Gulf Pine Catholic

10 Gulf Pine Catholic • August 4, 2023 Fast forward to a 2019 Pew study, which found that only one-third of Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Many of us are experiencing this in our own families; family mem- bers drifting away from the Eucharist, drifting away from Mass, or even turning away from the faith. This is one of the reasons the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops launched the National Eucharistic Revival, to restore understanding and devotion to the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the Christian life (Lumen Gentium, #11). It is often harder to share our faith with family than it is to share it with a stranger. We can face disinterest or even hostility from friends and family members. Persevere! Lift the unbeliever in prayer to our Lord and ask Him to reveal Himself to them. Also, pray the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anyone you are meant to accom- pany in faith. Sometimes your passionate witness is needed, and sometimes a gentle call that engages their curiosity will move them forward. St. Angela of Foligno said, “If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this Sacrament, I am sure that the thought of Christ’s love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude.” How do we give proper thanks to God for the gift of His son in the Eucharist? The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the “Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, His brethren.” (CC 1397) The Corporal Works of Mercy are based on Christ’s teachings and are the perfect expression of Eucharistic love and gratitude. • Feed the hungry. • Give drink to the thirsty. • Clothe the naked. • Visit the imprisoned. • Shelter the homeless. • Visit the sick. • Bury the dead. All of these actions are rooted in Eucharistic love and gratitude. It is that same love and gratitude that has inspired countless holy men and women in action because of their love and devotion to the Eucharist. One of the greatest examples is St. Teresa of Calcutta, who ministered to the poorest of the poor. She said, “The Eucharist and the poor are inseparable. This is not anything new for the Church, for we can clearly see it in the Gospels. The One who said, ‘This is my body’ is the same one who said, ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat’” (cf. Matthew 26:26; 25:35). St. Damien de Veuster, SS.CC ., who ministered to lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, drew his strength from the Eucharist. In a letter to his brother, Damien, wrote, “Without the constant presence of our Divine Master, I would never be able to cast my lot with that of the lepers.” We see that same type of love carried out here on a local level through the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and by those who volunteer at their churches or neighborhood soup kitchens to feed the hungry and provide clothing and other vital resources. We are our Lord’s hands and feet, and these days our witness may be the only opportunity many have to experience Jesus alive in another person. I know of one individual who used to eat three meals a day. However, after listening to his parish priest preach on the Gospel story on the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, was left with a feeling of emptiness and an urge to do something to help those who were less fortunate. As a result, he decided to skip lunch once a week and spend his lunch hour volunteering at a local soup kitchen that catered primarily to the homeless. Then, he decided that he could do more and began to seek out some of those same people from the soup kitchen in the places where they hung out in the com- munity. He would bring them food and drink, clothing, toiletries. He would also take these individuals to places where they could shower and would assist them if they needed medical service. He did it because he was grateful for what Jesus did for Him and for us by His suffering, death, Resurrection and Ascension into heaven and because of the great gift that He has given to each of us, His Body and Blood, soul and divinity in the Holy Eucharist. He made his faith visible in his ministry to others in their need. There are many wonderful opportunities in our par- ishes and communities to reveal to the world our faith in and love of Jesus Christ and His presence with us. When we are serving others and reflecting God’s mercy, we have a wonderful opportunity to ask, “May I pray for you?” and if the answer is, “Yes.” Then with joy and confidence in Jesus’ mercy and love for each of us, offer a simple prayer of gratitude for the person who God has placed in your path and ask for God’s blessing for them and their loved ones. You can also ask them if there is something or someone they would like you to pray for. And if someone asks you for “a reason for your hope,” you will be ready to share your faith story that may be the spark that sets them on their journey to faith in Christ. As we continue the Year of the Eucharist in the Parish, I echo this prayer of Pope Francis: “Let us therefore call upon the Lord, that He may always makes His Church capable of this holy service, and that each one of us may be an instrument of com- munion in our family, at work, in the parish and in groups to which we belong, as a visible sign of God’s mercy that does not want to leave anyone alone and in need, so that communion and peace may descend among men, and communion of men with God, for this communion is life for all.” (General Audience - August 17, 2016) SEE BISHOP’S SPANISH COLUMN, PAGE 4 Bishop’s Column From page 3 On Friday, July 14, Father Satish Adhav, assisted by Deacon Gerry Dubuisson, celebrated Mass to mark the end of the week-long Catholic Kids Camp at St. Thomas in Long Beach. During the week participants in the camp explored the marvelous mysteries of the Mass, focussing on the meaning of the Eucharist. End of Catholic Kids Camp S t . T homas the A postle P arish , L ong B each S t . A lphonsus P arish , O cean S prings Neilson Scholarship Neilson Scholarship presented in honor of Jean Neilson’s son, Chris (deceased) in partnership with K.C. Council 5654, St. Alphonsus, Ocean Springs. (L-R) Jean Neilson (sponsor), Juliana Savagh ($1000 scholarship recipient), Scott Weatherford (K.C. Council 5654 Grand Knight)