Gulf Pine Catholic

8 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 20, 2023 We want our young people to be able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion as early as they can. Second grade is the age when most young people can understand that we are receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We also have adults that receive Him for the first time as they come to understand Jesus in His Body and in His Blood. This is one of the treasures of the Church. We really believe that Jesus gave Himself to us personally in His Body and Blood, and that is why we celebrate the Eucharist -- the Mass -- and receive Holy Communion. Q -- What is your favorite Bible verse? -- Adley Jones, fifth grade, St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School, Ocean Springs BK -- My favorite Bible verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Q -- Are there a certain aesthetic elements that all churches are required so have such as, statues, paintings and designs? -- Elizabeth Simpson, ninth grade, Our Lady Academy, Bay St. Louis BK -- Every church has an altar that represents Jesus Christ and the empty tomb. Our altars have a relic of a saint in the altar so that, when we are kissing the altar, we are kissing Jesus Christ, and also the saint who has given us a wonderful exam- ple of the love of Jesus Christ and who we believe is with God in heaven. Churches can be very simple or they can be fairly ornate. Either way, the aes- thetics are meant to draw us to Jesus Christ. Q -- Why do you wear a hat under your hat? -- Amelia Illich, second grade, Nativity BVM Elementary School, Biloxi BK -- The hat under my hat is called a zucchetto and it is a prayer hat. The hat above the zucchetto is called a miter and that is a symbol of my authority as bishop. It is also symbolic of the Word of God being placed on my head. Q -- How many languages do you know? -- Cooper Ferrill, sixth grade, St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School, Long Beach BK -- I speak English and Spanish, and I read Greek, a little bit of Hebrew, and Latin. Q -- I like playing football. It’s my hobby. Do you have any hobbies you like to do in your free time? -- Carter Dwyer, third grade, Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School, Biloxi BK -- I like to fish, and I like to read. When I was younger, I loved to play foot- ball. Q -- What is your favorite liturgical season and why? -- Harper Ladner, fourth grade, Sacred Heart Elementary, D’Iberville BK -- I like Christmas. It is the beginning, the Birth of Jesus. It is a very special time, but Easter and Holy Week are really the most special and important times in the Church. We celebrate Jesus giving His life for us and giving us the Last Supper with His Body and Blood, and we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead on Holy Saturday night/Easter Sunday morning. It is very special for us to celebrate His Resurrection. It is our hope for everybody to be able to share in the Resurrection of Jesus forever. SEE BISHOP’S MESSAGE, PAGE 4 Bishop’s message From page 3 To advertise in the Gulf Pine Catholic, call 228-702-2109 for more information. Visit the Gulf Pine Catholic online at www.biloxidiocese.org