Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • December 20, 2024 19 On Sunday, November 24, Bishop Fahey Council 1908, Hattiesburg, presented a Vatican flag to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hattiesburg. In the photo, l-r are: GK Roman Bermous, Andrew Rauch, Robert Hall, Tommy Rauch, and Fr. Sergio Balderas. Vatican flag presented to Sacred Heart Parish, Hattiesburg K nights of C olumbus S acred H eart Across the Pond From page 8 Christmas can be a time when loving hearts are pierced by the swords of loneliness, rejection, shattered dreams, unfulfilled expectations and the grief of feeling unloved. If you dare to love. Be prepared to grieve. Christmas is the greatest act of self-giving love from a God who became one of us and still grieves for us through a redeeming cross to the gift of resurrection and hope. Christmas is love in action. Grief encountered and hope promised. After all, Christmas tells us that if we dare to love, we must be prepared to grieve. Father Michael Tracey is retired and lives in Ireland. He can be contacted by email at mtracey1@bellsouth.net . His website is www.michaeltracey.net Fr. Joe Uko and Deacon Karl Koberger, of St. Joseph Parish, Gulfport, were honored with cards, gifts, and well-wishes extended to them on December 8 at a celebration of their birthdays this month and recognition of their vocations to the Priesthood and Diaconate. The reception was held following 10:30 Mass on December 8 in DePew Hall. Pictured: Angela Manuel, Barbara Brock, Deacon Karl, Fr. Uko, and Brenda Cole The reception was held following 10:30 Mass on December 8 in DePew Hall. S t . J oseph P arish , G ulfport Birthdays celebrated The 99 Experience Forty-one men recently attended the 99 Experience at Sacred Heart. It was a great time of faith sharing, fellowship and learning about having a better relationship with Christ. Sacred Heart pastor Father Sergio thanked the team from St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Ocean Springs, for presenting this won- derful weekend. The follow-up for these men is a seven-week faith formation class, Eucharistic Revival or discipleship quads.