Gulf Pine Catholic

14 Gulf Pine Catholic • September 17, 2021 International Seamen Center Collection: Sept. 18-19 Please give generously in your parish collection, or mail donations to: International Seamen Center Collection c/o Diocese of Biloxi, 1790 Popps Ferry Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532 • For over 70 years, the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) has been the Catholic Church’s response to the spiritual needs of the seafarer, who does not otherwise fit in the traditional structures of Catholic ministry. • Seafarers bring 95% of all the goods used and consumed in the U.S. But these seafarers often suffer loneliness, exploitation and spiritual deprivation in the process. On behalf of the United States’ Catholic community, AOS port chaplains and ship visitors welcome seafarers to our shores, provide for their practical and pastoral care and enable Catholic seafarers to receive the sacraments. • The Apostleship of the Sea ministry reaches out, in the name of Christ, to seafarers from all countries without regard to religion or race, offering them the welcoming and consoling message of Christ. • Pre-Katrina, the Port of Gulfport ranked among one of the busiest ports on the Gulf Coast, and as part of the ministry to seafarers, the Seamen’s Center provided a home-away-from-home for thousands of seafarers whose ships visited the port each year. The center offered a place for the seafarers to post letters, place overseas phone calls to their families, play ping-pong, read in the library area, or watch television. Of course, all of that was destroyed in the hurricane. Currently, the Diocese of Biloxi’s AOS chaplain, Deacon Dick Henderson, visits seafarers onboard ships to celebrate a Communion Service when a priest is unavailable to celebrate a Mass onboard. • The Diocese of Biloxi, along with representatives of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, and United Methodist churches, supports the ministry by providing volunteer chaplains and lay people to visit ships entering the Port of Gulfport and to offer local transportation for seafarers to replenish their personal supplies at local retailers. S acred H eart C atholic S chool , D’I berville Students at Sacred Heart in D’Iberville celebrated Mary’s birthday for September 8’s Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Students had cupcakes, honored Mary with handmade flowers, and did several crafts and activities with a Mary-theme. Left, Pre-K 4 student Allie Ochs tries to crown Mary in Pin the Crown on Mary. Right, Kindergartner Rebekah Hitt colors her Miraculous Medal. LA Housing Ministry From page 2 While all residents were encouraged to evacuate, Christopher Homes said, some residents chose to stay or “did not have the means” to evacuate without the help that usually accompanies a mandatory evacuation. “Christopher Homes staff prepared and followed the city’s directives to shelter in place with the resources available,” the organization said. It also noted that the buildings had generators. The residents who were evacuated have been taken to state-provided shelters until power is restored to the facilities and the homes are inspected for safety. While the death toll of Ida is still being calculat- ed, Louisiana has said the deaths of least a dozen people in senior housing or nursing homes have been attributed to Ida; some have lacked the electricity to operate some of the equipment they need to survive, such as oxygen tanks. Hundreds of thousands are still without electricity. Prayer for Protection against Storms and Hurricanes Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.