Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • September 13, 2024 15 International Seamen Center Collection: Sept. 14-15 Please give generously in your parish collection, or mail donations to: International Seamen Center Collection c/o Diocese of Biloxi, 1790 Popps Ferry Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532 • For over 70 years, the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) has been the Catholic Church’s response to the spiritual needs of the seafarer, who does not otherwise fit in the traditional structures of Catholic ministry. • Seafarers bring 95% of all the goods used and consumed in the U.S. But these seafarers often suffer loneliness, exploitation and spiritual deprivation in the process. On behalf of the United States’ Catholic community, AOS port chaplains and ship visitors welcome seafarers to our shores, provide for their practical and pastoral care and enable Catholic seafarers to receive the sacraments. • The Apostleship of the Sea ministry reaches out, in the name of Christ, to seafarers from all countries without regard to religion or race, offering them the welcoming and consoling message of Christ. • Pre-Katrina, the Port of Gulfport ranked among one of the busiest ports on the Gulf Coast, and as part of the ministry to seafarers, the Seamen’s Center provided a home-away-from-home for thousands of seafarers whose ships visited the port each year. The center offered a place for the seafarers to post letters, place overseas phone calls to their families, play ping-pong, read in the library area, or watch television. Of course, all of that was destroyed in the hurricane. Currently, the Diocese of Biloxi’s AOS chaplain, Deacon Dick Henderson, visits seafarers onboard ships to celebrate a Communion Service when a priest is unavailable to celebrate a Mass onboard. • The Diocese of Biloxi, along with representatives of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, and United Methodist churches, supports the ministry by providing volunteer chaplains and lay people to visit ships entering the Port of Gulfport and to offer local transportation for seafarers to replenish their personal supplies at local retailers. LONG BEACH -- Imagine sitting in a pew in your church, but instead of worshiping in a comfy 72 degrees, it’s a balmy 88 degrees inside. That could be what St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church is facing if it doesn’t raise $50,000 quickly. If the ail- ing air conditioning chiller, damaged from wear and salt-water corrosion from the coastal climate fails, the situation could end up being more than just uncomfortable for parishioners. “It could also ruin the inside of our church, office building and community center,” explained Father Satish Adhav, pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. The AC chiller, which is part of the climate control system that makes the air warm or cold, needs to be replaced, but the new parts and repair are estimated at $350,000. “That is a lot of money,“ continued Father Satish, “and our church just doesn’t have it right now.” In simplest terms, Father Satish explained that an initial $50,000 is necessary to just order the chiller, and even then, it could take six months or more for the parts to be manufactured and shipped. “We real- ly need the help of everyone in our parish and even those beyond, who have connection to St. Thomas to pull together and help quickly raise the funds neces- sary to save our church from the heat,” he said. The parish hopes several fundraisers, especially a $10,000 drawing, will do the trick. Tickets in the drawing are $100 each. A special fundraising “CHILL OUT” event is being planned at 5 p.m. on October 12 where the winning ticket will be drawn. There will be an “insane chili bar,” frozen treats, and a silent auction, as well. If you or your business would like to be a spon- sor of the “CHILL OUT” event and drawing, contact pleblanc@coldwellbanker.com . Tickets for the $10,000 drawing can be purchased at www.sainttho- maslb.org or in the St. Thomas the Apostle Church office during regular business hours. If you have an item to donate to the silent auction, please contact suzannewaitsgibson@yahoo.com . $10,000 CHILL OUT drawing to help St. Thomas beat the heat Pope, U.S. community organizers talk about migration BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE VATICAN CITY ( CNS ) -- A few hours after he railed against unjust immigration policies at his general audience, Pope Francis and communi- ty organizers associated with the West/Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation returned to the theme of welcoming and integrating migrants. “For us, baptism does not stop at the border,” Joe Rubio, national co-director of IAF for the west-southwest region, told Catholic News Service Aug. 29. In 20 U.S. dioceses, the founda- tion and its partners run “Recognizing the Stranger,” a leadership development program that helps immigrants and members of their new parishes develop stronger relationships and work together for the good of their community. Pope Francis had dedicated his entire general audience talk Aug. 28 to the theme of migration and the obligation to help those seeking safety, freedom and a better life for themselves and their families. He met the community organizers later that day. To advertise in the Gulf Pine Catholic , call 228-702-2109 for more information, or email smccusker@biloxidiocese.org . The newspaper is mailed to over 14,600 Catholic homes every other week.