Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • April 14, 2023 14 DEFY DEATH by voting against assisted suicide and euthanasia and by helping others to understand the inherent evil of these acts. Support initiatives and policies in favor of increased compensation, benefits and incentives for aging services professionals. Support immigration reform to make it easier for qualified caregivers to enter the workforce in our country. Support reform of restrictive long-term care regulations and inadequate financing. Two years ago Pope Francis instituted a day honoring grandparents and the elder- ly to be celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of July. It is my dream that this day will evolve to the point where the streets of our major cities are filled with families and people of all ages joyfully celebrating the covenant between generations. Sister Constance Veit is the communications director for the Little Sisters of the Poor in the United States and an occupational therapist. Sister Constance From page 10 In conclusion, the revelation of Divine Mercy to Sis- ter Faustina Kowalska is a powerful testament to the unending love and compassion of God for all people. Through her experiences, Sister Faustina was able to share the message of God’s mercy with the world, and her legacy lives on through the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday in the Catholic Church. This day serves as a reminder to all of us that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, his mercy is always available to us if we seek it with a contrite heart. Father Adam Urbaniak is pastor of Our Lady of Vic- tories Parish and Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Biloxi. Mystery of the Eucharist From page 8 Thomas did not believe them. He said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25b). This moment of doubt can touch our spiritual lives as well. How often do we find ourselves in this moment? A week later, Jesus, the Divine Mercy, appeared to Thomas and the other disciples. “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe’” (John 20:27). Jesus says the same to us when we are living in moments of doubt. As priests, we have many special moments of sharing our Lord’s Divine Mercy when we share the Sacraments. One of those special moments is when we are called to anoint someone who is seriously ill. I remember a particular woman I visited a few years ago. She was 91 years old and was in the hospital on a respirator. She was struggling. It was a blessing to be there for her as a priest to give her absolution and the Anointing of the Sick, to pray for her that her spirit, her mind and emotions, and her body to be at peace. It was a powerful experience. It was a Divine Mercy moment, a moment for me and her to touch the wounds of Jesus Christ. The same thing can happen for each of us. If we have someone in our family who is seriously ill or hurting or if there is something going on in our own hearts, it is a moment to touch the wounds of Jesus and let His Divine Mercy bring healing and peace to us. It is a moment of Thomas. It is a moment in which we are called to say to God, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) as we touch the wounds of our Lord, Jesus Crucified and Risen from the Dead. Peace be with you! “Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless, and the treasure of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.” -- Closing Prayer, Divine Mercy Chaplet -- St. Faustina’s Diary (950) For resources on how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Di vine Mercy Novena, check at your parish, or you can visit www.thedivinemercy.org. SEE BISHOP’S MESSAGE IN SPANISH, PAGE 4 Bishop’s Message From page 3 Pope tells priests: Be agents of harmony, not division VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Priests “anointed” by the Holy Spirit should be authentic agents of harmony rather than “instruments of division,” Pope Francis said. Celebrating the chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica April 6, the pope addressed his homily to about 1,800 concelebrating priests in the basilica on what he called “the birthday of the priesthood,” the institution of the Eucharist that is celebrated on Holy Thursday. Building harmony is not only a way of improving the church or being polite, but “an intrinsic demand of the life of the Spirit, Pope Francis told them. “If others see in us people who are dissatisfied and discontented, who criticize and point fingers, where else will they find harmony?” asked the pope. “How many people fail to approach us, or keep at a distance, because in the church they feel unwelcomed and unloved, regarded with suspicion and judged? In God’s name, let us be welcoming and forgiving, always,” he said. Visit the Gulf Pine Catholic online at www.biloxidiocese.org