April 2016 | catholic vi.com
HE DESCENDED
TO THE DEAD
Christ’s victory over death was the victory also for all the dead in Christ
JOURNEY OF FAITH
Mr. Evans “Smilie” Doway,
pg. 14
THEOLOGY 101
REFLECTION
The good Samaritan:
A lesson in mercy / pg. 16
Before I formed you,
I knew you / pg. 18
Inside this issue
4 Local news
5 From the Editor's Desk
The harrowing of hell
8 School spotlight
Sts. Peter and Paul School hosts International Food Night fundraiser
10 School spotlight
Diocesan Catholic schools’
education and achievements
14 Journey of faith
Candidate for the permanent diaconate – Evans “Smilie” Doway
15 S
aint of the Month
Advocate of peace –
advisor to popes
Catherine of Siena
15 G
ood Life
Five tips for discerning God’s will
16 Theology 101
The good Samaritan:
A lesson in mercy
18 Reflection
Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you
22 Parish calendars
25 ¡Buenas noticias!
ON THE
COVER:
Harrowing
of Hell,
Nikolay
Koshelev,
1900
Please submit
News and digital photography for the
May 2016 issue of The Catholic Islander
by March 31, 2016. Submit to
[email protected].
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2
Bishop’s Calendar
April 2-3
•M
ission appeal, St. Vincent Ferrer, Del Rey, Fla.
April 9-10
•M
ission appeal, Nativity
of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, Media, Pa.
April 16-17
•M
ission appeal, St. Margaret Mary,
Louisville, Ky.
April 20
• 8 :30 a.m., Finance
Committee meeting,
Hospitality Lounge
The Magazine of the
Roman Catholic Diocese
of St. Thomas in the
Virgin Islands
Most Rev. Herbert Bevard
PUBLISHER
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
April 23
• 5 p.m., Confirmations,
St. Joseph, Mt. Pleasant,
Fredericksted
April 24
• 9:30 a.m.,
Confirmations, St. Ann, Barrenspot
• 3 p.m., Pro-life March,
Fredericksted
• 4 p.m., Pro-life Mass, St. Patrick
April 30
• Confirmations,
Barnesville, Md.
Father John Matthew Fewel
EDITOR
Sarah Jane von Haack
MANAGING EDITOR
Jenny Bis
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Bishop Herbert
Bevard participated in
a recent youth retreat at
Our Lady of Perpetual
Help Catholic Church
in Mafolie, hearing
confessions with the
other priests and here
giving a talk to the
church filled with young
Catholic retreatants.
From the
Bishop’s Desk
Bishop Herbert Bevard
Charlotte Banks
Lillia King
ADVERTISING
Christine Joseph
Advantage Editing
PROOFREADING
Brother James Petrait, OSFS
WEBMASTER
Deacon Emith Fludd
CIRCULATION
www.FAITHcatholic.com
School Spotlight
Catholic Schools
Superintendent
announces change
at St. Mary's:
Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR,
advises new educational structure
for St. Mary School
Our Lady of Mount Carmel recently hosted the Most Reverend Gabriel Malzaire (third
from left), bishop of Roseau. His Excellency gave a Lenten penance service that was
well-attended. In his reflection, Bishop Malzaire noted that though King David sinned
terribly against God, he remained the greatest of Israel’s kings due to his sorrow for
having sinned, and for the great acts of penance and atonement for his grave sin. Bishop
Malzaire invited all in attendance to make a good Lenten confession, trusting their souls
completely to Christ in the confessional. Pictured with the bishop, from left: Father
Anthony Abraham, OLMC pastor; Father Eduardo Ortiz-Santiago, and Cassius Mathurin.
The new Curriculum coordinator at
St. Mary School, Jan Rothwell.
Ms. Rothwell taught at St. Mary’s
Catholic School for four years, retiring in
June, 2015. She came out of retirement
to assist during the leave of absence of
Mr. Williams, School principal.
Mrs. Cecilia Payne, who teaches first
grade has been a member of the St.
Mary's Catholic School faculty for many
years. Father Lynch has appointed Mrs.
Payne to be the new dean of students.
Bishop Malzaire was born in Mon Repos, a community in the village of Micoud
on the east of St Lucia. He dreamt of serving the Lord since age 10. Bishop Malzaire
studied at the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and Ugandan Martyrs in Trinidad
and Tobago. He holds a doctorate in Systematic Theology from the Gregorian
University in Rome. His doctoral thesis, published in Rome, is a study of the
relationship between theology of the Eucharist and the social teaching of the Church,
as reflected in the thoughts of the late Pope Paul VI on the world’s poor and suffering.
(From the diocese of Roseau website)
3
Local News
Frank Souza (center, rear) with members of his teaching parish
committee. In preparation for serving in one of St. Thomas’ eight
Catholic parishes, he works with a parish near St. Paul’s Seminary to
gain valuable experience while in advanced seminary studies.
The St. Thomas-St. John Catholic Charismatic Renewal
held a Lenten Mission Feb. 15-18, 2016, at Holy Family
Church. The guest speaker was Father Celsus Auguiste
of Dominica. Hundreds attended the event each night.
4
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
Frank Souza (left), who completes third-year theology this year
at St. Paul’s Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, Minn., for the
Diocese of St. Thomas, with two pre-theology seminarians from
other U.S. dioceses.
A Holy Family Church Year of Mercy
The harrowing of hell
(THIS MONTH'S COVER)
A
harrowing experience — have you ever
had one? Perhaps if you're a military
veteran you have escaped grave danger; or if
you were gravely ill, you have recovered and
escaped death against the odds. These and
such narrow brushes with death are what is
meant by a harrowing escape.
Pilgrimage took place Saturday February 27. Participants safaried from
Holy Family Church to Emancipation Gardens, where they disembarked
and began to pray the rosary. They processed up Main St. to the Cathedral,
and there all passed through the Door of Mercy and into the cathedral
of Sts. Peter and Paul for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, prayer,
confession, and Benediction.
Those souls who died before Christ's glorious
resurrection from the dead were kept in the depths
of earth, in limbo, or in purgatory, made such a
miraculous escape at the appearance of Our Lord,
when he descended to the dead.
Moses, Abraham, God's holy prophets and saints
who died pleasing greatly Almighty God were held
in limbo (or, the bosom of Abraham), where they
"rested with their fathers," for centuries, according
to how we measure time, until Jesus Christ would
open up the gates of heaven for all the blessed. All
those who died in God's grace, yet, still lacking the
penance, atonement, and sufficient detachment
from their imperfections, were sequestered, as
are all the imperfect yet saved, in purgatory. For,
nothing imperfect may enter heaven.
This is what is meant
by, Jesus descended
to the dead. Our Lord
emptied the caverns of
purgatory and limbo
on that great and
glorious day when he
died on the cross and
From the
made heaven once
Editor's
Desk
again possible for the
By Father John
glorious saints and all
Matthew Fewel
the redeemed.
5
Local News
Msgr. Michael Kosak
Father Simon
Peter Opira
The St. Lucian community celebrated its 37th anniversary of independence at Ss. Joachim
and Ann Church, Barrenspot, St. Croix, on Feb. 21. Photographed is the choir, with Director
Agnes Verhoff, Father Athanase Joseph from St. Lucia (second row, center) and Father Louis
Kemayou, pastor. Father Simon Peter Opira and Msgr. Michael Kosak were concelebrants.
Catholic Charities’
April Food Drive
Please collect the
following items at
your church, school
or workplace and
bring them to Catholic
Charities:
• Sugar, corn meal and rice
• Vienna sausage and
canned chicken
• Canned beets and
canned green beans
6
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
Ash Wednesday
Father Boniface Blanchard
Twaibu, administrator
of St. Patrick Church in
Fredericksted, administers
ashes during Mass on
Ash Wednesday.
Msgr. Martin Fields spent his annual vacation in the Virgin Islands, as he has been for thirty years: offering Mass
at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, hearing confessions, and relaxing with friends. Monsignor retired as pastor
in Taneytown, Ma., last year. Here he offers a blessing to a couple marking their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
7
School Spotlight
Sts. Peter and Paul
School hosts
International Food
Night Fundraiser
A taste of all the
Caribbean, Africa,
South America
and the world!
8
9
School Spotlight
Members of the administration and teachers of St. Joseph High School display the school's certificate.
(l-r) Ms. Meg Bryson, Father John Mark, Ms. Shenelle Dore, Ms. Zina Dore, Ms. Carmen Robles, Dr. Brenda Jackson,
Brother James Petrait, OSFS, and Mrs. Sandra Miranda-Maynard.
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 5773 or
340.772 4214.
10
Diocesan Catholic Schools’ Education and Achievements
St. Joseph High School receives official notice of accreditation
from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
The term of the current full accreditation will be on May 1, 2020. An
“accredited” school is an educational organization that meets all of the MSA
Standards for Accreditation, adheres to the applicable MSA policies and
meets the requirements of the self-study protocol used. Helping to achieve
the full accreditation were the members of the St. Joseph High School MSA
Planning Team led by Brother James Petrait, OSFS, the internal coordinator
for the MSA. The MSA Planning Team also included Father John Mark,
teachers, students and alumni.
Students Nyhne Daniel (left) and Zackaria Khaled were selected to attend
a week at basketball camp with the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA
beginning on Feb. 29. This was made possible thanks to the Timberwolves'
general managers, Milt Newton and Shalaun Newton, along with the help
of David Maek and Lucille Hobson of the VI Department of Education.
Msgr. Jerome Feudjio
and the sisters,
Daughters of the Holy
Family serve a meal
at Bethlehem House's
hospital ground on
St. Thomas.
The St. Joseph
High School
basketball team
won the 2016
Basketball
Invitational
Tournament
played at John
Woodson Junior
High School Feb.
6-7. The team’s
coach is Augustin
Webster; the
assistant coach
is Cecil Daniel.
(Row 1, l-r)
Omar Stanley,
Jahleem Edwards
and Zackaria
Khaled; (Row
2, l-r) Nyhme
Daniel, James
Bates and Aloysius
Henrillien; (Row
3, l-r) Jamari Shoy,
Amad Battiste,
Dsje Wilson,
Charles Jacobs,
Kimoi Ferdinand
and Victor Brown.
Nisieni Patricia
Griffith, Miss
Addelita Cancryn
Junior High
School 2016-2017.
Nisieni also won
Ms. Intellect,
Ms. Photogenic,
Ms. Cooperative,
and Best Evening
Wear. Nisieni is
an active member
of Holy Family
Church. She is
the daughter of
Daryl and Sheryl
Griffith; and the
granddaughter of
Deacon Denis and
Patricia Griffith.
11
School Spotlight
SJHS students
enjoy fascinating
presentation of
3D printer
Arthur YoungSpivey, St. Joseph
High School class of
1992, took time out
from his presentations
at the University the
Virgin Islands and
the 2016 Agricultural
Fait to demonstrate
the amazing world
of 3D printing to the
juniors and seniors of
St. Joseph High School
on Feb. 12 in the
school library. Using a
3D printer, he actually
made 3D models of
flowers and other
objects, some of which
had moveable parts.
12
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
St. Patrick Catholic School
St. Peter and Paul Catholic School
Fr. Bruce Anderson
Fr. Boniface
Blanchard
Twaibu
Fr. Touchard
Tignoua Goula
Fr. John
Matthew Fewel
Fr. Kerly
François
New Priests
for the
Virgin Islands
5 new priests; as well as seminarians being
formed in their priestly vocations, is God’s
gracious gift to our diocese. Give to help
pay the cost of seminary training!
New
Seminarians
Andrew Lesko
St. Mary’s Catholic School
Daughters of the Holy Family Teachers
Yes, Bish
Frank
opSouza
Bevard!
I want to help you to help other
Virgin Islanders!
Please print:
Catholic Education
NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER
Catholic Education in the Virgin
Islands means the growth of Faith in
a world in desperate need of God.
Keeping our Catholic schools open
and filling every desk is step one in
fulfilling the mission to evangelize a
world starved for the Bread of Life.
Catholic Charities
of the
Virgin Islands
______________________________
_____________
Name
payable to: Diocese of St. Thomas.
All gifts are tax deductible. May God bless
you!
With the generous support of people
like you, the education and training
of our children will be assured.
They depend on your joyful and
sacrificial giving!
Commit your heart to your most
generous pledge ever.
God will not be outdone in
generosity.
THE
BISHOP’S
APPEAL 2016
______________________________
_____________
Mailing Address
Have
you filled out
______________________________
_____________
and _____
sent
in your
______________________________
________
City
Bishop's
Appeal State Zip Code
______________________________
withTelephyour
generous_____________
one Numbers
__________
pledge?
If_____you
are
__________
__________________
Home Parish
preparing
to do so
___ $5,000
___ $2,500
___ $1,000
and___will
be
paying by
$500
___ $250
___ $100
check,
please make
___ Other $___________________
______________
your check
to
Metpayable
hod of Payment
___
Total
Amou
“Diocese ofnt Enclosed $______________
Monthly Payments $______________
St. ___
Thomas.”
____
___
Quar
(Please terly
doPaym
not
make
ents $____
_____________
__
Amex
checks payable
tod your
__ MasterCar
__ Visa
_____
_____Support
parish.)
_______________the
_______________
Credit Card Number
Expiration Date
Catholic
Mission in
our
______________________________
______________
Signature
diocese!
Please make checks
St. Joseph’s Catholic High School
Catholic Charities of the Virgin Island
s. The St. Martin
de Porres Outreach Center, dedicated
and soon to begin
serving clients in downtown Charlo
tte Amalie.
Religious Education developes
and increases the Faith of
a new generation.
Serving the growing Haitian
Community in Faith formation,
family services, employment
assistance, and more.
YOUR GIFT TO THE BISHOP’S APPE
AL 2016
will make it possible to meet these press
ing
needs and many more.
BISHOP’S APPEAL 2016
DIOCESE OF ST. THOMAS
IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
P.O. BOX 301825
ST. THOMAS, VI, 00803
PHONE: (340) 774-3166
FAX: (340) 774-5816
EMAIL: CHANCERY@ISLANDS
.VI
Sts. Peter and Paul School
“As We Receive His Mercy,
May We Let It Flow Through
Us To Others.”
As the Season of Lent 2016 commences,
know
that he who supplies all things that
we need can
never be outdone in generosity or in
selfless
giving. May Our Lord’s peace be upon
you as
you share in his ministry of sacrificial
giving this
Lenten Season!
13
Journey of Faith
Candidate for the
permanent diaconate
- Evans “Smilie” Doway -
E
vans “Smilie” Doway was born on Dominica and grew up there with his
mother. He didn’t know his father as a boy, and when his mom had to move
for work, he came with her and settled in St. John. “The person who made
me who am I today was my mom,” he said, affectionately. “Also, I have to credit
the Lord, my wife [Digna] and Father Anthony [Abraham].” These influences in his
life would lead Smilie on an impressive journey of faith, which will turn to the next
chapter with his ordination to the permanent diaconate in May.
The road wasn’t always easy. “I was
raised in the Church,” Smilie said, “but I
wasn’t very into it. I was more interested in
playing soccer on Sundays.” Slowly, Digna
encouraged Smilie to go to Mass with her,
and he was finding himself being more
drawn into the Church. It all came to a
head when Smilie’s mother died and he
was hit hard by her death. “I was angry,”
he recalled, “angry at the Lord. Why did
he take my mother and leave my father?
I asked Father Anthony and he said, ‘The
Lord has a plan for you. Maybe he left your
father so you could make up with him.’”
Smilie reconnected with his father whom
he hadn’t known growing up; and though
it was difficult, he ended up making his
peace and forgiving him.
As Smilie continued to be involved in his
parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Father
Anthony watched him progress in his
faith. One day, Smilie was approached by
Father, and asked if he had ever considered
becoming a deacon. “I said, no, it was
never a figment in my imagination. Father
Anthony gave me a prayer on a card and
asked me to pray it and think about it.
He said just pray it every now and then.”
While watching a basketball game, during
a commercial break, Smilie saw it on his
refrigerator and found it was very powerful.
It touched his heart and soon he was
carrying around the prayer with him and
praying it often. “A few weeks later, I went
back to Father Anthony and said, ‘OK, I
will do it!’ I don’t think he knew what I was
14
referring to when I first said that!”
Smilie mentions that he used to be
frightened of the idea of preaching, but
now he’s much more comfortable with it.
During a recent mission trip to Trinidad,
he was forced to address people gathered
in the church and he first felt the Holy
Spirit’s influence on his work. “Father
Anthony was supposed to talk to the
crowd, I had nothing prepared,” Smilie
said, “But he was busy hearing confessions
and so it fell to me. I was shaking like a
leaf on my way up to the podium! But I
felt that the Holy Spirit could use me, and
I encouraged everyone gathered to go to
confession.” Smilie told them that this
was the time to get right with the Lord,
and that if they had burdens, to put them
at the foot of the cross, make peace with
those they are quarreling with and come
to receive the mercy of reconciliation.
“Father Anthony later asked, ‘What did
you say to them? The confessional lines
were packed!’ I said it was not me — I was
just the instrument.”
Today, as Smilie prepares for his
ordination, he is quick to point out how far
the Lord has brought him in his faith and
how his wish is to share that with others.
“I see my responsibility to the Church
to be ‘fishers of men’,” he said. “Like the
first apostles were. So many people have
walked away from the Church for multiple
reasons ... whatever the reason, I feel it’s
one of my duties to help open their eyes
and bring them back.”
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
“I see my responsibility
to the Church to be
‘fishers of men' ...
So many people
have walked away
from the Church ...
whatever the reason,
I feel it’s one of my
duties to help open
their eyes and bring
them back.”
By Paul McAvoy
Good LifeMission
Catholic
Saint of the Month
5 TIPS
Advocate of peace –
advisor to popes
CATHERINE OF SIENA
FEAST DAY: APRIL 29
O
n the feast of the Annunciation, 1347, Jacopo
and Lapa Benincasa welcomed their 25th child
into the world. St. Catherine of Siena lived in
Siena, Italy, during the Dark Ages, where as a young
girl she consecrated her life to God. As she grew in
devotion to the Church, Catherine became a Third Order
Dominican, which allowed her to live in the world and
serve the poor and hospitalized at the same time. She
encouraged those around her to embrace God’s plan for
their lives, saying, “If you are what you should be, you
will set all of Italy ablaze!"
Later in life, Catherine received
visions from God directing her to
work for peace between the waring
city-states of Italy and the papacy,
which at that time operated out of
Avignon, France. Because of her
writings and constant prayer, Pope
Gregory XI decided to return the
Papacy to Rome in 1377, and his
successor, Urban VI, asked her to
reside in Rome as an advisor. After
months of illness, Catherine died in
1380 at the age of 33. Along with St. Francis of Assisi, she is one of the patron saints of Italy.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Catherine wrote
approximately 400
letters and literary
works
• Catherine is one of only four female
doctors of the
Church
• Catherine’s
talents as a writer
caused her to
be compared
to her fellow
Italians Dante and
Petrarch
for discerning
God’s will
Whether it is discerning between married or religious
life, a career or school, discernment isn’t easy, but it
isn’t impossible either. God is the Master of details, and
he desires to lead us along the path that is right for
us. Here are a few tips to help you along the path of
discernment:
1. Pray
Pray often to know God’s will, ask him exactly what he
wants for your life and pray to align your will with his.
Pray for those who may be part of your decision —
such as a potential spouse, friends and family. Offer
God your options, whether it is a relationship, religious
life, a career or school. Participate in the sacraments,
especially in the Eucharist and reconciliation.
2. Use your talents
God wants you to use your talents and to do what you
love. Recognize your strengths, and discern how you can
best use them to do God’s will. God guides us to him
through our gifts and loves.
3. Ask
Ask advice of parents, friends and spiritual advisors.
Those who know you and your strengths and weaknesses
can often recognize your gifts and offer wise counsel as
to how to use them.
4. Trust
God wants us to seek and find his plan for our lives. If we
strive to do his will, he will show us the way. God does
not want to trick us, but awaits us with open arms. Be
persistent.
5. Unplug
In order to listen to God’s voice, we often need silence
and freedom from distractions of technology. Take
time each day to unplug from computers, phones and
television. Meditating on God’s word in prayerful silence
will enable us to hear him when he speaks.
By Emma Vinton
15
THE GOOD SAMARITAN:
A LESSON IN MERCY
Compassion is often treated as a synonym for mercy.
Given this, the parable of the good Samaritan found
in the Gospel of Luke (10:29-37) should certainly have
something to teach us about mercy.
The parable in brief
In order to understand the full
context of the parable, we must
first consider the Gospel passage
directly preceding it – Luke 10:2528. In these verses, a scholar of
the law had asked Jesus what he
needed to do to inherit eternal life.
In the end, the scholar provided his
own answer by citing the two great
commandments: to love God and
to love your neighbor as yourself.
When Jesus confirmed his
answer, the scholar asked a
follow-up question, “And who is
16
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
my neighbor?” Jesus offered this
parable as his response.
Jesus told the story of a man
who was robbed, beaten, stripped
and left for dead on the side of a
road. A priest and a Levite each, in
turn, saw the man and responded
to him by moving to the opposite
side of the road and continuing
on their respective travels. Then, a
Samaritan happened upon the man
and had a very different response.
He was “moved with compassion.”
This led him to dress the man’s
wounds, put him on his animal,
Theology 101
By Doug Culp
take him to an inn and care for
him. The next day, he even gave
some money to the innkeeper
(with the promise of more on his
return trip), and charged him with
the care of the man.
After this, Jesus asked the
scholar which of the three travelers
in the story “was neighbor to the
robber's victim?” The scholar
answered that it was the “one who
treated him with mercy.” Jesus then
instructed the scholar: to “Go and
do likewise.”
SPIRITUAL READING
in communion with God, who
is merciful and in whom there
is eternal life alone. It is this
communion that allows the
neighbor to fulfill the second of the great commandments, i.e.,
we can only love our neighbor by
being neighbor.
A bonus lesson:
Becoming merciful
Father Howard Gray, SJ, of
Georgetown University asserts that
the parable of the good Samaritan
actually provides us with a process
for becoming merciful. In a
lecture to seminarians several
years ago, he explained that
the parable teaches us that the
first lesson of compassion is to
look beyond ourselves toward
others. This involves developing a
contemplative way of seeing. This
type of seeing leads to a “suffering
with” the other, which is the very
meaning of compassion. However,
this “seeing” also elicits a response
“from the gut” that moves us to
action on behalf of the other in a
way that naturally seeks to involve
others. In fact, Father Howard
argues that all acts of compassion
have in them the grace to build
“networks of compassion.”
The Samaritan illustrates this
process, Father Howard says, by
doing four things: 1) he sees the
victim, 2) draws close to him, 3)
allows his heart to be moved with
compassion, and 4) acts. In other
words, he was moved beyond the act
of seeing and feeling for the victim
to actually give up time, money and
priorities in order to care for him.
In addition, he begins to build a
network of compassion by involving
the innkeeper and adding a promise
to follow-up on his return trip.
QUIZ
Test your knowledge of
what the Bible has to say
about mercy …
“But God, who is rich in
he had
mercy, because of the
for us, even when we were dead in our
transgressions, brought us to life with
Christ (by grace you have been saved).”
a. deep pity
b. tremendous despair
c. great love
d. wondrous hope
Answer: c – great love (Eph 2:4-5)
Learning the 'who's who'
of mercy
What a powerful turn of
events for the scholar! He
began by asking, “And who is
my neighbor?” This was such a
reasonable question. After all, if
inheriting eternal life rested on his
successfully loving his neighbor,
he had best find out who this
neighbor was. This neighbor
needed to be identified so that he
or she might be loved. In other
words, this neighbor needed to be
made known.
And yet, by the end of the
parable, Jesus is asking who in
the story “was neighbor to the
robber's victim?” In other words,
Jesus reveals that the scholar is
asking the wrong question. We
are not to be busying ourselves
with evaluating who qualifies as
our neighbor — who is worthy
or deserving of our love. Rather,
Jesus makes it clear that eternal
life is not “out there” dependent
on a successful search to identify
our neighbor. Eternal life is to be
encountered in the conversion of
our hearts. That is, we are the tree
that will be judged by its fruits so
we are to be the neighbor to all
those we encounter. It is each one
of us who will be made known to
others by our love. And so we must
ask ourselves, are we “moved with
compassion,” and do we act with
mercy when we see the wounded,
the ignored and the excluded?
Ultimately, it is mercy that
makes the neighbor in the parable
recognizable. It is mercy, or
being moved with compassion,
that reveals the neighbor. That
the neighbor is known through
his or her mercy is an indication
that to be “neighbor” is to be
St. Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) was the founder of
the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer (the Redemptorists) and is
a doctor of the Church. He once said
that without good books
and spiritual reading,
it would be morally
impossible to save our
souls. In this spirit,
consider a prayerful
reading of The Art of
Loving God by St. Francis
de Sales during this Year
of Mercy.
St. Francis de Sales
(1567–1622) was a bishop
of Geneva in Switzerland. He was
known for his faith and his gentle
approach to the religious divisions
that arose in Switzerland after the
Protestant Reformation. In The Art of
Loving God, St. Francis explains how
each one of us can practice the art of
loving God through the simple things
in life. Along the way, he teaches
the reader how to develop patience,
courage, selflessness and many other
virtues of the Christian life.
17
Before I formed you in the womb,
I knew you
“Before I formed you in the womb,
I knew you.” These incredible words to
Jeremiah can also be applied to us.
We are known by God. How consoling.
18
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
Many people claim to
know us. And they do, to an
extent. Our parents know
whether or not we slept
through the night as babies.
They remember if we were
kind as children or rebellious
as teenagers. Our friends
know us in different ways.
Maybe they can remind us
of an embarrassing situation
or two that never made its
way to our parents. Our
bosses and coworkers know
our work habits. They could
comment on our creativity
or whether or not we are
conscientious in our duties.
Husbands and wives may
claim to know us fully, but
do they really? While Mark
10:6-8 says that the two
shall be one in marriage,
there will always be parts
of us that are cloaked and
known only to God.
Of course, this might
lead to the nagging
question, “Has God scripted
everything in our lives? Can
I change who I am in the
sight of God?”
These are good questions
to ponder, but perhaps it
is more fruitful to dwell on
what being known means to
our relationship with God.
When we are with God in
prayer, we can be ourselves.
We can be transparent with
God in ways that we might
not experience with anyone
else. We are allowed to relax
and breathe deeply and fully.
God knows us, but, even
more remarkably, God still
enjoys our company — loves
us, even. How wonderful.
Being known by God
should make our time in
prayer easier. We do not
have to explain ourselves.
Instead of talking, we can
develop the art of listening.
In the quiet, God can
communicate with us. The
God who knows us fully
can give us what we need,
when we need it. It may be
more faith, or confidence,
or forgiveness. It may be the
courage to break a habit and
start over.
When Jesus visits his
hometown of Nazareth, his
neighbors thought they knew
him. He had to confront their
ignorance with a patience
that could only be gained
through prayer. Through
prayer, Jesus discerned his
Father’s will and found the
courage to carry it out. In
the quiet, He learned not
to live his life according to
other people’s expectations,
no matter how wellintentioned they may be.
God has revealed God’s
presence to us in Jesus.
Following his example of
prayer, we can now engage
the world with confidence.
Reflection
By Father Kevin
MacDonald, CSsR
Father Kevin MacDonald, CSsR is
a Redemptorist priest, missionary
preacher, evangelist and retreat
master. He visits the Caribbean,
the U.S. mainland and overseas
in his work. To contact Father
Kevin, call Sacred Heart Church
in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.,
386.428.6426.
Local News
Photo Correction
Photo captions switched in
error in last month’s issue of
the magazine: Here are the
corrected acknowledgments
of academic achievement
certificate winners at SJHS
last month. With pride in
the excellence of Catholic
education in the Virgin
Islands:
High honors students proudly
display certificates awarded
last month for excellence
in academic and scholastic
performance:
Grade 12: Jaina Warren and
Estelle Jules;
Grade 11: Mhina Barry, One
Carrington, Djenne Green,
Lackaria Khaled, Xarquisha
Somme and Robyn Williams;
Grade 10: M'Kaila Caines,
Amyah Estrill, Marilee
Rinkevich and Kadysha
Schoonmaker.
Honor roll students from the
month of March 2016 display
recognition of their hard work:
Grade 12: Jeana Edney and
Jerome Philbert;
Grade 11: Wadeema Berry,
Lyann Calixte, Nyhne Daniel,
Khaliah Foster, Petra Hoover,
Xiaxiang Washington, Omisha
Williams and Isabel Wilson;
Grade 10: James Bates,
Renee David, Jacinta Mark,
D'nia Shillingford, Sevon
Washington and Taiesa
Williams;
Grade 9: Noue Abdel, N’ Kayla
Hughes, Debonay Joseph and
Kexia Williams.
Bishop Herbert Bevard with
Father Ortiz, St. Peter and
Paul Catholic School principal
and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
pastor; and Father Anderson,
school vice principal and St.
Anne Chapel administrator,
with student altar servers
following school Mass during
Passion Week.
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
•A
n African American Franciscan Order Founded in Savannah,
Georgia, USA, in 1916.
CH ARISM:
Social Justice and
Pastoral Care
•R
ejuvenating and Transforming into a Missionary Community
throughout the USA, the Caribbean and Africa.
Call, Come and See!!!!
347-994-4564 or 212-289-5655
Open House in June.
Date to follow.
"THE UPL IFT OF HUMAN DIGNITY"
20
The Catholic Islander / April 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
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
22
Chaplet at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral
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 / April 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 prolife 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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When a congregation celebrates its
faith through music, there is only one
instrument equal to producing a sound
as elemental and exuberant as that
celebration – the organ. Allen Organ
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digital organ consoles to meet the needs
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23
St. Croix Calendar
after the 8 a.m. Mass.
▶ St. Patrick Church has a full day of
Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays.
▶ St. Ann Church has a Holy Hour with
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,
evening prayer and Benediction every
Friday at 5:30 p.m., except first Friday,
when Mass is celebrated at 5:30 p.m.
▶ St. Joseph Church has a full day of
Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday
beginning with Holy Mass at 6:30 a.m. and
concluding with Benediction at 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.
Rosary Prayer Group
Cenacle of Our Lady of the Rosary Prayer
Group meets at the Franciscan House
every Wednesday at 10 a.m.
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.
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.
24
Devotions to St. Gerard Majella
Pray a devotion to St. Gerard Majella at Holy
Cross Church on Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m.
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.
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
▶ Holy Cross Church has Eucharistic
Adoration every Friday following the 8:15
a.m. Mass until 1 p.m. That includes a Holy
Hour on the first Friday of each month.
▶ Holy Cross Church has Eucharistic
Adoration with confession from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m. every Friday.
▶ St. Patrick Church has a Holy Hour with
Exposition and Benediction on Fridays
The Catholic Islander / April 2016 / www.catholicvi.com
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 on Wednesdays and
Saturdays at 8:45 a.m.
▶ St. Joseph Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
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.
St. John Calendar
¡Buenas Noticias!
All-night Vigil
Our Lady of Mount Carmel holds an all-night
vigil on the first Friday of each month after the
7 p.m. Mass.
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.
Legion of Mary
Presidium Mary, Queen of Angels, meets in the
Guadalupe Hall of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Church on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. 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.
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.
Sunday Mass in Coral Bay
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.
Shepherds of Christ Associates
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visita el sitio web de la
Diócesis de Santo Tomás
en las Islas Vírgenes de
www.catholicvi.com
25
26
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PAGE 10
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