Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • January 21, 2022 2 D iocesan E vents Donations to the Association of Priests The Association of Priests of the Dioceses of Biloxi and Jackson provide a small pension to our retired priests. As you consider your estate plans, please remember these faithful servants by making a donation or leaving a bequest to the Association of Priests. Our parish priests dedicated their lives to caring for us, their flocks. Let us now care for them in their retirement. Donations can be made payable to the Association of Priests and can be mailed to the Diocese of Biloxi, Attn: Tammy DiLorenzo, 1790 Popps Ferry Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532. Pro-Life Crosses KILN -- Annunciation Parish in Kiln has 1,000 well-maintained Pro-Life crosses. If anybody wants any crosses, please contact Annunciation Parish at (228) 255-1800 Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.. The crosses are free. March 27-29 Casting Nets Parish Mission VANCLEAVE -- Casting Nets , a lay apostolate dedicated to the New Evangelization will be at Holy Spirit. The mission will be led in the Church from 6:30-7:30 P.M. each evening. Casting Nets will bring a great deal of inspiration and information in presenta- tions that are humorous and entertaining. Speakers Tony Brandt and Chris Stewart have a combined 34 years of experience in almost every level and form of minis- try, from youth to college and from RCIA to adult formation. The focus of the mission: The Gift, Change yourself, Change the World . Tony and Chris will discuss the three pillars of the spiritual life in the light of theNewEvangelization. You grow your faith by sharing your faith. Prayer, almsgiving, and fasting have a transforming effect on us and on all those we encounter. All are welcome! Rachel’s Vineyard -- An Opportunity to Find True Healing and Forgiveness BY DEACON JOHNNY WILLIAMS, LCSW Every January, we observe the anniversary of Roe v. Wade as an opportunity to remind our brothers and sis- ters of the evils of abortion. We remember the millions of victims and pray for them. But there are other aspects of the abortion issue, other victims that are often overlooked or not recognized. I’m talking about those women who felt they had no other choice than to have had an abortion. Current statistics show that most women are coerced into having an abortion, either by their boyfriends, their parents, their friends, or by someone they don’t even know like a clinic nurse or doctor. Especially when it’s early in the pregnancy, it is much easier to justify having an abortion. “Oh, it’s just a few cells, and you don’t want to ruin your life right now!” Or the woman might hear: “You either get an abortion or you find somewhere else to live!” The choice is never an easy one. And once the woman has had the abortion, she often lives a lifetime of guilt and shame. Men who are fathers of these babies often have no say-so in the matter, and they are devas- tated when they learn their child has been aborted. Some wonder, “Is this a sin that can ever be forgiven?” What can be done to help these people in their guilt and despair? A few years ago, I discovered a healing ministry called Rachel’s Vineyard . It is a ministry that provides healing and forgiveness for women who have had abor- tions, and also for women and men who have suffered from abortion. Rachel’s Vineyard is a three-day retreat facilitated by both laypeople and clergy. The team also includes a mental-health professional to help monitor and guide the participants as they deal with a number of emotions and feelings. The participants of this wonder- ful weekend are able to experience the true healing touch of Jesus. I have been blessed to have attended a weekend as a participant and also to have worked as a team member on a weekend. I can assure you that this experience is a very powerful and life-altering experi- ence, and it is one that I feel called to share with those in need of healing in our own diocese. Bishop Kihneman has given his approval for our diocese to begin holding Rachel’s Vineyard weekends beginning later this year. If you have experienced the pain of abortion or if you know someone who has, please go to biloxidiocese.org/rachel for more informa- tion. All contact information is kept confidential. Don’t keep these emotions and feelings to yourself, and please never doubt that God will forgive you. Our God is a merci- ful and a loving God, and He is waiting for you to come to Him and experience His genuine healing through a Rachel’s Vineyard weekend. S t . T homas A quinas P arish , H attiesburg The statue “The Foot Washer” was sculpted by Sandra Hinton and was blessed by Father Mark Ropel at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Hattiesburg. Sandra is legally blind, and it took her about three years to complete the sculpture. Sandra stated, “Everyone worships differently, and my worshipping in through my hands. Many people have helped me in my journey, and I thank my husband Cecil, fellow SMAA members, Ben Watts and James Hinton to get this miracle through.” Pray for vocations to thepriesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Biloxi by visiting www.invisiblemonastery.com