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CATHOLIC 2020 Issue 23rd, May

COMMUNITY 8 No.1 Volume A publication of the Diocese of , of Roseau, of the Diocese A publication

Love, Obedience & Joy in God’s Spirit

Welcome to the Chancery A Message of Hope from the Staff AEC Bishops 6th Sunday of Easter || May 17, 2020 Bishop’s Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21 Message: Love, Obedience & Joy in God’s Spirit ast Sunday, we witnessed in the evidence in the history of humanity first reading from the Acts of the to support this truth. However, I LApostles the election of the seven believe that there are too many deacons to assist with the ministry dimensions of our life that we have of the apostles in the early Christian taken for granted. We have acted as Community. That expansion to the if are masters of the world. We have priestly office was unprecedented, abused our eco-system, for example, from the Jewish standpoint. Even almost to the point of no return. in the new dispensation in the New Just last October, I attended Covenant, everything regarding the the Synod of Bishops in Rome based spread of the Good News depended on the Amazon, looking at its function on the apostles, who became the in maintaining the balance that is bishops of the early Church. There required in the global eco-system. It was not yet the established three was absolutely appalling to see the orders of the priesthood as we have abuses that are in operation, even today, namely, the episcopate for the at this moment, by multinational bishops, the presbyterate for priests cooperation for the sake of profit, to and the diaconate for deacons. the detriment of the entire planet, let However, one of the deacons selected alone the indigenous inhabitants of for the ministry in that infant Church Bishop Gabriel Malzaire the Amazon region. The prediction is was Philip, as we saw last Sunday. and enable you to submit to the will that, if we do not take responsibility He is the principal protagonist in of God and to recognise the presence for the required redress on a global today’s first reading. and the hand of God in the daily level, we are all in serious danger. We Now, Philip’s ministry in events of your life. The Holy Spirit, don’t need to be reminded of its effect Samaria, as we see in the text, dear friends, is the prime producer on the intensity of our hurricanes. brings out effectively the relationship of Christian joy which is always Covid-19, I submit, is teaching which existed between the local available to be embraced by anyone. us that we are not in charge; that we Churches and the Mother Church However, someone might need each other to build a human, in Jerusalem; between the newly hasten to ask, how do we generate that a civil and Christian society; that we ordained ministers like Philip joy in the midst of a pandemic; when cannot do it alone. It is about time himself and the first apostles, our brothers and sisters are dying that we learn this simple truth. It is such as Peter, James and John. by the hundreds and thousands in about time that we think of the other Wonderful things were happening in neighbouring territories? How do we and show concern for the other. Much Samaria through Philip’s ministry. generate that joy when our brothers too often we think only of ourselves. He preached eloquently about Jesus and sisters and losing jobs; and more Just to think of the changes that as the Messiah. Many miracles people are on the bread line; that an invisible virus has brought to were performed at his hands and the local, regional and international our world in just a few months is great crowds attended to what he economies are threatening recession? absolutely mind boggling. Yet, it is had to say. It was clear in Philip’s In fact, all around us the prognosis in that midst of this reality that the ministry that the gifts of God have no seems to be very gloomy from the Spirit of God wants to move. The boundaries; that the gifts of God rest secular standpoint. But it is precisely question for us is, are we disposed on whoever God wills. This, in fact, is within this present situation that we to that movement? Are we? Or do a prime characteristic of the Church are called as Church to preach the we simply want to return to what is of Christ—a diversity of expression of message of hope; a message of joy. “normal” in our own understanding God’s gifts among the community of In two weeks’ time, the Church of normalcy? believers. universal will be celebrating the The exhortation of today’s The lesson here, in this Solemnity of Pentecost. And, as we all second reading is a call to reverence first reading, is that the Church’s know, the scenario that surrounded the Lord Jesus in our hearts. Writing structure is not meant to stifle, this event two thousand years ago to the newly baptised in the early but to provide the avenues and was a gloomy one. The disciples of Christian community, Peter urged the support for the mission of Jesus had lost their leader; one in them to share the hope that they have salvation, whoever caries that whom they had put all their trust, with “courtesy and respect.” They are mission. The Holy Spirit, therefore, all their hope and their dreams. And to speak gently and respectfully, as through the varied ministries of the with sadness, dejection and fear they the reading suggests. These qualities Church, generates the excitement, resigned themselves behind locked too, according to Saint Paul, are exuberance, enthusiasm and joy doors until the promised Advocate fruits of the Spirit. In our society in those ministries. This gift of joy, came. At that instant, absolutely today, unfortunately, I believe that brothers and sisters, which is one of everything changed. And the rest is gentleness and respect are in short the special gifts of the Holy Spirit, is history. And today we are part of that supply. We seem to prefer to be loud, what the Lord in offering us today. history. We are here to live out that insulting, and disrespectful to self and The question is, do you history. I am certain, brothers and to others. But we Christians should desire that joy? If you do, then begin sisters, that this moment of test, if not give way to these temptations. by welcoming the Holy Spirit, who embraced in the right spirit and with Our home, as the Domestic already dwells in you since Baptism! the right disposition, we will not, as Church, is where every family member Be aware of His presence! Pray and a people, be disadvantaged in the should experience God, should feel end. This is my belief. There is ample ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you secure and loved. CONT’D ON PAGE 03

02 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MAY 2020 ISSUE Cover Photo by Kassim Lewis: Youth perform at Our Lady of Lourdes feast in Soufriere Inside Editor’s Pen Bishop’s Message: 02 Amen to the Spirit Although these times seem to be passing slowly, we must be OUR DIOCESE positive and continue to be steadfast in prayer. The Lord knows the The Diocesan Pastoral Centre presentd an intense emotions of pain, sorrow exciting, biblical adventure celebrating the year and confusion in the hearts of His of the Word of God 04 people, not only in Dominica but Welcome to the Chancery Staff 05 throughout the world. Many have lost loved ones, or their jobs among Mental or emotional well being during other things and yet we still continue COVID-19 Pandemic 06 to survive. God has sent us His Spirit Keeping the Diocese connected 07 to be our comfort. Through love of family and OUR CHURCH IN THE neighbour, following the protocols directed by those in authority and A message of hope from the Bishops of the having a joyful spirit, we are more Antilles Episcopal Conference 08 able to cope. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another OUR CATHOLIC WORLD up, just as you are doing.” 1 REPAM calls for urgent and unified action to avoid a Thessalonians 5:11 At the end of the day we are each others keeper humanitarian and environmental tragedy 09 and society depends on each of us to Pope Francis: St John Paul II a man of prayer, maintain a corona free Dominica. May the Lord continue closeness, justice 10 to shower us with the graces to continue our journey here on earth, OUR YOUTH empowered by His Spirit to walk the Youth speak-the Bishop Responds 11 path of righteousness.. Youth Minsitry goes virtual 11 Mary and the Youth 12

Bishop’s Message - 6th Sunday of Easter Cont’d from page 02 It is in the family that this gentleness and respect In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “If you love must be nurtured. In such a home, there should me you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15). be no need to argue, to shout at, or to threaten Here, Jesus speaks of love as obedience. Brothers anyone. But you and I know that the contrary and sisters, it is truly possible to love God and to happens much too often in our time. My dear obey Him. Jesus reminds us that the Holy Spirit friends, it is never too late to begin to do something is with us and within us. That Spirit forever offers different—to do what is right. Let us set ourselves the graces that our human family and the wider to embrace it. family of the Church need in order to love and be I urge you, therefore, to resurrect family obedient to the Lord. prayer. This is absolutely essential. Cultivate For the evangelist John, according to dialogue and effective communication, through today’s Gospel, there is only one test for love, which you can listen lovingly to each other. and that is obedience. It is unfortunate that this Husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children, word is not so popular in our modern vocabulary, learn to be gentle and respectful in your speech even to us religious. Over the past years the word and in your actions. If each family makes the effort has adopted a more negative connotation in our to do so, our society will certainly be a gentler Caribbean society. It is often associated with and more respectful place to live. I can only subservience or servitude. However, the Christian tell you that it is possible. So, the parents who message teaches that it was by obedience that constantly swear at their spouses, their children Jesus showed his love for His Father: “Although and neighbours, should stop it. Bless them and He was Son,” the Scripture tells us, “He learnt not curse them. A curse serves no good purpose, obedience through suffering” (Heb. 5:8). to you, to your family or to anyone else. Children, Understood in its right context, there is it is your duty to be respectful to your parents. gentleness about an obedient person – a child, Remember the words of the Holy Scripture which a husband, or a wife, whoever it may be. From says: a spiritual standpoint, therefore, love and “The Lord honours the father in his obedience always go together. A child who says children and upholds the rights of a mother over he loves his parents, but yet constantly disobeys, her sons. Whoever respects his father is atoning has a questionable kind of love. A husband who for his sins, he who honours his mother is like says he loves his wife and yet is constantly at her someone amassing a fortune” (Ecclesiasticus 3:2- throat is lying to himself, plain 4). and simple. CONT’D ON PAGE 06

“STEWARDSHIP: A WAY OF LIFE” 03 THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER PRESENTS AN EXCITING, BIBLICAL ADVENTURE CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE WORD OF GOD By Sr Lorraine Royer VOCATIONS

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

he exciting Biblical Adventure, The Year of Part I, the Overview of the Pentateuch, the Word of God began on December 1, 2019, deals with the meaning, formation and themes of Tthe First Sunday of Advent, and will end on the Pentateuch. September 30, 2020, the Feast Day of St. Jerome, The meaning of the Pentateuch: Pentateuch the greatest biblical scholar of all time who coined is derived from two Greek words: Pente, meaning the famous saying, “Ignorance of scripture is “Five,” and Teuchos, meaning “Scroll.” Hence ignorance of Christ.” “five scrolls or Books: Genesis Exodus, Leviticus, One of the activities of this exciting Biblical Numbers and Deuteronomy. These five Books are Adventure is a five-part series on the Bible facilitated also referred to as Law, the Torah, or the Books of by the Directors of the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Moses Msgr. William John-Lewis and Sr. Lorraine Royer, The Formation of the Pentateuch: By ICM. These presentations are currently being careful analysis, scripture scholars have identified offered via Dominica Catholic Radio, 96.1FM, and four different authors of the Pentateuch—the Dominica Catholic Radio facebook page on the Jahwist (J), the Eloist (E), the Priestly (P) and the following dates beginning at 10:00am. Deuteronomic (D)-- based on the historical period Tuesday May 18: Part I: Sacred Scripture: of writing, differences on style and vocabulary and Overview of the Pentateuch the characteristics of the writings of each author. Tuesday May 26: Part II. Sacred Scripture: The Themes of the Pentateuch: The Overview of the Prophetic Literature themes of the five books are integral to our proper Tuesday June 2: Part III. Sacred Scripture: understanding of the Pentateuch and how they Overview of the Wisdom Literature speak to our relationship with God and with one Tuesday June 9: Part IV: Sacred Scripture: The another. Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles Please join us on this exciting adventure and Tuesday June 16: Part V: Sacred Scripture: The deepen your understanding and appreciation of Pauline Corpus and the Catholic Epistles the Word of God..

04 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MAY 2020 ISSUE Welcome to the Chancery Staff r. C came together with the help of Fr. Peter and organized a surprise birthday party for him as a demonstration of appreciation for his commitment to the parish. F from home.. OUR DIOCESE

Mr. Tarik Rolle Assistant Diocesan Engineer

t’s always a joy to welcome young professionals crypt and baptismal font. This phase is due to be on a team. Recently, the Diocese of Roseau compeleted in August. Directly after completion Iwelcomed the newest member of staff, Mr. Tarik Bishop Malzaire plans to have mass at the Rolle. Mr. Rolle began work as Assistant Diocesan Cathedral. Engineer of the Diocese of Roseau at the end of We take this opportunity to wish Mr Rolle February 2020 after the retirement of the well all the best as he undertakes his new job. May the respected Mr. Bernard Lawryck. We appreciate the Lord bless the work of your hands.. hard work and accomplishments of Mr Lawryck during his tenure with us. His years of sterling service will forever be rememerbed. Now, his mantle has been passed down to Mr Rolle. As Assistant Diocesan engineer, Mr Rolle is tasked with ensuring the churches, chapels, catholic school buildings and other church buildings are maintained and upgraded. In terms of education, Mr. Rolle earned his bachelor's in Construction Management at Florida International University in the United States of America. Prior to his employment at the Chancery, he worked with the Housing Division at the Ministry and Samaritan's Purse. In his spare time he enjoys spear fishing, drumming and hiking. One of the projects Mr Rolle is overseeing is the Cathedral Renovation. Currently the flooring Ongoing construction at the Roseau Cathedral. is being completed and work is being done on the Photos by J Peter, OCC Magazine [email protected] 05 MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL WELLBEING DURING COVID19 PANDEMIC he mental or emotional wellbeing of all of us during this covid19 pandemic needs special Tattention, in light of curfew, lockdown, concerns about being infected by the virus, job OUR DIOCESE loss, social or physical distancing and all the other associated issues. In the first of a three part series on coping during covid19, Manager of Dominica Catholic Radio Ms. Nazarine Gordon has been speaking with Nurse Midwife Rosie Felix about preserving one’s mental or emotional wellbeing during this pandemic. Her advice will benefit all ages, but the interview focused specifically on the elderly, sick and shut-in. Nurse Felix says emotional or mental about Covid19. She reiterated the fact that it wellbeing refers to the mind, and though it’s is important to set boundaries between one’s abstract, good health is not only related to the emotional wellbeing and information, because body. The mind has a great influence on our bodies when the mind is disturbed the body or the spirit and the two cannot really be separated. is disturbed, therefore it is permissible to let family “Take care of the mind and in turn you take care and friends know when they are giving too much of the body” says Nurse Felix. She says the key sad, depressing or repeated information during to emotional wellbeing is that you are in control conversation. “It’s ok to say I don’t what to hear or of your mind and this means paying attention to receive such messages” or “I’ve heard it already.” what you listen to, what you read and the activities (to be continued in the next issue).. that you engage in. “Spiritual health has a great impact on the health of one’s mind. Belief in a superpower, --and for us Catholics that Super Being is the Holy Trinity—is crucial. She advises that it is important to manage information being given and received via social media and mainstream media, via telephone or in person as a means of helping to protect one’s mind and spirit from being anxious or overwhelmed

Bishop’s Message cont’d from page 03 Jesus was aware that real love was not easy, hence making it a prerequisite for entry into His companionship and consequently into His kingdom. His entire earthly life was testimony to the truth that love is only shown in true obedience. But Jesus does not leave us to struggle with the Christian life alone. He sends us the helper, comforter, the Paraclete, the advocate, the Holy Spirit to assist usa on the journey. Let us pray today, that, as we seek to deepen our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we will allow ourselves to be influenced by His great power of love; so that the fruits of the Spirit may be manifest in our daily lives, especially the fruit of joy, even in this time of adversity. And so, we say: Come Holy Spirit, we need you! Come Sweet Spirit, we pray! Come with thy strength and thy power! Come in thy own gentle way! Amen..

06 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FEBRUARYMAY 2020 ISSUE 2020 ISSUE Photos by J Peter, OCC Magazine KEEPING THE DIOCESE CONNECTED By Nazarine Gordon and Sunday masses. While audio broadcast continues on the Diocese’s radio station, Dominica Catholic Radio, frequency and website, Come See TV, joined the effort for video streaming. Consequently daily OUR DIOCESE mass from the Bishop’s chapel is being streamed daily via Come See TV and DCR’s website and the Diocese of Roseau and the Dominica Catholic Radio Facebook pages. Also Sunday mass from the cathedral chapel are carried live. Additionally the Diocesan Pastoral Center broadcasts daily morning and Sunday masses. During the Easter Triduum, Flow and Digicel TV collaborated to broadcast the masses free on hroughout the period of lockdown, curfew television. and social distancing to control the spread Many parishes have through their Facebook Tof Covid19 aka coronavirus, the diocese of pages been streaming Sunday masses, the chaplet Roseau realised a great leap forward in the use of divine mercy, adoration and other events. of technology to keep the diocese and the faithful A special platform – Diocese of Roseau Master connected. channel--has been set up to centralise all parishes When the alert was issued in March and the within the diocese that are streaming via their physical doors of the church were shut the diocese various facebook pages. was able, and still continues to broadcast daily Various ministries within the Diocese are staying in touch and meeting via zoom, Google classroom, video conferencing, Whatsapp, email and other social media platforms. Our Catholic Community magazine has also gone virtual, with the first electronic edition published in May and the magazine is now a weekly online publication. Technology has allowed the in Dominica to minister to the faithful at home and abroad during this time of crisis. Indications are that we may soon be able to physically return to our respective places of worship, however there is no doubt there is a place for technology to evangelize, minister to God’s people and keep us all connected and united in faith..

Pray the holy rosary in honour of Our Lady

“STEWARDSHIP: A WAY OF LIFE” 07 ‘A Message of Hope’ from the Antilles Episcopal Conference Published on May 18th, 2020 e, the Roman Catholic Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) have just Wconcluded our 64th Annual Plenary Meeting. For the first time, in the context of our regional response to COVID 19, we met on a ZOOM platform. Even in that context, we were deeply conscious of the challenges which we face as Caribbean people because of the pandemic. You, God’s Caribbean people, at home and in the diaspora, have been hard hit – by the loss of jobs especially in the collapse of the tourist industry, by the lockdowns which have confined us to our homes to contain the virus and by the closure of our churches as any gathering brought with it possible dangers for those who gathered. We have always spoken with confidence that “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am

OUR CHURCH IN THE CARIBBEAN OUR CHURCH IN in their midst”. How is the Lord in our midst when we are gathered, physically distancing and sanitized in a time of COVID 19? the domestic Church, the unemployed especially those We are deeply conscious of the tremendous made jobless by COVID, youth and young adults, and impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the care for the earth. We hope to execute these four all of us. Many have been stripped emotionally and priorities in the spirit of Pope Francis who writes, “An spiritually, thus exposing our poverty, weaknesses, authentic option for the poor and the abandoned, while and vulnerability. We have faced many disasters over motivating us to liberate them from material poverty the years. Every hurricane season sees us in a cycle and to defend their rights, also involves inviting them to of anxiety, disaster and resilience. We know that our a friendship with the Lord that can elevate and dignify response must always lie in a realistic assessment them” ( Pope Francis, Querida Amazonia, #63). As of what has happened, our mutual support for one we celebrate the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si we another in the creative rebuilding of our infrastructure are deeply conscious that God will judge our moral and our social relations. Let us all stand convinced and spiritual leadership by our care for the weak and in faith, hope and love that this present regional and vulnerable, our sense of responsibility for our Common global crisis must not defeat us but become a moment of Home and by our effective unity in the face of the grace calling us to discern new ways of being and living disasters which will come upon us from time to time Church today. Already, we have witnessed examples of We wish to acknowledge and recognize that social this “new way” of being Church in the lives of many media continues to be a key medium in transmitting parents, families, and faith communities. messages of hope during this current crisis. It has We urge our Caribbean political and social leaders assisted families, faith communities, businesses, and to stand together at this moment. The temptation to friends to nurture relationships and build communities. run individually and beggarly to seek assistance from As we advocated on our Pastoral Letter “New Ways outside will be great. Our principal benefactors have of Being Church in a Digital Milieu”, we hope that themselves been hard-hit by COVID 19. Now is not the digital milieu will be used to build collaboration, the time to only seek bandages for wounds. Now is community, and communion. We must be particularly the time to reach deep within our collective Caribbean careful to find ways to include those who are outside consciousness and forge that unity which can see these networks to share in their benefits. us rising to our greatest challenges together. This is And so, beloved people of God in the Caribbean, particularly true in the area of food security. We can these are moments of trial, not of despair. God has and must feed ourselves. We endorse the wise counsel been with us through it all. God is our future. We the of Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados when she bishops of the Antilles are journeying with you into called for new global initiatives to correct the injustices this new epoch of the Church and at the heart of the world systems. By including Pope the world. As we journey, we entrust Francis in such an initiative, she has challenged the mission of the Church to the Caribbean religious leaders as to the role we play in maternal care of Mary, Mother of the meeting the problems of Caribbean society. May the the Church. May her intercession Elderly enjoying breakfast at Spirit guide us to see our role in the years to come. empower and enrich the Church to At our meeting we have identified four pastoral become more and more a beckon of priorities for the Church. They are pastoral care for hope as is her Son, Jesus Christ...

08 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MAY 2020 ISSUE REPAM calls for urgent and unified action to avoid a humanitarian and environmental tragedy EPAM (the Panamazonian Ecclesial Network) great efforts, particularly through Caritas in each issued the following statement on May 18, 2020. region, to provide material and economic resources, as R well as social assistance and spiritual support. Structural collapse in Amazonia The virus of violence and the plundering of Amazonia A tremendous force, on a scale never seen before, is devastating Amazonia in two dimensions that Besides this devastating attack on Amazonia, combine in a brutal manner: the Covid-19 pandemic, another virus continues to threaten people and the which engulfs the most vulnerable, and the uncontrolled forest; as the Mixed Parliamentary Front for the Rights increase in violence in the territories. The pain and the of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil has denounced: lament of peoples and the earth meld into a single cry. “Even as the pandemic slows the economy, illegal WORLD OUR CATHOLIC “Indigenous peoples asked that the Church be their mining and deforestation in indigenous territories ally, a Church that would stand with them, a Church continue in full force.” (7) that would support their decisions, what they want and In Ecuador, (8) the Pan-Amazonian Church how they seek to build their future at this difficult time of Network (REPAM) denounced the rupture of the Trans- pandemic.” (Cardinal Claudio Hummes). Ecuadorian Pipeline System and the Heavy Crude In the various countries of Amazonia, the Pipeline on 7 April 2020, which caused a serious oil Church echoes the cries and the requests for assistance spill and affected approximately 97,000 people living at a time when the very survival of this biome and its along the banks of the Coca and Napo rivers. communities and indigenous peoples is threatened. The 67 bishops of the Amazon in Brazil In Bolivia, (1) indigenous peoples denounce the associate the current social and environmental crisis government’s lack of coordination and consultation in the Amazonian biome with a significant decrease for preventing and combating the pandemic; they also in inspections and constant political rhetoric by the emphasize that all information is not disseminated in federal government against environmental protection the original languages recognized in the Constitution. and the safeguarding of indigenous areas protected In Colombia, () the bishops acknowledge the under the Federal Constitution. We see “an immense government’s efforts, but stress that “indigenous humanitarian tragedy caused by structural collapse.”(9) peoples, peasant farmers and people of African descent The bishops particularly denounced draft are the groups at greatest risk, because they were legislation that would allow mining in indigenous already living in a situation of structural poverty, with territories, as well as parliamentary efforts to change food insecurity and malnutrition, without access to Brazil’s land titling system, which would eliminate health care and safe drinking water.” the agrarian reform and the land rights of indigenous Food insecurity among indigenous peoples is peoples and traditional communities and favor land also a concern in Venezuela (3) where these peoples grabbing, deforestation, and predatory companies, are threatened with contagion because of illegal mining legalizing illegal occupation for mining and industrial in their territories and because Venezuelan migrants agriculture on indigenous lands. and people from outside of their territories cross their Mining is also a concern for the Policy Forum lands to return to their countries of origin. Indigenous of Guyana, which denounces extractive activities that peoples are taking steps to isolate themselves and destroy the tropical forest, as well as the circulation of maintain control of their territories, such as increasing miners with heavy equipment, which pose a danger of crop production to achieve food sovereignty. contagion for communities in the interior of the country. In Brazil, 32 attorneys from the Federal Public The government declared gold mining an essential Ministry (4) have declared that “the risk of genocide activity because of the recession caused by Covid-19 among indigenous peoples requires emergency and the global increase in gold prices. action from public entities.” The National Indigenous Commenting on the alarming increase of violence Mobilization says that there is “an evident intention in rural areas, the Pastoral Land Commission (10) by the government to keep the Indigenous Health Care states that in 2019, the vast majority of murders due to Subsystem from functioning.” (5) rural conflicts in Brazil (84%) occurred in Amazonia. In Peru, there is concern about the situation of Because it has spoken out on these issues various Amazonian peoples, including many indigenous in various parts of Amazonia, the Church has been people who have migrated to cities in search of work slandered and attacked, as occurred recently with and are completely unprotected. The bishops of the shameful and baseless accusations against the Peruvian Amazon6 call on public officials to help those Indigenist Missionary Council (CIMI) by the National people return to their communities, ensuring that Indian Foundation (FUNAI), which we repudiate. (11) this is done according to protocols established by the Ministry of Health. Global Action in Defense of Amazonia The Alliance of Indigenous Parliamentarians of Latin America has asked the World Health Organization The care of people and the care of ecosystems are to recommend that the region’s countries prioritize inseparable. The wisdom of the original peoples of the specific measures to guarantee protection of the lives Amazon region “inspires care and respect for creation, of indigenous peoples in the face of this serious global with a clear consciousness of its limits, and prohibits its pandemic. abuse. To abuse nature is to abuse our ancestors, our The Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of brothers and sisters, creation and the Creator, and to the Amazon River Basin (COICA) requests contributions mortgage the future.” to an emergency fund to protect the 3 million inhabitants When the indigenous peoples “remain on their of the tropical forest who are vulnerable to the novel land, they themselves care for it best.” coronavirus. Beloved Amazonia, No. 42 The Catholic Church, meanwhile, has made cont’d on page 10 WWW.DIOCESEOFROSEAU.ORG 09 Pope Francis: St John Paul II a man of prayer, closeness, justice By Christopher Wells Pope to guide God’s Church. “Today, we can say that the Lord visited His people”. A man of prayer Pope Francis focused on three particular traits that marked the life of John Paul II: prayer, closeness, and mercy. Despite his many duties as Pope, John Paul II always found time to pray. “He knew well that the first task of the bishop is to pray”, Pope Francis said, noting that this is the teaching of St Peter in the Acts of the

OUR CATHOLIC WORLD OUR CATHOLIC Apostles. “The first task of the bishop is to pray”, the Pope repeated. John Paul “knew this, and did it”. Close to the people St John Paul II was also close to the people, not detached or separated from them, but travelling the whole world to seek them out. Already in the Old Testament, we can see how God was uniquely close to His People. This closeness culminated in the Incarnation, when Jesus Himself dwelt among His people. John Paul followed the example of Jesus, Pope John-Paul II in Zaire in August 1985 Francois Lo- the Good Shepherd, drawing near to both the great and chon—Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesDOWN LINK-UP!” the small, to those close by and those physically far away. elebrating Mass on the 100th anniversary of the Merciful justice birth of Karol Wojtyla, the future St John Paul II, Finally, Pope Francis said, St John Paul II was CPope Francis described his predecessor as a man remarkable for his love of justice. But his love for justice of prayer, closeness, and justice. was a desire for justice completed by mercy. And so Pope Francis celebrated the 100th anniversary John Paul was also a man of mercy, “because justice of the birth of St John Paul II by offering Holy Mass at and mercy go together”. John Paul, who did so much to the altar where the Polish Pope is buried in St Peter’s promote the Divine Mercy devotion, believed that God’s Basilica. justice “had this face of mercy, this attitude of mercy.” Joined by a very limited number of the faithful, Pope Francis concluded his homily with the prayer the liturgy on Monday morning was the first Mass open that the Lord might grant to all of us, and especially to to the public after almost two months of restrictions due pastors, the grace of prayer, of closeness, and the grace to the coronavirus pandemic. of justice in mercy, and merciful justice...

The Lord has visited His People Written on18th May 2020 Pope Francis began his homily by reminding https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass- us that God loves His People, and in times of difficulty casa-santa-marta/2020-05/pope-celebrates-mass-for- “visits” them by sending a holy man or a prophet. anniversary-of-birth-of-john-paul-ii.html In the life of Pope John Paul II, we can see a man sent by God, prepared by Him, and made Bishop and

REPAM calls for urgent & unified action to and coordinator general of COICA, a close ally of REPAM, sums it up: “This is a call from the indigenous avoid a humanitarian & environmental tragedy peoples of Amazonia, because you are ignoring us.” cont’d from page 09 REPAM calls us to united action. Indigenous This is a decisive time for Amazonia and for the peoples of Amazonia, civil society of Pan-Amazonia world, a time of gestation of new relationships inspired and of the world, the Catholic Church and all by integral ecology, or for the loss of the dreams of religious denominations concerned about the care of the Synod for the Amazon if fear, special interests and Creation, governments, international human rights pressure from those who possess great capital impose institutions, the scientific community, artists and with increasing force the model of an “economy that all people of good will, are called to join forces in kills.” (EG 53). defense of “beloved Amazonia, in all its splendor, its Pope Francis makes an urgent call for planetary drama and its mystery” (QA 1). solidarity: “This is not a time for indifference (…), self- centeredness (…), division (…), forgetfulness. The crisis Card. Claudio Hummes, OFM - President we are facing should not make us forget the many other Card. Pedro Barreto Jimeno, SJ - Vice President, crises that bring suffering to so many people” Steering Committee José Gregorio Díaz Mirabal, a member of the Pan-Amazonian Church Nertwork - REPAM Wakuenai Kurripako people of the Venezuelan Amazon Mauricio López O. - Executive Secretary..

10 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MAY 2020 ISSUE 21 5 . 8 5 7

The Youth Speak…The Bishop Responds By Mahailia Paul OUR YOUTH OUR

Young Poeple & Clergy using the zoom platform for their first ‘LOCKDOWN LINK-UP!” n Tuesday May 19, the Diocesan Youth “The approach needs to be a little more aggressive Commission hosted Lockdown Link-Up via the in terms of inviting young people. There are young Ovirtual Zoom Conferencing Platform. Youth and Catholics who are influencers in our society, we could Young adults gathered to connect and share their views use them as assets to advertise our events or even reach on how the Church has been reaching them. Bishop out to the Catholic parents. Use Instagram more, Twitter Gabriel Malzaire along with several priests followed the and Tik Tok. The Diocese should have a Tik Tok account. conversation. I think that we just need to be more aggressive in inviting There were mixed feelings among the participants the youth to come out.” (Young Adult Participant) about participation in the online Mass. Most were Bishop Gabriel Malzaire shared deeply with anxious to get back to their parish churches noting participants revealing his pain and concern regarding the various distractions that can happen at home. youth Ministry. Questions were raised as to why as believing Christians “When I look at youth ministry, what I experience we need to protect ourselves inside the Church where most often is pain, inward pain. It has everything God is supposed to be present. They recognized the to do with where I came from and how I was raised. Mass was not the same since they were being deprived Generally, I find that we are always playing catch up of receiving the body and blood of Christ. with youth ministry…trying to satisfy and we are not One young person was able to make a profound getting to it at all. I listen to you speaking about what connection with the sick and shut-in, he stated , “This we are not doing to attract…we are just creating stimuli Pandemic has opened up our eyes to see what people so that the next time around we have to create more who are homebound feel like right now. It has forced us and what is happening is that there is no foundation. to have online Church, but what about when churches What formation are we doing to say we have a Christian? reopen? I think we should continue with online Church Unless we create the foundation, we have nothing to so people can still hear and see the Masses even though build on.” they cannot come” (Young Participant) Lockdown Link-Up proved to be a fruitful The conversation also focused on what we need to do conversation leaving much food for thought. This to encourage you people to become more involved in was the first and will definitely not be the last virtual Church activities online and offline. gathering of this kind... Youth Ministry goes virtual By Mahailia Paul he Diocesan Youth Commission invites all youth, young adults and parents to follow and connect Twith them via the following online and Social Media platforms. Even as we prepare to return to Church and the country slowly opens up, virtual ministry will continue. Activities will include online game nights, virtual youth meetings, training sessions and prayer experiences. It is hope that these activities will complement the face-to face parish based programming. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: 767 225-1467 Instagram: @dominicacatholicyouth Facebook: https://www.facebook.comYouthComission/ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/catholicyouthdm.

OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MAY 2020 ISSUE 11 Mary and the Youth By Morgan Siefker OUR YOUTH OUR

Soufriere Dancers Young Actors & Actresses

Young girls as St. Bernadette & the Blessed Mother Procession in the streets of Sourfriere evotion to the Blessed Mother is important for the entrust themselves to her, and to confide all their cares, salvation and sanctification of everyone, but it is worries and troubles to her maternal solicitude. One of Despecially crucial for the youth to be accustomed the greatest tragedies of our day is the large number of to giving her their love, honor and service, and to learn children who have never known the Blessed Mother and how to imitate her virtues. Children, teenagers and who have never even had the opportunity of learning young adults alike, should be taught the significance that they have a loving Mother in Heaven to whom they that Marian devotion should have in every aspect of can go with all their daily concerns. If children grow up their lives. knowing Our Lady, cultivating the habit of flying to her St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote in arms for refuge, and striving to imitate her holiness of his treatise, True Devotion to Mary, “All true children life, they will lay a secure foundation upon which they of God have God for their father and Mary for their can build the rest of their lives.. mother.” Children, even more so than adults, find it Read more at https://missiomagazine.com/mary-and-the-youth/ natural to look with confidence to their mother, to by Morgan Siefker | Jan 14, 2017 | 2012, Mary and Social Life

12 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MAY 2020 ISSUE Photos by Kassim Lewis at Our Lady of Lourdes feast in Soufriere on February 16th, 2020 Thank you!

Thank you for your support thus far. We appreciate YOUTH OUR your donations & efforts to help keep the parishes and our diocese running. As you already know, we need to continue to maintain & support our churches as well as the livelihood of our priests & bishop. Below is the list of donation information for each parish & the diocese. Don’t forget to donate to the Diocese of Roseau Magazine. https://www.ishopcaribbean.com/seller/29-dioceseofroseau Envelopes can also be dropped off at the various Parish Offices Parishes Our Lady of Fair Haven Chapel, Roseau Our Lady of Fatima, Newtown National Bank of Dominica: National Bank of Dominica: Mobile ID: 55551470 Mobile ID: 5550019 Account Number: 800000195 Account Number: 115000855 https://www.ishopcaribbean.com/faith/153-sacrificial- https://www.ishopcaribbean.com/faith/141-sacrificial-giving- giving-our-lady-of-fair-haven-roseau-dominica-diocese-of- our-lady-of-fatima-newtown-dominica-diocese-of-roseau-1-usd. roseau-1-usd.html html

Sts John & Lewis, Portsmouth St. Luke, Pointe Michel https://www.ishopcaribbean.com/faith/155-sacrificial- https://www.ishopcaribbean.com/faith/148-sacrificial-giving- giving-st-john-st-lewis-dominica-diocese-of-roseau-1-usd. national-shrine-of-our-lady-of-la-salette-saint-luke-dominica- html diocese-of-roseau-1-usd.html

St. Andrew, Vieille Case St. Ann & St. Paul, Massacre National Bank of Dominica: National Bank of Dominica: User ID: 5551663 Massacre Parish Priest Account #115400014 Account number: 551664 - 315000191 MoBanking User ID 5551642 - Account#115400014 https://www.ishopcaribbean.com/faith/156-sacrificial- National Cooperative Credit Union giving-st-andrew-dominica-diocese-of-roseau-1-usd.html Mahaut Chapel Committee: Account #254333 – ID20

St Joseph, St. Joseph Our Lady of La Soie, Wesley National Bank of Dominica: National Bank of Dominica: User ID: 5551476 Account number: 115004326 Account number:125006640 https://www.ishopcaribbean.com/faith/140-sacrificial-giv- Name of account: Parish Priest of St Joseph ing-our-lady-of-la-soie-wesley-dominica-diocese-of-roseau- 1-usd.html

In an effort to keep you current with the happenings in the Diocese and the Region, Our Catholic Community magazine will be produced weekly instead of monthly. We thank you for your continued patronage. “STEWARDSHIP: A WAY OF LIFE” 13 Our Lady of Lourdes in St. Mark’s Church, Soufriere The Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

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