Gulf Pine Catholic • April 10, 2026 3 Bishop Kihneman’s Schedule Gulf Pine Catholic (ISSN No. 0746-3804) April 10, 2026 Volume 43, Issue 14 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 APRIL24 — News copy and photos: Due APRIL 14, 4 p.m. Advertising: Completed Ad and/or copy due APRIL 14, 10 a.m. April 11 Confirmation, St Joseph the Worker Parish, Moss Point, 4 p.m. April 12 Confirmation, Holy Family Parish, Pass Christian, 5 p.m. April 13 Priests’ Retreat, Our Lady of -16 Hope Retreat Center, Osyka, MS April 18 Equestrian Order of the Holy -20 Sepulchre Annual Meeting, Montgomery, AL April 22 Confirmation, Sacred Heart Parish, Hattiesburg, 6 p.m. April 23 Presbyteral Council, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 10:30 a.m. April 23 Confirmation, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Oceans Springs, 6 p.m. April 24 Knights of Columbus -26 Convention, Natchez, MS April 26 Mass, Holy Infant of Good Health, St. Ann Parish, Clermont Harbor, 2 p.m. BY BISHOP LOUIS F. KIHNEMAN III Bishop of the Diocese of Biloxi As we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection, the Church also leads us into the grace of Divine Mercy Sunday, reminding us in a special way of the boundless mercy flowing from the heart of the risen Christ. We come together to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, and in the end, that is what everything is about: Jesus rising from the dead. But we begin at the cross. We begin with Jesus giving His life for us, saying in the deepest way possible that death has no more power over us (cf. Romans 6:9). Think about that: death has no more power over us. Jesus declares His love in the most complete way -- by laying down His life -- and in doing so, He opens for us the way to the Resurrection. The Paschal candle, placed prominently in our churches, is a powerful sign of this mystery. Marked with the wounds of Christ and the year of our salvation, it proclaims that the light of Christ is alive among us. That light is not distant. Through Baptism, each of us carries it within. Each of us shares in the promise of the Resurrection. No matter what is happening in our Bishop Kihneman “Peace Be With You”: From the Cross to the Resurrection lives, this is what it is all about: Jesus Christ risen from the dead. This is our gift. This is our blessing. In the Gospel of St. John, we hear one of the Resurrection accounts (John 20:1929). Jesus appears to His disciples who are lost and filled with fear. They are unprepared, uncertain, and without hope. Yet when He comes to them, He does not startle them or condemn them. Instead, He says, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). This is not simply a greeting. It is the peace of heaven -- the peace of the risen Christ. It is the same Jesus, rich in mercy, who comes to us today. He meets us in the sacraments. He meets us in our lives. He is present, loving us, and inviting us into a deeper relationship with God. The disciples, who had lost hope, are renewed in that encounter. Their hearts, once broken, are restored. Their faith is rekindled. They are given new life as His disciples. Then Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). That same Spirit is given to us. In a particular way, it is given in the Sacrament of Confirmation, where we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is not symbolic. It is real. It is the very breath of Christ entering into our lives. And yet, even among the disciples, there is doubt. Thomas is not present at first, and he refuses to believe. He says plainly, “Unless I see… I will not believe” (John 20:25). We understand that. There are moments in life when we do not know what God is doing. There are times of confusion, suffering, and uncertainty. In those moments, faith becomes a choice. It is as if God is asking us: Will you love me even now? Will you trust me even here? When Jesus appears again, He goes directly to Thomas. He meets him in his doubt and invites him to believe: “Put your finger here… do not be unbelieving, but believe” (John 20:27). In the same way, Christ comes to each of us. No matter what is happening in our lives, He invites us into a relationship of love. He calls us to open our hearts and receive Him. The response of Thomas becomes our own: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). This is the moment of faith. This is the call given to every one of us. SEE BISHOP’S COLUMN, PAGE 13
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