Caribbean Church
JAMAICA - MANDEVILLE
GORDEN BENNETT IS NEW BISHOP
OF MANDEVILLE.
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Gordon Dunlap Bennett, S.J. was appointed the second bishop of Mandeville on July 6, 2004 by his holiness Pope John Paul II in succession to bishop Paul Boyle C.P who had passed the mandatory age of retirement of 75 years. The new bishop however did not assume office until late last year due in part to the dislocation caused by hurricane Ivan in the south western parishes of Jamaica in September 2004.
Bishop Bennett, a former auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Baltimore and one of only ten active African-American bishops in the United States, brings to his new office considerable experience as an educator and school administrator in the United States. Born in Denver, Colorado on October 21, 1946, he attended Loyola Grammar School in Denver before his family moved to Los Angels in 1955.
In 1964 the future bishop graduated from Loyola High School in Los Angels and entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), pronouncing his first vows in September 1966. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1975 at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood California and for the next four years Fr. Bennett was assistant principal for Campus Ministry at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco.
In 1979, Fr. Bennett completed his masters degree in Secondary School Administration and for the next eight years was principal of his former alma mater, Loyola High School in Los Angels. It was while he was president and rector of Loyola High School that he was appointed an auxiliary bishop of Baltimore in 1998.
For his motto, bishop Bennett has selected the phrase “GRACE UP ON GRACE”. These words taken from the prologue of St. John’s Gospel (John 1: 16) express His Excellency’s deep and profound belief that is only with God’s help, with God’s grace, that we as Christians can carry out the mission that our Lord has entrusted to us; and that as we do His will, His graces are compounded in us, His graces are put upon His Graces, to empower us to do even more for Him and for our fellow men.
BARBADOS BRIDGETOWN
BROTHER ANDREW BARNARD O.P. ORDAINED DEACON.
The English Dominicans in the Caribbean registered their second ordination to the Diaconate in Barbados in November, 2004 in the person of Rev.Andrew Barnard of St. Lucian background. In August 2004 Barbadian Rev. Curtis Moiré O.P. was also conferred with the Diaconate.
The 35 year-old.Rev.Barnard grew up in St. Lucia with his grandmother and at age 17 years was attracted to the religious life through the example and encouragement of father Christian Pineau of the Sons of Mary Immaculate (FMI). At age 19 he graduated with a certificate from the Catechetical Training Institute in Castries and having applied to the FMI was accepted as an aspirant.
During the aspirancy programme he taught religious education at the Leon Hess Comprehensive School and worked at the St. Lucy‘s Home for the aged in Marchand as a night supervisor.
However in 1999 things changed foe the young FMI aspirant. Barnard was sent to Barbados for a year to do additional CXC studies, staying with his father, Joseph Charles.
During this period he came under the influence of Fr. Clement Paul O.P. who invited him to consider becoming a Dominican. After much contemplation and discernment Barnard opted for the Dominican Order and received the support Fr. Pineau in the process. He was accepted and in time he was assigned to the Rosary parish under the care of the Dominicans in Grenada, where he is currently based.
Rev. Bernard’s ordination to the Diaconate was a joyful event presided over by bishop Vincent Darius of St. Georges in Grenada also a Dominican. Present also was Bishop of Bridgetown Malcolm Galt C.S.Sp, who was chief celebrant of the Mass as well as bishop Emeritus Anthony Dickson and a large contingent of Dominicans and diocesan priests in attendance.
“Catechesis gives me joy, but what is more fulfilling is preaching remarked Rev. Barnard. I looked forward to a life of preaching ministry, which I enjoy immensely”.
CUBA, HAVANA.
POPE: END US ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA.
Pope John Paul 11 called for an end to the US embargo against Cuba so that adequate conditions for the Caribbean island’s development could be met. The Pope made his comment on January 8 in an address to Cuba’s new ambassador to the Holy see, Raul Roa Kouri as diplomat presented the Pope with his letters of credential.” The Holy see desires that the obstacles that hinder free communication and exchange between Cuban nation and part of the international community be overcome as soon as possible”. The Pope said.
The United States has maintained a trade and travel embargo against Cuba since 1961 in an effort to topple the communist government led by President Fidel Castro.
In his address, the Pope praised Cuba’s progress in providing health care and education to its citizens, adding that, the Holy see considers assuring these conditions of human existence ( to be ) some of the pillars upon which peace is built”.
The Pope who visited Cuba in January 1998, commended the country’s strong sense of solidarity with people suffering from war, poverty or natural disasters. He also emphasized the need for greater religious liberty in Cuba, especially in easing the process required for foreign priests and religious to enter the country.
GUYANA, GEORGETOWN
FIRRE DESTROYS HISTORICAL CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
It was Christmas day December 25, 2004 at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Georgetown, Guyana. At about 9:00 am. as the final hymn of Christmas Day morning Mass was being sung, fire broke out in the crib of the manger depicting the Nativity which was set up in the Church. It is believed that either the heat of a spotlight or a short circuit in it triggered a blaze in the dry grass of the crib. In the absence of the fire extinguisher, parishioners tried heating down the flames with whatever they could find and emptied the water from pots in a vain effort to extinguish the flames.
What amazed every one was the speed at which the flames spread. Within minutes the massive wooden structure built in the shape of a Latin cross, about 300 feet long and 150 feet wide was almost totally engulfed. By the time the first fire engine arrived, it was too late to save the Church.
The flames spread rapidly destroying the nearby presbytery and the government primary school which formerly catered 1500 children. No one was injured but many parishioners wept openly in the nearby avenue as they watched the disaster enfold despite the efforts of the fire fighters.
Sacred Heart, the second Catholic Church to be built in Georgetown, was opened in December 1861. At the time it was built to cater to the spiritual needs of Portuguese immigrants. It was later declared a national shrine and a national heritage site.
Roman Catholic Bishop Francis Alleyne, OSB. described the tragic event as a major loss.
GUYANA GEORGETOWN
SPIRITS HIGH AFTER FLOODS IN GUYANA
Following media reports of flooding in Guyana, the Catholic News of Trinidad and Tobago spoke to the Vicar General of the diocese of Georgetown on Wednesday, 19 January.
Vicar General Fr. John Persaud confirmed that the office of the Catholic Standard, like many other Offices in Georgetown, had been flooded out and had been forced to close. His own residence at the Cathedral presbytery was full as they had to take in a number of people whose homes were flooded – the ground floor of the presbytery building was also flooded.
Fr. Persaud said that the flooding begun the previous Saturday after heavy rains on Friday night. After a brief reprieve on Sunday it was more rains and flood again Monday and throughout most of that week. Fr. Persaud said that the greatest fear was the threat to the dams on the East Coast.
He said that in the midst of it all people’s spirits were high and there was a “fantastic” spirit of co-operation and willingness to help each other. The situation has served “ to bring Gospel values alive …selfishness has given way to selflessness”. The government and opposition have been working together for the good of all affected by the floods.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - PORT-OF-SPAIN
A LOOK AT 2005.
Archbishop Edward Gilbert, C.S.S.R., in his weekly column in the Catholic News of Sunday January, 2 shared with his readers a 12-piont summary of some of the plans and events which the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain intends to implement during the course of this year. Among them are the following:
Second Session of Archdiocesan Synod: This was held during the second week of January. The Social Justice Commission was commended for effectively liaising with government on social issues. The Family Life Commission has also been active especially in promoting the ‘Abstinence Programme’ among the youth and young adults. The Stewardship programme and Evangelization Commission have also recorded much success.
The Year of The Eucharist Celebration of this year-long event continues with an up-coming symposium on the Eucharist for religious and priests of the Province. In addition, an Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress is being planned.
Auxiliary Bishop: The Archdiocese prayerfully awaits the decision of the Holy Father on the request for an Auxiliary bishop. A list of three nominees has already been submitted to Rome, all of them natives of Trinidad and Tobago.
TOBAGO: The year 2004 was historic for the sister-island. It witnessed the ordination of the first two Tobagonians to the sacred priesthood - Frs. Dwight Black and Steve Duncan. During 2005 the building of the long awaited Retreat and Pastoral Centre in Tobago will commence, the property for same having been already donated.
World Church
ROME
Pope aids launch of Adoration Project
Before the Year of the Eucharist officially began in October, David Craig, the national director of Adoration for Vocations only dreamed of how far his apostolate could go. He promoted perpetual adoration for vocations from his small diocese of Norwich, Conn. He hoped to do much more.
The hope was realized last month when the Vatican launched adoration for vocations worldwide.
The ball started rolling when the Vatican contacted Craig and his wife, Bridie, after Father Francis Bonnici read in the National Catholic Register about their perpetual adoration programme. Father Bonnici is head of the Office of the Pontifical Work for Vocations to the Priesthood.
“The Vatican came up with the idea they would like to have prayer and adoration for vocations worldwide,” Craig said. He and his wife met with Father Bonnici in Rome, along with Daniel Gonzales, national director for the website Vocation.com. Although Adoration for Vocations is promoted independently, it comes under the umbrella of Vocation. com, an apostolate of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi.
“The Vatican was basically asking for some ideas for what we could do in conjunction with them and provide ideas of what they could do for the Year of the Eucharist,” Gonzales said..
As a result of the meeting, Adoration for Vocations and Vocation. com will be partners with the Vatican in this worldwide effort.
This worldwide effort is off to a quick start. Already, all the apostolic nunciatures have been informed about the project by Cardinal Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, which includes Father Bonnici’s office. In turn, they will ask all the world’s bishops to promote this effort at the diocesan level.
On November 24, Pope John Paul II blessed six monstrances at his Wednesday general audience. Craig recognized this as “a kickoff for the worldwide effort to show the Holy Father was behind us.”
Craig and his wife, along with Father Kevin Reilly from the Norwich diocese and Father Joseph Marcello from the diocese of Bridgeport, presented the North American monstrances to the Holy Father for the blessing.
“Since the Pope announced the Year of the Eucharist, I think this project - people praying in front of the Holy Eucharist with the special intention for vocations - made him very happy”, Father Bonnici said
VATICAN CITY
Pope Highlights Way Media Can Promote Peace.
The promotion or understanding among peoples is the way the media serve the cause of peace, says Pope John Paul II in his 2005 message for World Communications Day. The theme of the day, to be observed May 8, is “The Communications Media at the Service of Understanding among Peoples”.
“Modem technology places at our disposal unprecedented possibilities for good, for spreading the truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ, and for fostering harmony and reconciliation,” the Pope wrote in his message.
“Yet its misuse can do untold harm, giving rise to misunderstanding, prejudice and even conflict,” he Adds in the text issued in six languages by the Vatican press office on the feast of S1. Francis de Sales, the patron of journalists.
In his message, the Holy Father warns communicators about an “urgent need to promote the unity of the human family through the use made of these great recources.”
“One important way of achieving this end is through education. The media can teach billions of people about other parts of the world and other cultures,” he stated.
For many, the media are the chief means of information and education, of guidance and inspiration in their behaviour as individuals, families, and within society at large. “Accurate knowledge,” the Pope said, “promotes understanding, dispels prejudice and awakens a desire to learn more”.
“When others are portrayed in hostile terms, seeds of conflict are sown which can all too easily escalate into violence, war, or even genocide.”
John Paul continues: “Instead of building unity and understanding, the media can be used to demonize other social, ethnic and religious groups, formenting fear and hatred. Those responsible for the style and content of what is communicated have a grave duty to ensure that this does not happen. Indeed, the media have an enormous potential for promoting peace and building bridges between peoples, breaking the fatal cycle of violence, reprisal and fresh violence that is too widespread today.”
The Pope highlights the influence of the media in favour of the swift mobilization of aid in response to natural disasters. .“It was heartening to see how quickly the international community responded to the recent tsunami that claimed countless victims,” he states.
The Holy Father adds that “my prayer on this year’s World Communications Day is that the men and women of the media will play their part in breaking down the dividing walls of hostility in our world, walls that separate peoples and nations, feeding misunderstanding and mistrust.”
VATICAN CITY
Education Needed in Aids Fight. Says Pone
Pope John Paul 11 asserts that the struggle against AIDS calls for education about the sacred value of life, as well as about chastity and faithfulness.
The Pope emphasised the need to combat poverty and AIDS, especially in Africa, when receiving the new ambassador from the Netherlands, Monique Patrice Antoinette Frank. The Holy Father explained that to “combat this sickness in a responsible way, it is necessary to promote prevention, in particular through respect for the sacred value of life and formation in the correct experience of sexuality, which implies chastity and faithfulness.”
“At my request, the Church has mobilized in favor of the victims, so that they will be assured, in particular, access to the necessary treatments and medicines, through numerous centres,” he said. About one quarter of the world’s AIDS-care centres are Catholic.
The Pope invited Dutch Catholics, whose country has legalised euthanasia, to witness “ever more their absolute respect for the human person from natural conception.”
He also encouraged the authorities and health personnel, as well as all persons involved in education, to “build a society that is increasingly attentive to persons and their dignity.”
VATICAN CITY
Children should get Eucharist as soon as possible. says Cardinal
The prefect of the Congregation for Clergy is reminding priests worldwide about the importance of bringing children to the Eucharist.
Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos urges priests to do that because he is convinced that the younger children are, “the more worthy will be the heart’s reception of the sacramental Christ.”
To allow children to receive the “Eucharistic Jesus” as soon as possible ‘’was for many centuries one of the firm foundations of the pastoral care of little ones in the Church,” said Castrillon in a letter to priests, dated January 8, and published by the dicastery in the context of the Year .of the Eucharist.
The custom “was re-established by St. Pius X in his time, and has been praised by his successors, and even more times by our Holy Father John Paul II,” the Cardinal said. In 1910, Pope Pius X established in the decree “Quam Singulari” that children could make their first Communion at age 7.
“Together with St. Pius X,” Cardinal Castrillon wrote, “many of us are convinced that this practise of allowing children to make their first Communion beginning at 7 years of age, brings to the Church great graces from heaven, not forgetting that in the primitive Church the sacrament of the Eucharist was administered to the newborn, immediately after baptism, under the species of a few drops of wine.”
In his book, “Rise, Let us be on Our Way”, Pope John Paul II notes that the pastoral decision to bring forward the reception of holy Communion is most commendable.
“It has yielded rich fruits of holiness in children and in the apostolate among the young, in addition to a flowering of priestly vocations,” he wrote.
INDIA
MIRACLES and HORRORS
Like many Southeast Asian coastal areas, the Diocese of Thanjavur was hit hard by tsunamis resulting from the magnitude-9 earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean December 26th. At present the death toll is more than 200,000 in 12 countries, but diocesan officials say they saw a miracle at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health amid the tragedy that took more than 1,000 lives locally, including those of hundreds of pilgrims.
“The killer waves surged and came up to the entrance of the main basilica where the statue of Our Lady of Vailankanni is present, and receded after touching the first steps of the basilica’s outer door,” church officials said on December 30th.
“Faith always rewards,” they added.
Quoting eyewitnesses, diocesan officials said the waves stopped at the entrance of India’s most popular Marian shrine, which draws 20 million pilgrims a year. Water inundated a bus stand a quarter-mile behind the shrine, but on the same elevation.
“Who can deny and say this is not a miracle? The powerful blessing of Our Lady has saved thousands of lives, as people who were inside the basilica were untouched by the monstrous killer-waves,” the officials said.
More than 2000 pilgrims - including hundreds attending Mass - were at the basilica and the sprawling compound when the waves struck.
The shrine, facing the Bay of Bengal, has a history as a miraculous safe haven. Portuguese sailors escaped a devastating cyclone in the bay in the 17th. Century and built the shrine in thanksgiving. Today, the shrine is a replica of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.
MOSUL IRAQ
Dominican Sisters flee Mosul
The Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation have left Mosul, Iraq, and have relocated to Syria and Jordan.
In a statement reported by Vidimus Dominum, the women religious explained that in order to save their own lives they had to leave everything behind. Their convent is located in between the U.S. army base and various anti-U.S. communities.
In early January, Syrian Catholic Archbishop Basil Georges Casmoussa was briefly held by kidnappers in Mosul.
The Dominican congregation has seven communities in Iraq, with 40 Sisters who work in education, in health care at St. Raphael’s Hospital in Baghdad, and in a rehabilitation centres for young people.
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Dear boys and girls,
Wednesday, 9th February is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday got its name because on this Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, ashes from burned palms, palms left over from the Palm Sunday Celebration of the previous year, are placed in the form of a cross on the foreheads of members of the Church while the priest says the words “Dust thou art and into dust thou shall return. This is done to remind us, that God created us from dust and that no matter how rich we are, or how beautiful, or how intelligent, we must die someday and our bodies will return into dust. Therefore, we should be sorry for the wrong things which we have done, we should tell Jesus that we are sorry, we should be sincere about it, and ask Jesus to help us to do only the things that please Him.
Ashes are used because in Jesus’ day ashes represented sadness, grief: sorrow and unworthiness, People who had sinned and were sorry would dress themselves in sackcloth and cover themselves with ashes.
Today we too, at the beginning of Lent, want to say,’ that we are sorry and that we ‘’’ant this Lent to be, a time of blessings. This is why we have Ash Wednesday and the practice of receiving ashes as an outward sign that we are sorry a and we want to change our behaviour and our attitude.
We hope that you will get your parents or guardians to take you to church on Ash Wednesday so that you too, will experience this beautiful ritual. Yon can receive ashes even if you have not made your First Holy Communion. Some of you may receive ashes in your schools but the majority of you will have to go to Church.
The whole of Lent is a special time to receive great blessings. It is a time to pray more, to pray from the heart and to make sacrifices for example, not talking in class, being obedient, doing without ice cream, candy and junkmfood. helping at home and at school. visiting and helping. Older people. This is not a time for you to have a long face and be sad, but rather a time for you to be full of joy and laughter because God wants us to be cheerful and happy while we are making sacrifices, We can play, we can sing, we can laugh. we can run, we can shout.
This year make a big effort to make Lent a special time for you and your family. Think of the children who lost their parents their brothers and sisters, and relatives through the tsunami and offer God your sacrifice for them.
Here are two exercises which you can do as your first sacrifice:
1. Can you draw a line from a word in one column to the word it goes with in the other:
Where Out
Any Mother
With Be
After Ever
May Side
In Self
My Thing
2. How many of these Re words do you know?
Come back Re
Fix Re
Feel Sorry Re
Say Again Re
Give back Re
Answer Re
Take away Re
Stay Re
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