14 Gulf Pine Catholic • February 13, 2026 A Grateful Diocese: Thank you to our 2025 Catholic Sharing Appeal donors BY DAVE WYRWICH Director of Mission Advancement I would like to offer my personal gratitude to our parishioners who chose to support the 2025 Catholic Sharing Appeal. Your decision to give is an act of faith, generosity, and love for the Church, and I am deeply grateful and humbled again this year by your generosity and faith. Time and again, the faithful of our diocese respond with compassion and trust, and because of you, the mission of the Church in South Mississippi continues in powerful and life-giving ways. Because you chose to participate in the Catholic Sharing Appeal, many essential ministries will be able to continue and grow. Your generosity supports the formation of our future priests, provides care and dignity to our retired priests. It strengthens evangelization throughout our diocese and makes possible the incredible work being done with our youth and young adults in parishes and communities across the Coast. The fruits of your generosity are seen every day in the lives of those we serve. Through the Mercy Cross Center, more than 180 men and women have been helped off the streets and offered hope for a new beginning. Through Catholic Charities, hundreds of thousands of meals have been served to those struggling with hunger. These acts of mercy, compassion, and accompaniment simply cannot happen without you. At the same time, it is worth noting that only one in four active diocesan families currently support the Catholic Sharing Appeal. This makes your generosity even more meaningful. Your willingness to say “YES” ensures that these ministries remain strong and that the Church can continue to reach those most in need. I am also sincerely grateful for the dedication and hard work of our parishes. The time, effort, and leadership of our pastors, parish staff, and volunteers are essential, and their commitment once again helped make this year’s appeal a success. Above all, my deepest thanks go to the faithful people of our diocese who, year after year, offer both spiritual and financial support to the Catholic Sharing Appeal. Your prayers, sacrifices, and generosity make all these blessings possible and allow the Church to continue Christ’s mission of hope and service. On behalf of our diocesan family and those who the appeal serves, THANK YOU! Please know of my gratitude and my prayers for you. The Tabitha Project receives energy efficiency kits to support community in need BY RACHEL RYAN Tabitha Project Coordinator rryan@biloxidiocese.org At the Tabitha Project, our mission has always been rooted in fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals with disabilities. Through compassionate outreach, education and support services, Tabitha seeks to create a community supporting spiritual well-being, promoting independence and fostering full inclusion. We are pleased to share that, through a generous community partnership with Delta Utilities, we have received energy efficiency kits that will be distributed to our clients and available to the Diocese of Biloxi parishioners. Many of the families we serve struggle with rising utility costs, especially those living on fixed incomes, seniors and people with disabilities. Small inefficiencies in the home, such as outdated lighting, air leaks or excessive water use can quickly lead to higher bills and additional stress. Energy efficiency kits provide practical, easy-to-use tools that help reduce energy and water consumption while improving your comfort at home. Tabitha Project is pleased to share that the kits are available at de l’Epée Deaf Center and can be distributed through Catholic Charities of South Mississippi office as well. This outreach reflects a shared commitment to equity and accessibility, making sure energy-saving resources are available to everyone who needs them. This initiative is more than a donation from the Delta Utilities team. It is a community campaign focused on long-term impact. By equipping households with both tools and knowledge, Delta Utilities helps reduce financial strain while supporting environmental responsibility in your home. The positive effects extend beyond individual homes, strengthening our local community! We extend our sincere gratitude to Delta Utilities for their generosity and partnership, and a special thank you to Olivia Barq, Energy Efficiency Specialist, whose dedication and leadership helped make this project possible! Her commitment to inclusion, education and community-focused solutions aligns closely with our mission at The Tabitha Project. We encourage our clients and parishioners to take advantage of this opportunity while supplies last. Together, through collaboration and accessibility, we can continue building a stronger, more resilient Gulf Coast community.
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