Come after me I will make you fishers of men

Local News Special Report Spiritual Fitness Christmas and Pope Francis’ We are called to Persevere New Year's Exhortation in our faith the Catholic from the bishop’s desk The Magazine of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard PUBLISHER hese two sections of what we have seen with our eyes and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.” (1 John 1:1) Msgr. Michael F. Kosak, P.A. Pope Francis’ letter, Director of Communications By His taking flesh and coming among us, Jesus Lumen Fidei, help bring has touched us, and, through the sacraments, He Father John Matthew Fewel continues to touch us even today; transforming our Editor Christ to us by showing hearts, He unceasingly enables us to acknowledge Sarah Jane von Haack how touch, and our and acclaim Him as the Son of God. In faith, MANAGING EDITOR Thuman capacity and propensity to love, we can touch Him and receive the power of His Jenny Bis grace. St. Augustine, commenting on the account GRAPHIC DESIGNER show that we mirror our Creator and are of the woman suffering from hemorrhages who Charlotte Banks like Him. That is the way He made us, so touched Jesus and was cured (cf. Luke 8:45-46), Lillia King says: “To touch Him with our hearts: that is what it ADVERTISING that we may deeply love Him: physically, means to believe.” The crowd presses in on Jesus, Bernetia Akin spiritually, intellectually, with every part of but they do not reach Him with the personal touch Proofreader our being, and be with Him forever. of faith, which apprehends the mystery that He is Deacon Emith Fludd the Son who reveals the Father. Only when we CIRCULATION Every time we approach Christ in the Holy are configured to Jesus do we receive the eyes Brother James Petrait, OSFS Eucharist, we are approaching Him physically, needed to see Him. WEBMASTER nearing Him with each step, and moving to touch February 2014 Him like the suffering woman who could only The dialogue between faith and reason: Vol. 30 : Issue 2 reach out and touch His garment. Our souls are 32. Christian faith, inasmuch as it proclaims offering Him praise and our minds are captivated the truth of God’s total love and opens us to the The Catholic Islander is published monthly and edified by His word. Worthily received, the power of that love, penetrates to the core of our by the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin body and blood of Jesus heal us of our many, yet human experience. Each of us comes to the Islands. P.O. Box 301825, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, 00803-1825 small, imperfections. Taking His sacred body in light because of love, and each of us is called to Website: www.catholicislander.com a state of mortal sin, unlike the touch that heals, love in order to remain in the light. Desirous of Telephone: (340) 774-3166 ext. 213, is more akin to the touch of Jesus’ tormenters at illumining all reality with the love of God made Fax: (340) 774-5816 © FAITH Catholic™. His Passion. The unfathomable power of Christ's manifest in Jesus, and seeking to love others Please submit news, digital love in giving Himself to us in His sacrament, as with that same love, the first Christians found photography and advertising for the food, is able to heal us, give us life and save us in the Greek world, with its thirst for truth, an March 2014 issue of The Catholic from final death. ideal partner in dialogue. The encounter of the Islander by February 3, 2013. Faith and reason are ever present wherever Gospel message with the philosophical culture Submit news and articles to: there is the love of God. In making us so of the ancient world proved a decisive step in thecatholicislander@gmail. dependent upon human love to survive, God the evangelization of all peoples, and stimulated com. Submit advertisements to: shows us how He desires for us to love Him. By a fruitful interaction between faith and reason [email protected]. the gift of His Son he makes the connection for which has continued down the centuries to our us between love, and ultimate sacrifice for love. own times. Blessed John Paul II, in his encyclical When we are receptive to this love – in a state of letter Fides et Ratio, showed how faith and grace – it is then that it is possible for us to see reason each strengthen the other. Once we Inside this issue: with both faith and reason. discover the full light of Christ’s love, we realize 31. It was only in this way, by taking flesh, by that each of the loves in our own lives had always sharing our humanity, that the knowledge proper to contained a ray of that light, and we understand love could come to full fruition. For the light of love its ultimate destination. That fact that our human 4 • Priestly Ordination is born when our hearts are touched and we open loves contain that ray of light also helps us to see ourselves to the interior presence of the beloved, how all love is meant to share in the complete 5 • Local News who enables us to recognize His mystery. Thus self-gift of the Son of God for our sake. In this 6 • Christmas Season we can understand why, together with hearing and circular movement, the light of faith illumines all seeing, St. John can speak of faith as touch, as our human relationships, which can then be lived 8 • ¡Buenas Noticias! he says in his First Letter: “What we have heard, in union with the gentle love of Christ. 10 • Cover Story

12 • Haitian Profile February 9 – 9 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of 14 • Special Report bishop's calendar Perpetual Help Church 16 • Theology 101 February 15-16 – Mission appeal at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, West Palm Beach, Florida 18 • In the Know with February 1 – Keys & Sword Gala February 18 – Final report to the Keys & Father Joe February 2 – 10:30 a.m. Mass at SPPC Sword Executive Committee with Most Rev. Michael Michael Duca, bishop 19 • Spiritual Fitness February 22-23 – Mission appeal at St. of Shreveport, Louisiana Mary Magdalene Parish, Media, Pennsylvania 20 • World News February 4 – Meeting with Keys & Sword February 25-28 – Annual retreat with the 22 • Parish Calendars Executive Committee priests of St. Thomas

2 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com His Excellency Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop of St. Thomas and The Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands Present: The Fifth Annual Keys and Sword Award Benefit Saturday, February 1, 2014

THIS YEAR'S HONOREES:

Jean A. Dragin, Athneil C. Ottley, President of Jean Dragin Enterprises President of Ottley Communications

Bishop’s Champagne Reception 6:00 p.m. Special Music by Francis Callwood

Dinner 7:15 p.m. Program with Special Entertainment and Dancing with Milo’s Kings till Midnight 40/60 Raffle, Select Prize Drawings and Grand Prizes

(Complimentary Shuttle Service from Havensight Mall and Red Hook Ferry Dock to and from “The Reef”) Tickets and ad sponsorships are available from Ticket Sellers at each parish and all church offices. Refer to your parish bulletin for ticket seller names.

3 priestly ordination

Ordination

To the joyful congregation present, and to the whole Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, His Excellency, Bishop Hebert Bevard announced the following assignments for our new priests: Father Francois will be stationed at Holy Family Church as associate pastor to Father Neil Scantlebury; Father Boniface Blanchard will assist Father Patrick Lynch as associate pastor of St. Patrick Church, St. Croix; Father Fewel is to remain at the Chancery as editor of The Catholic Islander while teaching at the Cathedral School. Bishop Bevard, additionally, has named Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Reverend Eduardo Ortiz-Santiago, Assistant Superintendent of Father John Fewel, Father Kerly Francois and Father Boniface Schools for St. Thomas and St. John. Blanchard prepare to impart their first priestly blessings upon the faithful.

Father John Fewel, Father Boniface Blanchard and Father Kerly Francois, surrounded by the attending priests of the Virgin Islands, Prostrate before the altar of the cathedral, the three deacons join His Excellency, Bishop Hebert Bevard on the altar steps of Sts. hear the Litany of Saints chanted by the priests, choir Peter and Paul Cathedral following their ordination on January 4. and the congregation.

(l to r): Father Neil Scantlebury, pastor of Holy Family, Father Benedict O'Cinnsealaigh, rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, and Father Earl Fernandes, dean of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, along with all of the priests of the diocese, impose hands on the (l to r): Msgr. Jerome Feudjio, Father Neil Scantlebury, and Msgr. newly ordained after the bishop as a part of the rite of ordination. Michael Kosak offer the Sign of Peace to the three new priests.

4 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com local news

The final Advent candle was lit on December 21 at Holy Family Church at the 6 p.m. Mass by Barthelemew Jn-Charles, Victoria Jn-Charles and Veronica Etienne.

Our soldier-priests

The Catholic Islander recently received a note from Father Cecil Corneille. He is on deployment in Afghanistan as the garrison chaplain and deployment west chaplain. He is the only priest in this area and spent Zephaniah Jean Jacques, sacristan at Holy Family Church in Tutu, Christmas there in ministry. He reports prepares Advent candles before Mass. that it is a challenging time with much movement, but said that the ministry is beautiful. Father Corneille hopes to return to Georgia after a year is over, and gives praise to God for the gift of health and life.

Protection of children

The Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands is committed to protecting children from all harm. If you have knowledge of any church worker who may have abused a minor, please contact the diocesan child protection coordinator, Callista Julien, at 340.778.0484 or 340.772.4214.

Catholic Charities’ February Food Drive March for Life Active throughout the year attending Please collect the following local vigils, Masses and marches in the items at your church, school or After much hard work, fundraising, and Virgin Islands, these young men and workplace and bring them to careful planning under the direction women carry forward a most eloquent Catholic Charities: of Father Eduardo Ortiz-Santiago, and poignant witness for life, as many of • Disposable diapers for infant to pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, their own generation have been lost to the toddler (24 mos.) • Canned meats more than 75 young pro-life activists terrible scourge of abortion in our land. and soups • Powdered milk, rice, from the Diocese of St. Thomas will Please support them and their cause, lentils and pasta participate in the 2014 March for Life and never cease praying for an end to the in Washington, D.C. legalized murder of innocents in the womb.

5 christmas season

Altar servers from Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church visited the sick during the Christmas season. Visiting priest, Father Tom Rainforth, brings gifts to children at The servers brought them gifts and sang traditional religious hymns. Holy Family Church on January 5.

The Holy Family Adult Choir sang for the feast of the Holy Family at the 10 a.m. Mass on December 29.

Check out the latest diocesan news and photographs on our blog, updated twice weekly! catholicislanderplus.blogspot.com

6 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com The Most Rev. Joseph Kurtz, archbishop of Louisville and newly elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops poses with Bishop Bevard, Father Scantlebury and Steve (l to r): Stephaun Martinez, Nisieni, Areini, Daryl, Jr. and Nirisi Griffith Olive after the celebration of Mass at Holy Family Church. along with Gemmicia and Felicia Felix, decorate the Christmas tree.

St. Patrick Church was beautifully decorated for Christmas Eve Holy Family Church's new associate pastor, Father Kerly Francois, Midnight Mass. Celebrant Father Patrick Lynch, pastor, reads the gives the homily on January 12, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. opening prayer as deacons and acolytes look on.

Bishop Bevard visited The Golden Grove Detention Center on St. Croix where, with Father Patrick Lynch, the Missionary Sisters of Charity, members of the prison ministry, correctional officers and The priests on St. Croix came together at St. Ann Rectory for a a group of inmates, he celebrated Holy Mass on December 23. New Year luncheon on the feast of the Epiphany.

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call 340.774.3166, Ext. 213, for rates. 7 The students gave testimonies about their classes to their family and friends. Los graduados dieron testimonio ante sus familiares y amistades sobre sus clases.

Graduation at Good Shepherd Center Padre Wieslaw, Hna. Digna and Enrique Ernesto Baires completed two courses. Padre Wieslaw, Hna. Digna, y Enrique Ernesto Baires, quien completó dos cursos. On December 18, Good Shepherd Center at Holy Cross Catholic Church, St. Croix, graduated seven students from various computer courses given by Sister Digna Rivas, RGS. During the year-long program, the students studied Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel and the Internet. Each student advanced to the next course at his or her own pace. Five students completed the requirements for two courses and two students finished one course. After the opening prayer and welcome, Father Wieslaw Bajor addressed the graduates and congratulated them on their achievements. The graduates are: Enrique Ernesto Baires, Eugenio Quesada, Joel Rojas, María Batista, Martina Santos, Rogelio Tejeda del Rosario and Seferina Guillandeaux. Surrounded by family and friends, the graduates received a diploma for each course completed, after which they shared with the audience how much this course has meant to them and thanked God, the parish and Sister Digna for this opportunity. The graduation ceremony concluded with an emotional blessing The students cut the cake to celebrate their graduation. Momento en on the graduates, followed by refreshments and smiles all around! que los estudiantes parten el queque para celebrar su graduación.

Shepherd Center en la Parroquia Holy Cross en Santa Cruz. Los cursos comprenden Windows, Word, Excel e Internet. Los estudiantes pasan de un curso al otro según su propio ritmo. Cinco estudiantes completaron dos cursos durante el año y dos estudiantes culminaron un curso. Después de las palabras de apertura y bienvenida, el Padre Wieslaw Bajor, se dirigió a los graduados y los felicitó por sus logros. Los graduados son: Enrique Ernesto Baires, Eugenio Quesada, Joel Rojas, María Batista, Martina Santos, Rogelio Los Reyes Magos estuvieron en la Iglesia de San José el domingo Tejeda del Rosario y Seferina Guillandeaux. 5 de enero en la misa de las 10 am. y les dieron dulces a los niños, Acompañados por familiares y amistades, los graduados luego tuvieron un desayudo en el Salón de Hospitalidad. recibieron su diploma por cada curso concluido, enseguida se dirigieron a la audiencia expresando cuánto este curso significa Graduación en Good Shepherd Center para ellos, agradecieron a Dios, a la Parroquia y a Hna. Digna por esta oportunidad de formación. El miércoles 18 de diciembre, tuvo lugar la ceremonia de La ceremonia de graduación concluyó con una bendición muy graduación de 7 estudiantes de los cursos de computación que significativa, seguida de un refrigerio, felicitaciones y alegría de imparte Hna. Digna Rivas, RGS, a lo largo del año en Good todos los presentes.

8 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com ¡buenas noticias!

Eventos Mensuales

Oración Carismática Las oraciones en español se ofrecen en el Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral de San Pedro y san Pablo los lunes a las 6 p.m.

La Ultreya Los jueves después de la misa de las 7 p.m. los cursillistas tienen su Ultreta. Las reunions en el trailer, en la oficina del Movimiento de Cursillos, y son en español.

Legión de María El presidium hispano María, Arca de la Alianza se reúne en el Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral de San Pedro y San Pablo los domingos a las 2 p.m.

Nueva Misa en Español La iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen de la isla de Saint John está ofreciendo una misa en español todos los domingos a las 6 p.m. El celebrante oficial es el padre Eduardo Ortiz Santiago, párroco de la comunidad hispana de la catedral.

Oración y Reflexión Se reza el Santo Rosario y se comparten las reflexiones de las lecturas del domingo siguiente, en la iglesia de Holy Cross los martes alternados a las 7 p.m. Las reuniones son en español.

Rosario por los no nacidos La iglesia de San José invita a los rosarios bilingües en español e inglés por los no nacidos todos los viernes a la 6 p.m.

Santo Niño En la iglesia de San José se rezan las devociones del Santo Niño (el Santo Niño Jesús) los primeros sábados de cada mes a las 4:30 p.m. Durante este tiempo se ofrecen confesiones.

Visite los sitios web de escuelas católicas Protección de niños Ss. Peter and Paul School www.spps.vi St. Joseph High School www.sjhsvi.com La Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes está St. Mary School www.hcccstx.org comprometida a proteger a los niños de todo daño. Si Ud tiene conocimiento de algún empleado de la iglesia que haya abusado de algún menor, favor de Lleva tu cámara digital a la iglesia! E-mail tus comunicarse inmediatamente con la Coordinadora imágenes de la parroquia o eventos de la escuela Diocesana de la Protección de los Niños, Calista Julien, al 340.778.0484 or 340.772.4214. a [email protected].

9 Come after me: I will make you fishers of men

very high priest is of the Divine Master, this was especially or anecdotal, at best, or ignored and taken from among true. These were men who staked their lives rejected, at worst. Whether by disregard men and made upon the truth of His every word. Though or rejection, this was the path taken by it wasn’t until Pentecost that they received Judas, who found himself involved in their representative “power from on high,” they fully possessed treachery and in sinful collusion against before God, to from their earliest ministry the mandate of his Master with ill-motivated men who Eoffer gifts and sacrifices for their Savior and Redeemer, although they were looking to kill Him. sins.” (Hebrews 5:1) often groped for understanding when Jesus When the time came for the mantle of was teaching them. Focused so completely leadership that Jesus had placed upon the Jesus spoke to those in His inner circle in upon the Master, they were assured of shoulders of His apostles to be handed clear, distinct language. Even so, because freedom from error. on to a new generation of church leaders, they were His friends and companions Error comes when the inquirer turns first, for the needs of the ever-increasing throughout His three-year ministry, the away from Jesus – away from the flock, and then later, as the apostles apostles became accustomed to the church of which He is the head – and themselves each in turn received the palm meanings and nuances of Jesus’ speech, seeks answers elsewhere, in places of martyrdom, they knew precisely what as people often do when they work closely where church teaching and doctrine are was necessary for the equipping of new together over a period of time. For disciples improperly considered only advisory leaders for the church.

10 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com cover story

Men who are ordained to the records how especially beloved by Christ priesthood today, through the imposition he was. Another young man: the young of their bishop’s hands and the invocation companion in ministry of the apostle to of the Holy Spirit, are equipped to follow the Gentiles was sent by Him to care for and serve Jesus faithfully as ministers of a congregation of Christians of all ages. His Gospel and of His sacred mysteries. Yet Paul pointedly instructed this man, They come “from among men,” as whose name was Timothy, “let no one did Jesus, and, like their Master, share despise your youth.” (1Timothy 4:12) completely in both the human and the Steve Jobs, an iconic, fabulously divine nature of the church. successful and wealthy entrepreneur in Newly ordained priests come from two computers, came from a middle-class widely different backgrounds. A younger background. His vision and drive were Photo: Wikimedia Commons; Julius Schnorr von man comes to sacred orders after college directly responsible for the creation Carolsfeld’s (1794-1872) depiction of Jesus calling his first disciples as John the Baptist points the way toward and graduate-level studies. Others, older in of a widely popular and diverse array Jesus, in the background. years, come to holy orders with much of life of electronic devices and technology. lived; families raised, one or more degrees He had no college degree, nor years, and academic accolades and perhaps years wisdom or experience. Yet none of these the task set before them by God. Yet God of service to the holy church as laymen. The so-called deficiencies prevented his accomplished His will through them, as well former may be likened to the newly married success. Their lack seems to add to his as in spite of them. man, just experiencing the birth of his legend, indeed, to be the hallmarks of The conclusion of all this is to be firstborn: he is young and inexperienced, but his incredible genius. The legacy of this seen in the untold value of the seven is as much a husband and father in every is self-evident in the way it has changed sacraments of the church. sense of the word as is his own grandfather everyday life for people around the As there is no ransom payable for the – minus only wisdom, experience and world who today can scarcely imagine price of a human soul, save that ransom maturity, which the years will bring. life without the technological fruits of his paid by our Savior, no amount of wealth The older man, once ordained, is, in a prodigious efforts and talent. A prodigy could purchase even one of the seven way, like one of the Twelve Apostles called is a person or an event of some wonder sacraments. by Jesus. Leaving their nets, leaving their and amazement, which is often correctly The newly ordained priest of Jesus homes, they followed when Jesus beckoned attributed to the blessing, or intervention Christ, or, the priest of many years, has them. They bring to their new life as servants of, God Himself, for the betterment of as his central and greatest occupation of the church an identity, gifts and talents the human condition. the dispensing of the infinite benefits shaped and developed over a lifetime. Prophet after prophet and the Twelve and value of the sacraments of the Jesus said that He had not seen such Apostles – in the pages of Scripture most of church. Through their faithful and worthy faith in Israel as that of the centurion, whose God’s chosen instruments – were humble reception, all sin may be forgiven, divine words we intone at every Mass: “Lord, men of little education who more than once grace and mercy imparted and the gift of I am not worthy that you should enter proved themselves personally unequal to eternal life assured. under my roof; but only say the word, and Together, let us keep in constant prayer my soul shall be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) The our bishop, our three new priests and all Roman officer explained his reasoning and of our priests, our deacons, especially why his faith showed such development: "Jesus said that he those to be ordained priests in the coming months; men who have answered the He was an experienced and seasoned had not seen such soldier. Knowing the nature of authority and call of Our Lord – “As He passed by the himself competent in its exercise, his faith faith in Israel as that of Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his in Jesus was manifested naturally in power the centurion, whose brother Andrew casting their nets into the and in completeness. This man was older, words we intone at every sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to possessing practical knowledge, wisdom Mass: 'Lord, I am them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you and experience. not worthy that you fishers of men.’ Then they abandoned their nets and followed Him. He walked along Even so, though one is called as a should enter under young man or as an older man, the a little farther and saw James, the son of important consideration is not age, my roof; but only say Zebedee, and his brother John. They, too, but that, those whom God calls, He the word, and my were in a boat mending their nets. Then also qualifies. John the Evangelist was, soul shall be healed.'" He called them. So they left their father according to tradition, a younger man Zebedee in the boat along with the hired than his brothers, yet the Scripture men and followed Him.” (Mark 1:16-20)

by Father John Matthew Fewel, editor 11 haitian profile

pou yo rasanble ansanm, paske tout lòt Nasyon k’ap viv Sen Toma òganize yo ansanm. Malerezman, kèk mwa pita frè kerly te oblije travèse Florida pou’l al lekòl Anglè, paske li te yon tijan limite nan lang Anglè. Apre 6 mwa frè Kerly te retounen nan Dyosèz la, Mr Hans Oriol te konseye’l pou’l pran kontak ak Mr. Oscar Lalane ki anime yon emisyon nan lang kreyòl, chak mèkredi a 8h 30 nan aswè. Mr Oscar te byen akeyi lide a e,depi lè sa frè Kerly jwen yon mwayen ki efikas pou’l kapab fè mesaj la pase nan mitan Ayisyen yo. Avèk emisyon an, kèk Ayisyen te kòmanse rasamble ak frè Kerly chak dimanch, sitou apre Lamès 8h 30 lan, nan Katedral Sen Pierre ak Sen Paul. Anpil nan yo te kon’n toujou rele frè a tou pou di li kouman yo kontan pwojè sa a ke li vle mete sou pye nan Sen Toma. Tankou: Frè Julio Compère, Sè Vicame Father Francois surrounded by frolicking members of the Virgin Islands' Haitian community, Sanon, Sè Renée Harris, ak Sè Dema Marie at Megan's Bay, during the Cathedral of Ss Peter and Paul's annual parish picnic. Lifaite. Malerezman, yon lòt fwa ankò, frè a te dwe kite Sen Toma pou ale Sent Croix epi, soti Sent Croix ale Chicago. Pandan li te Istwa kominote Ayisyen yo Sent Croix osionon Chicago, frè a te toujou ide pou rasanble tout Ayisyen katolik k’ap viv nan kenbe kontak ak moun ki Sen Toma yo. Dyosèz Sen Toma te egziste depi lè Cardinal Sean Frè Kerly rantre soti Chicago nan dat 27 me epi, nan dat 31 me, jou fèt ansonsyasyon, O’Maley te Evèk Diosèz la. Men, pwojè sa a pat janm nou te gen premye reyinyon lapriyè nou ak rive abouti paske pat janm gen yon Pè ayisyen ki yon bon gwoup Ayisyen, nan Chapèl Divine estab nan Dyosèz la pou pran swen ti twoupo Ayisyen Misericorde. Apre chaplè a, nou te pataje yon Lsa a. Daprè sa nou aprann bò kote anpil Ayisyen, Pè Jean Mary ti goute ansanm. Depi lè sa a, chak Dimanch Degraff, premye pè Ayisyen ki te òdone pou Dyosèz sen Toma, te nou reyini, konsa konsa, gwoup la ap grandi. kòmanse fè yon gwo travay nan mitan Ayisyen. Li te kon’n fè Lamès Chak mèkredi, nou reyini pou lapriyè nan chapèl la. Nou te rive mete yon komite sou pou Ayisyen yo chan dimanch apre midi nan Pawas Sent Famiy e pye pou jere kominote sa a. Komite a gen Legliz la te toujou plen. Malerezman, Pè Jean Mary te vi’n kite Dyosèz nèf manmb. Kominote Ayisyen sa a te chante la. Depi lè sa a Ayisyen yo pa janm gen Lamès nan lang kreyòl ankò. premye mès li nan Katedral la dimanch 18 Men, Evèk Dyosèz Sen Toma a, Trè Reveran Herbert Bevard, te Dawou a 6 zè nan apre midi, te gen anpil frè toujou gen menm lide avèk Kadinal O’Maley, ta vle di, mete kanpe ak sè lòt Nasyon ki te vin patisipe nan mès sa yon kominote Ayisyen ki Djanm nan Dyosèz Sen Toma. a tou. Se Monseyè Jerome ki te Prezide mès sa, Evèk Diosèz la te konselebre pandan mès la tou e se Djak Kerly ki te pote mesaj pawòl Apre ke frè Kerly François te fin rankontre ak Monseyè Jerome epi Evèk Herbert, li Bondye a. Evèk Herbert nan mo remèsiman ak Monseyè Jerome Feudjio, Kire katedral te kòmanse gade kòman li ka kòmanse li te fè, montre kouman li kontan pou nouvo Sen Pierre ak Sen Paul nan Sen Toma New ransanble tout Ayisyen Katolik ki nan Sen pitit sa a ki fèt nan Dyosèz la. Depi lè sa York nan dat 6 dawou 2011, Monseyè te Toma ansanm. Nan brase lide poze keksyon, a tou, chak premye Dimanch nan mwa a envite’l vini vizite Diosèz la. Konsa, Frè Kerly nou te vin reyalize, sou chak 10 Ayisyen nou gen mès, men gen yon jou k’ap rive, te debake nan Dyosèz la nan dat 16 dawou kap viv nan Sen Toma, 8 ale nan Legliz kominote sa a ap gen mès chak Dimanch. 2011. Monseyè Jerome gen ti esperyans Pwotestan. Men pou ki rezon yo ale nan Ti kominote sa a ap grandi de jou an jou. nan travay ak Ayisyen. Nan lane 1980, li Legliz Pwotestan? Lè yo te vini Sen Toma, Moun yo montre yo vrèman enterese. Kit gen te mete kanpe yon kominote Ayisyen nan yo pa konprann Lamès yo ki fèt nan Pawas lapli, kit pa gen lapli, no upa janm rate yon Washintong Dc epi, gras ak kominote sa nou yo, paske yo pa pale Anglè. Se pou sa, yo reyinyon. Nou fè travay nou te gen pou nou a, li te gen chans vizite Haiti tou. Depi frè prefere ale nan Legliz Pwotestan ki fè sèvis yo fè ki se :mete kominote sa a sou pye, men se Kerly te rive nan Dyosèz la li te rann li kont nan lang kreyòl, malgre yo se Katolik. Bondye Granmèt ki gen poul fè rès la. Nou ke gen anpil Ayisyen nan sen Toma men, se Kèk mwa apre, frè Kerly te kòmanse pale di Bondye Granmèt la mèsi pou chak frè ak selman kèk nan yo ki vini Legliz. Ansanm avèk kèk ayisyen epi montre yo nesesite sè k’ap kolabore ak nou nan gwo travay sa a.

12 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com By Papa Kerly François saint of the month

Lead by example | St. Polycarp of Smyrna • February 23 Rome to discuss the date for Easter, he was arrested by Roman officials in Smyrna. He ur culture abounds with clichés addressing the need for was instructed to renounce would-be leaders to align their actions with their words: the faith and burn incense to “practice what you preach”; “walk the walk if you the Roman emperor. Instead, are going to talk the talk”; and “put your money he is reputed to have where your mouth is.” There is a great deal of said, “How then can Owisdom in this sentiment. Leaders who are content to I blaspheme my King and Savior? tell others what to do when they are not willing to do Bring forth what the same – who are willing to send others to where they thou wilt.” would not go – risk being labeled hypocrites with no In response, credibility or integrity. St. Polycarp was burned This leading by example is is believed he was converted encouraged at the stake, absolutely critical to the life of to the faith by St. John the and called along with 12 a saint. In fact, one becomes Evangelist and was a friend others companions. a saint precisely through the of St. Ignatius of Antioch. to remain The Martyrdom of witness of one’s life rather He lived in a time after steadfast in their Polycarp indicates than through words spoken the deaths of the apostles adherence to the that he also was stabbed to others. Let’s consider the when various interpretations one true faith, because the fire failed to example of St. Polycarp of were being ascribed to the even if this meant persecution touch him. In the end, he Smyrna (69-155). teachings of Jesus. His role and death. proved the authenticity of his St. Polycarp was a bishop as bishop, of course, was to St. Polycarp would soon teachings and leadership and and one of the foremost preach orthodoxy and combat find himself put to the test. he is regarded as one of three leaders of the early church. It heretical teachings. He also After returning from a trip to primary Apostolic Fathers.

Photo: Wikipedia, public domain; Michael Burghers (1685) The Life of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Burghers_michael_saintpolycarp.jpg conflictresolution

What can I do about the bully in our S. Kendrick neighborhood who scares all the kids?

My neighbor’s son is a bully who scares the kids in the neighborhood. Dr. Gelasia Marquez His parents seem oblivious – is there something I can or should do? is a psychologist and family counselor. Yes, you should do you have witnessed or judgment to select the proper own judgment and emotion something. Bullying is a tough heard about. Do not time. Some parents of bullies out of it. This will help avoid problem and all of us should interrogate kids or parents are terrific parents and a negative reaction to your be involved in preventing and in the neighborhood, but ask will deal with the problem; comments. stopping it. As Ephesians 4:32 questions conversationally to others will not understand Finally, if the parents seem reminds us, it is important to determine what has occurred your concerned approach receptive, you can offer the “Be kind to one another.” and to get the details of the or cooperate with you. It will names of resources in the First, it is important to incident(s). help if you simply describe community that may be able to gather and record information Then, contact the parents their child’s behavior, instead help. Reassure them that you about the bullying events of the bully child. Use your of labeling it, and keep your are available to help, as well.

Like us on Facebook at Catholiccharitiesvi 13 Pope Francis’ Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, the joy of the Gospel

Types of Papal Documents • Apostolic exhortation: These are typically issued in response to a synod of bishops in which a pope encourages the church to undertake a particular activity. Exhortations do not define church doctrine and are considered less authoritative than papal encyclicals (exhortations are still more authoritative than other papal issuances such as audiences and homilies). • Encyclical letters: This is a general letter expressing the pope’s thoughts on matters of faith and morals. Encyclicals may be to the entire church or to a particular church or people. Encyclicals do not constitute ex cathedra (“from the chair”) pronouncements, i.e., they do Vatican City: not have infallible authority. Pope Francis speaks A postolic letters: during the rite of • This is a letter that acceptance into the may be concerned with a doctrinal matter catechumenate and or with a papal act such as declaring a meeting with the church to be a basilica. Apostolic letters catechumens in St. Peter's Basilica on also are of less authority than encyclicals. November 23, 2013. Catholic News Agency © Kerri Lenartowick Catholic News Agency © Kerri 14 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com special report

n the Solemnity of Christ the King (November 24, Quotable Quotes 2013), Pope Francis brought the Year of Faith to its Evangelii Gaudium conclusion with the issuance of his first apostolic “... Christian morality is not a form of stoicism, or self-denial, or merely a exhortation, entitled Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of practical philosophy or a catalogue the Gospel). The Year of Faith had been declared by of sins and faults. Before all else, the OPope Benedict XVI in an apostolic letter, Porta Fidei (Door of Faith) Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us, to see God in on October 11, 2011. It began a year later on October 11, 2012, others and to go forth from ourselves to the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council seek the good of others.” (39) and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “The Eucharist, although it is the fullness The goal of the initiative was conversion and the rediscovery of of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and faith so that all members of the church could become credible nourishment for the weak.” (47) witnesses of truth. “The worldwide crisis affecting finance and the economy lays bare their Pope Francis’ 200-plus page exhortation The specific themes imbalances and, above all, their lack of (the document can be found in its entirety In Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis real concern for human beings; man is reduced to one of his needs alone: at the Holy See’s website: www.vatican.va) does not attempt to address the “countless consumption.” (55) was issued primarily as a response to the issues” that involve evangelization or to XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the “offer a definitive or complete word on “Nobody can go off to battle unless he is fully convinced of victory beforehand. Synod of Bishops (October 7-28, 2012) every question which affects the church If we start without confidence, we have that was called by Pope Benedict XVI to and the world.” (16) Instead, his aim is already lost half the battle and we bury study the theme: “The New Evangelization to present guidelines that hopefully will our talents.” (85) for the Transmission of the Faith.” This encourage the church in a “new phase of “The Gospel tells us to correct others same synod, which began the “Year of evangelization.” To this end, he identifies and to help them to grow on the basis Faith,” had actually requested the writing the themes he intends to address at length of a recognition of the objective evil of the exhortation and Pope Francis was in the document and which he hopes we of their actions (cf. Mt 18:15), but happy to oblige them. to adopt in all of our activities: without making judgments about their responsibility and culpability (cf. Mt 7:1; Lk The underlying theme • the reform of the church in her 6:37).” (172) In order to correctly interpret missionary outreach; “An authentic faith – which is never Evangelii Gaudium, it is important to • the temptations faced by pastoral comfortable or completely personal – consider the exhortation in light of its workers; always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave underlying theme, i.e., the need for • the church, understood as the entire this earth somehow better than we the joyful proclamation of the Gospel. People of God which evangelizes; found it.” (183) According to Vatican Radio, Archbishop • the homily and its preparation; “The poor person, when loved, ‘is Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical • the inclusion of the poor in society; esteemed as of great value’, and this is Council for the New Evangelization, • peace and dialogue within society; and what makes the authentic option for the summarized the main message of the • the spiritual motivations for mission. (17) poor differ from any other ideology, from document when he presented it at a any attempt to exploit the poor for one’s Vatican press conference as follows: “If Throughout his treatment of the own personal or political interest.” (199) we were to sum up Pope Francis’ Evangelii themes, it is God’s merciful love that “Human beings are ends in themselves Gaudium in a few words, we could say serves as the common foundation. and never a means of resolving other that it is an apostolic exhortation written God has loved each one of us first and problems ... the church cannot be around the theme of Christian joy in continually seeks out every person with expected to change her positions on this order that the church may rediscover the this message of salvation. Acceptance of question ... This is not something subject to alleged reforms or ‘modernizations’. original source of evangelization in the this message gives meaning to life. The It is not ‘progressive’ to try to resolve contemporary world ... It is an invitation encounter, then, with Jesus Christ and the problems by eliminating human life.” (214) to recover a prophetic and positive vision joy of sharing this experience of love with “The respect due to the agnostic or of reality without ignoring the current others becomes an inseparable bond as non-believing minority should not be challenges ... Pope Francis instills courage each person represents the “prolongation arbitrarily imposed in a way that silences and urges us to look ahead despite the of the incarnation for each of us” (179) the convictions of the believing majority present crisis, making the cross and the that, in turn, requires our showing “mercy or ignores the wealth of religious resurrection of Christ once again our towards all.” This mercy, as Pope Francis traditions.” (255) 'victory banner.’” writes, is the key to heaven. (197)

15 The first gift I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange Gods before me.

The “first word” contains the First Commandment of the Law: “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve him ... You shall not go after other gods.” In other words, our first call and duty is to accept God and worship Him. However, who is this God we are to ac- cept and worship? The answer to this ques- tion might well be considered the gift of this commandment. For, in the fuller versions of the commandment (Ex 20:2-17; Dt 5:6-21), God makes Himself known “by recalling His all- powerful, loving and liberating action in the history” of Moses and Israel. He is the “one and true God” who is unchangeable, con- stant, faithful, just, without evil, almighty, merciful and infinitely beneficent.

The proper response It follows from this self-revelation of God that we should believe in Him, hope in Him and love Him. In other words, this gift of the First Commandment invites us to pray for and receive the three theologi- cal virtues of faith, hope and charity. These theological virtues also are freely given gifts of God that adapt our faculties for participation in the divine nature. In other words, they dispose us “to live in relation-

Moses with the Ten Commandments. ship with the Divine Trinity.” By Philippe de Champaigne, 1648 As God reveals His love for us, we have a duty to believe in Him and bear witness to Him. “The First Commandment requires us The First Commandment: to nourish and protect our faith with pru- dence and vigilance, and to reject everything I am the Lord your God that is opposed to it.” We must then be wary of those things that threaten to undermine our belief in God, in all He has revealed and have set before you life and death, the blessing in all that the Church proposes for our belief. and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your Voluntary or involuntary doubt, “neglect of descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your revealed truth or willful refusal to assent to it,” heresy, apostasy and schism all classify as God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to him.” serious threats to our faith. (Dt 30:19-20) Likewise, acknowledging that we are I incapable of responding fully to God’s revelation and call, we must hope that The rhythm of the spiritual life can be cally, the “10 words” are the words of God God will grant us “the capacity to love summarized as follows: we first receive, that “point out the conditions of a life freed Him in return and to act in conformity and then we respond. The “10 words,” or from the slavery of sin.” They show us a with the commandments of charity.” the Decalogue, are no exception. The gift path of life that sums up and proclaims Despair and presumption represent the of the Ten Commandments “is the gift of God’s law and “make explicit the response greatest challenges to our hope. God Himself and His holy will.” Specifi- of love that man is called to give his God.” Finally, the First Commandment invites

16 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com Theology 101 us to respond to God’s love by loving God “above everything and all creatures for Him and because of Him.” Consequently, we must guard against such enemies of charity as indifference, ingratitude, luke- warmness, acedia (or sloth) and, of course, a hatred of God that is born of our pride.

The way of life The way of life the First Commandment makes explicit consists of adoration, prayer, sacrifice and promises and vows. Each of these flows from the theological virtues that “inform and give life to the moral virtues.” In particular, it is charity that calls us to View from Mount Sinai, render the aforementioned to God. Wikipedia© Mark A. Wilson Adoration acknowledges God as God, “as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite The Ten Commandments Bible geography facts: and merciful Love.” It also acknowledges Mount Sinai the “nothingness of the creature” who sim- ply would not exist were it not for God. Mount Sinai, also known as Mount Horeb, is a mountain in the Sinai Peninsula In other words, adoration is to praise and of Egypt. It is actually rather unremarkable as mountains go. It is surrounded exalt God and to humble ourselves. by higher peaks on all sides, has an uninspiring peak and doesn’t even offer a Prayer is the “indispensable condition mysterious shroud of clouds surrounding its top. And yet, it is one of the most for being able to obey God’s command- famous mountains in history because most identify the location as the place ments” as it accomplishes the acts of where Moses was given the Ten Commandments. faith, hope and charity. Sacrifice, when it is offered to God in adoration, gratitude, Did you know? supplication and communion, can unite There are buildings on the summit of Mount Sinai: a mosque that is still in use us to the one perfect sacrifice of Christ on and a Greek Orthodox chapel that is not open to the public. The chapel enclos- the cross and, thereby, transform our very es the rock that is considered to be the source of the two stones upon which lives into a sacrifice to God. the Ten Commandments were inscribed. The summit also is home to “Moses’ Promises and vows to God similarly cave,” where Moses is said to have waited to receive the commandments. can become signs of our respect for God when we hold ourselves to them faithfully and lovingly. The evangelical counsels ing or treating the sacraments, liturgical of poverty, chastity and obedience are of actions and persons, things or places con- particular value as a response to God’s secrated to God unworthily) and simony Catechism Quiz great gift of Himself. (buying or selling spiritual things). Atheism and agnosticism conclude our What type of sin The way of death list. Atheism, whether practical or militant, destroys charity in In addition to the challenges to faith, is “one of the most serious problems of our the heart of a person hope and charity mentioned earlier, our time.” It denies the existence of God and and, thereby, turns him or her path to responding rightly to the First falsely considers humanity to be “an end to away from God? Commandment is fraught with danger as himself, and the sole maker, with supreme it regards serving other “gods.” Supersti- control, of his own history.” While agnosti- a. grave matter c. mortal tion, idolatry, divination (this includes cism does not necessarily deny the existence b. venial d. unintentional consulting horoscopes and astrology) and of God, it claims we can know nothing of God for God is incapable of revealing Him- magic all represent actions that violate (c) mortal. “Mortal sin is a self. In other words, it outright contradicts our duty to honor and respect the one, sin whose object is grave the veracity of the self-revelation of God in A: true God revealed in this first gift. matter and which is also committed the First Commandment. Consequently, Sins of irreligion also can take us off the with full knowledge and deliberate path of life. These include tempting God agnosticism can easily lead to indifference consent.” CCC 1856 (putting His goodness and power to the and, finally, practical atheism. test by word or deed), sacrilege (profan- - Quotes are from the Catechism (1812-1814 and 2056-2128).

By Doug Culp, CAO of the secretariat for pastoral life at the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky 17 in the know with father joe

Why is the word 'catholic' in the Methodist creed?

Dear Father Joe, Why does it say ‘catholic’ in the middle of the creed in the Father Joseph Krupp Methodist church I attended recently for a wedding? is a priest in the Diocese of Q Lansing, Mich. I’ve gotten no small community. Either way, the (present-day Iznik in Turkey) so they simply put the Latin amount of “creed idea that someone should not in order to articulate and put word right back in there! questions,” especially since the be persecuted for their religious to paper those things that the An easy help to using the release of the Mass translations beliefs was rather revolutionary apostles handed on to their word “consubstantial” in our in 2011. Your question will thinking for the time. The successors. They prayed, they creed is this: When you say help us kick off a special result was that Christians, who argued, they fought, they consubstantial, think “of the column that I hope will help had been persecuted on and off prayed some more and, in the same stuff.” That’s what they us understand the creed we for more than 200 years, came end, they wrote a creed now are trying to make sure we say at Mass and the reasoning out of hiding. For the first called the Nicene Creed. understand: the Father, the behind some of the changes. time in a long time, Christian This creed is said by Son and the Holy Spirit are “of Let’s start with some history. communities from all over the Christians of many different the same stuff.” The creed you heard at the Roman Empire began talking stripes all around the world I want to close with this Methodist Church was the exact to each other and, for lack of a and is held by many as a great encouragement from Pope same one you say at Mass on better term, compared notes. gift given to us by the Holy Benedict XVI. In 2010, he Sunday: It’s one that is said (or The key thing to remember Spirit. So, what about the stated that: believed) by most Christian is this: All of these Christians word “catholic” in there? Many will find it hard to adjust Churches. It’s called the Nicene held their individual beliefs The non-Catholics who say to unfamiliar texts after nearly Creed and it has quite a history. while knowing it could get that creed are referring not to forty years of continuous use of the There’s a lot of bad information them tortured and killed – no the Roman Catholic Church, previous translation. The change out there about this series of one was going to to “abandon but to the word “catholic” will need to be introduced with due events and I hope to present a ship” on beliefs they were itself, which, in Greek, means sensitivity, and the opportunity for brief history that describes what willing to die for. “universal.” They are saying catechesis that it presents will need actually happened and how we One of the beliefs that some that they believe in “one, holy, to be firmly grasped. I pray that in got this creed. Christians held was an idea universal and apostolic church.” this way any risk of confusion or called Arianism. Arianism was bewilderment will be averted, and We start in the year 313 In the new translations, we use named after a guy named (you the change will serve instead as a A.D. Two Roman generals, the word “consubstantial”: I guessed it!) Arius, a bishop springboard for a renewal and a Constantine (soon to become have no idea what it means and from Libya. Arians taught that deepening of Eucharistic devotion emperor) and Licinius (soon don’t understand why we use it. to become dead) met in Milan the Father (God) and the Son all over the English-speaking world. and wrote together a decree (Jesus) were not of the same Well, hopefully, from the I think this is a good that is now called the Edict substance that there was a time above text, you’ll get a sense challenge for us. Most people of Milan. In it, the two agreed the Son didn’t exist and God of why we use it. To defend I know (me included!) are still that persecution of anyone created Him. This is a complex Christianity against Arianism, trying to figure out how to for religious purposes needed point that we don’t have time the Church Fathers at Nicea prayerfully enter into the Mass to stop. Some people think to get into, but, in a nutshell, had to be clear that the Father, when so much of it is in phrases that this edict was all about it attacks the doctrine of the the Son and the Holy Spirit that feel awkward and wording Christianity, but reading the Trinity, which, according to were all of the same substance – that is hard to understand. edict shows that is not the our Catechism, is the “central none were created. To reinforce But the challenge is more than case. Christians got special mystery of our faith.” this, they used the word worth it. It is up to us to learn attention in this document The arguing got really “consubstantial” in Latin. In what we can in humility and because they had gotten special intense and the Emperor the previous translations of the obedience so that our prayer treatment in a terrible way for Constantine (who was not Mass in English, we translated together is a prayer that comes some time. This edict allowed a Christian at this time) was the Latin word “consubstantial” right from our hearts. Don’t Christians to gather and be driven nuts by the constant into the phrase “one in being.” give up, the Mass is worth public about their faith for the bickering and hassles. He The people who gave us the our absolute best efforts, both first time and was a source of called for Christian leaders to new translations worried that intellectual and spiritual. Enjoy great joy to the early Christian gather at a place called Nicea that phrase was too ambiguous, another day in God’s presence!

18 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com spiritual fitness

What a contrast to this incident in the Gospel: “Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he (Jesus) preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’” (Mark 2:2-5; see also Luke 5:17-26) Those men in the Gospel did not let difficulty stop them from bringing their friend to Jesus. It took faith that Jesus could help their friend. It took faith to “brave” the crowd; it took hard and potentially dangerous effort to get their friend to the feet of Jesus. Fueled by faith in Jesus, however, they persevered, and when Jesus saw their faith, he forgave the man his sins. Astounding! Those men were true believers and did what real friends do – brought their sick friend to the one who could heal. After Christ had forgiven his sins, then he healed the poor man’s body. We need to do the same for those we love. Listen to the words of Charles Spurgeon, a Protestant pastor, commenting on this passage: Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd blocked up the door, but faith found a way of getting at the Lord and placing the palsied man before Him. If we cannot get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods we must use extraordinary ones. It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that a tiling had to be removed, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to those below, but where the case is very urgent we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties. Jesus was there to heal, and therefore fall what might, faith ventured all so that her poor paralyzed charge might have his iStock© NoDerog sins forgiven. O that we had more daring faith among us! Cannot we, dear reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow-workers, and will we not try to-day to perform some gallant act We are called to for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord. The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire: cannot faith invent too, and reach by some new means the outcasts who lie perishing Persevere in our faith around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the palsied man: is not the Lord among us now? Have n this season of Lent, I would like to we seen His face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt His healing ask you to consider a different power in our own souls? If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let us, breaking through all impediments, labour to bring approach to repentance, fasting and poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and decorous when faith and love almsgiving. Notice, I said a different are truly set on winning souls. If hunger for bread can break through stone approach to the three pillars of the walls, surely hunger for souls is not to be hindered in its efforts. O Lord, LentenI season. During this time devoted to make us quick to suggest methods of reaching Thy poor sin-sick ones, and understanding and answering the call to the bold to carry them out at all hazards. (Spurgeon’s Morning by Morning, September 7) New Evangelization, I have become aware of Jesus wants us, brothers and sisters, to live with him forever! how many people have almost no idea of their Heaven is real, eternal life is real, for those who put their faith dignity, their worth, their call as Christians. and hope in him. Many of us have imbibed the world’s view to “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we shall What can you do to have a more fruitful Lent? die.” In other words, think only of what you want • Ask God to set your priorities straight and first by prayer, and get all the enjoyment out of life that you then by generous service, to bring back the stray and the lost. • Ask God to give you a hunger for souls. possibly can because death is inevitable and • Ask God to share his heart for the lost with you. there’s nothing after death ...

By Sister Ann Shields 19 world news

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Papal visit to the Holy Land Fides releases statistics on religious Bishops launch campaign for to focus on ecumenism with killed worldwide migrants and refugees Orthodox The number of pastoral workers killed The Spanish bishops’ conference Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to the in 2013 has almost doubled, indicating launched a new campaign to mark Holy Land in May will center on his a climate of moral decline. This was the the 100th anniversary of the Catholic encounter with Patriarch Bartholomew assessment given by Fides News Agency Church’s World Day of Migrants I, the Eastern Orthodox archbishop of in releasing its annual list of pastoral care and Refugees called “Migrants and Constantinople, and their discussions on workers killed worldwide. Refugees: Towards a Better World.” ecumenism. New book examines ‘vibrant’ revival Experts at Vatican workshop call for Puerto Rico layman could become of American Catholicism end of weapons flow to Syria second black saint from the Americas “Renewal,” a new book from Encounter A Vatican study group is urging world Books co-authored by Ann Hendershott leaders to stop the flow of arms into Pope Francis has approved the heroic and Christopher White, makes the case Syria and to press for an immediate and virtues of Servant of God Rafael that Catholicism is recovering from complete cease-fire with no political Cordero Molina, a layman from Puerto decades of “faithless practice” and preconditions. Rico, who dedicated his life to fighting confusion, and focuses on areas where the Haiti's new cardinal known as a racism and educating black children. Catholic Church is showing revitalization. tireless worker and advocate for people Argentine Congress recommends Pope Francis for Nobel Peace Prize Pope Francis named the first Haitian cardinal when he selected Bishop Argentina’s House of Representatives Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, 55, has passed a resolution to nominate president of the Haitian bishops’ Pope Francis for the Nobel Peace conference – who is an advocate for Prize for his call to end the violence in the people and has never forgotten his Syria. The resolution now goes to the impoverished childhood. Senate for ratification. Scottish official rejects sex European Parliament rejects notion education guidelines for Catholic of abortion as human right schools

Members of the European Parliament Michael McGarth, director of the have rejected the report “Sexual and Scottish Catholic Education Service, is Reproductive Health and Rights,” “confident” the government’s proposal which intended to establish abortion for sex education in Catholic schools “as a human right and public health regarding contraception and homosexual concern” in the European Union. union will not be implemented.

20 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com Order of Malta Virgin Islands Area

The Order of Malta is raising funds for His Excellency, Bishop Bevard’s Catholic Scholarship Program through the sale of commemorative bricks. The bricks will be installed in the Rosary Garden at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church. This is a great way to remember a loved one or express gratitude to God for answering a prayer. Your message will last forever.

î Call 774.2166 for information

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call 340.774.3166, Ext. 213, for rates. 21 parish calendars St. Thomas Calendar

Catholic Daughters of America Court 2049 meets at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on the third Saturday of every month at 3 p.m.

Charismatic prayer • Prayers in Spanish are offered at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on Mondays at 6 p.m. • Holy Family Church holds evenings of charismatic prayer on Mondays at 7 p.m.

Divine Mercy Chaplet • Altar servers from Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church lead the Divine Mercy Chaplet at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Mondays at 3 p.m. • The chaplet is prayed at Our Lady of Confirmation – On the feast of the Holy Family, December 29, His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard conferred the sacrament of confirmation on Jaleel and Kaleel Rivera Perpetual Help Church on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. and Miah Jackson during the 10 a.m. Mass at Holy Family Church. Concelebrating were Archbishop Joseph Kurtz (left) and Father Neil Scantlebury. Holy Hours/ Eucharistic Adoration • Presidium Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, group, meets at Our Lady of Perpetual • St. Therese Chapel-Divine Mercy Shrine meets in the St. Anne Chapel Hall on Help Church every other week. There has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Wednesdays at 6 p.m. is also a pro-life Holy Hour and Mass at on Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. 6 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. until Benediction at 5:30 p.m. (Tuesdays Magnificat For more information, visit Facebook. at 6:30 p.m.) and on Saturdays from 8 Magnificat, an international ministry to com/bound4lifeUSVI or call the OLPH a.m. until Benediction at 1 p.m. Catholic women, meets at Sts. Peter and Church office at340.774.0885 . • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church has Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on Exposition on Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. the first Saturday of every month at 8 a.m. Pro-life rosary until Benediction at 6 p.m. and on Fridays Pray a pro-life rosary at Our Lady of at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. Men’s prayer group Perpetual Help Church on Wednesdays at • Holy Family Church and St. Anne The Sons of Joseph and Mary meet at 5:45 p.m. Chapel have Holy Hours with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Exposition and Benediction on Fridays Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Rosary walk at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts a rosary Our Lady of Fatima devotion walk on the first Saturday of every month Intercessory Prayer Group The Children of Mary lead a devotion to Our at 7 a.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m. A team is prepared to pray for the needs Lady of Fatima at Holy Family Church on of all who ask at Holy Family Church on the first Saturday of every month at 4 p.m. St. Joseph Workers Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The St. Joseph Workers meet at Holy Family Our Mother of Perpetual Church’s Columban Hall on the second Knights of Columbus Help devotions Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m. Council 6187 meets at Sts. Peter and Paul Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on the first Help are prayed before Mass on St. Vincent de Paul Society and third Sunday of every month at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at: The Young Vincentians meet on the third • Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 6:45 Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. The Legion of Mary a.m. and noon adult members meet on the fourth Saturday • Presidium María, Arca de la Alianza, • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at of every month at 3:30 p.m. Both groups holds meetings in Spanish at Sts. Peter 6:15 p.m. meet in Holy Family Church’s classroom. and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge • Holy Family Church at 6:50 p.m. on Sundays at 2 p.m. • St. Anne Chapel at 7 p.m. World Apostolate of Fatima • Presidium Mary, Mystical Rose, meets The World Apostolate of Fatima meets at in Holy Family Church’s classroom on Pro-life Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Sundays at 3 p.m. Bound 4 Life USVI, the diocesan pro-life Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.

22 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call 340.774.3166, Ext. 213, for rates. 23 parish calendars St. Croix Calendar

Holy Hours/Eucharistic Adoration • Holy Cross Church has Holy Hour following the 8:15 a.m. Mass, followed by Eucharistic Adoration until 1 p.m., on the first Friday of every month. • Holy Cross Church has Eucharistic Adoration with confession from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday. • St. Patrick Church has a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays after the 8 a.m. Mass. • St. Patrick Church has a full day of Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays during the Year of Faith. Profession of Faith – On December 15 at the Franciscan House, St. Croix, Msgr. • St. Ann Church has a full day of Michael Kosak made his profession of faith for membership in the Secular Franciscan Eucharistic Adoration every Friday Order in the presence of Father Simon Opira, chaplain of the Fraternity of Our Lady of during the Year of Faith beginning with the Angels, and Sister Patricia Alexander, WIF, spiritual assistant. Holy Mass at 6:30 a.m. and concluding with evening prayer and Benediction Adult education • The Cenacle of Our Lady of the Rosary at 6:30 p.m. All are invited to come • The St. Patrick Alumni Association offers Intercessory Prayer Group meets at out and intercede for our family, an After School Tutorial Program, which Franciscan House on Wednesdays at community, church and nation in silent is coordinated by Sister Claina Letang, 10 p.m. prayer, praise and thanksgiving before ICM. They are now also operating as a the Blessed Sacrament. Public Computer Center, which is part Cursillo prayer group • St. Joseph Church has a full day of of the ViNGN Digital Literacy Program. The Cursillo Movement hosts a Spanish Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday It is open to the public during scheduled prayer meeting in the St. Michael Chapel during the Year of Faith beginning with mornings to mid-day. at St. Joseph Church on the last Monday Holy Mass at 6:30 a.m. and concluding • The Religious of the Good Shepherd of every month at 7 p.m. with Benediction at 6 p.m. offer adult education classes in Spanish at the Good Shepherd Center Monday Cursillo Ultreya Knights of Columbus through Friday. These courses include Cursillo members meet for Ultreya in the Holy Cross Council 6482 meets at Holy Spanish writing, English as a Second Cursillo office at St. Joseph Church on Cross Church’s McAlpin Hall on the first and Language and computer courses in Thursdays after the 7 p.m. Mass. Meetings third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. Windows, Word, Excel and Internet. are in Spanish. Legion of Mary Bible Study Devotions to St. Gerard Majella Presidium Mary, Our Lady of Grace, meets Holy Cross Church hosts Bible studies in Pray a devotion to St. Gerard Majella at Holy in the Holy Cross Church rectory on McAlpin Hall on Wednesdays and Saturdays Cross Church on Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m. Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. at 9 a.m., following morning Mass. Divine Mercy Chaplet Magnificat Carmelite Spirituality St. Joseph Church hosts Divine Mercy Magnificat, an international ministry to The Our Lady Star of the Sea Community devotions on the fourth Sunday of each Catholic women, meets at Franciscan House shares Carmelite spirituality in the St. month at 3 p.m. The hour-long program on the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. Joseph Church Hospitality Lounge and includes the chaplet, prayers, adoration Learning Center on the fourth Sunday of and teachings of the Divine Mercy by Neo-Catechumenal Way each month at 1 p.m. Father John Mark. The Neo-Catechumenal Way leads a Celebration of the Word at St. Joseph Church Charismatic prayer Franciscan spirituality on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. • St. Patrick Church has charismatic The Our Lady of the Angels fraternity prayer in the chapel on the third Friday of the Third Order of St. Francis shares Our Mother of Perpetual of each month at 6 p.m. Franciscan spirituality at Franciscan Help devotions • St. Ann Church has charismatic prayer House on the fourth Sunday of each Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual in Marian Hall on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. month at 2 p.m. Help are prayed at:

24 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com • St. Patrick Church on Wednesdays at Shepherds of Christ Associates 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. The Shepherds of Christ Associates meet Need spiritual direction? • Holy Cross Church on Wednesdays and for prayer in the St. Michael Chapel of Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. St. Joseph Church on Wednesdays at • Sister Patricia Alexander, • St. Joseph Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. and on the second and fourth W.I.F., is available for spiritual Sunday of every month at 5 p.m. direction at Franciscan House on Rosary for the unborn Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 St. Joseph Church hosts a bilingual Spanish prayer and reflection p.m. Call 340.778.5773 for an English/Spanish rosary for the unborn on Pray the rosary and share reflections on Fridays at 6 p.m. the readings of the coming Sunday Mass at appointment. Holy Cross Church on alternate Tuesdays • Deacon Hyacinthe George Santo Niño at 7 p.m. Meetings are in Spanish. is available for prayer and St. Joseph Church hosts devotions to the counseling at St. Ann Chapel on Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus) on the World Apostolate of Fatima first Saturday of every month at 4:30 p.m. The World Apostolate of Fatima meets Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 The sacrament of reconciliation is offered in the chapel at Holy Cross Church on a.m. until 11:30 a.m. during this time. Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

25 parish calendars St. John Calendar stock.xchng © velma stock.xchng

All-night vigil Our Lady of Mount Carmel holds an all-night vigil on the first Friday of each month after the 7 p.m. Mass. Charismatic prayer Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church hosts an evening of charismatic prayer on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free Meals Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church’s Kallaloo Kitchen: Food Visit the website of the Diocese of for the Soul feeds the needy in the parish’s Guadalupe Hall on Mondays and Fridays at noon. Volunteers are welcomed. St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands at www.catholicvi.com Legion of Mary Presidium Mary, Queen of Angels, meets in the Guadalupe Hall Visit the Diocese of St. Thomas in the of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Virgin Islands on Facebook at Men’s Fellowship www.facebook.com/dioceseofstthomas Men’s Fellowship meets the first and third Sunday of each month. Read The Catholic Islander online at Spanish Mass www.catholicislander.com Our Lady of Mount Carmel has Spanish Mass at 6 p.m. Sundays.

26 The Catholic Islander / February 2014 / www.catholicvi.com John Thomas Memorial Chapel Serving the U. S. Virgin Islands for over 40 years!

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call 340.774.3166, Ext. 213, for rates. 27 Buying, Selling, or Renting? Call the Experts! Providing efficient, friendly and professional service for over 18 years. Toll free: (800)773-8788 E-mail: [email protected] St. Croix Web-site: www.sunrealty.vi #2 Hospital Street, Christiansted Call today: (340)773-8790

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call 340.774.3166, Ext. 213, for rates.