o u r CATHOLIC c o m m u n i t y Volume 2 No. 3 JANUARY 2013 Issue A publication of the Diocese of Roseau, Dominica $2.00
DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED Inside Editor’s Pen Bishop’s Message 03 OUR CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY ASSOCIATES The Sisters Of The Immaculate Heart Of Mary (ICM) - The Credit Union Movements Contribution 04 Respect For Life Profile: Maurice Defoe 04 t what point do we consider a person My Vocational Life Journey 05 to be alive? It is at conception or at Abirth or somewhere in-between? OUR DIOCESE As Catholics we believe that life begins Disciples On Mission: Lucille Douglas Blackman - at conception. When a woman intends to have children, she prepares herself Church Decorating Remains A Mission With A Passion 06 physically, mentally, spiritually and Know Your Faith: emotionally. She tries to be as healthy as she can and avoids eating and being Man’s Response To God - We Believe exposed to toxic substances which could Liturgy Update: The Word Of God In The Liturgy 07 harm her baby. She reads books on pregnancy, visits her doctor or nurse Dominica Catholic Radio Officially Blessed regularly and asks advice from her And Launched 08 mother or older women in her family who have already had children. She seeks Our Catholic Heritage - The Roseau Cathedral emotional support from her husband And Images - Part IV 09 and close family and friends. She prays that she will have a safe pregnancy and a Around The Diocese 09 healthy happy child. It can be extremely Feast Of Our Lady of Guadalupe 10 devastating to woman and to a family to lose an unborn baby. Everyone is The Spirit Of Giving 10 affected not just the mother but also The Anchor Program 11 the father and the rest of the family. So many hopes and dreams are shattered Diocesan Catholic Grandparents Association 11 with the loss of a baby. Overview Of The Construction And Renovation It is difficult to understand why Projects Around The Diocese 12 on the one hand there are those who will do anything to have a baby and to Synod Implementation Ongoing 14 seek to protect and safeguard that child The Society Of St. Vincent De Paul 15 throughout its life, while on the other hand there are others who do everything Folk Nativity Production 2012 16 to get rid of a child or even neglect or Events & Notice Board 17 abuse it after it is born. Life is a precious gift which God has given to us, even Christian Leadership 2013: Go For It 18 with all our scientific knowledge we Kid’s Corner 19 cannot explain its origins and we cannot replicate life. OUR CATHOLIC WORLD Life throws many circumstances at The Year Of Faith - Dei Verbum 20 us where tough decisions must be made. The pregnancy of a teenager or adult as The Pilgrimage To Our Lady Of La Salette 21 a result of being raped or abused cannot OUR YOUTH: EDUCATION, RECREATION AND FAITH be taken lightly. The act of rape itself is brutal and violent and the victim will The Holy Father Speaks To Youth suffer the effects for the rest of her life. “Go And Make Disciples Of All Nations” 22 But aborting the child, which may seem Portsmouth Catholic Youth Movement 22 to be an option, will result in destroying yet another life. A woman or girl at this Starting A Youth Group - A 10 Point Plan 23 time needs all the support, love and Convent High School’s ‘Little B’ Calypso Competition 24 prayers from her family. She should not be made to feel shame or that she should The Editorial Committee make rash decisions. As we begin a new year let us Diocese of Roseau, Turkey Lane, P.O. Box 790 pray for the innocents who have lost Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica their lives, for those who have lost their Tel: (767) 448-2837 - (767) 448-8717 innocence and for those who have to deal Fax: 1(767) 448-3404 with tough situations and make difficult Email: [email protected] decisions that they may choose life. . 02 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE Front cover photos by Kassim Lewis Bishop’s Message Cathedral Renovation Project Status
a local engineering consulting firm, financial assistance must continue. ably assisted by Ecoengineering It is no doubt reason for us to Consultants of Trinidad and Tobago. intensify our efforts at fundraising in Let me use this opportunity to again every form that is available. express my appreciation and thanks To date we have raised to all our neighbours, in particular EC$3,980,184.00 (3.9m) and we have our closest, the Methodist Church, for spent $1,393,997.00 (1.4m). It means their understanding and cooperation that our balance is 2,586,187.00 in the execution of this phase of the (2.6m). Since Lot 3 is going to project. extend the duration of 2013 we have We are now about to commence the opportunity to intensify our Lot 3 of the project which involves fundraising efforts. However, prior to the demolition of the roof timber the completion of Lot 3 we must have structure and of existing masonry the funds for Lot 4, which involves columns, beams and arches and the replacement of the roof. We need the construction of new reinforced to order the steel frame and covering concrete columns, beams and arches for the roof well ahead of time. As you to roof level. can see, dear friends, our work is cut A contract is being awarded out for us. to the local firm of JARS Sales and Other projects in the Diocese Services Ltd. for a negotiated tender of which I would like to make price of two million one hundred mention are: ork started on the Cathedral thousand, eight hundred and 1. DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO. Renovation Project in March fifty seven dollars and ninety-five I am pleased to announce the Blessing W2012, with the removal of cents, Eastern Caribbean currency and Official Opening of the Dominica pews and liturgical furniture. I take (EC$2,100,857.95). This phase is Catholic Radio was on Sunday, this opportunity to thank again all estimated to last for about twelve January 6th, 2013. The ceremony was those who participated in the coup-de- months. live on Dominica Catholic Radio on main on Easter Monday to complete The balance of funds available 96.1 FM and Marpin Channel 94. this removal and the transfer of at this time is sufficient to provide for 2. ST. JOHN’S ACADEMY necessary items to St. Gerard’s Hall, this contract, but not for any further I am also pleased to announce the which now serves as our Cathedral works including the new roof itself official opening of the new Catholic Chapel. This first phase is described and subsequent finishing costs. Secondary School, the St. John’s as Lot 1 of the project. Lot 4, which involves installing Academy, in Portsmouth. The Lot 2, which involved the removal a new roof structure and covering the ceremony took place on Wednesday, and disposal of the asbestos roofing building, is estimated at $2m. This is January 11th, 2013. tiles, was executed over July and what we need in order to continue the 3. ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH August 2012, by the environmental project without interruption in 2014. On Wednesday, January 30th, 2013 and engineering firm of Green This will be followed by the electricals, at 4:00 p.m. we shall have the Engineering from Trinidad and Tobago ceiling and finishes such as painting, consecration of the new St. Andrea’s under the technical supervision of tiling and furnishings. Church in Vieille Case. . Consulting Engineering Partnership, Therefore our appeals for THE RENOVATION OF THE OUR LADY OF FAIR HAVEN CATHEDRAL HOW CAN YOU HELP NAME ACCOUNT NUMBER • Put a little something extra in collection every month, envelope it and The National Bank of Dominica 100060310 label it ‘Cathedral Roof Renovation’. The First Caribbean Int. Bank 106965624 • Arrange for a standing order or direct debt from your bank account Bank of Nova Scotia 8932 monthly to any of the renovation accounts listed below. The Royal Bank of Canada 7284409 • Pay online by adding the appropriate account number to your pay bill National Co-operative Credit Union 0000300400 facility with your local bank. In order to facilitate the process, the Diocese has opened accounts at the under- All contributions will be most welcome. mentioned institutions TUNE IN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO 96.1 FM 03 The Sisters of the Immaculate PROFILE: MAURICE DEFOE Heart of Mary (ICM) Lay Associate in Pastoral Care (LAPC) The Credit Union Movements Contribution By Vernice Bellony Parish of St. Joseph hat is your role in St. Joseph’s parish? I live in Mero. I am a Lay Associate and conduct WCommunion service at Mero and Belles. I am also a lector, commentator, maintenance person for the chapel and the president of the chapel community. What inspired your involvement in church service? It all began whilst I was recovering from illness and I realized I needed to make certain changes in my life. My father would always tell me to be more involved and go to church on Sundays but when you are a younger and you are out in the world, you are searching for something. Most of the time you are looking for the wrong thing or sometimes the right thing but in the wrong way. I saw the need to be a more active member but I kept delaying it until I finally decided that I needed to be closer to God. I would always admire the Lay Associates who came to Mero on Sundays to proclaim the Good News. I grew more in prayer and confidence although I was always a praying person. When I began
nd showing my interest, I was asked to be a lector, then a ollowing the 2 World War, most countries in commentator and afterwards I became a Lay Associate. the world, if not all, went through a serious How long have you economic recession. Poverty, lack of educational been serving as a
OUR CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY ASSOCIATES RELIGIOUS AND LAY OUR CLERGY, F opportunities and diseases were rampant in the world. Lay Associate? Dominica was no exception. This prompted the About 4-6 years request from the then Bishop of Roseau, Bishop Moris, Are you married? Do you have any to seek the assistance of a nun trained in social work children? to help alleviate the situation in the Dominican society. Yes, I am married His request was granted and in the late 1940’s a and have four sons young nun, Mother Mary Alicia from Belgium arrived and two grandsons in Dominica. (She was later known as Sr. Alicia de Are you involved in Tremmerie when her congregation underwent a name any other church change in 1963.) groups? I am the secretary On her arrival, Bishop gave her US $50.00 to for the men’s group begin her task. In earnest, Sister started her task. in St. Joseph and also a member of the Mero prayer She invited some women, discussed their plight with group. them, who revealed they organized “subs” to make ends What would you say to inspire others to be more meet. She told them of the Credit Union movement involved in church ministry? which, she studied from information obtained from Our Catholic faith is rich and very deep. We have a lot Fr. John Sullivan, founder of the Credit Union of our Catholics who are lukewarm and some of them are not coming to church. I believe we should make movement of Jamaica. Some men led by the late Mr. an effort to bring them back because those of us who Joffre Robinson were invited and together the Credit know the Gospel and are practicing it are aware of our Union was established. Prospective members attended brothers and sisters who are lost or in doubt and do educational sessions every Saturday, saved as little not know how to return. I think it is our responsibility as 25 cents weekly. In a short time a member could to distract them from the life that they live and also to get a loan of $5.00 or $10.00, which was repaid at 50 evangelise them. Life in itself is a journey and all of us cents weekly. (It should be noted that $5.00 then was are on our way and whilst on the journey we are our brothers’ keeper. a good change). These poor people could never face a In St. Joseph, we are trying to embark on a commercial bank. Even in this early stage Sr. Alicia programme where we visit persons who have departed dreamt of having a “Credit Union Bank”. It should be from the church to find out what is preventing them noted that many Dominicans including the Bishop from attending Mass, to visit the sick and to bring had some trepidation. “What if the loans were not paid, them communion, to keep in touch with people who would that not give the ‘church’ a bad name?” This did are unable to attend Mass for whatever reason. Most not deter the young nun. She, with some brave men of their reasons also block grace from Jesus Christ in their life so that they are unable to see the way back to and women travelled through rough roads to spread the Church. the idea of that great movement with its motto – ‘People So we all need to inspect ourselves and detect helping people’. what is blocking us from God’s grace and find a way to cont’d on page 06 meet Jesus. .
04 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE My Vocational Life Journey By Fr. Peter Wamutitu
he role of my parents and family towards my vocation graces that could allow me development: to minister to the people of T Family Prayer God more effectively. I was From the age of reason I found myself being asked able officially to baptize, every day to say some prayers. They made me read a lot officiate at weddings and of prayers during the family prayer times. Every morning funerals, have courage to before breakfast we always had morning prayers together, share the word of God with before lunch, before dinner and before going to bed. authority and also I could Everything started with prayer and ended in prayer. My bless people and such. father, as a head of the house, made sure that everybody Exposing the Blessed Sacrament and the Benediction followed the prayer programme every day. The family brought new life in me. In still remains my best moment in remains united to date. the ministry. At school After a few months I was ordained a priest. Through Being in a Catholic school made it easier for teachers priestly ordination I was empowered to lead the people of and parents, because parents had a closer relationship God in Eucharistic celebration, bringing Jesus to people of with teachers. I was taught religion at home, at school God especially the sick, the elderly and the Shut-Ins. and in the Church. My study of religion and other subjects My greatest joy is seeing the hand of God working brought me closer to God. My First Holy Communion day throughout my life. I am getting to understand what it was the best time, the time I was waiting to meet Jesus means to serve the Lord. There is life and beauty in serving face to face. God. The more I let God into my life the more I receive I became close to Jesus through the example I got from Him. I have come to love Him more than anything else from my parish priest. I became an altar server. I enjoyed in the entire world. As He challenges me where He says carrying the Cross for the entrance procession. During the “Taste and see the sweetness of the Lord; He is Almighty, readings my parish priest would insist that we would listen the provider, the Healer”. ASSOCIATES RELIGIOUS AND LAY OUR CLERGY, attentively to the word of God. Afterward to listen for the My advice to young people is to give God a chance in stories through the gospel would become real in my mind. your life and He will help you to bring out your true self I always felt like I was there in person when Jesus spoke. as His image and likeness. It is only then you can fulfill Standing with the candles close, so that he could be light and meet the goal of your life. Take a risk and swim in the to my mind and heart, I love the story of the call of Samuel. river of the Holy Spirit and you will prove to the world that I felt that like Samuel I was called by God at such an early through Christ you are victorious. Remember the key to age. success is prayer, obedience and love. Don’t waste your Sharing at the table of the Lord, made me remember life with minimum achievements: aim high. Make Sunday the boy who had five loaves and two fish. There was always your best day to honour your God and He will honour you enough for everyone. The rest was securely stored away and make His home in you. for distribution to the sick, the elderly and shut-ins and How I came to Dominica weekly adoration. Many years ago I used to listen to stories from my During the consecration, the ringing of the bell made grandfather who was a solider in the British army during me realize that Jesus was present on the altar, and it was the Second World War, during which time he was deployed a pleasure to bow with the others. to the Caribbean especially to the Bahamas and Jamaica. This made my community stronger because my priest As I remember well I used to say that one day I would visit made Jesus available to everyone as the role of a priest is the land where my grandfather fought many battles with very essential in the lives of others. In this young mind of success. mine I realized that because of the dedication, love and I did not know how I would eventually find myself sacrifice that my priest made, he could not do it all alone. in this beautiful Nature Island that we love. It was later I became inspired to work with him and do the things that during my seminary formation that I came to know that he was doing. Openly I spoke to my dad about it; he took there were quite a number of Kenyan priests who were me by the hand and brought me to the priest. Vividly I working in Jamaica and the Bahamas. During the last year heard him say “son I present you to the priest”. I felt like a of my seminary formation, I intimated to one of the Kenyan key towards an open door of what I seek trying to discern priests on holiday from Jamaica that I would love to join in my life. them. He was so kind and good to me, that he reminded The priest guided me from then on. I completed my me of the joy that my grandfather expressed on his return primary education. I went to high school. I joined Catholic from the Bahamas. He shared with me his experience of Action movement for the young people and youth group. I the reality of life in the Caribbean where he had many was the head of the Altar Servers. contacts of various dioceses. He said that some places Joys and fulfillments of my priestly formation had no priests or very few. I told him that I wanted to go After my graduation I went directly to the seminary where there was the least number of priests. I realized that where I received my basic knowledge and doctrines of the Dominica at that time had only 7 local priests, whereas in Catholic Church. I was introduced to community life and my diocese there are over 250 local priests. I wrote to His pastoral work. I was happy to perform the tasks that I have Lordship Bishop Gabriel Malzaire requesting acceptance dreamed of as a young boy. in the diocese. The rest is history. A few months later I After the seminary formation I was ordained a landed in Dominica and within a year I was ordained for Deacon; through diaconate ordination I received special the Diocese of Roseau. .
LISTEN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO MARPIN CHANNEL 94 05 Disciples on Mission Time * Talent * Treasure Lucille Douglas Blackman Church Decorations remains a Mission with a Passion By Dorothy Henderson y passion for the art of flower arranging began Mrs. Claudia Bellot as teammates. What fun and joy we during my early years at the Convent High School experienced in developing our creativity and decorating Min Roseau when staff and students gathered in skills for the various church celebrations. My time, talent the Assembly Hall to celebrate special Feast Days of the and treasure were also utilized at Pointe Michel. I was Liturgical Year. What a tremendous joy it was for me to encouraged by Fr. Proesmans to decorate the National behold the decorated shrines of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Pointe Michel for exquisitely done by our beloved ICM Sisters. several Feast Days. The Poet, John Keats wrote, “A thing of beauty In my quest for excellence, I attended flower classes is a joy forever”. Yes, the joy for with Mrs. Didier where I participated at an International me was truly captured then, Flower Show with the Horticultural Society in Martinique. causing a deep desire to share Our booth, ‘A Tropical Fishing Scene’ won three Gold the beauty of God’s creation Medals, a proud moment for Dominica. I also enrolled in wherever I went. I became an Fr. Mark’s Florists Retreats avid reader of the art of flower at the Holy Redeemer arranging, and undertook a Retreat Centre. course from ‘Lifetime Career During 1974 through Schools’ in Los Angeles, 1997, I played a leading role OUR CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY ASSOCIATES RELIGIOUS AND LAY OUR CLERGY, California. That joy became a in ‘doing the flowers’ at the passion as I studied at the Mary Cathedral in St. Lucia. My Adams Flower Studio in 1969. I most memorable decorating occasions were for the Ordination of our own Archbishop Emeritus Kelvin Felix to the Archdiocese of Castries as well as for the visit of Pope John Paul II to St. Lucia. What a Blessing and Honour it was. I became very passionate about sharing my talent and opened a School in Flower Arranging and Floristry with participating students from all denominations and walks of life, and God smiled on us. Upon returning to Dominica my Ministry of Beautification continued at the St. Alphonsus Parish. I teamed up with several ladies including Mrs. Adwina Magloire and Mrs. Cynthia Royer. Jesus’ word in John also had the privilege of attending two renowned Flower 2:17 says, “Zeal for my Father’s House consumes me”. Schools in England, including the Flower Arranging & My real dream and vision during this Year of Faith is Floristry School in 1987. that many more volunteers would come to serve in this Remember the saying “Practice makes perfect”. As Ministry, bringing the beauty of God’s Creation and his a member of the Legion of Mary, I was assigned to serve loving presence into all our Liturgical celebrations. the St. Alphonsus Parish with Mrs. Rhona Fingal and To God be the Glory…AMEN! . The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - The Credit Union Movements Contribution Cont’d from page 04 Some of the pioneers were Jerome A. Barzey, Joffre society. and Lorna Robinson and Edward Elwin. One cannot leave Today the movement has grown into a “great giant”, out the name of Kenneth Richards a pioneer and father of but still retains its principles. God bless the late Bishop the movement. He wrote a booklet on the subject entitled Moris, Sr. Alicia, the Catholic Church of Dominica and “People who help People” -- a booklet that should be in the great leaders. Let us all remember our pioneers, who every one’s library. toiled and spent countless hours and late nights spreading It is this movement which has assisted the poor the message and educating prospective leaders and man to educate his sons and daughters, help him build members who were supposed to attend seven consecutive a better house, buy lands and property, have a voice in educational sessions before becoming a member. .
06 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE Man’s ResponsetoGod- Ecrt rm h Compendium Church, Catholic of Bishops Catholic Conference the States the United of from Catechism *Excerpt 182) . (172-175, revealed. divinely as Church the by proposed is which and or written, down handed God, of Word the in heart and one soul all that is contained of and salvation. Therefore way we believe with one one Son, to points Father, and Spirit, -- Holy alone God one the confesses She Tradition. by Apostolic one on passed was that one and the nonetheless Lord from received was that rites, faith one the voice united a with and professes of cultures, languages, up diverse have made who persons although Church, The at truh cmo language. common (170-171) share a through faith and the of truths the others with together celebrate, express, to assimilate, one important permit they are because faith of formulas The (Saint Cyprian) Mother.” as Church the have not who does Father as God have can one “No 169, 181*) (166- the Teacher. and Mother reason is Church this For Christian. each of faith the nourishes and engenders by the grace of the Holy Spirit precedes, fact the Church that believes: and thus in is It believe”. “We proclamation, the in itself expresses which act ecclesial an is it time same the at But himself. F Why isfaithapersonalact,andat In whatwayisthefaithof Why aretheformulasoffaith person to God who reveals reveals who God to person is the free response of the human aith is a personal act insofar as it the sametimeecclesial? Church onefaithalone? We Believe important? Know YourFaith W celebration oftheliturgy. the in importance paramount of is and unsurpassable, is word God’s of beauty The be. may readings such beautiful how matter no source, cannot replace the word of God with readings from any other author or the of celebration the in place Eucharist. a have to worthy is word God’s that only today, does still and Biblical thought always the has in Church The itself, readings. Eucharist the of celebration the in expression hasforGod’sword. the Church veneration interior the express signs and rites these All Gospel. the of and lights enthronement involving the restored has procession Council Vatican Second a The solemn incense. with the Gospel introduce the liturgies of Western proclamation and Eastern God’s the of All dignity the word. highlight to intended are and Eucharist, the of rites that accompany the proclamation of the Gospel in the celebration ofGod. in theword grounded and songs used in liturgical celebrations. all They firmly are prayers the as well as sacraments, the in used signs and actions the importance. and Western rites gives testimony” and warm that Eastern both of tradition venerable promote the which to scripture for to love living necessary is it achieved, be to are liturgy sacred the of adaptation and progress restoration, the if So, … liturgy the of celebration the in importance paramount of is scripture “Sacred Right! Christ” of Body the of and God of word the of table one the from faithful the to it offer to and life of bread the of partake to liturgy, sacred it the in all above ceases, never that in Lord, the of Body the venerates she as just scriptures divine the venerated always liturgy: absolute the has in God prominence of Council word the the that [DV], teaches Verbum, Dei Revelation, is ourredemption of exercised” (SC§2). work Eucharistic the that divine sacrifice the especially liturgy, the The bishops gave this reason: Sacred Liturgy – Sacrosanctum Concilium, [SC] 4 December 1963, §1). liturgy” the cherishing and reforming for reasons To becontinued inthenextissueof In the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments, we sacraments, other the and Eucharist the of celebration the In fullest its finds God of word the of importance” “Paramount the by indicated is God of word the of importance” “Paramount in expression finds God of word the of importance” “Paramount The Council made a practical demand for the renewal of the liturgy: Divine on Constitution Dogmatic its In “PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE”OFTHEWORDGOD “the one table of the word of God and of the Body of Christ.” so much so that they declared: declared: they that so much so (1963-1965), theirs was a deep pastoral concern for the liturgy, hen the bishops came together at the Second Vatican Council The WordofGodintheLiturgy TUNE IN TO CATHOLIC DOMINICA 96.1FM RADIO Liturgy Update: . (DV§21). Yes!(DV§21). That’s Te hrh has Church “The For it is through (SC§24). We take note: Our Catholic Community “The Council sees compelling sees Council “The (Constitution on the on (Constitution Paramount 07
OUR DIOCESE Dominica Catholic Radio Officially Blessed and Launched By Msgr. William John-Lewis unday January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany of the known through this medium,” he pointed out. The bishop Lord, was an historic day in the Diocese. At 4:00 said the Catholic Church in Dominica is embarking on the Sp.m. a group of people gathered outside the Social radio station venture “with new hope and enthusiasm.” Centre building on Lon Acre to participate in the blessing Msgr. William John-Lewis, the executive director and launching of Dominica Catholic Radio. It was the of Dominica Catholic Radio gave a brief account of the OUR DIOCESE moment that the Diocese had been waiting for since the genesis of the Station and his involvement in securing Catholic Radio began testing its signal over a year ago the needed equipment from FOOD FOR THE POOR and by broadcasting inspirational Christian music, catholic the Catholic Radio Association of America, and seeing devotional prayers and homilies and other instructional to the setting up an progress of the station to bring it talks. For the diocese it was a dream come true. to its current state. He also quoted from the Decree on In his address to the gathering which included His the Media and Social Communications to situate his Excellency, the President of Dominica and Mrs. Williams, remarks emphasizing the goal of Dominica Catholic as Senator Alvin Bernard representing the Prime Minister, expressed in its Vision Statement as ‘The spreading of the other Government Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Good News and the promotion of the Catholic Church,” Corps , several members of the Clergy and parishioners, the mission being “the authentic, integral development His Lordship Bishop Malzaire, quoting from the Decree of the people of God in the diocese of Roseau through on the Media and Social communications, Inter Mirifica sound teaching on the Catholic faith as proclaimed by (promulgated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on December the Magisterium of the Church.” 4th, 1963) explained the Church’s position regarding the Monsignor William John-Lewis, said the station social media. is not a commercial one and is ‘listener-sponsored.’ “It Quoting the first Chapter means everyone who hears it has of the document, His Lordship to think this is my radio and I stated: “The Catholic Church, have to put my money into it,” he since it was founded by Christ said. “We also devised a group that our Lord to bear salvation to all I coined the Dominica Catholic men and thus is obliged to preach Radio Army of Angels (DCRAA). the Gospel, considers it one of its Those are people who will give duties to announce the Good News annual pledges or semi-annual of salvation also with the help of pledges, so that we continue to the media of social communication have a base of funding for the and to instruct men in their proper Catholic station.” Monsignor use. Nazarine Gordon - Station Manager John-Lewis said apart from It is, therefore, an inherent right of the Church to spreading the gospel there will be programmes that focus have at its disposal and to employ any of these media on justice, health, counseling, and “other programmes insofar as they are necessary or useful for the instruction that touch the life of our people.” of Christians and all its efforts for the welfare of souls”. The afternoon began with a prayer led by Msgr. He went on to speak of the important role Dominica William John-Lewis, followed by a welcome and opening Catholic Radio would play in the work of evangelization remarks by the Station manager, Ms. Nazarine Gordon. for the diocese, and encouraged participation from There were also remarks by the Ministers for Community everyone in the diocese. He stressed that the survival Development, Mrs. Gloria Shillingford, and the Minister of the Radio Station depended on the financial support for Information, Mr. Ambrose George. Deacon Alvin of its listeners. While we owe a debt of gratitude to our Knight, well-know radio personality and member of the donors who provided the equipment and the many skilled Executive committee, served as master of ceremonies. volunteers who have given of their expertise, now that we The station is governed by a board of directors with have the station, we must own it. Bishop Malzaire as president, Msgr. John-Lewis as Bishop Malzaire said the bishops of the Antilles executive director, Ms. Nazarine Gordon as Station heeded the call as far back and 1986 when Voice of manager, and Executive committee, an advisory board the Islands was founded as a regional Catholic Radio; and several volunteers. hence the name Voice of the Islands. However, he said It can be heard on 96.1 on the FM frequency, poor reception in some of the islands curtailed regional live stream on http://dominicacatholicradio.org/ and support and funding agencies began pulling back and channel 94 on Marpin 2k4. Dominica alone could not carry the brunt of the mounting Following the cutting of the ribbon, which was done expenses and operations closed down in 1995. He by Mrs. Williams, the wife of His Excellency the President, described Dominica Catholic Radio as a ‘resurgence’ of His Lordship offered the prayer of blessing over the new what the Catholic and Christian community in Dominica establishment. After the blessing, the gathered assembly is familiar with as regard the transmission of the gospel was invited to tour the studios of Dominica Catholic through the electronic media. “The church in the Diocese Radio. The evening ended with light refreshments at of Roseau has always seen the need to make Christ better Bishop’s house. .
08 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE uch closer to the arts of ancient synagogue” period of Jesus’ life and I will review this with Mand ministry, there Our Catholic Heritage you as this makes the link is no conclusive evidence Art * Music * Culture to the fifth part of this of Jewish art, but in recent Celebrating our many talents article wherein I present times, new archeological the sanctity and art of a sites have been discovered catholic church building in Israel and Palestine. The Roseau Cathedral and Images and chapel, with emphasis Steven Fine, the author Part IV By Bernard Lauwyck on our Roseau Cathedral. OUR DIOCESE of Art & Judaism, concludes The author traces that the Jewish people had no problem with art that was the process by which antique synagogue, after the not “idolatrous” and made full use of it. “Definitions of destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem, came what was acceptable clearly changed over time.” to be considered “holy places”. The scrolls of the Sacred Some time ago, I visited the Musée d’Art et Scripture were the cult object of the synagogue. They d’Histoire de Judaisme (Museum of Jewish Art and were publicly read and privately studied. The chest of History) in Paris, which traces the history of Jewish scrolls was the focal point of the sacred space. The Torah art, culture and religion in France and Europe. I felt so shrine was transformed into an “ark” and synagogues ignorant and out of place because I did not understand became small temples. The application of imagery the art and liturgical items presented there. I assumed, derived from the Jerusalem Temple played an important as a Christian, that I would feel at home in the artworks role to express the notion of “holy place.” “This notion of this Old Testament religion. I could not be more of the sanctity of the synagogue was developed and wrong about this fascinating but strange religion. We matured over time in every new and fascinating ways” Christians should do more to learn about Jesus the In the next section, part V, the catholic view as Jewish rabbi and this ancient religion in which he was expressed by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope born and grew up. Benedict XVI, in his “The spirit of the liturgy”. I hope Steven Fine also has a chapter on “sanctity and the you will accompany me on this journey. . Around the Diocese Christmas Mass and Treat for the elderly at Our Lady of Fatima Parish on December 15th 2012
St. Luke’s Parish Christmas Show on December 22
th 2012 2012 nd Our Lady of Fatima’son December Parish Planning 13 Meeting for 2013
LISTEN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO MARPIN CHANNEL 94 09 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe By Judith Alexis Novena and Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Patroness of the Americas and the Caribbean. The Novena was held from 6:00 nightly, beginning with the chaplet of Guadalupe, and concluding with the Novena prayers and Mass. Topics for each night were presented by Deacon Pershing Waldron,
OUR DIOCESE Deacon Curtis Victor and by Deacon Alvin Knight who was joined by his wife Francisca on the 8th night to deliberate on the topic ‘Christian Family Life’. Presiding at the Masses were Fr. Godfrey Tarimo, Parish Priest of St. Andrew, and Fr. Herman Sharplis, Parish Priest of Sts. John & Lewis. The Feast Day, observed world-wide on December 12th, was celebrated with a Pontifical High Mass by Most Reverend Gabriel Malzaire, Bishop of Roseau. In his usual able manner, Bishop Malzaire used the story of Our Lady’s apparition, and her Virgin Conception to convey the message n 1521, the city of Guadalupe, Mexico was inhabited by that nothing is impossible for God. native Aztec Indians whose religious practice involved the When Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego so many years ago, Iworship of many gods, and pagan rituals such as human she identified herself as the ‘Ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother sacrifice. About twenty years later, the Spanish conquered of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, the country, and Christianity was introduced to the people Lord of heaven and the earth’. without much success. It was during that time that our Her request to have a church built was taken to the Blessed Mother appeared to a native convert named Juan local Bishop but when he hesitated, and asked for a sign, the Diego on a hill called Tepeyac. Blessed Mother sent Juan to collect an assortment of roses Consequent to her apparition, many miracles occurred, to give to the bishop. Instead of roses however, the bishop millions of pagan souls were converted, human sacrifice and Juan Diego himself were astounded to find an image of was outlawed, and a church was built in her honor - by her Our Lady miraculously imprinted on his tilma (cloak) which request - on the very site where Juan Diego saw ‘the Lady he had used to carry the roses from mount Tepeyac. from Heaven’. Another such chapel, built and dedicated to In 1999, Pope John Paul II declared December 12th Our Lady of Guadalupe, is peacefully nestled in the small, as a liturgical holy day. He also entrusted the cause of life serene community of Bourne, located about 3 miles east of to Mary’s loving protection, and placed under her motherly Portsmouth in the parish of Sts. John & Lewis. care the innocent lives of children, especially those who are From December 4th - 12th, 2012, the small chapel in danger of not being born. . community was host to scores of pilgrims who traveled Excerpts from CatholicCulture.org - Liturgical Year & Catholic from Portsmouth and the neighbouring villages of Toucarie, News Agency (CNA) Dublanc, Paix Bouche and Vielle Case to celebrate the The Spirit of Giving By Wallace Williams he month of December as it is commonly known as a month of giving and sharing, the parishioners of St. TAndrew have experienced that joy in various forms. Almost every zone ignited the flames of the Christmas spirit and brought cheer to the wider community and those who are home bond through roadside sing along and home visits respectively, distributing packages to the elderly and less fortunate in our parish. In Upper Penville, twenty-five packages were given to the sick and needy. A group of young men named Stars D.A made a donation of a microphone to the church while the church continues to raise needed funds for the repainting of the community were welcome into the faith through of its chapel. the Sacrament of Baptism and fourteen young children In Lower Penville, they drive on the same route of fund received for their first time Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The raising but focused on a different destination that is to meet celebrant being Fr. Tarimo emphasized greatly on the need payments for its insurance. Also, tremendous preparations to build strong Christian families and to exercise peace in are being made to celebrate their upcoming feast of St. John these times of crisis. Bosco on the 2nd of February 2012. Congratulations to all of you as we call on you parents, The Youth converged in Vieille Case along with the god parents and the entire church community to practice neighboring communities to commemorate the close of going to church regularly and contributing meaningfully to 2012 in thanksgiving and praise, though the minimal turn the development of the church as models for our children to out called for questioning. As the season unfolded the emulate as we strive to help them grow in the faith and the Paix Bouche community received a double portion of the truth of God’s word. . Holy Spirit on December 30th 2012 where seven members 10 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE T T perspective. into everything put to helped really provided she which important historical information. The true to life examples enlightening inothers. and instances some in refreshing -- interesting very be to seemed it reports, all from and Sunday, every earnest attending be would who children catechism classesatthesametime. their for while program waiting morning Sunday the attend to decided was year This faith. tools their the byPopeBenedictastheYeardeclared ofFaith. increasing with participants for provide necessary to was program ebr o te ahlc rnprns soito in Association Grandparents Catholic the of members totheBlessedSacrament. grandchildren introduce we where Lord” am I “Here theme the under we celebrate Grandparents Day in our own Communities grandmother of Jesus in July. In the month of September develop an annual pilgrimage to to and the Faith Shrine the of on St. passing Ann, in the vocation the embrace to Grandparents Association are: to encourage grandparents and sick abused children. for pray to homes in elderly the encouraging and affirming initiative Adopt-a-Prayer an with Schools Primary our all in Day Grandparents introduce to hopes strengthening on focus family ties. to public wider the invite will which opportunity the embraced have 1998 since Day The Social League who have been observing Grandparents
Diocesan CatholicGrandparentsAssociation h fclttr Ms Eey Mri ipre very imparted Martin Evelyn Mrs. facilitator, The in program the attended parents 30 of average An parents of majority the deliberation, short a After e nie rnprns vrwee o become to everywhere grandparents invite We the with associated being activities the Among Association Grandparents Catholic Dominica The tedd h ctcim rga. h am f the of aim The program. catechism the who attended children of parents the targeted of Haven Lady Fair our of Chapel the at program anchor he e r-lnig a bgn o ognzn a organizing for Commonwealth ofDominica. begun has Catholic Grandparents Association throughout the pre-planning he The AnchorProgram By RupertS.Lance By EvelynMartin TUNE IN TO CATHOLIC DOMINICA 96.1FM RADIO rnprns soito wl b pbihd and needs you.Society needsyou.We allneedyou. published be will distributed. Association Catholic the Grandparents for 2008 in XVI, Benedict Pope Holiness, P. O. Box 1757, or email to: upon Massacre. Ann, St. of Shrine Association, available Grandparents forms request. If Membership you would like to volunteer, contact Dominica registering. and and 1 registration of members; and (3) start encouraging coordinator/Pro, 1 schools contact, 1 Pilgrimage contact, your Parish Priest (2) Form a group of four consisting of 1 community, you will need to do the following: (1) Consult form. application an complete just join, to grandparent a be to will help the Association achieve its goal. treasure You and do not have talent time, of contribution valuable your their and encourage grandchild a is Everybody initiative. this in children to parents remind to and parish your knowledge totheirfriends,familiesandassociates. the on pass to encouraged be will participants the faith, overtime. congregation extended totheentire Each lessonwassubdividedintofourparts. topicssuchas: covered high course. designedtocover the entire were which so sessions ten the beyond was program of the participants continuing the of interest some among talk The was there that participants. the among • • • • • • Grandparents, the family needs you. The church church The you. needs family the Grandparents, his by composed Grandparents for Prayer The your in branch a organize to like would you If t s oe ta truh h deeig f their of deepening the through that hoped is It be should program the that belief general the is It participants course, the of duration the Over interaction of amount tremendous a was There The CommunionoftheChurch andResurrection The Cross Incarnation History ofSalvation Sin andForgiveness God, theHolyTrinity [email protected] . . 11
OUR DIOCESE Overview of the Construction and Renovation Projects around the Diocese By Bernard Lauwyck, Diocesan Engineer OUR DIOCESE
Calibishie Chapel Vieille Case Church
Portsmouth Church Emergency Staircase at Convent Preparatory
he first official acts of Most Rev. Gabriel Malzaire The most important projects presently are the of a new roof at St. Martin’s Secondary in ROSEAU, the as newly ordained Bishop of Roseau, ten years renovation and seismic retrofitting of the ROSEAU renovation of the catechetical center in ROSEAU, a new Tago, was to bless and dedicate the newly built CATHEDRAL, the construction of a new church in toilet section in GOODWILL, the recovering of the church chapels of CAMPBELL and LOUBIERE. Little did Bishop PORTSMOUTH and VIEILLE CASE and a new chapel in in SALYBIA. Malzaire know then, that he will go down in history as a CALIBISHIE. These projects are well underway and with Projects in progress but not yet completed are the builder-Bishop. adequate funding should finish without any delays. renovation of the roofing of the presbytery in ROSEAU, Some of the highlights in the past years were The future projects for which the fundraising and the extension to the PETITE SAVANNE chapel, the the Blessing and Dedication of the new chapels at preliminaries are well underway are the construction of renovation of the roof and ceiling of the Father Couturier COCKRANE and BOURNE and the renovated ATKINSON a new chapel in MAHAUT, the renovation of the roof and Hall in LA PLAINE, the complete renovation of the CHAPEL. As we are one Catholic community in Dominica, ceiling of the St. Luke’s church or the National Shrine chapel at BOETICA, the construction of an emergency it should be of interest to each of us to get an overview in POINTE MICHEL, the renovation of the chapel at escape staircase at Convent Preparatory in ROSEAU, the of the construction and renovation projects currently DUBLANC, the construction of catechetical classes for renovation of the chapel in SCOTTS HEAD, the upgrading underway or in the pipeline for the immediate future. the chapel in LOUBIERE and GIRAUDEL, construction of the Parish Hall in GOODWILL.
12 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE Photos by Bernard Lauwyck, Vanessa Prevost & Jemina Bernard Overview of the Construction and Renovation Projects around the Diocese By Bernard Lauwyck, Diocesan Engineer OUR DIOCESE
Fatima Church renovated Salisbury Church new ceiling sanctuary
Boetica Chapel new roof Roseau Presbytery new roof
The most important projects presently are the of a new roof at St. Martin’s Secondary in ROSEAU, the Further down the line, planning is at the renovation and seismic retrofitting of the ROSEAU renovation of the catechetical center in ROSEAU, a new initial stage for a new Secondary School building in CATHEDRAL, the construction of a new church in toilet section in GOODWILL, the recovering of the church PORTSMOUTH, the renovation of the presbytery in PORTSMOUTH and VIEILLE CASE and a new chapel in in SALYBIA. MASSACRE, the construction of a second reinforced CALIBISHIE. These projects are well underway and with Projects in progress but not yet completed are the concrete staircase for the St. John’s Primary School in adequate funding should finish without any delays. renovation of the roofing of the presbytery in ROSEAU, PORTSMOUTH, the construction of a YOUTH MINISTRY The future projects for which the fundraising and the extension to the PETITE SAVANNE chapel, the center in Roseau. preliminaries are well underway are the construction of renovation of the roof and ceiling of the Father Couturier Smaller works are the upgrading of the sanctuary in the a new chapel in MAHAUT, the renovation of the roof and Hall in LA PLAINE, the complete renovation of the church in NEWTOWN, the new stained glass windows ceiling of the St. Luke’s church or the National Shrine chapel at BOETICA, the construction of an emergency donated by Archbishop Felix in SOUFRIERE, new pews in POINTE MICHEL, the renovation of the chapel at escape staircase at Convent Preparatory in ROSEAU, the for the CAPUCHIN chapel, fencing works at COCKRANE DUBLANC, the construction of catechetical classes for renovation of the chapel in SCOTTS HEAD, the upgrading and St. Alphonsus Pre-school and church compounds at the chapel in LOUBIERE and GIRAUDEL, construction of the Parish Hall in GOODWILL. NEWTOWN and LOUBIERE. .
Photos by Bernard Lauwyck, Vanessa Prevost & Jemina Bernard LISTEN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO MARPIN CHANNEL 94 13 Synod Implementation Ongoing By Msgr. William John-Lewis t the beginning of the New Year, we take a look parishes, and to upgrade the lectionaries and Book of the at the important events that will define our Gospels, inviting the parishes that have none to procure Aimplementation process throughout this year. The a Book of the Gospels. liturgical year began with the first Sunday of Advent and Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation will
OUR DIOCESE the new slogan ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance be required to do an exposition of a Scriptural text as of Christ’ for the second year of our pastoral plan was part of their final preparation for the Sacrament while the launched. These words taken from St. Jerome serves parishes are encouraged to hold a weekly service of the as the focus for the entire year. A focus that is further Word, part of which will be the practice of Lectio Divina. delineated, expanded and celebrated in the practical Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent activities that are undertaken on the community and will be observed as a day of fasting and abstinence for the parish level as on the diocesan and administrative levels. success of the synod implementation. All Catholic Schools We are reminded that our pastoral plan works will examine the theme of Repentance in Israel and hold incrementally, that is, each New Year builds on the a Service of the Word with distribution of Ashes. During activities of the previous year. Thus, with the teaching the first week of this season of grace, the clergy ofthe of lectio divina being completed in all communities, all diocese will go on their annual spiritual retreat which will families are being encouraged to begin the practice of focus on lectio divina and the Gospel of Luke. Lent, being lectio divina weekly in preparation for the Sunday liturgy. a season marked by conversion and repentance, parishes The father of the family is to embrace his responsibility are asked to study the Gospel of Luke set in a Service of as the spiritual head of the family and lead in the family the Word as part of their Lenten exercise. Families and ritual of lectio divina. neighbours are invited to put aside one evening a week The course of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) to study the Word of God and to practice Lectio Divina. which was offered last year at the Pastoral Center will be During this time, parishes are also invited to offer an offered again this time on parish level at the invitation explanation on “How the Bible came to be” as part of their of parish priests. The follow-up course on the New instruction on the Word of God. The Secretariat for Youth Testament will be offered beginning shortly after the in collaboration with the Catholic Schools will dramatize Easter celebrations. the Stations of the Cross in the streets of Roseau. The Diocese has already begun preparations to The season of Easter will be marked by another formalize and standardize the lectionary used in all lecture in the distinguished lecture series aimed at informing the general public on different aspects of the Faith. The first lecture, Faith and culture, hopefully by then will have been delivered. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal annual conference will present a theme from the Gospel of Luke and workshops on Apologetics will be organized. During the holiday months of July and August, the two-week Bible camp for our young people will focus on the Gospel of Luke, the Acts of the Apostles and lectio divina allowing time for questions and answers on the faith. Throughout the year, Our Catholic Community Magazine will carry an article on our synod implementation and pastoral plan, and on our own Catholic Radio (Dominica Catholic Radio) there will be programmes highlighting various documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Faith. The first of these programmes will be on Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic constitution on Divine Revelation, the document that spells out the Church’s understanding of the nature of revelation, that is the processes whereby God communicates with human beings. As such it touches on questions about Scripture, Tradition and the Teaching Authority of the Church. Let us pray God’s blessings on our plans. May the Lord prosper the work of our hands. May this new year find us having a greater appetite for studying, learning and appreciating the Word of God as a means to our forming a deeper relationship with Christ the Lord. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. .
14 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE the marginalized to promote their humandignity. the marginalized topromote trodden and so working and developing a friendship to with closer poor, draw down neighbour,the their in a him seeing by to Christ provides Catholics It to Church. opportunity Catholic wonderful the of arm social the an in members its todeepenitsevangelization. of effort charity of works and the life intensify to prayer hopes Dominica in Society the so and activities. in fundingproductive needy the assisting and education; secondary to access gain them enable to students needy to fees school and food, clothing and shelter; providing providing books, clothing, bus homes; their cleaning in helping bed-ridden; visiting activities: of and making friends with the number abandoned, lonely, sick and a in engage Dominica in the poor with so no works work It of charity charity. is of foreign to works it. The in Conferences engaged Church the of president current the The Superior CouncilisMrs.MerinaSebastian. is Diocese. Director the Spiritual of Bishop whose Council Superior or National the form members, executive two with together Conference, each of president The executive. an selects then president The Conference. the of members the by inAtkinsononeyearago. Dominic Conference St. the was Conference established latest The Dominica. established 25 conferences with are a membership of there about 300, throughout Today Georges. Ephraim Mr. late the was conference the of president The Dominica. in established was Conference first the year same That formation of the the conference in in the assist Roseau/Goodwill area. to Church, Alphonsus St. the to attached commissioned Felix was who Trinidad, of Madosingh Sebastien Deacon Kelvin then Fr. Reverend Tobago. and a Secretary of the Society following of St. Vincent Executive De Dominica, Paul then in Solomon, Trinidad Steve Br. in by Dominica to formed visit be Paul St. De of of conference Vincent Priest a that Parish urged then Church, Felix, Alphonsus St. Kelvin Fr. 1973 In Felix. Kelvin Emeritus, Archbishop, Grace, His to Dominica in members. 700,000 over and Conferences 50,000 has It countries. United (1845), States Ireland and Mexico (1846). Today the and Society exists in 141 England Scotland (1842), Belgium, Rome (1844), reached had Society the years few a After France. of provinces several in formed were of Charity. Conference the called group a formed They community. Catholic faith in action by working with the poor in their their show to decided students, other five with together He, Ozanam. Frederick student, university old 20-year T The SocietyofSt.VincentDePaul The Society of St. Vincent De Paul is, par excellence, 26:11) (Matt us with always have will we poor The Catholic the of organization lay a is Society The elected president a by headed is Conference Each The Society of St. Vincent De Paul owes its existence (conferences) groups other months few a Within ahlc ulcs. h picpl one ws a was founder principal The publicist. Catholic a and men young few a by 1833 in France Paris, in founded was Paul De Vincent St. of Society he By RupertS.Lance . TUNE IN TO CATHOLIC DOMINICA 96.1FM RADIO 15
OUR DIOCESE Folk Nativity Production 2012 By Morris Cyrille OUR DIOCESE
he difference in attendance conclusion as the Judge played at theatre productions is by Ian Michael Anthony is Tdemarcated by Hurricane concerned. Mr. Anthony when David. Pre-David days, there he appears is in regal and was no such thing as television autocratic mien. and cable, modern day In his defense Emmanuel telecommunications and rapid David the accused tell the story changes that now seem to distract of the nativity of the Christ child. the Dominican public. The narration begins. And enter Everything happened out Joseph played by Glenis Jno of one’s home: sports, political Baptiste and Mary portrayed by meetings, interest group Mrs. Ophelia Marie. assemblies, cinema and stage, Mr. Bully states that Einstar picnics, river, sea, hikes, cook- Leblanc and himself composed outs, etc. Mrs. Ophelia Marie as Mary & Mr. Glenis Jno Baptiste as Joseph 19 songs in two weeks for that Director Alwin Bully in folk dramatization of the Sacred his Director’s notes for his latest stage presentation, a Birth. recasting of Folk Nativity says: “At that time the People’s The Sixth Sisserou Singers were ideal in supporting Action Theatre was at its prime with a company of about some of Dominica’s strong solo voices like Mrs. Marie, 30 performers staging plays and musicals at St. Gerard’s Mr. Marie, Mr. Jno Baptiste and Mr. Anthony. Hall that would run for 20 to 35 performances before Bring in the experienced actor/singer Steve James touring to neighbouring islands.” as Angel Gabriel and Maxine Alleyne-Esprit as Lead Angel So Mr. Bully who delighted hundreds of Dominicans in the heavenly hosts amidst a plethora of Dominica’s through the 1970s and stage performing talent including the Waitukubuli Dance into the 1980s decided Theatre Company and Shyann Dewhurst of Africa Stilt with others, following an Dancers and “Folk intervention by Ophelia Nativity” came to life on Marie back in 1976, to the stage at the Arawak write “Folk Nativity.” House of Culture For those who from the 13th -15th of attended the 2012 December 2012. production of “Folk The audio may Nativity” with a new cast not have been its best Mr. Webster Marie as Emmanuel David it was a couple of hours on opening night, the well spent; only Ophelia Marie seems to have been in the accompanyment may 1978 presentation. have been loud on Mr. Steve James as Angel Gabriel The word “Nativity” refers to the Birth of Jesus, (the occasion, baby Jesus may have seem to be an afterthought Saviour of the World). “Folk” has the connotation of the in the hands of Joseph, but by play end, it was a satisfied ordinary person on the street or the grass roots culture and happy audience who made their way home to spread of the people. the word. In the play there is this character called Emmanuel There were those in the audience who thought that David (Emmanuel-God with us and David the hereditary “Folk Nativity” should also be performed in the schools, ancestor of Jesus in the Jewish tradition) who is accused but Mr. Bully resurrected Folk Nativity as a fundraising of all sorts of unspeakable offences against individuals, effort towards the restoration of the Roseau Cathedral. property and the State. The guilt of Emmanuel David, All who saw Folk Nativity would have had their played by Webster Marie the rustic narrator, is a foregone Christmas long before Christmas Day. .
16 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE EVENTS Notice Board
• Green Ribbon Month january Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral The Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Clergy of Renovation Committe theth Provinceth of Castries • 14 -18 :
World Respect Life Day OUR DIOCESE nd wishes to thank • 22 Sister: Alces 26th Anniversary all parishioners who supported its fund-raising nd 17th World Day offebruary Prayer for the Gift of Consecrated activities for the year 2012. • 2Lifend: • 2 : World Day of Consecrated Life Special thanks to those who continue to make regular rd Ash Wednesday contributions and those who fulfill their pledge • 3 th: Special Collection - Peter the Apostle commitments. • 13th: World Day of Prayer for the Sick We look forward to your continued support in raising • 24th : fundsMay for God the to completion grant you many of Our blessings Lady of inFair 2013. Haven • 11 : Feasts & solemnities Cathedral roof.
Memorial of the Blessed Peter Donders Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral th january • 14 : - Patron of Fundraiser Memorial of the Miraculous Infant Jesus Ruth Paul Bellesth • 20 : - Patron of Memorial of St. John Bosco won the raffle for the coffee grinder Dublanc/st Bioche Your support was greatly appreciated Speacial thanks to all those who patronized the raffle. • 31 :Feast of the Presentation of the- Patron Lord of Lower Penville nd february • 2 : - Patron of Motorbike Day Cochraneth One Death Is One Too Many • 11 : Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes - Patron of Soufriere Diocesan Youth Secretariat Live Broadcast th th 26 January 2013 World Youth Day Rio Pilgrims Formation Session • 25 January: of Convent High School’s th january On The Beat Assemblyth • 5 : Vocations Week from • 25 January: on DBS from 7:00 p.m. 9:30th Youtha.m.th - 11:30 Secretariat a.m. Meeting th • 13th:-19 : • Blessing of bikes and bikers Weekend of January 26 • 19 : Youth Secretariat Spiritual from Retreat 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. • Pep talk on Healthy Riding st Worldnd Youth Day februaryRio Pilgrims Formation Session • Laying of wreath/ Candle lighting • 1 rd–2 : (HRRH) • Cross country motorcade • 23 : Leadership Training Programme • Health Fair fromth 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. • Exhibition • 16 : Leadership Training Programme in St. Andrews Parish We all wear Green!!! fromrd 5:00 p.m. For more information call the parish office 449 1456, • 23 : in Our Lady of La Peace Committee 275 2708, Soie ParishDiocesan from Youth 5:00 p.m.Rally Mahaut Village Council 449 2520 or 265 3996 rdLeadership TrainingMar Programmech • 23nd : at the Cabrits National Park • 2 : Leadership Training Programme in St. Andrews Parish ErratA fromth 5:00 p.m. In the December issue: • 9 : in Our Lady of La Soie • The article ‘Profile: Martin Anthony’ on page 06 Parish from 5:00 p.m. should read ‘Profile: Vernon Martin’ Dominica Catholic Radio • ‘Photos by Charles Lewis’ on page 12 & 13 should can be heard on 96.1 on the FM frequency, channel read ‘Photos by Charles Louis’ 94 on Marpin 2k4 & live stream on http:// Our Catholic Community apologises for the error. dominicacatholicradio.org. Please spread the word and send in your financial Send us your parish events & notices contributions to Dominica Catholic Radio, Call us at 448 2837 or P.O. Box 790, Roseau, Dominica email us at [email protected]
LISTEN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO MARPIN CHANNEL 94 17 Christian Leadership 2013: Go For It “Never let what you can’t do get in the way of will require courage, and the only way to get it is to what you can do.” – SOS Coach John Wooden develop it. Courage is your conditioned capacity to respond to all life events with positive actions rather What are YOUR goals? What do you want for than negative beliefs. It will also require you to build on OUR DIOCESE yourself? What future will you create? your strengths. Your weaknesses are merely dangers ver the weekend of to be avoided. “Never let what May 19th to 21st 2012, you can’t do get in the way Owe in the Diocese of of what you can do.” - Coach Roseau, were blessed with John Wooden. the presence of Bill and Billy You must also commit to Moyer, Cofounders of the personal responsibility in 2013. SOS Leadership Institute, In order to do this, you must for the launching of our allow someone else to hold you SOS Christian Leadership accountable. Accountability Development Program. As we leads to personal responsibility. end 2012 and begin 2013, Accountability pushes you past it is an opportune time to your self-imposed limitations. take stock of what we have Accountability is the most achieved in 2012 as it relates powerful and effective force in to our personal leadership helping you grow. You can’t development, our church settle in because you have development program, and chosen to be accountable. our community leadership With those thoughts development and to glance on SMA Prefects & Teachers listening attentively to Leadership in mind, I encourage you to where we want to go in 2013. Presentation by Bill & Billy Moyer GO FOR IT in 2013! Choose Has our Leadership talent grown or has it declined? growth and make it your best year ever! To help us in our evaluation, I wish to share with you Billy Moyer’s Blog posted on Monday, December 3rd, Here are some ways to Go For It: 2012, entitled: “GO FOR IT IN 2013” http://www. • Reflect on your strengths. sosleadershipblog.com/search/label/Billy%20Moyer • Set written goals for the year. Writes Billy, “You have two choices in 2013: Grow • Develop a plan of action for those goals. or decline. Growth demands that you consciously • Track your progress. choose growth and that choice always requires you to • Believe that you CAN do it! Don’t give up, don’t ever change. When most people decide to grow, their plan give up! only reflects an increase in what they have already • Find a good coach or mentor to hold you accountable. been doing. If you want to Go For It in 2013 you And last but certainly not least, remember must choose growth, which means you must commit that now is the time to take action and Go For It! A to change! Change is difficult because that choice is successful 2013 begins now. Only YOU can take the contrary to our natural human instincts. Remember first step toward achieving what matters most in that “if you do what you have always done, you will your life. Will you take that step today?” . be who you have always been.” Going For It in 2013 SUBSCRIBE FOR ONE YEAR TO Please tick as appropriate - (12 monthly issues) Local: (pick-up) EC$ 24.00 ‘OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY’ Local: (mailed) EC$ 40.20 Caribbean: EC$ 48.00 NAME: (Mr, Mrs.,Ms.)……………………………………….. International: EC$ 64.20 (or equivalent) Online: EC$ 24.00 ADDRESS: ………………………………………………….. Payment must be sent to: …………………………………………………………..... The Editorial Committee Diocese of Roseau …………………………………………………………..... Turkey Lane, P.O. Box 790 Roseau TEL: ………………………………………………….... Commonwealth of Dominica
EMAIL …………………………………………………... Cheques, bank drafts etc. should be made out to - Bishop of Roseau
18 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE Welcome to the Kid’s Corner We have wonderful things in store for you in every Read OUR DIOCESE month. There will be stories to read, numbers to Exodus 19:16--20:26 and Mark 12:28--33 trace, words to circle, ornaments to make, pictures to colour, words to match, puzzle to discover Circle the correct answers. and much much more...... God chose (Moses, Aaron) to be the leader of His people. Moses led God’s people out of (Egypt, Follow the numbers and trace Moses’ trip Syria) to the promised land. On the way they from Egypt to the promised land. stopped to camp in the (wilderness, village) near Mount Sinai. There a (great, small) storm came, and the (trees, mountain) shook. God told Moses to go to the top of the mountain. There God gave him ten (laws, promises) for the people. Many years later Jesus told the (Sadducees, priests) that there were two great commandments. He said, “Love the Lord thy (Maker, God) with all thy heart, and all thy soul, and all thy mind, and all thy strength, and thy (neighbor, friend) as thyself.”
.....this section is for reading..... This is the first two pages of a little book called Saint Martin De Porres by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D he country of Peru in South America was discovered in 1529 by Francisco Pizarro, a TSpaniard. On January 6, 1529, the Feast of the Epiphany or the Three Kings, he founded the capital city of Peru and called it “City of the Kings.” Later, the city took the name of the valley where it was located----Lima. Since that time it has been known as the city of Lima. It was the capital of the first vice- royalty begun in America. After the discovery of Peru, many Spanish people came to bring Spanish culture to America. One of them was John de Porres, a nobleman from Alcantara. He had been born in Burgos but his ancestors were from Cordoba, Spain. John came to the New World as the Governor of Panama. On the way, he stopped at Lima. .
TUNE IN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO 96.1 FM 19 The Year of Faith - Dei Verbum By Msgr. William John-Lewis n important aspect of our observance of the Year the New Testament of Faith will be a series of teachings, aired on ( C h r i s t i a n Aour Catholic Radio, Dominica Catholic Radio, Scriptures). Dei on various documents of the Second Vatican Council. Verbum addresses The first of these documents to be studies is entitledDei the questions of Verbum, the Latin title for the “Dogmatic Constitution what God’s word is on Divine Revelation. Dei Verbum simply means, “The and how it comes to Word of God.” us so we may be able Why study Dei Verbum to know it in order to Why this series of teachings on Dei Verbum? This live it. OUR CATHOLIC WORLD OUR CATHOLIC is for two reasons: (1) It is part of the implementation of The Meaning of our Synod. Yes, the Synod is not finished. We are still Revelation “Disciples on Mission, Gifted and Called.” We are in the As its name process of implementing the synod recommendations expresses, Dei which have been complied in a ten-year Diocesan Pastoral Verbum’s main Plan. Our focus for the first three years of the Pastoral subject is revelation. Plan is the “Word of God.” And one of the activities the What is revelation? Pastoral Plan calls us to do, is the study of Dei Verbum. Revelation, from the (2) A second reason for our study of Dei Verbum is the Latin word, revelare, means to “uncover,” to “remove the “Year of Faith” proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. And in veil.” In the case of divine revelation, it is God removing this Year of Faith, Pope Benedict urges us to revisit and the veil from the divine face so we can come to know study the Documents of Vatican II. This year is the 50th God – not just things about God, but God’s own self – in anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. In 1962 the a personal, relational way. Council was convened by Pope John XXIII. In this Year Overview of the Document of Faith we are also asked to study the Catechism of After a brief prologue the document has six major the Catholic Church. It is the 20th anniversary of the chapters: publication of the Catechism. These are the two very Divine Revelation itself important reasons why we are encouraging you to The transmission of Divine revelation study Dei Verbum and to learn from it what the Church 1. Sacred Scripture: Its divine Inspiration and Its teaches about the Word of God. 2. Interpretation Dei Verbum, a Key Document of Vatican II 3. The old testament Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine The New Testament Revelation, promulgated November 18, 1965, is one 4. Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church of the four primary or main documents of the Second 5. The major concern of the document is to proclaim Vatican Council. The other three are: Lumen Gentium, the a Catholic6. understanding of the Bible as the “word of “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church”; Sacrosanctum God.” This understanding is placed within the larger Concilium, the “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy”; context of the Church’s understanding of revelation and Gaudium et Spes, the “Pastoral Constitution on the itself. Here the document speaks not of revelation about Church in the Modern World.” God, but the revelation of God. The second chapter deals You will notice that Lumen Gentium and Dei Verbum with the relationship between Scripture and Tradition in are called “Dogmatic Constitutions.” Dogmatic, is the the context of the transmission of revelation within the most solemn pronouncement that a Council utters. Thus church. The third chapter contains the basic principles Dei Verbum, a dogmatic Constitution is one of the most whereby Catholic Scripture scholars should approach important documents of the Council. In the collection of the Bible. The chapters on the Old and New Testament the Council’s documents, Dei Verbum is printed second; place these books within the history of salvation that lies the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen at the core of these collections. The final chapter places Gentium) is printed first. Scripture in the life of the Church. In a way that would Dei Verbum, the Church’s Pronouncement on the have surprised many Catholics the Council taught that Bible the “Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures Our Catholic faith is based on divine revelation. just as she venerates the [Eucharistic] Body of the Lord.” The Catholic Church knows that she was founded by (n. 21). Jesus Christ, and that she was commissioned by him The document encourages Catholics to read the to proclaim the Gospel of God’s love to all humanity. In Bible and in particular urged theologians and priests to Dei Verbum Vatican II spelled out in some detail what become more thoroughly formed by the Bible. Quoting the Church believes and teaches with regard to divine St. Jerome, an early biblical scholar and translator of revelation, primarily as it is contained in the Bible. the Bible, it reminds us that “ignorance of the Scriptures Dei Verbum emphasizes the written word in the Holy is ignorance of Christ.” . Scriptures of the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) and …to be continued next issue 20 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE The Pilgrimage to Our Lady of La Salette By Marcella Severin rom the time we entered France gushed the ice-cold stream, piped The Leaders through Geneva (the latter we further downstream. On the other side Freached by air), mountain beauty of the stream, across from the statues surrounded us on every side! These mentioned, stood both fearful Maximin enormous elevations were, for the most and Mélanie, in the same colour bronze, part, verdant, and the few stony ones staring at the Weeping Lady. Maximin were a delight to behold, unlike the held a (dark green bronze) stick in his brown, bare, rough, stony ones of Egypt. hand; for, in his own words, “if it does Some members of our group still feared anything, I will give it a good knock”! Not them, and one member said she would far behind the two children, on top of the put all her weight onto the opposite side table land, was another huge statue, of Unlike anywhere else on our of the bus to try to prevent the so-careful the same metal and colour, of Our Lady pilgrimage, our activities at La Salette WORLD OUR CATHOLIC bus driver from plunging into the sheer of La Salette. included our two welcoming priests: Fr. precipices below! On the green flats of Mount Gargas Pat, with his exciting voice and expressive some of these mountains, perched small guitar, and Fr. Del, both of whom seemed villages, the spire of their Churches to have known us long ago! They were rising above all their buildings. there at the international processions, Our Lady of La Salette and at the Basilica international masses. Fr. Del accompanied us on our private Way of the Cross behind the Basilica. Both were there when we recited the Rosary in both French and English, with our French counterparts, in La Chapelle de la Rencontre. They missed only our private Rosary, with our bishops, on the very site of the Apparitions. To end, we must commend both Bishops Gabriel Malzaire and Kenneth Richards, and Jacqueline Douglas and After three hours, we reached Mrs. Veronica Younis --all wonderful the Retreat House of La Salette. Le leaders! The last two took care of Sanctuaire de la Salette, as it was called, preparations for the tour, with meetings housed the Basilica, a few chapels, the that included information on payment hostel, the cafeteria, a restaurant, two Some members of our group were deadlines, airlines, tour buses, visas, reception rooms, the Museum, and, of so fascinated by Mount Gargas, since passports, roommates, and meals. On course, the store. They were all in one the Cross, all the way at its summit, the tour, Bishop Malzaire, Jacqueline, edifice that lay on the only flat table-like enticed them; and since clear, cut and Mrs. Younis informed us of our land that the surrounding mountains tracks had been carved into Gargas, daily schedules after our morning and offered. Another building, not far away, guess what! — Yes! They did the 1,250 evening prayers together. The Bishops was the chapel of the Sacrament of ft. of elevation! What they saw must prayed with us at each meal, before and Reconciliation. Everywhere else was be what the same author saw in 1854: after. mountain! BUT, as one author so aptly “at that high elevation, the scene of the Bishop Kenneth Richards, though described the scene: “from the terrace Apparition, (which is) closed in with its he never knew us before, fit in quite well. to the top of the mountains all is covered own mountains, like an amphitheatre, He attempted the Kneeling Penitence with beautiful verdure”… “Here”, he exhibits, from the terrace of the fountain to with us. He took turns preaching the wrote, was “this solitude, withdrawn the summits of the enclosing mountains, homilies. He climbed the mountain from the world of men”. In another place, one vast carpet of green, variegated with Gargas with us. He often kept up the he said: “…here, time was effaced”. its flowers, and is alone adorned with a group rear, giving assistance: be it Over these huge, almost perpendicular verdure so rich, and with an aspect so lugging extra suitcases, pushing a elevations and the road, immense white soft.” The flowers, which we ourselves wheelchair, or giving a word of comfort, clouds of cool mist often spread far and saw, he lists: “the spring gentian, and laughter, or wisdom and, only in my wide, till afternoon. At evening, they the stemless gentian, the mountain case, open confession, besides being, returned. The only purely mist-less days violet and the Alpine forget-me-not, and by his admirable height, my lighthouse we had were our last two. the mountain polygala; and, mixed with everytime I could not locate my fellow At the foot of Mount Gargas, where these, is the rock-cystus, the Alpine pilgrims!). Maximin and Mélanie saw Our Lady, soldanella, and a small cowslip”. Like Last, but not least, and really and which was opposite the Retreat the pilgrims of 1854, I thought: “What… amazing was the truly chic â la française House, was the site of the Apparition fine taste Our Lady has!” Mme Germaine Toussaint, who, though of the seated Weeping Lady; and of the The lower tracks of Gargas closer older than us, was able to tour with us Standing Lady with Maximin on one to the Apparition scenes were tiled, to at her own pace. She only missed what side, and Mélanie on the other; and accommodate pilgrims in the planned, she evidently couldn’t handle: example: the dog sleeping close by them. Next to and guided, daily, evening, candlelight the mountain climbing and the Kneeling these now bronze, dark green images, processions. Penitence. .
Photos by Jacqueline Douglas LISTEN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO MARPIN CHANNEL 94 21 The Holy Father Speaks to Youth “Go and make disciples of all nations!” (cf. Mt 28:19) Become Christ’s disciples lead other young people to friendship with him. his missionary vocation comes to you for another I encourage you to think of the gifts you have reason as well, and that is because it is necessary received from God so that you can pass them on to Tfor our personal journey in faith. Blessed John Paul others in turn. Learn to reread your personal history. Be II wrote that “faith is strengthened when it is given to conscious of the wonderful legacy passed down to you others!” (Redemptoris Missio, 2). When you proclaim the from previous generations. So many faith-filled people Gospel, you yourselves grow have been courageous in as you become more deeply handing down the faith rooted in Christ and mature in the face of trials and as Christians. Missionary incomprehension. Let us commitment is an essential never forget that we are dimension of faith. We links in a great chain of cannot be true believers if men and women who have we do not evangelize. The transmitted the truth of proclamation of the Gospel the faith and who depend can only be the result of the on us to pass it on to joy that comes from meeting others. Being a missionary Christ and finding in him the presupposes knowledge of rock on which our lives can this legacy, which is the be built. When you work to faith of the Church. It is help others and proclaim the necessary to know what Gospel to them, then your you believe in, so that you own lives, so often fragmented because of your many can proclaim it. As I wrote in the introduction to the activities, will find their unity in the Lord. You will also YouCat, the catechism for young people that I gave you build up your own selves, and you will grow and mature at World Youth Day in Madrid, “you need to know your OUR YOUTH: EDUCATION, RECREATION AND FAITH RECREATION EDUCATION, YOUTH: OUR in humanity. faith with that same precision with which an IT specialist What does it mean to be a missionary? Above all, it knows the inner workings of a computer. You need to means being a disciple of Christ. It means listening ever understand it like a good musician knows the piece he anew to the invitation to follow him and look to him: is playing. Yes, you need to be more deeply rooted in the “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” faith than the generation of your parents so that you (Mt 11:29). A disciple is a person attentive to Jesus’ can engage the challenges and temptations of this time word (cf. Lk 10:39), someone who acknowledges that with strength and determination” (Foreword). Jesus is the Teacher who has loved us so much that he More to come in the next issue of Our Catholic gave his life for us. Each one of you, therefore, should Community. . let yourself be shaped by God’s word every day. This will Excerpt from the Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for make you friends of the Lord Jesus and enable you to the twenty-eighth World Youth Day 2013 Portsmouth Catholic Youth Movement By Fr. Herman Sharplis fter several attempts to reorganize the Catholic as Pastor and Spiritual Director of the youths. The Youth Movement in Portsmouth, a new group was youths continue to demonstrate a deep interest and Alaunched on Sunday 23rd December, 2012 during commitment to Church life. They are involved in the the 8:00 a.m. Mass at Portsmouth. liturgy as every fourth Sunday in The forty-five member strong the month is Youth Mass. group includes youths from age They have also demonstrated twelve to eighteen years. The group good stewardship by raising funds which started in September has for their group t-shirts. Over a grown over the past three months. two month period, the youths They made a great impact with undertook car washes, hiking and their presence at the celebration of seeking assistance for the funds to Christ the King on November 25th. purchase the t-shirts. The celebration which took place This New Year the youths will in Portsmouth was for the Western focus on several faith development Vicariate. The youths of that programmes like the CHOICE Vicariate put on a major presentation entitled ‘Hailing games, Anchor and other programmes. Christ our King’. They meet every Friday at the church hall for The group coordinators are Mrs. Bethude Azille different activities and meetings. and Miss Frederica James, with Fr. Herman Sharplis The group aim is to go on for many years. .
22 OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY JANUARY 2013 ISSUE Starting a Youth Group - A 10 Point Plan * From the Office of the Diocesan Youth Secretariat 1. Why start a Youth Group Another way to think about developing activities is to think For many parishes the most effective way to minister of 4Fs - Faith, Fellowship, Fun and Food! to young people is to set up a youth group. This allows Look to make links to what is already happening in the young people to gather with others to search, discover and parish. The youth group should be a place where the celebrate what it means to be a young Catholic today. It members grow in their faith and in parish life while still may be that a number of groups may be needed to meet the participating in the wider community. needs of the young people in a parish. Key questions to ask 7. When and how often to meet? are: Who is the group for? Why is this group important? It is best to discuss as a group how often you will meet. This What do we want from this group? might be monthly, fortnightly or weekly. Remember that 2. What will this group do? young people have many calls on their time so it is important Through our baptism, we are called as members of the to try and get agreements regarding commitment. Be aware Church to greater holiness and to spread the Good News. of the other commitments of the young people – school, Setting up a youth group will allow young people to become social, sports. Look for consistency in meeting, e.g. if you involved in activities that revolve around the Catholic faith are meeting monthly choose an easy remembered date - whilst providing support and social networks for them. first Friday. Make sure you have enough leaders to cover Key questions to ask are: Do we provide activities that all of the sessions so that they do not feel overstretched. revolve around the Catholic faith? How do we support the Put together a termly plan and don’t forget to look at what young people? How are we connecting young people to may be happening locally and at a Diocesan level. parish life? 8. Promoting the group in the parish 3. What is the target age group? Advertising the group to a wider audience brings many When starting a youth group it is very important to benefits. It helps attract new people but also tells people establish the age level you hope to work with. Young people that youth are active in the life of the community. Here are fall into many different categories, the word “youth” or some ways to advertise: “young person” can apply to all ages between 10 and 35! • Regular announcements in the parish bulletin There is a vast difference in the needs and life experience of • Posters the different age groups. You might look to start a number • Personal invitation (face to face, phone calls)
of groups to meet the different needs of the various age • Website (either a youth site or part of the parish AND FAITH RECREATION EDUCATION, YOUTH: OUR groups. website) 4. Gathering support in the parish. • Email/Text It is important to realise that the responsibility for young • Social networking group people cannot be left to a handful of volunteers in the • Advertise in local schools parish. The whole community has a role to play— the • Encourage the young people to spread the word saying “It takes a village to raise a child” applies here. amongst their friends. Getting a team of adults who are keen and motivated as well 9. Resources and contacts as having the time and energy can sometimes be difficult. One of the best resources for youth work is the parish In recruiting volunteers it is wise to look at what gifts and community. What gifts and talents do the leaders have? skills they have and seek to utilise these. Don’t worry that Who can you approach in the parish? What groups meet there may not be enough “young adults” to help. Older and locally? Are there any ecumenical links? The Diocesan wiser heads are just as important. Youth office also contains a wealth on resources for youth 5. What do the young people want to do? group leaders. Please contact us for help in planning your By this stage you will probably have some idea as to what activities: youth @dioceseofroseau.org you would want the group to do. It is important that you 10. Building for the future ask the young people what they would like to see happen. • Remember that youth ministry is not a one man This gives the young people a voice and “ownership” of the or woman show! group. There are a variety of ways of consulting with young • Identify and recruit potential leaders—encourage people. the young people to take on leadership roles. • Call a meeting • Encourage training/formation of leaders , The • Needs Assessment Questionnaire Diocesan Youth office can assist with training. • Listen to the needs of young people • Remember to keep parents involved. • Empower the young people • Share good news stories, write to the local media • Allow for greater ownership by the young people with pictures. • Make consultation a part of the regular evaluation • Young People—always be on the lookout for new and planning process members. 6. Developing a programme of events • Parish – Clergy, Pastoral Councils, Finance Once you have done all the previous steps you will be ready Committees—Make sure they are on board. Let to put together a programme. It is good to get a balance of them know what is happening. activities: • Review and evaluate on a regular basis • Prayer o What is working? • Social o What needs to be done? . • Study (learning about the faith) *Adapted from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, UK Youth • Service Ministry Department
Back cover photos by Kassim Lewis TUNE IN TO DOMINICA CATHOLIC RADIO 96.1 FM 23 Our Catholic Community Magazine Budding Writers & Photographers Workshops Are Here Again...
Budding Writers Workshop: Saturday 23rd February 2012 Budding Photographers Workshop: Saturday 9th March 2012 both at the Diocesan Pastoral Center from 9:00 a.m. Call our office at 448-2837 or visit us for registration & details Register Now!!!!!
Convent High School’s ‘Little B’ Calypso Competition he Convent High School’s Music department held it’s annual Calypso Tcompetition on 15th December, 2012 at the C.H.S. Auditorium. There were three segments to this show: Calypso, Jingle & Idol. The three 3rd forms competed for the Calypso and the Jingle’s titles. AMBER JOHNSON won the CALYPSO crown segment with a number entitled ‘A Student’s Life’. ELIZABETH DUVENEY won the Idol segment with a number entitled ‘I’ll Be There’. KAELE BENJAMIN was the 2nd Runner-Up of the Idol segment with a number entitled ‘Someone Like You’. The Idol Competition was open to Kaele Benjamin all students of the school and through an elimination process, the final eight were Amber chosen to perform on the calypso night. Johnson The winner of the Calypso segment will be participating in the Junior Monarch competition in February. . Elizabeth Duveney