INSTITUTIONS

The Pastoral Center

Brief History of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre

Late 70s to early 80s

The concept of the Pastoral Centre began with “Know Your Faith” sessions upstairs the Cathedral Presbytery from 1979 - 82. These sessions grew out of the need for faith formation expressed during the First Synod of the Archdiocese of Castries in 1977. Sessions were conducted by the then parish priest with other clergy and laity invited to speak on a variety of topics. Sessions were open to the public.

1982 -1987

A Consultation process among the parishes in 1981 further accentuated the need for faith formation and evangelization. The Pastoral Centre was officially opened on Sunday 22 nd. August, 1982 with the mandate to prepare “within a period of 5 - 7 years, a group of local lay people who will be able to:

(a) Assume in communion with the hierarchy, responsibility for the Church in St. Lucia; (b) exercise true Christian leadership in their local communities;

(d) Experience their communion with biblical faith, church tradition, and the faith of the Universal Church today”.

The First Board of Directors included: Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Fr. Patrick Anthony, V.G., Fr. Jean Riffaud FMI, Sr. Carol Brenner, SC, Sr. Elizabeth Riviere SJC, Mr. Nathaniel Husbands, Mr. Winville King, Mrs. Bertilia Jn Baptiste, and Mrs. Mary Popo. The Staff was Fr. Patrick Anthony (Director), Sr. Carol Brenner (Executive Secretary), Fr. Jean Riffaud (Lecturer).

The Pastoral Centre's First School of Liturgy was held at St. Mary's College, August 16th - 27th 1982. Themes covered included: Reconciliation, ‘Fashion Me a People', Eucharist Today, Eucharistic Symbols in the Old Testament. Lecturers were Fr. Ildefons Schroots OSB (Trinidad), Sr. Diane Jagdeo OP (Regional Seminary, Trinidad ), Fr. Riffaud and Fr. Anthony.

The first two buildings of the New Pastoral Centre at the Farm, Marisule were blessed by Archbishop Felix on 19th March, 1985 in the presence of
Mr. Bernhard Steber of ADVENIAT. The Pastoral Centre offices at the Cathedral Presbytery were officially transferred to the new site on the
1 st April, 1985.

Pastoral Centre programmes included

(1) Annual two weeks of School of Liturgy in August;

(2) A Bible study series

(3) Saturday leadership training sessions for parish leaders

(4) Know Your Faith series

(5) One week seminars on “New Image of the Parish”

Vision

The Pastoral Centre must become the learning and training centre for the archdiocese. This means that it should become primarily an institution for theological education and pastoral formation, with the requisite resources and facilities for fulfilling its mission. The current use of the Centre for a diversity of church related and other activities should be reviewed. Services presently offered, such as hospitality, should be linked with the primary goal of the institution, namely, theological education and pastoral formation.

Mission Statement

(1) To identify, initiate and coordinate the educational activities of the Church in St. Lucia, and to pursue their effective and efficient implementation;

(2) To utilize all contemporary media of social communication in providing an efficient resource centre for dissemination of knowledge and information on the Church;

(3) To foster a sense of the local Church growing in self-understanding and moving together with purpose.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre
24 Years of Service

On the evening of Friday 1 st July the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre continued celebrations to mark 24 years of service to the Archdiocese.

The vision of a Pastoral Centre emerged out of a need for the Church to re-catholicise its membership in faith and evangelization. His Grace Archbishop Kelvin Felix formally dedicated the Centre in 1982 and blessed and their buildings in 1985.

The Pastoral Centre, as with any institution of learning, seeks to offer structured outline courses through several faculties such as a School of Bible Studies; School of Theology; School of Liturgy; School of Spirituality/Lectio Divina; Department of Family Life Education, Department of Social Teaching; Department of Cultural Development; Etc. The Centre aims to be a resource base capable of providing theological education at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

On the occasion of its premier Alumni Day, the Centre recognised and awarded, numerous members of staff for long and outstanding service. In addition, certificates were presented to over 80 candidates for having completed introductory courses in Lectio Divina and Catholic Social Teaching for the period 2004-05. Msgr. Dr. Patrick Anthony is the current Director of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre.

Pastoral Centre Celebrating
Alumni Day Staff Awards - July 1st 2005

Staff Profiles

Therese Yolande Maizeroi

Ms. Therese Yolande Maizeroi was employed at the Pastoral Center from its inception, when the office was housed upstairs of the Cathedral Presbytery. She was Receptionist/Secretary. Therese grew with the Pastoral Center and when in 1985 the Office was transferred to its present location here in Marisule she was there, Therese worked with persons like Sister Mary B, Sister Carol Brenner, S.C., Sr. Mary Gallagher, S.C. In some way too, with St. Velorna,SSM Mr. Richard Bronson, Callista Joseph when they were housed in premises at the Pastoral Centre. In fact, she worked with all those who have directed the Centre. As the years went by she was promoted to Manageress for the Centre responsible for Hospitality. Her added responsibility was to administer the Food for the Poor Programme. Therese enjoyed her job and did it to the best of her ability, not because she was fully compensated but mostly because she loved the church and her desire was to serve the Church. At the time of her resignation she still held the job of Manageress. The Pastoral Centre would like to recognize Therese for 23 years service from 1982- 2005.

Mr. Charles Joseph

Mr. Charles Joseph affectionately called Charlie has been employed at the Pastoral Centre from 1985 at that time called Watchman, but in modern times as Security Officer. Charlie is still in employment. Charlie has a special love and passion for the Centre and his job gives him a sense of purpose. He knows every area of the Centre, every switch, every lock, every key, and he guards the Centre as his own home. Though he has moved on in age, he is punctual and faithful to his job. The Pastoral Centre would like to recognize his 20 years of service to the Centre from 1985 to date.

Ms Marjorie Esnard.

Ms. Marjorie Esnard was employed at the Pastoral Centre from 1988 as a domestic helper, responsible for keeping clean and tidy the facilities for the comfort of our guest. Ms. Marjorie resigned in 2002 but she most willingly renders her services anytime we seek her assistance when there are large groups, especially for School of Liturgy , C.T.I. and Good News, she too has a special love for the Centre. The Pastoral Centre would like to recognize her for 14 years of service from 1980 - 2002.

Mr. Hilary Medouze

Mr. Hilary Medouze, was employed at the Pastoral Center from 1985 as Security Officer along with Charlie, but due to ill health he was forced to resign upon his doctor's advice. Mr. Medouze resigned in 1998. Mr.Medouze is a well respected gentleman; He was dedicated to his job and was always punctual. The Pastoral Centre extends get well wishes to him and would like to recognize him for 13 years service from 1985 – 1998.

Hetty Lucien

Mrs., Hetty Lucien was employed at the Pastoral Centre from the year 1900 as Assistant Programmes Officer and Librarian on a part time basis. She gave 12 years service to the Centre as at May 2002, .Because of our financial situation her post become redundant. The Pastoral Centre would like to recognize her for 12 years service from 1990 2002.

Philomene (Ivy) Alexander

Mrs., Philomene Alexander known to us as Ms. Ivy was employed at the Pastoral Centre from 1989 as Cook. Ms Ivy cooked sumptuous meals for the guest and always received compliments especially from the Good News Team (an annual group.) Unfortunately, the position of Cook was made redundant in 2002 because of financial reasons. The Pastoral Centre would like to recognize Mrs. Ivy for 12 years service from 1990- 2002.

Martina Poleon

Ms. Martina Poleon was employed at the Pastoral Centre from 1990 as Receptionist/ General Secretary, but later became Personal Secretary to the Director. Ms. Poleon gave outstanding service to the Centre and was very involved in fund raising, other activities and programmes organized by the Centre. In 2002 when an opportunity arose for Ms Poleon to further herself professionally and otherwise, an opportunity the Pastoral Centre was unable to offer her, she was forced to resign for a better future. The Pastoral Centre would like to recognize 12 years of excellent service.

Petrona Edwards

Mrs. Petrona Edwards also known as Ms Iona has been employed at the Pastoral Centre from 1990 and is still in employment. Ms. Iona is now the only domestic helper employed at the Centre, with responsibilities of cleaning every area of Centre, doing the laundry (i.e. ironing and washing) and assisting in the dining area as well. This is another employee whose satisfaction is working for the church, because of this she never complains. The Pastoral Centre would like to recognize her for I5 years of service from 1990 and as I said is still in employment

Pastoral Centre Courses

New Catholic Social Teaching Courses to Start in September

Vatican 11 identified the gap between Faith and daily life as the major obstacle to both conversion and evangelization. This gap widens as we live in an increasingly secular and pluralistic world. How to bridge this gap which Pope Paul VI described as the “drama of our time”? Pope John Paul 11's clear answer is: Christians “must make their own this treasure which is the Church's social teaching and, inspired by it, become capable of interpreting the present situation and determine the actions to take.” (E.A. #54)

Pope John XXIII stated that “first we must reaffirm most strongly that this Catholic social doctrine is an integral part of the Christian conception of life” and should be taught in all Catholic schools and seminaries, and included in the religious instruction programmes in parishes and of associations of the lay apostolate. (M.M. #222, 223) A study of C.S.T. is really a “must” for all Catholics who seek a more mature faith in fidelity to the official teaching of the Church.

(1)Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching (C.S.T. I) T o guide our witness to the gospel in today's world, we make a study of the major Principles of C.S.T. and their application in the “see, judge, act” methodology of C.S.T. The course also examines a selected local issue in light of the Principles and the Social Question.

Eight 2 hour sessions on Wednesdays once a week.

14 th September- 2 nd October, 2005.

Lecturer: Fr. Leslie Lett

(2)Advanced Study of Catholic Social teaching (C.S.T 11)

A more in depth study of C. S. T. Principles and their application through an examination of both selected Encyclicals/official documents and our social reality. The course will also discuss ways to impact (evangelize) society and help participants to develop a competence in “reading and sharing” C. S. T.

Pre requisite C. S. T I. Eight 2 hour sessions on Mondays once a week. Lecturer: Fr. Leslie Lett

12 th September-31 st October, 2005

To enroll contact:

The Pastoral Centre:
Tel. 452 0790 or 452 0796
Fax: 452-9264

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