CHRON2504

The Archdiocese of Castries is in “Jubilee mode”! All visioning and planning at the archdiocesan or parish level should be within the perspective of the impending Golden Jubilee of the diocese in 2006. On the 7th November 2004, Archbishop Felix will officially launch the nationwide home visitation campaign. This will be an immediate preparation for the Great Jubilee Mission January 4-13, 2005. However, it will also be a prelude to the inauguration of the Parish Revitalization Programme through Stewardship, the archdiocese’s great jubilee gift to Saint Lucia.

One of the jewels in the crown of the Jubilee Church in Saint Lucia is the Pope John Paul II Minor Seminary which was re-opened on Wednesday 6th October (see front page story). First opened a few years ago, the project was temporarily halted shortly afterwards. There were a number of problems associated with the attitude and aptitude of some students, staffing etc. The hope had been that this seminary would serve as the pre-seminary for the entire AEC region. At this time there is a commitment on the part of the dioceses of the OECS, which form the Province of Castries, to use the facility. Moreover, the diocese of Montego Bay, Jamaica, has become the first diocese outside the province to send a student to the minor seminary here.

What is most hopeful about the re-opening of the minor seminary, however, is that it fits within a wider process of strategic planning for vocations in St. Lucia and the OECS. One of the activities undertaken by the diocesan clergy of the province of Castries to mark the 20th anniversary of their association was a systematic vocation drive throughout the Eastern Caribbean. The initiative was started in St. Lucia using the mass media, brochures, flyers and visits by regional teams of diocesan clergy to a number of selected schools throughout the island. A similar drive had been planned for Grenada this year, but in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan that will have to be rescheduled. Visits to other dioceses have been scheduled for next year.

In St. Lucia the diocesan clergy as a group try to meet regularly with prospective candidates, sometimes for prayer, recollection or retreat sessions and at other times to socialize. The vocations director and team work more specifically with candidates who have decided to enter the seminary to see to it that they have the prerequisite academic, human and spiritual qualifications. Candidates then enter the pre-seminary / minor seminary for one year of formation here before going to the major seminary in Trinidad. Meanwhile, the vocations director and team remain in touch with the seminarians at both seminaries.
One other prong in the vocations thrust of the archdiocese of Castries is in the area of formation for the permanent diaconate. The Church of Castries acknowledges with the universal Church since Vatican II the gift of the permanent diaconate restored to everyday church life. Currently, there are six candidates in formation. Since the diaconate is a special ministry of service in the Church, the present candidates are being prepared with pastoral planning as one of the areas of special focus. It is envisaged that permanent deacons will play a key role in the development and updating of parish profiles. Since most of the permanent deacons would be local clergy, they would be able to provide stability in parishes where new priests keep coming and going. With such a vision for the diaconate in St. Lucia, candidates who feel called to this ministry will have a clear idea of the areas where they can be of service to the church, besides their own personal areas of concern and interest.

As can be seen from the ideas discussed above, the vocations programme of the Archdiocese of Castries is a comprehensive plan. It involves leadership from the vocations director and the vocations team, active recruitment, promotion and encouragement for minor and major seminarians by clergy and religious, as well as support for the permanent diaconate. Within this tapestry of hope for the future as the church in Saint Lucia moves towards Jubilee 2006, the Pope John Paul II minor seminary remains a jewel in the crown.

Message
of His Holiness
Pope John Paul II
for
World Mission Sunday
October 24. 2004
“Eucharist and Mission”

* The Church’s missionary activity is an urgency also at the beginning of the third millennium, … and we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service.

* The social and religious challenges facing humanity in our day call believers to renew their missionary fervour. Yes! It is

necessary to re-launch mission “ad gentes” with courage, starting with the proclamation of Christ, Redeemer of every human person.

Gathered around the altar, the Church understands better her origin and her missionary mandate. As the theme of World Mission Sunday this year clearly emphasises “Eucharist and Mission” are inseparable. In addition to reflection on the bond that exists between the Eucharistic mystery and the mystery of the Church, this year there will be an eloquent reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary, because of the occurrence of the 150th anniversary of the definition of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception (1854-2004). Let us contemplate the Eucharist with the eyes of Mary. Confiding in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the Church offers Christ, the Bread of Salvation, to all peoples that they may recognise Him and accept Him as the only Saviour of mankind.

* When we take part in the Eucharistic Sacrifice we understand more profoundly the universality of redemption and, consequently, the urgency of the Church’s mission with its programme which “has its centre in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated, so that in him we may live the life of the Trinity and with him transform history until its fulfilment in the heavenly Jerusalem.”

*At the end of every Mass, when the celebrant takes leave of the assembly with the words “Ite, Missa est”, all should feel they are sent as “missionaries of the Eucharist” to carry to every environment the great gift received. In fact anyone who encounters Christ in the Eucharist cannot fail to proclaim through his or her life the merciful love of the Redeemer.

*To live the Eucharist it is necessary, as well, to spend much time in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament, something which I myself experience every day drawing from it strength, consolation and assistance. The Eucharist, the Second Vatican Council affirms, “Is the source and summit of all Christian life”. “The source and summit of all evangelisation.”

*How could the Church fulfil her vocation without cultivating a constant relationship with the Eucharist, without nourishing herself with this food, which sanctifies, without founding her missionary activity on this indispensable support? To evangelise the world there is need of apostles who are “experts” in the celebration, adoration and contemplation of the Eucharist.

*The Holy Spirit with invisible but powerful working, guides the Christian people on this daily spiritual itinerary on which they inevitably encounter difficulties and experience the mystery of the Cross. The Eucharist is the comfort and the pledge of final triumph for those who fight evil and sin; it is the “bread of life” which sustains those who, in turn, become “bread broken” for others, paying at times even with martyrdom their fidelity to the Gospel.

*This year, as I already mentioned, will be the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Mary was “redeemed in an especially sublime manner by reason of the merits of her Son, “ I said in the encyclical Letter, “Gazing upon Mary, we come to know that transforming power present in the Eucharist. In her we see the world renewed in love. “

*This is also a good opportunity to mention the contribution offered to the Church’s apostolic activity by the worthy Pontifical Mission Societies. They are very dear to my heart and I thank them, on behalf of all, for the valid service rendered to new evangelisation and the mission ad gentes. I ask you to support them spiritually and materially so that also through their contribution, the proclamation of the Gospel may reach all the peoples of the earth.

*With these sentiments, invoking the maternal intercession of Mary, “woman of the Eucharist”, I gladly impart to you my Apostolic Blessing.

St. Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop
Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba,
Founder of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
1807 - 1870 Feast Day: October 24

Saint Anthony Mary Claret was born at Sallent in Spain in 1807. He was the son of a weaver, a trade which Anthony practised, learning Latin and printing in his spare time.

At the age of twenty-two he entered the seminary at Vich where he was ordained priest in 1835.

After some years he went to Rome and eventually entered the Jesuit novitiate with the idea of consecrating his life to the foreign missions. Here, however, his health broke down, and he was advised by the Jesuit father general to return to Spain and busy himself with the evangelization of his countrymen. This he did and for ten years he gave missions and retreats throughout Catalonia. His zeal inspired other priests to join in the same work, and in 1849 he was mainly instrumental in founding the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The institute, commonly known by his name as “The Claretines”, has spread and flourished, not only in Spain, but in the Americas and beyond.

Almost immediately after this great work had been inaugurated, Father Claret was appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba. This was a very difficult task in which his efforts to bring about much needed reforms were resisted. Several attempts were made upon his life, and in one instance he was seriously wounded by an assassin, infuriated by the loss of his mistress whom Father Claret had converted from her sinful life. In 1857 he returned to Spain to become confessor to Queen Isabella II. He resigned his Cuban archbishopric, but avoided residence at the court for any longer than his official duties required, devoting himself

to missionary work and the spread of good literature, especially in his native Catalan.
During his life time St. Anthony preached thousands of sermons and published hundreds of books or pamphlets for the instruction and edification of clergy and lay people. While he was rector of the Escorial he established a science laboratory, a museum of natural history, schools of music and languages, and other foundations. His continual union with God gained him many supernatural graces among them ecstasies, the gift of prophecy and the miraculous cure of diseases. He spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Because of the political situation in Spain and the queen’s attitude towards the Holy See, S1. Anthony found himself in a very difficult situation, and in the revolution of 1868 he was exiled together with the queen. He went to Rome, where he made his influence felt in promoting the definition of papal infallibility. An attempt was made to bring him back to Spain, but .this failed; he became seriously ill in France and died in the Cistercian monastery of Fontfroide, near Narbonne, on October 24, 1870. He was canonized in 1950.

Cluny Caribbean

TUESDAY 7th September, 2004, will remain etched in the minds and psyches of all who experienced the onslaught of ‘Ivan the Terrible’. Even nature will bear its traces for many a year – stripped and burnt as it was left.

Our community of seven plus the visiting ‘parish priest of New Grant’ has never been that close together for that duration of time (3.00p.m. to 6.00a.m.) With the first announcement of ‘Ivan’s’ arrival most instinctively headed for the safest shelter – the toilet( where 6 huddled) and the would-be Storeroom under the stairs (remaining 2). Not welcome news for all, but in the long run it proved to be the right decision. We had little time to witness the arrival, but we did see ‘him’ sweeping across the sea…3.00p.m. Then it was a case of taking cover!

Crash! Bang! We could not even guess what, where or whose! Prayers aloud and sung reverberated from our neighbouring shelters. We seemed to alternate as if in unison. It must have been a couple of hours before we dared peep out from our respective hide-outs. Emerging from our dark holes, we thought…how bright!! Only to discover that our front door along with the louvers and covering that formed our outer gallery had taken flight!! That was all that we could see!
Midnight…water was heard rushing down the stairs(inner), and looking up we could see the sky!! The immediate task was to keep the water from invading our space. Brooms, buckets, dust pan turned shovel to the rescue! Blanket, bedspreads, towels became would-be sand-bags.

2.00a.m…Srs. Maureen and Lucy set off to set up dormitory in the Visitors’ room facing the chapel. This latter had lost part of its roof and ceiling. Armed with hammer, nails and plastic bags they made short job of providing ‘sleeping accommodation’ for the elderly!! This was a welcome change from the toilet! Some could take a horizontal (4) while others readily settled for the vertical(4) including the toilet!

Only daylight would reveal the extent of the destruction. Almost every roof in sight had suffered severely. It took us a day or two before we dared venture beyond our compound – fallen poles and wires lay in tangled heaps. At home, however, THE BIG IMMEDIATE TASK was to dispose of the water that lay ankle deep upstairs settling in the upper half of the corridor and into the five bedrooms and the three bath rooms! A back-breaking task that was a MUST…since it was already dripping through to the ground floor and this task had to be repeated after every downpour.

Week two brought sunshine, and it was only after week three that we were blessed with electricity and water in the taps! This was not, however, without the necessary repairs to pipes, valves and float! During this time, moreover, the GRENLEC teams became our regulars as they called on us for water, supplies and just a cheery word. Their gratitude stands expressed in a street light at our entrance.

‘A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED’ We take this opportunity to say SPECIAL THANKS to you, our dear Sisters, to our Cluny Convent schools, to our Catholic Schools in Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica, to our friends and well-wishers, past students near and far for your loving care and concern expressed with such thought and generosity.

Our ‘warehouse’ is no sooner filled than it is emptied. Not only do we answer the needs of those who come, but supplies are also taken to outlying areas and particularly to those most in need. Sr. Patrice is their main advocate and messenger.

Our Provincial did not delay in coming in person to provide some comfort. She also brought along Sr. Jeanne as Minister without portfolio. In fact this latter Minister did return to share in fact and deed our plight and so to later meet our every need.

Trinidad was not to be left out. Members of its Regiment were immediately sent to provide added security. Close on their heels came a team from the renowned CIC. Headed by Arthur Chin Lee, a team of 20 included his own son Howard Chin Lee (Minister of Tourism), a parent and an inspiring group of stalwart “Young Leaders’. Not only had they begged three truckloads of supplies, but were proud and happy to off load at the docks and later at the convent. These were shared with our convent in Grenville as well as the parish of St. David’s. They came to work and they did just this all day …clearing rubble and leaving the main building of St. Louis Girls’ School cleared and swept!!

Travelling with Chin Lee’s ‘Sea Prowler’ came Sr. Annette Chow (at our Provincial’s request) and her sister, Hyacinth. They easily fell into the swing of things as Week two ran its course – droughling water, improvising tasty and creative meals, and most of all linking us with the outer world with the now indispensable ‘cell phone’. In addition, their joint expertise was willingly put to our service in every which way….even posing as ‘security’ while the rest of the faithful went to daily Mass!!

Week three brought us Sr. Lorraine Joseph from the staff of SJC/POS and a friend Janelle from the parish choir of Belmont. They too became willing hands and feet with head and heart not only at base, but to all those who came by. We thank SJC/POS for granting time off and for thoughtful supplies that accompanied them. During their ‘term’ we enjoyed surprising suppers, chapel banners gained new life, water supply was ensured, the chapel was reclaimed and community prayer came into its own.

As October opened, across the threshold came friends all the way from SJC/CASTRIES. A team of ten male and female armed with hammers and saw, shovels, forks, spades and cutlasses, etc. They came to work and did just that in spite of the inclement weather that seemed to have come with them. Undeterred, they worked through the downpours as they c-l-e-a-n-e-d the GAMES HOUSE (ear-marked for Staff room) and its environs, restored the Dog kennels, put the historic ‘green gate’ back on its feet, mended the entrance door to the office etc etc. In addition to tools for the job, they came laden with supplies including batches of cooked goodies of all kinds!! We can only imagine what must have preceded their departure, and we thank both benefactors and those who embellished their donations to make them immediately edible!! Our ‘Quarter Master” (Sr.Lucy) was kept busy sorting and storing!! …andpacketing. Even as I write, our Provincial has joined the group for distribution.

Throughout their three day weekend of service we were pleased to have them joined by staff of their host school. On Sunday too we were proud to have their presence acknowledged – as well as visiting Medical team from Rotaracts/SVG. We have many a lesson to be learnt from their
example of service.

Closer home, high on our list of friends in need are the Sanderson family (Sr. Maureen’s sister, Lucy, husband and children). Laundry which had accumulated was lovingly returned sparklingly cleaned, sorted, bagged and in record time too! As the rains poured in , sand bags were improvised and established at all six doorways along our now uncovered gallery. Strong arms and willing hands are often put to use to provide needed security. The Francique family too and Alan Gaskin have become regulars by day and by night – though mindful of the curfew. Clearing supplies is no easy task – in fact a day’s work requiring patience and long-suffering, eyes on all sides and wit to match the unwittingly clever. No wonder it has been wittingly said that Grenada has been struck by the trio: IVAN, ROOFUS, AND LOOTUS!

At home on the ground floor we are each beginning to find our own space and pace. A time for down-sizing, open to the reality of the gospel warning that ‘even what you think you have shall be taken away from you”’! If we are to ‘take in front’, then this is a call for the formation of Basic Christian Communities in the rebuilding of ourselves as individuals, communities and the nation in general.

In closing, we urge you – each and all, to continue your support especially in prayer so that we can respond in spirit and in truth to the rebuilding of a nation whose Lord is God, a people who will live the radical gospel call to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and to love your neighbour as yourself”.

For us CLUNY, this is yet another way of responding to the realization of the COR UNUM AND ANIMA UNA of our Congregation.

St. Joseph, our father and protector, pray for us.
Blessed Anne Marie pray for us. St. George’s,Grenada.

The Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith

Provides a worldwide missionary awareness among the clergy and laity, encourages aid, spiritual and material for Mission Territories, in accordance with the needs of each.

II. The Pontifical Society of St. Peter Apostle
Invites Secondary School students and young adults to cooper in supporting the training of local clergy, religious sisters and brothers in Mission Territories.

III The Pontifical Society of Missionary Children
Awakens missionary awareness in children so as to lead them to
share prayers, sacrifices and material gifts with children in Mission
Territories Its motto is Children helping Children. It is aimed at children under age fourteen years.

IV The Pontifical Missionary Union of Priests and Religious
Unites clergy, religious, seminarians and catechists in helping the missionary activities of the Church by the sanctity of their lives and prayers. It promotes mission awareness among those involved in the pastoral ministry of the Church.