Gulf Pine Catholic • May 22, 2026 3 Bishop Kihneman’s Schedule Gulf Pine Catholic (ISSN No. 0746-3804) May 22, 2026 Volume 43 Issue 17 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 / BILLING CIRCULATION — Shirley McCusker —OFFICEHOURS— 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday —PHONE NUMBERS— Editor: 228-702-2126 Production /Advertising Billing / Circulatiuon: 228-702-2109 —EMAIL— News: tdickson@biloxidiocese.org Production / Advertising Billing / Circulation: smccusker@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 JUNE 19 News copy and photos: Due JUNE 9, 4 p.m. Advertising: Completed Ad and/or copy due JUNE 9, 10 a.m. May 23 Mass Charismatic Community, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Long Beach, 11 a.m. May 23 Mass & Confirmation, Holy Spirit Parish, Vancleave, 4 p.m. May 24 Confirmation -- Adult/ Diocesan, Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, 11 a.m. June 1-4 SVD Retreat, St. Augustine Seminary, Bay St. Louis June 6 Ordination, Transitional Deacons, Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, 10:30 a.m. BY BISHOP LOUIS F. KIHNEMAN III Bishop of the Diocese of Biloxi I had the privilege of visiting all of our schools this year, and it was a treat and a joy for me. I hope it was for you. I treasure our time together, especially in intercessory prayer. Prayer connects us in a unique way and, Jesus tells us in St. Matthew’s Gospel 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The Lord calls each and every one of us into a very special relationship, and He is calling you, the graduates of the Class of 2026. In St. John’s Gospel, St. Peter denies Jesus three times (John 18:1527) after telling Jesus during the Last Supper, “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you (John 13:37). Jesus answered Peter, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times” (John 13:38). Later in the same Gospel (John 21:119), Jesus appears to the disciples and sits down to breakfast with them. Imagine breakfast with Jesus. In this lived and ordinary moment, Jesus looks at Peter, and it becomes a moment of healing and complete conversion. Jesus asks him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15). He is really asking all the disciples and asking us. Peter answers, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus responds, “Feed my Bishop Kihneman “Do You Love Me?” Bishop Kihneman Challenges Class of 2026 to “Follow Me” lambs” (John 21:15). The lambs, by the way, are us. Peter became the first pope of the Church, but it was through this intimate moment of repentance and mercy that his complete conversion experience happens for him. Jesus asks Peter a second time, and then a third time, saying, “Feed my lambs” and “Tend my sheep” (John 21:16-17). In other words: Love all my people. Then Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Follow me” (John 21:19b). So the question for each graduate -- and really for all of us as the Church -- is this: Within our own conversion, where are we? Within our own call to discipleship, where are we? Have we allowed the Lord Jesus to ask us personally, “Do you love me?” So, Class of 2026, Jesus is asking you: Do you love me? Because you are His witnesses. You are His disciples. He calls you first. And as He asks that question, “Do you love me?” and He also says, “Feed my sheep,” whoever the sheep may be in your circle of life. God’s love is speaking to you, calling you into relationship, calling you to mission, and calling you to witness to His love in a special way. Calling you to grow from sheep to shepherd. Jesus also says to you what he said to Peter: “Follow me” (John 21:19). He has said the same to me many times throughout my faith journey. He said, “Follow me.” And that call has led me here, and I continue to answer His call every day, “Yes, Lord.” That does not mean it has been easy or that there are not serious challenges each day. But you will find the truth in Jesus’ promise, “my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Matthew 11: 30). In the weeks, months, and years ahead, you will have opportunities to grow in faith, witness your faith, and make disciples. But if you find yourself feeling lost in the temptations of the world and need encouragement to return to the Lord, re-read and contemplate the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15. You are familiar with the stories and can probably tell them from memory, but some take time to truly discern these stories anew as an adult. The Lost Sheep (1-7), The Lost Coin (8-10), and The Lost Son (11-32) will help you understand how much Jesus wants to welcome you home through His unending love, mercy, and forgiveness. If you are leaving home following graduation, locate and visit your new parish community before you move. If you will be attending university or college, find your Newman Center or FOCUS Missionaries, they will provide fellowship and support for your faith journey. Jesus says, “Follow me.” What are you going to say? SEE BISHOP’S SPANISH COLUMN, PAGE 4
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