Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • July 19, 2024 11 -- Formation in listening to the Word of God and others, while emphasizing the need to listen to those experiencing poverty and marginalization. -- Addressing exclusion and lack of welcome in the church, which leaves people “feeling rejected, hinders their journey of faith and encounter with the Lord, and deprives the Church of their contribution to mission.” -- Creating a “recognized and properly instituted ministry of listening and accompaniment” which enables people to approach the church without feel- ing judged. -- Promoting possibilities for women to further participate in church life which “often remain untapped.” This includes providing women, includ- ing consecrated women, access to positions of responsibility, such as judges in canonical processes and teaching and formation roles in theology depart- ments, institutes and seminaries. -- Reimagining ordained ministry to help clergy avoid unnecessary burdens and isolation, and encouraging the delegation of tasks that do not require ordination to the laity. The question of admitting women to diaconal ministry will not be discussed at the second session, though a synod study group is looking at the issue. -- Enhancing transparency and accountability beyond sexual and financial abuse to include pasto- ral plans, working conditions and evaluation proce- dures for those holding positions in the church. -- Ensuring that the composition of different types of councils -- parish, deanery, diocesan or eparchial -- reflect the communities they serve and are able to effectively implement synodal proposals. -- Correcting the formula in the Code of Canon Law which speaks of councils as having “a consul- tative vote only.” This “diminishes the value of consultation and should be corrected.” “The aim of synodal ecclesial discernment is not to make the bishops obey the voice of the people, … but rather to lead to a shared decision in obedience to the Holy Spirit.” Pope Francis chose synodality as the theme for the ordinary General Assembly of the Synod to help the church strengthen its evangelizing mission by emphasizing the need of all the baptized to deepen their journey of following the Lord and renew their responsibility to serve his mission. Unlike earlier meetings of the Synod of Bishops, which focused on a specific issue or a specific region of the world, the “synod on synodality” is focused on providing “an opportunity for the entire people of God to discern together how to move for- ward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term,” according to the synod’s official handbook. Vatican Synod Working Document From page 8 Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical “Caritas in Veritate,” reminds us that charity must extend beyond mere acts of kindness to include structural changes that promote justice and human flourishing. This includes addressing the root causes of home- lessness through advocacy and social reform. Pope John Paul II, recognized the importance of solidarity and communal responsibility in address- ing social injustices. He famously stated, “Solidarity helps us to see the ‘other’ -- whether a person, peo- ple or nation -- not just as some kind of instrument, with a work capacity and physical strength to be exploited at low cost and then discarded when no longer useful, but as our ‘neighbor’, a ‘helper’ (cf. Gen 2:18-20), to be made a sharer, on a par with ourselves, in the banquet of life to which all are equally invited by God” (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 39). As we reflect on these teachings and examples, let us renew our commitment to combating home- lessness in our communities. Let us be like the Good Samaritan, who saw a neighbor in need and respond- ed with compassion and generosity. May our actions speak louder than our words, as we strive to build a society where every person has a place to call home and the opportunity to flourish. If you would like to help our ministry at the Mercy Cross Center, visit catholiccharitiesofsouth- ms.org/mercy-cross-center. Perhaps, you do not live in the Biloxi area and want to do something in your own community. Please check with your parish and/or neighboring parishes to see what ministries they offer to help those in need and lend a hand. In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta, “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplo- mas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me some- thing to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.’” Let us pray for the grace to be instruments of God’s mercy and love in the world today. Amen. SEE BISHOP’S SPANISH COLUMN, PAGE 4 Bishop’s Column From page 3 Quizás no viva en el área de Biloxi y quiera hacer algo en su propia comunidad. Por favor consulte con su parroquia y/o parroquias vecinas para ver qué ministerios ofrecen para ayudar a los necesitados y echar una mano. En palabras de Santa Teresa de Calcuta: “Al final de la vida no seremos juzgados por cuántos diplo- mas hemos recibido, cuánto dinero hemos ganado, cuántas cosas maravillosas hemos hecho. Estaremos juzgado por: “Tuve hambre, y me disteis de comer, estuve desnudo y me vestisteis”. No tenía hogar y ustedes me acogieron”. Oremos por la gracia de ser instrumentos de la misericordia y el amor de Dios en el mundo de hoy. Amén. Columna del Obispo en Espa ñ ol De la página 4 Prayer for Protection against Storms and Hurricanes Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.