Remembering Fr. Steven Wilson
-
September 5, 2023Members of the two parishes in Biloxi formerly served by the Redemptorists gathered at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Catholic Church on August 20 to celebrate a Memorial Mass in honor of Fr. Steven Wilson, who died on May 17, 2023. Fr. Steve served as pastor of Blessed Seelos Parish and Our Mother of Sorrows Parish from 2005 to 2014, and returned there frequently in the years following the end of his term. A team of musicians and liturgical ministers from both parishes collaborated to make possible the emotional Mass at which Fr. Chuong Cao, Fr. Steve’s classmate and long-time close friend, presided as celebrant and homilist.
Fr. Chuong was joined by Fr. Kevin Zubel, Provincial Superior, and the current and recent pastors of the two parishes. Fr. Daniel Martinez Patiño, pastor of Blessed Seelos since 2021, graciously welcomed the Redemptorists back to Biloxi and shared his memories of Fr. Steve’s graciousness in taking him in for a summer pastoral experience alongside Redemptorist students. Other concelebrants included: Fr. Peter Varghese, the current pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows; Fr. Godfrey Nana Andoh, the former pastor of the two parishes; and Fr. Tony Arguelles, the former pastor of St. John’s Church, which predated the formation of Blessed Seelos Parish. Fr. Chuong was assisted at the altar by Deacons M. J. Landry and Richard Smith of the two parishes, as well as Redemptorist student Cody Hill.
During his homily, Fr. Chuong recalled the history of the Redemptorists in Biloxi, explaining how Hurricane Katrina struck landfall just days after the arrival of the pioneering community. Noting that the Redemptorists were given the option to cancel the contract with the diocese, Fr. Chuong described how the Redemptorists teamed up with parishioners and went straight to work to rebuild both the parish and the surrounding community.
Later in his homily, Fr. Chuong described Fr. Steve’s faith and serenity in his final hours, and shared how he deeply cherished a last visit from parishioners from Biloxi in the week before he passed.
In his acknowledgments at the end of the Mass, Fr. Kevin stated that he was “Present officially to represent the Redemptorists of the Denver Province in expressing gratitude to the pastor and people of the parishes, but personally as a pilgrim, returning to a place where Fr. Steve always felt at home, to mourn, remember, and laugh alongside others who loved him deeply.”A reception in the Blessed Seelos Parish Hall followed the Memorial Mass. Long-time parishioners gathered to share their memories of Fr. Steve. Those helping to organize the events included Mrs. Cheryl “Bunny” Thompson and Mrs. Mary Beth Broussard, members of the parish staff well-known to a generation of young Redemptorists who spent summers helping with maintenance projects, Vacation Bible School, or Br. Gene Patin’s Work, Earn, & Learn (WEAL) Program at the Biloxi parishes.
In a profound gesture that pleasantly surprised the Redemptorists present at the event, Fr. Daniel unveiled a plaque near the door of the parish hall that officially dedicated the gathering space in honor of Fr. Steven Wilson. While blessing the plaque, Fr. Kevin read aloud the inscription that stated how Fr. Steve will always be “Remembered for his loving care, candid style, and humor!” A perfect description of an accomplished Redemptorist missionary from people who knew and loved him like family.