SEMINARY

St. Lucia Seminary Re-Opens

The Pope John Paul II minor seminary located next to the Pastoral Centre at Marisule was re-opened on Wednesday 6th October. There are four minor seminarians; three from St. Lucia, including two brothers, Derek and Marlon Weekes, and Cleophas Joseph. The other candidate, Francis Kyeyune, is from Uganda, but studying for the diocese of Montego Bay. The rector is Fr. Jesus Emmanuel Obias, M.F. former parish priest of Anse-la-Raye/Canaries and Micoud/Mon Repos; with Fr. Leonardo Vincente, parish priest of Marchand, as spiritual director. The Opening ceremony with Mass which started at 10.00 was attended by clergy, religious, family and friends of the candidates and domestic staff. Archbishop Kelvin Felix welcomed everyone, thanked them for their contribution to the seminary and invited Fr. Lambert St. Rose, the vocations director, to introduce the candidates.

Msgr. Patrick Anthony then introduced the teaching staff and explained the course outline for the year’s work which includes Basic Christian Doctrine (Fr. Lambert St. Rose, Msgr. Theophilus. Joseph, Fr. Vincente, Sr.Paula Andrew SJC, Deacon Winston Taylor), Recent Papal and other Church documents (Fr. Leslie Lett), Introduction to Liturgy (Fr. Michel Francis), Spirituality (Fr. Leonardo Vincente), Human Development (Sr. Marie Thérèse Clement O.P.), Bible (Msgr. Patrick Anthony), Latin (Fr. Konrad Mair), English/Caribbean Studies (Bertilia Jn Baptiste), Communications/Computer Literacy (Msgr. Patrick Anthony).

Msgr. Theophilus Joseph explained the “Eli-model,” which he anticipated was one of the models he and the rest of the formation team (the rector, spiritual director and Sr. Marie Therese) would employ in journeying with the candidates during this year of discernment.

Following these introductory remarks His Grace officiated at the Holy Mass. At the end of Mass, the rector said a few works of thanks encouraging all present to support the seminary. Refreshments followed.

The St. Lucia pre-seminary programme will run in cycles of one year. This year will consists of 35 weeks of study in three semesters : First Semestre (Oct.6th-Dec. 10th, 2004); Second Semestre (Jan.3rd- March 18th 2005); Third Semestre (Match 28th –July 1st 2005). Classes will be held during the week, but on week-ends the candidates will return to their families and parish communities.

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