J uly / A u g u s t 2 0 1 6 | c atholic v i.com
LOCAL NEWS
First Holy
Communion / pg. 4
JOURNEY OF FAITH
'I'm not stopping!'
Deacon Norbert Xavier / pg. 14
REFLECTION
A Canadian Adventure
/ pg. 18
First Holy Communion, Confirmation, High School Graduation ...
Summer 2016 begins with sacraments and commencements
Inside this issue
4 Local news
First holy Communions
8 Local news
Confirmations
12 School spotlight
St. Joseph High School
science fair
14 Journey of faith
‘I’m not stopping!’
15 Good life
How do I talk to friends
about faith when we disagree?
15 Saint of the month
Peace, prayer and work – St. Benedict of Norsia
16 Theology 101
Mercy begins with spiritual conversion
18 Reflection
A Canadian adventure
22 Parish calendars
25 ¡Buenas noticias!
ON THE COVER:
First holy Communion
at St. Patrick's
FROM THE BISHOP
Please submit
News and digital photography
for the September 2016 issue
of The Catholic Islander
by August 1, 2016. Submit to
[email protected].
2
Bishop Herbert Bevard
Bishop Bevard and mission group from Media, PA, at
Donder’s Hall on the campus of St. Mary’s Catholic School,
Christiansted. The second trip for some in the group,
together they put in many long, hard hours of work to
refurbish, paint, clean, and ready the building for service
again. Bishop Bevard and the diocese wish to thank these
willing and dedicated missioners from Our Lady of the
Nativity Catholic Church, in Media, PA, for their hard work,
love, and kindness.
The Magazine of the
Roman Catholic Diocese
of St. Thomas in the
Virgin Islands
Father John Matthew Fewel
EDITOR
Most Rev. Herbert Bevard
PUBLISHER
Brother James Petrait, OSFS
WEBMASTER
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
Sarah Jane von Haack
MANAGING EDITOR
Christine Joseph
Advantage Editing
PROOFREADING
Deacon Emith Fludd
CIRCULATION
Jenny Bis
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
www.FAITHcatholic.com
MOTHER'S DAY MASS
Deacon Jose Vasquez and Father Eduardo Ortiz-Santiago give a fresh Carnation to every mother,
following the Spanish Mass at the Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul. Mr. Philbert Pinney assists.
Children of Mary of Holy Family Catholic Church Mother’s Day Luncheon
was on May 8, 2016 at the Holy Family Columban Hall. The luncheon was
to help with the upkeep of the shrine. (Left to right) Mrs. Rose LaBadie,
Mrs. Maria Griffin, Mrs. Patricia Grell, and Mrs. Simonia Dagou
3
LOCAL NEWS
First Communion
teacher Maggie
Metor with
students Je'Vonte
Hodge, Amaya
Abraham and
Jarvia Hodge.
Miss Anastasia Doward and her First Holy Communion
class at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Frederiksted.
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The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
First Holy Communion
Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul Rector,
Msgr. Feudjio, with the First Communion class.
5
LOCAL NEWS
Bishop Emeritus Elliott G. Thomas
celebrates priestly anniversary and
a milestone birthday
6
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
On June 6, the retired third bishop of St.
Thomas in the Virgin Islands celebrated 30
years of the priesthood; and on the fifteenth
of July, Bishop Thomas turned 90 years
old! Bishop Bevard, priests, deacons, and
the people of St. Thomas, St. John, and St.
Croix, extend to retired bishop Elliott G.
Thomas our prayers, love, and thanks for his
priestly and episcopal ministry, and happy
birthday wishes as he marks his 90th year!
FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI
St. Patrick Administrator,
Father Boniface carries the
Blessed Sacrament in the parish
Corpus Christi procession.
Bishop Bevard and
about-to-be-ordained
Peter Laurencin, Evans
Doway, and Cassius
Mathurin, together with
the congregation chant
the Litany of the Saints.
The three were ordained
to the permanent
diaconate in late June.
St. Joseph Parish Corpus
Christi Procession.
7
LOCAL NEWS
Msgr. Feudjio, Father Kemayou
(on right), Deacon Danet, and the
Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul
Confirmation class.
Catholic Charities’
July/August
Food Drive
Rev. Msgr. Jerome Feudjio anoints with the Sacred
oil of Chrism a young student. Her Confirmation
sponsor’s hand, in sacramental witness and sign of
support, gently rests on her shoulder.
Please collect the
following items
at your church,
school or workplace
and bring them to
Catholic Charities:
• Powdered milk,
rice, lentils and
beans
• Infant formula and
baby food
• Canned meat and
vegetables
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The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
Confirmation
Holy Family pastor, Father Neil Scantlebury,
Bishop Bevard, and the confirmation class.
Bishop Bevard, Father Boniface
(on right) and the St. Patrick’s
confirmation class.
Protection
of Children
The Diocese of St.
Thomas in the Virgin
Islands is committed
to protecting children
from all harm. If you
have knowledge of any
church worker who may
have abused a minor,
please contact the
diocesan child protection
coordinator, Callista
Julien, at 340.778 0484
or 340.772 4214.
9
Graduation
LOCAL NEWS
Bishop Bevard, Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR (left), SJHS principal Father John Mark, Br. James Pertait, OSFS (standing),
and the St. Joseph High School graduating class of 2016.
St. Peter and Paul Catholic High School graduating class of 2016.
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The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
LOCAL NEWS
Father Kerly
Francois and
Mr. Andrew
Lesko.
Bishop Bevard has accepted Mr. Andrew Lesko's candidacy to study for the
priesthood for the diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Mr. Lesko moves
from Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West, in Ohio, to study at the North
American College in Rome in August. Father John Mark, who is pastor of St.
Joseph Catholic Church on St. Croix, graduated from the NAC in Rome in 2001.
Most Reverend Herbert Bevard (left) with
Andrew Lesko and Msgr. Jerome Feujio.
11
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Breyana
Almestica
with her
project, which
won her first
place in the
Science Fair.
St. Joseph High School science fair
St. Joseph High School's Science Fair for ninth-graders was held in one
of the science labs on May 25, 2016. Trophies were awarded to the
winners in the St. Joseph High School Chapel after the Angelus prayer.
Debonair
Joseph with
her secondplace project.
12
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
Michael Bell is shown with
the project that won him
third place in the fair.
LOCAL NEWS
Sister Joan
Lukong
Venyena,
DHFB, with
two of her
students
from Sts.
Peter and
Paul Catholic
School.
Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul Fun Day
Msgr. Jerome Feudjio
is challenged to keep
the soccer ball away
from Father Eduardo
Ortiz-Santiago in a
friendly scrimmage at
the parish fun day.
13
JOURNEY OF FAITH
‘I’m not stopping!’
At 85, Deacon Norbert Xavier is directing music
in his parish and leading others to God
Since 1984 Norbert Xavier has been a Deacon serving St. Ann
Church on St. Croix, and in that time he’s seen hundreds of baptisms,
led thousands of songs as part of music ministry, and brought more than a
few people back to the Church. The best part is, he’s not finished yet. “I’m
not stopping! I’ll be 85 years old next month,” Deacon Xavier said, “and I’m
still active, still playing music and leading songs.”
Norbert was born on Dominica, and his mother was an
early influence on his faith. “She was a staunch Catholic,”
he said. “She didn’t speak much English, or didn’t know
much about it, but she just had the faith in her and the
Church. That was it – she believed in the Blessed Mother,
in Christ, and in God, and she took it seriously.”
When he came to St. Croix it was originally to be
a bartender, but after some time he became certified
as a photographer and had an interesting career as a
professional photographer and managing the camera
counter at Woolworth’s. Norbert married, had nine
children and raised them on St. Croix.
Early on Norbert was influenced by the charismatic
movement in the Catholic Church, and today he
continues to try and inspire others in that same way. “The
[charismatic movement] is very much in me,” he explained.
“You preach according to the Word, you preach the truth…
when I meet people on the street I share with them in
the same manner I share in the church.” He has seen the
powerful call of Christ’s message turn people’s lives around,
and Deacon Xavier’s enthusiasm for it has not waned.
When he was first approached about the Deaconate, it
was by Fr. (now Msgr.) Michael Kosak. “I took [my faith]
very seriously, and my love of Jesus seriously,” he said, “So
when they put my name down [for the Deaconate classes] I
accepted.” Norbert enjoyed the classes and greatly enjoyed
being able to learn more about the faith. Upon ordination,
he worked at St. Ann in music ministry, preaching, and
14
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
teaching in Baptism preparation classes.
“I love the Gospel, to share the Lord’s Word,” he said
excitedly. “Especially in Baptism classes… I’ve been very
successful in getting a few guys back to church, and a couple
of converts too because of the class.” One of his favorite
Saints is St. Pope John Paul II. A portrait of him hangs in
the classroom where Deacon Xavier teaches, and he draws
inspiration from looking at one of his spiritual mentors.
Today Norbert continues his ministry, and is always
encouraging younger men to consider a vocation to the
priesthood or the Deaconate. He’s found his work very
rewarding, saying “I love to share the Kingdom… it’s not easy,
but [I like] getting the guys who used to stay away from the
Church to come back, showing them the truth in the Church.”
Norbert married again twelve years ago (his first wife passed
away in 1987), and his spouse Clara has been an important
part of his ministry and a strong supporter of his work. They
work together, as partners, and whether Norbert is preparing
for a baptism or leading a prayer group, Clara is by his side.
Deacon Xavier focuses his energy on the healing
message of Christ, which can be a challenge in the modern
world – but it’s a challenge he’s up to. “What I want say
to enlighten folk is that the present life is not the life, the
future that is to come is the true life – the life everlasting,”
he explains. “No more difficulties, death, suffering. The
present life is passing away, and I encourage people to pray
and turn around and live the right life, because the future
is what counts, not the present.”
By Paul McAvoy
GOOD LIFE
How do I talk to friends about faith when we disagree?
BY CYNTHIA KAAN
G
od calls us to bear
witness to his truth
and his love at all
times. This is not
always an easy task —
especially when speaking
about our faith with fellow
Christian brothers and
sisters. So how do we keep
our words wrapped in
Christ’s love and respect
when we disagree? Let
these three fruits of the
Holy Spirit be your guide:
WIKIPEDIA
SAINT OF THE MONTH
Peace, prayer
and work
St. Benedict of Nursia
July 11
1. Joy
3. Love
Begin with a joyful prayer of thanksgiving
for having friends who are lovers of Jesus
and who care enough to discuss what that
love means to them. Embrace the gift
of your friendship and acknowledge the
respect you share. Invite the Holy Spirit
into your conversation and ask for wisdom.
Love is the greatest of all
commandments; Jesus commands
us to love one another as he has
loved us. Remember that Jesus
loves ALL of his children; Catholics
are not the favorite child, as Jesus
loves without judgment.
2. Gentleness
Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “Iron
is sharpened by iron; one person
sharpens another.” Don’t shy away
from meaningful conversations
regarding faith — even when
disagreements are bound to
happen. The attitude we entertain
during these interactions has
more of an impact than the words
we speak. Remember — joy,
gentleness, love.
Approach the conversation as a chance to
see your friend’s heart the way Jesus does.
Listen with intent. Not with the intention of
changing their belief, but with the intent of
understanding their love for Christ. Respect
their words and their faith. Be careful
not to allow your passion to become so
elevated that it creates a wall of arrogance
that ends the conversation.
When he was still a young man, St. Benedict chose to
exchange his life of Roman education and family prestige
for that of a hermit, living alone in the mountains of
Subiaco, Italy. Despite living three years in complete
solitude, he became well-regarded in the area. He was
so respected that the monks of a nearby monastery
begged him to replace their recently deceased abbot.
Although he was hesitant, he eventually agreed. St.
Benedict’s hesitation was evidently warranted, however,
as some monks who disagreed with his views attempted
to poison him.
In light of the attempt, St. Benedict returned to his
cave, but many people were attracted by his holiness
and the miraculous occurrences surrounding him. He
eventually established 12 monasteries in the surrounding
area. His holiness was so great, he is said to have
predicted his own death — informing his close friends
that his hour was near.
In his later life, St. Benedict composed what came
to be known as the Rule of St. Benedict. The rule
established routines of prayer, physical labor and
study for the monks at his largest monastery, Monte
Cassino, but it was soon adopted by monks throughout
the Western world. Today, 15 centuries later, the
Benedictines continue to observe his rule.
Did you know?
St. Benedict is:
The brother of
St. Scholastica
The patron saint
of students,
as well as Europe
Known as the
father of Western
monasticism
15
Mercy begins with
SPIRITUAL CONVERSION
P
THEOLOGY 101
By Doug Culp
16
ope Francis has made it clear that the Church’s mission of being
a witness to mercy begins with our own spiritual conversion.
We simply cannot witness to mercy if we have not experienced
the merciful love of Christ. We cannot experience the merciful love of
Christ if we are blind to our own sinfulness and need for mercy, a mercy
that is always offered to us in the forgiveness of our sins.
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
The call to conversion
Each of us is called to conversion by Jesus. The
first conversion consists in our hearing the Gospel
— our encountering Christ, our believing in him
and our deciding to order our lives accordingly.
Baptism, of course, is the primary place for this
fundamental conversion. In baptism, we renounce
evil and win salvation, i.e., the forgiveness of
all our sins and the gift of new life. This first
conversion is completed when we receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit in confirmation and the gift of
the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.
These sacraments of initiation together leave us
“holy and without blemish.”
However, the new life granted to us in Christian
initiation does not mean that we will remain “holy
and without blemish.” Our human nature remains
frail and weak. What’s more, we still tend toward
sin, which makes a holy life oriented toward
eternal life a continuous struggle.
Nonetheless, Christ ceaselessly calls us, through
the work of the Church, to turn anew from our
sinfulness through repentance. Through the gift
of grace, we are invited to respond with a contrite
heart to the merciful love of the God who has
loved us first. This merciful love calls the sinner
to conversion, which is, in fact, the most concrete
expression of the presence of mercy.
Consider the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50. While
Jesus is dining at the house of a Pharisee, a sinful
woman stands behind him bathing his feet with
her tears and anointing them with oil. When the
Pharisee objects, Jesus replies, “Her many sins
have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great
love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves
little.” In other words, the love the woman shows
Jesus is the evidence of her conversion — the
evidence that her sins have been forgiven through
the encounter with God’s mercy.
SPIRITUAL READING
'Doesn’t God consider
spiritual discouragement
worse than any other sin?
Yes indeed!'
These sound words from St.
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) remind
us that we must continually seek out
spiritual encouragement to avoid
FROM
SCRIPTURE
And he told
them a parable,
“Can a blind
person guide a
blind person?
Will not both fall
into a pit?”…
“Why do you
notice the
splinter in your
brother’s eye,
but do not
perceive the
wooden beam in
your own? How
can you say to
your brother,
‘Brother, let me
remove that
splinter in your
eye,’ when you
do not even
notice the
wooden beam in
your own eye?
You hypocrite!
Remove the
wooden beam
from your eye
first; then you
will see clearly
to remove the
splinter in your
brother’s eye.”
(Lk 6:39,41-42)
falling into the deadly sin of sloth,
or indifference to spiritual things.
Spiritual reading can certainly play a
pivotal role in this effort. During the
Year of Mercy, consider reading the
Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena.
The Dialogue is composed of
four treatises and represents the
spiritual testament of St. Catherine
of Siena. In the work, she describes
her mystical experiences of God,
which included what she referred
A sacrament of healing
The United States Catholic Catechism for
Adults indicates Jesus entrusted this ministry
of reconciliation to the Church. In particular,
the sacrament of penance is God's gift to
us so that any sin committed by us after
baptism can be forgiven. In confession, we
have the opportunity to repent and recover
the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy
moment in which we place ourselves in his
presence and honestly acknowledge our sins,
especially mortal sins.
With absolution, we are reconciled to God
and to the Church. The sacrament helps
us stay close to the truth that we cannot
live without God. "In him we live and move
and have our being." (Acts 17:28) While all the
sacraments bring us an experience of the
mercy that comes from Christ's dying and
rising, it is the sacrament of reconciliation
that is the unique sacrament of mercy
because it is an experience of the gift of
God's boundless mercy.
In closing
The Church’s mission of being a witness
to mercy begins with our own spiritual
conversion. The first step to our own
spiritual conversion is the recognition of our
own sinfulness and of our need for God’s
grace — a grace freely offered through the
sacrament of reconciliation. God’s merciful
love is what gives us the confidence that
our sins will in fact be forgiven granting us
salvation, which means that we are made
whole; we are healed. It is only then that we
are free to be an authentic witness to others
of this same life-giving mercy.
to as a “mystical marriage” with
Jesus. St. Catherine was a tertiary
of the Dominican Order, a scholastic
philosopher and theologian, and is
a doctor of the Church (the doctor
of unity). She is best known for her
efforts to reform the Church, for her
role in convincing Pope Gregory XI to
return the papacy to Rome from its
displacement in Avignon, France, in
1376, and for her work in establishing
peace among the Italian city-states.
17
A Canadian
Adventure
I heard an amazing story recently. I was on retreat led by a Canadian
Redemptorist, Father John Sianchuk. He told our group of priests and
brothers about taking a hike in the Province of Manitoba. He had taken
the trail before and knew that it was about ten kilometers in and the
same to come back. He was about ten minutes from finishing the hike
when he frightened a bear next to the trail.
that a bear shimmies up a tree and would
They both jumped at the same time and
have problems with the low branches on a
the bear even partly climbed a tree. Father
spruce. He found a spruce tree and climbed
John walked quickly away and once he had
up as quickly as he could. The bear came
put some distance between himself and the
right up the tree behind him. He climbed as
bear he looked over his shoulder. The bear
high as he could and the bear could not reach
was climbing down the tree. He kept on
him. Slowly the bear climbed back down,
walking and the next time he looked, the
waited awhile, and climbed back up. Again,
bear was walking after him. He picked up
he came about fifteen feet short of where
his pace and, when he looked again, the bear
Father John was clinging. The bear climbed
was running after him.
down and waited under the tree for two
He said three thoughts went through his
mind simultaneously. The first
hours before finally ambling
off into the forest. Father John
was, “He is coming after you!”
said he waited another thirty
The second thought was, “He is
minutes, climbed down, and
faster than you.” And, the last,
ran as fast as he could to his
“Find a tree.”
car. Returning to the trail some
He knew that he had to find
months later, he saw that the
a spruce tree because, unlike
REFLECTION
spruce tree he climbed was the
a pine tree, its branches were
only one in the area.
low to the ground and he could
By Father Kevin
While the story itself is
climb it quickly. He also knew
MacDonald, CSsR
18
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
amazing, the real lesson from the
experience came on a retreat that
Father John went on later in the
year. He was at the Redemptorist
Retreat House in Tucson, Arizona,
and taking another hike on some
desert trails. He stopped to rest in
the opening of a small cave. (No,
a wild animal didn’t attack him
again.) He began to reflect on those
three thoughts that came to his
mind while the bear was chasing
him. The first, “He is coming after
you!” in a spiritual sense could
mean the devil. Humanity is the
target. In the Evil One’s hatred for
all that is good, he will try anything
to get us off the path of goodness.
Second, “He is faster than you,”
highlights the fact that the devil is
faster, stronger, and more powerful
than we are. We are no match
for the devil’s strength and wiles.
Finally, “Find a tree,” can only
mean, find the cross. Embrace the
cross and the devil will not be able
to harm us. On our own we are
powerless, but joined to the Creator
of all, we are powerful beyond all
measure.
Now, anyone for a hike?
LOCAL NEWS
St. Mary’s Catholic School honor roll students and their proud parents.
19
WE ARE THE DOERS OF THE WORD
PREACHING WITH OUR LIVES.
"Behold, I am making
all things new."
Rev. 21.5
"With God, all things
are possible."
Luke 1:37
Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary,
Archdiocese of New York
CH ARISM:
Social Justice and
Pastoral Care
Call, Come and See!!!!
347-994-4564 or 212-289-5655
•A
n African American Franciscan Order Founded in Savannah,
Georgia, USA, in 1916.
•R
ejuvenating and Transforming into a Missionary Community
throughout the USA, the Caribbean and Africa.
Open House in June.
Date to follow.
"THE UPL IFT OF HUMAN DIGNITY"
20
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
[email protected]
www.passionforsocialjustice.com
Order of Malta
Virgin Islands Area
The Order of Malta is raising
funds for Bishop Herbert Bevard’s
Catholic Scholarship Program
through the sale of commemorative
bricks. The bricks will be installed
in the Rosary Garden at Our Lady
of Perpetual Help Church.
This is a great way to remember a
loved one or express gratitude to
God for answering a prayer.
Your message will last forever.
Call 774.2166 for information
21
St. Thomas Calendar
Magnificat
Magnificat, an international ministry to
Catholic women, meets at Ss. Peter and
Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on
the first Saturday of every month at 8 a.m.
Men’s Prayer Group
The Sons of Joseph and Mary meet at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Pro-life
Having just received the sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral of
Ss. Peter and Paul, these young Catholic women prepare to carry forward
the gifts, at the offertory of the Mass.
Recitation of the Rosary
Intention of sick parishioners at OLPH
and the Order of Malta maladies: second
Wednesday of each month at 5:45 p.m.
(followed by Mass) at Our Lady of
Perpetual Help Church in the Order of
Malta Rosary Garden. Everyone is invited
to attend.
Legion of Mary
Presidium Mary, Mystical Rose, meets in
Holy Family Church’s classroom, Sundays
at 4 p.m.
Catholic Charities of the VI
Catholic Charities serves the needy —
through our shelter, soup kitchen and
outreach programs — with help from the
community. There is an ongoing need
for financial support. Please contact us
at 340.777.8518 or [email protected]
to explore the many ways you can help.
Thank you.
Catholic Daughters of America
Court 2049 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul
Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on the
third Saturday of every month at 3 p.m.
Charismatic Prayer
▶ Prayers in Spanish are offered at Ss.
Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality
Lounge on Mondays at 6 p.m.
▶ Holy Family Church holds evenings of
charismatic prayer on Mondays at 7 p.m.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
▶ Altar 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
22
on Mondays at 3 p.m.
▶ The chaplet is prayed at Our Lady of
Perpetual Help Church on Tuesdays at 3 p.m.
Holy Hours/Eucharistic Adoration
▶ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
has Exposition on Tuesdays from 7:30
a.m. until Benediction at 6 p.m. and on
Fridays at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at
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.
Intercessory Prayer Group
A team is prepared to pray for the needs
of all who ask at Holy Family Church on
Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Pro-life Rosary
Pray a pro-life rosary at Our Lady of
Perpetual Help Church on Wednesdays
at 5:45 p.m.
Legion of Mary
▶P
residium Mary, Morning Star, meets
at Our Lady of Perpetual Help every
Friday at 8 p.m. in the conference
room. For more information about the
Legion of Mary, call the church office at
340.774.0885.
▶ 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.
▶ Presidium Mary, Mediatrix of All
Graces, meets in the St. Anne Chapel
Hall on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
Bound 4 Life USVI, the diocesan pro-life
group, meets at Our Lady of Perpetual
Help Church every other week. There is
also a pro-life Holy Hour and Mass at 6
p.m. on the first Friday of the month. For
more information, visit Facebook.com/
bound4lifeUSVI or call the OLPH Church
office at 340.774.0885.
Our Lady of Fatima Devotion
The Children of Mary lead a devotion to Our
Lady of Fatima at Holy Family Church on
the first Saturday of every month at 4 p.m.
Rosary Walk
Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts a rosary
walk on the first Saturday of every month
at 7 a.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m.
St. Joseph Workers
The St. Joseph Workers meet at Holy
Family Church’s Columban Hall on the
second Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Young Vincentians meet on the third
Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. The
adult members meet on the fourth Saturday
of every month at 3:30 p.m. Both groups
meet in Holy Family Church’s classroom.
World Apostolate of Fatima
The World Apostolate of Fatima meets at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on
Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.
Our Mother of
Perpetual Help Devotions
Devotions 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.
▶ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 6:15 p.m.
▶ Holy Family Church at 6:50 p.m.
▶ St. Anne Chapel at 7 p.m.
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23
St. Croix Calendar
Divine Mercy Chaplet
St. Joseph Church hosts Divine Mercy
devotions on 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.
Franciscan Spirituality
The Our Lady of the Angels fraternity of the
Third Order of St. Francis shares Franciscan
spirituality at Franciscan House on the
fourth Sunday of each month at 3 p.m.
Rosary Prayer Group
Cenacle of Our Lady of the Rosary Prayer
Group meets at the Franciscan House
every Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Holy Hours/Eucharistic
Adoration
Anniversary of St. Patrick
Catholic School
St. Patrick Catholic School (SPCS) is
celebrating the 150th anniversary of
the founding date of the school. We
are planning events such as a welcome
reception, a gala at Fort Frederick,
school tours and more. This celebration
is a big part of our alumni reconnection
program, which means we need the
community's help! We are asking the
community to please send any interesting
stories or remarks, original photos (with
names on back — we will return once
scanned), digital photos and any SPCS
memorabilia (uniforms, athletic gear,
documents, "artifacts") that they would
not mind having on loan to us either by
email to [email protected]
or mail to:
St. Patrick Catholic School
150th Anniversary Committee
406 Custom House St.
Frederiksted, VI 00840
Adult Education
The St. Patrick Alumni Association offers
an After School Tutorial Program, which
is coordinated by Sister Claina Letang,
ICM. They are now also operating as a
Public Computer Center, which is part
of the ViNGN Digital Literacy Program.
It is open to the public during scheduled
mornings to mid-day.
24
Bible Study
Holy Cross Church hosts Bible studies in McAlpin Hall on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m., following morning Mass.
Carmelite Spirituality
The Our Lady Star of the Sea Community
shares Carmelite spirituality in the St.
Joseph Church Hospitality Lounge and
Learning Center on the fourth Sunday of
each month at 1 p.m.
Charismatic Prayer
▶ St. Patrick Church has charismatic
prayer in the chapel on the third Friday
of each month at 6 p.m.
▶ St. Ann Church has charismatic prayer
in Marian Hall on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Cursillo Prayer Group
The Cursillo movement hosts a Spanish
prayer meeting in the St. Michael Chapel
at St. Joseph Church on the last Monday
of every month at 7 p.m.
Devotions to St. Gerard Majella
Every Tuesday after the 6:30 a.m. and
8:15 a.m. Masses.
Cursillo Ultreya
Cursillo members meet for Ultreya in the Cursillo office at St. Joseph Church on Thursdays after the 7 p.m. Mass.
Meetings are in Spanish.
The Catholic Islander / July/August 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
All-day adoration every Thursday from
after the 8:15 a.m. Mass until 6 p.m.
Knights of Columbus
Holy Cross Council 6482 meets at Holy
Cross Church’s McAlpin Hall on the first and
third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m.
St. Patrick Youth Ministry
Come be with us and enjoy a variety of
exciting activities as St. Patrick parents
and youths mix work and play to spread
the Gospel message on St. Croix. For
more information, contact Father
Boniface Blanchard at 340.772.0138.
Magnificat
Magnificat, an international ministry to
Catholic women, meets at Franciscan House
on the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m.
Neo-catechumenal Way
The Neo-catechumenal Way leads a
celebration of the word at St. Joseph Church
on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Our Mother of
Perpetual Help Devotions
Devotions 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 every Wednesday
after the 6:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. Mass.
Also on the First Saturday of each
month at the 8:15 a.m. Mass.
▶ St. Joseph Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
St. John Calendar
All-night Vigil
Our Lady of Mount Carmel holds
an all-night vigil on the first
Friday of each month at 8 p.m.
Charismatic Prayer
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Church hosts an evening of
charismatic prayer on
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Eucharistic Adoration
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Church has Exposition of
the Blessed Sacrament and
Benediction on Thursdays
from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free Meals
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Church’s Kallaloo Kitchen:
Food for the Soul feeds the needy
in the parish’s Guadalupe Hall on
Mondays and Fridays at noon.
Volunteers are welcomed.
Rosary for the Unborn
St. Joseph Church hosts a
bilingual English/Spanish
rosary for the unborn on
Fridays at 6 p.m.
Santo Niño
St. Joseph Church hosts
devotions to the Santo Niño
(the Holy Child Jesus) on the
first Saturday of every month
at 4:30 p.m. The sacrament
of reconciliation is offered
during this time.
Holy Cross Youth Ministry
Every Friday evening at
6:30 p.m. in McAlpin Hall.
Father Touchard is the
spiritual advisor.
¡Buenas Noticias!
Legion of Mary
Presidium Mary, Queen of Angels,
meets at Our Lady of Mount
Carmel on Saturdays after the
6 p.m. Mass. Presidium Mary,
Mystical Rose, meets in Holy
Family Church’s classroom,
Sundays at 4 p.m.
Men’s Fellowship
Men’s Fellowship meets the first
and third Sunday of each month.
Spanish Mass
Our Lady of Mount Carmel has
Spanish Mass at 6 p.m. Sundays.
Sunday Mass in Coral Bay
Mass is celebrated each
Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the
John’s Folly Learning Center
in Coral Bay. For questions or
transportation, call the church
office at 776.6339.
Shepherds of Christ Associates
The 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.
Spanish Prayer
and Reflection
Pray the rosary and share
reflections on the readings of the
coming Sunday Mass at Holy Cross
Church on alternate Tuesdays at 7
p.m. Meetings are in Spanish.
World Apostolate of Fatima
The World Apostolate of Fatima
meets in the chapel at Holy Cross
Church on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
Eventos Mensuales
ORACIÓN CARISMÁTICA
Las oraciones en español se ofrecen en el Salón de
Hospitalidad de la Catedral de San Pedro y san Pablo
los lunes a las 6 p.m.
LA ULTREYA
Los jueves después de la misa de las 7 p.m. los
cursillistas tienen su Ultreta. Las reunions en el
trailer, en la oficina del Movimiento de Cursillos, y
son en español.
LEGIÓN DE MARÍA
El presidium hispano María, Arca de la Alianza se
reúne en el Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral de
San Pedro y San Pablo los domingos a las 2 p.m.
NUEVA MISA EN ESPAÑOL
La iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen de la isla de
Saint John está ofreciendo una misa en español
todos los domingos a las 6 p.m. El celebrante oficial
es el padre Eduardo Ortiz Santiago, párroco de la
comunidad hispana de la catedral.
ORACIÓN Y REFLEXIÓN
Se reza el Santo Rosario y se comparten las
reflexiones de las lecturas del domingo siguiente, en
la iglesia de Holy Cross los martes alternados a las 7
p.m. Las reuniones son en español.
ROSARIO POR LOS NO NACIDOS
La iglesia de San José invita a los rosarios bilingües
en español e inglés por los no nacidos todos los
viernes a la 6 p.m.
SANTO NIÑO
En la iglesia de San José se rezan las devociones
del Santo Niño (el Santo Niño Jesús) los primeros
sábados de cada mes a las 4:30 p.m. Durante este
tiempo se ofrecen confesiones.
25
26
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