Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • May 10, 2024 3 Gulf Pine Catholic (ISSN No. 0746-3804) May 10, 2024 Volume 41, Issue 19 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 M c Cusker —BILLING — Aimee M c Lendon —CIRCULATION— Robin Peeler —PHOTOGRAPHY— Juliana Skelton —OFFICEHOURS— 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday —PHONE NUMBERS— Editor: 228-702-2126 Production/Advertising: 228-702-2109 Billing: 228-702-2127 Circulation: 228-702-2100 Photography: 228-201-2132 —EMAIL— News: tdickson@biloxidiocese.org Production / Advertising: smccusker@biloxidiocese.org Billing: amclendon@biloxidiocese.org Circulation: rpeeler@biloxidiocese.org Photography: jskelton@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 MAY 24— News copy and photos: Due MAY 16, 4 p.m. Advertising: Completed Ad and/or copy due MAY 16, 10 a.m. Bishop Kihneman’s Schedule May 12 Confirmation, Sacred Heart Parish, D’Iberville, 5 p.m. May 14 Baccalaureate Mass, St. Patrick High School, Biloxi, 5 p.m. May 15 ESP Retreat, New Orleans -16 Retreat Center May 16 Baccalaureate Mass, Sacred Heart High School, Hattiesburg, 6 p.m. May 17 Baccalaureate Mass, Our Lady Academy, Our Lady of the Gulf Parish, Bay St. Louis, 6 p.m. May 18 Baccalaureate Mass, St. Stanislaus, Our Lady of the Gulf Parish, Bay St. Louis, 11 a.m. May 19 Pentecost Sunday -- Adult Confirmation, Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, 11 a.m. May 20 Mass, Father Tony Arguelles 50th Anniversary Ordination, Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, 6 p.m. May 21 Baccalaureate Mass, Resurrection High School, Our Lady of Victories Parish, Pascagoula, 6 p.m. May 25 First Communion, St. Rose de Lima Parish, Bay St. Louis, 10 a.m. May 26 Confirmation, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Picayune, 5 p.m. Guest Column BY VERY REV. ADAM URBANIAK Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Pastor of Our Lady of Victories Parish, Pascagoula It was both a humbling honor and a profound privilege to represent Bishop Louis Kihneman and the wonderful people of South Mississippi in the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, Ukraine. As the train trav- eled toward the heart of Ukraine, the patchwork of fields and towns carried a deceptive calm, hiding the scars of a nation embroiled in conflict. I was there as a rep- resentative of Bishop Louis Kihneman and the faithful of South Mississippi, tasked with bringing a message of solidarity to our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr. My first day in Ukraine took me to a solemn setting: the Catholic-Polish ceme- tery in Zhytomyr. I had the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Holy Mass alongside Bishop Vitalii. Together, we bowed our heads in prayer, remembering and honoring all those who have tragically lost their lives during the Russian invasion. In my sermon, I sought to offer solace and reassurance to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles. I emphasized the presence of Christ Crucified within them, dwelling in their hearts and souls, particularly evident in their love for family, the fallen, and their homeland.Additionally, I conveyed the unwavering prayers and support extended by our Bishop and the faithful of the Diocese of Biloxi, who have steadfastly stood by their side since the onset of this devastating conflict. I also had the opportunity to pay respects at a mili- tary cemetery adorned with countless Ukrainian flags, each representing a brave soul who has recently fallen in the line of duty. Our prayers echoed among the grave- stones, each a silent testament to the human cost of war. The air was thick with grief, particularly poignant as I watched a moth- er at the cemetery’s entrance, her sorrow palpable as she mourned her son, a young soldier lost to the war. That image pierced my heart: witnessing a mother, standing alone at the cemetery’s entrance, mourning the loss of her only son, a hero who val- iantly served on the front lines. Her soli- tary figure, standing in the wake of such unimaginable loss, served as a poignant reminder of the profound pain and loneli- ness experienced by those left behind and the immense toll of war. The next day brought me to Kyiv. I had the privilege of celebrating the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord with Bishop Vitalii at his cathedral. Together, we prayed for the intercession of the Mother of God, knowing that she stands ever at the side of her suffering children, offering solace and strength in their hour of need. During my homily, I recounted a story shared by BishopVitalii. He described an incident where a bullet, or rather a frag- ment of a missile, struck the seminary building, damaging the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. This event occurred as we, in unity with Pope Francis, fervently prayed for an end to this unjust war, for peace to prevail in Ukraine, and for hearts in Russia to undergo conversion during the Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary just two years ago. SEE VERY REV. ADAM URBANIAK, PAGE 6 Reflections on recent visit to Ukraine Father Adam Urbaniak preaches during Mass in the Catholic-Polish cemetery in Zhytomyr. Seated is Bishop Vitalii, bishop of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, Ukraine. Father Adam represented the Diocese of Biloxi during a recent visit to Ukraine.