Catholic Spirituality: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Liturgy Mini-Series:The New Mass
Prayers
Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates 60 Years
of Priesthood
Fr. Eduardo Ortiz
Virgin Islanders welcome their new priest
The Newsletter of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard PUBLISHER
Father Charles CrespoEDITOR
Bernetia Akin, Valerie DoutéPROOFREADERS
Br. James Petrait, OSFSWEB MASTER
Deacon Emith Fludd
CIRCULATION
Ann JacobWRITER/ASSISTANT EDITOR
Lynne Hsu
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
August 2011 • Vol. 27 : Issue 8
The Catholic Islander is published monthly by the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. P.O. Box 301825,St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, 00803-1825 www.catholicislander.com Telephone: (340) 774-3166 ext. 211, Fax: (340) 774-5816 E-mail: [email protected] © FAITH Catholic™.
Please submit news, digital photography and advertising for the September 2011 issue of The Catholic Islander by August 8, 2011.
Catholicthe
3 Local News
6 Catholic Charities
7 ¡Buenas Noticias!
8 Catholic Education
8 Spotlight on Youth
9 Special Report:
Catholic School Graduates
14 The Church in the World
16 Saint of the Month
18 Catholic Spirituality
20 Liturgy Mini-Series
22-26 Parish Calendars
22-26 Pride of the Parish
11On the cover: Father Eduardo Ortiz Santiago
is Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, will host a seven-night southern Caribbean cruise aboard the Caribbean Princess on February 12-19, 2012. Bishop Bevard
will offer an episcopal blessing to couples at a Valentine’s Day Mass celebrated aboard ship, and couples will be encouraged to renew their marriage vows.
The Caribbean Princess departs from San Juan and will port in St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. State rooms begin at just under $1,000 per person. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Catholic schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands. For further information, contact Charlotte Banks at the Chancery, (340) 774-3166, ext. 213.
notes from the bishop’s desk
HThe Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
Caribbean Cruise
Quinquennial ReportHis Excellency, Bishop Herbert
Bevard, met with Father Neil Scantlebury at the Catholic Chancery on St. Thomas on June 6 to discuss the quinquennial report that Bishop Bevard must present to the Vatican in 2012 when he makes his ad limina visit with Pope Benedict XVI. Father Scantlebury leads the team that is helping Bishop Bevard prepare the report.
The class of 1971 from Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas held its 40th anniversary reunion and posed with His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, after Sunday Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on June 12.
Class of 1971
The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com2 Liturgical Calendar: St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church Aug. 1 | St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop and martyr Aug. 2 | St. John Mary Vianney, priest Aug. 4 | Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major Aug. 5 | Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Aug. 6 | St. Dominic, priest Aug. 8 |
Governor’s FuneralFather Kenneth Gaddy, CSsR, pastor, celebrated the funeral
Mass for former Gov. Juan Luis at Holy Cross Church on St. Croix on June 16. It was broadcast live on local television. Two tents were erected outside the church to accommodate the overflowing congregation.
Priestly AnniversariesFather Andrzej Szorc, CSsR, parochial vicar at Holy Cross
Church on St. Croix, celebrated his 25th anniversary of priesthood at Mass on June 12. He concelebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving with visiting priest, Msgr. Floro Arcamo, who celebrated his 46th anniversary of priesthood. Msgr. Arcamo was on St. Croix for his nephew’s confirmation and graduation from St. Mary School.
Patronal MissionFather Kevin MacDonald, CSsR, of St. Patrick Church on
St. Croix, led a mission at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on June 20-23. The mission celebrated the cathedral’s patrons, Ss. Peter and Paul, whose feast day was June 29. Each night had a focus; on the third night the emphasis was on sharing. Father MacDonald is shown
below watching as parishioner Karen Celaire gave blessed bread to other parishioners. Father MacDonald brings the mission to St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas in September.
Rest in PeacePrayers are solicited for the repose of the soul of Consuelo
Verzosa, the mother of Msgr. Antonio Verzosa, parochial vicar at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas. She passed away on July 8 in the Philippines at the age of 85. Msgr. Verzosa returned to the Philippines to celebrate her funeral Mass.
Class of 1971
savethe
date! Cassi Hill PilgrimageHoly Family Church on St. Thomas will celebrate
its 64th annual pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Cassi Hill Shrine with a procession, benediction and Mass on Sunday, August 14. The pilgrimage begins with a Eucharistic procession from Four Winds Plaza at 2:30 p.m. A brief prayer service at the shrine will include benediction. Mass follows in the church.
The Assumptionof the BlessedVirgin Mary
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated on Monday, August 15, but this year, the feast is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Whenever the solemnity falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the U.S. bishops abrogate the precept to attend Mass.
Cathedral RestorationThe restoration of the roof at Ss. Peter and Paul
Cathedral on St. Thomas is almost complete. A scaffold was built around the bell tower so that restoration can progress there as well.
local news
3 Liturgical Calendar: St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church Aug. 1 | St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop and martyr Aug. 2 | St. John Mary Vianney, priest Aug. 4 | Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major Aug. 5 | Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Aug. 6 | St. Dominic, priest Aug. 8 |
local news
Parishioners dressed in cultural attire presented the offertory to Father Kevin MacDonald, CSsR, during Sunday Mass at St. Patrick Church.
The prayer group at St. Patrick Church on St. Croix celebrated Emancipation Day by paying tribute to the enslaved African men and women who demanded and won their freedom on that day 163 years earlier. The tributes were read before all the weekend Masses on July 2-3. Pictured above, parishioner Iris Richards reads a tribute poem.
Emancipation Day
Father’s DayFather Patrick Lynch, CSsR, pastor, blessed fathers at Mass at
St. Patrick Church on St. Croix on Father’s Day, June 19.
Philippines Independence DayMsgr. Antonio Verzosa celebrated a Philippines
Independence Day Mass in the Filipino language at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas on June 12. More than 50 people attended the Mass and participated in the reception featuring traditional native foods after the Mass in the chapel hall. Pictured below, the choir sang all Mass parts in Filipino.
Former VI SeminarianOrdained to Priesthood
Most Rev. George Murry, SJ, bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, ordained Ernesto Rodriguez to the priesthood at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown on June 25. Father Rodriguez (right) was a seminarian for the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands from 2006 to 2009 and served as deacon in 2009. Father Rodriguez’s first assignment as a priest is as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Ashtabula, Ohio.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr Aug. 9 | Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr Aug. 10 | St. Clare, virgin Aug. 11 | St. Jane Frances de Chantel, religious Aug. 12 | St. Pontian, pope and martyr and St. Hippolytus, priest and martyr Aug. 13 | The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com4
Brushing Up the School
Henkel Hurtault used a high-pressure water system to clean the premises at St. Joseph High School on St. Croix on July 5. He power-washed the exterior surfaces of the buildings and the concrete paths around them, including the steps in front of the office building.
Jesus ExplosionParishioners of Holy Family Church on St. Thomas
gathered at the airport on July 12 on their way to attend the Jesus Explosion conference at the Preysal Secondary School on Preysal, Trinidad. This is the ninth such annual gathering sponsored by the Preysal Prayer Group.
PentecostWinston Garcia of the People of Praise community in Arima
was the speaker for the Pentecost Triduum at St. Ann Church on St. Croix on June 7-9. Mr. Garcia helped prepare the participants for Pentecost, encouraging them to realize that God has a plan for them. In line with the theme from Romans 12:2, he suggested they return to the basics and use the word of God to help them understand the need for a renewed lifestyle. He used the “penny catechism,” a popular prayer book in the Caribbean, as a resource for what God wants from a 21st-century disciple. He used examples from his own struggles to illustrate what God can do to bring about healing and transformation. The talks were broadcasted live on the Caribbean Catholic Network, channel 7.
Diocesan seminarian John Fewel painted a hallway inside a classroom trailer at St. Joseph High School on St. Croix on July 6. He arrived at St. Joseph Church for a two-week assignment on July 4. Mr. Fewel begins his second year of theology at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, in August.
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr Aug. 9 | Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr Aug. 10 | St. Clare, virgin Aug. 11 | St. Jane Frances de Chantel, religious Aug. 12 | St. Pontian, pope and martyr and St. Hippolytus, priest and martyr Aug. 13 | 5
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Aug. 15 | St. Stephen of Hungary, Aug. 16 | St. John Eudes, priest Aug. 19 | St. Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church Aug. 20 | The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 22 | St. Rose of Lima, virgin Aug. 23 | Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle Aug. 24 |
news from catholic charities
Summer CampCatholic Charities of the
Virgin Islands conducted the Kids Learn Summer Enrichment Summer Camp at Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas in July. The campers enjoyed an excursion to Paradise Point on July 12 and posed for a photograph with a carnival-styled “mocko jumbie.”
Housing the HomelessCatholic Charities of the Virgin Islands continues to
move closer to constructing a supportive housing project with 10 efficiency apartments for the homeless on St. Croix. The project also includes office space and a soup kitchen.
The project, which was funded by Community Development Block Grant funds, moved forward in April after a meeting with the architect, project manager and Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) staff. The architect was asked to make several revisions and resubmit the plans to VIHFA for final approval. Once approved, the plans then go to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources for its approval. John Tutien, a consultant for VIHFA, estimated that the project should go out to bid in late summer.
Homeless Shelter VolunteersRotary Club of St. Thomas II prepares and serves
lunch at Catholic Charities’ Bethlehem House Shelter for the Homeless on Saturdays. The Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort prepares and donates the food one Saturday each month, thanks to Jose Gonzalez Espinosa, general manager. Pictured left, shelter staff member Vanelda Jolly, Rotarian Alicia Boatwright, volunteer Yolanda Thomas, Rotarian Archie Ogden and volunteer Vanessa Blake served lunch on July 9.
Camp ShriverCatholic Charities of the Virgin Islands organized registration,
volunteers and financial contributions for this summer’s Camp Shriver, a free sports camp for mentally challenged youth ages 8 to 15, at Addilita Cancryn Junior High School on St. Thomas on July 5-24. The camp brought sports training to 22 young members of the disabilities community in the Virgin Islands this summer, nearly twice the number of participants as last summer.
WebsiteCatholic Charities of the Virgin Islands is now accepting
donations via its website, catholicchartiesusvi.org. The website also has information about local Catholic Charities programs, including:• BethlehemHouseShelterfortheHomeless• SoupKitchens• HAPICATProgram• FoodBaskets• EmergencyHelp• ProjectforAssistanceinTransitionfromHomelessness• CampShriverSummerCamp• KidsLearnSummerProgram
The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com6
La Asunción de la Santísima Virgen MaríaLa Solemnidad de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María
se celebra el 15 de agosto. Cuando esta solemnidad cae en lunes, como este año, no es un día de guardar.
Descanse en pazElevemos oraciones por el descanso del alma de Consuelo
Verzosa, madre del Msgr. Antonio Verzosa, párroco vicario de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás. La señora Verzosa falleció el 8 de julio en las Filipinas a la edad de 85 años. El Msgr. Verzosa viajó a Filipinas para celebrar la Misa del funeral.
Seminarista ordenado al sacerdocio
Su Exma. George Murry, SJ, obispo de la diócesis de Youngstown, Ohio, ordenó al Ernesto Rodríguez al sacerdocio en la Catedral Sta. Columba en Youngstown el 25 de junio. El Padre Rodríguez fue seminarista en la diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes desde el 2006 hasta el 2009. La primera asignación del Padre Rodríguez es como párroco vicario en la Iglesia Ntra. Señora del Carmen en Ashtabula, Ohio.
Peregrinación a Cassi HillLa Iglesia Holy Family en Sto. Tomás celebra su peregrinaje
anual a Nuestra Señora de Cassi Hill el domingo, 15 de agosto. El peregrinaje comienza con una procesión eucarística desde Four Winds Plaza a las 2.30 p.m. Al llegar, habrá un servicio breve de oración y bendición. Después sigue la Misa en la iglesia y una recepción en los salones de clases.
Conferencia para la juventudEl ministerio diocesano para la juventud ofrecerá una
conferencia para jóvenes en la Iglesia San Patricio en Sta. Cruz del 2 al 4 de septiembre. El tema será Constrúyete en Jesucristo, sé firme en tu fe, y será dirigido por el Padre Steve Ransome y la Hermana Delia Marie Monrose, SSM, de Trinidad. La invitación está abierta para toda la juventud de 12 a 21 años. Los que viajen se quedarán en el Centro de Retiros La Luz de Cristo. Las solicitudes de matrícula están disponibles en todas las parroquias.
Nueva Lectora
Feligresa Clary Richards proclamó la Palabra de Dios en la Misa por la primera vez en la Catedral San Pedro y San Pedro en Sto. Tomás el 12 de julio. Sacristán José Cossio se ve preparándola.
Legión de MaríaEl Presidio María, Arca de la Alianza, se reúne en el Salón de
Hospitalidad de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás los domingos a las 2 p.m.
Cursillo UltreyaMiembros del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad se
reúnen para la ultreya en su oficina de la Iglesia San José en Sta. Cruz los jueves después de la Misa de las 7 p.m.
Centro Buen PastorLa 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.
Protección de niñosLa Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes está comprometida
a proteger a los niños de todo daño. Si Ud. tiene conocimiento de algún sacerdote, diácono o empleado de la iglesia que haya abusado de algún menor, favor de comunicarse inmediatamente con la Coordinadora Diocesana de la Protección de los Niños, Callista Julien, al (340) 774-3166 o (340) 719-4020.
Graduación en el Centro Buen PastorSeis estudiantes adultos del Curso Básico de Windows
Vista graduaron en el Centro Buen Pastor en Sta. Cruz el 17 de junio. El curso fue enseñado por la Hermana Digna Rivas, RGS, y es parte de los programas ofrecidos a la población emigrante bajo el auspicio de la Iglesia Holy Cross.
Los graduados fueron Jafreysi Abad Rodriguez, Virginia Bello Maynard, Martín Burgos, Luis Campos Dante, Berta Felis y Altagracia García. Cada uno dirigió algunas palabras a los presentes, agradeciendo a Dios y a la Hermana Rivas por esta oportunidad y expresando a la vez cuánto significaba para ellos este éxito alcanzado. La ceremonia de graduación concluyó con una emotiva invocación de bendiciones para los/as graduados/as y a continuación, se compartió un refrigerio.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Aug. 15 | St. Stephen of Hungary, Aug. 16 | St. John Eudes, priest Aug. 19 | St. Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church Aug. 20 | The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 22 | St. Rose of Lima, virgin Aug. 23 | Feast of St. Bartholomew, apostle Aug. 24 |
¡buenas noticias!
7
ScholarshipsThe St. Joseph Workers of Holy
Family Church on St. Thomas awarded partial scholarships to parishioners preparing to go to college after Mass on July 10. Pictured left to right are vice president Joseph Toussaint, students Yasmine Heliger, Joel Deserve and Ryan John, and secretary Eubald Rene.
catholic education
World Youth DaySeven members of the Young
Vincentians based out of Holy Family Church on St. Thomas will embark on a pilgrimage to Madrid, Spain, on August 10. They will attend a conference of Young Vincentians from around the world on August 12-15 and the World Youth Day events on August 16-20. They will be chaperoned by seven adults, including Father Neil Scantlebury, their pastor.
According to their coordinator, Alma Wells, the St. Thomas youth are looking forward to meeting Young Vincentians from other countries to share their experiences and build friendships. They also look forward to being present at the closing Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. They hope their experience will help them build up the local conference and assume new leadership roles among Catholic youth.
The Young Vincentians is the youth chapter of the international St. Vincent de Paul Society. The St. Vincent de Paul Society in the United States is helping to sponsor the travel of three of the local youth. Local sponsors can support their pilgrimage via the parish.
spotlight on youth
Youth ConferenceFather Steve Ransome and Sister Delia
Marie Monrose, SSM, of Trinidad will lead a youth conference at St. Patrick Church on St. Croix on September 2-4. The theme is “Be Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in Faith.” The conference is hosted by the Diocesan Youth Ministry and is open to all youth, ages 12-21. Traveling youth will be housed at Light of Christ Retreat Center. Registration forms are available at the parishes.
Pictured above, Bishop Herbert Bevard met with Father Anthony Abraham, director of the Office for Youth Ministries, at the Catholic Chancery on June 2 to discuss the conference.
Back to SchoolAll Catholic schools in the Virgin Islands continue
registering and testing students for the academic year 2011-2012. Classes at all schools begin on Monday, August 22.
Students of Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas must report in uniform for mandatory orientation. The upper school students (grades 6 to 12) meet on Thursday, August 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. The lower school students (pre-kindergarten to grade 5) meet on Friday, August 19, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Freshmen at St. Joseph High School on St. Croix will attend orientation on Thursday, August 18, at 9 a.m., and sophomores at 1 p.m. Juniors will attend orientation on Friday, August 19, at 9 a.m. and seniors at 1 p.m.
New students of St. Mary School on St. Croix will attend orientation sessions on Thursday, August 18, and returning students attend orientation on Friday, August 19. Call the school for the times.
Students of St. Patrick School on St. Croix will report for classes in uniform on Monday, August 22. At press time, orientation for students and parents was being programmed for Tuesday, August 16. Call the school for more information.
Alumni NewsletterIs Online
Lloyd Prince, Jr., St. Joseph High School, class of 1974, is a captain on AirTran Airways. He and other alumni are featured in the St. Joseph High School alumni newsletter at http://sjhs.cybermeme.net/sjhs/alumni.html. Alumni are urged to read the newsletter and to register or re-register online at the alumni website, http://sjhs.cybermeme.net/.
Children’s HomilyUsing a series of
pictures he had them pin to a bulletin board, Father Charles Crespo taught younger children the parable of the sower and the seed during Sunday Mass at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas on July 10.
St. Joseph Calasanz, priest Aug. 25 | St. Monica Aug. 27 | The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist Aug. 29The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com8
special report: Catholic school graduatesSt. Joseph High School, St. CroixThe 27 graduates of St. Joseph High School were accepted to
more than 40 colleges and universities. They graduated on June 5.Part of the St. Joseph High School graduation ceremony is
online at http://sjhs.cybermeme.net/sjhs/sjhsgr11/sjgr11.html. The flash video is 23 minutes and works best with a steady 400 kbps or higher download speed.•AmandaAllaharwillattendSetonHillUniversityin
Pennsylvania to study software engineering.•AerinAnthonyalsowillattendSetonHillUniversity.• ShanahBanniswillattendtheUniversityoftheVirgin
Islands and study criminal justice.•RhysBarzeyplanstomajorinelectronicengineeringand
later obtain a master’s degree in robotics engineering. He is undecided about which college he will attend.
• JoseCruzwillattendJohnsonandWalesUniversityinMiami, Florida, majoring in criminal justice.
•CaremaDavisplanstoattendBarryUniversityinFlorida.• CandaceDymallywillattendtheUniversityoftheVirginIslands.• LaurelleEttiennewillattendtheUniversidadInter-
Americana de Puerto Rico.•AntonioFarchetteiscurrentlystudyingmarinebiologyatthe
University of the Virgin Islands.•O’ShaeneyFelixwillattendTexasStateTechnicalCollegeof
Waco and study mechanical engineering.•DaynaFreemanwillattendtheUniversityoftheVirgin
Islands and major in political science.•ChelseaGaliberwillattendMarymountUniversityandmajor
in business administration and minor in biology.•AdrianGillemwillmajorininternationalrelationsand
minor in Japanese at Roanoke College.
Ss. Peter and Paul School, St. ThomasFourteen seniors graduated from Ss. Peter and Paul School on
June 2. Of these 14, 11 are going to college or university, two are entering the military and one is going to a technical school. These 14 students were accepted by 40 schools, and received more than $428,000 in scholarships over four years.• EboneAdamswillattendtheUniversityoftheVirgin
Islands, majoring in biology. Her goal is to become a physical therapist.
•AlfredoAlejowillattendtheUniversityofNewHaveninConnecticut, with a double major of accounting and music production.
• LiaFabianwillattendVillanovaUniversityinPennsylvania,majoring in chemical engineering. She received a total financial package over four years, including a Villanova grant, of $219,000.
•XuxaFraiteswillattendtheUniversityoftheVirginIslands,majoring in social work.
• YasminHeyligerwillattendJohnsonandWalesUniversity,majoring in criminal justice. She received the Johnson and Wales Presidential Scholarship and the Johnson and Wales Scholarship totaling more than $52,000 over four years.
• AbrarHuseinwasunabletoattendgraduation,assheandherfamily were on their way to Palestine. She was a participant in the University of the Virgin Islands’ early admission program
and has been attending classes both there and at Ss. Peter and Paul School for the last school year.
•NicoleJosephwillattendLoyolaUniversityinNewOrleans,Louisiana, majoring in forensic chemistry. She received the Loyola Presidential Scholarship of $78,000 over four years and a Moot Court grant of $500.
•ConnorLedeewillserveintheU.S.CoastGuard.•DillenLedeealsowillserveintheU.S.CoastGuard.He
received a $500 Moot Court grant for use at the college of his choice.
• BiancaMartinwillattendtheEmpireSchoolofCosmetologywith the goal of opening her own beauty salon.
•NourMustafawillattendtheUniversityoftheVirginIslandsand major in pre-law.
• FidelPenawillattendBarryUniversityinFlorida,majoringin criminal justice. He received a merit scholarship from Barry University of $47,000 over four years and a $500 Moot Court grant.
• LaquannRobertswillattendBowieStateUniversityinMaryland, majoring in nursing.
•KarlStarnsIVwillcontinuealongfamilytraditionbyattending the University of Louisiana at Monroe and majoring in pharmacy. He received an out-of-state tuition fee waiver that will add up to nearly $30,000 over his four years as an undergraduate, and a $500 Moot Court grant.
•CollinGomeswillattendtheUniversityoftheVirginIslands.
• EricGriggwillstudybiologyattheUniversityofNewHaven.
• ShaniHarriswillattendtheUniversityoftheVirginIslandsto become a registered nurse, focusing in the area of pediatrics and neonatology.
• ImaniHeathwillattendPrairieViewA&MUniversityinTexas and will major in biology on the pre-med track.
•AshleyJosephwillattendtheUniversityoftheVirginIslands, pursuing a B.A. degree in business management.
•GabrielLaurencinwillattendBarryUniversityinFloridaand study criminal justice.
• LennoxLiddiewillattendTexasStateTechnicalCollegeinWaco, Texas, and major in mechanical engineering.
•RaedyanceNickswillattendGannonUniversityinPennsylvania and major in physical therapy.
•DejaPickardisundecidedaboutwhichcollegesheplanstoattend.
•AmiraPlaskettwillattendHowardUniversityinWashington, D.C. She plans to major in biology so she may pursue a career in the medical field.
• JasmineRoywillattendtheUniversityoftheVirginIslands.•MarthaSankittsalsowillattendtheUniversityofthe
Virgin Islands.• SharifaSpringerwillattendtheUniversityoftheVirgin
Islands to pursue nursing.•AlasaWeekeswillattendSetonHillUniversityandmajorin
accounting.
9
Felicidades, Padre EduardoLa Comunidad Hispana Católica de la Catedral
San Pedro y San Pablo se regocija este 30 de julio de 2011 con esta entrega abnegada de nuestro
hermano puertorriqueño Eduardo Ortiz al sacerdocio para servicio de la
Diócesis de St. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes.Le reiteramos nuestro amor, respeto,
cooperación y oraciones en este nuevo ministerio que ha elegido.
Que la Santísima Virgen de la Providencia y Altagracia lo proteja siempre.
“Un hermano ayudado por otro es ciudad fuerte”
The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com10
H
B
school. He completed seven years of seminary formation and was preparing for perpetual vows with the Vincentians when, one year from ordination to the priesthood, he asked for a leave of absence. He began dating, married and had a daughter. He taught sociology and anthropology for 20 years, first at a college in Puerto Rico and then at a community college in Palm Beach, Florida. During that time, he and his wife separated and were granted an annulment.
During his years of teaching, he began attending daily Mass and concentrating more on his faith. He became involved with the Knights of Columbus in Palm Beach. When Pope John Paul II died in April 2005, he was spiritually moved while watching the television coverage of the funeral and the crowds that filled St. Peter’s Square. He realized soon after that he wanted to study his vocation again and become a priest.
Although he knew there would be obstacles because of his age and his annulment, he prayerfully and faithfully began writing to several dioceses in the hopes of gaining a sponsor. Soon after being appointed the leader of the Diocese of the Virgin Islands in 2008,
Bishop Herbert Bevard was attending a retreat in Palm Beach and needed a ride to the airport. Don Rochon, the Grand Knight of Council #6988, asked him to drive the bishop, which he was happy to do. On the way to the airport, he told Bishop Bevard that he wished to complete his seminary studies and enter the priesthood. Bishop Bevard agreed to sponsor him. Within a very short time of their meeting, the former professor from the Caribbean visited the Virgin Islands and, less than a year later, was enrolled at Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts.
He completed his last two years of seminary this past spring and was ordained to the diaconate in Maryland on April 30. Seminarians usually spend six months to a year as a transitional deacon, but an exception was made for him. Now in his late 60s, he has finally fulfilled the commitment that he came so close to making many years ago.
ather Ortiz Santiago feels that the
key to his vocation is prayer. Making a commitment to pray every day has been essential to his journey thus far.
Father Ortiz Santiago feels certain that the
cover story
Journey of Faith:Father Eduardo Ortiz Santiago
is Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, will ordain Deacon Eduardo Ortiz Santiago to the priesthood at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on July 30. The
reception at Ss. Peter and Paul School following the ordination will be lavish, thanks to the efforts of an ad-hoc committee. The next day, Father Ortiz Santiago will celebrate his first Sunday Masses at the cathedral in English and in Spanish, with Bishop Bevard presiding at both Masses.
orn in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1943, Father Ortiz Santiago was raised in a family of six children. He contemplated becoming a priest many times throughout
his life. He was an altar server for most of his youth and remembers playing “Mass” at home. “I would dress as a priest using towels or whatever I could find,” he told The Catholic Islander, “and then I would get my two younger brothers to be my acolytes.”
He attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School until seventh grade and then went on to a Benedictine college preparatory high
Father Ortiz Santiago and his daughter, Edimer Suzette Ortiz
Continued on page 12
F
His Excellency, Bishop Francisco Gonzalez, ordained Eduardo Ortiz Santiago to the diaconate at St. Michael Church in Brandywine, Maryland, on April 30.
11
Holy Spirit led him to take Bishop Bevard to the airport three years ago, and he is grateful to the bishop for “his humility and for his support.” He also thanks his spiritual directors, Father Harold Buckley and Father Michael Parrotta, and all of the seminary community. He also is grateful to the
St. Ignatius Loyola and St. Paul of the Cross parishes in Palm Beach, as well as the Knights of Columbus there. All were supportive of his return to his vocation, and the knights paid part of his seminary tuition even though he was studying for another diocese.
Finally, Father Ortiz Santiago is very grateful to the people
of the Diocese of the Virgin Islands, who have treated him like family. Virgin Islanders accepted him warmly when he first came to visit a couple of years ago, as well as each time he has come back. The people are warm and “100 percent supportive of me,” he said.
Father Ortiz Santiago remembers playing “Mass” at home. “I would dress as a priest using towels or whatever I could find, and then I would get my two younger brothers to be my acolytes.”
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Pope Benedict Celebrates 60 Years of Priesthood
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, made the following announcement at the basilica in Vatican City on June 29, as he celebrated his 60th anniversary as a priest.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,“Non iam dicam servos, sed amicos” - “I no longer call you
servants, but friends” (Jn 15:15).Sixty years on from the day of my priestly ordination, I
hear once again deep within me these words of Jesus that were addressed to us new priests at the end of the ordination ceremony by the archbishop, Cardinal Faulhaber, in his slightly frail yet firm voice. According to the liturgical practice of that time, these words conferred on the newly-ordained priests the authority to forgive sins.
“No longer servants, but friends.” At that moment I knew deep down that these words were no mere formality, nor were they simply a quotation from Scripture. I knew that, at that moment, the Lord himself was speaking to me in a very personal way. In baptism and confirmation he had already drawn us close to him, he had already received us into God’s family. But what was taking place now was something greater still. He calls me his friend.”
the Church in the world Illicit Episcopal Ordinations in ChinaPope Benedict XVI expressed “sorrow and concern” on July
14 over illicit episcopal ordinations in China because they are contrary to “the unity of the Universal Church,” according to Father Federico Lombardi, Director of the Vatican Press Office. Father Joseph Huang Bingzhang illicitly was ordained bishop in Shantou, China. A number of bishops and priests who are in communion with the pope reportedly were obliged to participate in the ceremony.
Two weeks earlier, the Church was faced with the illicit ordination of the bishop of Leshan, celebrated in the absence of a pontifical mandate. The new event in Shantou renewed the sorrow felt by Benedict XVI when he learned of the episcopal ordination in Leshan. On that occasion, the Holy See expressed disappointment and concern, recalling that, in a declaration published on July 4, a bishop who has been ordained “without pontifical mandate, and therefore illegitimately, lacks the authority to lead the diocesan Catholic community.” For that reason, “the Holy See does not recognize” him as bishop of the diocese entrusted to his responsibility.
New Catholic Resources on the Internet1. Virtual Pilgrimage to World Youth Day –For the first time ever, Internet users can make a virtual pilgrimage to World Youth Day (WYD) using a social media tool developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Communications Department. The USCCB created a Facebook application and a website for non-Facebook users
The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com14
(http://www.virtualworldyouthday.org/), where individuals can create an avatar to participate in the virtual pilgrimage. The application can be added to any Facebook fan page. A Google map provides visuals of where pilgrims are coming from throughout the world and another shows the pilgrims on a detailed map of Madrid.2. Vatican Launches News Web Portal – A new Internet portal, www.news.va, gathers all Vatican news into one multimedia website. Viewers can read news, listen to Vatican radio and watch videos. The site also includes links to World Youth Day and other specialized websites.3. Defense of Marriage Initiative – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage has released the second of five videos for the promotion and protection of marriage. This video is entitled Made for Life, and is available online at www.usccb.org/marriageuniqueforareason/index.shtml.4. Resources on Assisted Suicide – The Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities’ new website, www.usccb.org/toliveeachday, features important resources on assisted suicide – including fact sheets, prayers and educational articles. The U.S. Bishops’ policy statement on assisted suicide called “To Live Each Day with Dignity: A Statement on Assisted Suicide” is featured on the site.5. Virtual Pilgrimage to St. Francis of Assisi’s Tomb –Two video cameras have been installed at the shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in the crypt of the basilica. Catholics from all over the world can now make a “virtual pilgrimage” to the saint’s tomb at www.sanfrancesco.org.
News in Brief1. World Youth Day Consecration – Seven Young Vincentians from Holy Family Church on St. Thomas will be among the millions of youth that Pope Benedict XVI will consecrate to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during the prayer vigil at the Cuatro Vientos air base in Madrid, Spain, on August 20. The pope’s consecration is intended to bring Christ to all young people of the world.2. Vatican to Open Secret Archives – The Vatican is marking the 400th anniversary of a special archive’s inception by displaying it from February to September 2012 at Rome’s Capitoline Museums. The exhibition is called Lux in Arcana – the Vatican Secret Archives Unveiled.3. Canonization Cause of First African American Priest –The Archdiocese of Chicago formally began proceedings to examine the life of Father Augustus Tolton’s life. The Vatican will review the possibility of him being named a saint.4. Beatification Cause Heads to Rome – Father Emil Kapaun, a native of Pilsen, Kansas, served in the Korean War and rescued wounded soldiers from the battlefield. He risked his own life to prevent their execution at the hands of the Chinese. He is among those being investigated by the Vatican for consideration in being named a saint.5. Knights of Columbus Help Amputees – The Knights of Columbus partnered with the Icelandic Ossur Company to open the Ossur International Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory. This lab offers prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation to every child injured in the January 2010 earthquake.
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Our Blessed Mother’sMessage from Medjugorje
June 25, 2011“Dear children! Give thanks with me to the Most High for my presence with you. My heart is joyful watching the love and joy in the living of my messages. Many of you have responded, but I wait for, and seek, all the hearts that have fallen asleep to awaken from the sleep of unbelief. Little children, draw even closer to my Immaculate Heart so that I can lead all of you toward eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Courtesy of the Order of Malta | John and Claire Foster
Feast Day: August 28
Augustine was born in 354 at Tagaste in Africa, the son of St. Monica. He was brought up in the Christian faith, but did not receive baptism until adulthood. He studied philosophy and rhetoric as a youth and later taught grammar, rhetoric and literature for nine years in Tagaste and Carthage. But early in his life he lost his faith and his innocence. Augustine spent his early years living a hedonistic, selfish life, and continued with that lifestyle until he was in his early 30s. His mother, St. Monica, convinced him to begin living a Christian life outwardly when he was 32, but it took some more time before he was able to fully convert in his heart. Augustine wrote that the Catholic faith of his childhood regained possession of his intellect at that time, but he could not resolve to break the chains of bad habit.
Encouraged by a friend who was living a celibate life, Augustine began reading the Bible fervently, especially the letters of St. Paul. Then one day he realized the error of his ways and told his friend, “Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, with all our knowledge, are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!”
St. Augustine
Soon after, Augustine went to consult a priest and received baptism. He then returned to Africa, sold all his property and gave the proceeds to the poor.
At Hippo, where he settled, he was consecrated bishop in 395. He founded a monastery and a religious order. For 35 years he was the center of ecclesiastical life in Africa. He supported the poor, preached often and prayed fervently until his death.
Augustine became a famous Catholic writer. He overcame strong heresies and ended up being the Church’s strongest champion against heresy. His writings, which compose many volumes, have been accepted as a major source of Christian spirituality and were very influential in the development of Western Christianity. He wrote that the grace of Christ was indispensable to human freedom, and he framed the concepts of original sin and just war. When the Western Roman Empire was starting to disintegrate, Augustine developed the concept of the Church as a spiritual City of God (in a book of the same name), separate from the material Earthly City. Augustine’s City of God was closely identified with the Church, the community that worshipped God.
His later thinking can be summed up in a line from his writings: “Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.”
The death of St. Augustine in 430 was deeply mourned by the entire Christian world. He is the patron saint of the Augustinian religious order.
saint of the month
Protection of childrenThe Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands is committed to protecting children from all harm. If you have knowledge that any priest, deacon or church worker may have abused a minor, please contact the diocesan child protection coordinator, Callista Julien, at (340) 774-3166 or (340) 719-4020.
The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com16
“We are called to love the world. And God loved the world so much that he gave Jesus. Today he loves the world so much that he gives you and me to be his love, his compassion, and his presence, through a life of prayer, of sacrifice, of surrender to God.”Courtesy of Alfredo’s Landscaping, St. John
Lessons in Lifefrom Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”– St. Augustine
Courtesy of Dr. Stephen and Maribel Okiye
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The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the body and soul of Mary being taken up to heaven at the end of her life. It is a very old feast of the Church, which was widely celebrated by the sixth century, and there are traditions of celebrating this feast as early as the fourth century. It began in the East as the Feast of the Dormition, which means “the falling asleep.” A document named “The Falling Asleep of the Holy Mother of God” was the first printed reference to Mary’s death, and is attributed to the apostle John. It described the death of Mary, the laying in the tomb, and her assumption into heaven.
According to tradition, Mary passed from this life in Jerusalem or possibly Ephesus. Although it is not certain where she died, and there were no relics of the Blessed Mother to be venerated, there was a tomb in Jerusalem that became a site of pilgrimage. Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary stands on the spot.
All the feast days of Mary mark the great mysteries of her life and her role in the work of redemption. The Immaculate Conception on December 8 marks Mary’s preparation for her divine motherhood, showing that she was completely untouched by sin from the first moment of her existence. The central mystery of her life is that divine motherhood, which we celebrate both at Christmas and a week later on the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Because the Assumption signifies the Blessed Virgin’s passing into eternal life, it is perhaps the most important of all Marian feasts.
Although the Feast of the Assumption was widely celebrated for centuries, the Catholic Church did not define the assumption as dogma until 1950. After much consultation with bishops, theologians and laity, Pope Pius XII declared: “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a
Catholic Spirituality
The Feast of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
divinely revealed dogma that the immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.” It is fitting that Mary’s body did not decay, since it gave life to God himself.
The Assumption marks the end of Mary’s earthly life and the beginning of her life in eternity. The feast foreshadows our own bodily resurrection and reminds us of the direction that our life will take when our earthly life is over. Catholics see her acceptance into the glory of heaven as the symbol of the promise made by Jesus to all enduring Christians that they too will be received into paradise
In his August 15, 2004, homily given at Lourdes, Pope John Paul II quoted John 14:3 as one of the scriptural bases for understanding the dogma of the Assumption of Mary. In this verse, Jesus told his disciples at the Last Supper, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.” Mary is the pledge of the fulfillment of Christ’s promise.
The feast of the Assumption on August 15 is a public holiday in many countries, including Austria, Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, France, Greece, Haiti, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Tahiti.
Assumption by Francisco CamiloAssumption by Andrea del Castagno
Assumption by Juan Martín Cabezalero
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Many of the Mass prayers familiar to Catholics since the Mass began to be celebrated in English in 1971 will be revised and others will disappear completely beginning the First Sunday in Advent, November 27. Many of the sung Mass prayers will be reworded and will require new melodies.
Pastors need to determine the best way for congregations to make the transition. Father John Mark, director of liturgy for the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, informed the pastors this past April of the several publishing companies that are taking orders for the new Roman Missal. The companies will ship the new missals on October 1.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Divine Worship, announced that
diocesan bishops may permit the gradual introduction of the musical settings of the people’s parts of the Mass from the new Roman Missal in September. Primarily this affects the Gloria, the Sanctus and the Memorial Acclamations. This variation allows parish communities an advance opportunity to learn the various parts of the new translation.
“The entire Church in the United States has been blessed with this opportunity to deepen its understanding of the Sacred Liturgy, and to appreciate its meaning and importance in our lives,” the bishops have posted on the USCCB website. “Parishes should now be in the planning process for the implementation, with a goal toward executing that plan in the coming months. The parish’s leadership and various sectors of the parish community should be catechized to receive the new translation.
The New Mass PrayersPart 1: The Opening Rite and Penitential Rite
liturgy mini-series Musicians and parishioners alike should soon be learning the various new and revised musical settings of the Order of Mass.”
Why Change the Mass Prayers?The implementation of the English Translation
of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, raises many questions for U.S. Catholics. Why do we need a new translation? What prayers will be different?
The bishops are hoping that the changes to the prayers will be improvements that will lead to a deeper spiritual experience. “Because a new edition of the Latin Roman Missal was issued in 2002, it is necessary for all the countries of the world to translate this missal into the vernacular,” said Msgr. Anthony Sherman, executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Divine Worship.
Msgr. Kevin Irwin, dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, explained that alterations were necessitated by two factors.
“First, the committee charged with the English translation of the Roman Missal issued the post-Vatican II translations very quickly,” he noted, referring to the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. “They realized, after a few years’
The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com20
use of the missal, that some translations should have been more accurate. Second, some feasts have been added to the Church’s liturgical calendar in recent years, for example, St. Padre Pio’s. Those Latin Masses need to be translated into English.”
The Opening RiteCongregants will notice the change
from the moment Mass begins. The priest will say “The Lord be with you,” as usual. The congregation, however, will no longer respond “and also with you.” The congregation will now respond “And with your spirit.”
This new wording places the English translation in line with most other languages. The response is not to the person of the priest but to the Spirit of God, who ordained him to permanent service in the Church. It is an acknowledgment of the Spirit and grace which is in him.
The Penitential RiteNotice the difference in the Confiteor,
which immediately follows the greeting dialogue. “Confiteor” is Latin for “I confess,” and comes from the first line of the prayer.
Much of this text remains the same as the version we presently use. However, there are two key modifications. The first replaces our current wording of “I have sinned through my own fault” with “I have greatly sinned.” The new text reflects the Latin wording by incorporating the adverb “nimis,” which means “very much.”
The second set of changes occurs about halfway through the Confiteor, and is more significant. The words removed from the first section (“through my own fault”) are being
returned to their proper place here, but with the expression’s full content. “Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault” is a direct translation of the Latin phrase “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.” As a well-known line from the old Latin Mass, “mea culpa” became a familiar part of our secular parlance, by which one admits having made a mistake.
Part 2 of this series will be featured in the September 2011 Catholic Islander, which will examine the changes to the Gloria.
P R E S E N T T E x TI confess to almighty God,and to you, my brothers and sisters,that I have sinned through my own faultin my thoughts and in my words,in what I have done,and in what I have failed to do;and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,all the angels and saints,and you, my brothers and sisters,to pray for me to the Lord our God.
N E W T E x TI confess to almighty Godand to you, my brothers and sisters,that I have greatly sinnedin my thoughts and in my words,in what I have doneand in what I have failed to do,through my fault, through my fault,through my most grievous fault;therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,all the angels and saints,and you, my brothers and sisters,to pray for me to the Lord our God.
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Rosary WalkSs. Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts a rosary walk on August 6 and the first Saturday of every month at 7 a.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m.
MagnificatMagnificat, an international ministry to Catholic women, meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on August 6 and the first Saturday of every month at 8 a.m.
Our Lady of Fatima DevotionThe Children of Mary lead a devotion to Our Lady of Fatima at Holy Family Church on August 6 and the first Saturday of every month at 4 p.m.
Franciscan SpiritualityThe Lady Clare of Assisi Fraternity shares Franciscan spirituality on August 13 and the second Saturday of every month at 1 p.m. Call Holy Family Church for the location.
St. Joseph WorkersThe St. Joseph Workers meet at Holy Family Church’s Columban Hall on August 14 and the second Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m.
St. Vincent de Paul SocietyThe Young Vincentians meet on August 21 and the third Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. The adult members meet on August 27 and the fourth Saturday of every month at 3:30 p.m. Both groups meet in Holy Family Church’s classroom.
All-Night Prayer VigilHoly Family Church will have an all-night prayer vigil with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament beginning on Friday, August 26, after the 7 p.m. Mass and ending with Benediction and Mass the next morning at 6 a.m.
Knights of ColumbusCouncil 6187 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Yellow Room on the first and third Sunday of every month at 10 a.m.
Legion of Mary• Presidium María, Arca de la Alianza,
holds meetings in Spanish at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on Sundays at 2 p.m.
• PresidiumMary,MysticalRose,meetsin Holy Family Church’s classroom on Sundays at 3 p.m.
• PresidiumMary,MediatrixofAllGraces, meets at the St. Anne Chapel Hall on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Holy Hours/Eucharistic Adoration•St. Therese Chapel-Divine Mercy
Shrine has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. until Benediction at 5:30 p.m. (Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.) and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until Benediction at 1 p.m.
•Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church has Exposition on Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. until Benediction at 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
•Holy Family Church and St. Anne Chapel have Holy Hours with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m.
Charismatic PrayerHoly Family Church holds evenings of charismatic prayer on Mondays at 7 p.m.
St. Thomas CalendarDivine Mercy ChapletAltar servers from Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church lead the Divine Mercy chaplet at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Mondays at 3 p.m.
Men’s Prayer GroupThe Sons of Joseph and Mary meet at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Our Mother ofPerpetual Help DevotionsDevotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help are prayed before Mass on Wednesdays at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 6:45 a.m. and noon, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 6:15 p.m., at Holy Family Church at 6:50 p.m. and at St. Anne Chapel at 7:15 p.m.
Pro-Life RosaryA Pro-Life Rosary is prayed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m.
Intercessory Prayer GroupA team is prepared to pray for the needs of all who ask at Holy Family Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
World Apostolate of FatimaThe World Apostolate of Fatima meets at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursdays at 10 a.m.
parish calendars
Pride of the Parish
Nigel Noel, sacristan at Holy Family Church on St. Thomas, resigned so that he could relocate to New York. Father Neil Scantlebury, pastor, gave him a blessing at the end of Sunday Mass on July 10.
The Catholic Islander / August 2011 / www.catholicislander.com22
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Holy Hours/Eucharistic Adoration•Holy Cross Church has Exposition of
the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on August 5 and the first Friday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon.
•St. Patrick Church has a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays after the 8 a.m. Mass.
•St. Ann Church has a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction in St. Ann Chapel on Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
•St. Joseph Church has a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at 6:30 p.m.
Santo NiñoSt. Joseph Church hosts devotions to Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus) on August 6 and the first Saturday of every month at 4:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during this time.
Charismatic Prayer•St. Patrick Church has charismatic prayer
in the chapel on August 19 and the third Friday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
•St. Ann Church has charismatic prayer in Marian Hall on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
•TheCenacleofOurLadyoftheRosaryIntercessory Prayer Group meets at Franciscan House on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Secular Order Discalced CarmelitesThe Our Lady Star of the Sea Community shares Carmelite spirituality in the St. Joseph Church Hospitality Lounge and Learning Center on August 28 and the fourth Sunday of each month at 1 p.m.
Franciscan SpiritualityThe Our Lady of the Angels fraternity of the Third Order of St. Francis shares Franciscan spirituality at Franciscan House on August 28 and the fourth Sunday of each month at 2 p.m.
Divine Mercy ChapletSt. Joseph Church hosts Divine Mercy devotions on August 28 and the fourth Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. The hour-long program includes the Chaplet, prayers, adoration and teachings of the Divine Mercy by Father John Mark.
Cursillo Prayer GroupThe Cursillo Movement hosts a Spanish prayer meeting in the St. Michael Chapel at St. Joseph Church on August 29 and the last Monday of every month at 7 p.m.
Adult EducationThe St. Patrick Learning Center offers classes in Pre-GED, GED, Computer Literacy, Intermediate Computer and English as a Second Language on Monday through Thursday mornings.
Neo-Catechumenal WayThe Neo-Catechumenal Way leads a Celebration of the Word at St. Joseph Church on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Devotions to St. Gerard MajellaPray a devotion to St. Gerard Majella at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m.
World Apostolate of FatimaThe World Apostolate of Fatima meets in the chapel at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
Spanish Prayer and ReflectionPray 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.
Legion of MaryPresidium Mary, Our Lady of Grace, meets in the Holy Cross Church rectory on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
Our Mother ofPerpetual Help DevotionsDevotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help are prayed at St. Patrick Church on Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Holy Cross Church prays the devotion on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:45 a.m. St. Joseph Church prays the devotion on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Intercessory PrayerDeacon Hyacinthe George is available for prayer and counseling at St. Ann Chapel on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
Shepherds of Christ AssociatesThe Shepherds of Christ Associates meet for prayer in the St. Michael Chapel of St. Joseph Church on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and on the second and fourth Sunday of every month at 5 p.m.
Knights of ColumbusHoly Cross Council #6482 meets at Holy Cross Church’s McAlpin Hall on the first and third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m.
Cursillo UltreyaCursillo members meet for the “ultreya” in the Cursillo office at St. Joseph Church on Thursdays after the 7 p.m. Mass. Meetings are in Spanish.
St. Croix Calendarparish calendars
Pride of the Parish
Members of the Sacred Heart Society at St. Patrick Church on St. Croix presented the offertory to Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR, pastor, at Sunday Mass on July 3.
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Legion of MaryPresidium Mary, Queen of Angels, meets in the Guadalupe Hall of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Eucharistic AdorationOur Lady of Mt. Carmel Church has a Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Charismatic PrayerOur Lady of Mt. Carmel Church hosts an hour of charismatic prayer on Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Pride of the Parish
Parishioners find their churches proper when they attend weekend Masses. Dedicated volunteers usually gather on Saturday mornings to sweep and mop the floor and polish the furnishings. Pictured right, a small crew cleans Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas.
parish calendars St. John Calendar
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