St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Prentiss holds last mass
Published 3:50 pm Wednesday, January 6, 2016
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Prentiss held a final mass December 31, after 43 years of prayer and worship.
The final mass was celebrated by Rev. Peter Varghese, pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church Bassfield, in the presence of catholics from Prentiss, Bassfield, Sumrall and Silver Creek.
The Prentiss Headlight–Reverend Peter Varghese celebrating final mass.
On January 2, 2016, St. Peter Catholic Church will begin offering 4:00 p.m. mass on Saturdays.
“Most who attended St. Mary’s Church through the years are either deceased, sick or transferred to other locations. As a result, very few people attend mass on Saturdays at St. Mary’s,” said Rev. Varghese.
“Unfortunately, it has become financially difficult to manage the day-to-day running expenses, such as insurance and utilities.”
After a long period of prayerful reflection and discussion with St. Mary’s parishioners, the Parish Council met on March 29, 2015, and recommended its closing to Bishop Roger P. Morin, the Bishop of Biloxi.
On November 12, 2015, the Bishop approved this recommendation.
St. Mary’s church was functioning as one of the mission churches under St. Peter Catholic Church in Bassfield.
Rev. Peter Varghese thanked everyone for their wholehearted support and cooperation for the past 43 years.
Deacon Bob Everard served this Mission Church for many years.
The Prentiss Headlight—The final mass held December 31 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Prentiss.
