Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • April 14, 2023 9 Obituary Sister Bernadette McNamara, SHSp, died peaceful- ly at her home, the Convent of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate, on March 28. Born on May 2, 1934, on Achill Island, County Mayo, Ireland, Sister Bernadette grew up in a loving and faith-filled family with her eleven siblings. Her love for her native Ireland and for her family fed her spirit until her last breath on Tuesday. On January 6, 1950, at the age of fifteen, Sister Ber- nadette came to San Antonio following her dream of becoming a missionary. Last June, she joyously cel- ebrated her 70th Jubilee of Religious Profession. In her early years of religious life, she was known as “Sister Mary Jude” and she spent those years in ser- vice of students and families whose situations often seemed hopeless. As a teacher, principal and a fundraiser, she stretched out her years in compassionate ministry in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, including St. Peter the Apostle School in Pasca- goula, for 63 years. The religious congregation that she loved so deeply was blessed to have had her generous and gracious spirit with them for so long. Sister Bernadette is mourned by her sisters and brothers, her 58 nieces and neph- ews, her over 70 grandnieces/nephews, her many friends and by the members of her religious community, some of whom she had known since she was twelve years old. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, April 3,d at the Mother- house Chapel in San Antonio, Texas. Interment followed in the Community Cem- etery. Donations can be made in Sr. Bernadette’s memory to the ministries of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate. Sister Bernadette McNamara, SHSp Sister McNamara Donald “Ray” Lacy has been appointed Director of Evangelization, effective upon appointment of his replacement as Director of Youth Ministry. He will guide parishes, schools, ministries, students, families, parishioners, and staff members to grow as disciples of Jesus and enable them to form disciples to share the Gospel of Jesus. Official Appointments For the good of the people of God in the Diocese of Biloxi, Bishop Louis F. Kihneman, III, has made the following appointments: Given at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Biloxi on April 5, 2023. ? Most Reverend Louis F. Kihneman, III Bishop of Biloxi Deacon Richard A. Smith has been appointed Director of Pastoral Services. His duties will include coordinating with lay organizations, lay ministries, and lay religious groups both within our parishes and from outside our Diocese, as well as addressing particular concerns of parishioners. He will continue to promote evangelization efforts with Called and Gifted , within our six traditional African American parishes, and a resource for evangelization retreats. Deacon Melvin J. “M.J.” Landry has been appointed Spiritual Director and Faith Formation Coordinator for senior housing properties. He will promote faith formation, prayer, evangelization, and discipleship among our senior residents. Deacon Michael Butler has been appointed Assistant to the State Chaplain for the Mississippi Knights of Columbus for Evangelization. He will assist Father Michael Austin in his ministry to the State Council particularly to accompany local councils in their fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus. To advertise in the Gulf Pine Catholic , call 228-702-2109 for more information or email smccusker@biloxidi- ocese.org. The newspaper is mailed to over 17,300 Catholic homes every other week.