Gulf Pine Catholic

16 Gulf Pine Catholic • August 2, 2024 Father Smith begins new ministry at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport BY TERRY DICKSON GULFPORT -- Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III has appointed Father James Smith as chaplain to Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. He will continue serving as chaplain to the de l’Epee Deaf Center in Gulfport and the Tabitha Ministry, which focuses on serving people with spe- cial needs. Father Smith, who was ordained to the priest- hood in 2015, most recently served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of the Gulf Parish in Bay St. Louis. He succeeds Father John Ugochukwu, the longtime hospital chaplain from Nigeria who died unexpectedly last year. “Father John is well remembered at Memorial,” said Father Smith. “I’ve had conversation after con- Prayer to Our Lady, Health of the Sick Our Lady, Health of the Sick, I look to you for the comfort of a mother’s love, I pray to you on behalf of those who are suffering and for my own healing needs. Mary, your love strengthens me and brings me peace. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, embrace all who are emotionally and physically ill that they may return to good health under your tender care. And please intercede for my very special needs. (mention your needs here). Mary, your love strengthens me and brings me peace. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us. Amen. Father James Smith versation with staff and families who were pro- foundly moved by his pastoral care and especially, tenderness. We used to talk, especially when I was in Long Beach and I’d say Father John -- or ‘Hospital John’ as we knew him -- served as a mentor figure preparing me for this ministry. He is sorely missed there.” Since he already has offices at de l’Epee and across the street at St. James Parish, Father Smith will not have an office at the hospital. “I do floor visits on all floors regularly several days a week or as required for requests,” he said. “My assignment is top priority and I am On-Call 24/7 in the case of emergencies. That said, the priests of the deanery, with Father Joe Uko as vicar forane and Father Cuddy O’Connell also provide support, particularly if I’m away or on my day off. I have to keep my ringer on, which, as a Millennial, has been kind of weird, since I used to use vibrate. “For Mass and Reconciliation offered at the hos- pital, I am coordinating with the Chaplain Services office and we hope to offer Mass and opportunities for confession regularly in the near future.” How to reach Father Smith An email has been setup for pastors to reach Father Smith about their people in the hospital: memorialchaplain@biloxidiocese.org . “If you or your loved one is in Memorial Hospital, please make sure your pastor knows first,” said Father Smith. “They or you can then notify me. Please include full legal name and room number as well as a contact person and phone, if there is one for the patient. “Because there can be 40 or more Catholics in the hospital on a given day and due to patient priva- cy restrictions (HIPAA), my ministry is focused on them. However, I’m happy to visit any non-Catholic if requested, and often do. Very many of the Catholics I see in the hospital have not been practic- ing for a long time. It may be decades since they celebrated Reconciliation or had a conversation with a priest. Those are great opportunities to evange- lize.” Prayer for Protection against Storms and Hurricanes Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.