Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
More than two centuries ago, Jesus called His disciples by name to follow Him. Now, in this moment, each of us is called by name to renew our lives in Jesus Christ. We journey as a community of faith to eagerly discover, follow and share
Jesus with all those we meet along our way. So today, there is a question before us:
How can we bring those who are living in darkness the light of Christ?
The Catholic Sharing Appeal answers this question by strengthening our local Church, transforming our faith formation programs, expanding our charitable outreach, providing for our clergy and creating dedicated communities of missionary disciples through Evangelization. Your faith and good works have brought new ministries to fruition in our diocese. In faith, we are expanding our outreach to include Foster Care and Counseling services, as well as Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats and the Walking with Moms ministries to aid new and expectant mothers. Through our annual campaign, we will inspire hearts to positively transform the communities where we work, live and pray, but we cannot do it without your help of prayer and financial support.
Jesus commissioned the disciples to go into the world to preach the Good News to all nations until our blessed Lord returns in glory.
That responsibility is now ours.
We are called to a life of missionary discipleship to share our faith with those who
need to hear and see it most. As His disciples, we are called to be Jesus’ witnesses, to surrender to Him, and to encourage the hearts of our brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus to become His disciples.
Our seventeen-county diocese is richly blessed by parishes, schools, programs of faith formation and ministries provided to us through the sacrifices of previous generations. Yet, living in a world where we are challenged to renew our life in Christ daily, we must see and respond to the world as it truly is. As a community of missionary disciples, we are called to care not only for that which was given to us, but to re-imagine and respond to the challenges we face today and tomorrow.
Please read the stories below that show our faith in action through the
ministries of Evangelization, Retired Priests, and Seminarians, and see the light that your gift to the CSA offers to our beautiful diocese.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Louis F. Kihneman, III
Bishop of Biloxi
See where your generous donations went for CSA 2022
I grew up Catholic but did not know my faith. As I look back, I know my journey has had many paths and I have learned that “God plays the long game.” He does not give up on us. Before my beautiful Mom passed, I saw her praying the rosary while being cared for by home hospice. Some of her rosary prayers were for me. After she passed, I became part of home hospice care and this experience was part of my long game…my journey to God and my Catholic faith. I found passion in helping the sick.
Years later, God continued sending people and experiences into my life. I joined a Bible study on Book of Acts and those in the group showed me what living the Catholic faith was all about. I was a green tomato at reading scripture, and they started to guide me and turn me on to the scriptures. I bought my first Catholic Study Bible and Catechism for this class.
Later again, I moved to Salida, CO, and soon I was helping lead Bible studies and teaching classes in the RCIA program for new catechumens and for the baptized coming into the Church. Soon, I was asked if I was interested in becoming an acolyte to help at Mass with the Eucharist, and in 2017 I was instituted as an acolyte by Bishop Sheridan in the Colorado Springs diocese. My next calling came toward prison and healing ministry, and helping with communion services and Masses at the prison.
For 30 years I kept in touch with my pastor at Ole Miss. He had been my confidant and friend and learned about my prison ministry and healing ministry in Colorado. In 2019, he asked if I had ever thought about the priesthood. I went on a silent retreat to discern if God had this plan for my life. I am now at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. God indeed “plays the long game!!!”
A senior woman living with abusive family members in an isolated area of South Mississippi.
Margaret Agnes was in complete darkness and feeling no hope. The family members that were “offering” to help her with housing were stealing her Social Security benefits. She had no idea what to do, and was becoming more dependent and lost. She tolerated excessive mental and physical abuse because she felt as though she had no options.
An anonymous call came into Catholic Charities for assistance for Margaret Agnes.
Swiftly, Catholic Charities moved her safely to another house and worked with Social Security to regain control of her benefits. She thrived in her new setting, has been working part time and making supportive friends. She’s even using a bicycle now for her transportation to work, which was generously given to her by folks at Catholic Charities.
She is much more independent now and has found her faith and love for Christ. This was all made possible by the shining light of the good people at Catholic Charities and everyone who helps support this amazing ministry.
When you give to CSA, you support them, and people like me.
Thank you so much!
I am a native Biloxian and the oldest of six siblings, who, along with my parents, were hugely influential in my decision to enter the priesthood. My journey started early as an altar server, a member of CYO, and a Catholic school student.
After finishing seminary, I was ordained a diocesan priest, and in 1974 began 48 years serving as a priest in five parishes: Our Lady of Victories Church, St. Joseph Church, Sacred Heart Church, St. John Church and St. Louis Church, and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral. I also served as diocesan vocation director, working with seminarians for our diocese.
I now live in one of the houses built for retired priests, which are funded by gifts to the CSA. I continue to help out covering Masses, which always reminds me of my greatest blessing in life: providing the sacraments and sharing my faith.
The Leadership Gift Societies were created to both recognize and celebrate those individuals who sustain the ministries and programs of the Diocese of Biloxi through significant gifts to the Catholic Sharing Appeal. This support provides for continual pastoral needs of families, children and countless others who seek our help and assistance. These gifts, received with deepest gratitude, make a profound difference, and are gratefully recognized by Bishop Louis F. Kihneman.