EXCLUSIVE NEWS INSIDE *New School Principal THE CATHOLIC *The Cathedral’s Patronal Feast *Mt. Carmel Lays Cornerstone *Wife of Deacon Mourned *Deacons Celebrate 20 Years ISLANDER *Politicians and Communion *Bishops on Gay Marriages VOL. 20, NO. 8 AUGUST 2004 *Listings of Coming Events

A PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ST. PATRICK CHURCH ON ST. CROIX SPONSORS THE SUNFLOWER SUMMER SPLASH FUN CAMP

St. Patrick Church on St. Croix enrolled 120 children in On Sunday, August 1, the children will present a program ages 6-13 for its Sunflower Summer Splash Fun Camp, which will include a display of their arts and crafts. which this year ran from June 21 to July 30.

Also on the program for August 1, the children will The camp, now in its fifth year, was coordinated by demonstrate quadrille and maypole dancing. Elizabeth Jacob, Prisca Aurelien and Alma Rivera, along with a staff of fifteen. Notes from the Bishop’s Desk

The Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS RESIGNS David Corey resigned after serving two years as Superintendent of Catholic Schools. He and his wife have relocated to the states. “I thank Mr. Corey for his work and wish him well in whatever venture he decides to pursue next,” Bishop George Murry, SJ, told The Catholic Islander. SPECIAL ASSISTANT IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION APPOINTED Bishop George Murry, SJ, has appointed Dr. Susan NEW PRINCIPAL FOR Diverio to the new position of Special Assistant to the Bishop for Catholic Education. ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL As a liaison to all four Catholic schools in the Bishop George V. Murry, SJ, has announced the diocese, Dr. Diverio’s primary tasks will be the appointment of Fr. William Montgomery as principal of following. St. Joseph High School on St. Croix for the school year 1. Prepare a feasibility study for the application of 2004-2005. the Christo Rey program in our secondary schools. Fr. Montgomery is a priest of the Archdiocese of Christo Rey is a model utilized in some Jesuit schools. Washington and has a Ph.D. in Latin American History Students attend classes for an extended day four days a as well as Masters degrees in Theology and American Social and Religious History. He has served as an week in a college preparatory curriculum, and then associate pastor, high school teacher, university spend one day a week working in a profession, such as professor and campus minister in the Washington, D.C. law, medicine, engineering, or education. The students area. then formally study the discipline in college or graduate Fr. Montgomery was selected in 2004 and several school. times before as Teacher of the Year by the students at 2. Develop retreat programs for students, faculties Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington. and parents. “I have known Fr. Montgomery for more than ten 3. Develop service programs for students at our years. He has a wealth of experience in Catholic Catholic schools, such as visits to homes for the elderly, education. I am very happy that he will be principal for tutoring, and assisting with Catholic Charities. the 2004-2005 school year,” Bishop George Murry, SJ., Dr. Diverio will continue to reside on St. Croix, told The Catholic Islander. where she served as principal of St. Mary School from Fr. Montgomery, in addition, has offered to 1997 to 2001 and of St. Joseph High School from 2001 celebrate Masses for the community at St. Joseph Church. to 2004. BISHOP MURRY’S ITINERARY FOR AUGUST 2004 August 1-15 Vacation August 21 6:00 p.m. Mass Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral St. Thomas August 22 10:00 a.m. Mass St. Joseph Church St. Croix August 28 6:30 p.m. Mass Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church St. Thomas August 29 10:00 a.m Mass St. Patrick Church St. Croix

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 2 WIFE OF DEACON MOURNED Msgr. Michael Kosak celebrated the funeral Mass for Roslyn Charles, wife of Deacon Neville Charles, at St. Joseph Church on St. Croix on July 23. Numerous priests concelebrated the Mass, and many deacons and their wives were in attendance. Ms. Charles passed away in a Seattle hospital on July 13 after a CATHEDRAL’S PATRONAL FEAST lengthy struggle with sickness. CELEBRATED WITH CONCERT The patronal feast of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas was CASSI HILL celebrated on June 27 with a concert featuring members of the Cathedral’s PROCESSION Senior Choir, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Choir and the Cathedral’s 6:30 a.m. Door Choir. PLANNED Sara Connell directed the choirs with Prof. Austin Venzen and In honor of the feast of the accompanist Gwynneth Moolenaar. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, Holy Family CORNERSTONE SET ON FEAST OF Church on St. Thomas will offer a OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL triduum on “The Life of Mary” from Wednesday, August 11, to Friday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. The annual procession to the Our Lady of Cassi Hill Shrine will be on Sunday, August 15. This year, the devotees will gather outside the church at 7:00 p.m. and march in a candlelight procession around the church. This will be followed by Mass, benediction and a reception. A tradition since 1947, participants in the procession will The cornerstone was set at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on its patronal feast, pray for peace in the world and for July 16. A stone wall will be built above it. Pictured left to right are Fr. Charles Crespo, Pastor, and workers Gabriel Hyacinthe and Bernard Lascaris. the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession against hurricanes. ======The Catholic Islander is published monthly by the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The Catholic Islander is written, edited and printed solely in the U.S. Virgin Islands. P.O. Box 301825, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, 00803-1825 http://www.catholicislander.com Telephone: (340) 776-6339 Fax: (340) 693-7685 E-mail: [email protected] Publisher The Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ Editor-in-Chief Fr. Charles Crespo Contributing Editor Bernetia Akin Copy Editor Madeleine Anduze Staff Photographers Faye Abdullah-Boschulte Webmaster Br. James Petrait, OSFS Circulation Deacon Emith Fludd THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 3 CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION

Deacons Raymond Leonce and Guillermo Huertas led the procession with Fr. Cecil Corneille carrying the Eucharist at the annual Corpus Christi procession on the grounds of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix on June 13. FATHERS DAY CELEBRATIONS Men came forward for their Fathers Day blessing at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John (left) and Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas (below) on June 20. With the help of the Catholic Daughters of America, the 6:30 a.m. Door Choir and the youth ministry, the Cathedral also hosted a Fathers Day breakfast next door at Ss. Peter and Paul School after each Sunday Mass.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 4 STX PRIEST LEADS HONORING PARISH BENEFACTORS EUROPEAN PILGRIMAGE Fr. Pat Lynch, Pastor of Holy Cross Church on St. Croix, hosted a religious community of nuns on a pilgrimage to Poland and Prague. Some of the highlights of the pilgrimage included visits to the Our Lady of Czestochowa shrine, the Divine Mercy shrine, the tomb of St. Mary Faustina Kowalska and the shrine of the Infant of Prague. A The honorees at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Second Annual Honors highlight of the trip for Fr. Lynch Luncheon at the Westin Resort on June 27 were (left to right) Rev. Hugh Chapman was the opportunity to celebrate of St. Ursula Episcopal Church, Starfish Markets, represented by Lenyse Shomo, Mass over the tomb of St. Clement and parishioners Benedict Regis, Rodney Varlack and Robert Nose. Mary Hoffbauer, CSsR. DOMINICANS CELEBRATE JULY 4 GOOD SHEPHERD SPIRITUALITY The Sisters of the Good Shepherd sponsored an evening of reflection for friends and volunteers at the Good Shepherd Center on St. Croix on June 8. The gathering reflected on passages which described Good Shepherd spirituality and the spiritual path presented in the Good Shepherd parable and then shared personal The Dominica Association of St. Thomas sang in creole during Sunday Mass at reflections. The evening concluded Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John on July 4. with the singing of Psalm 23. June 8 was the feast day of Blessed Maria Droste, a Sister of the OLMC HAS A PRINCESS Good Shepherd who had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Christ appeared to her and made known his desire that the Pope consecrate the whole universe to his Sacred Heart. She wrote to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII, telling him of the Lord’s desire and asking him to consecrate the whole world to the Sacred Heart. The Pope acceded to her request in l899. Shortly after re- ceiving a personal copy of the Pope’s encyclical, Blessed Maria died in 1899 at the age of thirty-six as the first Vespers of the feast of the Sacred Heart were being sung. She was declared blessed in l975. Kierra Krigger, a parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John, was named St. John Princess 2004 and rode in one of the first cars of the Carnival Parade on July 4. THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 5 MARRIAGE PREPARATION NEW LIFE IN CHRIST SEMINARS SCORE WELL

Fr. John Mark baptized D’Yontae SaeJahny Aubain after Sunday Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral Sr. Louis Marie Bryan, SC, and Fr. Neil on St. Thomas on June 27. Scantlebury, Rector of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas, led the first of a three-part marriage preparation series at the Hospitality Lounge of the K OF C CHARITY RAFFLE Cathedral on July 10. “This is the largest group we have had so far,” Fr. The Knights of Columbus Council 6187 on St. Scantlebury told The Catholic Islander. Thomas is raising money for various Virgin Islands The next seminar is on Saturday, August 21, from charities by raffling a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck, a 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Catholics on St. Thomas or St. combination washer-dryer and a 32” color television. John who would like to attend should be referred by Tickets are $10. their pastor. NEW OFFICERS FOR STX SCIENCE STUDENTS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ROCK NASA! The Knights of Columbus Holy Cross Council 6482 Just as the 2003-2004 school year was ending, three on St. Croix announced its officers for the fiscal year students in Br. James Petrait’s Science Research class at 2004-2005. Grand Knight Arnold Golden St. Joseph High School on St. Croix received Chaplain Fr. John McLoughlin, CSsR certificates from NASA for their participation in the Deputy Grand Knight Nicholas Castruccio “Rock Around the World” program. Chancellor Raphael Munchez, Sr. In February 2004, Gianna Schjang, Makalia Francis Recorder Ronaldo Lago and Jasmine Urgent each sent in a rock from the St. Financial Secretary Deacon Edward Cave Joseph High School campus to NASA. On the NASA Treasurer Secundino Ramon-Cruz website, Mars scientists had asked students from around Advocate Will Thurland the world to help them understand the red planet by Warden Jonathan Ramos sending in rocks collected from their locations. NASA Inside Guard Percival Daniel used a scientific instrument like the one on the Mars Outside Guard Roy Joseph Rover to analyze and make a graph of each rock. Then The Board of Trustees is comprised of Juan Cruz, they placed a photo and graphic analysis of each rock on Andrew Evans and Nicholas Castruccio. the NASA website. The data was intended to help them Grand Knight Golden has been a member of the better understand the rocks on Mars by comparing them Knights of Columbus for thirty-one years, serving as to the rocks on Earth. Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Trustee and Grand The students received a certificate and an Master of the Knights. identification to help find their rock photos and data on With 1.7 million members, the Knights of the NASA website. Columbus is the world’s largest fraternal service organization. THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER On a related note, the American Legion Post 85 on is online at St. Croix recently named Mr. Munchez as its www.catholicislander.com Legionnaire of the Year.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 6 CATHOLIC RADIO The Bishop’s Office of Evangelization presents ninety ¡BUENAS NOTICIAS! minutes of Catholic radio on weekends. Contact In conjunction with the Sacred Heart Program in St. Louis, Missouri, Contact broadcasts on WIUJ 102.9 FM on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.

Tu Compañero Católico Tu Compañero Católico follows Contact on WIUJ 102.9 FM on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. Tu Compañero Católico, an award- winning half-hour Spanish-language program, is produced by the Redemptorist Hispanic Radio Ministry. The August broadcasts are listed below. SAN JUAN BAUTISTA August 7 “Can a Pope Retire?” La fiesta de San Juan Bautista, patrón de Puerto Rico, se celebró con August 14 “Mary’s Faith” Misa en la Iglesia San José en Sta. Cruz el 24 de junio. El P. Corneille August 21 “Ministers of celebró la Misa. Después de la misa hubo una recepción, retratada arriba. Hospitality” CONCIERTO DE MÚSICA CRISTIANA RADIO CATÓLICO EN AGOSTO August 28 To be announced El Coro Hispano de la Iglesia La Oficina de Evangelización San José en Sta. Cruz ofrecerá un del Obispo presenta Tu Compañero The Catholic Voice Concierto de Música Cristiana el Católico, un programa radial The Catholic Voice airs half- domingo, 8 de agosto, de 2:00 a 6:00 Católico premiado, semanal, de hour programs on WSTA 1340 AM p.m. en el Salón de Hospitalidad. media hora, en el idioma español, on Sundays at 8:30 p.m. The Todos están invitados, y la entrada programs are courtesy of EWTN TV es gratis. Vengan, inviten a sus cada fín de semana. En forma de & AM/FM Radio. The August familiares y amigos, y deléitense revista, Tu Compañero Católico broadcasts are listed below. con las canciones de alabanzas que incluye segmentos de entrevista de August 1 “Christ’s Action at Mass nos ofrecerán. Apoyemos al coro de invitados especiales, catecismo, and Ours” San José que con tanta dedicación consejos espirituales, música y más. August 8 “Christ’s Action at Mass brinda su música todos los Tu Compañero Católico es un and Ours, Part 2” domingos en la Misa de las 10:00 iniciativo de evangelización por el August 15 “Calvary’s Oblation and a.m. Man’s Adoration” personal del Ministerio Hispano de los Redentoristas de la Provincia de August 22 (Tu Compañero PROCESIÓN DE CORPUS CHRISTI Católico: Program to be La procesión de Corpus Christi Denver. announced) se llevó a cabo el 13 de junio en la Tu Compañero Católico se oye August 29 (Contact: Program to Iglesia San José con paradas en los en WIUJ 102.9 FM los sábados a las be announced) tres diferentes altares que habían 3:30 p.m. Normalmente, el último preparados. Los niños que hicieron programa del mes se repite el día la Comunión y Confirmación éste siguiente (domingo) a las 8:30 p.m. DO YOU HAVE año acompañaron a Jesús en éste en WSTA 1340 AM. A NEWS ARTICLE OR A caminar. PHOTOGRAPH FOR CONDOLENCIAS ? THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER La comunidad de la Iglesia San José en Sta. Cruz se une a su Diácono Call Fr. Crespo at Neville Charles y familia, en la pena y el dolor en la muerte de su querida (340) 776-6339! esposa, Rosalyn Charles, el 13 de julio.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 7 BISHOP MURRY ATTENDS ORDINATION OF BISHOP MARTIN HOLLEY IN DC Bishop George Murry, SJ, Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Bishop Holley attended St. attended the ordination of Bishop Washington and the ninth active Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary Martin Holley in Washington, DC, African-American bishop in the in Boynton Beach, Florida, with on July 2. United States. Four other African Bishop Thomas and Rev. Dr. George Bishop Holley, 49, a priest of American bishops are retired, Franklin, now Pastor of Holy the Diocese of Pensacola- including Bishop Elliott Thomas. Family Church on St. Thomas. Tallahassee, Florida, became an DEACONS CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY Eight members from the first class of deacons in the Virgin Islands celebrated twenty years of ordination in June. Deacons William Kenny and William Summer of St. Thomas celebrated their anniversary on June 10 and Deacons Hyacinthe George, Arnold Helenese, Joseph Mark, James Verhoff, Conrad Williams and Norbert Xavier of St. Croix celebrated their anniversary on June 24. Msgr. Bernard Campbell was also ordained a deacon in that class, but soon went on to become a priest. The St. Croix deacons celebrated with a meal at the St. Thomas deacons William Kenny and William Summer attended the luncheon Franciscan House, where they were celebrating Bishop George Murry’s twenty-fifth anniversary of ordination to the reunited with their program staff, priesthood at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Clubhouse on June 9. Msgr. Michael Kosak, Sr. Germaine Convery, OSF, Sr. Patricia The St. Croix deacons reunited with their former formation staff for a twentieth Alexander, WIF, and Lucy Bough. anniversary reception at the Franciscan House on June 24.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 8 THE HEROES OF THE PARISHES

Valerie Danet is among the crew that dedicates Saturday afternoons to preparing for weekend Masses at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas

Left to right, Bernard Lascaris, Robert Nose and David Kenneth Augustin are among those who transform a building under construction into a Sunday worship space at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John.

Catherine Royer, at 91 years old, is still teaching First Communion classes at St. Ann Church on St. Croix.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 9 MENSAJES DEL VATICANO Llevar A Cristo Al Mundo Como San Juan Bautista Las Vacaciones Ayudan A Descubrir Y Cultivar El Varios grupos de peregrinos, así como los recién Silencio casados, los jóvenes y los enfermos, fueron los Juan Pablo II, que transcurre sus vacaciones en el protagonistas de los saludos del Papa, en diversas pueblo valdostano de Les Combes d’Introd, rezó el lenguas, al final de la audiencia general celebrada en el Àngelus con unos 6.000 fieles que se habían desplazado Aula Pablo VI el 23 de junio. a esa localidad el 11 de julio. Antes de la oración Juan Pablo II dijo a los fieles de la República mariana, el Santo Padre saludó a los peregrinos. Checa: “Mañana celebramos la fiesta de San Juan “En este oasis de calma -dijo el Papa-, frente al Bautista. Queridísimos, la vocación de este gran profeta espectáculo maravilloso de la naturaleza, se siente qué fue preparar el camino a Nuestro Señor. También provechoso es el silencio, un bien cada vez más raro en nosotros, según nuestras fuerzas y vocación, debemos nuestros días. Las múltiples oportunidades de relación e llevar a Cristo al mundo actual. Sed fuertes en el información que ofrece la sociedad moderna a veces Señor!”. Después se dirigió a un grupo de peregrinos pueden quitar espacio al recogimiento, hasta hacer que eslovacos y recordó que en esta época se celebran en esa las personas sean incapaces de reflexionar y de rezar. En nación las ordenaciones al sacerdocio. “Demos gracias realidad, solo en el silencio el ser humano consigue a Cristo Sumo Sacerdote -dijo- por los 110 nuevos escuchar en lo profundo de su conciencia la voz de sacerdotes y recemos para que anuncien con fidelidad el Dios, que lo hace verdaderamente libre. Y las Evangelio y celebren los misterios divinos”. vacaciones pueden contribuir a descubrir y cultivar esta “Mientras muchos chicos tienen exámenes - indispensable dimensión interior de la existencia concluyó- para tantas personas empieza el verano, humana”. tiempo de turismo y de peregrinaciones, de vacaciones Juan Pablo II afirmó que el “modelo perfecto de y reposo. Queridos jóvenes, al mismo tiempo que pienso escucha de Dios” es la Virgen María, a la que están en vuestros coetáneos que todavía se están examinando, dedicados muchos santuarios en Aosta. “Bendigo en deseo a los que ya estáis de vacaciones que aprovechéis particular -agregó- la imagen de la ‘Virgencita del Gran el verano para llevar a cabo experiencias humanas y Paradiso’, restaurada cincuenta años después de ser espirituales formativas. Auspicio también que a colocada en la cima de esta montaña tan majestuosa. vosotros, queridos enfermos, no os falten la ayuda y el Que María, a la que dentro de pocos días celebraremos consuelo de vuestros familiares. A vosotros, queridos como ‘Reina del Monte Carmelo’, nos ayude a ver en la recién casados, os invito a profundizar en estos meses belleza de la creación un reflejo de la gloria divina y nos estivales en vuestra misión en la Iglesia y en la ayude a encaminarnos con todas nuestras energías hacia sociedad”. la cima espiritual de la santidad!”. La Oraciòn, La Lectura Y Los Paseos Hacen Descansar Al Papa Se Presenta El Libro Juan Pablo II Entre Las El director de la Oficina de Prensa comentó el 11 de Montañas julio que las vacaciones de Juan Pablo II “van muy bien El obispo Giuseppe Anfossi de Aosta, y el alcalde y como en otras ocasiones, después de varios días de de Introd, Osvaldo Naudin, presentaron el 12 de julio en descanso, está mejor. El clima fresco le ayuda a dormir la Maison de Bruil, cerca de la localidad de Les y las excursiones le ponen de muy buen humor”. ¿Cómo Combes, donde el Papa transcurre sus vacaciones, el son las jornadas del Papa el Valle de Aosta? “El Papa - libro Juan Pablo II entre las montañas, escrito por afirmó- dedica mucho tiempo a la lectura, a la oración, Nadia Milliery Ognibene y Raffaella Poletti. no sólo en la capilla del chalé en el que se aloja, y El libro, de 120 páginas, ilustra con numerosas mantiene largas conversaciones sobre temas muy fotografías los viajes de Juan Pablo II a las montañas variados”. italianas y contiene las palabras dedicadas por el Papa a El Santo Padre, afirmó Navarro-Valls, “no está lo largo de su pontificado al valor y belleza de las preparando ningún documento en estos días de montañas, así como a la ecología y a la defensa del descanso”. Acerca de la hipótesis de que estuviera ambiente. El libro habla “del amor del Santo Padre por escribiendo ahora un libro sobre los totalitarismos en el las montañas y de la importancia que han tenido en su siglo XX, dijo: “En estos días no; quizá lo haya vida, como hombre y como Papa; una especie de ‘fiebre terminado; de todos modos, no le he visto trabajar aquí de montaña’ que no le ha abandonado nunca”. en este proyecto”. THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 10 MOTHER TERESA FILM ON TV PAPAL APPEAL AT EWTN will show the rare film, Something Beautiful for God, which UN: END POVERTY Malcolm Muggeridge made of Mother Teresa many years ago. This film is Through an appeal at the United very difficult to obtain, and it will be shown at the following times: Nations, the Holy See has called Saturday, August 21, at 8:00 p.m. upon the world’s wealthier nations Tuesday, August 24, at 3:00 a.m. to help undeveloped countries, Thursday, August 26, at 1:00 p.m. particularly in light of the sometimes negative effects INSTANT SUMMER PROGRAM globalization has had on emerging nations. FOR CHILDREN “Globalization has accelerated Thirteen children on St. Croix participated in a mini-summer program the disruption of entire ways of organized by the Good Shepherd Sisters at Good Shepherd Center during life,” said Mary Ann Glendon, the month of July. President of the Pontifical Academy Several families from the surrounding neighborhoods expressed of Social Sciences. “As age-old concern that few opportunities were available for young children during the patterns of work and family life summer. They also shared the sisters’ interest in developing positive have disintegrated, a sense of experiences for the children. Three of the mothers, Yvette Bermudez, Doris powerlessness has increased.” The Lopez and Alma Fontaine, volunteered to teach arts and crafts, English as a faces of the poor, she said, “are Second Language, and computer skills. Gwen Branigan prepared lunches, increasingly those of women and and others helped with clean-up and supervision. children” and “those most at risk in Ilva Bass, who assisted Sr. Mercy de Leon, RGS, in contacting the the midst of this economic and families, noted that the children were very enthusiastic about the program. social turbulence are often the most Ms. Bass further observed that the program fostered a sense of community ignored.” among the children and the adults. The international community “We put this together at the last minute based on an idea,” Sr. de Leon already has set a target date of 2015 told The Catholic Islander. “Because it is a small group, we were able to for cutting poverty by half in all do more with the children.” “least developed countries,” but Ms. When asked what he liked most, 11-year-old Bruce Richardson wrote, Glendon said there is a lot of work “I like to be here because it’s like a time to bond with others and share to do to reach that goal. things.” “What is needed is a change of “This is great experience for me because I have never been to a real heart, that the international community may be ever bolder, summer camp and this is sort of like one. I also think this is great because more generous, more creative, more we are reviewing work for the next school year…doing arts and crafts and energetic in its struggle to finally going on the computer,” wrote 11-year-old Nyjah Rackley. end the division of the world into areas of poverty and plenty,” she said. In practical terms, financial support “must be channeled more effectively into well prepared, productive investments that provide clear benefits to the communities for which it was intended.” At the same time, “a major effort is needed to build up local capacity to help prepare and implement these investments while improved transparency and accountability procedures need to be put in place to monitor how these resources are being spent.”

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 11 CONSCIENCE U.S. BISHOPS TACKLE PRO-ABORTION PROTECTION AND POLITICIANS AND HOLY COMMUNION ABORTION Should a Catholic politician who does not oppose the legality of abortion be allowed to receive Holy Communion? FUNDING The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has addressed this Leaders of three Catholic thorny issue, recently issuing a statement and releasing portions of an organizations have urged Congress interim report from the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic to add Conscience Protection Politicians. language to the Fiscal Year 2005 “It is the teaching of the Catholic Church from the very beginning, Labor/HHS Appropriations bill’s founded on her understanding of her Lord’s own witness to the sacredness Hyde Amendment on abortion of human life, that the killing of an unborn child is always intrinsically evil funding. and can never be justified,” the statement says. “If those who perform an “This additional language is urgently needed to counteract a abortion and those who cooperate willingly in the action are fully aware of nationwide effort to attack the the objective evil of what they do, they are guilty of grave sin and thereby conscience rights of religious and separate themselves from God’s grace. This is the constant and received other health care providers,” the teaching of the Church. It is, as well, the conviction of many other people leaders said in a July 13 letter to of good will.” House Appropriations Committee Further, “Those who formulate law therefore have an obligation in members. conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be The letter was signed by Msgr. guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good . . . William Fay, General Secretary, The separation of church and state does not require division between belief United States Conference of and public action, between moral principles and political choices, but Catholic Bishops; Fr. Michael Place, STD, President and Chief Executive protects the right of believers and religious groups to practice their faith and Officer, the Catholic Health act on their values in public life…. Association of the United States; “Our obligation as bishops at this time is to teach clearly. It is with and John Lane, M.D., President, pastoral solicitude for everyone involved in the political process that we Catholic Medical Association. will also counsel Catholic public officials that their acting consistently to The letter cited an Alaska court support abortion on demand risks making them cooperators in evil in a which forced a community hospital public manner. We will persist in this duty to counsel, in the hope that the to provide elective late-term scandal of their cooperating in evil can be resolved by the proper formation abortions contrary to its policy and of their consciences.” the sentiment of the community, and In issuing their statement, the bishops took note of “the polarizing a New Jersey case in which abortion tendencies of election-year politics” that “can lead to circumstances in advocacy groups urged the state to require a Catholic health system to which Catholic teaching and sacramental practice can be misused for build an abortion clinic on its political ends. Respect for the Holy Eucharist, in particular, demands that premises to serve what they see as a it be received worthily and that it be seen as the source for our common right of “access” to abortion. This mission in the world.” year, the letter noted, the State of The statement quotes St. Paul, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or New Mexico refused to approve a drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of hospital lease because the profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27). All who receive community-owned hospital, the sacrament must examine their consciences as to their worthiness. following the same policy as over “The question has been raised as to whether the denial of Holy 80% of hospitals in the United Communion to some Catholics in political life is necessary because of their States, declined to perform elective public support for abortion on demand. Given the wide range of abortions. “The Conscience Protection circumstances involved in arriving at a prudential judgment on a matter of language will protect hospitals and this seriousness, we recognize that such decisions rest with the individual other institutional and individual bishop in accord with the established canonical and pastoral principles. health care providers from Bishops can legitimately make different judgments on the most prudent governmental discrimination when course of pastoral action. Nevertheless, we all share an unequivocal they decline to provide, pay for, or commitment to protect human life and dignity and to preach the Gospel in refer for abortion,” the letter said. difficult times.”

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 12 CARDINAL KEELER ON U.S. BISHOPS ON STEM CELL RESEARCH SAME-SEX MARRIAGE In a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, President of the United Committees, Cardinal William Keeler urged opposition States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), to any amendments to the Labor/HHS appropriations issued a statement on July 14 after the Senate failed to bill that would authorize using federal funds to invoke cloture on the debate on the Federal Marriage encourage the destruction of human embryos for their Amendment. Cloture would have ended the debate and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). permitted the Senate to vote on the Amendment. “Such efforts are in direct violation of any ethic that “The Bishops of the United States are extremely deserves to be called pro-life,” Cardinal Keeler said. disappointed that the Senate failed to close off the “Government has no business forcing taxpayers to debate on the Federal Marriage Amendment, thereby support research that relies on the direct destruction of preventing a vote on the substance of the amendment. any human life.” Marriage, the union of one man and one woman, has “This is in no way changed by the argument that always been recognized as the foundation of human these human embryos ‘would have been discarded society, but today marriage is sadly in need of anyway,’” the Cardinal continued. “The fact that many protection. It is a shame that the Senate did not have the abortions are performed in the U.S. creates no argument opportunity to vote on this amendment that is so that Congress must use its funding power to promote necessary to the well-being of our nation.” such killing. The claim that humans who may soon die Bishop Gregory had urged the Senate to vote in automatically become fodder for lethal experiments also favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment and to turn has ominous implications for research using condemned back any attempt to prevent its consideration. The prisoners and terminally ill patients. In the final USCCB President also wrote to all Catholic bishops analysis, all of us will die anyway, but that gives no one asking them to urge their senators to support the a right to kill us.” amendment and to encourage their local pastors to Cardinal Keeler is Chairman of the Committee for generate additional support for the amendment Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of throughout the Catholic community. Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The amendment is one of the hot-button issues of the current presidential campaign. WOMEN’S ROLE IN DIOCESAN Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) introduced the measure which reads, “Marriage in the United States shall LIFE ON THE RISE consist only of the union of a man and a woman. A recent study found that women hold nearly half Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any the leadership roles in Catholic dioceses across the U.S., state, shall be construed to require that marriage or the including a few in such top level positions as chancellor, legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union superintendent of schools, and director of other than the union of a man and a woman.” evangelization. In his letter to the bishops, Bishop Gregory said the The study by the National Association of Church amendment would not take away the authority of Personnel Administrators was a follow-up to a 1998 individual state legislatures to recognize civil unions or report. The original report showed that women held domestic partnerships. 46.6 percent of administrative positions. The latest “As the U.S. Bishops have previously written, study, “Women in Diocesan Leadership Positions: marriage is a basic human and social institution. Though Progress Report, 2003” found that the percentage has it is regulated by civil laws and church laws, it did not grown slightly to 48.4 percent. originate from either the church or state, but from God,” The figure compares favorably with statistics for the Bishop Gregory said. “Therefore neither church nor U.S. workforce in general. In 2002, women held 51 state can alter the basic meaning and structure of percent of the executive, administrative, managerial and marriage.” professional positions, according to the Bureau of Labor The movement within the country to recognize Statistics. same-sex unions as marriage has been growing in recent Small dioceses (under 150,000 members) tend to years, he noted. “This situation challenges Catholics – give more jobs to women than do large dioceses (more and all who seek the truth – to think deeply about the than 350,000 members). Small dioceses averaged 53 meaning of marriage, its purposes, and its value to percent, while large dioceses averaged 45 percent. individuals, families and society.”

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THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 14 St. Thomas Calendar ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN BUSINESSES! ST. THOMAS OUR LADY OF FATIMA DEVOTION Advertise your business in The Children of Mary lead a devotion to Our Lady of THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER Fatima at Holy Family Church on August 7 and all First and help support Catholic communications! Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. Call Fr. Charles Crespo at (340) 776-6339 for our fabulous new rates! SECULAR FRANCISCANS The Lady Clare of Assisi Fraternity meets at Holy Family Church on August 21 and all third Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.

Our Blessed Mother’s Message from Medjugorie CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA June25, 2004 Court 2049 meets August 21 and every third Saturday at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge at “Dear children! Also today, joy is in my heart. I 2:00 p.m. desire to thank you for making my plan realizable. Each of you is important, therefore, little children, pray and rejoice with me for every heart that has SCHOOL OPENING converted and become an instrument of peace in the Ss. Peter and Paul School opens on Monday, August 23. world. Prayer groups are powerful, and through them I can see, little children, that the Holy Spirit is at KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS work in the world. Thank you for having responded Council 6187 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s to my call.” Hospitality Lounge every first and third Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Courtesy of Claire & John Foster LEGION OF MARY Junior Praesidium Mary, Queen of Archangels meets at the St. Anne Chapel Hall on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Praesidium Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces meets at the St. Anne Chapel Hall on Sundays at 2:30 p.m.. Praesidium Mary, Mystical Rose meets at Holy Family Church on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

PRAYER MEETINGS Charismatic prayer meetings are held at Holy Family Church on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima meets at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

HOLY HOURS Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral presents a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Holy Family Church presents a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church presents a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at 6:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 p.m.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 15 ST. CROIX calendar ST. CROIX SACRED HEART MASS LEGION OF MARY A Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be Praesidium Our Lady of Grace meets at the Holy Cross celebrated at Holy Cross Church on August 5 and on the Church rectory on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. first Thursday of each month. CURSILLO ULTREYA MEETINGS HOLY HOURS Cursillo members meet at St. Joseph Church on St. Joseph Church has a bilingual Holy Hour with Mondays after the 7:00 p.m. Mass and at Sacred Heart Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction Chapel on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are in on August 6 and all First Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Spanish. St. Patrick Church has a Holy Hour on Fridays after the NEO-CATECHUMENAL WAY 8:00 a.m. Mass. The Neo-Catechumenal Way has catechesis in Spanish St. Ann Church has a Holy Hour on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church’s Youth Center on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. Catechesis is in English at Holy HEALING MASS Cross Church on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m. St. Patrick Church will host a healing Mass on August 6 and all First Fridays at 7:00 p.m. BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima meets in the SANTO NIÑO DEVOTION/RECONCILIATION chapel at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. Devotions to El Santo Niño at St. Joseph Church are on Entry is by the gate to the rectory. August 7 and all First Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated at the same KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS time. A Vigil Mass follows. Holy Cross Council 6482 meets at the McAlpin Hall of Holy Cross Church on first and third Thursdays at 6:00 SECULAR FRANCISCANS p.m. The Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity meets August 8 and all second Sundays at the Franciscan House at 3:00 p.m. St. John Calendar CANCER SUPPORT GROUP ST. JOHN Mr. Jim Matthews and Mrs. Centelia Matthews lead a BREAKFAST WITH THE PASTOR cancer support group at St. Ann Church on August 18 Fr. Charles Crespo will host a pot luck breakfast at Our and the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Lady of Mt. Carmel Church after the 7:00 a.m. Mass on August 6 and all First Fridays. PRAYER MEETINGS St. Patrick Church will hold an evening of charismatic FIRST FRIDAY MASS AND HOLY HOUR prayer on August 20 and the third Friday of each month. A Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament St. Ann Church holds charismatic prayer meetings on and Benediction at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Tuesdays, Holy Cross Church on Thursdays, and St. follows the 7:00 p.m. Mass on August 6 and all First Joseph Church on Fridays. All meetings begin Fridays. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered gathering at 7:00 p.m. during the Holy Hour.

SCHOOL OPENING CHARISMATIC PRAYER MEETINGS St. Joseph, St. Mary and St. Patrick schools open on Charismatic prayer meetings are held at Our Lady of Monday, August 23. Mt. Carmel Church on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

CHARISMATIC MASS LEGION OF MARY A charismatic Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann Church Praesidium Mary, Queen of Angels meets at Our Lady on Tuesday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m. of Mt. Carmel Church on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * AUGUST 2004 * 16