Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • September 15, 2023 11 Redemptorist Father Steve Wilson remembered, celebrated by Biloxi parishes Members of the two parishes in Biloxi formerly served by the Redemptorists gathered at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Catholic Church on August 20 to celebrate a Memorial Mass in honor of Father Steven Wilson, who died on May 17. Father Steve served as pastor of Blessed Seelos Parish and Our Mother of Sorrows Parish from 2005 to 2014, and returned there frequently in the years following the end of his term. A team of musicians and liturgical minis- ters from both parishes collabo- rated to make possible the emo- tional Mass at which Father Chuong Cao, Father Steve’s classmate and long-time close friend, presided as celebrant and homilist. Father Chuong was joined by Father Kevin Zubel, Provincial Superior, and the current and recent pastors of the two parishes. Father Daniel Martinez Patiño, pastor of Blessed Seelos since 2021, graciously welcomed the Redemptorists back to Biloxi and shared his memories of Father Steve’s graciousness in taking him in for a summer pastoral experi- ence alongside Redemptorist students. Other concelebrants included: Father Peter Varghese, the current pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows; Father Godfrey Andoh, the for- mer pastor of the two parishes; and Father Tony Arguelles, the former pastor of St. John’s Church, which predated the forma- tion of Blessed Seelos Parish. Father Chuong was assisted at the altar by Deacons M. J. Landry and Richard Smith of the two par- ishes, as well as Redemptorist student Cody Hill. During his homily, Father Chuong recalled the history of the Redemptorists in Biloxi, explaining how Hurricane Katrina struck landfall just days after the arrival of the pioneering community. Noting that the Redemptorists were given the option to can- cel the contract with the diocese, Father Chuong described how the Redemptorists teamed up with parishioners and went straight to work to rebuild both the parish and the surround- ing community. Later in his homily, Father Chuong described Father Steve’s faith and serenity in his final hours, and shared how he deeply cherished a last visit from parishioners from Biloxi in the week before he passed. In his acknowledgments at the end of the Mass, Father Kevin stated that he was “pres- ent officially to represent the Redemptorists of the Denver Province in expressing gratitude to the pastor and people of the parishes, but personally as a pil- grim, returning to a place where Father Steve always felt at home, to mourn, remember, and laugh alongside others who loved him deeply.” A reception in the Blessed Seelos Parish Hall followed the Memorial Mass. Long-time parishioners gathered to share their memories of Father Steve. Those helping to organize the events included Cheryl “Bunny” Thompson and Mary Beth Broussard, members of the parish staff well- known to a generation of young Redemptorists who spent summers helping with maintenance projects, Vacation Bible School, or Br. Gene Patin’s Work, Earn, & Learn ( WEAL ) Program at the Biloxi par- ishes. In a profound gesture that pleasantly surprised the Redemptorists present at the event, Father Daniel unveiled a plaque near the door of the parish hall that officially dedicated the gathering space in honor of Father Steven Wilson. While blessing the plaque, Father Kevin read aloud the inscrip- tion that stated how Father Steve will always be “Remembered for his loving care, candid style, and humor!” A perfect description of an accomplished Redemptorist missionary from people who knew and loved him like family. Back row l-r: Very Rev. Godfrey Andoh, Rev. Tony Arguelles, Deacon Richard Smith, Rev. Peter Varghese, Deacon M. J. Landry, and Seminarian Cody Hill; front row l-r: Lyle Ramon, Provincial Superior Rev. Kevin Zubel, CSsR, Rev. Chuong Cao, CSsR, Rev. Daniel Martinez-Patiño, Cobie Martino and Ramon Fisher. Rev. Chuong Cao, left; Cheryl “Bunny” Thompson, center; and Mary Beth Broussard right; stand beside a painting of Father Steve Wilson.