the Feast of the Santo Niño

Two Archbishops Visit
Appointments
New Seminarian
The Santo Niño Shrine at
St. Joseph Church, St. Croix
Virgin Islands Filipinos Celebrate
the Feast of the Santo Niño
2
notes from the bishop’s desk
Appointments
H
The Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop
of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Catholic
the
The Newsletter of the Roman Catholic Diocese
of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard
PUBLISHER
Father Charles Crespo
EDITOR
Bernetia Akin, Valerie Douté
PROOFREADERS
is Excellency, Bishop Herbert
Bevard, has announced the
following appointments:
• Father Louis Kemayou is
pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
on St. John, effective December 20, 2009.
He was pastor of St. Joseph Church on St.
Croix. He replaces Msgr. Antonio
Verzosa, who was administrator
there.
WEB MASTER
Deacon Emith Fludd
CIRCULATION
• Msgr. Antonio Verzosa is parochial vicar
at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St.
Thomas, effective December 20, 2009.
He was administrator of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel Church on St. John.
• Msgr. Michael Kosak is director
of the Deacon Formation Program
on St. Croix, effective December
20, 2009. He continues as vicar
general and as pastor of St. Ann
Church on St. Croix.
• Father John Mark is pastor of St.
Joseph Church and chaplain of St.
Joseph High School on St. Croix,
effective December 20, 2009. He was
pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Br. James Petrait, OSFS
Church on St. Thomas. He replaces Father
Louis Kemayou.
January 2010 • Vol. 25 : 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 http://www.
catholicislander.com Telephone:
(340) 774-3166, Fax: (340) 7745816 E-mail: editor@catholicislander.
com © FAITH Catholic™.
what you’ll get
in this issue
Bishop Herbert Bevard (left) introduced Father
Louis Kemayou as the new pastor of Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel Church on St. John at the Masses on
December 19–20.
Two Archbishops Visit
Friday, January 1, Midnight, Old Year’s Night
Mass, St. Ann Church, St. Croix.
bishop’s calendar
January 4–8, Bishops Retreat, Palm Beach, Florida.
Saturday, January 16, 9:30 a.m., Cathedral
Restoration meeting, Ss. Peter and Paul
Cathedral, St. Thomas.
Saturday, January 16, 6 p.m., Santo Niño Mass,
Holy Cross Church, St. Croix.
Sunday, January 17, 5 p.m., Liturgy of elevation
of new monsignors, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathdral,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sunday, January 24, 10:30 a.m., Santo Niño
Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.
Sunday, January 31, 10:30 a.m., Mass with
Archbishop Wuerl, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral,
St. Thomas.
His Excellency, Archbishop Donald Wuerl, of
the Archdiocese of Washington, will visit the
Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
from January 30 to February 2. He will
meet with Bishop Herbert Bevard to discuss
the spiritual and temporal welfare of the
diocese and celebrate Mass at Ss. Peter and
Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on Sunday,
January 31, at 10:30 a.m. Washington is the
Metropolitan See to which the Diocese of St.
Thomas belongs.
His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz,
of the Archdiocese of Louisville in Kentucky,
visited the Diocese of St. Thomas in the
Virgin Islands from December 27 to January
3. Archbishop Kurtz was a classmate of
Bishop Bevard at St. Charles Borromeo
Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He
was one of two consecrators at the ordination
of Bishop Bevard at Ss. Peter and Paul
Cathedral in September 2008.
14
Cover Story:
Virgin Islands Filipinos Celebrate
the Feast of the Santo Niño
4
5
7
9
10
11
13
15
Local News
Catholic Education
Spotlight on Youth
¡Buenas noticias!
Parish Calendars
Saint of the Month
Priest of the Month
Bishops’ Conference
Liturgical Calendar: The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Jan.1 | St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors of the Church Jan. 2 | The Epiphany of
3
The Catholic Islander / January 2010 / www.catholicislander.com
Second Collections
New Seminarian
Bishop Herbert Bevard has accepted
John Fewel of Los Altos, California,
as a seminarian for the Diocese of St.
Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Mr. Fewel
has been residing and working at Ss.
Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas
since September 28. He is expected to
begin seminary formation in August.
notes from the bishop’s desk
All parishes in the Virgin Islands will
participate in a second collection for
the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin
Islands’ permanent diaconate program.
These funds help with expenses in
the education and retreats of the local
deacons. Pastors were free to designate
this collection for any weekend in
January.
All parishes will participate in the
National Black and Indian Mission
Collection on January 23–24. Through
this collection, the Commission for
the Catholic Missions among the
Colored People and the Indians has
awarded grants to dioceses since 1884
to strengthen evangelization programs
that would otherwise be in danger
of disappearing among the African
American, Native American, Eskimo
and Aleut communities of the United
States. The Diocese of St. Thomas in
the Virgin Islands has been among the
recipients of these grants.
Bishop Herbert Bevard and Gov. John de Jongh served meals at Bethlehem
House Shelter on St. Thomas on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.
A team assembled to decorate St. Anne Chapel
on St. Thomas for Christmas on December 22.
Pictured left to right, Joshua and Jessica Gibs strung
lights on the tree while Deacon Clement Danet,
Evelyn Aubain, Bishop Herbert Bevard, and Deacon
Bernard Gibs prepared the altar area with poinsettias
and festive linens.
Bishop Herbert Bevard posed with the
St. Mary School choir after the all-school
Thanksgiving Mass at St. Ann Church on St.
Croix on November 24.
Bishop Herbert Bevard helped light
the rose candle in the Advent wreath
at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas
on the Third Sunday in Advent,
December 13.
Save the Date
Diocese of St. Thomas
In the Virgin Islands Presents
First Annual Keys and
Sword Award Benefit
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop Elliott
G. Thomas, will receive the 2010 Keys and Sword
Award, which recognizes extraordinary commitment and
selfless dedication in service to others.
Mark Your Calendars!
Saturday, February 6, 6:30 p.m.
Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort,
St. Thomas
Dinner – Awards – Dancing – Raffles
and Silent Auction
Proceeds support the Ss. Peter and Paul
Restoration Project
y of the Lord Jan. 3 | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious Jan. 4 | St. John Neumann, bishop Jan. 5 | Blessed André Bessette, religious Jan. 6 | St. Raymond Peñafort, priest Jan. 7 |
4
Our Lady of Altagracia
Cathedral Burglarized
Two parishes in the Virgin Islands will celebrate the
feast day of Our Lady of Altagracia, patroness of the
Dominican Republic. Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on
St. Thomas and St. Joseph Church on St. Croix will
celebrate the feast with a Spanish Mass on Thursday,
January 21, at 7 p.m. At Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral,
the event will begin with a procession from Market
Square to the church at 6 p.m. Native foods will be
served in a potluck celebration after the Masses in the
Hospitality Lounges of both parishes.
A burglar robbed the priests’ dormitories in the rectory at Ss. Peter and
Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas three times within a week beginning
December 23, 2009. An employee spotted the thief during the second
burglary, but the thief escaped. None of the priests were accosted, but
the priests lost cash, cameras and a laptop computer.
local news
Auction and Dinner
St. Mary School on St. Croix will hold its annual
fundraising dinner and auction at the Divi Carina Bay
Ballroom on Saturday, February 6. Cocktails will be
served at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. The theme this
year is “The Bells of St. Mary’s.”
Dinner tickets are available for $75 at Holy Cross
Church and St. Mary School. Donations of furniture,
jewelry, art, small appliances, home decorations and
other items are requested for the silent and live bidding.
All funds will be dedicated to scholarships and the
purchase of a generator.
Keys and Sword Award
Bishop Emeritus Elliott Thomas will be honored for his
years of service to the Virgin Islands at the first Annual
Keys and Sword Award Benefit at the Grand Ballroom of
the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort on Saturday,
February 6. The white-tie fundraiser will benefit the Ss.
Peter and Paul Cathedral Restoration Project, which will
launch its second phase of construction in the spring.
The dinner-dance will feature music by Milo’s
Kings, raffles and a silent auction. Tickets are
available for $150 from Discount Travel, Dockside
Books, Home Again, Interiors and the Shoe Tree on
St. Thomas and Connections on St. John. On St.
Croix, tickets are available from Ann Abramson, Julia
Pankey and Rita Schuster. Tickets also are available
at the parish offices and from members of the benefit
committee. For more ticket information, contact
Bonnie Moron at (340) 776-5390.
Ministry Fair
Pictured, left to right: Edwin
Olive, Father Charles Crespo
and Diana Richardson were
among those who staffed
the Catholic table during the
Spiritual Fitness Camp at
Schneider Regional Medical
Center on St. Thomas on
November 13.
Three Kings
Children in Latin America look forward to receiving gifts from the
Three Kings on the Feast of the Epiphany. The Three Kings will
attend two Spanish Masses on Sunday, January 3. They will be at
St. Joseph Church on St. Croix at 10 a.m. and at Ss. Peter and Paul
Cathedral on St. Thomas at 12:30 p.m. After the Masses, children
will receive gifts or candy and have an opportunity to have their
photograph taken with the Three Kings in the Hospitality Lounges
of the parishes.
Alumni Re-Connect
Rev. Dr. George Franklin read
passages from his book, Jumbie
Stories, during the Ss. Peter and
Paul School Alumni Re-Connect
at the Palms Court Hotel on St.
Thomas on November 22.
Tips for Parents
The Home School Association of Ss. Peter and Paul School on St.
Thomas will sponsor two programs to educate parents. Speakers
from the Virgin Islands Police Department will present Recognizing
Gang Members on Thursday, January 14, and Recognizing Drugs
on Thursday, January 28. Both programs will be in the cafeteria at
5:30 p.m. The public is invited, along with parents of students. The
program was funded through a grant from the Sisters of Charity of
St. Elizabeth.
Filipino Mass
More than 50 Catholics attended the first-ever Filipino Mass on St.
Thomas on Christmas evening. Sponsored by the Pinoy American
Association of St. Thomas/St. John (PAASTSJ), the Mass also was
the first in the Virgin
Islands in which the entire
ceremony was celebrated
in the Filipino language.
Msgr. Antonio Verzosa,
parochial vicar at Ss. Peter
and Paul Cathedral and a
native of the Philippines,
celebrated the Mass at St.
Anne Chapel. The Mass
was followed by a buffet
The Filipino Choir sang traditional
Christmas hymns in its native language at a
in the social hall featuring
Christmas Mass at St. Anne Chapel.
traditional foods.
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jan. 10 | St. Hilary, bishop and doctor of the Church Jan. 13 | St. Agnes, virgin and martyr Jan. 21 | St. Vincent, deacon and martyr Jan. 22 | Fe
5
The Catholic Islander / January 2010 / www.catholicislander.com
Advent
Thanksgiving
Father Louis Kemayou blessed
bread to be distributed to
parishioners at St. Joseph Church
on St. Croix at Thanksgiving Mass
on November 26.
Father Charles Crespo,
administrator of St. Anne Chapel
on St. Thomas, accepted donations
of food for the needy during the
offertory at Thanksgiving Mass on
November 26.
Beth Aguila and her family lit the first advent
candle in the Advent wreath at St. Anne Chapel
on St. Thomas at the beginning of Mass on
November 29.
St. Anne Chapel
on St. Thomas had
breakfast in the
parish hall after
Mass each Sunday
of Advent.
Parish volunteers served
meals in the Guadalupe Hall
of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Church on St. John on
Thanksgiving, November
26. Serving the food, left to
right, were Louise Philbert,
Bernadette Regis, Brenon
Joseph and Jane Kyser.
Alumni Give Christmas Bonuses
Msgr. William John-Lewis of Dominica led an
Advent Mission at Holy Family Church on St.
Thomas from November 30–December 4.
The St. Patrick School Alumni Association on St. Croix donated $10,000
to its alma mater to be used as Christmas bonuses for teachers and support
staff. Anna Doward, chairperson of the Events Committee, presented 16
checks for $500 per teacher and eight checks for $250 per support staff to
Sheryl Calton, principal of the school, on December 12, 2009.
The association’s Events Committee raises funds each year through a
Dinner and Awards Banquet and food sales on Emancipation Day, Contract
Day and Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day.
Father Kevin MacDonald, CSsR, led the
Advent Mission at St. Patrick Church on St.
Croix from December 14–17. Pictured, left
to right, are Father MacDonald with acolytes
Juan Soto and Pierre Tiepe.
Legion of Mary Anniversary
The Legion of
Mary Curia held its
10th anniversary
celebration in the
parish hall at
St. Anne Chapel
on St. Thomas on
November 29.
Grades 1 and 6 at St. Mary School
on St. Croix participated in a Buddy
Reading activity. Sixth graders
supported their fellow schoolmates
in the learning process.
St. Joseph Students of the Month
St. Joseph High School on St. Croix named four students of the month
in November. Pictured left to right are Shenelle Dore (grade 12), Kijon
Washington Moore (grade 9), Alasa Weekes (grade 11) and Roxane Grey
(grade 10).
2 | Feast of St. Paul, apostle Jan. 25 | Ss. Timothy and Titus, bishops Jan. 26 | St. Angela Merici, virgin Jan. 27 | St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the Church Jan. 28 |
catholic education
Buddy Readers
6
Catholic Schools Week
catholic education
More than 8,000 Catholic schools
in the United States, including the
four Catholic schools in the Diocese
of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands,
will celebrate Catholic Schools Week
2010. This year’s theme is “Catholic
Schools —Dividends for Life.” St.
Mary, St. Joseph and St. Patrick
schools on St. Croix will celebrate
Catholic Schools Week beginning
Sunday, January 31 and conclude
with an all-school Mass and Fun Day
activities at St. Ann Church on Friday,
February 5. Ss. Peter and Paul School
on St. Thomas will celebrate Catholic
Schools Week a week earlier, from
January 24–29.
Students and staff at St. Mary
School on St. Croix will begin
Catholic Schools Week by attending
Sunday Mass at Holy Cross Church
on January 31 at 9 a.m. Students will
participate in the ministries of the
Mass. During the week, students will
participate in community service, the
designing of a Spirit Wall, Leadership
Day, Literacy Day, Religion Quiz
Bowl, Muffins for Moms, Doughnuts
for Dads and fun activities including
twin dress-up, crazy socks, unique
ties and stuffed animal day (for the
pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten
students).
St. Patrick School on St. Croix will
begin with Sunday Mass at St. Patrick
Church on January 31 at 10 a.m.
The students are responsible for the
Mass service and plan to give words
of gratitude and prayer cards to the
parishioners, alumni and community.
An Open House, “Learning Walks,”
will be held after Mass in St. Gerard
Hall to give students an opportunity to
share with their parents what they are
learning. During the week members
of the community, including alumni,
will address the students about the
importance of attending a Catholic
school. All students will participate in
a “Mystery Saint of the Day” contest
each day. Eighth-grade students will
present a “Lives of the Saints” traveling
show, moving from class to class,
on the saints they chose for their
confirmation names, and they will
unveil the website they created for
the church. The students will invite
current and retired military from
the parish and community to a flag
ceremony where they will discuss
the history and symbolism of the
American flag, pray for the military
and sing patriotic songs. The students
also will adopt a seminarian for whom
to pray during the coming year. The
students will begin an annual event
by standing in a cross formation
on the field; a photograph of the
cross will be presented to St. Patrick
Church to symbolize the overall
theme of the week.
Ss. Peter and Paul School on
St. Thomas will begin the week of
activities with Mass at various parishes
on January 23–24. Students will serve
as altar servers, greeters, lectors and
ushers; students will offer testimonials
at the end of Mass, as well. During the
school week, students will be engaged
in service activities in the school and
in the community. They will listen to
guest speakers from Catholic service
organizations and ministries, and
participate in a Quiz Bowl, a march
down Main Street, a food fair and
games. In addition, a speaker will talk
to parents and teachers about gangs at
a home/school meeting on January 28.
Governor Visits School
Gov. John de Jongh came to St. Mary School on St. Croix on December 8 to
deliver a Christmas gift to the children. All students in kindergarten through third
grade received a hardcover book, EFA and the Mosquito, written by Alscess
Lewis Brown and illustrated by Cynthia Hatfield. In addition, they received a
paperback book, Trees in the Seas: The Wonders of Mangroves, written by
Elizabeth Ban and illustrated by Mark Sabino. The final portion of the gift was a
healthy snack (fruit and a juice box).
Christmas Pageants
St. Patrick School on St. Croix had its
annual Christmas Program at St. Patrick
Church on Sunday, December 13.
Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas
had its annual Christmas Program at
Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Sunday,
December 6.
St. Mary School on St. Croix had its
annual Christmas Presentation and
Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday,
December 10.
The Catholic Islander / January 2010 / www.catholicislander.com
9
¡Buenas Noticias!
Asignados por el Obispo
Oración y Reflexión
Su Excelencia, el Obispo Herbert Bevard, ha anunciado
los siguientes nombramientos: el Padre Louis Kemayou es
párroco de Nuestra Señora del Carmen en St. John efectivo
el 20 de diciembre. Él era párroco de la Iglesia San José en
Sta. Cruz. Él reemplaza al Monseñor Antonio Verzosa.
El Padre John Mark es párroco de la Iglesia San José
y capellán de la Escuela Superior San José en Sta. Cruz,
efectivo el 20 de diciembre. Él era párroco de la Iglesia
Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro en Sto. Tomás. Él
reemplaza al Padre Louis Kemayou.
El Monseñor Antonio Verzosa es vicario parroquial de la
Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo efectivo el 20 de diciembre.
Él era administrador de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del
Carmen en St. John.
El Monseñor Michael Kosak es director del programa de
formación al diaconando. Él continúa como vicario general
y párroco de la Iglesia Sta. Ana en Sta. Cruz.
El grupo de oración del Movimiento de Cursillos de
Cristiandad se reúne en la Capilla San Miguel de la Iglesia
San José en Sta. Cruz el 25 de enero y el último lunes de
cada mes a las 7 p.m.
Un grupo reza el rosario y comparte las lecturas del
próximo domingo en la Iglesia Holy Cross en Sta. Cruz los
martes a las 7 p.m.
Hay una hora santa bilingüe con exposición del santísimo
y bendición en la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto.
Tomás los martes a las 5.30 p.m.
Segunda Colecta
Legión de María
Las parroquias de las Islas Vírgenes participarán en la
colecta nacional para las misiones en comunidades negras
e indígenas el 23 y 24 de enero. También, los párrocos
escogieron un fin de semana de enero para la colecta anual
del programa diocesano de diáconos.
El Presidium María, Arca de la Alianza, se reúne en el
Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo
en Sto. Tomás el primer y tercer domingo de cada mes a las
2 p.m.
Llegan Los Tres Reyes
Hay un servicio de comunión bilingüe en la capilla del
Centro Médico Schneider en Sto. Tomás los lunes a las 5
p.m.
Nuestra Señora de Altagracia
Los dominicanos celebrarán a su patrona, Nuestra Señora
de Altagracia, con Misas y recepciones con comidas típicas.
La Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás y la Iglesia
San José en Sta. Cruz celebrarán la Misa en español el jueves,
21 de enero, a las 7 p.m. Después de la Misa habrá comidas
típicas en los salones sociales. En Sto. Tomás, comenzará con
una procesión desde la marqueta hasta la catedral a las 6 p.m.
Nuestra Señora de la
Divina Providencia
La comunidad hispana de la
Catedral San Pedro y San
Pablo en St. Thomas celebró
Nuestra Señora De La
Divina Providencia, patrona
de Puerto Rico, con una
procesión dentro de la iglesia
el 21 de noviembre.
Padre John Mark, el nuevo
párroco de la Iglesia San José
en Sta. Cruz, llegó a tiempo
para celebrar las Misas de
aguinaldo el 18 de diciembre.
Ministerio de los Enfermos
Cursillo Ultreya
Miembros 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.
Corona de Adviento
La familia Guerrero, con
la ayuda del Diácono José
Vázquez, encendió la vela de
la corona de adviento en la
Catedral San Pedro y San
Pablo en St. Thomas el 13 de
diciembre.
Protección de Niños
La Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas Vírgenes está
comprometida a proteger a los niños de todo daño. Si tienes
conocimiento de algún sacerdote, diácono o empleado
de la iglesia que haya abusado de algún menor, favor
de comunicarte inmediatamente con la Coordinadora
Diocesana de la Protección de los Niños, Callista Julien, al
(340) 774-3166.
¡buenas noticias!
Los Tres Reyes Magos estarán presentes en dos Misas en
español en las Islas Vírgenes para la Epifanía, el domingo
3 de enero. Asistirán a la Misa en la Iglesia San José en Sta.
Cruz a las 10 a.m. y en la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo
en Sto. Tomás a las 12.30 p.m. Habrá regalos para los niños
y comida típica después de las Misas.
Misas de Aguinaldo
10
St. Thomas Calendar
Holy Hours/Eucharistic
Adoration
Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral has
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
and Benediction on January 1 and the
first Friday of every month at 12:45
p.m. and on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
parish calendars
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
has Exposition and Benediction on
January 28 and the last Thursday of
every month from 3 to 6 p.m., on
Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
and on Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m.
Holy Family Church and St.
Anne Chapel have Exposition and
Benediction on Fridays at 6 p.m.,
followed by Mass at 7 p.m.
Bingo Night
Ss. Peter and Paul School will have
bingo in the cafeteria on two Fridays,
January 8 and 22, at 7 p.m.
Rosary Walk
Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts
a rosary walk on January 2 and the
first Saturday of each month at 7 a.m.,
followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m.
Ministry to Catholic Women
Magnificat, an international ministry
to Catholic women, meets at Ss. Peter
and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality
Lounge on January 2 and the first
Saturday of each month at 8 a.m.
Our Lady of Fatima Devotion
The Children of Mary lead a devotion
to Our Lady of Fatima at Holy Family
Church on January 2 and the first
Saturday of each month at 4 p.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Share Vincentian spirituality at Holy
Family Church on December 8 and
the second Tuesday of each month at
7 p.m.
Franciscan Spirituality
The Lady Clare of Assisi Fraternity
shares Franciscan spirituality at Holy
Family Church’s Columban Hall on
January 9 and the second Saturday of
each month at 1 p.m.
St. Joseph Workers
The St. Joseph Workers meet at Holy
Family Church’s Columban Hall on
St. Croix Calendar
Holy Hours/Eucharistic
Adoration
Holy Cross Church has Exposition of
the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction
on January 1 and all first Fridays from
9 a.m. to noon.
St. Joseph Church has a bilingual
Holy Hour with Exposition and
Benediction on January 1 and all first
Fridays at 7 p.m.
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 the St.
Ann Chapel on Fridays at 5:30 p.m.
Healing Mass
St. Patrick Church has a healing Mass
on January 1 and the first Friday of
each month at 7 p.m.
St. Ann Church has charismatic
prayer in Marian Hall on Tuesdays at
7 p.m.
Santo Niño
Secular Order Discalced
Carmelites
St. Joseph Church hosts devotions
to Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus)
on January 2 and the first Saturday
of each month at 4:30 p.m. The
sacrament of reconciliation is offered
during this time.
The Our Lady Star of the Sea
Community shares Carmelite
spirituality in the St. Joseph Church
Hospitality Lounge and Learning
Center on January 24 and the fourth
Sunday of each month at 1 p.m.
Pro-Life Prayer Vigil
Franciscan Spirituality
The Pro-Life Committee of Holy Cross
Church will hold a prayer vigil outside
the abortion clinic at Beeston Hill on
Tuesday, January 12, at 10 a.m.
The Our Lady of the Angels fraternity
of the Third Order of St. Francis
shares Franciscan spirituality at
Franciscan House on January 24 and
the fourth Sunday of each month at
2 p.m.
Charismatic Prayer Meetings
St. Patrick Church has charismatic
prayer on January 15 and the third
Friday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
The Catholic Islander / January 2010 / www.catholicislander.com
January 10 and the second Sunday of
each month at 9:30 a.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Share Vincentian spirituality at Holy
Family Church on January 12 and the
second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
Catholic Daughters of America
Court 2049 meets at Ss. Peter and
Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge
on January 16 and the third Saturday of
each month at 3 p.m.
Bilingual French/English Mass
A bilingual French/English Mass is
celebrated at St. Anne Chapel on
January 30 and the last Saturday of
each month at 5 p.m.
Knights of Columbus
Council 6187 meets at Ss. Peter and
Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge
on the first and third Sunday of each
month at 10 a.m.
Legion of Mary
Men’s Prayer Group
Presidium María, Arca de la Alianza,
holds meetings in Spanish on the first
and third Sundays of each month
at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s
Hospitality Lounge at 2 p.m.
The Sons of Joseph and Mary meet at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Presidium Mary, Mediatrix of All
Graces, meets at the St. Anne Chapel
Hall on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Pro-Life Rosary
A pro-life rosary is prayed at Our
Lady of Perpetual Help Church on
Wednesdays after the 6:30 p.m. Mass.
Intercessory Prayer Group
Presidium Mary, Mystical Rose, meets in
the Holy Family Church classroom on
Sundays at 3 p.m.
A team is prepared to pray for the needs
of all who ask at Holy Family Church
on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Ministry to the Sick
World Apostolate of Fatima
A Catholic Communion service is
celebrated in the All Faiths Chapel
at the Schneider Regional Medical
Center on Mondays at 5 p.m.
The World Apostolate of Fatima
meets at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church on Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Evenings of Charismatic Prayer
Charismatic prayer meetings are held
at Holy Family Church on Mondays
at 7 p.m.
11
A teacher of women
St. Angela Merici
Feast Day: January 27
Cursillo Prayer Group
The Cursillo Movement hosts a
Spanish prayer meeting in the St.
Michael Chapel at St. Joseph
Church on January 25 and the last
Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
alternate Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Meetings
are in Spanish.
Shepherds of Christ
Associates
Adult Education
Knights of Columbus
The St. Patrick Learning Center
offers classes in pre-GED, GED,
computer literacy, intermediate
computer and ESL on Monday
through Thursday mornings.
Holy Cross Council 6482 meets at
Holy Cross Church’s McAlpin Hall
on the first and third Thursday of each
month at 6 p.m.
World Apostolate of Fatima
Cursillo 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.
Neo-Catechumenal Way
The World Apostolate of Fatima
meets in the chapel at Holy Cross
Church on Tuesdays 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
Cursillo Ultreya
Legion of Mary
Presidium, Our Lady of Grace, meets
in the Holy Cross Church rectory on
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
Through her prayer, Angela received
a vision that she would educate women.
After her uncle’s death, she returned to
Desenzano and converted her home into a
school to teach girls about Christianity.
On a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
in 1524, Angela lost her sight but
continued on her adventure. When she
returned to the place where she lost her vision,
she recovered instantly as she prayed in front
of a crucifix.
Upon her return to Desenzano in 1535,
Angela found 12 virgins and created the
Institute of Saint Ursula.
She is famous for saying, “Beware of
trying to accomplish anything by force, for God
has given every single person free will and
desires to constrain none; he merely shows
them the way, invites them and counsels them.”
saint of the month
The Neo-Catechumenal Way leads a
celebration of the Word at St. Joseph
Church on Mondays at 7 p.m.
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 each
month at 5 p.m.
Angela Merici was born in
Desenzano on March 24, 1474.
She was known for her love of
solitude and prayer. When she was
10, she and her sister were orphaned
and sent to live with an uncle. At 15,
Angela entered the Franciscan Tertiary Order.
parish calendars
12
13
St. John Calendar
Legion of Mary
Silent Eucharistic Adoration
Presidium Mary, Queen of Angels,
meets in the Guadalupe Hall of Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on
Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church has
a Holy Hour with Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on
Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Continuum Care, Inc.
Hospice of St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John
We provide care to the terminally ill.
Individualized Medical and Nursing Support, Spiritual,
Emotional, Nutritional Counseling, and Personal Care.
St. Croix 772-CARE (2273)
St. Thomas/St. John 714-CARE (2273)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ccivi.com
Medicare Certified. Most Insurance Accepted. EEOC.
Se Habla Español
Evenings of
Charismatic Prayer
Charismatic prayer meetings are held
at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
on Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Our Blessed Mother’s
Message from Medjugorje
November 25, 2009
“Dear children! In this time of grace I call you all to renew
prayer in your families. Prepare yourselves with joy for
the coming of Jesus. Little children, may your hearts be
pure and pleasing, so that love and warmth may flow
through you into every heart that is far from His love.
Little children, be my extended hands, hands of love for
all those who have become lost, who have no more faith
and hope. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
– Courtesy of John and Claire Foster
13
The Catholic Islander / January 2010 / www.catholicislander.com
13
Priest of the Month
Father Patrick Lynch
ather Patrick Lynch, CSsR, is pastor of St. Patrick Church
on St. Croix and superintendent of Catholic education for
the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has lived in the Virgin Islands
since 2002. In his first assignment, he served at Holy Cross
Church. In 2008, he became pastor at St. Patrick. As superintendent
of Catholic Education, Father Lynch is responsible for coordinating
the religious aspects of the four Catholic schools in the Virgin Islands
— three on St. Croix and one on St. Thomas. This year, he is enjoying
working with all new principals who have come from different states
and have brought new ideas with them.
His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, has emphasized that he
would like Father Lynch and the principals of the schools to stress
priest of the month
F
Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR,
pastor of St. Patrick Church on St. Croix.
traditional Catholic practices as well as academics.
Therefore, students are participating in weekly Mass
and regular prayer and confession and are encouraged
to dress modestly. In addition to coordinating activities,
Father Lynch is focused on standardizing the curriculum
across the schools and making certain that the four
principals stay in regular contact. The Catholic schools
on St. Thomas and St. Croix are committed to academic
excellence and supporting parishioners who wish to
send their children to Catholic schools but may need
financial assistance.
Father Lynch was born in Brooklyn, New York, into an
Irish Catholic family; he has one brother and two sisters.
When he was growing up, he was fortunate to have three
cousins who were priests and he was able to attend their
Masses; one of his uncles today is a Redemptorist priest
serving in Brazil. Father Lynch, also a Redemptorist, has
served in the priesthood for 40 years. His assignments
have taken him to Annapolis, Maryland, Lima, Ohio,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York near
Albany. After all those northern locations, Father Lynch is
enjoying the weather on St. Croix as well as the wonderful
people with whom he works in the Virgin Islands.
14
F
cover story
ilipinos and their friends will
honor the Santo Niño de
Cebú on both St. Croix and
St. Thomas with Masses this
month. Msgr. George Tomichek
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will celebrate
the annual Santo Niño (Holy Child) Mass at
Holy Cross Church on St. Croix on Saturday,
January 16, at 6 p.m. Msgr. Antonio Verzosa
of the Philippines will celebrate the Mass at
Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas
on Sunday, January 24, at 10:30 a.m. His
Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, will
concelebrate both Masses.
As in previous years, Msgr. George Tomichek will be
flown in by the local Filipino community to celebrate the
Mass. Msgr. Tomichek ministers to Filipino communities
around the world.
The Filipino community on St. Thomas will prepare for
the Santo Niño Mass by gathering as a community in the
homes of nine families to pray devotions to the Santo Niño
beginning January 15. The Mass at the cathedral is a first
on that island, where the Filipino community has grown
dramatically in recent years. Msgr. Verzosa, parochial vicar
at the cathedral, has been in the Virgin Islands for one year
and celebrated the Virgin Islands’ first Mass in the Filipino
language at St. Anne Chapel on Christmas Day.
The Santo Niño celebrations in the Virgin Islands will
highlight the faith, music and culture of the Philippines;
receptions after the Mass will feature many traditional
foods. The Santo Niño de Cebú, the wooden image of the
Holy Child Jesus, is revered throughout the Philippines.
The Feast of the Santo Niño is celebrated there on the
third Sunday in January.
History: The statue of Santo Niño, considered the oldest
religious relic in the Philippines, is housed in the Basilica
Minore del Santo Niño in the province of Cebú in the
Philippines. In the early 16th century the Portuguese
explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on the shores
of Cebú, claiming the territory for Spain. The native
chieftain of Cebú, King Humabon, and his wife, Queen
Juana, pledged their allegiance to Spain and were later
baptized into the Catholic faith. Magellan gave the statue
of the Santo Niño to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift.
In the years that followed, Cebú was occupied by
other forces; many of the villages were destroyed.
When the Spaniards returned to the Philippines 40
years after Magellan had first landed there, a soldier
going through the ruins of a burned-out hut found the
statue unharmed in a wooden box. The Augustinian
friars on the island proclaimed the image of the Holy
Child miraculous and built a church on the site where
it was found. The basilica that stands today dates from
the mid-1700s after several earlier structures on the
site were destroyed by fire.
Virgin Islands Filipinos Celebrate
the Feast of the Santo Niño
Two churches on St. Croix, Holy Cross and St. Joseph,
have shrines to the Santo Niño.
Devotion: The Santo Niño was long considered to be the patron
“saint” of Cebú. However, since the Holy Child is a representation
of Jesus, he cannot be considered a patron; in the absence of a
patron, therefore, the Archbishop of Cebú, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal,
declared Our Lady of Guadalupe as the patroness of Cebú in 2002.
The devotion to the Santo Niño remains strong, however, and
the Catholic Church in the Philippines sets the Holy Child as an
example of humility and as a celebration of the Incarnation.
Although the Feast of the Santo Niño is held only once a year,
devotion to the Holy Child is year-round in the Philippines. The
image can be found in most homes. Indeed, most Cebuanos do not
consider the Christmas season over until the feast in January. Today,
the Basilica del Santo Niño is a historical and religious landmark in
Cebú, and devotees pay regular visits to the image.
On the feast day, following Mass at the basilica, devotees attend
the Sinulog festival, which is a week-long event honoring the child
Jesus. There are cultural festivals and street parades throughout the
week in which participants carry the image of Santo Niño, dress
in aboriginal attire and perform the Sinulog dance ritual, which
commemorates the Islamic and pagan origin of the Cebuano people
and their acceptance of Christianity.
The Catholic Islander / January 2010 / www.catholicislander.com
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
held its fall general assembly in Baltimore on
November 16–19, 2009. Following are some of the
highlights from the assembly, as reported by the
USCCB website, www.usccb.org.
15
Bishops’ Conference
Bishops Approve Statement on Marriage
Bishops Approve Translations of Five
Final Sections of Roman Missal
The U.S. bishops approved the English translation and U.S.
adaptations of five final sections of the Roman Missal in voting on
the second day of their annual fall general assembly in Baltimore.
It has been nearly six years since the bishops began considering
a new English translation of the missal. In June 2009 they
approved four texts, containing prayers and prefaces for various
occasions, votive Masses and Masses for the dead, solemn
blessings for the end of Mass and prayers over the people, and
Eucharistic prayers for particular occasions.
Each of the English-language bishops’ conferences has gone
through, or is going through, the same process. Once all the
information is received at the Vatican, the Congregation for Divine
Worship must grant its “recognitio,” or approval, to proceed with
the translations.
Pro-Life Initiative
The bishops issued a 15-page document titled “Life-Giving
Love in an Age of Technology.” It states that, although the Catholic
Church shares the pain of married couples facing infertility
His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, voted with the other bishops at the
annual fall conference in Baltimore, November 16–19.
problems, some reproductive technologies “are not morally
legitimate ways to solve those problems.” The bishops felt that
this document would fill a need among U.S. Catholics who are
seeking clarity regarding the difference between the Catholic
understanding and the secular understanding of human life.
The question-and-answer format of the document deals with
many subjects, including the use of donors and surrogates,
reproductive technologies that do not involve a third party, in vitro
fertilization, human cloning and adoption. Near the end of the
document the bishops wrote: “In short, procedures that assist the
marital act in being procreative are morally acceptable, while those
that substitute for it are not.”
“Life-Giving Love” concludes by emphasizing that certain
aspects of the vocation of marriage and parenthood “cannot be
delegated to others or replaced with technology.” The bishops
encourage the faithful to be open to “God’s gift of life and love
in marriage, with profound respect for the dignity of all God’s
children.”
Cardinal George Issues Statement on Health Care
Cardinal Francis George, president of the USCCB, issued a
statement on behalf of the bishops pledging continued efforts to
keep abortion out of health reform legislation. The statement said
that the bishops “will remain vigilant and involved throughout
this entire process” to ensure the Senate follows the example of
the House and does not use health-care reform as a vehicle for
expanding abortion funding or mandates.
The statement ended with this declaration:
“We remain deeply concerned about the debate that now moves
to the Senate, especially as it will affect the poor and vulnerable,
and those at the beginning and end of life. We will continue to
insist that health care reform legislation must protect conscience
rights. We support measures to make health care more affordable
for low-income people and the uninsured. We remain deeply
concerned that immigrants be treated fairly and not lose the
health care coverage that they now have. We will continue to raise
our voices in public and in prayer; we ask our people to join us in
making the moral case for genuine health care reform that protects
the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.”
feature
The bishops approved a pastoral letter on marriage, “Marriage:
Life and Love in the Divine Plan.” This letter is the foundational
document of the U.S. bishops’ pastoral initiative on marriage. The
letter states: “While marriage is a special blessing for Christians
because of the grace of Christ, marriage is also a natural blessing
and gift for everyone in all times and cultures.” Pope John Paul II
often said that the future of humanity depends on marriage and
family; it is this type of conviction that led the bishops to write
this letter.
The bishops stipulated that marriage has two purposes:
the good of the spouses, called the unitive purpose, and the
procreation and education of children. Marriage is not merely
a private institution. It is the foundation of the family, where
children learn values and virtues that make them good Christians,
as well as good citizens. Marriage is important for the upbringing
of the next generation, and, therefore, it is important for society.
The letter stated that contemporary society poses fundamental
challenges to the meaning and purposes of marriage, including
contraception, same-sex unions, divorce and cohabitation.
Since marriage is a Christian sacrament, the marriage union is
an image of Christ’s love for his Church. In this way, the marriage
covenant becomes a participation in the unbreakable covenant
between Christ and the church. The bishops ended the letter with
these words:
“Finally, we acknowledge with respect and gratitude all those
who are working to defend, promote, strengthen, heal, and
reconcile marriages, either through church ministries or in other
professions and fields of endeavor. We pledge our collaboration
with all who seek to create a vibrant culture of marriage rooted in
God’s plan for the good of humanity.”
J a n u a r y
2 0 1 0
Catholic
the
P.O. Box 301825, St. Thomas,
U.S. Virgin Islands, 00803-1825
Online:
www.catholicislander.com
Advertise your business in
The Catholic Islander!
Call (340) 774-3166 for rates.
Buying, Selling, or Renting?
Call the Experts!
St. Croix
Providing efficient, friendly and
professional service for over 18 years.
Toll free: (800)773-8788
E-mail: [email protected]
Web-site: www.sunrealty.vi
#2 Hospital Street, Christiansted
Call today: (340)773-8790
SUN REALTY
Investments of St. Croix