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Stewardship Report 2017 Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2017 MISSION – To lead all people to unity, encounter and participation Table of Contents 1 MESSAGE 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017 4 CREATING DISCIPLES 4 Spiritual Growth 6 Catholic Formation Institute 8 Our Youth Development 10 EVANGELISATION • Corpus Christi Community – St. George 12 CELEBRATIONS • 100 th anniversary of Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima • CARIFESTA XIII celebratory Mass 15 OUR CHARITABLE WORKS • Reports • Prison Ministry • The Hub • Living Water Community 25 VOCATION • Seminarians • Ordination of Permanent Deacons • Ordination of Transitional Deacons 31 EDUCATION • Diocesan Catholic Education Team 33 FINANCIALS 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 © 2018 Message “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 Brother and Sisters, 2017 provided incredible examples of vocation, service and commitment to our church -commitment to God’s mission. Since SYNOD 2014, we have steadily been strengthening our Church by investing more in our members in the pew, our catechists and Sunday school teachers, our children, and persons in ministry, giving them every opportunity to have an encounter with Jesus Christ through the many formation workshops and retreats organized. We also continued the important role of developing the next generation of clergy and young leaders, preparing them to serve God’s people in this digital milieu. Having invested for five years in the Diaconate programme, our Diocese has now reaped the first fruit with the installation of two Permanent deacons. I was also humbled to install our first two Transitional deacons in over forty years - Rev. Winston Layne and Rev. Kirt Prospere, who are expected to be ordained as priests in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Let me take this opportunity to thank our donors and everyone who has supported our seminarians and deacons along their journey. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. ‘The Hub’ is becoming better known for the important role it plays in bringing dignity and comfort to vulnerable persons helping them to become better versions of themselves and have sustainable livlihoods, where that is possible. Many more persons have turned to our Church for help in light of the tough economic situation, and we ask God to bless our parishioners and supporters, who give generously of their time, talent and treasure. A generous spirit shows a grateful heart. Finally, while I serve as Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Bridgetown until a bishop is installed, I would like to thank each of you for your kind words, support, and prayers. The Church in Barbados is very special, and has the foundation to grow and play an even more important role in the Barbadian society. In 2019 our beautiful historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral will celebrate its 120th anniversary and this will be another wonderful opportunity for thanksgiving for God’s blessings and Grace. With Gratitude The Most Rev. Dr. Charles Jason Gordon Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Bridgetown STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2017 | 1 HIGHLIGHTS of 2017 2017 was a significant year for the clergy and faithful of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown. We thank God for all of these blessings and His Grace. Some of the major highlights include: • Installation of the Most Rev. Dr. Charles Jason Gordon, Bishop of Bridgetown, as the eleventh Archbishop of Port of Spain, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain on 27th December. He will also serve as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Bridgetown until a new Bishop is installed • Diamond Jubilee of Fr. Peter Clarke O.P’s ordination to the priesthood on 15th May. He also celebrated his 86th birthday in April. * Fr. Peter passed away on 27 March, 2018 “Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 2 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2017 | 3 • Ordination of two permanent deacons Rev. George Waithe and Rev. Stephen Foster on 2nd September - the first time in over twenty years • Ordination of two transitional deacons, Rev. Winston Layne and Rev. Kirt Prospère - the first time in over 40 years. They will be ordained priests in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Monsignor Vincent Blackett was the last Barbadian ordained a transitional deacon - in 1974 • Commencement of a new church community, Corpus Christi, in St. George. Mass was held temporarily on Sunday morning at Brighton Plantation but is now held at the Living Water Community Centre. Fr. Vibert Stephens is responsible for the community • The Diocese’s first pilgrimage on 25th March, joining Catholics across the world to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima. • The annual CAINCO summer camp for our youth, initiated by Fr. Clement Paul, celebrated its 40th anniversary • The Diocese hosted the Opening Mass for CARIFESTA XIII, a joyful celebration with the people, colours and music of the Caribbean • The Diocese joined Catholics across the world to recognize the first ‘World day of the Poor’ on 19 November. The Most Rev. Gabriel Malzaire, Bishop of Roseau delivered a talk on ‘The Eucharist and the Poor’ on 15 November. 2 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2017 | 3 “With Christ at the centre of your life you will never be disappointed.” Pope Francis CREATING DISCIPLES Spiritual Growth 2017 was a very active year in the life of the Diocese and parishioners seized many of the opportunities provided to refresh their faith. Bible classes were held in many of the parishes during the year and the annual Bible month in September was used by parishes as an opportunity to rekindle the faithful’s love for the Word of God. Families were also encouraged to spend more quality time exploring the Word, practicing lectio divina and growing in faith together. Large numbers of parishioners attended Mass during the Lenten season and participated in Palm Sunday and Corpus Christi processions, professing their faith in the streets. Contemplative worship sessions led by the Our Lady of the Rosary choir every third Thursday, and devotion to the Divine Mercy at St. Dominic’s every Friday are supported by parishioners from across the Diocese from time to time. The Legion of Mary and Cursillo groups continue to be active with longstanding faithful members. 24- HOUR DEVOTION TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST In response to Pope Francis’ call to Catholic Churches worldwide to observe a twenty-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from Friday 24th to Saturday 25th March, parish churches were open all day Friday to midnight and on Saturday morning until 6.pm. Many Catholics took advantage of this special time for adoration. Priests were also available to hear confessions. 24- HOUR ROSARY Our Lady of the Rosary community held another successful 24 –hour prayer session. 4 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2017 | 5 CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Two adult groups met once per week either at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (on Monday 10:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m) or at premises at River Road, St. Michael, the “Oasis” from 5.30 to 6.15pm on Tuesday. A smaller group met to meditate at St. Dominic’s Church on Fridays, from 5.00 – 5.45 pm, and this has potential to grow. OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE AND OUR LADY QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE PRAYER GROUPS Our Lady Queen of Peace prayer group met on Thursdays. Some members visited persons in the hospital and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion took Holy Communion to the house bound. The Group hosted three Magnificat meetings at the Living Water Community Centre and a one week Life in the Spirit seminar was held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, culminating with a Charismatic Mass on the vigil of Pentecost, with Bishop Jason Gordon as chief celebrant. 4 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2017 | 5 CREATING DISCIPLES The Catholic Formation Institute The Catholic Formation Institute’s Steering Committee offered a wide range of courses to assist the faithful to renew or strengthen their spirituality and grow closer to God. Over 600 persons attended 18 workshops and retreats coordinated by the CFI. This response demonstrates a yearning for and appreciation of the courses which included ‘Our Liturgy explained’, ‘Media and Religious Imagination’, ‘Fundamental Theology’ and ‘Catholic Social Teaching’. Fr. Michael Barrow SJ facilitated a day of reflection for all people in Ministry on 10th June, 2017 at the Living Water Community, and Bishop Jason hosted an evening of reflection for university students on 4th August. 6 | ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BRIDGETOWN STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2017 | 7 For the first time since SYNOD 2014, the CFI offered or coordinated courses designed specifically for married couples and families. These included a Marriage Encounter Weekend from 24th to 26th February, and a Family Retreat in June. A Men’s Retreat and Women’s Retreat were held in September and October respectively, and Lenten Retreats were held across the Diocese with the common theme ‘Will you forgive?’ Fr. John Persaud, General Secretary of the Antilles Episcopal Conference and an expert on Canon Law conducted an informative session about the church’s teaching with respect to Marriage, divorce, nullity and remarriage on 25th July 2017. Since the arrival of Head Catechist, Sr. Margaretmary, Catechists and Sunday School teachers have benefited from more formation. A Lenten retreat led by Fr. Michael Barrow SJ was held at St.
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