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our CATHOLIC community Volume 3 No. 12 October 2014 Issue A publication of the Diocese of Roseau, Dominica $2.00 Catechists Re-commissioned Our Lady Of La Salette Novena Diocese Of Roseau Pilgrimage 2014 Beginning A New Chapter Inside Editor’s Pen Bishop’s Message: Catechesis And The Parish 03 OUR CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY ASSOCIATES Catechesis Interview With Sr. Cordelia Pierre, DJ 04 st Profile: William Edward Vaughan Green 05 eptember 21 marked the day when all catechists around the diocese Celebrating The Life Of Fr. John Bergmans 05 Swere commissioned for another year. This commissioning renewed the OUR DIOCESE commitment of dozens of catechists who Know Your Faith: teach our children and even some adults Liturgy Update: The Homily - Part VI 06 the fundamentals of the Faith. We cannot over emphasize the importance of the I Believe In The Holy Catholic Church: People Of God, catechism teacher to the propagation Body Of Christ, Temple Of The Spirit 06 of the Faith. Without these teachers Tell Fr. Ben 07 our job as parents and guardians and Creole Season 07 priests would be even more difficult. The catechist’s role is to teach the Faith both Our Catholic Heritage - The History Of The St. Alphonsus by example and by word. Many of our Church In Pottersville - Part I 09 young people are faced with challenges Interview With Glenda Peter - New Principal Of The St. that were not present when we were John’s Primary School 10 growing up and many times it is the The Progress Of The Portsmouth Church 10 catechists who are asked the difficult questions, not the parents. Vincentians Celebrate The Feast Of Blessed Frédéric It must be noted also that our Ozanam 11 entire body of catechists is made up of Our Lady Of La Salette Novena 11 volunteers, who not only teach but in Diocese Of Roseau Pilgrimage 2014: A Journey In The turn improve their own knowledge and understanding of the Faith in order to Footstep Of The Apostles John And Paul 12 keep up to date. So their work consists Schedule Of Masses & Services For The Diocese Of not only of planning and teaching lessons Roseau 14 but also continuing their own formation Marriage And The Modern World 15 in order to be better able to face those tough questions and situations that pop Diocese Of Roseau Statistics 2013 15 up ever more frequently. To this end, the National Day of Prayer Photos 16 diocese provides a number of training Sr. Merina Sebastian Re-elected As National President 16 courses and opportunities for catechists Events & Notice Board 17 on a regular basis. Currently there are approximately Prayer Corner 17 12 types of classes one may attend – Baptism Classes for the parents and god OUR CHURCH IN THE CARIBBEAN parents, Pre-First Communion & First Diocese Of Mandeville Biblical Animation Communion, Post First Communion Of Pastoral Life 19 years 1 & 2, Pre-Confirmation years 1 & 2, Confirmation Years 1 & 2, Adult OUR CATHOLIC WORLD Confirmation, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and Preparation for Pope Helps Launch Worldwide Social Network 20 Marriage. Plus there are many specialized courses which Lay Associates and others KID’S CORNER 21 may attend. So for those of us who sometimes OUR YOUTH: EDUCATION, say that the Church is not doing enough RECREATION AND FAITH to pass on the Faith to our young people, I Beginning A New Chapter 22 challenge you to take a deeper look and if you are still not satisfied, then volunteer The Social Communications Office your time and your talent and become a Diocese of Roseau, Turkey Lane, P.O. Box 790 catechist yourself. It is not as easy as it seems and it demands a lot of discipline Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica and dedication. Tel: (767) 448-2837 - (767) 448-8717 We salute all catechism teachers Fax: 1(767) 448-3404 and we pray that God w continue to give Email: [email protected] them the wisdom and understanding and patience to continue His work in the 02 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SEPTEMBEROCTOBER 2014 ISSUE Church. Bishop’s Message Catechesis and the Parish the need for the Church to provide is made of the need of support from every member of God’s people with other clerics and from the laity in the proper tool to work towards carrying out this indispensable role. In their salvation; not an optional the Diocese of Roseau and many other extra, but a right of the faithful and Dioceses in the world, the laity is the a responsibility of the Church in the largest single group which assists in context of the parish. handing on the faith. Referring more Secondly, strengthening this specifically to mission territories, position, Canon 528 § 1 states: Canon 785 §1 adds: “Catechists are “The Parish Priest has the obligation to be given a role in missionary work. of ensuring that the word of God is These are lay members of Christ’s proclaimed in its entirety to those living faithful who have received proper in the parish. He is therefore to see to it formation and are outstanding in their that the lay members of Christ’s faithful living of the Christian life. Under the are instructed in the truth of faith, direction of the missionaries, they are especially by means of the homily on to present the Gospel teaching and Sundays and holydays of obligation engage in liturgical worship and in and by catechetical formation. He is to works of charity.” Here is emphasized foster works which promote the spirit the importance of both a wholesome of the Gospel, including its relevance formation for the catechists and the to social justice. He is to have a special witness they ought to give by their care for the Catholic education of life-style. n Sunday, September 21st, children and young people. With the Fourthly, laying out the 2014, the Catholic world collaboration of Christ’s faithful, he is specific role of the Parish Priest celebrated Catechetical O to make every effort to bring the gospel in the catechesis of the parish, Sunday under the theme: God’s message to those also who have given Canon 777 enumerates the areas of Gift of Forgiveness. As always, up religious practice or who do not responsibility, in accordance with the observance of this important profess the true faith.” In this text, the norms laid down by the diocesan occasion in the life of the Church the stress is placed on the role of the bishop. They are as follows: serves as an opportunity for all Parish Priest in ensuring that this 1. an adequate catechesis is given for catechists to recommit themselves essential aspect of the life of God’s the celebration of the sacraments; to this noble task of handing on to faithful is treated with resolve. 2. children are properly prepared for the faithful, especially the young, the Thirdly, continuing in the same the first confession and first holy teachings of the One, Holy, Catholic vain, Canon 776 affirms: “By virtue communion, and for the sacrament and Apostolic Church. Of course, the of his office the parish priest is bound of confirmation, by means of the occasion serves as a great source of to ensure the catechetical formation of catechetical formation over an encouragement for the new comers the adults, young people and children. appropriate period of time; in the catechetical mission, profiting To this end, he is to avail himself of the 3. children after they have made their from the example of those who have help of clerics attached to the parish, first holy communion, are given laboured faithfully in the vineyard. as well as members of institutions a richer and deeper catechetical The importance of proper of consecrated life and of societies formation; catechesis for Christ’s faithful cannot of apostolic life, being mindful of the 4. as far as their condition allows, be underestimated. It is for this character of each institute; and the catechetical formation is given reason that the Code of Canon Law assistance of lay members of Christ’s to the mentally and physically states clearly the role of the various faithful, especially the catechists. handicapped; stakeholders in this important task of All of these, unless they are lawfully 5. the faith of young people and transmitting the Faith. impeded, are not to refuse to give their of adults is strengthened, Firstly, Canon 213 states that: labours willingly. The parish priest is to enlightened and developed by “Christ’s faithful have the right to foster the role of parents in the family various catechetical methods and be assisted by their Pastors from catechesis ....” Here is reiterated the initiatives. the spiritual riches of the Church, role of the Pastor as head catechist of Finally, the Church, ever mindful especially by the word of God and the parish; but additionally, mention that the Eucharist is the source and the sacraments.” Here is emphasized cont’d on page 17 “IGNORANCE OF SCRIPTURES IS IGNORANCE OF CHRIST” 3 Interview With Sr. Cordelia Pierre, DJ Why did you choose to become a after I became a Religious Sister. I am member of the Congregation of now a qualified nurse, working as a the Daughters of Jesus? Supervisor. met the Daughters of Jesus (D How old were you when you became J Sisters) in my village in Morne aware that you had a religious IJaune. I was struck by the vocation? manner in which the sisters dealt It was after High School, whilst with people. They were kind, patient, I was teaching at the Morne Jaune and loving.