Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2018 MISSION: To lead all people to unity, encounter and participation 2018 STEWARDSHIP REPORT | p1 Table of Contents 1 MESSAGE 2 2018 IN REVIEW • Highlights • In Memoriam 4 CREATING DISCIPLES • Strengthening our Faith • Devotion to our Lady • Family • Day of Prayer for Creation • Formation – The Catholic Formation Institute – Communications 13 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT 16 SPECIAL VISITS 19 VOCATION • Award for environmental advocacy • Ordinations • Seminarian Formation 24 OUR CHARITABLE WORKS • Prison Ministry • World day of the Poor • The Hub • Living Water Community • Our Communities 36 FINANCIAL REPORT 2018 Vision By 2019, the Roman Catholic Church in Barbados will be a recognised leader in integral development, forming mature disciples who build strong Christian families and vibrant communities in the service of Christian Unity, the Common Good and the Kingdom of God. Core Values Prayer | Forgiveness | Gratitude | Hospitality A publication by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown Chancery Office, Lady Meade Gardens, Jemmott’s Lane, St. Michael | Tel: (246) 426-3510 www.catholicbb.org © 2019 p2 | 2018 STEWARDSHIPGraphic Artist REPORT – William Cummins Message Brothers and Sisters, Several challenges tested us in 2018. Crime and violence increased in the society; the institutions of family and marriage continued to be threatened; the number of persons seeking assistance from the Church grew. Inspite of these challenges, this Stewardship Report shows a faithful church community which continues to serve as a light in the darkness. It shows a committed church community deepening prayer life, strengthening its faith and reaching out to assist more poor and vulnerable persons. This Report provides a wonderful tapestry of the work of God’s people, disciples, showing acts of brotherly love and compassion. Our continued development of youth leaders – the Diocese Youth and Young Adults Team - and the strengthening of our clergy numbers with the ordination of five deacons and one priest between 2017 and 2018, provide assurance that the future of our Diocese will be in good hands. Deacon Kirt Prospère will be ordained a priest on 1st, June 2019 and seminarians Omar Valmond and Kabuga Gikundi are continuing on their journey to priesthood. The finances of the Diocese were significantly impacted by a reduction in donations and the increased number of persons seeking assistance. However, I thank God for each one of you who generously contributed financially, offered your gifts or otherwise helped the church to bring the merciful love of Jesus to poor and marginalized persons in our society. Let me also extend special thanks to all our benefactors, persons in ministry, clergy, religious and Diocese staff for making the achievement of our mission possible by working, caring and giving in so many incredible ways to build up the body of Christ, just like Jesus taught us. I pray that our collective efforts and work in the communities will continue to bring the Gospel to all people, especially those seeking meaning and purpose in their lives. I also pray that you will be blessed and be a light wherever you go. With Gratitude, The Most Rev. Dr. Charles Jason Gordon Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Bridgetown 2018 STEWARDSHIP REPORT | p1 2018 in Review | HIGHLIGHTS The year 2018 will be remembered as a year of spiritual growth, joy and celebration, with some sadness. Here are some highlights: • On 12th May, 2018, Catholics from across the Diocese united in prayer for the annual Pilgrimage to each parish church, venerating Our Lady of Fatima. • Fr. Winston Layne was ordained to the Presbyterate on 5th June, 2018, by the Most Rev. Dr. Charles Jason Gordon, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Bridgetown. • Reverends Michael Gonsalves, Fabian Alexander, and Alphonsus (Stephen) Joseph were ordained Permanent Deacons on 5th June, 2018, by the Most Rev. Dr. Charles Jason Gordon, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Bridgetown. • Fr. Leonard Alfonso celebrated his 80th birthday on 12th July, 2018 with a Mass of Thanksgiving. • Twenty young Catholics from the Diocese participated in the Antilles Episcopal Conference’s Youth Assembly (AECYA) in Fort-de France, Martinique, from 10th to 23rd July, 2018. • The 41st Anniversary of CAINCO was celebrated with a Reunion weekend from 10th to 12th August, 2018 followed by the Annual CAINCO camp from 12th to 19th August, 2018 at Marian Retreat House, Verdun, St. John. • His Excellency Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Apostolic Nuncio for the Antilles Episcopal Conference, presented his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, GCMG, DA, QC, Governor General of Barbados, at Government House on Wednesday, 22nd August, 2018. • Fr. Esteban Ramon Kross, the newly appointed Director of the Pontifical Mission Society for the Antilles Episcopal Conference, visited the Diocese and held meetings with clergy, religious and other Diocesan leaders ahead of World Mission Sunday on 21st October, 2018. • On 17th November, 2018, Prime Minister of Barbados the Right Honourable Mia Amor Mottley QC, M.P, addressed Diocese and business leaders, including persons involved in care ministries, at a consultation organised by the Diocese for World Day of the Poor, being celebrated on 18th November, 2018. p2 | IN MEMORIAM | 2018 in Review We give thanks to God for the lives of all departed faithful stewards who generously offered their gifts for the good of the Church. We remember in a special way: • Fr. Peter Thomas Clarke, OP (27th March, 2018) • Mrs. Bonita Morgan (6th April, 2018) • Alfred Allman (17th June, 2018) • Arthur (Moses) Toussaint (26th December, 2018) Cursillistas sing a tribute to Fr. Peter Thomas Clarke OP Requiescat in Pace “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” PSALM 23: 1-3 2019 STEWARDSHIP REPORT | p3 Creating Disciples Follow the model of Jesus’ life. We can serve as Jesus served. We can forgive as Jesus forgave. We can love as Jesus loved. We can pray as Jesus prayed. We can heal as Jesus healed. We can look to God the Father as Jesus did. In other words, we can try to be more like Jesus. p4 | 2018 STEWARDSHIP REPORT Creating Disciples STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH Several opportunities were provided during the year for worshippers to have encounters with Jesus Christ and to grow in faith daily to become mature disciples. Our Lady of the Rosary Choir’s (COLOR) monthly Contemplative prayer sessions provided respite and renewal for persons who attended, and the Christian Meditation groups continued to meet weekly, practicing how to still the mind to deepen prayer. During Lent, the Missions organised by parishes, and re-enactments of Palm Sunday and Good Friday in the streets, were well attended by the faithful as they journeyed with Jesus for forty (40) days. Fr. Peter Mc. Issac SJ led a retreat on Vocation for business people on 10th March, 2018 with the theme “Deepening our integration of faith and work”. Fr. Peter is an experienced retreat master and spiritual director who joined the St. Francis parish at the beginning of the year. The practice of First Friday devotion was re-instituted with the faithful being asked to join together in acts of reparation, through prayer and fasting, on First Fridays and on other occasions, as they desired. The fourth praesidium of the Legion of Mary in the Diocese was launched on 6th October, 2018 at Our Lady of the Rosary. The Legion of Mary glorifies God through prayer and active ministry of its members in the spirit of faith, and in union with Mary. 2019 STEWARDSHIP REPORT | p5 Creating Disciples STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH Our Lady Queen of Peace’s Prayer Group held a day of Renewal on 25th February, 2018 with guest speaker Deborah de Rosa, the chairperson of the Caribbean Service Team. Three (3) Magnificat meetings were held during the year, and the 30th anniversary of the Barbados Chapter was celebrated on 5th May, 2018. Ms. Donna Ross, the co-ordinator of the Magnificat Central Service Team, was the guest speaker. The Prayer Groups also met weekly on Thursday evening at the Ursuline Convent Chapel and on Wednesday, at Our Lady Queen of the Universe. The annual Life in the Spirit seminar hosted by the Group’s National Service Team at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in May, was again well attended. It culminated with a Charismatic Mass celebrated by Fr. Vibert Stephens on the vigil of Pentecost. On Friday 20th July, 2018, the Diocese launched a public campaign “My Body,Temple of the Holy Spirit. I celebrate!” to promote the dignity and sacredness of the human body. The backdrop of the poster is an artistic work of Barbadian artiste Omowale Stewart. The message emphasised that we are all God’s children, created in His image. ‘The Body’ is therefore a unique, beautiful, gift from God and our actions - how we treat ourselves and others - must always bear in mind that the Holy Spirit lives within us. p6 | 2018 STEWARDSHIP REPORT DEVOTION TO OUR LADY Creating Disciples PILGRIMAGE: On 12th, May 2018, parishioners from across the Diocese trekked to each parish church to pray and celebrate the Anniversary of Our Lady’s apparition and message at Fatima, namely that the rosary be said daily for peace in the world, the conversion of sinners and the triumph of her Immaculate Heart. MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH: The Diocese joined Catholics across the world to celebrate the first “Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,” on 21st May, 2018 the Monday after Pentecost. This Memorial was introduced by the Holy Father, Pope Francis to venerate Our Lady who is both the Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church.