Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • June 26, 2020 15 D iocesan E vents Bishop Dorsonville, who chairs the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, high- lighted that immigrants are on the front line fighting the pandemic despite the impact on them and their fami- lies. “Our ‘Dreamers,’ TPS people, people who have been working, are being the shining stars of this pan- demic,” the bishop said. “They are the front liners. We see them working in hospitals, on farms, in factories. They are bringing the good news of being faithful citi- zens.” “Dreamers” are the young people who were brought as children into the country illegally by their parents and are of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. “TPS” stands for Temporary Protected Status, a temporary immigration status pro- vided to nationals of specifically designated countries that are confronting an ongoing armed conflict, envi- ronmental disaster, or other extraordinary but tempo- rary conditions The pandemic is disproportionately affecting Latino communities, but the disparities began long before the epidemic struck, said Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, execu- tive director and co-founder of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership in Chicago. “The conversation has to begin before COVID. We live in a society that has been ravaged by racism and vast economic disparities for generations,” said Okinczyc-Cruz. He explained that poverty, income inequalities, haz- ardous working conditions, overcrowded housing con- ditions, environmental degradation and health care disparities have put Latino and black communities at a higher risk of contracting and dying of COVID-19. “We have millions of immigrants who contribute so much to this country and who were completely left out of the stimulus package when we gave over half a tril- lion dollars to corporations that in many respects still laid out their workers,” stressed Okinczyc-Cruz. Freelance writer Olga Segura stressed the impor- tance of creating spaces for dialogue about race in com- munities and among families and friends, even if at first it makes everyone feel uncomfortable. “It’s OK to sit in that discomfort; it’s OK to sit with your community and have those conversations, because that’s the number one way that we’re going to move forward,” Segura said. Those wishing to get involved can help support communities impacted by the pandemic and those working on anti-racism efforts by giving monetary donations to organizations working toward those causes, Segura added. Like Guerrero, Segura also has helped relatives who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. And parishes across the country are doing a great job trying to help families that are affected, reported Bishop Dorsonville. Speaking from his experience at the Archdiocese of Washington, he said that parishio- ners have been incredibly supportive in providing food and assistance to those in dire need. “The point is also to see that we do this because we’re inspired by faith,” the prelate said. Montenegro Flynn writes for the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington. Latinos Assistance Forum From page 13 Upcoming Online Bible Studies JULY The Biblical Walk through the Mass (Dr Edward Sri Ascension Press) Time: Thurs July 9-July 30 Location: online ZOOM meeting room (may be accessed by phone (audio only) or PC (video/audio) Registration: 1. Go to ascensionpress.com 2. Purchase A Biblical Walk through Mass study guide and book ($12.95+s/h) 3. Register for the study group (must do this to receive the ZOOM meeting access code and additional information) REGISTRATION CODE: FQA3C8 For more info, contact wanda.biblestudies@gmail. com or text (228) 355-0156. AUGUST Book of Revelation (Jeff Cavins Ascension Press) Time: Thurs Aug.13-Oct 10 Location: online ZOOM meeting room (may be accessed by phone (audio only) or PC (video/audio) Registration: 1. Go to ascensionpress.com 2. Purchase Book of Revelations study guide ($26.95+s/h) 3. Register for the study group (must do this to receive the ZOOM meeting access code and additional information) REGISTRATION CODE: 2R3RUY For more info, contact wanda.biblestudies@gmail. com or text (228) 355-0156.. August 2 St. Michael $10,000 Giveaway Drawing BILOXI -- St. Michael $10,000 Giveaway Drawing date postponed to Aug 2 after our 10 a.m. Mass. Thank you to everyone who has purchased tickets. If anyone needs tickets please call St Michael Parish Office (228) 435-5578. Living large From page 12 SEE LIVING LARGE, PAGE 15 How can we take such warnings lightly? Jesus is not speaking in parables here. We are responsible to God for how our children and society are formed through our actions and inactions. I believe that God is at work in this chaos. I feel certain good will be the result of this suffering, however, the 24-hour news coverage of violence and disrespect continues to confuse me. In an effort to quell my confusion, I have worked hard to obtain information from a variety of sources. It is far too easy to get comfortable in our own opinions and inclinations. It is also too easy to stay quiet. I would like to see our diocesan priests make more direct appeals to the faithful in our pews. Your leadership is needed. Talk about love, talk about kindness, about compassion and patience and the variety and commonalities among the laity. We need to hear more from our local leaders during these controversial times. If we truly are a family, then these challenges will plant seeds enabling us to recognize the needs of others in our communities. These challenges won’t drive us apart, they will draw us together. I am planning to attend Mass at a predominantly black parish because I want my family to absorb the experience. I get tired of everything around me being so predictable and familiar and comfortable. Nothing will ever change if our children never experience the beauty found in the different cultures of our world. They need to try new things and make new friends. In my next column I want to discuss the phrase “white privilege.” It is a phrase that makes many people squirm because it evokes so many emotions. I really want our world to change so I am going to take the first step. Will you join me? LIVE MAS!! Michele Pisciotta is a retired obstetrician and gynecologist who heads up the Diocese of Biloxi’s Pro- Life Ministry and Natural Family Planning education initiative. She can be contacted at gulfpinecatholic@ biloxidiocese.org .