Gulf Pine Catholic

2 Gulf Pine Catholic • February 2, 2024 Diocese of Biloxi Bulletin Board ► Mississippi Society of Italian Americans, Feb. 8, Coast-Wide Boccee Meeting ~ Parishes, church organiza- tions, youth groups, fraternal associa- tions, senior citizens, families, & indi- viduals are welcome to attend a free public meeting on Thurs., Feb. 8, 5 p.m., to learn about the 2024 MS Gulf Coast Bocce Program sponsored by the Mississippi Society of Italian Americans (MS SOFIA). The meeting will be held, rain or shine, at the site of the bocce program -- the all-weather, lighted Harrison County bocce courts at the Woolmarket Community Center, 16320 Old Wool- market Rd. MS SOFIA’s bocce program will include informal play, tournaments, and a possible formal bocce league featuring both evening&weekend play. Beginners, skilled, & individuals of all ages are wel- come to attend. Bocce, also known as lawn bowling, pre-dates the Roman Empire and is the third most popular sport in the world today. For more info, call David Biagini, MS SOFIA President, (228) 324-5041. MEETINGS ► Sacred Heart Parish, D’Iberville, Feb. 3, A Faith Formation ~ Study of the Healing Power of Confession ~ Join us on Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. to learn the historical & biblical origins of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance); Dr Hahn provides an important guide for all Catholics (new & “old hands”) to help us deepen our relationship with Christ. ► St. Mary Parish, Woolmarket, Feb. 3, First Saturday Devotion ~ All are invited to attend our First Saturday Devotion at St. Mary in Woolmarket on Feb. 3. We will begin the Devotion with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 9:30 a.m. Then we will pray the scrip- tural rosary at 10 a.m. There will also be the hearing of confessions, meditation on the mysteries of the rosary as requested by Our Lady of Fatima, & Holy Mass at 11 a.m. Since this First Saturday falls on the Feast of St. Blaise, we will also have the blessing of throats. A procession will follow in which we will carry a statue of Our Lady & a banner to honor Mary from the Church to Murray Hall where we will then have a potluck lunch & refreshments. All are welcome to join us in this Devotion! For more info., please contact Sharon Poulette at (443) 699- 8281 or email aloha7290@gmail.com. ► Our Mother of Mercy Parish, Pass Christian, Feb. 8, Bingo ~ Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Pass Christian will host “Bingo Every Thursday.” Door opens 5:30 p.m. Early Bird 6:30 p.m. Bingo 7 p.m. 216 Saucier Ave. Pass Christian. More info., please go to OMM Bingo Facebook page or call (228) 452-6309. ► Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral, Biloxi, Feb. 15, A Healing Encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist ~ In connection with Our Lady of Lourdes, which St. Pope John Paul II designated as World Day of the Sick and in the Spirit of PARISH EVENTS ► Sacred Heart Retreat Center, Dedeaux, Feb. 15-18, Women’s Cursillo ~ The next Women’s Cursillo will be held at the Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Dedeaux, Feb. 15-18. Applications for the weekend are now being accepted. Applications are avail- able online at biloxicursillo.org or con- tact Melanie Moe, Rectora, & Tara Phelan, Co-Rectora. Do you want to experience your faith more deeply & live it in your daily life? To enrich your relationship with God, no matter how strong it may be right now? Are you looking for a community with which to share your faith journey? Do you want to become more confident in & enthusiastic about your faith & in shar- ing it in the secular world? If you answered “yes” to any of these ques- tions, then Cursillo is for you. CURSILLO ► Nativity BVM Cathedral Gloria in Excelsis ~ The Music & Fine Arts Ministry of Nativity BVM Cathedral announces the resumption of their sev- enth season of their Community Chorale: Gloria In Excelsis . The Community Choir program is open to any interested singers in the Diocese of Biloxi & the Greater Gulf Coast Area. The Chorale continues to rehearse on Tues. evenings at 6:45 p.m. in the Youth Ministry Hall of the Sacred Heart Academy Center directly behind Nativity BVM Cathedral located at 870 Howard Avenue in Biloxi. The Spring 2024 Season works being prepared include John Stainer’s Crucifixion & the annual Patriotic Concert featuring Randall Thompson’s Testament of Freedom . These are major programs planned for this semester. The Chorale has also been invited to sing the National Anthem for the Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Veterans Cemetery in Biloxi & share a patriotic program at the National Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport in May. For more info, contact Terry Maddox at (251) 406-1454 &/or terrydalemaddox@ gmail.com . CHORAL Eucharistic Revival, we will haveand Hour of Grace on the Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral. Come, let us pray for healing for the sick from Jesus in the Eucharist. ► Our Mother of Mercy Parish, Pass Christian, Feb. 16, Healing Mass ~ Our Mother of Mercy will host a Healing Mass on Fri., Feb., 16, 5 p.m. The church is located at 216 Saucier Ave., Pass Christian. ► Our Lady of the Gulf Parish, Bay St. Louis, Feb. 16-17, Sacred Music Workshop -- Singing Is for the One Who Loves ~ Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church & the Classical Arts Foundation of South Mississippi invite you to join us for our second Sacred Music Workshop, hosted by Our Lady of the Gulf Church on the beach in down- town Bay St. Louis. This two-day work- shop will be presented by Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka and will be a fantas- tic opportunity for cantors, choir mem- bers, music directors, and clergy. SEE BULLETIN BOARD, PAGE 27 Letter to the Bishop My brother bishops , Every year, Catholics across the country respond generously to the national collections administered by our Conference. Those contributions are transformed into programs of solidarity and pastoral support. They support evangelization, faith formation, vocation support, community development and other activities that strengthen families and communities here at home and around the world. Transparency and accountability are foundational to the work of the Committee on National Collections and so it is my pleasure to share that the annual reports of the Church in Africa, Church in Central and Eastern Europe, Church in Latin America, Catholic Home Missions, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Communication Campaign, and The Catholic Relief Services collections are now posted online. These reports provide snapshots of the tremendous impact of your parishioners’ generosity as well as confirmation of good stewardship. I am grateful for your support and leadership. Fraternally yours in Christ, Most Reverend James S. Wall Bishop of Gallup, Chairman