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ordained June 10, 1973. Since ordination he has studied at Loyola University in New Orleans and at the North American College in Rome.
As administrator, Father Pete has expanded the physical plant of the parish, at the same time directing the spiritual life of his congregation. His message is clear, urging parishioners in the words of the weekly bulletin “...to grow as a community of faith, love and compassion, modeled on the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ.”
In 1993, Mercy Hal], a new brick building, was dedicated, adding six additional classrooms to Our Lady Academy. At present, the academy, staffed by Religious Sisters of Mercy and lay faculty enrolls approximately 250 students and continues the solid educational program established by St. Joseph Academy in 1855. Our Lady Academy joins Bay Catholic Elementary in an ongoing capital campaign to fund expansion of both schools to include a gymnasium, labs and additional classrooms. Enrollment at Bay Catholic is approximately 360 students for the 1997-98 school year and is projected to increase in the future. The goal of the campaign is to raise $1.7 million dollars for the complete project at both schools. Enrollment at the Catholic schools in Bay St. Louis continues to increase with present enrollment at St. Stanislaus at 590.
When the plans of a developer to build a condominium on the St. Joseph Academy property did not materialize, the parish was able after much negotiation to purchase the property for $350,(XK). The new state-of-the-art parish hall built on the properly was dedicated October 25, 1995. It affords much needed space for parish functions, both religious and social. The hall is available to others on a rental basis for receptions, exhibits and other social or civic events.
Biloxi’s television station, WLOX, gave excellent coverage to the thirteenth annual 4th of July Crab Fest in this sesquicentennial year of 1997. The fest drew crowds from all along the coast as well as from neighboring Louisiana and Alabama, and points farther north. The Crab Fest as a fund-raiser and as entertainment is always a great success, but the most satisfying scene at the Crab Fest is that of faith-
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ful parishioners who work all year to assure success and who labor cheerfully in the sweltering summer heat, an example to all of their dedication to Our Lady of the Gull'.
Whether officiating at baptisms or weddings, comforting the bereaved at funerals, counseling those with serious problems, or simply listening to those with everyday troubles, Father Pete’s personal interest evokes a positive response. When many individuals feel positive about themselves, they build a community of good will. The many active ministries in the parish reflect the care and concern of the pastor for those he seeks to lead spiritually.
In October of 1994, perpetual adoration was initiated at the chapel in the old Mathernc residence on Union Street. At present, approximately 100 parishioners attend daily Mass. On Sundays, the four weekend Masses at Our Lady of the Gulf and the two Masses at St. Joseph Chapel accommodate close to 2,000 communicants.
Our Lady of the Gulf has been particularly blessed in having three of its own from Bay St. Louis enter the priesthood: Father Dennis Carver, Father Lacy Green and Bishop Leo Fahey. Also, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the Sisters of St. Joseph have welcomed into their orders former members of the parish.
Nowhere is the universality of Catholicism more e vident than in the diverse nationalities of pastors, associates and assistants who have served Our Lady of the Gulf throughout these 150 years: French, Belgian, German, the Irish (without whom many Mississippi Catholics would not have had the services of a priest), American, Filipino, Latin American and now Vietnamese.
The parish welcomes Father Anthony Doan Tran as associate to Father Mockler. Just as the window of Vatican II opened to new life in the church, the door of Our Lady of the Gulf opens to a newcomer in our midst, the first Vietnamese priest to serve at Our Lady of the Gulf.
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