Parish News
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St. Clare chefs and volunteers are beginning to work their magic in the kitchen, cooking stuffed, shrimp potatoes for the Lenten dinners! Won't be long! Thank you to our hard workers!
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Several parishioners attended the 2023 GO! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference at the Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, La. 750 people attending the event from LA, MS, and AL. Archbishop of New Orleans, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, Bishop Michael Duca, diocese of Baton Rouge, LA and Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Diocese of Jackson, MS attended. Paul Pitts and Charles Walden served in the Mass.
November 2022
Members of the St. Clare Knights of Columbus work together to fry turkeys for Thanksgiving. From marinating the turkeys, to placing them on a spindle, to actually frying the turkeys, the Knights are working diligently to fry a record number of turkeys requested buy families at St. Clare, and purchased to be given to a needy family.
Message From Fr. Jacob
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, we pause for a moment to thank God for all his graces and blessings He has bestowed upon us this past year, especially for the gift of our family and friends; for all the gifts of those in our lives who have now gone before us; and for our efforts to reach out to those less fortunate than we are. I ask that God bless and keep each of you, to watch over and protect you, and to continue showering His graces and blessings throughout the New Year.
October 2022
-Bruce Morreale and his son connect piping that will provide a sprinkler system to water the plants and trees surrounding St. Clare. Together with John Pucheu are connecting water and electrical lines to cover primary points around St. Clare.
Message from Fr. Jacob:
The Minister General of all the Franciscan families has asked that they all set aside Tuesday, Oct. 11, as a day of fast and prayer for peace. “We send you our heartfelt request to stay attentive to the issue of peace at this very difficult time for humanity. We want to express our deeply felt concern for peace, especially in the light of the suffering that has already been inflicted upon so many, and the risk that nuclear weapons could be used,” states Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General of all the Franciscan families.
As such, I ask all families of St. Clare to find within their busy schedules time to pray and fast on Oct. 11 as an invocation of peace. We live this moment with faith,, in union with the whole Franciscan family.
Fr. Jacob-Matthew Smith, OFM
Pastor
St. Clare Catholic Church
** Coming to St. Clare **
June 2022
Documents from the Diocese regarding the historic decision made by the Supreme Court overturning Roe Vs. Wade
May 2022
Addison 'Addi' Moore wins mural contest
In February 2022, Addi Moore, an 8th grade student at Our Lady Academy and parishioner at St. Clare, entered an art contest to revitalize one of the two Katrina High Water Markers. She learned at the end of March that her artwork would adorn the southbound slab for all to see. Just a month later her design is completed and ready for everyone traveling (the I-10 and HWY 603 intersection) to see. Her design incorporates some of her favorite things about Bay St. Louis tucked inside the BSL.
B - the beach front complete with an umbrella, two sailboats, the Bay bridge and the bicycle that sits in front of Bay St. Louis home.
S - Mardi Gras, Ms. Mary's snow cones, Halloween/Witches Walk, crusin' the coast
L - Our Lady of the Gulf/Academy, an oak tree and a snowflake (from the Christmas in the Bay annual celebration).
January 2022
New Front Doors
Some parishioners have difficulty opening our main doors due to their weight, especially seniors or those who use a mobility device. These doors open and close constantly. We adjusted them as much as possible but they still do not work efficiently. Unfortunately, replacement doors are not covered by our insurance. The picture above is an example of the doors we would like to install, except black in color to match all the existing doors and windows. These doors are designed for use in hurricane zones. They have high impact energy-efficient insulated glass. They will have sensors for touchless entry and exit. They also feature attractive lock bodies that allow for a single point of release per operable panel that complies with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. These doors cost about $20,000, and we pray that our congregation will help us offset the price. Our General Contractor, Jeremy Thames, has agreed to modify the front entrance for free and make a donation toward the cost of the new doors. If you would like to donate or have any questions about this project, please contact Paul Pitts Jr. at 228-216-0091.
October 2021
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje
Bishop Kihneman and 39 pilgrims from the diocese of Biloxi traveled to Medjugorje in early October. They brought with them many prayer petitions including those from St. Clare’s Church. These petitions were placed at the foot of The prayer altar where Our Lady Queen of Peace appears to Marija, the visionary that continues to this day to receive apparitions from Our Lady. Marija stresses that Our Lady blesses the petitions and lifts them up to Our Lord. A rosary was said by the pilgrims every morning and night. Our Lady asks for daily prayer(rosary), daily scripture, confession at least once a month, fasting on Weds. and Friday and the Eucharist (Mass as often as possible and adoration). These are the 5 gifts that will help us in these turbulent times to keep us in a close relationship with Jesus and help us in our faith walk. Thank you for allowing us to bring your prayer requests. Donna Bodin Click for more pictures
March 2021
Graduating Class
St. Vincent de Paul St. Clare Conference was awarded a grant to teach a group from our community the benefits of good “Basic Money Handling Skills”. Praise God. This program allowed our conference to create and offer opportunities for those in our community to participate in a program designed to help raise them out of poverty.
Our program consisted of four classes using the “FDIC Money Smart” financial education program. The program offered all materials necessary, a stipend for fuel to each class and a stipend for participants who complete the entire class (all 4 classes and agree to a follow up). It was our desire to ensure that those most in need that attend class will have the capital to assist them in their financial journey.
We had six students complete the course. We thank God for this opportunity to reach out to and support others. We pray that this type of program will create opportunities for those who are now struggling in their financial status and improve their standard of living.
St. Vincent de Paul, St. Clare Conference
February 2021
On behalf of all parishioners here at St. Clare, we offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Hancock County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Michael Boutte who was shot and killed in the performance of his duties. Lt. Boutte was an Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. He has served in law enforcement for the past eight years, and was named Officer of the Year in 2018. We ask for your prayers for him and his family.
January 2021
Mission Trip to Haiti
I am on a mission trip in Haiti with a group of Franciscan Priest / Brothers (Franciscan Friar’s of the Renewal) and lay missionaries (Friar Suppliers) As a group we are building houses, latrines, water collection systems, hand out clothes to orphans/school kids and our translators-workers, we hand out food to 2400 people and have a medical clinic. Each year it is in January. This is my second trip to do these works of mercy. I also came in Aug 2020 to help coordinate the preparations for this trip.
I had the blessing on this trip to have my son Charles Walden Jr join me. It is a time of service to others but we have also benefited greatly from it as a father and son.
I am also thankful to others who prayed for me and provided funding to support this mission trip. It could not have happened without these two gifts from others.
I will be asking for donations and recruiting those who feel called to serve the Lord in this way. More information to follow in the near future as soon as I get the exact dates for 2021.
God bless you and keep you,
Charles Walden