Volume 43, Issue 8 www.gulfpinecatholic.com January 16, 2026 Gulf Pine Catholic Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Biloxi Christians must resist allure of power, serve humanity, pope says at end of Holy Year BY CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The powerful and violent cannot control, suppress or commodify God’s grace, friendship and will to usher in a new dawn, Pope Leo XIV said. “Around us, a distorted economy tries to profit from everything. We see how the marketplace can turn human yearnings of seeking, traveling and beginning again into a mere business,” he said, celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany, and officially closing the celebration of the Holy Year dedicated to hope. “Let us ask ourselves: has the Jubilee taught us to flee from this type of efficiency that reduces everything to a product and human beings to consumers?” he asked. “After this year, will we be better able to recognize a pilgrim in the visitor, a seeker in the stranger, a neighbor in the foreigner and fellow travelers in those who are different?” Before the Mass, the pope, cardinals and bishops present in Rome, gathered in the atrium of the basilica and gave thanks to God for the gifts received during the Holy Year. Dozens of the world’s cardinals were in Rome to attend the pope’s first extraordinary consistory Jan. 7-8, to pray, support and advise the pope on the life and mission of the church. Pope Leo went to the threshold of the Holy Door and pulled each side shut. The door will be sealed until the next Holy Year, which is likely to be 2033, the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus. While the last of the Holy Doors in the city was closing, “the gate” of God’s mercy will never be shut, Pope Leo said before shutting the door. God “will always sustain the weary, raise up those who have fallen” and offer “good things” to those who place their trust in him. In his homily, Pope Leo compared the millions of men and women who came to Rome on pilgrimage to modern-day Magi, “who left palace and temple behind” in search of a new “king,” which they found in the baby Jesus in a humble grotto in Bethlehem. “Yes, the Magi still exist today. They are the people who sense the need to go out and search, accepting the risks associated with their journey, especially in a troubled world like ours that may be unpleasant and dangerous in many ways,” he said. However, Pope Leo cautioned, today’s seekers must encounter in today’s churches and sacred places the same humble source of life, hope and joy that the Magi encountered in Bethlehem. “How important it is that those who pass through the doors of the church perceive therein that the Messiah has just been born, that a community gathers in which hope springs forth and that a story of life is unfolding!” he said. “Jesus encountered and allowed Himself to be approached by all people,” he said, because “the Lord wants His presence to grow among us as God-with-us.” “No one can sell this to us. The child whom the Magi adore is a priceless and immeasurable good,” the pope said, criticizing “a distorted economy,” which even tries to exploit and commodify the human desire for freedom and true fulfillment. God revealing Himself to humanity as man is “a gift,” Pope Leo said. “He reveals Himself and lets Himself be found.” “His ways are not our ways, and the violent do not succeed in controlling them, nor can the powers of the world block them,” he said, recalling the great joy the Magi felt upon finding the Messiah and despite Herod’s efforts to destroy what had been promised. The fear and violence unleashed by King Herod “make us think of the many conflicts by which people resist and even damage the new things that God has in store for everyone,” he said. “Loving and seeking peace means protecting what is holy and, consequently, that which is newly born like a small, vulnerable, fragile baby.” “God challenges the existing order,” the pope said. “God is determined to rescue us from both old and new forms of slavery. He involves young and old, poor and rich, men and women, saints and sinners in His works of mercy and in the wonders of His justice.” SEE POPE MASS DOOR EPIPHANY, PAGE 10 Pope Leo XIV closes the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on the feast of the Epiphany at the Vatican Jan. 6, marking the official end of the Jubilee Year 2025. OSV News photo/ Yara Nardi, pool via Reuters
2 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 Diocese of Biloxi Bulletin Board VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Notre Dame Hospice: Notre Dame Hospice is looking for volunteers. Volunteers can provide caregiver relief, companionship for patients, run errands, play music, prepare a meal & offer whatever talents our volunteers would like to share. Hospice volunteers do not need any medical experience as they do not handle patients. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact: Janine Bonner, Volunteer Coordinator (504) 418-1049 or email jbonner@notredamehospice.com. Our Mississippi office is in Diamondhead. We need volunteers in the Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Diamondhead, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian, Ocean Springs, & Picayune. The amount of time you wish to volunteer is up to you. Thank you. PARISH EVENTS A Divine Mercy Tuesday, St. James Catholic Church: On Jan. 20, a devotional in the Church will follow the regular Tues. 6 p.m. Mass, at 7 p.m. there will be a Divine Mercy Chaplet, Adoration, confession, praise & worship, & veneration of relics. Healing Ministry Service: A night of healing withAdoration, Prayers of Deliverance, Sacrament of Recon-ciliation, Anointing of the Sick & oneon-one pastoral counseling, Wed., Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m., Holy Family Parish, 22342 Evangeline Road. Hour of Grace: Hour of Grace is a time of encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ present to us in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; an opportunity to lift our voices and hearts to Christ in worship as He pours His graces upon us. This Hour of Grace will be on Thurs., Feb. 12, 6 p.m., at Nativity Cathedral located at 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530. Come and be renewed by the Lord! Charismatic Healing Mass & Prayer Meeting: Charismatic Healing Mass & Prayer Meeting is celebrated the second Sat. of each month, Feb. 14, at Christ the King Mission. Praise & worship is at 8:45 a.m. Mass is at 9 a.m. with prayer to follow. Christ the King Mission is located at 10601 Daisy Vestry Rd., Latimer (10 min. North of I-10. Healing Face of Jesus: A night of Healing with Adoration, Prayers of Deliverance, Sacrament of Recon-ciliation, Anointing of the Sick & One-onOne Pastoral Counseling Wed., Feb. 25, 6 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 4900 Riley Rd., Ocean Springs. RETREATS St. Dominic Men’s Emmaus Retreat: Men, put aside the “hustle & bustle” of daily life & be part of the upcoming men’s Emmaus retreat the weekend of Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026. The retreat is held on the Gulf Coast at W. J. Kelly Retreat Center in Bay St. Louis. The retreat is based on the scripture passage which includes Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35) and is an uplifting spiritual experience that has a profound effect on men’s lives. The retreat begins at 6 p.m. Fri. & ends Sun. afternoon. Please don’t ignore this opportunity but pray on it instead. Something special awaits you on the Road to Emmaus. https:// stdominicparish.com/emmaus. Please contact the following men for additional information: Rick Valadie (504) 655-8932 or Norm Madere (504) 481-0411 or Steve Schulkens (504) 401-6990. ‘Anchored’ Youth Retreat: The ‘Anchored’ Youth Retreat will be held Sat., Feb. 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 9062 Kiln Delisle Rd., Pass Christian. The retreat is designed specifically for teenagers to be anchored in their faith & to help to be OK & except who God created them to be. There will be worship, adoration, talks, small groups & fellowship. Publication Copy Date Deadline Jan. 30 Jan. 20 Feb. 13 Feb. 3 Feb. 27 Feb. 17 March 13 March 3 March 27 March 17 April 10 March 31 April 24 April 14 May 8 April 28 May 22 May 12 June 19 June 9 July 24 July 14 Aug. 21 Aug.11 Publication Copy Date Deadline Sept. 11 Sept. 1 Sept. 25 Sept. 15 Oct. 9 Sept. 29 Oct. 23 Oct. 13 Nov. 6 Oct. 27 Nov. 20 Nov. 10 Dec. 11 Dec. 1 Deadlines subject to change depending on holiday schedule. Please call Shirley at 228-702-2109 for questions or adjusted deadlines. 2026 Publication Date & Copy Deadlines The Catholic Diocese of Biloxi’s Pastoral Center will be closed Mon., Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Day. New Barna data shows Gen Z leads in weekly in-person church attendance BY OSV NEWS FORT WORTH, TX (OSV News) -- New data from the Barna Group -- a leading marketing research firm focused on the intersection between faith and culture -- indicate Gen Z now leads a surge in church attendance across Christian churches, outpacing older generations in regular weekend worship. Gen Z attends church, on average, about 1.9 times per month or close to 23 services per year. Millennials (born 1981-1996) are right behind them, attending on average close to 22 services annually (1.8 times per month). Barna noted that these younger generations “have moved from an average of just over one weekend per month in 2020 to nearly two in 2025.” In part, this is due to the fact that Gen Z, when they were minor children, would have mirrored their own adult parents’ religious activities and now they are adults. Gen X (born 1965-1980) is slightly less active, attending church 1.6 times per month, averaging 19 church services a year -- effectively the same position they were in 2000. But Boomers (1946-1964) and even older adults were attending church “well below the frequency of attendance they practiced in the past,” attending church on average less than 17 times out of the year. Amie Duke, a 27-year-old social media manager at Ascension Press, home to Father Mike Schmitz’s wildly popular “Bible In a Year” podcast, said she thinks the narrative around Gen Z may be changing, showing her generation is “looking for truth, and purpose, and community -- and finding that in the church.”
Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 3 Gulf Pine Catholic (ISSN No. 0746-3804) January 16, 2026 Volume 43, Issue 8 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 McCusker —BILLING — Shirley McCusker —CIRCULATION— Robin Peeler —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 —EMAIL— News: tdickson@biloxidiocese.org Production / Advertising: smccusker@biloxidiocese.org Billing: smccusker@biloxidiocese.org Circulation: rpeeler@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 JAN. 30— News copy and photos: Due JAN.20, 4 p.m. Advertising: Completed Ad and/or copy due JAN. 20, 10 a.m. Bishop Kihneman’s Schedule Jan. 13 Pilgrimage to Holy Land -23 Jan. 25 Mass/Rosary Rally/Walk for Life, Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, 2 p.m. Jan. 28 Installation Mass for Bishop Mario Avilés, Corpus Christi, TX Jan. 30 Mass & School Visit, Nativity Elementary, Biloxi, 9 a.m. Jan. 31 Mass/Altar Server Awards, Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Louis, 11 a.m. BY BISHOP LOUIS F. KIHNEMAN III Bishop of the Diocese of Biloxi The Feast of the Epiphany, which we celebrated earlier this month, represents the dawning of salvation and the powerful manifestation of God’s love. The Book of the Prophet Isaiah was written about 700 years before the birth of Jesus. In the 60th chapter, Isaiah proclaims, “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come; the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” He is referring to the new city of Jerusalem. What a powerful statement. Indeed, God’s glory is shining upon us today, and the Holy Spirit continues to be present in many forms. This leads us to an important question: are we open to the Epiphany in our own lives -- the dawning of salvation within us? Isaiah continues, “See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears His glory.” The Lord is shining on every single one of us in a very real way. Jesus is truly present to us. It can be easy to think that we have never Bishop Kihneman Following the Star: Living the Epiphany in our lives and relationships experienced an Epiphany moment, yet our baptism was our first Epiphany. It was the first time we encountered Jesus, the first time we were touched by the Light of Christ in a real and transformative way. Even if we do not remember it clearly, it was a true Epiphany moment. Likewise, the first time we received the Sacrament of Reconciliation -- and every time since -- can be considered an Epiphany moment. IntheSacramentofReconciliation, the Lord allows His grace to shine upon us, especially in those areas of our lives that need healing and forgiveness. Each confession is an offering we bring to the Lord: humility, honesty, and a sincere desire to begin again. It is essential that each time we approach the sacrament, we bring the Lord everything -- the good, the bad, and the ugly -- and allow His light to shine upon it all. That light brings healing, peace, and forgiveness. Another profound Epiphany moment occurs at our Confirmation. Confirmation is truly a moment of revelation, when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and the Savior of the world comes to dwell within us. It is awe-inspiring to realize that Jesus is the Word spoken at the beginning of time, through whom all creation came into being. Through Him we are created, through Him we are brought to faith, and through Him we are united to God in a deeply personal way. This is a life-changing gift -- and one that calls for a response: offering our lives, our faith, and our willingness to be witnesses of His light. As life unfolds, the Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders also become Epiphany moments, times when the Light of Christ enters our lives in deeply personal and vocational ways. This raises an important question for all of us, whether married or single. What Epiphany moments have occurred in our marriages or in our single lives? How has the Light of Christ entered our relationships? What needs to happen for that light to shine more fully? For married couples, this may mean offering the gift of patience, forgiveness, faithfulness, and self-giving love. For those who are single, the question is much the same: how do we allow the Light of Christ to shine through us to our families, coworkers, classmates, and friends? For children, how can you bring the Light of Christ to your parents through respect, kindness, and love? In the Gospel of Matthew (2:1–12), we hear the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in the story of the Magi, who followed a star to Christ. They brought gifts -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh -- not because the Christ Child needed them, but because love always responds with a gift. We, too, are modern-day Magi. What is the star we are following? That star must be Jesus Himself. And like the Magi, we are called to offer Him gifts: our time, our prayer, our trust, our obedience, and our love. From there, we are invited to bring those same gifts to others -- our spouses, families, friends, coworkers, and classmates -- in ways that glorify God and reveal His love. Another powerful Epiphany moment can be found in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, a sacrament that is very dear to me. It allows us to encounter the Lord in moments of weakness, suffering, and difficulty. When I was named your bishop nine years ago, I returned home to Corpus Christi to pack before moving to Biloxi. When I went to say goodbye to my doctor, he told me instead that I had a serious stomach condition and needed to be hospitalized. SEE BISHOP’S COLUMN, PAGE 7
4 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 POR EL OBISPO LOUIS F. KIHNEMAN III Obispo de Biloxi La Fiesta de la Epifanía, que celebramos a principios de este mes, representa el amanecer de la salvación y la poderosa manifestación del amor de Dios. El Libro del profeta Isaías fue escrito unos 700 años antes del nacimiento de Jesús. En el capítulo 60, Isaías proclama: «¡Levántate y resplandece, Jerusalén, porque ha llegado tu luz y la gloria del Señor brilla sobre ti!». Se refiere a la nueva ciudad de Jerusalén. ¡Qué afirmación tan poderosa! En verdad, la gloria de Dios brilla hoy sobre nosotros, y el Espíritu Santo continúa presente de muchas maneras. Esto nos lleva a una pregunta importante: ¿estamos abiertos a la Epifanía en nuestras propias vidas, al amanecer de la salvación dentro de nosotros? Isaías continúa: «Mira: las tinieblas cubren la tierra y una densa nube envuelve a los pueblos; pero sobre ti brilla el Señor, y su gloria aparece sobre ti». El Señor brilla sobre cada uno de nosotros de una manera muy real. Jesús está verdaderamente presente entre nosotros. Puede ser fácil pensar que nunca hemos vivido un momento de Epifanía; sin embargo, nuestro bautismo fue nuestra primera Epifanía. Fue la primera vez que encontramos a Jesús, la primera vez que fuimos tocados por la Luz de Cristo de una manera real y transformadora. Aunque no lo recordemos con claridad, fue un verdadero momento de Epifanía. De igual modo, la primera vez que recibimos el Sacramento de la Reconciliación -- y cada vez desde entonces -- puede considerarse un momento de Epifanía. En el Sacramento de la Reconciliación, el Señor permite que su gracia brille sobre nosotros, especialmente en aquellas áreas de nuestra vida que necesitan sanación y perdón. Cada confesión es una ofrenda que llevamos al Señor: humildad, honestidad y un sincero deseo de comenzar de nuevo. Es esencial que cada vez que nos acerquemos al sacramento, llevemos al Señor todo -- lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo -- y permitamos que su luz lo ilumine todo. Esa luz trae sanación, paz y perdón. Otro profundo momento de Epifanía ocurre en nuestra Confirmación. La Confirmación es verdaderamente un momento de revelación, cuando el Espíritu Santo desciende sobre nosotros y el Salvador del mundo viene a habitar dentro de nosotros. Es impresionante reconocer que Jesús es la Palabra pronunciada al comienzo del tiempo, por quien toda la creación llegó a existir. Por Él somos creados, por Él somos llevados a la fe y por Él somos unidos a Dios de una manera profundamente personal. Este es un don que transforma la vida y que exige una respuesta: ofrecer nuestras vidas, nuestra fe y nuesObispo Kihneman tra disposición a ser testigos de su luz. A medida que la vida se desarrolla, los Sacramentos del Matrimonio y del Orden Sagrado también se convierten en momentos de Epifanía, momentos en los que la Luz de Cristo entra en nuestras vidas de manera profundamente personal y vocacional. Esto plantea una pregunta importante para todos nosotros, ya estemos casados o solteros. ¿Qué momentos de Epifanía han ocurrido en nuestros matrimonios o en nuestras vidas de solteros? ¿Cómo ha entrado la Luz de Cristo en nuestras relaciones? ¿Qué debe suceder para que esa luz brille con mayor plenitud? Para los matrimonios, esto puede significar ofrecer el don de la paciencia, el perdón, la fidelidad y el amor entregado. Para quienes son solteros, la pregunta es muy similar: ¿cómo permitimos que la Luz de Cristo brille a través de nosotros hacia nuestras familias, compañeros de trabajo, compañeros de estudio y amigos? Para los niños, ¿cómo pueden llevar la Luz de Cristo a sus padres mediante el respeto, la bondad y el amor? En el Evangelio de Mateo (2, 1-12), escuchamos el cumplimiento de la profecía de Isaías en la historia de los Magos, que siguieron una estrella hasta Cristo. Llevaron dones -- oro, incienso y mirra -- no porque el Niño Jesús los necesitara, sino porque el amor siempre responde con un regalo. Nosotros también somos Magos de nuestro tiempo. ¿Cuál es la estrella que estamos siguiendo? Esa estrella debe ser Jesús mismo. Y, como los Magos, estamos llamados a ofrecerle dones: nuestro tiempo, nuestra oración, nuestra confianza, nuestra obediencia y nuestro amor. A partir de ahí, somos invitados a llevar esos mismos dones a los demás -- a nuestros esposos, familias, amigos, compañeros de trabajo y compañeros de estudio -- de maneras que glorifiquen a Dios y revelen su amor. Otro poderoso momento de Epifanía se encuentra en el Sacramento de la Unción de los Enfermos, un sacramento que es muy querido para mí. Nos permite encontrar al Señor en momentos de debilidad, sufrimiento y dificultad. Cuando fui nombrado su obispo hace nueve años, regresé a Corpus Christi para empacar antes de mudarme a Biloxi. Al ir a despedirme de mi médico, en lugar de un adiós me dijo que tenía una afección estomacal grave y que necesitaba ser hospitalizado. Pasé un mes en el hospital y perdí 30 libras. No podía levantar los brazos, no podía comer y no podía celebrar ni recibir la Eucaristía. En esa profunda debilidad, las palabras de san Pablo adquirieron un significado profundamente personal: «Te basta mi gracia, porque mi poder se manifiesta plenamente en la debilidad». La comprensión de Pablo -- que es precisamente cuando falla nuestra propia fuerza cuando el poder de Cristo actúa con mayor plenitud en nosotros -- se convirtió en mi experiencia vivida. Cuando Pablo proclama: «Porque cuando soy débil, entonces soy fuerte», no está negando el sufrimiento, sino reconociendo una verdad más profunda: que la verdadera fortaleza nace de la entrega, la humildad y la dependencia de Dios. En esos momentos en que no podía hacer nada por mí mismo, llegué a comprender que Cristo me sostenía por completo. Su gracia no solo era suficiente: era transformadora. A través de ese sufrimiento, y más tarde cuando fui ordenado su obispo, llegué a conocer de una manera nueva y duradera que Jesús me amaba y que su poder reposa con mayor plenitud sobre nosotros cuando ponemos toda nuestra confianza en Él. Incluso en nuestro dolor y sufrimiento, especialmente en nuestra debilidad, somos invitados a acoger la Epifanía. Jesús es la estrella de nuestras vidas y el amor de nuestras vidas, y nos encuentra precisamente donde estamos. Cada vez que nos reunimos en el Altar -- el verdadero altar de la Epifanía -- venimos buscando encontrarnos más profundamente con Jesús. Cuando nos acercamos a la Sagrada Comunión y escuchamos las palabras: «El Cuerpo de Cristo», se supone que sea un momento de Epifanía. Nuestro «Amén» se convierte en un «Sí» pleno y sincero. Sí, que la Luz de Cristo viva en mí, para que pueda llevarla de regreso a mi familia, a mis amigos, a mis compañeros de trabajo, a mis compañeros de estudio y a todos los que encuentre. La Epifanía está hecha para ser compartida. Es el amor de Jesús revelado en nuestras vidas y ofrecido al mundo a través de los dones sencillos y fieles que damos cada día. Siguiendo la Estrella: Vivir la Epifanía en nuestras vidas y relaciones
Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 5 Compassionate Service 228-374-5650 Bradfordokeefe.com Barker Mausoleum Builders LLC specializes in designing and constructing high-quality mausoleums and columbaria for churches, cemeteries, and memorial grounds. We focus on providing durable, dignified structures that honor loved ones and serve families for generations. Barker Mausoleum Builders LLC Ron Barker 601-722-4156 Barkersmb1@gmail.com Opening Reflection -- Challenge: At the celebration of his twenty-fifth anniversary as a priest, the pastor of our New Jersey parish was asked, “When did you decide to become a priest?” He replied, “A few minutes ago. I must decide to be a priest every moment of my life -- it is a decision I declare and act on.” Summary of Readings: Today’s readings speak to the heart of the servant of God who makes the Lord known to others -- if the shoe fits, wear it! Isaiah tells the servant of the Lord, “I will make you a light to the nations …” Our Psalm response is David’s reply to God’s grace, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” Paul tells the Corinthians of his call to be an apostle and their call to holiness, so that Jesus may be glorified. In today’s gospel, John the Baptist declares that his highest purpose was to point others to Jesus. Have you ever thought about what your life would be like if you decided to love, serve, and live as a disciple of Jesus, with the purpose of bringing others to the Lord? Our Destiny: In today’s first reading, Isaiah calls the chosen people to turn to the Lord and bring others with them. We should not keep the good news to ourselves but share it with everyone. God desires to show His glory through you and me as witnesses of His power, mercy, joy, and love. While Isaiah’s prophecy states God’s purpose in calling His people to witness His love, today’s Psalm explains how that mission is to be accomplished. Hearts Desire: Our Psalm response is David’s reply to God’s grace bestowed upon him. “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” David’s heart’s desire was to please God. Like you and me, David made mistakes and sinned, but his gratitude to God was always paramount. Will we, in gratitude, lead others to the Lord? Paul’s call and ours: In our second reading, Paul’s mission, the church’s existence, and our salvation are grounded in God making the first move. Creating, loving, suffering, dying, forgiving, rising, inviting, and patiently waiting for our response to make Him known. He will miraculously move mountains, sacrificially mount a cross of death, and send prophets, angels, and saints to get our attention. All for the purpose of making disciples who will love and serve Jesus. God invites you and me to share in His pursuit of winning souls. God is eternally patient, aggressively forgiving, and tenaciously creative in trying to get our attention. Hear Jesus’s words to us: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” (John 15:16). I can now fully and without constraint love the Lord Jesus Christ with my mind, heart, and soul, and lead people to Him. Our Purpose: Today’s Gospel focuses on John the Baptist, who, by preaching, baptizing, and calling sinners to repentance, turned hearts and minds to the Lord. What creative ways do you use to turn people to Jesus? When have you had a part in making someone a disciple of Jesus? Our means of leading others to Jesus will be how we have conformed ourselves to be Christ-like, loving, caring, forgiving, serving, patient, and persistent. Closing Comments: Let’s recap. Today’s readings emphasize God’s initiative, the call to do His will, our sin as an obstacle to a holy response, and the necessity of seeking God’s saving power (salvation) for our well-being on earth and for securing eternal life. Can we admit that we are sinners? I hope so! Should that make us feel discouraged, hopeless, or wretched? I hope not! Paul wrote, “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more” (Romans 5:20). However, if left unchecked, sin will create a breach between God and us and fracture the holy alliance to which we have been called. “Every saint has a past; every sinner has a future” -- Oscar Wilde. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life -- for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3: 16 -17). Don’t wait until later. Let’s start early this New Year to build and strengthen our future in fellowship with the Lord and, in turn, call someone else to a holy alliance with God. Our goal is to get to heaven (our eternal home). God has provided everything we need to accomplish this task. But the road to heaven would be much easier if we brought a few dozen people along with us. Deacon Ralph Torrelli is retired and lives in Tennessee. Visit his website: www.homilypearls. com. 1st Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm: 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Gospel: John 1:29-34 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus calling Deacon Torrelli Sunday Scripture Commentaries To advertise in the Gulf Pine Catholic, call 228-702-2109 for more information.
6 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 “May their hearts be encouraged as they are united in love, so they may have the riches of understanding and that they may know the mystery of God, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3 We live in a world obsessed with searching -- for success, approval, security, etc. The desired goal of each search being something not in our possession, or just out of our reach. We get so busy trying to obtain what we do not have that we ignore the treasures found along the way. It’s easy to miss the sacredness hidden in the simple moments we experience day to day. Each day is spent rushing through tasks and scrolling on social media as though life is waiting for us somewhere else. How often do we allow ourselves to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10)? The Bible gives countless examples of where God’s treasures are found, and they are never outside of our reach. They are always hidden wherever we are, within each moment we encounter. They can be found in the simple, the ordinary, the broken, and even when we feel lost. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches hidden away, that you may know I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.” Isaiah 45:3 Just as diamonds are formed under pressure, so too can our most valuable treasures be found in the hardships of life. God doesn’t waste pain. God refines it, if we allow it. If we learn to “walk by faith and not by sight” (Corinthians 5:7), the same darkness that once tried to break us can become the places where God’s light shines the brightest. Finding life’s greatest treasures does not begin with digging beneath our feet, it begins by digging deeper within ourselves. When we remember to notice God in both the blessings and the brokenness, we begin to live with an awareness that turns the everyday ordinary moments into holy encounters. Each moment, even the dark ones, is an invitation to go within and find what God has buried in your heart. In the upcoming weeks, I challenge you to take 10-20 minutes each day to pause, take a few deep breaths, look around and recognize some of life’s simple blessings, then close your eyes and search for the treasures hiding within each moment, each emotion, and each breath you take. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Matthew 6:21 Ashley Bonney is a member of Most Holy Trinity Parish, Pass Christian. Finding hidden treasure Bonney Guest Columnist This past month, in his activities leading up to Christmas, Pope Leo XIV offered words and insights that are gifts we all can carry with us into this new year. At the Vatican’s sixth annual Christmas “Concert with the Poor,” Leo said that liturgical song “is meant to elevate the soul,” and he called music “a form of love…a via pulchritudinis that leads to God.” Vatican News reported that Pope Leo said the Vatican Christmas “Concert with the Poor” goes beyond a mere musical event or act of philanthropy. He pointed to his Apostolic Exhortation “Dilexi te,” where he stated, “This is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation…In the poor, [God] continues to speak to us.” This sentiment highlights the fact that charitable outreach not only benefits those in need but is an essential way for us to meet God and learn all we are called to do and become in this world. We are called to see Christ on the cross in the suffering of others, so when we draw close to that suffering in love and compassion, we learn about Christ and express our profound love for Him. The “Concert with the Poor” began under Pope Francis, and Leo called it a “beautiful tradition.” It is wonderful to see this tradition continue because it provides material support to those in need, while also being an opportunity to share our faith in gatherings that elevate the mind and heart with music. Another recent treasure shared by Pope Leo is a book recommendation. When a journalist asked if he could recommend a book other than the writings of St. Augustine to shed light on his thinking, Leo offered, “The Practice of the Presence of God.” It is a book that was written in the 17th century by a French Carmelite friar known as Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. Brother Lawrence was the cook at a Paris monastery, and his writings reveal a life devoted to living in continual awareness of God’s presence. “The Practice of the Presence of God” is a posthumous publication of a compilation of his writings, and it is beloved by many today for its guidance on drawing close to God in everyday life. Brother Lawrence analogizes prayer to the cultivation of friendship, writing, “Think often on God, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone.” In a letter encouraging a suffering friend to turn to God, Brother Lawrence wrote, “He is the Father of the afflicted, always ready to help us. He loves us infinitely more than we imagine. Love Him then, and seek not consolation elsewhere.” Of the book, Leo said, “It describes a type of prayer and spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to lead….That’s been my spirituality for many years, in the midst of great challenges -- living in Peru, during years of terrorism, being called to service in places where I never thought I would be called to serve -- I trust in God, and that message is something that I share with all people.” With these words and in his recommendation of this spiritual classic, Pope Leo points us toward the way of humility. Building upon his wisdom about poverty in “Dilexi te,” Leo invites the world into a deeper understanding of his own spiritual journey so that each of us may know of God’s tremendous love for us. Fr. Ed Dougherty, M.M., serves on The Christophers’ Board of Directors. For a free copy of the Christopher News Note, GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, write: The Christophers, 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004; or e-mail: mail@christophers.org. The wisdom of Pope Leo Light One Candle Fr. Dougherty Prayer for Vocations God our Father, We thank you for calling men and women to serve in Your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to Your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 7 228-539-9800 www.RiemannFamily.com Gulfport Pass Christian West Jackson County Biloxi Long Beach Hancock County I spent a month in the hospital and lost 30 pounds. I was unable to lift my arms, unable to eat, and unable to celebrate or receive the Eucharist. In that profound weakness, the words of St. Paul took on a deeply personal meaning: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s realization -- that it is precisely when our own strength fails that Christ’s power is most fully at work within us -- became my lived experience. When Paul proclaims, “For when I am weak, then I am strong,” he is not denying suffering, but acknowledging a deeper truth: that true strength comes from surrender, humility, and dependence on God. In those moments when I could do nothing on my own, I came to understand that Christ was sustaining me completely. His grace was not merely enough -- it was transforming. Through that suffering, and later when I was ordained your bishop, I came to know in a new and lasting way that Jesus loved me, and that His power rests most fully upon us when we place our trust entirely in Him. Even in our sorrow and suffering, especially in our weakness, we are invited to embrace the Epiphany. Jesus is the star of our lives and the love of our lives, and He meets us precisely where we are. Each time we gather at the Altar -- the true altar of Epiphany -- we come seeking to encounter Jesus more deeply. When we approach Holy Communion and hear the words, “The Body of Christ,” it is meant to be an Epiphany moment. Our “Amen” becomes a wholehearted “Yes, let it be.” Yes, let the Light of Christ live in me, so that I may carry it back to my family, my friends, my coworkers, my classmates, and all whom I encounter. The Epiphany is meant to be shared. It is the love of Jesus revealed in our lives and offered to the world through the simple, faithful gifts we give each day. SEE BISHOP’S SPANISH COLUMN, PAGE 4 BISHOP’S COLUMN From page 3 Same mission, new logo We are excited to share the newly designed Little Sisters of the Poor logo! This logo is for all the Little Sisters of the Poor homes across the world. Some homes have already made the switch, while others are still in the process. At Sacred Heart Residence in Mobile, AL, we will officially make the change to the new logo on January 1. While the logo is new, our mission remains the same. The mission of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcome as Christ, cared for as family, and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to Himself. This new logo conveys the mission of the Little Sisters very well. The mission of the Little Sisters is symbolized by the outreached hand which can represent the welcoming and supportive nature of the Little Sisters and the lay individuals who work alongside them. The hand holding the walking stick illustrates the Little Sisters commitment to the elderly. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit as well as the peace that should radiate within our Homes and to the outside. The phrase “Hospitality at Heart” evokes the fourth vow of the Little Sisters, which is hospitality. The choice of primary colors represents warmth and the vitality of the Congregation. We are excited for this new beginning and ask for your continued prayers and patience as we make this change. As we begin this new year, you will notice the new logo on our mailings, envelopes, website, newsletters, and other areas, but know our mission of providing compassionate care to the neediest elderly will always remain the same! For more information about the Little Sisters of the Poor, please visit their website at www.littlesistersofthepoormobile.org.
8 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 Barrett discusses Dobbs decision, Roe՚s ʻflawed՚ reasoning, life at the court, her faith BY OSV NEWS WASHINGTON (OSV News) -- The U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe ruling was a flawed “free-floating” decision, Justice Amy Coney Barrett said in discussing the legal reasoning behind her vote in the high court’s Dobbs ruling in 2022 overturning the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. She called Roe “a free-floating, free-wheeling decision” that read a right to abortion into the Constitution, when nothing in the Constitution speaks to abortion or medical procedures, Barrett said. The Catholic justice made the comments in a nearly hourlong wide-ranging interview with Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, for an episode of “Bishop Barron Presents,” released Dec. 21 on YouTube. “Roe told Americans what they should agree to, rather than what they have already agreed to in the Constitution” through the democratic process, she told Bishop Barron, a longtime Catholic broadcaster who is founder of Word on Fire, a Catholic media organization that uses digital and traditional media to introduce Catholicism to the broader world. Bishop Barron talked to Barrett at the court in Washington, with the interview prompted in part, the bishop said, by her book, “Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution,” published by Sentinel in September. She said many made assumptions that she based her decision in Dobbs on her Catholic belief, but there were plenty of people, she said, who support a so-called right to abortion who, like her, recognized Roe was “ill-reasoned and inconsistent with the Constitution,” including the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who “was “fiercely pro-choice.” In its June 24, 2022, ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the court upheld a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks in a 6-3 vote. It also voted 5-4 to overturn 1973’s Roe v. Wade ruling and 1992’s Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling, which affirmed Roe. “The best defense of Roe,” Barrett said -- and what she called the “commonly thought” defense of Roe -- was “that it was grounded in the word ‘liberty’ in the due process clause,” which states that “we protect life, liberty and property” and they can’t be taken away without due process of law. But “that word ‘liberty’ can’t be an open vessel or an empty vessel in which judges can just read into it whatever rights they want,” the former law professor at the University of Notre Dame said, “because otherwise, we lose the democracy in our democratic society.” She noted that parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie, near New Orleans, where her father, Bob, is a deacon, asked him to thank his daughter for Dobbs as if the decision had been rooted in her faith. Barrett said her father, who is also a retired lawyer, would tell them, “You do realize that Amy did this because she thought it was consistent with what she thought the Constitution required?” “There’s nothing I can do,” Barrett said, “other than to say, no, this was consistent with my view of the Constitution, with my understanding of how the doctrine of ‘stare decisis’ (respect for precedent) works. “We generally let precedent stand unless we decide they were egregiously wrong and inconsistent with the Constitution,” she explained. Barrett writes in her book that the “complicated moral debate” about abortion distinguishes it from other rights with broad support, including “the rights to marry, have sex, procreate, use contraception.” The effect of decisions like Roe and Casey, she told Bishop Barron, is “to say that people can’t make decisions for themselves” about abortion “through the democratic process.” Bishop Barron noted that the late Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, who was a mentor to him, used to complain about “judges having too much authority in our society and judges deciding these high moral matters.” He added that Cardinal George would say, “The nature of marriage is not a matter for courts to decide. It’s a matter of natural law,” a reference to the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage. “I think what Cardinal George was reacting to is the distinction between the approach to the Constitution that Dobbs took versus the approach that Roe took, which is putting decisions about what liberties are protected in the hands of judges rather than the democratic process,” Barrett said. Talking about her Catholic upbringing in New Orleans, she said, “The first chapter books that I read were ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’” the seven-book series by C.S. Lewis. “I just think those allegories give such good ways of thinking about faith and the kingdom of God, and then his more adult books, you know, I loved to read, too.” Her favorite saint, she said, was St. Thérèse of Lisieux, after whom she named a daughter, usually called Tess, who is one of her seven children with her husband of 21 years, Jesse. Known as “The Little Flower,” the French Carmelite nun died at just 24, but her “little way” of trust and love has made her one of the most beloved saints in modern Catholicism “I was captivated when I was young with how young she was (15) when she just completely gave her life over to the Lord,” and joined the convent, Barrett said. “Her ‘little way’ is so accessible to so many,” she added. Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minn., and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, are pictured in a combination photo. In a video interview with Bishop Barron, that premiered Dec. 2, Barrett discussed the court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, her judicial philosophy and what it’s like to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. OSV News file photos/Courtney Meyer/ Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters
Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 9 Private Croatia Yacht Charter and Tour June 7-14, 2026 Team@viagiotravel.com 228-871-5071 www.viagio.net 4013 Beatline Rd., Suite C, Long Beach, MS 39560 Charter Package includes: 7 Nights aboard new 160’ Luxury Yacht 2 delicious meals daily Welcome Reception Captain’s Dinner Service of 11 on board crew members 24/7 Local Concierge & Travel Assistant Bottled water Use of Motorized/Non-motorized water toys Touring Package also Available Limited Space Available! Contact us today! Hosted by Paige Lundgren and Sandi Favre of Viagio Travel Please contact us for pricing It was Thursday morning at 7 a.m., the temperature outside was 38 degrees. I bundled up to lessen the chill factor. It was still dark but a half-moon was available to guide any wayward traveler. The sky’s canopy was aglow with a myriad of stars, each reminding us that they can be guides for the weary and searching traveler. It is during such three mile morning walks that I have an opportunity to declutter my mind, put the day ahead in perspective and, possibly, entertain new thoughts and ideas that, following germination, might become the raw material for one of my upcoming columns. I had gone just a few hundred yards along the dimly lit rustic road, when it happened. Ahead of me, to the north, the star flickered like a fire cracker, and began its trail of disappearance as it fell to the earth. Moments later, just to the right of the falling star, another one flickered, and gradually burned its way to extension on its way to the earth’s atmosphere. Immediately, having experienced this once in my lifetime experience, the words of a song came to mind -- “Catch a falling star. Put it in your pocket. Never let it fade away. Catch a falling star. Put it in your pocket and keep it for a rainy day.” The song was a hit by Perry Como. I pocketed my experience of the falling stars and reflected on it for the rest of my morning journey. I thought it was ironic that I saw the falling stars a few days before the Feast of the Epiphany when the Wise Men, were led by their own star to the Christ Child. Maybe, deep down, my falling stars were reminding me that it is so easy to be caught up in the peripherals of life that I need to look a little deeper, put things in context and discover that the falling stars are inviting me to put the experience in my memory bank pocket and keep it for a rainy day. As I thought about the falling or “shooting star,” I began to reflect on its possible symbolism. While falling stars or shooting stars may have a natural symbolism associated with meteor showers; still, different and deeper spiritual meanings and connotations came to be associated with them. I remember, as a kid growing up in Ireland, what older people used to say about falling stars. Their explanation for the falling star was that it was a person’s soul going to heaven. I am sure that, even though the explanation was simplistic, it did give some assurance to a person of faith who might have lost a loved one recently. Some might associate seeing falling stars as a symbol of good luck or fortune to the viewer. Well! In my case, I didn’t make any new year resolutions that might bring me good luck and good fortune. I didn’t even wish upon that falling star that I might win the lottery, which is impossible because I never buy a ticket for it. But, then again, I will continue to be vigilant in case some good luck might visit me in the future. I would rather see my falling stars as a reminder of the bright lighted persons on my life’s journey who, in spite of their many rainy day experiences, still radiated a light that shone through the darkness and even overpowered it. The falling star can be a reminder that there will be “rainy” days ahead for all of us. But it also reminds us that, in our pocket, is that falling star that will support us and carry us through the rainy days. The scriptures are full of such reminders through the words “be not afraid” which occurs, ironically 365 times in the scriptures -- a reminder for each day of the year. The dark, secret, painful and wounded parts that inhabit parts of our lives can be caressed by that cascading stary light that glows in our pocket. My pocketed falling stars will generate a kind of holy space and place that will become a kind of sacramental encounter with the Divine who is Light from Light. SEE ACROSS THE POND, PAGE 10 Falling stars Across the Pond Father Tracey
10 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 16, 2026 No matter what the explanation, surrounding myths or symbolism of a falling star; I will treasure the experience and encounter as I pocket it deep inside for safe keeping for rainy days ahead, But, most of all, that falling star reminds me of the depths and potential of love given and love received; a reminder of that Great Lover who constantly populated our lives with human example of love that falls into our lives, to be pocket and treasured as a gift from Love itself for the rest of our lives. 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 ACROSS THE POND From page 9 “Let us ask ourselves: is there life in our church? Is there space for something new to be born? Do we love and proclaim a God who sets us on a journey?” Pope Leo asked. “Fear does indeed blind us. Conversely, the joy of the Gospel liberates us. It makes us prudent, yes, but also bold, attentive and creative; it beckons us along ways that are different from those already traveled,” he said. “It is wonderful to become pilgrims of hope,” who journey together and are amazed by God’s faithfulness, he said. “If we do not reduce our churches to monuments, if our communities are homes, if we stand united and resist the flattery and seduction of those in power, then we will be the generation of a new dawn,” he said. In Jesus, “we will contemplate and serve an extraordinary humanity, transformed not by the delusions of the all-powerful, but by God who became flesh out of love.” Outside on a cold, rainy winter morning, St. Peter’s Square was filled with thousands of people watching the Mass on big screens and awaiting the pope to recite the Angelus at noon. Hundreds of people dressed in traditional and festive costumes took part in an annual folkloric Epiphany procession along the main boulevard in front of the basilica. Marching bands and people in Renaissance costumes paraded up the street behind the Three Kings on horseback. Before reciting the Angelus from the balcony of the basilica’s loggia, the pope prayed that God’s words “come to fulfillment in us, may strangers and enemies become brothers and sisters.” “In the place of inequality, may there be fairness, and may the industry of war be replaced by the craft of peace,” he said. “As weavers of hope, let us journey together toward the future by another road.” POPE MASS DOOR EPIPHANY From page 1 In the evaluation of a good early life in marriage, one of the obstacles for me was my in-laws. Though I was and still am deeply in love with my wife, I was less than excited about my wife’s family. I was told that when you marry the wife, you marry her family, and my response was, I walked down the aisle with ONE person. But obviously I was shortsighted in my view and had to rethink my perspective. The scripture that got me on the right track with my in-laws started with the book of Ruth. The book of Ruth describes one of the most beautiful and selfless acts of love between a daughter-in-law and a mother-in-law. As Ruth’s first marriage ended with the death of her beloved husband, her mother-in-law, Naomi, encouraged Ruth to return to her homeland where she knew Ruth would once again be readily received. However, Ruth’s first concern was both her promise of commitment and obligation to that of her elderly mother-in-law. Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Wherever you die I will die, and there be buried. May the Lord do so and so to me, and more besides, if aught but death separates me from you!” (Ruth 1:16-17) In dangerous and unknown circumstances, Ruth clung to Naomi. The focus of this love for one another was as enriching for Ruth as it was to Naomi. Brothers and Sisters, when you decide to enter the Sacrament of Matrimony this means you have now made a choice to extend and accept your spouse’s family as you own. When this happens, it can be very hard for some parents to let go of their children. It’s tough for them to accept the fact that another person is now going to love, care for and nurture the person they raised and unconditionally loved since birth. Suddenly someone “new” has taken their place and the emotions can be bittersweet. Just as Naomi was understanding in the marriage of her son to Ruth, so too must today’s families keep in mind that every newlywed brings with them years of learned behaviors, habits and traditions that may be quite different than their own. For this new relationship to work, both the newlyweds and their families must recognize, from the beginning that all share the responsibilities for adjustment, understanding and acceptance. It is wonderful how many couples and families are widely open to each other and are blessings to each other’s lives. Extending families can mean twice the number of people with which to love and share your life. This is a most exciting and wonderful time as two families and two individuals come together to share their lives. New friendships, acquaintances and feelings are formed between people who, had it not been for this marriage, may never have known each other. So, as your two families interact, make sure that respect, sharing and courtesy are extended among all members. Just as Naomi recognized the need for her son and daughter-in-law to stand strong together so today’s mother-in-law and father-in-law also must understand. In honoring God’s will, their newly married son or daughter’s first commitment is now to his or her spouse. The bible tells us, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife” (Ephesians5:31). As a couple, it is important to protect the boundaries of your own family. Compromise and communicate effectively with your spouse. Always put YOUR marriage first and stand together. May God Bless you and your marriages. (Info from Catholic Couples Bible, “The Book of Ruth”, Catechism of the Catholic Church 2218) Deacon Justin Mitchell is the Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Biloxi. Marriage & Family Life Mitchell In-laws -- Your new family” Prayer for Vocations God our Father, We thank you for calling men and women to serve in Your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to Your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzEwNTM=