Gulf Pine Catholic

6 Gulf Pine Catholic • May 10, 2024 228-539-9800 www.RiemannFamily.com Gulfport Pass Christian West Jackson County Biloxi Long Beach Hancock County On May 13, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to three shepherd children in Por- tugal six different times over the course of five months in 1917, culminating in a final miracle witnessed by 70,000 people, when the sun defied the laws of physics and danced in the sky. This event was so consistently verified by those present that secular newspapers of the time reported on the miracle. In the apparitions leading up to what came to be known as the Miracle of the Sun, Mary shared insights about events still to come in the 20th century, and she implored the faithful to offer prayers and sacrifices to God so that peace may come upon the world, promising that, after a period of trial, “My Immaculate Heart will triumph.” Before becoming pope, Cardinal Joseph Razinger interpreted Mary’s declaration of a future triumph of her Immaculate Heart in this way: “The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Savior into the world -- because, thanks to her Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time…. God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human free- dom towards what is good.” The message of Fatima inspires hope that Mary can triumph over the hardest of hearts so that those most in need can find their way to the mercy of God. Turning to our Blessed Mother is a sure path to God because she points the way to her Son, who will never turn away those who honor His mother. Mary is our perfect guide in the spiritual life because she knows the heart of Christ, and her tender and motherly rela- tionship with Him is what makes her such a powerful intercessor for us. Consider the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana, when Mary told Jesus, “They have no wine,” and he said to her, “My hour has not yet come,” and her response was simply to tell the servants, “Do whatever He tells you,” with the clear assumption He would do what she asked, at which point He turned water into wine, defying His own initial instinct in an amazing demonstration of loyalty and respect for His mother’s wishes. This is the intercessor we have when we turn to Mary. Her exhortations for prayer and sacrifice at Fati- ma remain the truest path we have for entering into re- lationship with Jesus. Prayer is the ritual that returns us to a disposition open to the love of God. And sacrifice unites us with Christ, fulfilling His call to each of us to take up our cross and follow Him. On May 13, 2010, 500,000 people gathered in Fati- ma for the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, where Pope Benedict XVI offered Mass in the square outside the shrine. He emphasized the continuing relevance of Fati- ma’s message, calling Mary a “teacher” who introduced the children of Fatima “to a deep knowledge of the love of the Blessed Trinity and led them to savor God Him- self as the most beautiful reality of human existence.” May we all turn to Our Lady of Fatima on her feast day with humble hearts, ready to learn from her so that we can find our path to “the most beautiful reality of human existence,” her Son, Jesus Christ. Fr. Ed Dougherty, M.M., serves on The Chris- tophers’ Board of Directors. For a free copy of the Christopher News Note, GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, write: The Christophers, 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004; or e-mail: mail@christophers.org . Mary is a sure path to God Light One Candle Fr. Dougherty Very Rev. Adam Urbaniak From page 3 Bishop Vitalii’s words, spoken during his visit to our Diocese of Biloxi, deeply resonated with us, revealing the harsh realities of this conflict and its profound spiritual dimensions. Indeed, this is not merely a war waged with missiles and weapons, but also a profound spiritual warfare. I concluded my homily with a prayer: May the Mother of God, Our Lady of Fatima, wrap her mantle of protection around you, shielding you from harm and guiding you safely through the storms of life. And may her prayers, joined with ours, be a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness, leading all hearts to the Prince of Peace, who alone can bring true and lasting recon- ciliation. Perhaps the most heartening part of my visit was at the Caritas-Spes Center. Here, the true spirit of the Ukrainian people shone brightly through the volun- teers at the Social Kitchen, who served up to 600 meals daily. The contributions from the Diocese of Biloxi facilitated the acquisition of buildings for efficient storage of goods, office work, and, funda- mentally, for feeding the needy. Moreover, this place offers a warm meal to anyone in need. The vibrant spirit and joy of the volunteers, amidst the hardships and conflict due to war, were truly inspiring. This center was more than just a kitchen; it was a sanctu- ary for those displaced by war, a place where body and soul could find nourishment. The joy and vigor of the volunteers were infec- tious, and as they shared, it springs from prayer and retreats. These volunteers don’t just nourish the body; they often provide solace to many refugees who have fled the war zone, leaving everything behind. Many who escape the horrors of war have nothing to return to, as their homes were ravaged by the conflict. When inquiring how the volunteers comfort those enduring such profound injustice, they revealed that initially, they refrained from dis- cussing painful memories to avoid worsening the sorrow. They recommended walks in parks or forests for peace. Gradually, the staff started inviting those they assisted to find comfort in the Church through prayer and liturgy. I am deeply moved by the efforts of Fr. Vitalii Uminskyi, the director of Caritas-Spes, Svetlana, the director of the social kitchen, and their team. Their com- mitment to feeding both body and soul is a pow- erful form of evangeli- zation. Throughout my visit, the gratitude of the Ukrainian people was overwhelming. They were not just thankful for the materi- al support but for the knowledge that they were not forgotten. Their stories of loss and resilience, their prayers for peace, resonated deeply with me. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of our duty to continue supporting the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr. They are a beacon of hope in a landscape marred by conflict, a testament to the power of faith and community in the face of adversity. Let us walk with them in soli- darity, bolstered by prayer and action, as they strive for peace and healing in a wounded world. SEE VERY REV. ADAM URBANIAK’S SPANISHCOLUMN, PAGE 4