Catholic Spirituality: Ash Wednesday and

Bishop’s Appeal 2012 Launched

The Journey of Faith of Sister Patricia Alexander

The Catholic Response to the Flooding in the

A TIME FOR LENT the Catholic The Newsletter of the Roman Catholic of St. Thomas in the Islands notes from the bishop’s desk Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard PUBLISHER Father Charles Crespo EDITOR Bernetia Akin, Valerie Douté Bishop’s Appeal Msgr. Kosak PROOFREADERS Br. James Petrait, OSFS 2012 Launched WEB MASTER The Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop Deacon Emith Fludd CIRCULATION atholic schools and parishes in Catholic of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Sarah Jane von Haack the Virgin Islands will introduce Charities WRITER/ASSISTANT EDITOR Cthe Bishop’s Appeal 2012 on the first The Bishop’s Appeal 2012 is committed

Frank Iacovella weekend of Lent, February 25-26. This to helping Catholic Charities of the Virgin GRAPHIC DESIGNER year’s campaign will focus on the theme Islands (CCVI) bring help and hope to those February 2012 • Vol. 28 : Issue 2 “Working Together for the Kingdom of who are less fortunate and have nowhere The Catholic Islander is published God.” else to turn. CCVI has provided emergency monthly by the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. P.O. Box 301825, The Bishop’s Appeal is an annual food, clothing, shelter, counseling, medical, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, fundraising campaign designed to meet psychological and social services to our 00803-1825 www.catholicislander.com Telephone: (340) 774-3166 ext. 211, major needs within the diocese. Through homeless and needy. Fax: (340) 774-5816 this campaign, the Diocese of St. Thomas E-mail: [email protected] Catholic Schools © FAITH Catholic™. in the Virgin Islands generates vital financial support for the needy served by The Bishop’s Appeal 2012 will provide Please submit news, Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, valuable assistance to our four Catholic digital photography and the hundreds of children who attend the schools. Tuition alone does not cover the advertising for the four Catholic schools in the territory, and actual costs of educating a student. The March 2012 issue of Bishop’s Appeal 2012 will help by providing The Catholic Islander by evangelization projects throughout the February 9, 2012. diocese. funds for tuition assistance, textbooks, Brochures are available at all parishes science lab supplies and other programs and schools. All money raised stays in the for the students. With this support, nearly territory. The public phase of the 2012 900 students this year alone will receive appeal ends on Pentecost Sunday, May 27. a strong foundation for a lifetime of faith, achievement and service.

A Time for Lent Saturday, February 11, 6 p.m., Keys & Sword 11 Award Benefit, Frenchman’s Reef Hotel, On the cover: bishop’s calendar St. Thomas. Christ Carrying the Cross (by Hieronymus Bosch) February 12-18, Diocesan cruise aboard the 4 Local News Thursday, February 2, noon, meeting with Father Caribbean Princess. Wojtek Kuzek, CSsR, Holy Cross Church, 6 Save the Date St. Croix. Sunday, February 19, 9 a.m., Mass, Our Lady of 7 Catholic Charities Perpetual Help Church, St. Thomas. 8 Catholic Education Saturday, February 4, 6 p.m., St. Mary School dinner and auction, Divi Carina 9 Spotlight on Youth Monday, February 20, 1 p.m., meeting with Father Bay Ballroom. Janusz Sok, CSsR, Holy Cross Church, St. Croix. 10 ¡Buenas noticias! 12 Catholic Spirituality Sunday, February 5, 10 a.m., Mass, St. Patrick Tuesday, February 21, 9:30 a.m., meeting to form Church, St. Croix. 14 The Church in the World a foundation for the of the Virgin Islands, Catholic Chancery, St. Thomas. 16 of the Month Tuesday, February 7, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Liturgy Workshop, St. Church, St. Croix. 18 Special Report: Wednesday, February 22, 12:15 p.m., Ash Wednesday Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Floods in the Philippines Wednesday, February 8, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Liturgy St. Thomas. 20 Journey of Faith Workshop, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas. 22-26 Parish Calendars Sunday, February 26, 10:30 a.m., Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas. 22, 26 Pride of the Parish

2 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Liturgical Calendar: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Feb. 2 | St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; St. Ansgar, bishop Feb. 3 | St. Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs Feb. 6 | Blessed Pius IX, Feb. 7 | St. Emiliani, ; St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin Feb. 8 | St. Scholastica, virgin Feb. 10 Evangelization Caribbean Cruise The campaign’s evangelization and outreach eorts Bishop Herbert Bevard will host a seven-night southern include the operation and maintenance of Light of Christ Caribbean cruise aboard the Caribbean Princess on February Retreat Center on St. Croix, the home of many seminars 12-19. The Caribbean Princess departs from San Juan and for youth, deacons, music ministers, teachers, etc. The will port in St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire and appeal also assists with Catholic media, specifically the Aruba. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Catholic operation of the two local Catholic television stations and schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bishop Bevard will the publication of the monthly Catholic Islander. It likewise offer an episcopal blessing to married couples among the supports outreach by the diocesan Oce for Youth passengers at a Valentine’s Day Mass celebrated aboard the Ministries. In addition, it assists in the formation of future ship, and couples will have the opportunity to renew their for the diocese and other needs. marriage vows.

Parish Goals Bishop Bevard at the Cathedral The parishes’ goal for the Bishop’s Appeal 2012 is Bishop Herbert Bevard greeted those who attended Mass at $291,000. They are, as follows: Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on December 18. Holy Cross Church, St. Croix $56,000 Holy Family Church, St. Thomas $40,000 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, St. John $19,000 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, St. Thomas $35,000 St. Ann Church, St. Croix $40,000 St. Anne Chapel, St. Thomas $13,000 St. Joseph Church, St. Croix $16,000 St. Patrick Church, St. Croix $22,000 Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas $50,000

Keys & Sword Preparation Celebrate the Santo Niño Bishop Herbert Bevard and Msgr. Jerome Feudjio met Bishop Herbert Bevard celebrated two Masses honoring the with members of the Keys & Sword committee in the Santo Niño de Cebú on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The Mass at Hospitality Lounge of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Holy Cross Church on St. Croix was on January 8 and the Mass St. Thomas on December 20. The third annual at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas was on January Keys & Sword Award Benefit will take place at the 29. Pictured below, left to right, at Holy Cross Church are Frenchman’s Reef Resort on Saturday, February 11. Deacon Capriola; Msgr. Antonio Verzosa, parochial vicar at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral; Bishop Bevard; Father John Juszczak, pastor; and Deacon Roy George, a seasonal visitor.

Visit the website of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands at www.catholicvi.com

Liturgical Calendar: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Feb. 2 | St. Blaise, bishop and martyr; St. Ansgar, bishop Feb. 3 | St. Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs Feb. 6 | Blessed Pius IX, pope Feb. 7 | St. Jerome Emiliani, priest; St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin Feb. 8 | St. Scholastica, virgin Feb. 10 3 local news Operation Rice Bowl Parishes in the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands will promote Operation Rice Bowl beginning Ash Wednesday, New Assignment February 22. For 36 years, this Lenten program of Catholic Father Wojtek Kuzek, CSsR, is the new parochial vicar Relief Services has called participants to pray with their families at Holy Cross Church, eective February 1. He replaces and faith communities, fast in solidarity with those who hunger, Father Andrzej Szorc, CSsR, who was transferred to Sacred learn about our global community and the challenges of poverty Heart Church in Manville, New Jersey, for four months overseas, and give sacrificial contributions to those in need. and then returns to Poland. Father John Juszczak, CSsR, remains as pastor.

Liturgy Workshops Three Kings Visit Father Dennis Gill, the director of liturgy for the the Virgin Islands Archdiocese of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, will lead liturgy workshops for priests, deacons and music ministers in the In the Hispanic Catholic tradition, the Three Kings who Virgin Islands. Part of the purpose of the workshop is to help visited the baby Jesus continue to appear on the feast the ministers navigate their way through the revised Mass. of the Epiphany to bring toys and candy to all children. The workshops will be at St. Joseph Church on Pictured below, the three kings brought the offertory at St. Croix on Tuesday, February 7, and at Ss. Peter and Paul the Spanish Mass at St. Joseph Church on St. Croix on Cathedral on St. Thomas on Wednesday, February 8. The January 8. seminars for the priests will be at 3 p.m. and for deacons and music ministers at 7 p.m.

Second Collection All parishes will have a second collection for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on the weekend of February 18-19. The collection: • alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need through the international Catholic humanitarian agency, CRS; • supplies outreach and pastoral care to refugees, migrants and travelers through the USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church; • provides assistance to victims of natural disasters and other emergencies through the Holy Father’s Relief Fund; • advocates for poor and vulnerable people and for international justice and peace through the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development; After the Spanish Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral • helps victims of human trafficking and refugees by on St. Thomas, the "three kings" hosted a children’s party providing resettlement services and public policy in the cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge. advocacy through the USCCB Department of Migration and Refugee Services; • provides legal services to struggling immigrants through the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

Could God be calling you to serve him as a priest or religious?

Call (340) 774-0201

Msgr. Jerome Feudjio, director of vocations, will pray with you.

4 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 11 | St. Cyril, monk and St. Methodius, bishop Feb. 14 | The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites, religious Feb. 17 | St. , bishop and Feb. 21 | Ash Wednesday Feb. 22 | St. , bishop and martyr Feb. 23 | First Sunday of Lent Feb. 26 Fixing the Bells Chapel Preparations Deacon Emith Fludd climbed high into the steeple of St. Joseph High School on St. Croix will soon have a chapel St. Patrick Church on St. Croix to fix the bells on December 29. in building 8. Student Jonathan Morales, his father Ed Morales and Jules Ramirez scrubbed the floor and applied a floor sealant on December 10.

Postcard from Kosovo Father Alejandro Sanchez Muñoz, former administrator of St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas, is the brigade chaplain with the 157th MEB (Maneuver Enhanced Brigade) of the Wisconsin National Guard. He is stationed at Camp Bonsteel in Kosovo until August.

Farewell to Father Szorc

The priests of St. Croix shared a farewell luncheon for Father Andrzej Szorc, CSsR, at the St. Ann Church The latest diocesan news rectory on January 15. Father Szorc left on January 31 for and photographs his new assignment at Church in Manville, New Jersey, for four months, and then to his homeland www.catholicislander.blogspot.com of Poland. Pictured left to right are Father Kevin MacDonald, CSsR, Msgr. Michael Kosak, Father Szorc, updated twice weekly! Father John Mark, Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR, Father Simon Opira and Father John Juszczak, CSsR.

Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 11 | St. Cyril, monk and St. Methodius, bishop Feb. 14 | The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites, religious Feb. 17 | St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church Feb. 21 | Ash Wednesday Feb. 22 | St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr Feb. 23 | First Sunday of Lent Feb. 26 5 save the date! registered at their parishes will receive a gratuities. Complimentary shuttle service commemorative certificate. from Havensight Mall and the Red Hook Auction and Dinner boat dock begins at 5:30 p.m. For more St. Mary School on St. Croix will hold Keys & Sword Award Benefit information, consult your parish bulletin, its annual fundraising dinner and auction Bishop Herbert Bevard will host the call (340) 774-3166, ext. 213, or send an at Divi Carina Bay Ballroom on Saturday, third annual Keys & Sword Award e-mail to [email protected]. February 4. Cocktails will be served at 6 Benefit at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. The theme this Beach Resort and Hotel’s Grand Harbour St. Valentine’s Day Breakfast year is “Treasures of the Caribbean.” Dinner Ballroom on Saturday, February 11, The prayer group at St. Patrick Church tickets are available for $75 at Holy Cross beginning with the bishop’s champagne on St. Croix will host its annual Church and St. Mary School. reception at 6 p.m. Bishop Bevard will St. Valentine’s Day breakfast at St. Gerard present the Keys & Sword Award to John Hall on Sunday, February 12, following Prayer Group Anniversary Evans, representing the Dowling Family the 7 a.m. Mass. Tickets are available at the The prayer group at St. Patrick Church Foundation, a major benefactor of Catholic parish oce for $15. on St. Croix celebrates its 30th anniversary Charities of the Virgin Islands, Ss. Peter with Mass on Friday, February 10, at 6 and Paul School and the Ss. Peter and Paul St. Lucians Celebrate p.m. Light refreshments will be served on Cathedral Restoration Project. Louis de Independence the patio after the Mass. Lyrot, CEO of Cardow Jewelers, and the St. Lucians on St. Croix will celebrate late Gerard Nicholson will be awarded a bilingual English/French Creole Mass World Marriage Day special recognition as well. Milo’s Kings will in honor of the 33rd anniversary of World Marriage Day will be celebrated perform dance music until midnight. independence in their home country at at all parishes in the Diocese of St. Thomas The white-tie gala dance will benefit St. Ann Church on Sunday, February 19, in the Virgin Islands on the weekend of the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 9:30 a.m. Deacon Denis Grith will be February 11-12. Special recognition Restoration Project. Tickets are available the homilist. The Mass will be broadcast will be given to couples who celebrate 20, for $150; $90 is tax-deductible. The live on television (CCN-TV channel 7), 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 50+ years of hotel is making rooms available at $165 radio (WRRA 1620 AM) and online at www. marriage in the year 2012. Couples who per night, which includes taxes and livestream.com/caribbeancatholicnetwork7.

T D  S. T I  V I  P T T A  K   S  A  B

His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, will present the 2012 Keys and Sword Award to John Evans, representing the Dowling Family Foundation.

Mark your calendars! February 11, 2012, Bishop’s Reception at 6 p.m. Grand Ballroom, Marriot Frenchmen’s Reef Beach Resort, St. Thomas

Dinner • Awards • Dancing Raffl es • Door Prizes

Proceeds support the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral Restoration Project

6 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Save the Date news from catholic charities Toys for Tots More than 30 children received gifts donated from the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program at the Catholic Charities soup Food Drives kitchen on St. Croix on December 22. Pictured left to right, Aniyah Setenville, Dhakiya Hendrickson, Joseph Bowen, Jr., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on St. Croix sponsored a and Davonta Bowen show o their gifts. food drive for Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands. Food items were presented to the soup kitchen sta on December 17. Pictured below, sorority members Yolande Bryan, Avia Elcock Theophane, Sandra Setorie and Jean Canton are pictured left and soup kitchen attendants Brenda Charles, Florence Jean Jules and Delores Edwards (volunteer) are pictured right.

Toy Drive The cast and producers of the local television program "Grati Street" sponsored a toy drive for Catholic Charities Members of the Girls Club on St. Thomas collected outside the Kmart® Sunny Isles store on St. Croix on food outside Plaza Extra on December 17 for Catholic December 24. Toys were presented to Catholic Charities sta Charities’ Bethlehem House Shelter for the Homeless. members Brenda Charles and Carlise Deland.

Worship at the Soup Kitchen Rev. Eddie Williams of Community Baptist Church conducted worship services for more than 20 soup kitchen guests on December 22. Christmas lunch followed the service. Catholic Charities’ February Food Drive Please collect the following items at your church, school or workplace: • Canned tuna • Rice • Canned corn

Read more about Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands at catholiccharitiesusvi.org

7 catholic education Martin Luther King Award Sarah-Ann Charles, a senior at Ss. Peter and Paul School, was among the six students honored by the Catholic Schools Week Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas at a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial on January 13. She is pictured More than 8,000 Catholic schools in the United States, below with Delegate to Congress Donna Christian- including the four Catholic schools in the Diocese of Christiansen and Rabbi Shimon Moch at the reception St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, are participating in after the ceremony. Catholic Schools Week 2012 from January 29 through The annual ceremony, which takes place in the February 4. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Faith. synagogue within the context of the Reform Jewish Academics. Service.” Bishop Herbert Bevard celebrated the worship service, honors one student from each of the opening Mass for Catholic Schools Week at Ss. Peter and St. Thomas high schools. Principals or guidance Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on Sunday, January 29, at counselors nominated these students for leading lives 8:30 a.m. that exemplify Dr. King’s teachings. In addition to the • Students from St. Joseph High School on St. Croix served recognition, the students received a $500 U.S. savings at Mass at St. Joseph Church on January 28. During the bond and the book Shared Dreams: Martin Luther King and week, alumni will oer talks, seniors will lead group the Jewish Community. discussions, and students will participate in with their families invited, public service day and a walk-a-thon fundraiser and beachside clean-up. • Students and staff at St. Mary School on St. Croix served at Mass at Holy Cross Church on January 29. During the week, students will participate in activities including Parents Day, Wacky Day, Twin Day, Religion Quiz Bowl, Career Day, Faculty and Sta Appreciation Day and a Fun Day o campus. • St. Patrick School on St. Croix began with Mass at St. Patrick Church on January 29. Activities during the week will include a fundraiser entitled the All School Penny War, Model Your Profession Day, Twin Day, Teacher/Sta Appreciation Day, Community Awareness Day, an auction and an international food sale. • Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas began the week of activities with Mass at various churches on January 28-29. Planned activities for the week include Teacher Switch Day, where teachers dress as students; a talent show; Career Day; Catholic Quiz Bowl; Community Service Day, including tree planting and a school clean-up; a march through Charlotte Amalie; a Fun Day, including a sports competition; and a Cultural Day lunch, where classes representing dierent cultures oer foods from that culture for sale. Visit the websites Ss. Peter and Paul School www.spps.vi Black History Month St. Joseph High School www.sjhsvi.com Students at Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas will be St. Mary School www.hcccstx.org making Black History Month presentations during the morning assemblies in February. They will focus on persons who have aected in a positive way their communities and the world. The reports will include a few individuals who are not black, but worked tirelessly for the advancement of Africans, African This publication is made Americans and Afro-Caribbean Americans. Students at St. Mary School on St. Croix will research available free of charge to our outstanding African Americans in sports, business, politics, parish community thanks to the medicine, etc., on the local, national and international levels generosity of our advertisers. and make presentations in class. Additionally, each week during February, a Black History Month question will be presented for Please support their students to answer and an interesting fact about African-American businesses. history will be highlighted during each morning’s assembly.

8 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com New Lector spotlight on Youth Michelle Olive became the newest – and youngest – lector at Mass at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas on January 1. She had to stand on a box in order to be able to read the Word of God. Preparing for the March for Life Members of the youth group at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas held a breakfast after Masses in the Hospitality Lounge on January 8 to raise funds for their trip to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

In preparation for the trip, Callista Julien, director of the diocese’s Child Protection Services, administered VIRTUS child safety training to the youth and their chaperones in the clubhouse at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas on January 14.

Fun Day Holy Family Church on St. Thomas held its annual Fun Day at the University of the Virgin Islands on January 15. Pictured below, children played “Stealing the Old Man’s Bacon.”

Leopold Sprauve, on behalf of the ushers of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas, gave a $200 donation to help the youth who were participating in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. The ushers raised the money from smoothie sales after Mass in the Hospitality Lounge on January 15.

Children love to play musical chairs.

9 ¡buenas noticias!

• Miembros del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad se La Súplica del Obispo 2012 reúnen para la ultreya en su oficina de la Iglesia San José La Súplica del Obispo es una campaña anual para las los jueves después de la Misa de las 7 p.m. necesidades mayores de la Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes. La súplica da apoyo económico a Caridades Educación para adultos Católicas de las Islas Vírgenes, las cuatro escuelas católicas y La Iglesia Holy Cross en Sta. Cruz, con la colaboración los esfuerzos de evangelización. La Súplica del Obispo 2012 de las Hermanas del Buen Pastor, ofrece lecciones de comienza el Miércoles de Ceniza, 22 de febrero, y termina alfabetización en español, inglés como segunda idioma el domingo de Pentecostés, el 27 de mayo. Las parroquias y cursos de computación (Windows, Word, Excel e y escuelas tienen volantes para distribuir. La meta para las internet) en el Centro Buen Pastor. Este servicio va dirigido parroquias en 2012 es $291,000. prioritariamente a la población inmigrante de idioma española. Segunda Colecta Todas las parroquias tendrán una segunda colecta para Protección de niños Catholic Relief Services el 18 y 19 de febrero. Esta colecta La Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes está alivia el sufrimiento y provee ayuda a las personas en comprometida a proteger a los niños de todo daño. Si Ud. necesidad, ofrece servicios y cuidado pastoral a los refugiados, tiene conocimiento de algún sacerdote, diácono o empleado migrantes y viajeros, y provee ayuda a las víctimas de desastres de la iglesia que haya abusado de algún menor, favor de y otras emergencias. También ayuda a las víctimas del tráfico comunicarse inmediatamente con la Coordinadora Diocesana humano y refugiados proveyéndoles servicios de relocalización de la Protección de los Niños, Callista Julien, y otros servicios, aboga por los pobres y las personas al (340) 774-3166 o (340) 719-4020. vulnerables, por la justicia social y la paz, y provee servicios a inmigrantes. Nuestra Senora de Altagracia Operación Tazón de Arroz Padre John Mark celebró la Misa en honor de Nuestra Todas las parroquias en la Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Señora de Altagracia, patrona de la República Dominicana Vírgenes participarán en la Operación Tazón de Arroz durante el la Iglesia San José en Sta. Cruz el 21 de enero. la cuaresma. Este programa, auspiciado por Catholic Relief Normalmente la imagen es un cuadro, pero aquí se ve una Services, nos invita a rezar con nuestra familia y nuestras estatua pequeña en frente del altar. comunidades de fe; ayunar en solidaridad con aquellos que sufren hambre; aprender más sobre nuestra comunidad en todo el mundo y los retos que enfrentan los pobres en el extranjero, y dar contribuciones que vengan de nuestros sacrificios para ayudar a los necesitados.

Reuniones mensuales de espiritualidad y oración Sto. Tomás • El Presidio María, Arca de la Alianza, de la Legión de María se reúne en el Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en los domingos a las 2 p.m. • Un círculo de oración se reúne en el Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo los La Misa en the Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en lunes a las 6 p.m. Sto. Tomás comenzó con una procesión en la calle Sta. Cruz el 22 de enero. • Miembros del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad llevan la imagen de la Virgen María, hacen una meditación y rezan el rosario en casas privadas el 13 de febrero y el segundo lunes de cada mes a las 7 p.m. Llamen a la Iglesia San José para asistir. • Miembros del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad dirigen un círculo de oración en la Capilla San Miguel de la Iglesia San José el 27 de febrero y el último lunes de cada mes a las 7 p.m. • Feligreses rezan el rosario y comparten las lecturas del próximo domingo en la Iglesia Holy Cross los martes a las 7 p.m.

10 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Cover Story

A Time for

Christ Carrying the Cross Lent by Hieronymus Bosch

he season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, and through us. This Lenten season of penance, reflection and February 22, will signal the beginning of a necessary fasting prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, and welcome visitor on a number of levels. through which we attain redemption. T The season of Lent gets its name from an Old English word that means “to lengthen.” Each year, this season returns just as Lenten Regulations the days begin to grow longer. With the darker days of early winter Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics 14 now receding into the background, the additional light of these years and older on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and on all days oers us the opportunity to focus more intently and intensely Fridays of Lent. on those areas of our lives that need God’s grace to change. As we In addition, fasting is to be observed on both Ash Wednesday enter into this season of Lent, we and Good Friday, April 6, by all Catholics who are 18 years must do so with a willingness to of age, but not yet 59. Those bound by this may take only step back and examine our lives in one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to all their dimensions, searching for Lent is about maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid those habits and attitudes within allowing God foods between meals is prohibited. The special paschal fast and that need correction, attention or to assist us abstinence are encouraged for Holy Saturday, April 7. elimination. Christ, the light of in looking By the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving and the world, in whose presence we deep within prayer, the Church keeps Lent from Ash Wednesday until the rejoiced at Christmas, is now an aid evening of Holy Thursday, April 5. All of the faithful and the to self-examination, illuminating ourselves catechumens should undertake serious practice of these three those dark corners of our hearts traditions. Failure to observe any penitential days at all or a and minds, so that the darkness of substantial number of such days must be considered serious. sin and sadness may be cast out. Lent is about allowing God to assist us in looking deep within Penance Services ourselves, finding that which must be cast out. Is there hardness Catholics who have reached the age of discretion are bound of heart or lack of forgiveness within me? Do I lack faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year. Several or sensitivity to the needs of my sisters and brothers? Have I priests on St. Croix will be available for the Sacrament of developed hurtful or spiteful ways of dealing with my loved ones, Reconciliation at a Penance Service at St. Ann Church on friends and co-workers? Tuesday, March 27, at 7 p.m. Lent aords us the opportunity to work hard in cooperation with God’s grace, allowing the good to grow within us as we once again Lenten Mission seek to enhance our spiritual growth through the disciplines of Lenten Missions and retreats are an opportunity for Catholics prayer, fasting and charity. It is a time to identify and cast out that to delve more deeply into the mystery of the paschal faith. which we can do without, encouraging its replacement by that with Father Anthony , administrator of Our Lady of Mt. which we can do good. Lent gives us the opportunity to allow the Carmel Church on St. John, will lead a parish retreat at St. warmth and goodness of Christ, the light of the world, to shine in Patrick Church on March 26-28.

11 Catholic Spirituality Ash Wednesday

atholics and other Christians will begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 22, by wearing the sign of the cross in ashes on their C foreheads as a sign of repentance. Our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and remind us that life on Earth passes away. Ashes were used in ancient times to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent’s way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. The ashes used in this ceremony are made beforehand by burning the palm fronds blessed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. Four ancient prayers are prayed in the blessing of the ashes. The ashes are sprinkled with holy water and scented with incense. The priest or deacon, dipping his Ash Wednesday thumb into the ashes, marks the sign of the cross on the by Julian Fałat forehead of each person, saying “Remember, you are dust and unto dust you shall return” or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” In earlier times, a penitential procession often followed the rite of the distribution of the ashes. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they La Cuaresma also are a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to Reglas de Cuaresma those who call on him with repentant hearts. His divine Cuaresma comienza el Miércoles de Ceniza, que mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, este año es el 22 de febrero, y termina el Jueves and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the Santo, que este año es el 5 de abril. Todos los viernes entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance. de cuaresma se consideran días de abstinencia. Miércoles de Ceniza y Viernes Santo son los únicos Ashes will be imposed on St. Thomas at: dos días designados para ambos abstinencia y ayuno. • Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m. (school Abstinencia significa que no podemos comer carne Mass), 12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish) en esos días si tenemos 14 años en adelante. Ayuno • Holy Family Church at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. significa que nos limitamos a una comida completa al • All Faiths Chapel at Schneider Regional Medical Center at día si estamos entre las edades de 18 y 59 años. 10 a.m. • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 6:30 p.m. Miércoles de Ceniza • St. Anne Chapel at 7:30 p.m. El Miércoles de Ceniza, 22 de febrero, habrá Misa en español en la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Ashes will be imposed on St. Croix at: Sto. Tomás y bilingüe en la Iglesia San José en Sta. • The Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged at 10:30 a.m. Cruz. Las dos Misas serán a las 7 p.m. • Holy Cross Church at 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Vía Crucis • St. Ann Church at 6:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3 p.m. Una costumbre cada viernes de cuaresma es el (children’s service) and 7 p.m. revivir la caminata de Jesús al Calvario. La Vía Crucis • St. Joseph Church at 6:30 a.m. (English), 8 a.m. (school se orará en español los viernes de cuaresma en tres Mass) and 7 p.m. (bilingual) iglesias. En Sto. Tomás, se orará en la Catedral San • St. Patrick Church at 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Pedro y San Pablo a las 6.30 p.m. En Sta. Cruz se orará en español en la Iglesia Ashes will be imposed on St. John at San José a las 6.30 p.m. y en la Capilla Sagrado • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at the 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Corazón a las 7 p.m. Masses.

12 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Stations of the Cross

raying the Stations of the Cross (also known as the Way of the Cross and the Via Crucis) helps the faithful prepare for the Good Friday P experience of Christ’s suering and death. It is a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer and meditation. The origin of the tradition can be traced to pilgrimages to Jerusalem. Few believers could make such a pilgrimage, so from a very early date in Church history, perhaps as early as the fifth century, the Whoever does faithful made not take up his eorts to replicate cross and follow in other lands the last walk of Jesus after me is not to his crucifixion. worthy of The “stations” refer to those sites me.” (Mt 10:38) Encuentro del Nazaren con su madre at which pilgrims by Francesc Ribalta stopped on the Via Sacra in Jerusalem, which was a route that pilgrims used. The earliest use of the The Stations of the Cross will be prayed at all parishes term can be found in the mid-15th century in a description of on the Fridays of Lent: pilgrims following the footsteps of Christ to the cross. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the began to build St. Thomas a series of outdoor shrines in Europe to duplicate the stations • Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral in English at 5:30 p.m. in the Holy Land. Initially, the number of stations varied and in Spanish at 6:30 p.m. between 11 and 30, until Pope Clement XII fixed the number • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church prays the Stations at 14 in 1731. Placing stations within churches became at 6 p.m., followed by Eucharistic adoration and then common at the end of the 17th century. Mass at 7 p.m. The Stations of the Cross in churches today can be painted, • Holy Family Church has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament carved or engraved, and made of many dierent materials and Benediction, which will include Stations of the Cross, at 6 such as wood, metal or paint on canvas. Often they depict the p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. Passion of Jesus, although some churches use only crosses, • St. Anne Chapel will have Eucharistic Adoration sometimes accompanied by numerals. These stopping points at 6 p.m., Benediction and then Stations at 6:30 p.m., and along the journey of prayer and meditation allow us to trace Mass at 7 p.m. Jesus’ journey from condemnation to crucifixion. Praying them may increase both our sorrow for our sins and our St. Croix desire for his help in avoiding temptations and in bearing • St. Patrick Church with the St. Patrick School students at 2 p.m. our own crosses. Meditating on Christ’s passion can help us and with the parishioners at 7 p.m. become more like him – by imitating his virtues of obedience, • St. Ann Church at 5:30 p.m. humility, charity, patience and perseverance. • St. Joseph Church in both English and in Spanish at 6:30 p.m., One of the main tenets of our faith is that we must followed by Eucharistic Adoration in the church. figuratively walk the road to Calvary (where Jesus was • Holy Cross Church at 7 p.m. crucified) to get to heaven. Jesus said, “Whoever does not • Sacred Heart Chapel in Spanish at 7 p.m. take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38). The good news is that Jesus is there for each of us to St. John help us carry our crosses in life. • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 7 p.m., followed by Mass.

13 March for Life the Church in the world Thirty Virgin Islanders were among the thousands of pro-lifers who participated in the events surrounding the 39th annual March for Life in Two New American Cardinals Washington, DC. They attended the opening vigil Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the on January 22. The following Pope Benedict XVI will add 22 men to day they attended the youth rally and Mass at the Verizon Center and then the College of Cardinals on February 18. joined the march past the Capitol. Pictured below, Father Eduardo Ortiz Two from the United Santiago, administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas, States are among the new cardinals. and Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR, pastor of St. Patrick Church on St. Croix, Timothy Dolan, the of New posed with some of the Virgin Islands youth at the march. York, is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Edwin O’Brien, Pro-Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, is a native of New York. Four of the 22 new cardinals are past the age of 80, meaning they are not eligible to vote in a conclave.

14 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com New Archbishop of Trinidad Speaks at Charismatic Conference News Briefs Trinidad: Retired Archbishop Recovers from Surgery The Catholic Church in the Caribbean must refocus to “win Archbishop Edward Gilbert paid a brief visit to his former back our people,” Archbishop Joseph Harris of the Diocese diocese in Trinidad on January 5-7 following two surgeries of Port of in Trinidad and Tobago said to more than in New York in December. He wished not to have any formal 2,000 participants at the Catholic Charismatic Renewal 18th closure event organized to thank him for his time as Archbishop Caribbean Conference, held in Trinidad on January 7-8. of Port of Spain. “We have to refocus on the double commandments – love Vatican: Board approves miracle needed for God above all things, and love your neighbor as Christ has Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai was cleared for sainthood loved us. We have to love as Christ loved us and we have to do after the Vatican confirmed a second miracle attributed to her this in real, practical ways – we have to return to the corporal intercession. She spent 30 years in Hawaii ministering to lepers. and spiritual works of mercy.” Maryland: CRS names new president and CEO Archbishop Harris told the participants that a loss of focus Carolyn Woo was named the first woman to lead Catholic has led to the “constant hemorrhaging of our people to other Relief Services (CRS). She is a former dean of the University of religions,” adding that the number of practicing Catholics has Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. CRS is one of the fallen over the years. world’s largest international humanitarian relief organizations. Members of the service Iraq: Christian population declining team people prayed over A recent report by the U.S. State Department found that the Father Anthony Abraham, the Christian population in Iraq is half of what it was in 2003. Many Virgin Islands’ diocesan liaison Christians have emigrated from the war-torn country, leaving for Charismatic Renewal churches with a lack of financial support for parish communities Services, before he spoke at and programs. the conference. Photograph Iraq: Fears of ‘unchecked Islamic persecution’ in Iraq courtesy of Catholic News- A year after the massacre at the Syrian Catholic cathedral Trinidad. in Baghdad left 58 dead, an Assyrian news agency expressed concern about the future of Iraq’s Christian community. The New Bishop for St. John’s-Basseterre agency stated that the Shiite government is under the influence Msgr. Kenneth Richards prepared for his episcopal ordination of Iran and is not friendly to the Assyrians in Iraq. with a retreat on St. Croix in mid-January. The bishop-elect came as a guest of his long-time friend, Msgr. Michael Kosak, pastor of St. Ann Church. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Richards of Jamaica as bishop of St. John’s-Basseterre on November 19, 2011. The episcopal ordination of Msgr. Richards will be on Wednesday, February 8, at the Holy Family Cathedral in St. John’s, Antigua. Archbishop Donald Reece will be the principal consecrating archbishop, and Archbishop Robert Rivas and Bishop Malzaire will be the concelebrating bishops. A Mass of welcome and thanksgiving for the ordination of Bishop Richards will take place in Basseterre, St. Kitts, on Thursday, February 9.

Priest in Barbados Speaks on Redefining Marriage Msgr. Vincent Harcourt Blackett, for the Diocese of Bridgetown in Barbados, told an interfaith group in his country on January 14 that Barbadians must let the international community know how they feel about the move to redefine marriage. He said this must be done in light of the emerging definitions of family and marriage which stray from the traditional acceptance of the institution. “Today when the family is under tremendous pressure as a result of the global economic climate and the new ways of viewing family are emerging, we need to do everything within our power to protect this institution called family as has been handed on to us from our own sacred Tradition and from sacred Scripture.” Msgr. Blackett, the current chairman of the Barbados Christian Council, made the comment in a sermon at an interfaith service marking the 45th anniversary of Barbados’ independence.

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 15 saint of the month Italian martyrs – one was a bishop of Terni, and the other a priest and physician in Rome. More than likely, St. Valentine, as pointed St. Valentine out in Butler’s Lives of the Born: 176 , was a Roman priest Died: February 14, 273 who assisted martyrs under Feast Day: February 14 the persecution of Claudius Patron Saint of bee keepers, lovers II. For this, he was beaten and epileptics and beheaded on February 14, 270. Lacy greeting cards, red satin hearts filled How did someone who with chocolates and, of course, Cupid. It seems was beaten and beheaded as if Valentine’s Day has become a product of become connected with the greeting card industry, but that is not exactly lovers? St. Valentine’s Day the case. may have stemmed from Was St. Valentine “de-sainted?” While the pagan festival of the secular world may view February 14 as Lupercus – the passage simply Valentine’s Day, Catholics know it as of adolescent boys into St. Valentine’s feast day – well, that is, until the adulthood. During the calendar reform of 1969. It was then that St. Valentine was festival, a lottery was held in which young men drew the name removed as a required observance on the official Church of adolescent females. The two would spend the next year as calendar. This does not mean that St. Valentine was “de- partners until another lottery was held. sainted,” only that the universal Church now recognizes In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius outlawed the pagan ritual and February 14 as the feast day for Ss. Cyril and Methodius. replaced it with St. Valentine’s Day and a new, chaste lottery – Who exactly was St. Valentine? His identity is sketchy, this time, young men and women would choose the name of a at best. Two saints of the same name were honored as saint whom they would try to emulate during the following year.

Missionaries Lessons in Life of Charity from Blessed of Calcutta Jesus called the children to himself and said, “Let the “If we really want to love children come to me and we must learn how to do not prevent them; for the forgive.” kingdom of God belongs to Courtesy of Alfredo’s such as these.”(Luke 18:16) Landscaping, St. John The Missionaries of Charity, St. Croix

Our Blessed Mother’s Timeless Wisdom Message from Medjugorje December 25, 2011 from the Saints “Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for him to give you his peace. Pray, little children, and “Teach us to give and witness so that in every heart, not human but God’s peace may not count the cost.” prevail, which no one can destroy. It is that peace in the heart which – St. Ignatius de Loyola God gives to those whom he loves. By your baptism you are all, in a special way, called and loved; therefore witness and pray that you Courtesy of Dr. Stephen and Maribel Okiye may be my extended hands to this world which yearns for God and peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Courtesy of the Order of Malta | John and Claire Foster

16 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Continuum Care, Inc. Hospice of St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John We provide care to the terminally ill. Individualized Medical and Nursing Support, Spiritual, Emotional, Nutritional Counseling, and Personal Care. St. Croix St. Thomas/St. John 4040 La Grande Princesse, #2 50 Estate Thomas, Suite 211 Christiansted, VI 00820 St. Thomas, VI 00802 718-LOVE (5683) 714-CARE (2273) www.ccivi.com | fax 340-718-7632 Medicare Certified. Most Insurance Accepted. EEOC. Se Habla Español

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 17 special report The Catholic Response to the Flooding in the Philippines

lash floods killed more than 1,000 people and “Much of the rubble is being scattered by waves in the displaced tens of thousands on the southern Pacific. The level of damage can best be glimpsed in the faces Philippines island of Mindanao on December 17, of displaced people, especially those who lost loved ones or are F 2011. The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) oce still waiting for word about a missing family member. Sadly, by in Davao immediately sent a team to de Oro City, that measurement, the devastation of the flash floods in Cagayan site of some of the most severe devastation, to assess urgent de Oro run deeper than any of us can grasp.” needs. CRS is working with its partners, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and Xavier University. Jennifer Hardy, regional information ocer for CRS Asia, sent the following preliminary report and provided the photographs below: “It is a struggle to come up with a way to really show the devastation of areas along the Cagayan de Oro River in the Philippines. Emergency photos that have stuck with me in the past usually feature crumpled, twisted buildings that used to be someone’s home or business. People are interviewed in front of their old residence, and the combination of the human face and the destroyed building conveyed the level of devastation and the long road to recovery. “This disaster is dierent. The flash floods completely stripped the land of any hint of human habitation. The buildings on higher ground that survived are full of mud, but most can likely be salvaged with a thorough cleaning and CRS provided water and sanitation services to the evacuation some repair work. There is little visual in-between. center in Mandumol, a temporary relocation site for people “Joe Curry, CRS’ country representative for the Philippines, displaced by flash floods in Cagayan de Oro. Residents along the summed it up well. He observed that ‘You can only hold a river lost their homes when a tropical storm caused unexpected camera on an empty piece of land for so long.’ It is one thing flash floods in December 2011. CRS assisted with cash for work to say that the land used to be filled with homes, churches, cleanup and constructed transitional shelters around the city. livestock and gardens. It is much harder to imagine when the Pictured above, volunteers from the temporary relocation site only remnants of people’s lives are a few scattered boards and filled sandbags that would form the platform for the new water tatters of clothing embedded in drying mud. tanks provided by CRS and USAID.

CRS provided water and sanitation services to the evacuation center in Macasandig, a barangay (community) in Cagayan de Oro. Above are two scenes from the Macasandig evacuation center, which was the site of CRS-provided water and sanitation services.

18 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 19 journey of faith order, and she began praying. Her unhappy marriage dissolved. Her four sons had grown and had relocated to the States. Sister Patricia Alexander, WIF “I was very successful in business and, the call came again, and o meet Sister Patricia Alexander, this time I said to God, ‘I cannot come. I have responsibilities. I W.I.F., you might think that if anyone have people who are working for me. I am responsible to them. I am responsible to the business world.’ I gave him all my reasons, had an easy time discerning a which were good reasons, and I said to him, ‘If I could come, I vocation, it would be her. She is so would, but I cannot.’” Tfull of life and is animated by a love of Jesus The call from God was impossible to ignore. Soon Patricia and the Church. It would be hard to believe found herself going to St. Ann Church on her native St. Croix to that nearly 40 years ago she went through a pray, even during the day. She told her secretary she was going to painful transition to get where she is today. an appointment. She said to the Lord, “Take from me whatever is keeping me away from you.” The business crashed, and the Lord Finding her vocation in midlife was alarming. She opened a door. She was to restart her life with a new vocation. described it as “years of bewilderment and challenges.” It “It was so hard,” she said. “In the Virgin Islands, no one is cost Sister Patricia her career and all of her friends. It was a expected to be called [to religious life] other than a 19- or 20- test of her faith in God’s will and in her ability to discern it. year-old. It seemed impossible. Nobody believed me. I had no “My vocation came late in life,” she explained. “The support, so it was very painful for me. People thought I was a initial call came when I was 40. It surprised me totally. I phony, or that I was hiding, all sorts of negative stu like that, was a faithful Catholic, but at the time, I was president of nothing positive. I lost my friends, everyone.” an import/export firm that had been established by my Still she persisted, knowing that God had plans for her in grandfather in 1895. In the midst of my success, the call his work, and that she must follow through with what she came. I thought maybe God was calling me to come into began. Sister Patricia cited her strong devotion to Mary as being some ministry as a lay person. That was what I expected. instrumental during this dicult time. I had no idea where it was leading me – certainly not “During those nine years, I never once felt like ignoring the religious life. But to my surprise, it did.” vocation,” she said. “Why not? Because of our Blessed Mother. The businesswoman first felt the need to put her life in She held me on track. She continues to do so to this very day. I

20 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com had always been devoted to her, but over the years it slacked o, and before this call came, I was not praying my . That day, I picked up my rosary and have not put it down since. “I wish more Catholics would realize how important she is. She is the key because she knows what Jesus wants from us, and we cannot do it alone. She is the one who prepares us for God.” Patricia soon felt called to join the Franciscans. Working with Sister Germaine Convery, OFS, the religious education director at St. Ann, they began the West Indian Franciscans. Bishop Edward Harper, CSsR, and then Coadjutor Bishop Sean O’Malley, OFM, Cap., helped them form a diocesan association, founded on October 19, 1984. The West Indian Franciscans consist of two professed sisters, herself and Sister Audrey Abel, WIF, and a group of lay Franciscans who share Franciscan spirituality at the Franciscan House on the fourth Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. Their mission is to set women free from the tombs of the past, and to use their gifts to build the Kingdom of God. Sister Patricia served as a pastoral assistant and sacristan at St. Ann Church for approximately 25 years, until Bishop George Murry, SJ, asked her to bring the diocesan Oce of Evangelization to Light of Christ Retreat Center and become its director in 2006. Previously, it had been administered by the clergy of St. Patrick Church. During her tenure, there was significant renovation of the entire compound and the retreat house was open to the community on a daily basis. Due to health issues, she retired at age 75 from that position on December 31, 2011. “The Scripture that has kept me focused for all this time from the very beginning of my journey of faith is from Matthew 6:33: 'Seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything else will be added,'” she said. “It has been worth it. Definitely.”

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 21 parish calendars St. Thomas Calendar

Rosary Walk Bingo Charismatic Prayer Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts Ss. Peter and Paul School has bingo on • Pray in Spanish at Ss. Peter and a rosary walk on February 4 and the Friday, February 17, at 6:30 p.m. Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge first Saturday of every month at 7 a.m., on Mondays at 6 p.m. followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m. • Holy Family Church holds • Presidium María, Arca de la Alianza, evenings of charismatic prayer on Magnificat holds meetings in Spanish at Ss. Peter Mondays at 7 p.m. Magnificat, an international ministry to and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Catholic women, meets at Ss. Peter and Lounge on Sundays at 2 p.m. Men’s Prayer Group Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge • Presidium Mary, Mystical Rose, meets The Sons of Joseph and Mary meet at on February 4 and the first Saturday of in Holy Family Church’s classroom Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church every month at 8 a.m. on Sundays at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. • Presidium Mary, Mediatrix of All Our Lady of Fatima Devotion Graces, meets at the St. Anne Chapel Our Mother of The Children of Mary lead a devotion hall on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Perpetual Help Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima at Holy Family Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Church on February 4 and the first Holy Hours / Help are prayed before Mass on Saturday of every month at 4 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration Wednesdays at Ss. Peter and Paul • St. Therese Chapel-Divine Mercy Cathedral at 6:45 a.m. and noon, at St. Joseph Workers Shrine has Exposition of the Blessed Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church The St. Joseph Workers meet at Holy Sacrament on Mondays to Fridays at 6:15 p.m., at Holy Family Church at Family Church’s Columban Hall on from 8 a.m. until Benediction at 5:30 6:50 p.m. and at St. Anne Chapel at February 12 and the second Sunday of p.m. (Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.) and on 7:15 p.m. every month at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays from 8 a.m. until Benediction at 1 p.m. Pro-Life Rosary Catholic Daughters of America • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Pray a pro-life rosary at Our Lady Court 2049 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul has Exposition on Tuesdays from 7:30 of Perpetual Help Church on Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on a.m. until Benediction at 6 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. February 18 and the third Saturday of Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. every month at 3 p.m. • Holy Family Church and St. Intercessory Prayer Group Anne Chapel have Holy Hours with A team is prepared to pray for the St. Vincent de Paul Society Exposition and Benediction on Fridays needs of all who ask at Holy Family The Young Vincentians meet on at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. February 19 and the third Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. The adult Divine Mercy Chaplet World Apostolate of Fatima members meet on February 25 and the Altar servers from Ss. Peter and Paul The World Apostolate of Fatima fourth Saturday of every month at 3:30 Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual meets at Our Lady of Perpetual Help p.m. Both groups meet in Holy Family Help Church lead the Divine Mercy Church on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Church’s classroom. Chaplet at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Mondays at 3 p.m. All-Night Prayer Vigil Holy Family Church will have an all- Pride of night prayer vigil with Exposition of the the Parish Blessed Sacrament beginning on Friday, A small group February 24, after the 7 p.m. Mass and faithfully meets ending with Benediction and Mass the every first Saturday next morning at 6 a.m. of the month to pray the rosary through the Council 6187 meets at Ss. Peter and neighborhood Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge around on the first and third Sunday of every Ss. Peter and Paul month at 10 a.m. Cathedral.

22 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 23 parish calendars St. Croix Calendar Holy Hours/Eucharistic Adoration Learning Center on February 26 and the Spanish Prayer and Reflection • Holy Cross Church has Exposition of fourth Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. Pray the rosary and share reflections on the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on the readings of the coming Sunday Mass at February 3 and the first Friday of every Franciscan Spirituality Holy Cross Church on alternate Tuesdays month from 9 a.m. to noon. The Our Lady of the Angels fraternity at 7 p.m. Meetings are in Spanish. • St. Patrick Church has a Holy Hour of the Third Order of St. Francis shares with Exposition and Benediction on Franciscan spirituality at Franciscan Our Mother of Perpetual Fridays after the 8 a.m. Mass. House on February 26 and the fourth Help Devotions • St. Ann Church has a Holy Hour with Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Exposition and Benediction in St. Ann Help are prayed at St. Patrick Church Chapel on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet on Wednesdays at 6:30 and 8 a.m., at • St. Joseph Church has a Holy Hour St. Joseph Church hosts Divine Mercy Holy Cross Church on Wednesdays and with Exposition and Benediction on devotions on Sunday, February 26 and the Saturdays at 8:45 a.m., and at St. Joseph Fridays at 6:30 p.m. fourth Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. The Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. hour-long program includes the chaplet, Santo Niño prayers, adoration and teachings of the Intercessory Prayer St. Joseph Church hosts devotions to Divine Mercy by Father John Mark. Deacon Hyacinthe George is available for the Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus) on prayer and counseling at St. Ann Chapel February 4 and the first Saturday of every Cursillo Prayer Group on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. month at 4:30 p.m. The Sacrament of The Cursillo Movement hosts a Spanish until 11:30 a.m. Reconciliation is oered during this time. prayer meeting in the St. Michael Chapel at St. Joseph Church on February 27 and Bible Study Pro-Life Prayer Vigil the last Monday of every month at 7 p.m. Holy Cross Church hosts Bible studies The St. Croix Right to Life Committee will in the parish’s McAlpin Hall on hold a prayer vigil against abortion across Adult Education Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m., from Dr. Briscoe’s o ce on Tuesday, • The Missionary Sisters of the following morning Mass. February 14, at 4 p.m. Meet at the Sunny Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM Sisters) Isle shopping center behind Scotia Bank. oer classes in Pre-GED, GED, Computer Spiritual Direction Literacy, Intermediate Computer and Sister Patricia Alexander, WIF, is available Bingo English as a Second Language at the for spiritual direction at Franciscan House St. Patrick School has bingo at St. Gerard St. Patrick Learning Center on Monday on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call Hall on February 10 and 24 and the through Thursday mornings. (340) 778-5773 for an appointment. second and fourth Friday of every month • The Religious of the Good Shepherd at 6 p.m. oer adult education classes in Spanish at Shepherds of Christ Associates the Good Shepherd Center from Mondays The Shepherds of Christ Associates meet Magnificat to Fridays. These courses include Spanish for prayer in the St. Michael Chapel of St. Magnificat, an international ministry to writing, English as a Second Language Joseph Church on Wednesdays at 7:30 Catholic women, meets at Franciscan and computer courses in Windows, Word, p.m. and on the second and fourth Sunday House on February 19 and the third Excel and internet. of every month at 5 p.m. Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. Neo-Catechumenal Way Knights of Columbus Charismatic Prayer The Neo-Catechumenal Way leads Holy Cross Council #6482 meets at • St. Patrick Church has charismatic a Celebration of the Word at St. Joseph Holy Cross Church’s McAlpin Hall on prayer in the chapel on February 17 and Church on Mondays and Thursdays the first and third Thursday of every month the third Friday of each month at 6 p.m. at 7 p.m. at 6 p.m. • St. Ann Church has charismatic prayer in Marian Hall on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Devotions to St. Gerard Majella Cursillo Ultreya • The Cenacle of Our Lady of the Rosary Pray a devotion to St. Gerard Majella at Cursillo members meet for the “Ultreya” in Intercessory Prayer Group meets at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays the Cursillo oce at St. Joseph Church on Franciscan House on Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m. Thursdays after the 7 p.m. Mass. Meetings at 10 a.m. are in Spanish. World Apostolate of Fatima Carmelite Spirituality The World Apostolate of Fatima meets Legion of Mary The Our Lady Star of the Sea Community in the chapel at Holy Cross Church on Presidium Mary, Our Lady of Grace, meets shares Carmelite spirituality in the St. Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in the Holy Cross Church rectory on Joseph Church Hospitality Lounge and Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.

24 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Prayer for Protection from Hurricanes

God, our Father, Creator of the Universe, You have set the earth on its foundation and all the elements of nature obey Your command. We humbly beseech You to keep us safe from all dangers and calm the storms which may threaten us. May we be secure in Your loving protection and serve You always with grateful hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Courtesy of Ed Foerstel and family

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Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 25 parish calendars St. John Calendar Legion of Mary Eucharistic Adoration Charismatic Prayer Presidium Mary, Queen of Angels, meets in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church has Exposition Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church the Guadalupe Hall of Our Lady of Mt. of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on hosts an hour of charismatic prayer Carmel Church on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

Pride of The latest diocesan news the Parish Avis Browne and photographs is one of the www.catholicislander.blogspot.com founders of the new soup kitchen updated twice weekly! at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John. Read The Catholic Islander online at www.catholicislander.com

Take your digital camera to church! E-mail your photographs of parish or school events to [email protected].

26 The Catholic Islander / February 2012 / www.catholicislander.com Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 27 Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates.