JUBILEE OF MERCY MERCIFUL LIKE THE FATHER ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN 2016 STEWARDSHIP REPORT MISSION: ‘To lead all people to unity, encounter and participation in Christ.’ TABLE OF CONTENTS BISHOP’S MESSAGE 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016 6 JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY 4 CELEBRATIONS 5 RECOGNISING STEWARDSHIP 6 STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH 8 OUR CHARITABLE WORKS 10 THE HUB 13 LIVING WATER COMMUNITY 16 VOCATIONS 18 OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT 22 OUR SCHOOLS 24 FINANCIAL REPORT 25 VISION ‘By 2019 the Roman Catholic Church in Barbados will be a recognized leader in integral development, forming mature disciples who build strong Christian families and vibrant communities in the service of Christian Unity, the Common Good and the Kingdom of God’. CORE VALUES Prayer- Forgiveness-Gratitude-Hospitality A PUBLICATION BY THE RC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN www.catholicbb.org © 2016 Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown RC Catholic bb Photos of St. Patrick’s Cathedral taken by William Cummins 2 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN BISHOP’S MESSAGE Brothers and Sisters, 2016 will without doubt stand out as one of the more memorable and significant years, not only for our diocese, but also for our nation, Barbados. In 2016 we joined all Catholics around the world to celebrate the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy at the invitation of the Holy Father Pope Francis, “to be merciful like the Father”, that is, to “open wide our hearts” and show mercy and compassionate love in our families and communities in our daily lives, and in particular, to help persons on the fringes of The Most Reverend society, the voiceless, the rejected, and other displaced persons. Charles Jason Gordon Bishop of Bridgetown In 2016 we also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Independence of Barbados, a proud occasion allowing all Barbadians to recognize and applaud the achievements of this small island state. I too celebrated two important milestones in 2016 – the 5th anniversary of episcopal ordination as bishop of the RC Diocese of Bridgetown, and “Let your light the 25th anniversary of my ordination as a priest. In recognition of these milestones I embarked on and completed the thirty-one days Camino de Santiago in Spain – a shine before all deep and profound encounter with the living God. so they may see While the occurrence of these events in the same year were coincidental, together your good works they served as an incredible catalyst for celebration, gratitude, reflection, forgiveness and generosity, allowing us to make new commitments to take deliberate steps and glorify daily, to be the salt and light of the earth, making a positive difference as Barbadians and disciples of Christ. your Father in heaven”. This Stewardship Report accounts for how our parishioners and our many supporters have made generous contributions of Time, Talent and Treasure to transform our MATTHEW 5:16 parishes to achieve the SYNOD 2014 mandate and our diocese vision, and to build up the kingdom of God through missionary discipleship. I am very grateful for the dedication and commitment of our clergy, parish and diocese leaders and teams, and the many persons who serve selflessly in ministries across the diocese, bringing Christ’s love and mercy to others daily. Thank you, thank you each and every one of you, for sharing your gifts and for allowing the RC Diocese of Bridgetown to be a visible sign of God’s love in our society, especially for those suffering hardship, poverty and pain. Your many hours of prayer and service cannot be quantified. We are a better church community of faith because of you. With Gratitude +Bishop Charles Jason Gordon Bishop of RC Diocese of Bridgetown STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2016 | 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy In his papal bull of indiction, “Misericordiae Vultus” (“The Face of Mercy”), Pope Francis declared an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy commencing December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 under the theme “Merciful like the Father.” This was only the third “extraordinary” jubilee since the tradition began 700 years ago. The RC Diocese of Bridgetown recognized this important year with several events, aimed at encouraging Catholics to show the loving mercy that God has for us, in their daily lives. Some of the activities included: • 4th to 5th March - 24 Hours for the Lord – Sacrament of Reconciliation offered in all parishes • 31st March to 15th April - Bishop Charles Jason Gordon led a pilgrimage to Rome and key shrines in Italy, participating in Mass with Pope Francis on the weekend of the Divine Mercy • 3rd April – “Stations of Mercy” theatrical production by 12th Night Production at St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a sequel, “More Mercy” on the 30th September • 20th September - “An Evening of Mercy” with guest speaker Fr. Mark Zacher, one of pope Francis’ Missionaries of Mercy. • On 20th September, at the “Evening of Mercy”, Bishop Jason declared St. Dominic’s church to be a National Shrine of Divine Mercy. The plaque was unveiled in December. • Weekly Bible study “What is Mercy” led by Fr. Leonard Bishop Jason Gordon declared the side door to the St. Patrick’s Cathedral as the diocese’s Holy Door of Mercy, through which anyone who enters during the Jubilee Year, will experience God’s love and abundant mercy. “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers; nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy. The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.” POPE FRANCIS 4 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016 Celebrations The RC Diocese of Bridgetown celebrated several signal milestones during 2016: • Bishop Jason Gordon’s 25th anniversary of ordination to priesthood on 15th March • Fr. Paul’s 40th anniversary of ordination to priesthood on 25th August • Bishop Jason Gordon’s 5th anniversary of episcopal ordination as Bishop of the RC Diocese of Bridgetown on 21st September. • Barbados’ 50th anniversary of Independence, celebrated with a Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on the 23rd November 2016. The Chief Celebrant was His Excellency The Most Reverend Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio and Delegate of The Holy See to Barbados and the Antilles. His Excellency, Sir Elliott Fitzroy Belgrave, GCMG, KA, Q.C, and The Right. Hon. Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados, members of Parliament and the Diplomatic Corps were also in attendance. The Nuncio read a message from the Holy Father Pope Francis, and bestowed a Papal Blessing upon the government and people of Barbados in commemoration of this significant milestone in the country’s history. STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2016 | 5 Recognising Stewardship Every year, many of our parishioners tirelessly offer their time, talent and treasure in the church, and to persons on the fringes on our communities. There are many examples of the compassionate spirit in our diocesan family. We thank each of you for your service, prayer and action. It takes all of us to achieve the mission of the church. As our contribution to the 50th anniversary of independence, 11 persons selected by the diocese or their parishes, were recognized at the Christ the King Mass, for their dedicated stewardship over the years: DIOCESE Bishop Emeritus Anthony Dickson In 1970 at the age of 35, Bishop Dickson, was appointed the first bishop of the Bridgetown-Kingstown Diocese. During his tenure he was actively involved in the formation of the Caribbean Confederation of Churches, the engagement encounter programme and The Cursillo Movement. He retired in 1995. Sister Mary Clare Zitman Sister Mary Clare Zitman has been an Ursuline Sister for nearly 60 years and began her initial formation as an Ursuline in 1957, in Barbados. She is a Montessori Infant Education teacher trained in England and also a trained Catechist. Apart from some years of study in England and service as a missionary in Caracas, Guyana and Jamaica, Sister Mary Claire has served for most of her life as an Ursuline Sister in Barbados. ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL Magdalene Paul (deceased) “Mags” as she was called, was born in Dominica and cooked and cleaned for the clergy and other staff of the Cathedral. She was known for her hospitality to all persons she encountered. May she rest in peace. Hermine Cole (deceased) Ms. Cole led the reader and a Eucharistic ministers ministries in St. Patrick’s Cathedral and started Bible classes in her home. She opened “The Holy Family Community Centre” in Wellington Street and worked there 3 days a week. Together with Germaine Cox, she brought the Magnificat to Barbados. It is the second longest running Magnificat in the Caribbean, celebrating 30 years in 2017. May she rest In peace. OUR LADY QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE Anne Springer “Well done good Anne Springer known to many as ‘Mama Springer’ is one of the longest Serving member of the Church and of the first persons to join the newly and faithful established Community at Black Rock. She worked tirelessly with Fr. Malachy Clune OP to build the Black Rock Cultural Centre and was deeply involved in servant!” the Charismatic Renewal Movement. MAT 25:21 Rita Toppin Rita Toppin is remembered as a woman of prayer. She was faithful to the daily recitation of the Rosary and other popular Catholic devotion. When Christian Meditation was first introduced to the diocese by Fr. Laurence Freeman she 6 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN became a faithful devotee to this form of Spirituality. Ms Springer prepared young children for first Holy Communion and worked with the Sisters (Ursuline, Carmelite and Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother) and priests to improve Religious Education.