EXCLUSIVE NEWS INSIDE *Columban Hall Opens THE CATHOLIC *St. Francis’ Blessing of Animals *New Initiatives for Vocations *VI Priests Serving the Military *Deacon Recovering from Stroke *Nuestra Señora De Providencia ISLANDER *Deacon Says Farewell to VI VOL. 20, NO. 11 NOVEMBER 2004 *Listings of Coming Events A PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CHANCELLOR CELEBRATES CATHOLIC MEN ON RETREAT 14TH ANNIVERSARY

Some twenty men attended a Catholic Men’s Msgr. Jerome Feudjio (right) celebrated his birthday and Retreat at Holy Family Church on St. Thomas on his fourteenth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood September 24-25. Warren Mitchell, a St. Croix native on September 29 by concelebrating Mass with Fr. Neil Scantlebury at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas. working in youth and family counseling in Baltimore, Maryland, led the retreat. FIREFIGHTERS STUDENTS PERFORM TEACH SAFETY CANTERBURY TALES Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes from St. Mary School on St. Croix went to the fire station in Cotton Valley on October 1. They were shown around the fire station and learned about fire safety, especially about Stop, Drop and Roll. They were able to beep the truck horn and shoot the water from the hose.

Ethan Rodriguez shot water from a fire hose when Eliana Schuster, Karen Henry, Shawon Reyes and Lynette Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes from St. Mary School Clarke staged Canterbury Tales for fellow students at St. on St. Croix visited a fire station on October 1. Joseph High School on October 15 and 19. Notes from the Bishop’s Desk

The Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

NEW VOCATIONS DIRECTOR ST. PATRICK SCHOOL Bishop George Murry, SJ, has appointed Fr. John Mark as Vocations Director, effective October 4. Fr. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Mark will also continue as Parochial Vicar of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas. TRUSTEES MEET Also in vocations news, Fr. John McLoughlin, Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Church on St. Croix, has scheduled a vocations retreat for teen-agers on December 4 and for adults on December 11. He is preparing a brochure for distribution throughout the diocese. Meanwhile, Bishop Murry continues to solicit applicants for the deaconate. Those interested in discerning a call to serve the Church on St. Thomas and St. John as a deacon should direct a letter to him as soon as possible. Weekly classes will begin in January 2005. CONVOCATION IMPLEMENTATION Bishop George Murry, SJ, and Very Rev. Kenneth Twenty-one Catholic leaders in the U.S. Virgin Gaddy, CSsR, met with the St. Patrick School Alumni Islands have been assigned to seven working groups to Association Trustees at the alumni dinner at St. Gerard draft a plan for addressing the needs of the diocese. Hall on St. Croix on October 9. By examining the suggestions made by the eighty Back row, left to right: Anastasia Doward; Vertilee priests, religious and lay persons who participated in the Bailey-Daniel; Anne Doute; Bishop George Murry, SJ; Diocesan Convocation on St. Croix on May 13-15, the Fr. Kenneth Gaddy, CSsR; Dr. Catherine-Milligan new committees this month will determine which Terrell; and Sr. Claina Letang, ICM, Principal. suggestions are realistic or which can be adjusted to be Front row, left to right: Iris Bailey-Richards; Aurea realistic, how they can be adjusted, and then outline Gomes-Stamatakis; Hortense Milligan-Rowe; and how and when they may be implemented. Jeanne Duval-Garcia. BISHOP MURRY’S ITINERARY FOR NOVEMBER 2004 November 5 6:00 p.m. Teacher Appreciation Dinner Victor’s Hideout St. Thomas November 6 5:00 p.m. Mass St. Anne Chapel St. Thomas November 7 6:30, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Mass OLPH Church St. Thomas November 13-19 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Bi-Annual Meeting Washington, DC November 20 6:00 p.m. Mass OLMC Church St. John November 21 8:00 a.m. Mass St. Anne Chapel St. Thomas November 21 6:00 p.m. St. Joseph High School Fundraising Kickoff Dinner St. Croix November 22 8:30 a.m. School Thanksgiving Mass Cathedral St. Thomas November 23 9:00 a.m. Schools Thanksgiving Mass Holy Cross Church St. Croix November 25 9:00 a.m. Parish Thanksgiving Mass Cathedral St. Thomas November 28 3:00 p.m. Prayer Service St. Joseph H.S. St. Croix November 30 10:00 a.m. St. Thomas/St. John Deanery Columban Hall St. Thomas

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 2 FOUR VI PRIESTS VI PRIEST SERVING THE MILITARY STUDYING IN ROME Fr. Alejandro Sanchez, former Administrator of St. Ann Chapel on St. Thomas, has been called into active Msgr. Michael Kosak, Pastor of St. Ann Church on duty by the National Guard. He is in Kuwait, waiting to St. Croix, started his one-year course of studies at the be sent to Iraq. Angelicum in Rome in October. He is studying the Fr. Simon Obeng, former Pastor of Our Lady of History of Spirituality together with the spiritual Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas, in active duty doctrine of Teresa of Avila, the Theology and with the United States Army, is in Baghdad and will Psychology of Prayer, Man-Image of God, and Aspects return to the diocese in 2006. of the Consecrated Life. Fr. Jose Herrera, former Pastor of St. Joseph Church, is serving in the Army at Ft. Leavenworth, Msgr. Kosak is living in the heart of Rome with Kansas. sixty-two priests from all over the United States plus a Fr. Cecil Corneille, Pastor of St. Joseph Church, few from England, Australia and Poland. serves in the National Guard but has not been called into “Most of the priests were ordained five to ten years active duty. ago and are pursuing degrees in Systematic Theology, DEACON RECOVERING Moral Theology, Scripture, and Canon Law,” Msgr. Kosak told The Catholic Islander. “They are our future FROM STROKE seminary professors and canon lawyers. It is a very Deacon Hyacinthe George of St. Ann Church on St. good experience for me to share in their journey.” Croix is recovering slowly from a stroke which partially paralyzed him on August 13. Deacon Neville Charles is taking Deacon George to therapy on Mondays, Deacon James Verhoff is taking him on Wednesdays and Deacon George’s wife Frances is taking him on Fridays. He has begun taking a few steps. Deacon George returned to the parish for the first time, surprising his fellow deacons, by rolling in on his wheelchair at Deacon Robert Brady’s farewell celebration at St. Ann Church on September 29. NFP INSTRUCTOR TO BE RECERTIFIED Sr. Louise Marie Bryan, SC, will attend a Billings Ovulation Method Association USA international seminar and conference in Dallas-Fort Worth on November 5 and 6 in order to be re-certified as an instructor of this method of Natural Family Planning. Sr. Bryan has been the only certified teacher of the Billings method in the diocese since 1977. She will Msgr. Michael Kosak (right) with Fr. Charles Martin from continue teaching the method at marriage preparation Dominica at the Vatican. Bishop Gabriel Malzaire sent Fr. seminars in the diocese. Martin to study Canon Law. ======The Catholic Islander is published monthly by the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The Catholic Islander is written, edited and printed solely in the U.S. Virgin Islands. P.O. Box 301825, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, 00803-1825 http://www.catholicislander.com Telephone: (340) 776-6339 Fax: (340) 693-7685 E-mail: [email protected] Publisher The Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ Editor-in-Chief Fr. Charles Crespo Contributing Editor Bernetia Akin Copy Editor Madeleine Anduze Staff Photographers Faye Abdullah-Boschulte Webmaster Br. James Petrait, OSFS Circulation Deacon Emith Fludd THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 3 ALL SAINTS DAY OBLIGATION DOMINICA INDEPENDENCE Dominica will celebrate twenty-six years of ABROGATED FOR 2004 independence on November 3. Catholics in the Virgin All Saints Day, November 1, will not be a holy day Islands will remember the occasion with festive French of obligation this year because it falls on a Monday. The Creole Masses. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ On St. Croix, Fr. Vincent Esprit of Dominica will Committee on Liturgy has abrogated for this year the celebrate Mass at St. Ann Church on Sunday, November usual obligation of U.S. Latin-rite Catholics to attend 7, at 9:30 a.m. On St. Thomas, Fr. Vanty Auguiste of Mass on that day. Nevertheless, the feast day will be Dominica will celebrate Mass at Holy Family Church celebrated by all churches. on Sunday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m. In 1992, the Vatican approved a decision by the bishops to lift the obligation to attend Mass on three NUESTRA SEÑORA DE holy days when they fall on a Saturday or Monday. Those feast days are Mary, Mother of God, on January PROVIDENCIA, 1, the Assumption of Mary on August 15 and All Saints PATRONESS OF PUERTO RICO Day on November 1. Hundreds of Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics are ALL SOULS DAY expected to turn out for celebrations of Nuestra Señora Each year, Catholics are called to pray for the poor de Providencia (Our Lady of Divine Providence), souls in purgatory on All Souls Day, November 2. Two patroness of Puerto Rico, whose feast day is on Friday, local parishes have announced special celebrations. November 19. On St. John, congregants at Our Lady of Mt. The largest celebration likely will be the one at St. Carmel Church are invited to bring cut flowers to Mass Joseph Church on St. Croix, where Mass in Spanish will at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to remember their dearly be celebrated on the actual date at 7:00 p.m. A reception departed. During the prayers of intercession, they will with traditional Puerto Rican dishes will be served after be invited to place the flowers in vases in front of the the Mass in the Hospitality Lounge and Learning altar and call out the name of their deceased loved ones. Center. On St. Croix, Holy Cross Church is extending the Elsewhere in the diocese, the patronal feast will be celebration to a Mass of Remembrance on Saturday, celebrated with Spanish Masses and community meals November 6, at 6:00 p.m. After Mass, a dinner will on the nearest Sunday, November 21. At Ss. Peter and follow in McAlpin Hall. Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas, the festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. HONORING LONGTIME John, Mass begins at 5:00 p.m. SCHOOL STAFF Our Lady of Divine Providence, one of many titles In a profession where turnover rate is usually high, of Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been considered the twenty-six out of thirty-five employees of Ss. Peter and patroness of Puerto Rico for approximately 150 years. Paul School on St. Thomas have served the students for FEEDING THE POOR five or more years. To recognize the sacrifices these individuals have AT THANKSGIVING made to ensure that generations of students receive a This Thanksgiving, all parishes in the diocese will quality Catholic education, longtime faculty and staff have blessing of bread and other food at Mass and will be honored on Friday, November 5. The dinner will distribute food donations to the poor. Undoubtedly, be held at Victor’s New Hideout beginning at 6:00 p.m. however, the largest charitable operation will be at Holy The Starlites will be the musical attraction. Tickets are Cross Church on St. Croix. Last year, volunteers on sale at the school for $30.00. distributed over 400 meals to the poor. On St. John, Cruz Bay’s homeless are invited to sit STEEL BAND CONCERT with Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church parishioners at the The Prayers, Hymns and Praise Steel Orchestra will Thanksgiving table. The annual community meal will perform a Pre-Christmas Concert in the new Columban be held at the Nazareth Lutheran Church’s social hall on Hall at Holy Family Church on St. Thomas on Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, November 25, at noon. November 28, at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, Donations may be dropped off at the parish $5 for children. Proceeds will help purchase musical rectories. equipment. THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 4 ¡BUENAS NOTICIAS! SACERDOTES EN EL EJERCITO El P. Alejandro Sánchez, quién fue administrador de la Capilla Sta. Ana en Sto. Tomás, ha sido activado en la Guardia Nacional. Ahora está en Kuwait, esperando que le manden a Iraq. El P. Simon Obeng, quién fue párroco de la Iglesia Ntra. Sra. del Perpetuo Socorro en Sto. Tomás, también ha sido activado en el ejército de los Estado Unidos. Esta en Bagdad y regresará a la diócesis en el 2006. El P. José Herrera, quién fue párroco de la Iglesia San José en Sta. Cruz, está sirviendo en el ejército en Leavenworth, Kansas. La comunidad hispana de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás se El P. Cecil Corneille, párroco de reunieron con P. Juan Mark cada noche en octubre para orar el rosario. la Iglesia San José en Sta. Cruz, NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PROVIDENCIA sirve en la Guardia Nacional, pero Se espera que la celebración de Ntra. Sra. de la Divina Providencia, no ha sido activado. patrona de Puerto Rico, el viernes 19 de noviembre, sea muy concurrida. En Sta. Cruz, la celebración se llevará a cabo en la Iglesia San José con DÍA DE LOS DIFUNTOS una misa en español. Después de la misa habrá una recepción en el Salón de Todos los años, los católicos Hospitalidad, donde se servirán platos tradicionales. En las otras parroquias están llamados a rezar por los de la diócesis, la fiesta patronal se celebrará con misas en español y comidas pobres almas del purgatorio el 2 de de la comunidad en el domingo más cercano, el 21 de noviembre. En Sto. noviembre. Tres parroquias locales Tomás, la fiesta en la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo comenzará a las 12:30 han anunciado celebraciones p.m. En St. John, la misa en la Iglesia Ntra. Sra. del Carmen comenzará a especiales para ése día. las 5:00 p.m. En St. John, la Iglesia Ntra. Sra. Ntra. Sra. de la Providencia es uno de las muchas advocaciones que del Carmen invita a la congregación tiene María, la Madre de Jesús, y ha sido considerada como patrona de que lleven una flor a las misas de las Puerto Rico por aproximadamente 150 años. 7:00 a.m. y 7:00 p.m. para recordar RADIO CATÓLICO a sus files difuntos. Durante las La Oficina de Evangelización del Obispo presenta Tu Compañero oraciones de los fieles, se les Católico, un programa radial Católico premiado, semanal, de media hora, invitará a depositar sus flores en un en el idioma español, cada fín de semana. En forma de revista, Tu florero en frente del altar y decir el Compañero Católico incluye segmentos de entrevista de invitados especiales, catecismo, consejos espirituales, música y más. Tu Compañero nombre de sus seres queridos. Católico es un iniciativo de evangelización por el personal del Ministerio En Sta. Cruz, la Iglesia San José Hispano de los Redentoristas de la Provincia de Denver. tendrá misas a la 7:00 a.m. y Tu Compañero Católico se oye en WIUJ 102.9 FM los sábados a las bilingüe a las 7:00 p.m. La Iglesia 3:30 p.m. Normalmente, el último programa del mes se repite el día Holy Cross extiende la celebración a siguiente (domingo) a las 8:30 p.m. en WSTA 1340 AM. una misa conmemorativa el sábado, 6 de noviembre “Mistagógica” 6 de noviembre, a las 6:00 p.m., y 13 de noviembre“Los Salmos” después de la misa habrá una cena 20 de noviembre “Frutos o Dones del Espíritu Santo” en el McAlpin Hall. 27 de noviembre “Doctores de la Iglesia”

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 5 ST. PATRICK ALUMNI HONORED NOVEMBER CATHOLIC RADIO The Bishop’s Office of Evangelization presents ninety minutes of Catholic radio on weekends. Contact In conjunction with the Sacred Heart Program in St. Louis, Missouri, Contact broadcasts on WIUJ 102.9 FM on Saturdays at St. Patrick School’s Alumni Association honored four of its own with a dinner at 3:00 p.m. The November broadcasts St. Gerard Hall on St. Croix on October 9. Pictured left to right are Bishop are listed below. George Murry, SJ, Lawrence Bastian, Angela Morales, Dr. Arthur Petersen, Jr., Therese Duval and Very Rev. Kenneth Gaddy, CSsR. Nov. 6 “Keeping the Faith” Nov. 13 “Let Us Give Thanks” Nov. 20 “Creative Comforts” DEACON SAYS FAREWELL Nov. 27 “Inside the Golden Door” In an evening filled with songs, joy, tears and laughter, the diaconal community at St. Ann Church on St. Croix bid farewell to Deacon Robert Brady and his wife Susan on September 29. The Bradys were preparing Tu Compañero Católico to relocate to North Carolina. Tu Compañero Católico follows The parish’s six remaining deacons and their wives organized the Contact on WIUJ 102.9 FM on goodbye dinner, which was made even more special by the surprise Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. Tu arrival of Deacon Hyacinthe George in his wheelchair. After dinner, each Compañero Católico, an award- of the deacons took turns expressing their appreciation to the Bradys, winning half-hour Spanish-language who in turn thanked everyone present for their love. program, is produced by the “I will surely miss you all,” Deacon Brady said. Redemptorist Hispanic Radio On behalf of the pastor, Msgr. Michael Kosak, who was in Rome, Fr. Ministry. The November broadcasts Louis Kemayou, Parochial Vicar, along with priests-in-residence Msgr. are listed below. Bernard Campbell and Fr. Simon Peter Opira, presented the couple with Nov. 6 “Mistagógica” a laminated photo of St. Ann Church. Nov. 13 “Los Salmos” Nov. 20 “Frutos o Dones del Espíritu Santo” Nov. 27 “Doctores de la Iglesia”

The Catholic Voice The Catholic Voice airs half- hour programs on WSTA 1340 AM on Sundays at 8:30 p.m. The programs are courtesy of EWTN TV & AM/FM Radio. The November Pictured left to right: broadcasts listed below are hosted Seated: Deacon Hyacinthe George and Kate Mark. by Fr. John Perricone. Front row: Deacon Denis Griffith; Patricia Griffith; Msgr. Bernard Campbell; Nov. 7 “To Know and To Love #2” Susan Brady; Frances George; and Lucy Bough. Nov. 14 “To Know and To Love #3” Second row: Sr. Patricia Alexander, WIF; Patricia Browne; Joan Ollie; Fr. Louis Nov. 21 “To Know and To Love #4” Kemayou; Maria Thompson; Deacon Eugene Thompson; Clara Xavier; Deacon Nov. 28 (Spanish) Tu Compañero Norbert Xavier; Deacon Robert Brady; and Deacon Joseph Mark. Católico: “Doctores de la Iglesia” Back row: Fr. Simon Peter Opira and Deacon Arnold Helenese.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 6 On the Road to Jerusalem The Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands RESPECT LIFE This weekend, in churches all across our country, we Catholics celebrate Respect Life Sunday. It is a time for us to reflect on the violence that in our country alone annually takes the lives of a million and a half unborn children. This is the violence of abortion. Surveys show that many Catholics are confused by the propaganda of those who support this violence in our society. Therefore, it is worth taking time on this Respect Life Sunday to outline, clearly, the reasons why abortion is wrong and why so many are confused about it. Defenders of abortion claim that the unborn are only “potential life,” a part of the mother’s body that can be cut out, like tonsils or the appendix. Medical science tells a different story. Although a pregnant mother does not normally feel the new life within her until the sixteenth week of pregnancy or later, doctors can now detect life’s beginnings from conception onward. By the twelfth week of pregnancy, what pro-abortionists claim is “merely a group of cells” to be disposed of, at will can kick his or her legs, turn feet, move thumbs, swallow fluid, and make inhaling and exhaling motions. Is that “potential life” or is that a child in the womb? Common sense and experience tell us that those “cells” are a child. Since the Supreme Court decision of 1973, it has been legal to kill unborn children for any reason at all, however trivial, right up to the moment of birth. More recently the courts have even refused to outlaw the killing of a baby during birth. That is what is known as partial birth abortion. Congress finally outlawed this barbarous procedure last year, but in many places the procedure still continues. How has our society come to accept this widespread violence? The answer lies in part through the clever use of language that disguises what really happens in an abortion. Defenders of abortion never speak of its victims as “babies.” Instead they call them “fetuses.” Fetus is a perfectly good medical term. But even doctors listening to the heartbeat in the womb of a pregnant woman will tell her: “Your baby is coming along fine.” Only when she has decided she does not want the baby does it become something different: a “fetus”, an impersonal “it” to be disposed of at will. Until legalized abortion, the physician’s care embraced two patients: mother and her unborn child. Now, at the mother’s request, he is expected to care for her alone, and kill her child. The most successful use of language to disguise what is really at stake in abortion is the term “pro-choice.” “We are not forcing you to have an abortion,” say those who call themselves pro-choice, “so do not try to impose your morality on us.” A century and a half ago the defenders of slavery in our country used the very same argument. They too claimed to be pro-choice. “We are not forcing anyone to own slaves,” they said. “We would just like you to leave us alone with our slaves.” Slaveholders said: “Doesn’t a man has a right to do what he wants with his property?” Pro-choice people today say: “Doesn’t a woman have a right to do what she wants with her body?” Yes, a man or a woman has a right to do what he or she wants with his or her property. But the slaves in the nineteenth century and the unborn today are not property. They were and are human beings and we have no right to take the life of an innocent human being. In fact, to do so is a grave sin. Is abortion really the great step forward for women claimed by those who call themselves pro-choice? Many who have undergone an abortion testify that it is not. Listen to the voice of one woman. She speaks for thousands like her. “We were using two kinds of contraception. My boyfriend said we were not ready for a baby, even though we had been talking about marriage. I called Planned Parenthood. I was afraid of being abandoned by my boyfriend and having to raise two children as a single parent. Our engagement ended violently after the abortion. It was horrible, painful, humiliating! I felt lied to and cheated out of my baby. I can only feel that my boundaries were violated. (continued on page 13) THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 7 COLUMBAN HALL OPENS Holy Family Church on St. Thomas celebrated the dedication of its new Columban Hall on October 10, nine years after Hurricane Marilyn destroyed the original parish hall. The dedication program included performances by six choirs, including the Children Choir from St. Joseph Church on St. Croix, and the Prayers, Hymns and Praise Steel Orchestra. A reception followed. The hall is named after the Columban Fathers, who served the parish from 1970 to 1986.

Bishop George Murry, SJ, blessed the new building with St. Joseph Church’s Children Choir came from St. Croix to holy water and prayers. sing at the opening.

Fr. Simon Peter Opira, the former pastor who launched the The youth of the Prayers, Hymns and Praise Steel project, was acknowledged by parishioner Alma Wells. Orchestra, based out of Holy Family Church, performed.

Fr. Thomas Normanly, SSC, the parish’s first pastor, attended the opening of the new Columban Hall, representing the Columban Fathers. At the dias, left to right, are Rev. Dr. George Franklin, Pastor of Holy Family Church, Hon. Donna Christensen, Delegate to Congress, Bishop George Murry, SJ, Elmo Adams (representing Gov. Charles Turnbull) and Fr. Simon Peter Opira.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 8 CELEBRATING ST. FRANCIS WITH THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is October 4, and in honor of his renowned love for animals, two local parishes and two schools hosted a Blessing of Animals. Especially at the schools, a great array of pets was evident, from turtles and hamsters to lambs and donkeys. Pictured right, Fr. Charles Crespo, Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John, blessed many dogs, a cat, a bird, a rabbit, and a goat on the curbside on October 2.

Pictured left, students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5 brought plants and animals to Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas for a blessing on October 4. Fr. Crespo led the prayer service and blessing, which consisted of the various classes singing songs and reading aloud poems.

Pictured right, all creatures great and small were brought to Holy Cross Church on St. Croix for a blessing on October 2. Sponsored by St. Mary School, the day included games, food, music and donkey rides on Eeyore, held here by his owner Steven O’Dea.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 9 CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS CATHOLIC CHARITIES ELECT NEW OFFICERS EMPLOYEE RECEIVES AWARD The Catholic Daughters of America Court 2049 on Yvonne Gomez of HAPICAT and Catholic Charities St. Thomas installed new officers in October: Marlene of the Virgin Islands received the Beacon Award at the Adams, regent; Ariel Farrington, vice regent; Lydia Fourth Annual Territorial Women’s Summit breakfast Boschulte, secretary; Delita DeLagarde, treasurer; and banquet held on September 4 at Palms Court Mary Johns, financial secretary. The officers serve two- Harborview Hotel on St. Thomas. year terms. Ms. Gomez, along with other chosen honorees, also The Catholic Daughters will visit different parishes received legislative and congressional honors. during November and December to participate as a Over the past seventeen years, Ms. Gomez has group in the Mass and to recruit new members. worked as a case manager for the Family Education The organization meets every third Saturday of the Program and regularly conducts community outreach, month in the Hospitality Center across from Ss. Peter working with the homeless, elderly and mentally ill and Paul Cathedral. public.

REDEMPTORISTS FEASTS Holy Cross Church on St. Croix celebrated the New altar servers from St. Mary School were work of two Redemptorists, Blessed Francis X. initiated into the Altar Server Society of St. Gerard Seelos and Saint Gerard Majella, in October. Majella on October 13, commemorating the Holy Cross Church held a healing service on upcoming feast of St. Gerard. Kurissa Vialet and October 3. The seriously ill were offered the Brittany Williams, two students from St. Mary Sacrament of the Sick and a special blessing with the School, are the parish’s two new head altar servers. relic of Blessed Seelos. St. Gerard Majella, (d. 1755) patron saint of pro- Blessed Seelos, a Redemptorist priest and life endeavors, as well as of expectant mothers and missionary (d. 1867), was originally from Fussen, those wishing to conceive, lived only a few short Bavaria. From his youth, he felt the call to be a years after taking his final vows as a Redemptorist missionary. As a young boy, he is remembered brother. However, he accomplished much during his having once said, “I want to be another Francis time with the Redemptorists, supporting his fellow Xavier.” He eventually answered the call and joined missionary priests and working tirelessly to bring lost the Redemptorists who then sent him to the United sinners back to the Lord. He had a deep love for Jesus States where he became famous as a mission Epreacher, confessor, director of seminarians and in the Eucharist, a love for the poor, and had powerful pastor. He was particularly known for having an mystical gifts. His feast is celebrated on October 16. intensely joyful life of prayer which led him to Every Tuesday, Holy Cross church has a special develop a deep love for God and neighbor. His feast novena to St. Gerard that concludes with a blessing is celebrated on October 5. with a first class relic of the saint.

A healing service soliciting the intercession of Blessed Fr. Michael Houston, Parochial Vicar of Holy Cross Church, Francis X. Seelos was held at Holy Cross Church on St. commissioned students of St. Mary School into the Altar Croix on October 3. Server Society of St. Gerard Majella on October 13.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 10 CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE “CALLED AND GIFTED” Six teachers from the four Catholic schools in the Virgin Islands participated in a retreat entitled “Called and Gifted” with Dr. Susan Diverio, Special Assistant to the Bishop for Catholic Education, at St. Joseph’s Dwelling Place in Ludlow, Vermont, on September 20-24. Jane Gonzales and Toni Thompson of Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas, Meg Bryson of St. Joseph School on St. Croix, Bobbie Smith of St. Mary School on St. Croix, and Tina Thompson and Pat Dass of St. Patrick School on St. Croix will now form teams that will “To be ‘Called and Gifted’ by God was one of the greatest experiences I ever facilitate retreats for students and had,” one teacher reflected. “Those days spent in Vermont helped me to really other teachers. look within myself as a Catholic educator.” PARENTS AND TEACHERS ONE ON ONE An Open House at St. Patrick School on St. Croix urged parents to visit classrooms and teachers on September 26. Teachers shared with parents their program of studies and showed them the students’ works. Following the Open House, parents were invited to a Home School Association meeting, where Clifford Cuffy of Virgin Islands Parents Uniting Schools and Homes (VIPUSH) encouraged parental involvement in the lives of their Grade 7 teacher Wendy Bougouneau (background) met with parents at St. Patrick School’s Open House on September 26. children. RAFFLE WINNERS: RAFFLE WINNERS: CATHEDRAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The Knights of Columbus St. Thomas Council 6187 drew raffle winners at the Holy Family Church Appreciation Fun Day October 11. The first prize, a 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck, went to Benedict Regis of St. John. A combination washer/dryer went to ticket #1012, and a 32-inch color TV went to ticket #6271. Fr. Neil Scantlebury, Rector of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas, and the parish’s 6:30 a.m. Door Choir, announced the winners of the Cathedral Restoration Raffle in the Hospitality Lounge on September 12.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 11 RCYC SPONSORS BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION On St. Croix, St. Patrick School is participating in YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST the Box Tops for Education program. Each class will The Regional Catholic Youth Conference (RCYC) collect box tops from cereal boxes and the class is sponsoring an essay contest for students in collecting the most will win a prize. General Mills will elementary, junior and high schools. The subject of the send two checks a year to the school reflecting the essay is “Proud to be Catholic.” The first prize is amount of box tops collected during each collection period. $300.00, the second prize is $150.00, and the third prize is $50.00. The essay should be 2500 words or less, typed in STUDENTS CARE FOR double space, and submitted by December 1 to RCYC, COMMUNITY TREE P.O. Box 223611, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Students of St. Mary School on St. Croix adopted Islands, 00822-3611. The essays will be judged by a the Baobob Tree in the Christiansted government panel of priests, religious and lay persons. parking lot. Each month two classes go down to the tree and clean the area, weed and make sure that the tree is REGIONAL CATHOLIC in a healthy environment. YOUTH CONFERENCE Catholic youth and youth ministers thirteen to thirty-five years old may register for the Regional Catholic Youth Conference (RCYC) to be held at Holy Family Church’s Columban Hall on St. Thomas on January 21-23, 2005. The Most Rev. Vincent Darius, Bishop of St. George (Grenada), and Corinne Francis, Vice President for Missions at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell, New York, will be the guest speakers. The conference’s theme will be “Proud to be Catholic — Uncovering the St. Mary School’s Kindergarten and Grade 7 students care Pearl of Great Price.” for the Baobob tree they adopted on St. Croix. STUDENT USHERS COMMISSIONED NATIONAL LUNCH DAY

Ten St. Patrick School students served as ushers for Parents of students at Ss. Peter and Paul School on the alumni banquet on October 9. St. Thomas were invited to join their children for school Back row, left to right: Jed Bougouneau; Kirk lunch on National Lunch Day, October 14. Grant; Lennox Mark; Nader Hamad; and Joshua Santos. Pictured above, Assistant Principal Barbara Kenny Front row left to right: Michelle Adams; Shakeelah ate with students Kelly Gillin-Schwartz (left) and Williams; Lauren Henry; Addisha Williams; and Haley Christine McAllister. Christine is Ms. Kenny’s Allick. granddaughter.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 12 RESPECT LIFE (continued from page 7) “I have been a feminist for 18 years. The abortion I PROTECTION OF CHILDREN had was the most evil thing I have ever done. I am enraged at Planned Parenthood and NOW. I bought the The Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands is pro-choice rhetoric. I felt choice was important. I am committed to protecting children from all harm. If you angry now that I had that choice. I would have preferred have knowledge that any priest, deacon or church to do what God intended me to do with my body — be worker may have abused a minor, please immediately a woman! “ contact the Vicar General of the Diocese, Very Rev. That woman now talks openly of her experience and Kenneth Gaddy, CSsR, at (340) 772-0138 or Bishop is active in the pro-life movement. No woman should George Murry, SJ, at (340) 774-3166. have to undergo what she experienced. Consequently, we must work and pray for an end to abortion. We must also support those women who have undergone an abortion. Listen to what Pope John Paul II says in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae: Our Blessed Mother’s Message from Medjugorie “I would like to say a special word to women who September 25, 2004 have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and “Dear children! Also today, I call you to be love where she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful there is hatred and food where there is hunger. Open your hearts, little children, and let your hands be extended and and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart generous so that, through you, every creature may thank may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was God the Creator. Pray, little children, and open your heart and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to to God’s love, but you cannot if you do not pray. Therefore, discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to pray, pray, pray. Thank you for having responded to my understand what happened and face it honestly. If you call.” have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies Courtesy of Claire & John Foster is ready to give you His forgiveness and His peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life.” The struggle to defend life amid what Pope John Paul II rightly calls a “culture of death” has gone on for over three decades in our country. Although the number of abortions has decreased in recent years, the end is barely in sight. We cannot sustain the struggle without prayer and faith. Faith like that is a gift. We are here to receive that gift in the Eucharist. Together let us ask the Lord of life to help all to see how precious every human life is from the moment of conception until natural death and let us commit ourselves to always defend human life, born and unborn, even when our choice is not popular. (From Bishop Murry’s homily at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Respect Life Sunday)

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THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 14 ST. CROIX calendar SACRED HEART MASS EVENINGS OF CHARISMATIC PRAYER A Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be St. Patrick Church will hold an evening of charismatic celebrated at Holy Cross Church on November 4 and on prayer on November 19 and the third Friday of each the first Thursday of each month. month. St. Ann Church holds charismatic prayer meetings on HOLY HOURS Tuesdays, Holy Cross Church on Thursdays, and St. Holy Cross Church will have a Holy Hour with Joseph Church on Fridays. All meetings begin gathering Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction at 7:00 p.m. on November 5 and all First Fridays at 9:00 a.m. St. Joseph Church will have a bilingual Holy Hour on CANCER SUPPORT GROUP November 5 and all First Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Jim and Centelia Matthews lead a cancer support group St. Patrick Church has a Holy Hour on Fridays after the at St. Ann Church on November 17 and the third 8:00 a.m. Mass. Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. St. Ann Church has a Holy Hour on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. SECULAR ORDER DISCALCED CARMELITES HEALING MASS Secular Order Discalced Carmelites meet November 28 and every fourth Sunday at St. Ann Church at 1:00 p.m. St. Patrick Church will host a healing Mass on November 5 and all First Fridays at 7:00 p.m. CHARISMATIC MASS A charismatic Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann Church SANTO NIÑO DEVOTION/RECONCILIATION on November 30 and every last Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Devotions to El Santo Niño at St. Joseph Church are on November 6 and all First Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. The LEGION OF MARY Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated at the same Praesidium Our Lady of Grace meets at the Holy Cross time. A Vigil Mass follows. Church rectory on Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

ALL SOULS REMEMBRANCE AND DINNER CURSILLO ULTREYA MEETINGS Holy Cross Church extends the celebration of All Souls Cursillo members meet at St. Joseph Church on Day with a Mass of Remembrance on Saturday, Mondays after the 7:00 p.m. Mass and at Sacred Heart November 6, at 6:00 p.m. A dinner will follow at Chapel on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are in McAlpin Hall. Spanish.

DOMINICA INDEPENDENCE NEO-CATECHUMENAL WAY Fr. Vincent Esprit of Dominica will celebrate Dominica The Neo-Catechumenal Way has catechesis in Spanish Independence Day with Mass at St. Ann Church on at St. Joseph Church’s Youth Center on Mondays and Sunday, November 7, at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. Catechesis is in English at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m. SECULAR FRANCISCANS The Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity meets at the BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA Franciscan House on November 14 and the second The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima meets in the Sunday of each month at 3:00 p.m. chapel at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. Entry is by the gate to the rectory. NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PROVIDENCIA MASS St. Joseph Church will celebrate Nuestra Señora de KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Providencia, Patroness of Puerto Rico, with a Spanish Holy Cross Council 6482 meets at the McAlpin Hall of Mass on Friday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m., followed Holy Cross Church on first and third Thursdays at 6:00 by a reception. p.m.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER DO YOU HAVE A NEWS ARTICLE OR A PHOTOGRAPH FOR is online at THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER? www.catholicislander.com Call Fr. Crespo at (340) 776-6339!

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 15 St. Thomas Calendar HONORING LONGTIME SCHOOL STAFF BLUE ARMY OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA Ss. Peter and Paul School will honor its longtime staff The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima meets at Our on Friday, November 5 with a dinner at Victor’s New Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursdays at 10:00 Hideout at 6:00 p.m. The Starlites will be the musical a.m. attraction. Tickets are on sale at the school for $30.00. EVENINGS OF CHARISMATIC PRAYER OUR LADY OF FATIMA DEVOTION Charismatic prayer meetings are held at Holy Family The Children of Mary lead a devotion to Our Lady of Church on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Fatima at Holy Family Church on November 6 and the first Saturday of each month at 4:00 p.m. HOLY HOURS Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral presents a Holy Hour with DOMINICA INDEPENDENCE DAY MASS Exposition and Benediction on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Fr. Vanty Auguiste of Dominica will celebrate Dominica Holy Family Church presents a Holy Hour with Independence Day with Mass at Holy Family Church on Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church presents a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at SECULAR FRANCISCANS 6:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Clare of Assisi Fraternity meets at Holy Family Church on November 20 and the third Saturday St. John Calendar of each month at 1:00 p.m. BREAKFAST WITH THE PASTOR A pot luck breakfast will be held at Our Lady of Mt. CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA Carmel Church on November 5 and all First Fridays Court 2049 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s after the 7:00 a.m. Mass. Hospitality Lounge on November 20 and the third Saturday of each month at 2:00 p.m. FIRST FRIDAY MASS AND HOLY HOUR A Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PROVIDENCIA MASS and Benediction at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral will celebrate Nuestra follows the 7:00 p.m. Mass on November 5 and all First Señora de Providencia, Patroness of Puerto Rico, with a Fridays. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Spanish Mass on Sunday, November 21, at 12:30 p.m., during the Holy Hour. followed by a reception. EVENINGS OF CHARISMATIC PRAYER STEEL BAND CONCERT Charismatic prayer meetings are held at Our Lady of The Prayers, Hymns and Praise Steel Orchestra will Mt. Carmel Church on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. perform a Pre-Christmas Concert in the new Columban Hall at Holy Family Church on Sunday, November 28, at 5:00 p.m. Donation is $10 for adults, $5 for children. LEGION OF MARY Praesidium Mary, Queen of Angels meets at Our Lady KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS of Mt. Carmel Church on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Council 6187 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on the first and third Sunday of each NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PROVIDENCIA MASS month at 10:00 a.m. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel will celebrate Nuestra Señora de Providencia, Patroness of Puerto Rico, with a LEGION OF MARY Spanish Mass on Sunday, November 21, at 5:00 p.m., Junior Praesidium Mary, Queen of Archangels meets at followed by a reception. the St. Anne Chapel Hall on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Praesidium Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces meets at the THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY MEAL St. Anne Chapel Hall on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church will host a community Praesidium Mary, Mystical Rose meets at Holy Family meal at the Nazareth Lutheran Church’s social hall on Church on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, November 25, at noon.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * NOVEMBER 2004 * 16