The Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries
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o u r CATHOLIC c o m m u n i t y Volume 2 No. 4 FEBRUARY 2013 Issue A publication of the Diocese of Roseau, Dominica $2.00 The Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries St. John’s Academy Official Opening World Respect Life Day Catholic Schools Participate in Carnival Inside Editor’s Pen Bishop’s Message 03 OUR CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY ASSOCIATES Interview With Fr. Michel Francis 04 Profile: Fr. Conan Shillingford 04 Adults the first Teachers of Profile: Elaine Williams 05 Children The Sisters Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary (ICM) - dults, that is parents or guardians are The Social League’s Contribution 06 the first teachers of their children. Our Achildren learn what we teach them OUR DIOCESE whether directly, in a formal setting like school, or from observing everyday what we Know Your Faith: do. Many people are surprised when they I Believe In God The Father - The Symbols Of Faith hear others say to them “you behave exactly like your father” or “you act just like your Liturgy Update: The Word Of God In The Liturgy - Part II 07 mother”. That is because during the first six or so years of a child’s life and even beyond Synod Implementation 08 that age children absorb everything around The Society Of St. Vincent De Paul 08 them like sponges. What they see, they do. You can judge this for yourself. Take a look Our Catholic Heritage - The Roseau Cathedral at little children at play. They like to play And Images - Part V 09 pretend games. They pretend to be cooking or taking care of the house or the baby, or The Lenten Practise Of Fast & Abstinence 10 driving a car, or fighting off enemies. Where do they get this knowledge from? The World Respect Life Day Message 10 answer is obvious, they get this knowledge The Two Themes Of The Lenten Season 11 from you, their primary caregivers. Also from grandparents and close relatives, from Christian Leadership: My SOS Experience 11 their baby sitters, teachers, their friends, Annual Meeting Of The Association Of Diocesan and from the television and the music they listen to. If you want a child to learn Clergy Of The Province Of Castries Photos 12 something quickly, put it into song. They will learn it within minutes and they will St. John’s Academy Official Opening 13 learn it for life. The Sacred Heart Of Jesus 14 Scientific research has proven that children who are loved, hugged, praised and Notes On The Trinity 14 made to feel special have much higher self- The Portsmouth Catholic Young Adults Bring esteem as adults and can cope more ably with life and pass on this loving supportive Christmas Cheer 15 attitude to their own children. On the other hand, children who are neglected, We Journey Together 16 constantly told negative things about Around The Diocese 16 themselves, abused and who are not given demonstrations of love, tend to be depressed Events & Notice Board 17 in adulthood and even violent. We should OUR CHURCH IN THE CARIBBEAN not then be surprised by the increased incidence of violence in our society as this Rev. Dr. Henry Charles - Obituary 19 is directly related to the breakdown of family life and the many negative influences that OUR CATHOLIC WORLD children grow up with. The Church’s own The Year Of Faith - Dei Verbum 20 position is that parents are the first and best teachers of their children in matters KID’S CORNER 21 of faith and morals. Blessed John Paul II OUR YOUTH: EDUCATION, RECREATION AND FAITH in his Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio said “Acceptance, love, esteem, The Holy Father Speaks To Youth 22 many-sided and united material, emotional, educational and spiritual concern for every CHS Sign Language Club & Speech Chorale 22 child that comes into this world should Catholic Schools Participate In Carnival 23 always constitute a distinctive, essential characteristic of all Christians, in particular True Youth 23 of the Christian family.” St. Valentine 24 What children see you do, they to in turn will do. What they hear you say, The Editorial Committee they will say. Your attitudes towards work, Diocese of Roseau, Turkey Lane, P.O. Box 790 studies, relaxation, healthy eating, God and Church, will be passed onto your Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica children. So take care what you say, take Tel: (767) 448-2837 - (767) 448-8717 care what you do and take care how you Fax: 1(767) 448-3404 live your life, your children are watching you. Email: [email protected] 02 Bishop’s Message Lent: A Holy Season their intentions and to sharpen their our lives just a little closer to the response to the many demands of divine will. the Christian life. It is well to remember that The Holy Scriptures are our Pastoral Theme this year is: replete with stories of individuals, “Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance groups and peoples in their need of Christ;” a significant quote for rejuvenation and renewal, for from learned biblical scholar, St. refocus and revival. Invariably, Jerome of Bethlehem. The plan is they are required to take the path designed according to the normal of self-sacrifice, self-denial and self- flow of the liturgical year. During abasement. Paul’s account of Jesus this segment of the implementation in his Letter to the Philippians of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan we in chapter 2 tells it in summary. focus on the Gospel of Luke. It will With such disposition, Lent takes provide the material for the age-old the Christian community along a Lectio Divina which we have been journey through the “deserts” of encouraging the faithful to practice spiritual renewal, to the glorious as a viable method of prayerfully experience of Easter. reading the scriptures. The First reading of Ash The parish community, the Wednesday’s liturgy from the small prayer groups, the group of prophet Joel 2:12-18 and the Gospel co-workers, the members of social ear sisters and brothers in text of Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, set the groups, the religious communities, Christ, we come once again tone for the entire season of Lent. the teachers and students in school, Dto this important moment in They both speak of self-deprivation the priests and religious in their the liturgical year: the season of Lent. for the sake of a greater human gatherings, would all to be enriched Like all the other liturgical seasons, good, that is, God’s forgiveness and during the season of Lent if we take it highlights a certain aspect of the man’s eternal reward. seriously the exercise the Lectio life of Jesus, namely, his Passion Finding favour with God is the Divina. We would all live up to the and Death. This he embraced on ultimate quest of the human heart. expectation of the Holy Father in his behalf of sinful humanity. Therefore Lent calls us to allow universal call to the Church to an In every walk of life, there our purposes and intentions to be increased fervor during this Year of comes the time when people need configured in accordance to the Faith. to take stock of themselves, their divine plan. The sacrificial nature of Our purpose on earth is activities and their dispositions, in this journey is indicative of what we essentially to become holy in the order to chart a course that is more are fighting against; that which has likeness of the God in whom we wholesome and more consonant separated us from the experience of believe. May this season of Lent with their mission and purpose. the fullness of divine love – our sin. help us to do just that. The same is true of the Christian We can therefore pledge ourselves, A Blessed Lent to you and your community. Lent provides its this year, as we have done in other family! . members the opportunity to purify years, to make an extra effort to set THE RENOVATION OF THE OUR LADY OF FAIR HAVEN CATHEDRAL HOW CAN YOU HELP NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER • Put a little something extra in collection every month, envelope it and The National Bank of Dominica 100060310 label it ‘Cathedral Roof Renovation’. The First Caribbean Int. Bank 106965624 • Arrange for a standing order or direct debt from your bank account Bank of Nova Scotia 8932 monthly to any of the renovation accounts listed below. The Royal Bank of Canada 7284409 • Pay online by adding the appropriate account number to your pay bill National Co-operative Credit Union 0000300400 facility with your local bank. In order to facilitate the process, the Diocese has opened accounts at the under- All contributions will be most welcome. mentioned institutions “IGNORANCE OF SCRIPTURES IS IGNORANCE OF CHRIST” 03 Interview with Fr. Michel Francis Chairman of the Association of the Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries Profile: Fr. Conan Shillingford ur Catholic Community met with Fr. Michel began my Francis who is the Chairman of the Association priestly pastoral Oof the Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries Iduties in the while he was here in Dominica to attend the annual Parish of Our conference of the Association. Lady of Health What is the Association of Diocesan Clergy of the where my pastoral Province of Castries? assignment during The organization is mainly for the ongoing Diaconate also formation of the diocesan clergy. If somebody is ordained took place but was a priest or deacon it is left to the diocesan bishop to see soon transferred to his future formation. We thought we should take that to the Parish of St.