Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • November 22, 2024 3 Gulf Pine Catholic (ISSN No. 0746-3804) November 22, 2024 Volume 42, Issue 6 The GULF PINE CATHOLIC , published every other week, is an official publication of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi. Editorial offices are located at 1790 Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, MS 39532. Periodical postage paid at Gulfport, MS. —POSTMASTER— Send address changes to: The GULF PINE CATHOLIC 1790 Popps Ferry Road Biloxi, MS 39532 —PUBLISHER— Most Rev. Louis F. Kihneman —EDITOR— Terry Dickson —PRODUCTION/ ADVERTISING — Shirley M c Cusker —BILLING — Shirley McCusker —CIRCULATION— Robin Peeler —PHOTOGRAPHY— Juliana Skelton —OFFICEHOURS— 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday —PHONE NUMBERS— Editor: 228-702-2126 Production/Advertising: 228-702-2109 Billing: 228-702-2109 Circulation: 228-702-2100 Photography: 228-201-2132 —EMAIL— News: tdickson@biloxidiocese.org Production / Advertising Billing: smccusker@biloxidiocese.org Circulation: rpeeler@biloxidiocese.org Photography: jskelton@biloxidiocese.org —OFFICEAND MAILINGADDRESS — 1790 Popps Ferry Road Biloxi, MS 39532 —WEBSITE— www.gulfpinecatholic.com —SUBSCRIPTIONS — Subscription rate is $18 per year. When changing address, renewing or inquiring about a subscription, customer should include a recent address label with old address and new address. Allow three weeks for changes of address. —DEADLINES for DEC. 6— News copy and photos: Due NOV. 19, 4 p.m. Advertising: Completed Ad and/or copy due NOV. 19, 10 a.m. Bishop Kihneman’s Schedule Nov. 23 Vigil Mass & Feast Day Celebration, Christ the King Mission, Latimer, 4 p.m. Nov. 24 Mass & Feast Day Celebration, Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Biloxi, 10 a.m. Dec. 3 Mass & Christmas Tree Decorating, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 10 a.m. Dec. 4 Holy Hour for Priests & Lunch, Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 Housing Board Meeting, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 3 p.m. Dec. 5 Sisters Christmas Mass & Luncheon, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 6 Principals Christmas Mass & Luncheon, Nativity BVM Cathedral -- Marian Chapel, Biloxi, 11 a.m. Dec. 6 Deacons & Wives Christmas Party, St. Joseph Parish Community Center, Gulfport, 6 p.m. Dec. 7 Mass & Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration, Sacred Heart Parish, Pascagoula, 5:30 p.m. (Mass starts at 6 p.m.) Dec. 8 Mass & Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration, St. Rose de Lima Parish, Bay St Louis, 12 p.m. BY BISHOP LOUIS F. KIHNEMAN III Bishop of the Diocese of Biloxi As we approach Thanksgiving and the Advent season, I wish to extend my heart- felt gratitude to each of you for your extraordinary generosity of time, talent, and treasure. Your unwavering commit- ment to our various ministries reflects the love of Christ that unites us as a communi- ty. The State of the Diocese Report is a very real reflection of that love in action in our midst. There is indeed much to be thankful for as we look back on the past year. Here is just a glimpse of some of the good things that are happening in our dio- cese: • One of the biggest accomplishments was the establishment of the Mercy Cross Center, which caters to the less fortunate, particularly members of the homeless community. Since opening in May, the center has been a powerful source of heal- ing and home for the many people who have visited. As of today, 316 guests have registered at the center with 70 individuals moved out of homelessness since May 28, when we opened the Mercy Cross Center. • Catholic Charities also distributed 1,754,837 pounds of food, feeding 567,498 Bishop Kihneman State of the Diocese 2024 people, provided almost half a million dollars in utilities assistance, and provided counseling sessions to 529 individuals, marriages, and families. • We currently have nine men studying for priesthood with three new men discern- ing their vocation. In 2023 we began work- ing with the Vocations Ministry to encour- age support of holy vocations in our par- ishes and we are seeing the fruits of this ministry. In May, Katherine Lingenfelder was accepted as a candidate for the order of virgins and made a temporary private vow of chastity. In two years, she will make permanent vows as a Consecrated Virgin Living in the World. Please pray for our seminarians and for Katherine. Also, please pray for an increase in holy voca- tions to the priesthood and diaconate, as consecrated men and women, dedicated married couples, and committed single persons in our diocese. • We have a very strong permanent diaconate program, which is growing. There are 15 candidates in formation for ordination in 2025 and 18 men in the Class of 2028 for a total of 33 men in formation. This includes men who will minister in our Spanish-speaking communities. • Speaking of our Hispanic ministry, this is an area where we are experiencing tremendous growth. Spanish Masses are currently being offered at Immaculate Conception Parish in Laurel, Sacred Heart Parish in Pascagoula, St. Rose de Lima Parish in Bay St. Louis, Blessed Seelos Parish in Biloxi, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Gulfport, Sacred Heart Parish in Hattiesburg, St. Alphonsus Parish in Ocean Springs. St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Picayune, Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Biloxi, and a bilingual Mass at St. Lucy Mission in Lucedale. • Deacon Justin Mitchell, our new director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, has hit the ground running. In September, Deacon Mitchell organized a Healing Mass for Married Couples. This was an opportunity for couples who have had good marriages to offer thanksgiving to God for their success and for couples who are struggling to offer up their strug- gles to God for healing and reconciliation. Another Healing Mass for Married Couples is planned for December. • Walking with Moms in Need , a Pro- Life ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, through parish minis- tries, offers support, empowerment, and assistance to women facing unplanned pregnancies and to support all moms in need. SEE BISHOP’S COLUMN, PAGE 19