Catholic Volume 34 No. 24 www.biloxidiocese.org July 28, 2017 Redemptorist Fathers to leave Diocese of Biloxi at year’s end BY TERRY DICKSON “But as a mis- “The Redemptorist Fathers have been a blessing to sionary the Diocese of Biloxi,” he said. BILOXI -- The Diocese of Biloxi has been richly Congregation in “We will particularly miss Father Stephen Benden blessed by the ministry of the Redemptorist Fathers who the Church, we are and Father Gilbert Enderle who have been a very posi- arrived after Hurricane Katrina and helped rebuild and also required to tive addition to our presbyterate.” revitalize Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and Our Mother regularly evaluate Father Benden is currently pastor of both parishes of Sorrows Parishes in East Biloxi. our ministerial and Father Enderle is in residence but assists in both However, as the saying goes, all good things must commitments and parishes. The two priests also serve as supply priests come to an end. It was announced at all the Masses the to discern when throughout the diocese and have also conducted parish weekend of July 15-16 that the Redemptorist Fathers our mission has missions. Father Benden Father Cao will be leaving the Diocese of Biloxi at the end of the been accom- “We are deeply grateful for their ministry and service year. Their last day will be December 31. plished in a place to the people of the Diocese of Biloxi these past 12 “The evangelizing mission of the Redemptorists in so that we are free years,” Bishop Kihneman said. the Church has two major dimensions: we proclaim to move and “The Redemptorists arrived in the Diocese shortly Christ’s plentiful redemption, particularly to the poor respond to the after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and and abandoned, inviting individuals to make a radical most urgent needs Father Steve Wilson was instrumental in the physical and choice to place Christ at the center of their lives; and of the Church and spiritual recovery of the parishes he served.” since this radical choice in favor of Christ needs to be the call of the Holy Father Wilson was assisted by Father Chuong Cao, nurtured and sustained within a community of believers, Spirit in another. who is now the pastor of St. Gerard Majella Church in we work to form communities of faith in which this can In June our leader- Baton Rouge. effectively happen,” said Father Stephen Rehrauer, C. ship council Father Wilson is the provincial treasurer and is based Ss.R., Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists of the Father Enderle arrived at the deci- Father Wilson out of Denver. Denver Province. “It was for this reason we came to sion that our mis- Father Warren Drinkwater and Father James Keena, Biloxi in 2005 with an initial agreement that we would sion in Biloxi has been successfully completed, and our who both served in Biloxi are now retired. stay for 5 years. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, men currently working there are needed to serve the In 2009, the Redemptorist Fathers took over the we made the decision to extend our stay in Biloxi in mission in other places. We leave Biloxi with gratitude administration of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Biloxi, order to accompany those devastated by loss and offer for having had the opportunity to serve the poor and which was pastored by Father Jimmy Pham and Father practical help as well as spiritual guidance when these abandoned of the Diocese. We also leave with confi- Joseph Ngo. Administration of the parish was turned were most needed. Working in conjunction with the dence, knowing that our good work there will be carried back over to the diocese in 2015. Diocese of Biloxi during these past 12 years we have not forward by the Diocese.” According to Bishop Kihneman, “Work has already only rebuilt the churches, but have fostered vibrant par- Bishop Louis Kihneman said the Redemptorist begun to find a new pastor for Our Mother of Sorrows ish communities that will continue to thrive. Fathers will be sorely missed. and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos parishes.” New Permanent Diaconate class to commence in 2018 Wyrwich named Diocesan Director of Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III has authorized information sessions to be held across the diocese which will begin the implementation of a new Diaconate Formation Class. Stewardship and Development The selection process will begin in the fall of this year and classes would com- DIOCESE OF BILOXI -- Bishop Louis As Director of mence in the fall of 2018. F. Kihneman has announced the hiring of Stewardship and Pre-selection information sessions will be conducted from 8:30 until noon on the Dave Wyrwich as full time Director of Development, Wyrwich following days: Stewardship and Development for the will lead a team commit- Sat., Aug. 19, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Hattiesburg, located at 3117 W. 4th Street Diocese of Biloxi, effective August 1. ted to advancing the Sat., September 9, at St. Joseph Parish, Gulfport, located at 12290 DePew Road Wyrwich replaces Deacon Roberto Gospel of Christ and (Orange Grove) Jimenez, who is retiring. teachings of the Catholic Sat., Sept. 19, at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Ocean Springs, located at 4900 Riley Bishop Kihneman thanked Deacon Church through Road Jimenez for his good work as Director of Stewardship, Evan- Wyrwich For interested men, attendance at one of these sessions is mandatory, and your wife Stewardship and Development. gelization, and Disciple- is required to attend. Please see your pastor, and for further information, call the At the same time, Bishop Kihneman wel- ship formation. Diocese of Biloxi, Office of the Diaconate, (228) 702-2107. comed Wyrwich, who he called “a family For more on the Permanent Diaconate, see pages 10-13. man and dedicated Catholic.” SEE WYRWICH, PAGE 4 2 DIOCESAN EVENTS Spiritual Direction The featured presentation will be Drawdown on August 12 at the Gruich “Like Dandelion Dust.” In this critically Community Center. Dinner begins at 6 August 22 Father Joseph Dang, SVD, a Divine acclaimed film, when biological parents p.m. Tickets are $50 each and admits 2 July 28, 2017 Word Missionary, is available for spiri- try to get their child back, a man and his adults. There will be a silent auction and “Who Do You Say I AM?” • tual direction at Fr. William Kelley wife must fight to retain custody of their door prizes! For tickets, please call BAY ST. LOUIS -- Father Joseph Retreat Center in Bay St. Louis. Fr. adopted son. Mamie Hardy at (228) 243-2266 or the Dang, SVD, will offer a series of talks Dang received his MA in spiritual direc- Admission is free and please bring a parish office at (228) 435-0007. titled “Who Do You Say I AM?”, August tion and spirituality from Fordham snack if you would like. 22, September 26, and October 24 from University in New York. August 21 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (*Mass and lunch will Please contact him directly (732) August 6 be provided) at the Father William 754-6970 “Luke: The Gospel of Kelley Retreat Center. Cost is $22. A free will offering is appreciated. 6th Annual St. Rose de Gulf Pine Catholic Mercy” Jesus is not just the image of God in Lima Live Auction the world. Yet through His parables, He WOOLMARKET -- Upon this Rock July 31 BAY ST. LOUIS -- The 6th Annual reveals different faces of God. Please Scripture Study is beginning registration come join us to explore those faces of St Rose de Lima Live Auction will be for the Bible study “Luke: The Gospel of St. Patrick Robotics Team held at the Holy Spirit Center, 301 S. God, then to pray, and to deepen our Mercy” offered by Catholic Scripture relationship with God as Father, Wisdom, Blood Drive Necaise Ave., Bay St. Louis. This favor- Study International. This study explores ite fundraiser is happening a couple of Compassionate One, Teacher, Healer, the parables of Mercy and how God’s etc. BILOXI -- The St. Patrick Robotics months earlier than usual, but that’s Mercy is still active in the world today. It Team “Tempest” will host a Booster because we are “full”. We have a ton of features a study guide with 325 works of Blood Drive on Monday, July 31 from great stuff including furniture, glass- art, biblical commentary, excerpts from August 26 1-6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This ware, kitchenware, toys, decorative the Catechism of the Catholic Church, blood drive is in partnership with the items, holiday decorations, antique oil papal encyclicals, and the writings of the Christ the King Drawdown American Red Cross to provide assis- paintings, lamps, tools, household items, Saints. The world-class video that is pre- tance in the crucial need for all types of and some antiques. Doors will open at 11 sented each week is shot on location in LATIMER -- Christ the King blood. St. Patrick Catholic High School a.m., and the auction starts at 2 p.m. Rome and Assisi. Mission, Latimer, will host it’s annual is located at 18300 St. Patrick Road, Lunch/full concessions open at noon. Author and speaker, Dr. Paul Thigpen drawdown and silent auction on Saturday, Biloxi. To make an appointment visit Pictures will be available soon on and host Fr. Jeffrey Kirby present the August 26, at the Latimer Community www.redcrossblood.org and use the Facebook. Everyone is welcome, please 18-lesson study in the DVD presenta- Center on Tucker Road. The grand prize sponsor code SPCHS or contact Debbie come and have a “bidding” good time! tion.