Catholic Spirituality: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Liturgy Mini-Series: The New Mass Prayers

What Is New in Our Catholic Schools?

Priests Get New Appointments

Bishop Herbert Bevard Ordains Father Eduardo Ortiz Santiago the Catholic The Newsletter of the Roman Catholic Diocese notes from the ’s desk of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard PUBLISHER Father Charles Crespo EDITOR Keys and Sword Bernetia Akin, Valerie Douté PROOFREADERS Award Benefit Br. James Petrait, OSFS WEB MASTER is Excellency, Bishop Herbert The award The Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop Deacon Emith Fludd Bevard, will present the Keys and honors one CIRCULATION of the Diocese of St. Thomas Sword Award posthumously to whose actions in the Virgin Islands. Sarah Jane von Haack H WRITER/ASSISTANT EDITOR friends and family of the late William “Bill” reflect the

Lynne Hsu Dowling at a banquet gala dance benefitting the Gospel values of faith, selfless service, personal GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral Restoration Project. sacrifice, respect and valor. Centered on the September 2011 • Vol. 27 : Issue 9 The third annual event will be held at the symbols of the patron saints of the cathedral,

The Catholic Islander is published Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort and Hotel on Ss. Peter and Paul, this accolade celebrates those monthly by the Diocese of St. Thomas in Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. among us whose vision and character rise above the Virgin Islands. P.O. Box 301825, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, The Keys and Sword Award, bestowed the norm. 00803-1825 www.catholicislander.com by the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Tickets are available for $150. For more Telephone: (340) 774-3166 ext. 211, Fax: (340) 774-5816 Islands, recognizes the recipient’s extraordinary information, consult your parish bulletin, E-mail: [email protected] commitment and selfless dedication to serving call (340) 774-3166, Ext. 213, or e-mail © FAITH Catholic™. individuals as well as the general community. [email protected]. Please submit news, digital photography and Dinner with the Bishop Supports St. Mary School advertising for the October 2011 issue of At the St. Mary School Auction Gala Father Patrick Lynch, C.Ss.R., pastor of The Catholic Islander by fundraiser on February 5, two couples bid St. Patrick Church, also is invited, as he was the September 6, 2011. together and won the opportunity to have priest that brought Mr. Bourdon and Mr. Cole into Bishop Herbert Bevard as a dinner guest. Gary the as converts. At the dinner, and Gail Bourdon of St. Patrick Church and Mr. Bourdon will present Father Lynch with a Bruce and Arlyn Cole of Holy Cross Church will portrait he painted of the Blessed Virgin Mary. host the dinner at the Bourdon residence on The dinner will be catered by Teddy’s Restaurant, St. Croix on Friday, September 23. which donated its services for the auction.

bishop’s calendar Thursday, September 15, meeting with Father Wayne Paysse of the Black and Indian Missions, Catholic Thursday, September 1, 10 a.m., Board of Directors Chancery, St. Thomas. meeting, Catholic Charities, St. Thomas. 13 Sunday, September 18, 10:30 a.m., Mass, On the cover: Father Eduardo Ortiz Santiago Thursday, September 8, 2 p.m., Installation Mass Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas. and Bishop Herbert Bevard of Charles Chaput, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica, , Pennsylvania. Wednesday, September 21, 10 a.m., St. Joseph 4 Local News High School Mass, St. Joseph Church, St. Croix. Friday, September 9, 7 p.m., St. Peter Claver Mass, 7 ¡Buenas Noticias! Center for Black Catholics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Friday, September 23, 4 p.m., dinner with benefactors 8 Save the Date of St. Mary School, St. Croix. 9 Catholic Charities September 10-11, Mission Appeal, Mater Ecclesiae 10 Catholic Education Church, West Berlin, New Jersey. Saturday, September 24, 6 p.m., Mass, 10 Special Report: Holy Cross Church, St. Croix. Tuesday, September 13, 6 p.m., Keys and Sword What is new at school? Award Benefit Steering Committee meeting, Ss. Peter Sunday, September 25, 11 a.m., Mass of Installation of 12 Liturgy Mini-Series and Paul Cathedral Hospitality Lounge, St. Thomas. Father John Wladyslaw Juszczak as pastor, Holy Cross 14 The Church in the World Church, St. Croix. 16 Saint of the Month Wednesday, September 14, 10 a.m., Quinquennial 18 Catholic Spirituality Report Committee meeting, Catholic Chancery, Monday, September 26, St. Mary School Mass, St. Thomas. Holy Cross Church, St. Croix. 20 Journey of Faith 22-26 Parish Calendars Wednesday, September 14, 6 p.m., Diocesan Finance Monday, September 26, St. Patrick School Mass, 22-26 Pride of the Parish Committee meeting, Catholic Chancery, St. Thomas. St. Patrick Church, St. Croix.

2 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com Liturgical Calendar: St. Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church Sept. 3 | Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 8 | St. Peter Claver, priest Sept. 9 | The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 12 | St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the Church Sept. 13 | St. Peter Claver Mass His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, will celebrate St. Anne Patronal Procession the annual St. Peter Claver Mass at the Center for Black As part of the annual procession celebrating the memorial of Catholics in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday, Ss. Joachim and Anne, Bishop Herbert Bevard blessed the boats September 9. The Mass commemorates the saint’s at the bayside of Frenchtown on St. Thomas on July 23. During ministry to African-American slaves. the procession, a small choir led members of St. Anne Chapel in a French song to St. Anne. New Archbishop of Philadelphia Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Charles Chaput O.F.M., Cap., as the 13th bishop and ninth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Archbishop Chaput will be installed on Thursday, September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral Basilica. His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, will attend. Archbishop Chaput, 66, is a member of the Order of Friars Minor, Capuchin. He was ordained a priest in 1970 and at the age of 43 became bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City in South Dakota. Since 1997, he has served as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Denver in Colorado. A member of the Prairie Band Potowatami Tribe, archbishop Chaput is the second Native American to be ordained a bishop in the U.S. and the first Native American archbishop.

Appointments The Redemptorist Fathers nominated Father John Holy Cross Church on Sunday, September 25, at the Wladyslaw Juszczak, C.Ss.R., as the new pastor at Holy Cross 11 a.m. Mass. Church on St. Croix, effective August 1. Father Juszczak was Bishop Bevard also appointed Father Eduardo Ortiz ordained in 1988 in Poland and is fluent in English, Spanish, Santiago as administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help French and Polish. He came to St. Croix from a two-year Church on St. Thomas, effective August 1. Bishop Bevard assignment in St. Lucia. announced the assignment at the end of Father Ortiz Father Juszczak replaced Father Kenneth Gaddy, C.Ss.R., Santiago’s ordination Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on who begins a study sabbatical in the states. Father Andrzej July 30. Szorc, C.Ss.R., remains as parochial vicar at Holy Cross Church. Pictured below, Bishop Herbert Bevard welcomed Father Juszczak to his office at the Chancery on St. Thomas on July 29. Bishop Bevard will install Father Juszczak as pastor at

Liturgical Calendar: St. Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church Sept. 3 | Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 8 | St. Peter Claver, priest Sept. 9 | The Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 12 | St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the Church Sept. 13 | 3 local news news flash! Rest in Peace Prayers are solicited for the repose of the soul of news Catherine MacDonald, the mother of Father Kevin MacDonald, flash! New School Website Address C.Ss.R., parochial vicar at St. Patrick Church on St. Croix and St. Joseph High School on St. Croix has a new Juan Carlos Rivas, brother of Sister Digna Rivas, R.G.S., also website address and e-mail address. The new web address stationed on St. Croix. is www.sjhsvi.com, and the e-mail address associated Ms. MacDonald died in Massachusetts on July 25 after a long with the new domain is [email protected]. St. Joseph High illness. She was 88 years old. Father MacDonald is in the states School started the first high school website on St. Croix and returns to the Virgin Islands on September 13. He begins a on August 31, 1996. Since then, more than 135,000 mission at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas on September 19. people from all over the world have visited the website. Mr. Rivas died peacefully at home in Managua, Nicaragua, on July 29 following a long illness. One of 11 siblings, he was 57 news years old, married and the father of two married daughters and flash! Youth Conference Canceled proud grandfather of a little girl. The Catholic Youth Day conference scheduled for St. Patrick Church on St. Croix on September 2-4 has been postponed until 2012. The Diocesan Youth World Youth Day Ministry concluded that it needed more time in planning Father Neil Scantlebury, pastor of Holy Family Church on in order to make it the best it could be. St. Thomas, said farewell to the seven Young Vincentians and their chaperones at Cyril King Airport on August 10 as they Priest’s 10th Anniversary prepared to fly to Madrid for a Young Vincentians conference Parishioners of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix celebrated and World Youth Day. the 10th anniversary of priesthood of their pastor, Father John Mark. They surprised him with a meal in the parish’s Hospitality Lounge on August 5. Pictured below, he blessed the food.

Father Gaddy’s Farewell The parishioners of Holy Cross Church on St. Croix including a citation in the Congressional Record from hosted a farewell and appreciation luncheon for their congresswoman Donna Christensen. pastor, Father Kenneth Gaddy, C.Ss.R., and Brother George Pictured bottom left, parishioner Malcom Evans sang Armoogam, C.Ss.R., in the St. Mary School yard on July 31, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the musical Carousel to following the 11 a.m. Mass. Tributes were paid to Father Father Gaddy, Brother Armoogam and Father John Juszczak, Gaddy for his 21 years of service to the people of St. Croix, the new pastor of Holy Cross Church. Parishioners of St. Patrick Church on St. Croix thanked Father Gaddy for his years of service with a dinner on August 5. He is pictured below with members of the prayer group, which helped organize the dinner.

4 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sept. 14 | Our Lady of Sorrows Sept. 15 | St. Cornelius, pope and martyr, and St. Cyprian, bishop and martyr Sept. 16 | St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor of the Church Sept. 17 | St. Januarius, bishop and martyr Sept. 19 | Postcard from Poland Father Andrzej Szorc, C.Ss.R., of Holy Cross Church on St. Croix spent August visiting his brother’s farm in Znoski, Poland. “It is in the northeastern part of Poland,” he wrote. “My Priest Goes to Kosovo mother grew up here on the farm. The farm now is small. My Father Alejandro Sanchez returned to celebrate Mass brother has 40 bee hives there, but the harvest for honey already at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on July is done. Now is the time to harvest grain and grass. The picture 31. He continues serving in the National Guard, based was taken just at the beginning of the work. The sweating came out of Puerto Rico. He will mobilize on September afterwards. Before that, my brother and his wife and I hiked in 30, spending two months in the U.S., one month in Krynica Gorska, in the south of Poland, and that you can call a Germany, and then seven to eight months in Kosovo. real vacation.”

Patronal Celebrations The memorial of Ss. Joachim and Anne was on July 26, St. Ann Church on St. Croix celebrated its patronal feast but the two Virgin Islands congregations celebrated their with a praise and prayer rally on July 24. Father Anthony patron saints on the weekend before. Ozele, a Nigerian-born priest based in Brooklyn, New York, St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas began its celebration was the main speaker. Pictured left to right are prayer team on July 23 with a food sale at the Joseph Aubain Field members Susan Wells, Callista Julian and Deacon Arnold concession stand. The food sale raised funds for the Helenese along with Father Ozele. repainting of the chapel roof. That evening, Bishop Herbert Bevard blessed the boats at the bayside and celebrated the patronal Mass. Pictured below, volunteers served about 200 meals.

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sept. 14 | Our Lady of Sorrows Sept. 15 | St. Cornelius, pope and martyr, and St. Cyprian, bishop and martyr Sept. 16 | St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor of the Church Sept. 17 | St. Januarius, bishop and martyr Sept. 19 | 5 local news Cathedral Restoration The scaffolds have returned to the interior of the Cassi Hill Pilgrimage Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas as reinforcements Holy Family Church on St. Thomas celebrated its 64th are installed high up in the cornices. Steel plates are being annual pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Cassi Hill Shrine with riveted on both sides of the arches, providing resistance to a procession, benediction and Mass on August 14. About earthquakes and hurricanes at the tops of these walls. These 200 parishioners from St. Thomas and St. John parishes channels also will allow for the base of a lighting cove which began with a Eucharistic procession from Four Winds will illuminate the artwork on the ceiling. Plaza, followed by a brief prayer service at the shrine, which included benediction, then Mass in the church and a reception in the classroom. Father Neil Scantlebury, pastor, kneeled before the Blessed Sacrament at the shrine.

Hurricane Protection Each year during hurricane season, parishioners of Supplication Mass at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas join in a Chapel outdoors in the rainforest on July 24. Deacons procession inside the church at the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Edward Cave, Deacon Louis Soto and acolyte Pierre Tepie Mass. They sing a litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary asking assisted. Alphonso Franklin and Ernestine Snype led the for her intercession and protection. singing. The parish’s prayer group and men’s fellowship Father Patrick Lynch, C.Ss.R., pastor of St. Patrick sold food and drinks during the picnic after the Mass. Church on St. Croix, celebrated the annual Hurricane

6 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com St. Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr, and St. Paul Chong Hasang, martyr and their companions, martyrs Sept. 20 | Feast of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist Sept. 21 | St. Pio of Pietrelcina, priest Sept. 23 | Ss. Cosmas and Damian, martyrs Sept. 26 | St. Vincent de Paul, priest Sept. 27 | Pablo en Sto. Tomás ha ¡buenas noticias! Misión en Casas formado un círculo de El Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad en Sta. Cruz oración que se reúne en el Salón de Hospitalidad los lunes a está llevando a la virgen a diferentes hogares el segundo las 6 p.m. Se pide a los interesados traer sus Biblias a fin de lunes de cada mes. El 8 de agosto los miembros la participar activamente y de enriquecerse en el conocimiento de llevaron a la casa de María Martínez y rezaron el rosario. las Sagradas Escrituras. El imagen se quedará en esa casa hasta el segundo lunes Un grupo reza el rosario y comparte las lecturas del de Septiembre, cuando se trasladará a otra casa. próximo domingo en la Iglesia Holy Cross en Sta. Cruz los martes a las 7 p.m.

Educación para adultos La Iglesia Holy Cross en Sta. Cruz, con la colaboración de las Hermanas del Buen Pastor, ofrece lecciones de alfabetización en español, inglés como segunda idioma y cursos de computación (Windows, Word, Excel e Internet) en el Centro Buen Pastor. Este servicio va dirigido prioritariamente a la población inmigrante de idioma española.

Legión de María El Presidio María, Arca de la Alianza, se reúne en el Salón Descansa en paz de Hospitalidad de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Se solicita oraciones por el descanso eterno de Juan Carlos Tomás los domingos a las 2 p.m. Rivas, hermano de la Hermana Digna Rivas, R.B.P. Él terminó sus días serenamente en su casa de habitación en Managua, Cursillo ultreya Nicaragua, el 29 de julio, después de haber sufrido una larga Miembros del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad se enfermedad. El Señor Rivas, miembro de una familia de cuatro reúnen para la ultreya en su oficina de la Iglesia San José en Sta. hermanos y siete hermanas, falleció a la edad de 57 años. Él Cruz los jueves después de la Misa de las 7 p.m. estaba casado, y era padre de dos hijas, también ya casadas, y orgulloso abuelo de una niña. Protección de niños La Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes está Círculos de oración comprometida a proteger a los niños de todo daño. Si Ud. El grupo de oración del Movimiento de Cursillos de tiene conocimiento de algún sacerdote, diácono o empleado Cristiandad se reúne en la Capilla San Miguel de la Iglesia San de la iglesia que haya abusado de algún menor, favor de José en Sta. Cruz el 26 de septiembre y el último lunes de cada comunicarse inmediatamente con la Coordinadora Diocesana mes a las 7 p.m. de la Protección de los Niños, Callista Julien, al (340) 774- La comunidad hispana de la Catedral San Pedro y San 3166 o (340) 719-4020.

Ordenación del Padre Eduardo Ortiz Santiago En su primera Misa en español como sacerdote el 31 de julio, el nuevo Padre Eduardo Ortiz Santiago roció agua bendita sobre los feligreses de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás durante el rito penitencial. Después de la Misa en español, la comunidad hispana celebró con una recepción en la Escuela San Pedro y San Pablo. El Padre Ortiz Santiago dio bendiciones a todos individualmente.

St. Andrew Kim Taegon, priest and martyr, and St. Paul Chong Hasang, martyr and their companions, martyrs Sept. 20 | Feast of St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist Sept. 21 | St. Pio of Pietrelcina, priest Sept. 23 | Ss. Cosmas and Damian, martyrs Sept. 26 | St. Vincent de Paul, priest Sept. 27 | 7 save the date! registration fee is $25. Forms are Caribbean Cruise available at parish offices and from His Excellency, Bishop Herbert members of the service team. Meals Bevard, will host a seven-night southern Patronal Celebration will be available at affordable prices. Caribbean cruise aboard the Caribbean Holy Cross Church on St. Croix celebrates Princess on February 12-19, 2012. its patronal celebration of the Exaltation of Golf Tournament The cost of the cabins has been the Holy Cross with a week of activities. The St. Patrick School Alumni greatly reduced since the cruise was first celebrations begin with a parish mission on Association is sponsoring its first announced. Individuals in shared cabins Thursday, September 8, at 7 p.m., Friday, annual golf tournament at Carambola can now cruise for less than $700. A September 9, at 7 p.m., and on Saturday, Golf Club on St. Croix on Sunday, portion of the proceeds will benefit the September 10, at 6 p.m. The celebration will November 27. The putting contest Catholic schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands. conclude with Mass on Sunday, September begins at 8 a.m. and tee time is 9 The Caribbean Princess departs from 11, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in a.m. The concluding awards banquet San Juan and will port in St. Maarten, McAlpin Hall. will be at 2:30 p.m. The format is St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba. four-person scramble. Prizes will Bishop Bevard will offer an episcopal be awarded to the “longest drive” blessing to couples at a Valentine’s Day man and woman and the “closest to Mass celebrated aboard ship, and couples the pin” man and woman. A silent will have the opportunity to renew their auction is planned as well. The cost is marriage vows. For further information, $150 per player, with junior players contact Charlotte Banks at the Chancery, 17 and under at $75. A goody bag (340) 774-3166, Ext. 213. will be presented to all the players. The tournament is open to the first The latest news is online at 100 entrants. The fundraiser will take the place of the recognition dinner www.catholicislander. usually held in the fall. blogspot.com

Mission Father Kevin MacDonald, C.Ss.R., of St. Patrick Church on St. Croix will lead a mission at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas on The Diocese of St. Thomas In the Virgin Islands Presents September 19-22, at 7 p.m. The Third Annual Keys and Sword Award Benefit

Installation Mass His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, The late William “Bill” Dowling will install Father John Wladyslaw Juszczak, will receive the 2011 Keys and Sword C.Ss.R., as pastor at Holy Cross Church on St. Croix on Sunday, September 25, at the Award posthumously, which recognizes 11 a.m. Mass. extraordinary commitment and selfless dedication in service to others. Catholic Charismatic Conference The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Mark your calendars! Team will host its second Catholic Charismatic January 14, 2012, 6:30 p.m. Conference at Columban Hall on St. Thomas on October 28-30. Father Herman Sharplis from Marriot Frenchmen’s Reef Dominica and Deacon Arnold Helenese from St. Croix will be the main speakers. The theme Beach Resort, St. Thomas for the conference is “I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful Dinner • Awards • Dancing to observe my decrees.” (Ezekiel 36:27) The Raffles • Silent Auction goal of the conference is to invoke the power of God’s Spirit in his people and further empower Proceeds support the Ss. Peter and them to carry on the mission of building God’s Paul Restoration Project Church and his kingdom here on Earth. The

8 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com Save the Date news from catholic charities

Shelter Manager Retires Catholic Charities Honoring a Benefactor After almost two decades of service Produces Promotional Film Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands with Catholic Charities of the Virgin New York filmmaker Elliot will recognize the generosity of the Islands, shelter manager Matthias Lowenstein and local technician late William “Bill” Dowling, founder of Leblanc has retired. Mr. LeBlanc was Timothy Washington filmed a short Cardow Jewelers and the Carib Beach and manager of Bethlehem House Shelter documentary on the services and Emerald Beach hotels, during the month of for the Homeless on St. Croix from activities of Catholic Charities of September. almost its time of inception. The the Virgin Islands (CCVI). The “Through the William C. Dowling, Jr. shelter is a 30-day emergency drug project was paid for by Mr. and Foundation we receive $30,000 annually to and alcohol free safe environment for Mrs. Eugene Mallette and the help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless men, women and children. Mallette Family Trust. and clothe the needy of our community,” “I speak for all agency staff when The crew visited St. Thomas, Michael Akin, executive director of Catholic I express my appreciation for the St. Croix and St. John and Charities of the Virgin Islands, told The many years of service that you have interviewed homeless clients at Catholic Islander. “We are very grateful.” provided to Catholic Charities in all CCVI’s facilities, including the Mr. Dowling owned one of the largest general and more particularly to soup kitchens and shelters. Clients jewelry stores in the world, but the only Bethlehem House Shelter on St. were asked to give testimony as to jewelry he wore was his Massachusetts Croix,” said executive director how they were assisted by Catholic Institute of Technology class ring and Michael Akin to Mr. LeBlanc. “I wish Charities. a simple wrist watch. In addition to his you many happy years of retirement The film will be completed by support of Catholic Charities, he was a and hope that, in an environment year’s end. It will be featured on philanthropist who gave scholarships to where you are master of your own www.catholiccharitiesusvi.org and youth in the Virgin Islands and abroad and time, you will continue to be active used in fundraising presentations helped other local charities. and productive.” and events.

Shelter Kitchen Makeover Summer Campers Visits Coral World Jerry Smith, a member of Rotary International, is Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands conducted in charge of the Saturday meals at Catholic Charities’ the KidsLearn Summer Enrichment Summer Camp at Bethlehem House Shelter for the Homeless on St. Thomas. Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas in July. The He is doing a kitchen makeover with new cabinets, paint, campers enjoyed an excursion to Coral World on July 20. flooring, appliances, etc., and is meeting most of the cost They are shown at the sting ray tank. personally.

St. Wenceslaus, martyr Sept. 28 | Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, the archangels Sept. 29 | St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church Sept. 30 9 catholic education news Catechetical Training flash! St. Croix’s Catholic school religion teachers and parish- Baltimore Catechisms based directors of religious education and their teachers Father Patrick Lynch, C.Ss.R., diocesan superintendent and aides will receive catechetical training at Light of Christ of Catholic education, and Bishop Herbert Bevard met in Retreat Center from Friday, September 23, at 6 p.m. to Sunday, the Catholic Chancery on St. Thomas on July 29 to unpack September 25, at 1 p.m. Dr. Carol Razza of the Diocese of Palm the new St. Joseph Baltimore Catechisms that will be used Beach and Deacon Joseph Mark of St. Ann Church will facilitate in all religious education classes in schools and parishes the conferences. beginning this fall.

New Principal Bishop Herbert Bevard welcomed Samuel Belmar, the new principal of Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas. Mr. Belmar is from the Grenadine Islands and most recently he and his wife Carmen were living in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

special report: What is new at school?

What is new at Ss. Peter and Paul School? Samuel Belmar is the new principal at Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas. Mr. Belmar has taught at the primary, secondary and tertiary level for 34 years. He also is a teacher educator, motivating teachers to improve the quality of education in students. He has certificates and diplomas in teaching at primary level, specialized subject teaching, counseling, business and agriculture. He has a master’s degree in education from the University of Sheffield, England, and a doctorate in education from Washington International University. He has participated in and conducted workshops in curriculum development, measurement and evaluation, school development and youth development. Among Mr. Belmar’s goals are that students should be prepared to enter academic and work fields internationally. He Msgr. Jerome Feudjio (right) introduced Samuel Belmar, the led the teachers in a workshop with which to prepare them to new principal at Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas, on meet this goal. He anticipates additional teacher development Addie Ottley’s radio program on WSTA on July 28. workshops to ensure that all teachers are in a position to prepare each child to perform at his/her full potential. maintenance person were hired. Over the summer, the school hosted Catholic Charities’ Looking ahead, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is on KidsLearn Summer Enrichment program, a volleyball camp, Tuesday, October 4, and in honor of his renowned love for and a music workshop. New poles and nets were installed for animals, the school will host its annual blessing of pets in the the volleyball court. Alumni helped raise funds for new stoves center courtyard at 8:30 a.m. Students from the lower grades for the kitchen and cleaned the flower beds in front of the will bring their pets to school, read original poems and sing school for new plants. Five new teachers and a new songs during the brief prayer service.

10 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com What Is New at St. Joseph High School? special report: What is new at school? Father John Mark is the new principal at St. Joseph High School on St. Croix. Father Mark is the son of Deacon Joseph and Kathleen Mark, the oldest of three children and grew up A workman climbed on St. Croix. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in a towering pole and 1986 as valedictorian and then studied at the Massachusetts painted the cross that Institute of Technology. He began his studies for the stands over the priesthood at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, St. Joseph High School and completed his formation at the North American College campus on August 6. in Rome, Italy. With his ordination at his home parish, Wearing a safety rope, St. Ann Church on St. Croix in 2001, he returned to the he painted the cross for Virgin Islands. He was assigned to the three parishes on over an hour, assisted St. Thomas, each in turn, until Bishop Herbert Bevard by a co-worker. A short assigned him to St. Joseph Church in December 2009. video can be seen at Father Mark worked with students at Ss. Peter and Paul http://sjhs.cybermeme. School on St. Thomas and welcomes the chance to help net/sjhs/crosspt/ptcross. students at St. Joseph High School “find their path to the html. Lord.” “Our task is two-fold,” he said. “First of all, we are focusing on the moral and spiritual formation of our young people according to the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. The second task is to ensure that the academic preparation is top-notch, as the school is a preparatory school for college education and future careers. This is important for the future of the “I am entrusting the school and its future to the Sacred Virgin Islands in general. We need our future leaders to be Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in union moral, spiritual and competent. We will do all we can for the with the powerful intercession of our patron, St. Joseph.” young people who represent the future of the Virgin Islands Building 8 is being transformed into a chapel. Father Mark so they can contribute to the culture and the society in hopes to have its dedication around the feast of Our Lady of productive and meaningful ways. Guadalupe, December 12.

What Is New at St. Mary School? What Is New at St. Patrick School? Basil Williams, Sr., returns as head of St. Mary School Elizabeth John-Baptiste returns as principal of on St. Croix. St. Patrick School on St. Croix. Over the summer, maintenance personnel built a storage The school hosted a summer enrichment program area for the school’s generator and constructed a second set of for grades 1-8 so that students could advance their stairs for safety access to and from the second floor. They also learning in anticipation of the school year. expanded the library to accommodate the computers The school will introduce three new programs purchased for the school’s E-Book program with federal Title this academic year. V funds. The Title V initiative is designed to increase the recreational 1. Renaissance Learning has helped districts reading of students and facilitate research and presentations. and schools raise academic achievement, reduce The school is fully participating in the Title V program, which achievement gaps, turn around low-achieving makes available supplementary resources in the core subject schools, and build the capacity of teachers and areas and technology. principals. An informal faculty survey determined that this year’s professional development focus should be classroom 2. Big Universe is an online reading and writing management. Three all-day sessions are planned for the technology that offers 3,389 books from 24 teachers. publishers and can be used for creative writing, book Students will be defending the school’s Territorial responses, reports, independent/shared writing, Spelling Bee and Junior Varsity Baseball Championships. The writing workshops, or author share sessions. school also will re-enter the District Math Counts Competition in February 2012. 3. Adaptive Curriculum is a technology that uses Looking ahead, pets will be blessed at a block party interactive lessons to build conceptual understanding between Holy Cross Church and St. Mary School on Saturday, needed for academic success; educators incorporate October 1, at 10 a.m. The festivities will include games, food, this technology into existing lesson plans and plan, pet contests, entertainment, food and donkey rides. assign, assess and track student progress.

11 liturgy mini-series now, we sing, “we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.” However, the Latin text of the hymn offers five successive ways in which Catholics The New Mass Prayers should pay homage to God: “We praise Part 2: The Gloria you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great Catholics attending Mass in English parishes in the Virgin Islands will be glory.” Although both translations convey in the United States ought to brace singing a new Gloria before Advent. the same idea of worshiping God, liturgical themselves. Many of the prayers spoken The Gloria is not prayed during Advent, prayer is enhanced by poetic repetition, at Mass will change on November 27. however, so many congregations may and these five descriptions of worship hold Congregants will notice the change not have to learn the new Gloria until subtle distinctions. Together, they combine from the moment Mass begins. The Christmas. to express the extent to which it is our priest will say “The Lord be with you,” Either way, there is no escaping that Christian duty to give “glory to God.” as he has done for many years. The the new words will lead parishioners to The addition of “only begotten Son” congregation, however, will no longer refer to pew cards or missalettes, as the recovers a key phrase from the Latin text respond, “And also with you.” The changes to the Gloria and other Mass – “Fili Unigenite.” This is a venerable title congregation will now respond, “And parts are substantial. (See chart below) of Jesus Christ, that the Son of God comes with your spirit.” The current text reads, “peace to his forth from the Father, yet is no less an The Roman Missal, Third Edition, people on earth,” which the new text eternal Person of the Divine Trinity. the ritual text containing prayers and expands to “on earth peace to people of Unlike our current translation, the new instructions for the celebration of good will.” The new translation of the text includes two lines (rather than one) the Mass, will be implemented in the Gloria is a richer reference to the belief that begin with “you take away the sins of U.S. on the First Sunday of Advent, that the Messiah’s coming brings the the world,” thereby reflecting the Latin text. November 27. The new English prayers world a higher order of divine peace By regaining this line and an additional are based on a revised version of the that only the incarnate Son of God can “have mercy on us” in the next line, the Latin Missale Romanum which the late bestow. Those who live in accordance new translation features a classic threefold Pope John Paul II announced during with God’s will and receive his grace structure of supplication: “have mercy on the Jubilee Year 2000. The English shall experience the fullness of this us…receive our prayer… have mercy on us.” translation will include updated peace. We will see this sort of structure in the Kyrie translations of existing prayers, The second sentence of the new and Lamb of God. including some of the well-known Gloria recovers entire phrases that were Next month, part 3 in this series will responses and acclamations of the left out of the current translation. Right discuss the changes to the Profession of Faith. people, among other revisions. Part 1 of this mini-series was featured in the August 2011 Catholic Islander. Present Text new Text It explained why the changes were Glory to God in the highest Glory to God in the highest, being implemented and introduced and peace to his people on earth. and on earth peace to people of good will. the changes to the opening rite and the penitential rite. That publication is Lord God, heavenly King, We praise you, we bless you, available online at almighty God and Father, we adore you, we glorify you, www.catholicislander.com. we worship you, we give you thanks for your great glory, we give you thanks, Lord God, heavenly King, The Gloria we praise you for your glory. O God, almighty Father. Beginning on November 27, parishioners in the U.S. Virgin Islands Lord, Jesus Christ, only Son of the Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, never again will hear their cantors at Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Mass say “the Gloria can be found in Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, the parish hymnal, number 523.” On you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; that date, many of the Mass prayers in have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, our hymnals will be outdated and even You are seated at the right hand of the receive our prayer; abrogated. Father, you are seated at the right hand of the Father, The changes to the Mass prayers will receive our prayer. have mercy on us. be implemented in all English Masses on the First Sunday of Advent. The U.S. For you alone are the Holy One, For you alone are the Holy One, have allowed parishes to start you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Lord, singing the new Mass parts in advance you alone are the Most High, you alone are the Most High, of the First Sunday in Advent, so some Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

12 cover story The Ordination of Father Eduardo Ortiz Santiago His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, ordained Eduardo Ortiz Santiago to the priesthood at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on 1 Before being ordained to the 4 Once vested, Father St. Thomas on July 30. Bishop Bevard announced at the end of Mass priesthood, Deacon Ortiz Santiago Ortiz Santiago stood that he was assigning Father Ortiz Santiago as administrator of Our prostrated on the ground as the before the congregation in Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas. The next day, Father congregation chanted the Litany of the priestly vestments as the Ortiz Santiago celebrated his first Masses at the cathedral in English Saints, imploring the prayers of the congregation applauded. and in Spanish, with Bishop Bevard presiding at both Masses. heavenly kingdom. 5 Father Ortiz Santiago 2 Bishop Bevard laid hands on the recited the eucharistic 1 head of Deacon Ortiz Santiago and at that prayer for the first time at moment ordained him to the priesthood. Mass.

3 After being ordained, Father Ortiz 6 Just before the Santiago had his friend and seminary ordination Mass ended, classmate, Father René Alejandro Díaz Father Ortiz Santiago gave Cáceres of the Archdiocese of Bishop Bevard his first Washington, assist in dressing him in his priestly blessing. priestly vestments for the first time.

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13 the Church in the world without work or in poverty should Rest in Peace come first. Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president Moral Issues in the 3. Government and other institutions of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Budget Debate have a shared responsibility to Bishops, will celebrate a Memorial Mass The U.S. bishops reminded Congress promote the common good of all, for the late Archbishop Pietro Sambi, that the debate on budget cuts has a especially ordinary workers and apostolic nuncio to the U.S., at the Basilica moral dimension. In a letter to the House families who struggle to live in dignity of the National Shrine of the Immaculate of Representatives, Bishop Stephen Blaire in difficult economic times. Conception in Washington, D.C., on of the Diocese of Stockton, California, The prelates denounced a budget Wednesday, September 14, the feast of the and Bishop Howard Hubbard of the that relies “on disproportionate cuts Exaltation of the Holy Cross, at noon. Diocese of Albany, New York, proposed in essential services to poor persons.” Archbishop Sambi died July 27 at three moral criteria “to help guide They noted that this “requires shared Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, difficult budgetary decisions.” The sacrifice by all, including raising adequate Maryland, from post-operative bishops acknowledged the challenge revenues, eliminating unnecessary complications following lung surgery facing Congress: “fulfilling the demands military and other spending, and two weeks earlier. His body lay in state at of justice and moral obligations to future addressing the long-term costs of health the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, generations; controlling future debt insurance and retirement programs fairly. D.C., on July 29 and 30, and was then and deficits; and protecting the lives Bishops Blaire and Hubbard affirmed transported to his hometown of Sogliano and dignity of those who are poor and that the “moral measure of this budget sul Rubicone in Italy for funeral services. vulnerable.” debate is not which party wins or He was 73. 1. Every budget decision should be which powerful interests prevail, but Archbishop Dolan called Archbishop assessed by whether it protects or rather how those who are jobless, Sambi a friend of the U.S. “As the personal threatens human life and dignity. hungry, homeless or poor are treated,” representative of the Holy Father Pope 2. A central moral measure of any budget they wrote. “Their voices are too often Benedict XVI, Archbishop Sambi enjoyed proposal is how it affects “the least missing in these debates, but they have the highest respect and deepest affection of these.” (cf. Matthew 25) The needs of the most compelling moral claim on our of the bishops of the United States and of those who are hungry and homeless, consciences and our common resources.” our Catholic people,” Archbishop Dolan said in a statement.

14 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com Responding to the orphaned. They are suffering from hunger, expand already proven drought mitigation Famine in Africa thirst, disease, and drought,” they said. “It and other development programs that More than 12 million people are in is a humanitarian crisis that cries out for unfortunately are now only available in a need of urgent humanitarian assistance in help to Christians throughout the world. handful of villages.” Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia because of CRS has worked in East Africa for They concluded by asking the bishops what many are calling the worst drought decades and is on the ground responding of the United States to request that their in decades. This severe lack of rainfall has to this emergency. In Ethiopia, CRS is pastors “bring the plights of these poor resulted in failed crops, deaths of livestock expanding its food distribution program to people to our faithful and generous and critical shortages in food and water. 1.1 million people and is working closely parishioners and ask for their support, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president with local partners to provide livelihood possibly through a second collection. of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops support, water and sanitation. In Somalia, (USCCB), and Bishop Gerald Kicanas, CRS is supporting local partners to assist 9/11 Memorial Website chairman of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), highly vulnerable, displaced families with The U.S. Conference of Catholic have asked U.S. bishops to encourage basic necessities, such as food packages, Bishops has launched a website entitled pastors and parishioners to support support for clinics, therapeutic feeding and The Catholic Church Remembers to mark emergency relief efforts in the Horn of shelter. In Kenya, CRS is working both to the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The site Africa, possibly by taking up a second assist newly arrived refugees with hygiene, highlights firsthand experiences of pain collection. sanitation promotion and protection, and hope from the disaster. The site, “Every day we are seeing more and more and also to provide water, sanitation and http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/ heartbreaking news about the drought and supplemental feeding to drought-affected human-life-and-dignity/september-11/, famine in Somalia and the eastern parts Kenyan communities. includes six video vignettes, including of Africa. We see millions of people being “CRS can use all the help we can offer recollections of Cardinal Edward Egan, forced from their homes, leaving behind in this current tragic situation,” wrote archbishop-emeritus of the Archdiocese what meager possessions they had, and Archbishop Dolan and Bishop Kicanas. of New York. He became intimately walking for days over rough terrain,” wrote “Through CRS our generosity could involved in the tragedy moments after it Archbishop Dolan and Bishop Kicanas. literally feed thousands and provide them happened – when then-Mayor Rudolph “There are parents whose little children clean water, shelter and other life-saving Giuliani called and asked him to head for have died, and children who have been goods. Over time, CRS will be able to St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 15 saint of the month What made him a saint: St. Peter Claver willingly chose to spend his days entering the dismal, fetid holds of slave ships, caring for terrified, sick and dying slaves rather than accepting St. Peter Claver more comfortable ministries among Cartagena’s well-to-do a minister to slaves Catholics. He personally begged from house to house to collect food to bring to the slaves. He used his own cloak as a covering Born 1580 | Died 1654 for naked bodies, as a pillow for weary heads, and as a bandage Feast Day September 9 for wounded flesh. Not forgetting about the slaves after he Claim to fame: St. Peter Claver was ministered to them at the slave market, he traveled out to the born in Spain and entered the Jesuit countryside every spring to conduct missions at the plantations. order in 1601, when he was just 22. St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, Pope Leo XIII said, “No life, except the life of Christ, has moved the “holy porter of Majorca,” prophesied that the young man me so much as that of Peter Claver.” would go to the Indies and save “millions of perishing souls.” Best quote: St. Peter Claver summarized his ministry to the So Peter Claver headed for Colombia, home to the largest slaves in this way – “We must speak to them with our hands by slave market in the New World. After his priestly ordination in giving before we try to speak to them with our lips.” 1616, he made a vow to dedicate his life to ministering to the How he died: After ministering to the slaves in Cartagena thousands of African slaves who arrived every month at the port for nearly 40 years, St. Peter Claver fell ill from the plague and of Cartagena. He always kept that vow, bringing an estimated was partially paralyzed. For the final four years of his life, he was 300,000 slaves into the Catholic faith, training African bedridden and nearly forgotten. However, upon his death at age catechists to bring the Good News to the slaves in their own 74 on Sept. 9, 1654, the governor of Cartegena ordered a public languages, and ministering to the slaves after they left the ships funeral for the saint, which was attended by thousands of people. and began their lives on the Colombian plantations. Prayer: St. Peter Claver, you showed Christ’s love to the slaves, Little-known fact: In addition to caring for individual going where no one else would go, and doing what no one else slaves’ physical and spiritual needs, St. Peter Claver worked would do. Give us the courage to put aside our fears and prejudices to change the laws that governed their lives. While he was not and give wholly of ourselves to minister to those enslaved by able to abolish slavery, he did fight for laws that allowed for poverty, hunger, fear and ignorance. Help us to demonstrate Christ’s Christian marriage for slaves and that forbade the separation love by our actions as well as our words, so that others may come to of families. believe in his saving power. Amen.

Missionaries Lessons in Life from Blessed Mother of Charity Teresa of Calcutta Jesus called the children to “Let us always meet himself and said, “Let the each other with children come to me and smile, for the smile do not prevent them; for the is the beginning of kingdom of God belongs to love.” such as these.”(Luke 18:16) Courtesy of Alfredo’s The Missionaries Landscaping, St. John of Charity, St. Croix

Timeless Wisdom Our Blessed Mother’s Message from Medjugorje from the Saints July 25, 2011 “Dear children! May this time be for you a time of prayer and “Pray as though everything silence. Rest your body and spirit, may they be in God’s love. depended on God. Work as though Permit me, little children, to lead you, open your hearts to the everything depended on you.” Holy Spirit so that all the good that is in you may blossom and – St. Augustine bear fruit 100-fold. Begin and end the day with prayer with Courtesy of Dr. Stephen the heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.” and Maribel Okiye Courtesy of the Order of Malta | John and Claire Foster

16 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / 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 Catholic Spirituality Suggestions for Celebrating the Feast Go to a church, meditate on the images in the Stations of the Cross and consider what they mean. At each station pray, “We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee, for by thy The Exaltation Cross thou hast redeemed the world.” At the end, kneel in front of the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Lord’s Prayer, a Hail Mary of the Holy Cross and a Glory Be. Take some time to explain the meaning of the sign of Feast Day: September 14 the cross to your children. Memorize together John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” History of the Feast Recite it as part of your evening prayers. Have your children On September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross write the verse and draw a picture of Jesus on the cross. (also known as Triumph of the Cross), the Church honors Enjoy an evening meal with candles and decorations. the holy cross on which Christ died and redeemed the world. Tradition holds that sweet basil grew over the hill where On this day, public veneration of the cross is done in parishes St. Helena found the holy cross. In Greece, on this feast day, the around the world. faithful are given sprigs of basil by their priest. Cook a dinner of The tradition of honoring the true Cross originated in the basil pesto, tomato basil salad, or some other type of recipe that fourth century. Tradition holds that on September 14, 326, includes basil. St. Helen, mother of the Emperor Constantine, made a Make a dessert in the form of a cross or decorated with miraculous discovery. While on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she a cross. To make a cross cake, bake a sheet cake with a recipe of uncovered the cross on which Christ died. Constantine later built your choice. Once cool, cut the cake in half lengthwise. Then the Church of the Holy cut one of these sections in half widthwise. This makes three Sepulcher on the site of sections — one long and two short. Lay the long section onto a Prayer: Adoramus her discovery of the cross. serving plate. Set the two small sections next to the long section te, christe, et During the Mass on forming a cross. Frost and decorate as desired. benedicimus tibi, quia this feast day, Catholics per crucem tuam exalt — raise on high redemisti mundum. — the cross of Christ (We adore thee, O Christ, and honor it as the and we bless thee, for instrument of our by thy cross thou hast salvation. Adoration of the cross is adoration redeemed the world.) of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on this Roman instrument of torture for our redemption from sin and death. The cross represents the sacrifice by which Jesus, obedient even unto death, accomplished our salvation. The cross is a symbolic summary of the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ — all in one image.

The Sign of the Cross Catholics make the sign of the cross upon themselves on many occasions. There is great significance in this gesture. We make the sign of the cross before prayer, which helps to fix our minds and hearts to God. After prayer we make the sign of the cross to keep close to God. At baptism, we are sealed with the sign of the cross, signifying the fullness of redemption and that we belong to Christ. Before the Gospel is read at Mass, we make the sign of the cross on head, lips and heart, a gesture which asks Christ to instruct our minds, aid us in our witness, and renew our hearts, as we say, “May Christ’s words be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.” Placing a crucifix in our homes or wearing this image on our person is a constant reminder and witness that we are Christians.

18 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates. 19 journey of faith Diane Kuntz

For Diane Kuntz, July 15, 2010, was the week. I would one of the most horrible days of her life, get drunk every as well as the turning point. That day, night,” she said. when a stranger called, she was roped “One night I was in into sexting, phone sex and possible a club where two blackmail. When she realized she had guys were thrown nowhere to turn for help, she knelt down out. They decided and prayed, “God, if you get me through to come back with this, I will surrender my life to you.” guns. An off-duty Diane, now 33 years old, is no police officer Diane Kuntz, baptized into the Catholic Church at Holy Family stranger to misfortune. “When I was stopped them Church at the Easter Vigil, testified to her journey of faith at the born, I almost died. Then at the age of before they got up church’s Pentecost rally on June 12. one, I was almost run over by a car,” the stairs, but they Diane shared with The Catholic Islander. shot up the front of the building where sees that especially in her best friend who “Growing up, I was always overweight, I had been standing just minutes before. was inseparable from her. “Wherever you and I got teased about it in school. I My best friend and I would have been would see me, you would see Michele.” considered suicide and one day with a in the line of fire if that off-duty police Michele Rivera-Stout was as much a party knife almost tried it, but my best friend officer had not delayed them.” girl as Diane. Growing up Catholic, Michele stopped me. As Diane reflects on her early life, was not active in the Church, but then she “In my late 20s, I started going to clubs she sees that God was with her the attended a Life in the Spirit Seminar where every weekend and sometimes during whole time and protecting her. She she gave her life to God.

20 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / www.catholicislander.com Soon after the shooting incident, Michele 2010 and 2011. “Every day since July 15, I world together.” said to Diane, “We were always together am in church. Monday night is our prayer When Diane reflects on this past year in the sinful world, now let us be in God’s and worship meeting; on Tuesdays I attend of giving her life to God, she speaks with kingdom together.” Diane planning meetings incredible peace. “Being a Christian is a was not ready. All during Diane’s conversion was for the Diocesan joy,” she said. “I used to think that partying that week, she fell deeper swift. Diane gave her Youth Ministry; on was fun, but it is not. Going to church into the void of her life. Wednesdays we have and praising God is so much more; it is life to God. She began Every night she went to intercessory prayer amazing! Why get only a few hours of the bar and drank from 5 attending Mass and meetings, where we ‘happiness’ in a club when you can give to 9 p.m. taking classes in the pray for ourselves as your life to God here on earth and then On the night of July 15, Catholic Faith. well as for people in the have eternal life with him where there is no she received the call that community who are pain and no suffering? changed her life. The man on the other end sick; on Thursdays I attend choir practice “Being a Christian is no bed of roses. We of the phone solicited Diane to have phone for the prayer and worship meetings; on all have our ups and downs and sufferings, sex. Another call revealed that the call had Fridays I attend adoration; Saturday is my but God is always present! I do not miss been recorded and she was faced with the only ‘day off’ and Sunday is Mass.” the drinking and the clubs. I fill all of those possibility of the recording being sent to Diane and Michele are living in the voids with Jesus Christ.” her family, boss and co-workers. In that kingdom of God moment of horror, stuck in the void, Diane now. “In the party fell to her knees and prayed. world, when you Protection of children Diane’s conversion was swift. Diane saw her, you saw gave her life to God. She began attending me,” Diane said. The Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands is Mass and taking classes in the Catholic “Now when we are committed to protecting children from all harm. If you Faith, and was baptized and confirmed in church, when have knowledge that any priest, deacon or church at the Easter Vigil at Holy Family Church you see her, you worker may have abused a minor, please contact the on St. Thomas. Diane attended the Life in see me. We went diocesan child protection coordinator, Callista Julien, at the Spirit Seminar, and participated in the from the sinful (340) 774-3166 or (340) 719-4020. Jesus Explosion conferences in Trinidad in world into the holy

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

Rosary Walk Knights of Columbus Men’s Prayer Group Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts a Council 6187 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul The Sons of Joseph and Mary meet at rosary walk on September 3 and the Cathedral’s Yellow Room on the first and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on first Saturday of every month at 7 a.m., third Sunday of every month at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m. Legion of Mary Our Mother of Magnificat • Presidium María, Arca de la Alianza, Perpetual Help Devotions Magnificat, an international ministry to holds meetings in Spanish at Ss. Peter Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic women, meets at Ss. Peter and and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality are prayed before Mass on Wednesdays Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge Lounge on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 6:45 on September 3 and the first Saturday of • Presidium Mary, Mystical Rose, meets in a.m. and noon, at Our Lady of Perpetual every month at 8 a.m. Holy Family Church’s classroom on Help Church at 6:15 p.m., at Holy Family Sundays at 3 p.m. Church at 6:50 p.m., and at St. Anne Our Lady of Fatima Devotion • Presidium Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, Chapel at 7:15 p.m. The Children of Mary lead a devotion meets at the St. Anne Chapel hall on to Our Lady of Fatima at Holy Family Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Pro-Life Rosary Church on September 3 and the first A Pro-Life Rosary is prayed at Our Lady of Saturday of every month at 4 p.m. Bingo Perpetual Help Church on Wednesdays at Play bingo in the St. Anne Chapel hall on 5:45 p.m. Franciscan Spirituality Sundays at 4 p.m. The fundraiser will help The Lady Clare of Assisi Fraternity shares get the roof of the chapel painted. Intercessory Prayer Group Franciscan spirituality on September 10 A team is prepared to pray for the needs and the second Saturday of every month Holy Hours/Eucharistic Adoration of all who ask at Holy Family Church on at 1 p.m. Call Holy Family Church for the • St. Therese Chapel-Divine Mercy Wednesdays at 7 p.m. location. Shrine has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays to Fridays World Apostolate of Fatima St. Joseph Workers from 8 a.m. until Benediction at 5:30 The World Apostolate of Fatima meets at The St. Joseph Workers meet at Holy p.m. (Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.) and on Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Family Church’s Columban Hall on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until Benediction Thursdays at 10 a.m. September 11 and the second Sunday of at 1 p.m. every month at 9:30 a.m. • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church has Exposition on Tuesdays from 7:30 Pride of the Parish Catholic Daughters of America a.m. until Benediction at 6 p.m. and on Brothers Lesley (left) and Stephen Court 2049 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Richardson spread recycled asphalt in Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on • Holy Family Church and St. Anne front of the St. Anne Chapel hall and September 17 and the third Saturday of Chapel have Holy Hours with office on St. Thomas on August 11. The every month at 3 p.m. Exposition and Benediction on Fridays area will be used for additional parking. at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul Society The Young Vincentians meet on Divine Mercy Chaplet September 18 and the third Sunday of Altar servers from Ss. Peter and Paul every month at 11:30 a.m. The adult Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual members meet on September 24 and the Help Church lead the Divine Mercy fourth Saturday of every month at 3:30 chaplet at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on p.m. Both groups meet in Holy Family Mondays at 3 p.m. Church’s classroom. Charismatic Prayer All-Night Prayer Vigil • Pray in Spanish at Ss. Peter and Paul Holy Family Church will have an all- Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on night prayer vigil with Exposition of the Mondays at 6 p.m. Blessed Sacrament beginning on Friday, • Holy Family Church holds evenings of September 23, after the 7 p.m. Mass and charismatic prayer on Mondays at 7 p.m. ending with Benediction and Mass the next morning at 6 a.m.

22 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / 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 Franciscan Spirituality Our Mother of • Holy Cross Church has Exposition of The Our Lady of the Angels fraternity of the Perpetual Help Devotions the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on Third Order of St. Francis shares Franciscan Devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual September 2 and the first Friday of every spirituality at Franciscan House on Help are prayed at St. Patrick Church on month from 9 a.m. to noon. September 25 and the fourth Sunday of each Wednesdays at 6:30 and 8 a.m. Holy Cross • St. Patrick Church has a Holy Hour with month at 2 p.m. Church prays the devotion on Wednesdays Exposition and Benediction on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. St. Joseph after the 8 a.m. Mass. Divine Mercy Chaplet Church prays the devotion on Wednesdays • St. Ann Church has a Holy Hour with St. Joseph Church hosts Divine Mercy at 7 p.m. Exposition and Benediction in St. Ann devotions on September 25 and the fourth Chapel on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. The hour- Intercessory Prayer • St. Joseph Church has a Holy Hour with long program includes the Chaplet, prayers, Deacon Hyacinthe George and is available for Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at adoration, and teachings of the Divine Mercy prayer and counseling at St. Ann Chapel on 6:30 p.m. by Father John Mark. Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Santo Niño Cursillo Prayer Group St. Joseph Church hosts devotions to The Cursillo Movement hosts a Spanish Shepherds of Christ Associates the Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus) on prayer meeting in the St. Michael Chapel at The Shepherds of Christ Associates meet September 3 and the first Saturday of every St. Joseph Church on September 26 and the for prayer in the St. Michael Chapel of St. month at 4:30 p.m. The Sacrament of last Monday of every month at 7 p.m. Joseph Church on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Reconciliation is offered during this time. and on the second and fourth Sunday of Adult Education every month at 5 p.m. Pro-Life Prayer Vigil • The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate The St. Croix Right to Life Committee will Heart of Mary (ICM Sisters) offer classes Knights of Columbus hold a prayer vigil outside the abortion in Pre-GED, GED, Computer Literacy, Holy Cross Council #6482 meets at Holy clinic across from Island Center on Tuesday, Intermediate Computer, and English as Cross Church’s McAlpin Hall on the first September 13, at 5 p.m. a Second Language at the St. Patrick and third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. Learning Center on Monday through Charismatic Prayer Thursday mornings. Cursillo Ultreya • St. Patrick Church has charismatic prayer • The Religious of the Good Shepherd offer Cursillo members meet for the “ultreya” in in the chapel on September 16 and the adult education classes in Spanish at the the Cursillo office at St. Joseph Church on third Friday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Good Shepherd Center from Mondays Thursdays after the 7 p.m. Mass. Meetings • St. Ann Church has charismatic prayer in to Fridays. These courses include Spanish are in Spanish. Marian Hall on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. writing, English as a Second Language • The Cenacle of Our Lady of the Rosary and computer courses in Windows, Word, Legion of Mary Intercessory Prayer Group meets at Excel and the Internet. Presidium Mary, Our Lady of Grace, meets in Franciscan House on Wednesdays at the Holy Cross Church rectory on Saturdays 10 a.m. Neo-Catechumenal Way at 4:30 p.m. The Neo-Catechumenal Way leads a Magnificat Celebration of the Word at St. Joseph Church Magnificat, an international ministry to on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. Pride of the Parish Shani Harris, a St. Joseph High Catholic women, meets at Franciscan School graduate, class of 2011, was House on September 18 and the third Devotions to St. Gerard Majella baptized in St. Ann Church on St. Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. Pray a devotion to St. Gerard Majella at Holy Croix by Msgr. Michael Kosak, pastor, Cross Church on Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m. Secular Order on July 16. Her grandmother, Jeanne Discalced Carmelites World Apostolate of Fatima Farrelly, also is her godmother. The Our Lady Star of the Sea Community The World Apostolate of Fatima meets in the shares Carmelite spirituality in the St. Joseph chapel at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays Church Hospitality Lounge and Learning at 5 p.m. Center on September 25 and the fourth Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. Spanish Prayer and Reflection Pray the rosary and share reflections on the readings of the coming Sunday Mass at Holy Cross Church on alternate Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Meetings are in Spanish.

24 The Catholic Islander / September 2011 / 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 a Holy Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church the Guadalupe Hall of Our Lady of Mt. Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament hosts an hour of charismatic prayer Carmel Church on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Benediction on Thursdays at 6 p.m. on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

Pride of The latest diocesan news the Parish and photographs Athniel “Addie” www.catholicislander.blogspot.com Ottley sits in the updated twice weekly! sacristy of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas to monitor the live radio broadcast of Read The Catholic Islander online at the Sunday morning www.catholicislander.com Mass over WSTA 1340 AM. Take your digital camera to church! E-mail your photographs of parish or school events to [email protected].

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Advertise your business in The Catholic Islander! Call (340) 774-3166 for rates.