Jesus; time which our daily lives do not always allow. If any parish is inter- ested in making this spiritual journey, please contact Darnell Cuevas on Facebook for assistance. Pilgrim Sheron Randall summarized her experi- ence: “I think we all played a special role in our trip; and I thank Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for our retreat.” Women’s Cursillo #283 Twenty-two women became the most recent Cursillistas as they completed Women’s Cursillo #283 December 5-8 at the Sacred Heart, Dedeaux Retreat Center, which was sponsored by the Catholic Cursillo Movement of South Mississippi. The women were: Annette Agregaard, Our Mother of Sorrows, Biloxi; Paula Bennett, St. Joseph, Gluckstadt; Maribeth Blackledge, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hattiesburg; Mary Beth Buchanan, Holy Trinity, Columbia; Donna Burrowes, St. James, Gulfport; Lou Bush, Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi; Gina Cazaubon, St. Elizabeth Seton, Ocean Springs; Sharon Galle, St. Elizabeth Seton, Ocean Springs; Linda Jensen, St. Elizabeth Seton, Ocean Springs; Gayle Jones, Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Louis; Ann Killian, Las Vegas, NV; Angela Ladner, Sacred Heart, Dedeaux; Malia Lewis, Hattiesburg; MelissaMichelli, St. John, Gulfport; Marie Pendergrass, Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi; Mary Phillips, Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi; Gayle Price, St. Joseph, Gluckstadt; Caroline Sahaw, St. Thomas, Long Beach; Susan Skrmetta, Blessed Seelos, Biloxi; Sarah Venable, St. Fabian, Hattiesburg; Catlyn Von Lubbe, Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi; and Peggy Wingfield, Mary Queen of Peace, Mandeville. Spiritual advisors were Fr. Mark Ropel, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hattiesburg, and Deacon M.J. Landry, Blessed Seelos and Our Mother of Sorrows, Biloxi. Team members were: Karly Richardson, Rectora, St. Mary, Gautier; Deborah Frederic, Co-Rectora, Sacred Heart, Pascagoula; Martha Abadie, St. Thomas, Hattiesburg; Suzie Bui, Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi; Shelia Burgett, St. Joseph, Moss Point; Gaye Easter, St. Elizabeth Seton, Ocean Springs; Lauren Fairey, St. Clare, Waveland; Sharon Gentile, Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi; Michelle Gibbs, St. Thomas, Hattiesburg; Rosi Healy, St. John the Evangelist, Gulfport; Nancy Letort, St. Alphonsus, Ocean Springs; Vu Mullins, Sacred Heart, D’Iberville; Donna Rivers, Our Lady of Victories, Pascagoula; and Becky Sparkman, St. Mary, Gautier. The next Men’s Cursillo will be January 23-26, 2020, which will be held at the Retreat Center at Sacred Heart, Dedeaux. The Rector and Co-Rector will be announced soon, and spiritual advi- sors will be Fr. Jacob Matthew Smith, St. Clare, Waveland; and Deacon Robert Illanne, St. Mary, Gautier. The next Women’s Cursillo will be Feb. 27-March 1 at the Retreat Center at Sacred Heart, Dedeaux. The Rectora and the Co-Rectora will be announced soon, and spiritual advisors will be Fr. Braxton Necaise, Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Louis; and Deacon Mike Butler, St. Elizabeth Seton, Ocean Springs. SEE CURSILLO #283, PAGE 19