Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • October 25, 2024 3 Gulf Pine Catholic (ISSN No. 0746-3804) October 25, 2024 Volume 42, Issue 4 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 — Shirley McCusker —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 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 NOV. 8— News copy and photos: Due OCT. 28, 4 p.m. Advertising: Completed Ad and/or copy due OCT. 28, 10 a.m. Bishop Kihneman’s Schedule Oct. 27 White Mass for Medical Profession, Nativity BVM Cathedral, Biloxi, 11 a.m. Oct. 31 Mass with St. Vincent de Paul Society Representatives, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 1 Mass & Pastoral Visit, Our Lady of Chartres Mission, Delmas, 9 a.m. Nov. 3 Confirmation Mass, Most Holy Trinity Parish, Pass Christian, 11 a.m. Nov. 5 Mass & School Visit, Our Lady Academy at Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Louis, 8:45 a.m. Nov. 6 Foundation Meeting, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 3 p.m. Nov. 7 Presbyteral Council Meeting, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 8 New Priests and Associate Pastor Meeting, Pastoral Center, Biloxi, 11 a.m Nov. 9 Catholic Charities Bishop’s Gala, 6 p.m. BY BISHOP LOUIS F. KIHNEMAN III Bishop of the Diocese of Biloxi “It is not enough to experience God’s mercy in our lives. It is necessary for those who receive it also to be a sign and instru- ment for others. … It is not a question of making great efforts or superhuman ges- tures. The Lord shows us a far easier path, made up of little gestures but which, in His eyes, have great value, to the point of say- ing that it is on these that we will be judged. … Jesus says that every time we give something to eat to a hungry person and give something to drink to one who thirsts, we dress the naked and welcome the stranger, or we visit the sick or impris- oned, we do this also to Him. The church calls these gestures ‘corporal works of mercy,’ as they assist people in their mate- rial needs.” -- Pope Francis, General audience, Oct. 12, 2016 A man in his sixties has lived on the streets since Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home and the business he worked for in 2005. He is a skilled mechanic but could not find consistent work where he earned enough to help keep him housed. Life took him all over and eventually he found his way to living in a tent on the Mercy Cross Center property. He was a quiet man with knowing eyes and a not-so-quick smile. He stayed mainly to himself when Mercy Cross Center opened. He looked out for those who were struggling, and no one said Bishop Kihneman Mercy Cross Center continues to thrive a bad word about him. When he began participating in case management, the MCC case manager suggested that he apply for Social Security benefits since he was of age to apply. He had worked and paid into Social Security, but he had no idea how to apply for benefits. The case manager showed him how to apply. A short time later, he found out that he was approved for his Social Security and began receiving his benefits. While many in his situation may have immediately started spending, he is saving and participating in budgeting education to make sure he spends wisely so that he does not end up on the streets again. He is tak- ing his time to find an affordable place to live that is within walking distance of the things he needs since he does not have a car. Our case workers observed that his whole demeanor changed when he accept- ed assistance in applying for his Social Security benefits. His smile is a little quicker and his humor and personality is more noticeable. He shared that without the people at the Mercy Cross Center, he would not have have known how to navi- gate the Social Security system and would have lived on the street for the rest of his life. Since opening at the end of May of this year, Mercy Cross Center has seen 68 indi- viduals leave the streets for a better hous- ing situation. Some have moved into hous- ing they can afford while others have reconnected with family, entered rehab for an addiction, or moved into a care facility. Most of these transitions happened because we sat down and talked to the guests about how they became homeless and what they want their life to look like. Thanks to faithful volunteers and part- ners, Mercy Cross Center hosts weekly Bible study, addiction recovery groups, counseling services, healthcare by physi- cians from Memorial Hospital, and month- ly haircuts and veterinarian care for their pets. A guest recently summarized Mercy Cross Center. You may have heard about our guest who was waiting for replacement identification cards in order for him to enter hospice care due to terminal cancer. The facility was ready for him, but he had to have his identification card replaced first. After four months of effort by our case managers, he received his identifica- tion. He shared with us that he has been homeless for quite a while and no one ever helped. He moved to the Mercy Cross property before the center opened. He said he could not understand why staffers were always checking on him and asking him questions when the center first opened. It took him a while to realize that the staff really wanted to help him. When the staff told him that God helped them help him, he gave a big smile and said he now knows that God loves him too. Indeed, God’s love is present at the Mercy Cross Center in a very big and very real way. All of you have been instruments of that love. In just a few weeks, we will celebrate Thanksgiving and there is much to be thankful for in the Diocese of Biloxi. SEE BISHOP’S COLUMN, PAGE 17