Cathedral Restoration - Catholic Islander · Flea Market The fundraising committee of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix held a flea market on the parish grounds on April 21 to help defray

Catholic Spirituality: The Most Holy Trinity

Mothers' Day at the Parishes

First Communion and Confirmation Photographs

U.S. BishopsChallenge President Obama

CathedralRestorationEnters Phase 3

The Newsletter of the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard PUBLISHER

Father Charles CrespoEDITOR

Bernetia Akin, Valerie DoutéMsgr. Michael Kosak

PROOFREADERS

Br. James Petrait, OSFSWEB MASTER

Deacon Emith Fludd

CIRCULATION

Sarah Jane von HaackWRITER/ASSISTANT EDITOR

Frank IacovellaGRAPHIC DESIGNER

June 2012 • Vol. 28 : Issue 6

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 www.catholicislander.com Telephone: (340) 774-3166 ext. 211, Fax: (340) 774-5816 E-mail: [email protected] © FAITH Catholic™.

Please submit news, digital photography and advertising for the July 2012 issue of The Catholic Islander by June 5, 2012.

Catholicthe

4 Local News

8 Catholic Charities

9 ¡Buenas noticias!

10 Catholic Education

11 Spotlight on Youth

14 The Church in the World

16 Saint of the Month

18 Catholic Spirituality

20 Journey of Faith

22-26 Parish Calendars

22-26 Pride of the Parish

12On the cover: Workers install a new cross atop of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral

is Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard, will be among those attending the annual spring general assembly of the U.S.

Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 13-15.

The bishops will have a two-hour floor discussion on domestic and international religious freedom. They also will hear an address by Carolyn Woo, Ph.D., the new president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in the United States.

Other items on the agenda include:• A 10-year progress report by the National

Review Board on the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People;

• Recommendations by the National Review Board from the study, Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010;

notes from the bishop’s desk

HThe Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.

U.S. Bishops’ Spring 2012 Meeting

June 3, 100th Anniversary Mass and Mission Appeal, St. Anastasia Church, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

June 9-10, Mission Appeal, St. John the Evangelist Church, Severna Park, Maryland

June 13-15, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops general meeting, Atlanta, Georgia

June 16-17, Mission Appeal, Immaculate Conception Church, LaGrange, Kentucky

Friday, June 22, 6 p.m., Diocesan Finance Council meeting, Catholic Chancery, St. Thomas

Sunday, June 24, 8 a.m., Mass, St. Anne Chapel, St. Thomas.

Saturday, June 30, 6 p.m., Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.

bishop’s calendar

Our Lady of Fatima 95th Anniversary Procession

Bishop Herbert Bevard blessed rosaries at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas as 200 faithful gathered for a procession honoring the 95th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. Participants marched to Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, where Bishop Bevard celebrated Mass.

• Discussion of a proposal for a special message on Catholic Reflections on Work, Poverty and a Broken Economy;

• A report from chairmen of committees collaborating for the Year of Faith;

• A report by Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, California, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, on the subcommittee’s work;

• A report by Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Communications, on the Task Force for Communications;

• An update by Bishop George Murry, SJ, of Youngstown, Ohio, secretary of the USCCB, on the development of the 2013-2016 strategic plan.

The Catholic Islander / June 2012 / www.catholicislander.com2 Liturgical calendar: St. Justin, martyr June 1 | Ss. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs June 2 | Most Holy Trinity June 3 | St. Boniface, bishop and martyr June 5 | St. Norbert, bishop June 6 | St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church June 9 | Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 10 |

Parish MissionBishop Herbert Bevard led

a parish mission at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Delray Beach, Florida, on April 23-24.

The new confirmands posed with Bishop Herbert Bevard after Mass outside St. Patrick Church on St. Croix on May 13.

Fourteen new confirmands posed with their pastor, Father Neil Scantlebury, Bishop Herbert Bevard and visiting priest Father Trevor Nathasingh of Trinidad at Holy Family Church on St. Thomas on May 5.

Bishop Herbert Bevard, Father John Mark and Deacon Neville Charles posed with the newly confirmed at the end of the Mass at St. Joseph Church on St. Croix on May 19.

Confirmation

3Liturgical calendar: St. Justin, martyr June 1 | Ss. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs June 2 | Most Holy Trinity June 3 | St. Boniface, bishop and martyr June 5 | St. Norbert, bishop June 6 | St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church June 9 | Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ June 10 |

Reader Survey ResultsA random survey was conducted among Catholic

parishioners in the Virgin Islands in late April and early May to study the impact of the Catholic Islander publication in our community. Pastors were given a total of 400 surveys and were asked to distribute them among a variety of parishioners. Forty-one responses were recorded, an 11% return, which is the approximate return in general surveys. Twenty-seven responses (66%) of the total responses came from St. Thomas, and 14 responses (34%) were recorded from St. Croix; St. John parishioners provided no responses.

In general, nearly every question regarding the publication’s circulation, attractiveness, and effectiveness received very high or high approval. Nearly all the individual sections of the publication also scored very high.

The questions that received largely negative responses were those that asked if the survey participants had ever visited the Catholic Islander website or the Catholic Islander blog or listened to the Catholic Islander Radio Hour on radio or online. These low numbers paralleled a recent survey conducted by CARA, which calculated that only 2% of adults with access to the Internet visited religious or spiritual websites or blogs.

Catholic Daughters LuncheonThe Catholic Daughters of America, Court 2049,

will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a luncheon at Columban Hall on St. Thomas on Sunday, June 3. Original charter members Patricia Jones, Corinne Lockhart, Valerie Moorhead, Carmen Sibilly and Elise Vialet will be honored. The event will also include a priests’ appreciation ceremony. Tickets are available at parish offices for $40.

Second CollectionPeter’s Pence will be a second collection at Masses at

all parishes on June 23-24. This offering allows Catholic faithful to support the Holy Father’s philanthropy by giving him the means to provide emergency assistance to those in need because of natural disaster, war, oppression and disease.

local news

Pro-Life March and RallySeveral Catholic priests

participated in the St. Croix Right-to-Life Committee’s ecumenical pro-life march and rally in Christiansted on May 12. His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard was the keynote speaker at the rally. Pictured right, left to right, are Father John Juszczak, CSsR, Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR, Father Louis Kemayou and Father John Mark.

Father Dan Cambra and Brother Michael Baker of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, based at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, led a three-night mission at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas on April 11-13.

Divine Mercy Mission

Father Dan Cambra, MIC, celebrated a Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 15, and then invited parishioners to venerate a relic of St. Faustina.

St. Barnabas, apostle June 11 | St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church June 13 | Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 15 | Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary June 16 | St. Romuald, abbot June 19 | St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious June 21 | The Catholic Islander / June 2012 / www.catholicislander.com4

Knights of Malta in LourdesSome 300 members of the Knights and Dames of the Sovereign

Military Order of Malta made their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in May, bringing with them 55 “malades,” the French word for “sick.” Dr. Lina Batenga and Leslie Highfield Carter from Holy Cross Church on St. Croix, and Jerry and Christine Woodhouse from Our Lady of Perpetual Help on St. Thomas deposited written prayers from the faithful in the Virgin Islands in the Grotto of Massabielle where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.

Pictured below, Jerry and Christine Woodhouse cared for Peggy Higgins from New Jersey, a mother of four with aggressive breast cancer who had just finished chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Patronal Mass Father John Mark celebrated the patronal Mass of St. Joseph

the Worker at St. Joseph Church on St. Croix on May 1. A statue of St. Joseph was placed in front of the altar.

Prayer Group Mass Father Kevin McDonald, CSsR, celebrated the annual Mass of

Thanksgiving for the Our Mother of Perpetual Help prayer group in the residence of member Inez Walker on St. Croix on April 20.

Elegant Tea Party The Alumni Association of St. Patrick School on St. Croix held

an Elegant Tea Party at St. Gerard Hall on May 6 as a fundraiser for the school.

Redemptorist VisitFather Kevin Moley, CSsR, provincial superior of the

Redemptorists, visited the Redemptorist communities on St. Croix on April 18-21. Pictured below, he also visited the Missionaries of Charity on April 19.

Flea MarketThe fundraising committee of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix

held a flea market on the parish grounds on April 21 to help defray the expenses of maintaining the parish. Donated items included clothing, electronics, furniture, dishes and books. Drinks and snacks were sold.

St. Barnabas, apostle June 11 | St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church June 13 | Most Sacred Heart of Jesus June 15 | Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary June 16 | St. Romuald, abbot June 19 | St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious June 21 | 5

local news

Father John Mark and Deacon Guillermo Huertas gave blessed items to the mothers who attended the Spanish Mass at St. Joseph Church on St. Croix on Mothers’ Day, May 13.

Mothers’ Day

Members of the youth group at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on St. John distributed carnations at the end of Mass on Mothers’ Day.

St. Thomas More, martyr June 22 | Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 | St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor of the Church June 27 | St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr June 28 | Ss. Peter and Paul, apostles June 29 | First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church June 30

The men at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on St. John prepared and served brunch and the youth group members waited on tables on Mothers’ Day.

Honeymoon with HeartZach and Jordan Raus of Marietta, Georgia, honeymooned

on St. John, and helped feed the needy at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church’s Kallaloo Kitchen in the Guadalupe Hall on May 4.

Altar servers from Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas visited the homebound on May 12, the day before Mothers’ Day. They gave each mother a potted plant. They are pictured with Beatrice Greaux.

The Catholic Islander / June 2012 / www.catholicislander.com6

St. Thomas More, martyr June 22 | Nativity of St. John the Baptist June 24 | St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor of the Church June 27 | St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr June 28 | Ss. Peter and Paul, apostles June 29 | First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church June 30

Magnificat LuncheonCarol Winston-Victorine of Holy Family Church on

St. Thomas gave her moving testimony during the Magnificat Luncheon at Gertrude’s Restaurant on St. Croix on May 6.

Bible StudyPeggy Meyer leads a Bible study at Holy Cross Church’s

McAlpin Hall on St. Croix on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.

Home Rosary Members of the Hispanic community at Ss. Peter and

Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas gathers in the homes of different parishioners each night in May to pray the rosary.

7

Kids Learn Summer Enrichment CampRegistration is open for Kids Learn Summer Enrichment,

which will be held at Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas on June 18-July 27. The camp is a learning experience for children, ages 3 to 13, from low-income families. The camp offers an educational program in the morning and in the afternoon offers recreation, with an emphasis on cultural activities. The camp also allows the participants to explore their interest in music.

This year the theme for the camp will be “Around the Caribbean in Six Weeks.” Students will explore six countries of the Caribbean, focusing on traditional customs, arts and crafts, foods, dances, geography and history. The students will present a Caribbean fair showcasing the products of their research and demonstrating how these countries celebrate special events.

Catholic Charities’ June Food DrivePlease collect the following items at your church, school or workplace: • Canned beef stew• Boxed macaroni and cheese• Canned mixed vegetables

news from catholic charities

Student FundraiserStudents at Antilles

School on St. Thomas learned about hunger and homelessness and responded by raising $300 for Catholic Charities’ Bethlehem House Shelter for the Homeless. The sixth graders ended their study dramatically with an “Empty Bowl” luncheon on May 9, where they were served only a small bowl of soup, a piece of bread and a glass of water.

Donations for the NeedyMembers of Lions Club donated food and supplies to

Bethlehem House Shelter for the Homeless on St. Thomas on April 14.

Building a Medical Exam RoomWorkers from My Brother’s Workshop put the finishing

touches on the medical exam room at Bethlehem House Shelter for the Homeless on St. Thomas on May 10. The room will be used by volunteer physicians in a pilot project to bring medical care to the homeless and underserved. The project was initiated by First Lady Cecile deJongh and supported by volunteer medical professionals from the private and public sector. Catholic Charities board members Odile de Lyrot and Alfred Heath have been involved in the planning process.

Catholic Charities Supports Camp ShriverCatholic Charities of the Virgin Islands (CCVI)

is organizing registration, volunteers and financial contributions for this summer’s Camp Shriver. This free sports camp for youth with developmental disabilities, ages 8 to 15, will be held at Addilita Cancryn Junior High School on St. Thomas on July 9-27.

During the three-week period, campers learn sports skills, participate in individual and team sports, build friendships and have fun. Campers are partnered with young volunteers without disabilities, and the teammates participate jointly in daily activities, thereby developing camaraderie, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Camp Shriver will mark its sixth year in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The camp was introduced to the territory in 2007 by First Lady Cecile de Jongh and Deborah Delone, former executive director of CCVI. Camp Shriver was founded in 1962 by the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver.


¡buenas noticias!

Campamento de veranoEl Campamento de Enriquecimiento

de Apredizaje de verano se ofrecerá en la Escuela San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás del 18 de junio al 27 de julio. La matrícula ya está abierta. Este campamento es una experiencia de aprendizaje para niños entre las edades de 3 a 13 años de familias de bajos recursos económicos.

El campamento ofrece un programa educacional en la mañana y recreación en las tardes, enfatizado con actividades culturales, entre ellas permite que los participantes exploren su interés en la música. El tema este año será ”Alrededor del Caribe en seis semanas” en el cual los niños se enfocarán en seis países caribeños, sus costumbres, arte, comidas, bailes, geografía e historia así como artes manuales. Al final, demostrarán sus descubrimientos de cómo se celebran ciertos eventos especiales.

Las Caridades Católicas apoyan el Campamento Shriver

Caridades Católicas está organizando la matrícula, los voluntarios y las contribuciones financieras para ofrecer el Campamento Shriver en Sto. Tomás este verano. Este campamento gratuito se ofrece en la Escuela Addelita Cancryn del 9 al 27 de julio y está diseñado para los niños y jóvenes de entre 8 y 15 años que tengan discapacidades mentales.

Colecta especialLa segunda colecta del 25-26 de

junio será para Peter’s Pence. Este es un fondo que utiliza el Papa para ayudar filantrópicamente en los casos de desastres naturales, guerras, opresión y enfermedad.

Educación para adultosLa Iglesia Holy Cross en Sta. Cruz,

con la colaboración de las Hermanas del Buen Pastor, ofrece lecciones de alfabetización en español, inglés como segunda idioma y cursos de computación (Windows, Word, Excel e internet) en el Centro Buen Pastor. Este servicio va dirigido prioritariamente a la población inmigrante de idioma española.

Reuniones mensuales de espiritualidad y oraciónSto. Tomás• El Presidio María, Arca de la Alianza,

de la Legión de María se reúne en el Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo los domingos a las 2 p.m.

• Un círculo de oración se reúne en el Salón de Hospitalidad de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo los lunes a las 6 p.m.

Sta. Cruz• Miembros del Movimiento de Cursillos

de Cristiandad llevan la imagen de la Virgen María, hacen una meditación y rezan el rosario en casas privadas el 11 de junio y el segundo lunes de cada mes a las 7 p.m. Llamen a la Iglesia San José para asistir.

• Miembros del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad dirigen un círculo de oración en la Capilla San Miguel de la Iglesia San José el 25 de junio y el último lunes de cada mes a las 7 p.m.

• Feligreses rezan el rosario y comparten las lecturas del próximo domingo en la Iglesia Holy Cross los martes a las 7 p.m.

• Miembros del Movimiento de Cursillos de Cristiandad se reúnen para la ultreya en su oficina de la Iglesia San José los jueves después de la Misa de las 7 p.m.

• Feligreses rezan un rosario pro-vida bilingüe en la Iglesia San José los viernes a las 6 p.m.

Protección de niñosLa Diócesis de Sto. Tomás en las Islas

Vírgenes está comprometida a proteger a los niños de todo daño. Si Ud. tiene conocimiento de algún sacerdote, diácono o empleado de la iglesia que haya abusado de algún menor, favor de comunicarse inmediatamente con la Coordinadora Diocesana de la Protección de los Niños, Callista Julien, al (340) 774-3166 o (340) 719-4020.

Mayo es el mes de María

Celebrando mayo como el mes de María, un imagen de la Virgen Madre fue coronado al comienzo de la Misa en español en la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás el 6 de mayo.

Miembros de la comunidad hispana de la Catedral San Pedro y San Pablo en Sto. Tomás fueron a las casas de familias hispanas cada noche para orar el rosario.

99

Founders DaySt. Patrick School on St. Croix celebrated Founders Day with

“A Taste of the Caribbean,” an international food fair, at St. Gerard Hall on May 1, in celebration of the school’s 146th anniversary. The food was prepared by students, parents and faculty. Father Patrick Lynch, CSsR, led the opening prayer, and the students sang the school song, “Hail to St. Patrick School.” Pictured below, Elizabeth John Baptiste, principal, addressed the students, faculty and guests.

Graduations and PromotionsSt. Patrick School, St. Croix• Eighth grade graduation is at St. Patrick Church on

Friday, June 1, at 4:30 p.m.

St. Mary School, St. Croix• Eighth grade Mass and graduation is at Holy Cross

Church on Saturday, June 2, at 11 a.m.

St. Joseph High School, St. Croix• Graduation is at St. Joseph Church on Sunday, June 3, at

3 p.m.

Ss. Peter and Paul School, St. Thomas• Eighth grade promotion is at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral

on Thursday, June 7, at 4 p.m.

catholic education May CrowningSt. Mary School on St. Croix celebrated the coronation

of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 10. Pictured below, Bianca Rames crowns the statue, assisted by Zara Bengoa.

Reading CarnivalStudents from St.

Joseph High School on St. Croix led a reading carnival in the classrooms and on the campus on April 28. The high school students read to elementary school students. Lunch was provided, the school’s steel pan band played, and the children enjoyed a slide and a jump room.

Professional Development for TeachersTeachers from St. Patrick School on St. Croix learned

new teaching techniques in Barcelonetta, Puerto Rico, on April 27. They were introduced to the Waterford program, designed to help students remain on task while improving academically. Upon approval for purchase, St. Patrick will be the first private school in the Virgin Islands to use the Waterford program.

History, Economy and TourismRepresentatives from the Virgin Islands Department

of Tourism spoke to students at St. Mary School on St. Croix on May 11 on the importance of tourism to the local economy and the role that local history and culture can play in attracting tourists. A question and answer session was held to strengthen the students’ knowledge of native foods, music and historical sites.


First Communion Msgr. Jerome Feudjio administered First Communion to 25

children during Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on May 6.

Father Anthony Abraham and members of the staff at Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas showcased those who received their Baptism and/or First Communion the previous weekend during the school Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on May 11. The students wore the clothes they wore at their reception of the sacraments at their church.

Father John Juszczak, CSsR, gave First Communion to Zugeily Reyes (pictured below) and 30 other children during Sunday Mass at Holy Cross Church on St. Cross on April 29.

spotlight on Youth

May Crowning St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas had its annual May

Procession through Frenchtown with the image of Mary on May 6. Once the procession arrived at the chapel, Ana Pia Brunt crowned the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Youth Lead Mass The youth group at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on

St. John ministered at Mass on April 22.

First Holy CommunionVirgin Islands parishes will continue offering the sacrament

of First Eucharist to their religious education students at weekend Masses in June.• St. Ann Church on St. Croix will have First Eucharist on

Sunday, June 3, at 9:30 a.m.• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John will have First

Eucharist on Sunday, June 10, 9:30 a.m.

Youth Rally and RetreatThe Diocesan Youth Ministry, St. Thomas/St. John, will

hold a rally for youth, ages 13-25, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John on Saturday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kyle Dardaine of the Companions of the Transfigured Christ community in Trinidad is the guest speaker. The presentations and workshops will focus on the challenges facing youth.

The Diocesan Youth Ministry, St. Croix, is hosting a retreat for youth, ages 14-19, at St. Gerard Hall on June 29-July 1. The presentations and workshops will focus on self-identity, sex, understanding the Mass, forgiveness and the Blessed Mother. The weekend includes praise and worship, dancing, games and a talent show. Registration forms are available at parish offices. A $25 registration fee includes meals for the weekend.

11

Msgr. Jerome Feudjio, rector of the cathedral, and Bishop Bevard posed before a spiral staircase to the choir loft and a confessional. The renovations call for the construction of new stairs and confessionals.

Cathedral Restoration Launches Phase 3


By His Excellency, Bishop Herbert Bevard

M y dear people,With great joy and gratitude to Almighty

God, I am happy to announce that Phase II of the Renovation Project for Ss. Peter and

Paul Cathedral has been successfully completed! Phase I of this project consisted in developing architectural plans for the restoration and repair of the cathedral and the adjoining rectories. Phase II started over a year and a half ago and consisted of the following efforts:

1. The repair of the foundation of the building and the construction of catchment areas for rainwater from Frenchman’s Hill. This allows for the evacuation of water away from the foundation of the cathedral.

2. The repair and strengthening of columns within the cathedral which support the roof. The columns now are designed to be earthquake resistant.

3. The strengthening and repair of the beams in the attic of the cathedral. These beams support the roof. They now are completely renewed, repaired and will be much more supportive in the event of a hurricane.

4. The replacement of the roof and rain gutters.5. The complete repair of the cupola and the cross

on the small tower rising from the façade.6. The purchase of an electronic bell system.7. The installation of stained glass windows in the nave of

the cathedral. Having completed Phase II, I will soon hold a news

conference in which I will officially announce the beginning of Phase III, which will consist of the following efforts:

Cover Story

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this huge effort

Msgr. Feudjio and Bishop Bevard posed before one of the cathedral's 10 new stained glass windows

Workers installed a new cross high above the façade of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on April 9.

1. The installation of stained glass windows in the choir loft.2. The repair of the choir loft and the construction of a suitable

staircase to that area.3. The removal of the choir from in front of the St. Joseph side

altar.4. The upgrading of the air conditioning system.5. The installation of new sound and video systems.6. Electrical rewiring of the entire building.7. The installation of new and improved lighting.8. The rendering of the walls for future repair and painting.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this

huge effort in the past. Because of your interest and generosity, so much has been accomplished. We have been able to finish Phase II without borrowing money from the bank. I am also happy to tell you that even though Phase II cost over $1 million, the vast majority of that money has been paid.

Our cathedral is a work of art and is worthy of any sacrifice we have to make to save it. As we look forward to the commencement of Phase III, I ask you to renew your interest, your prayer and your spirit of generosity. In particular, I would like to offer you the opportunity to dedicate one of the stained

glass windows in memory of a loved one (or loved ones). More information about this can be obtained by calling me at my office in the Catholic Chancery (340-774-3166).

May God bless you and Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Sincerely yours in Christ,Most Reverend Herbert A. BevardBishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

13

U.S. Bishops Challenge President Obama on Marriage

The decision by the voters of North Carolina to define marriage in a constitutional amendment as the union of one man and one woman “affirms the authentic and timeless meaning of marriage,” said Bishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Diocese of Oakland, California. Bishop Cordileone, chairman of the Subcommittee on the Promotion and Defense of Marriage of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), applauded the May 8 decision.

“The success of this amendment demonstrates people’s awareness of the essential role that marriage, as the union of a man and a woman, plays for the common good,” said Bishop Cordileone on May 10. “Despite his comments yesterday, I would hope that President Obama would recognize this essential role as well. This is not a partisan issue, but a matter of justice, fairness and equality for the law to uphold every child’s basic right to be welcomed and raised by his or her mother and father together.”

He added, “I extend my gratitude to all of the people in North Carolina who worked tirelessly to make this a reality. The people of North Carolina join millions of other Americans in affirming the importance of marriage in our society.”

the Church in the worldNorth Carolina is the 30th state to pass a constitutional

amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The statement of Bishop Burbidge is available online at www.dioceseofraleigh.org/news/view.aspx?id=1486.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued the following statement on May 9.

“President Obama’s comments today in support of the redefinition of marriage are deeply saddening. As I stated in my public letter to the president on September 20, 2011, the Catholic bishops stand ready to affirm every positive measure taken by the President and the administration to strengthen marriage and the family. However, we cannot be silent in the face of words or actions that would undermine the institution of marriage, the very cornerstone of our society. The people of this country, especially our children, deserve better. Unfortunately, President Obama’s words today are not surprising since they follow upon various actions already taken by his administration that erode or ignore the unique meaning of marriage. I pray for the president every day, and will continue to pray that he and his administration act justly to uphold and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. May we all work to promote and protect marriage and by so doing serve the true good of all persons.”


Bishop Joins Protest in Suriname

Bishop Wilhelmus de Bekker of the Diocese of Paramaribo, Suriname, joined fellow religious leaders and those from civil society in a 5,000-strong silent protest march on April 10 to demonstrate against the amnesty legislation that was passed by Suriname’s National Assembly on April 4.

“The controversial amnesty law

provides impunity for several suspects, including Suriname’s president and current Caribbean Community (CARICOM) chairman Desi Bouterse, for the extra-judicial killing of 15 opponents of Bouterse’s then military government on December 8, 1982 in the Fort Zeelandia military headquarters” reported the Caribbean News Now website.

Among the protesters were children and surviving relatives of the 15 slain

pro-democracy activists. Interestingly, two of the suspects, former army officers Edgar Ritfeld and Ruben Rozendaal, participated in the march. They told reporters that they do not want amnesty, and insisted that the trial continue without any hindrance from the political authorities.

Suriname’s Christian Council and Inter-Religious Organization helped organize the march.

Pro-Life VigilJohn Fewel (at the far right), a seminarian for the Diocese of St.

Thomas in the Virgin Islands, and fellow seminarians from Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, prayed the rosary for life in the freezing rain outside Planned Parenthood in Brighton, Massachusetts, on March 1.

Golden JubilarianFather Carlyle Blake, CSsR, who served at Ss. Peter and Paul

Cathedral on St. Thomas and St. Patrick Church on St. Croix, celebrates 50 years as a priest on June 17.

Father Blake was born on St. Thomas on August 3, 1935, and first professed vows as a Redemptorist on August 2, 1957. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1962. He served in the Virgin Islands as rector of the cathedral in 1972-78 and then as pastor of St. Patrick Church until 1982. Father Blake has been living in semi-retirement in New York City since 2007, occasionally preaching missions and serving as chaplain on cruise ships.

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Our Blessed Mother’sMessage from Medjugorje

April 25, 2012

“Dear children! Also today I am calling you to prayer, and may your heart, little children, open towards God as a flower opens towards the warmth of the sun. I am with you and I intercede for all of you. Thank you for having responded to my call.”Courtesy of the Order of Malta | John and Claire Foster

Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul: June 29

The feast of Ss. Peter and Paul on June 29 commemorates the martyrdom of both of these great Apostles. Tradition holds that both Peter and Paul were martyred on this day in the year 67 – Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was slain by a sword.

St. PeterSt. Peter had been a fisherman in Galilee when Jesus

called him to be one of his Twelve Apostles. Peter was poor and uneducated, but he was also candid and loving. When Jesus asked his apostles who they thought he was, Peter responded, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This confession set Peter apart and Jesus named him to be the head of the Church. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you

Ss. Peter and Paul

are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:17-18).

About 10 years after the Ascension of Christ, Peter went to Rome, the center of the Roman Empire. He lived and preached in Rome for 25 years before he was crucified by order of Nero. He was buried on Vatican Hill where St. Peter Basilica now stands.

St. PaulSt. Paul was originally called Saul of Tarsus. He was born of

Jewish parents and studied in Jerusalem. While still a young man, Paul became a soldier and persecuted the Christians. He oversaw the stoning of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. “They threw him [Stephen] out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul” (Acts

7:58).Soon after that, Paul was heading towards the city of Damascus

where he planned to persecute the Christians living there. “On his journey…a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? ... I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:3-6). This was the moment of Saul’s conversion. His name was changed to Paul and he became one of the greatest leaders of the early Church and the “Apostle to the Gentiles” bringing the Word of God to the non-Jewish peoples.

saint of the month


Jesus called the children to himself and said, “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”(Luke 18:16)

The Missionariesof Charity, St. Croix

Missionariesof Charity

“Our hearts were made for you, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.” – St. Augustine of Hippo

Courtesy of Dr. Stephen and Maribel Okiye

Timeless Wisdomfrom the Saints

“Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing.”

Courtesy of Alfredo’s Landscaping, St. John

Lessons in Lifefrom Blessed Mother

Teresa of Calcutta


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Protection of children: The Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands is committed to protecting children from all harm. If you have knowledge that any priest, deacon or church worker may have abused a minor, please contact the diocesan child protection coordinator, Callista Julien, at (340) 774-3166 or (340) 719-4020.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose,you are the ever Virgin Maryand Mother of the true God;pray for us to your most holy Son. Amen.

Courtesy of Dr. Norma Carrillo

and family

T he Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, which is celebrated this year on June 3, has been traced back to St. Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 12th century England. Historians say that the

celebration of this day began when Thomas celebrated a liturgy in honor of the Trinity in his cathedral. In the 14th century, Trinity Sunday came to be observed by the entire Church.

Since the earliest beginnings of Christianity, our Church doctrine has professed that though God is the only god, God exists in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Christians believe God is one, in three persons, sharing one nature.

The word “trinity” combines two other words: “tri” meaning three, and “une” meaning one. The word “trinity” then means “three in one.”

Do not be fooled. Any person or group, i.e., the Jehovah’s Witnesses, that does not believe that God the Father is God, that Jesus his Son is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God, is neither a Christian nor a Christian group.

HistoryThe belief in the Trinity goes back to the New Testament.

Scripture has no single term for the three Divine Persons as one. The terms trinity and triune do not appear in Scripture, but Jesus pointed to the concept, and the concept was mentioned about 40 times in the New Testament. Christ was speaking not only of the external relations of God but of the very inner life of the triune God.

The Trinity was affirmed as an article of faith by the Nicene (325 AD) and Athanasian (circa 500 AD) creeds. These creeds were formulated and ratified by the Church in reaction to heterodox theologies, some involving the nature of the Trinity, and Christ’s position in it. These creeds have been retained in some form by most Protestant denominations.

In the sixth century, Pope Vigilius I noted that Christians are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not in their names. The use of the singular, “name,” and not the plural, demonstrates the belief that these three Persons are one omnipotent God.

Catholic spirituality The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

MysteryOf all the mysteries of our faith, the Trinity is the deepest and

the richest. The mystery of the Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith.

We never would have come to know this mystery if it had not been revealed to us. St. Augustine attempts to explain this mystery in the fourth century. St. Augustine’s conception of the Trinity is that God is love. The Father is the lover, the Son is the loved one, and the Holy Spirit is the love they send forth. In order to love, there must be an object of love. The subject must love something or someone. If there was not God the Son, then God the Father would have had no one to love prior to creation, so he could not have been love. If God was not love from the beginning, then he would have had to change, and God does not change. He is always perfect. God had to have an object of his love. The object of God’s love is God the Son. The Son always existed from all eternity with God the Father, sharing love. The Son only took on the name of Jesus when he came onto earth, when he took on human existence. The bond of that love, or the energy of that love, is what we call the Holy Spirit. The energy of love between the Father and the Son is the third person of the Trinity.

Teaching ChildrenThese analogies are far from perfect, but they can help stimulate a

young mind to understand that three can be one and one can be three.• Younger Children: A triangle has three sides, yet it is one shape. Each

side of the triangle is necessary for its existence, each meets the other at the angles, and no sides are distinguishable.

• Young Children: Multiplication of 1. 1 x 1 x 1 = 1 is not the same as 1+1+1 = 3.

• Older Children: Love involves the love of the lover, the love of the loved, and the love they share. All three “loves” must be present to function.



n the Gospels, Jesus encountered people who were suffering and used his power to heal them – the sick, the lame and the blind. To undergo

a severe loss, like the loss of sight, is a life changing event that could challenge and stretch even the most faithful person’s belief in God’s love and his plan. This same challenge was one that Carmen Huertas, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix, found herself facing in the winter of 1993. Her life would be forever changed when she suddenly, and unexpectedly, became blind.

“I was born in Puerto Rico, where I grew up and attended school,” Carmen said. “I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education, and graduated in 1987. After that, I worked as a substitute teacher. I moved around for a few years and then I came back to St. Croix, to be closer to my family. When I came back I went back to being involved in the parish

Carmen HuertasFaith Overcomes the Challenge of Blindness

journey of faith

I– I was a religious education catechist, a lector at Mass, and helped create a youth group.”

One day would change all of that for Carmen. She underwent a severe medical issue.

“I think I went to heaven and they kicked me out,” she said, recalling what she remembers about that day. “I saw some of my former family members, and one of them said, ‘Ah, finally, here comes the one that we were missing.’ The other one said, ‘Nope! It is not her time.’ I woke up. I got up, I showered, I put on some make up, fixed myself, and I [suddenly] went blind.”

A series of hemorrhages in her eyes caused detached retinas and permanently removed her vision. She was confused, scared and in pain.

“Some of my thoughts were, ‘I cannot believe this. This cannot happen to me. Why is this happening to me? What did I do wrong? What is going on?’”

Carmen had to adjust to her new life, and after spending time in the U.S. learning how to do things for herself again, she returned to St. Croix.

“Since then I have been living day by day, asking God for guidance, praying to the Blessed Mother, and saying, ‘Hey, I need a hand.’”


She became active in a group that took a case to the federal court to help make places accessible to the disabled. She went back to school to get a Master’s Degree in school administration.

“I went to a convention in Atlanta in July 1999 with the National Federation for the Blind,” Carmen said. “I said to myself, ‘Okay, I am not alone in this,’ and I came back with batteries recharged. When there was an opening at the junior high school, I was able to get the job and I have been teaching for the past 14 years.”

Though she has experienced many successes, her life has been anything but easy. In addition to losing her sight, Carmen’s two daughters have had serious health problems, one losing her legs to diabetes and the other diagnosed with cancer. Yet still she goes on – praying for guidance and for the strength to continue despite the difficulties she has faced.

“I am praying every day and taking one day at a time. In the morning, I say one of my little prayers of the day, ‘Here I go, guide my path, watch my path, whatever you give to me, it is your will.”

To someone faced with a challenge like this, Carmen’s advice is to accept what is difficult and build up personal strength.

“It is not easy, but you need to have a lot of strength and confidence. Pray, ask for guidance from God and the blessed Mother, and believe in yourself, because if you do not believe in yourself, you will not have any faith in God.”


Rosary WalkSs. Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts a rosary walk on June 2 and the first Saturday of every month at 7 a.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m.

MagnificatMagnificat, an international ministry to Catholic women, meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on June 2 and the first Saturday of every month at 8 a.m.

Our Lady of Fatima DevotionThe Children of Mary lead a devotion to Our Lady of Fatima at Holy Family Church on June 2 and the first Saturday of every month at 4 p.m.

St. Joseph WorkersThe St. Joseph Workers meet at Holy Family Church’s Columban Hall on June 10 and the second Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m.

Catholic Daughters of AmericaCourt 2049 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on June 16 and the third Saturday of every month at 3 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul SocietyThe Young Vincentians meet on June 17 and the third Sunday of every month at 11:30 a.m. The adult members meet on June 23 and the fourth Saturday of every month at 3:30 p.m. Both groups meet in Holy Family Church’s classroom.

All-Night Prayer VigilHoly Family Church will have an all-night prayer vigil with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament beginning on Friday, June 29, after the 7 p.m. Mass and ending with Benediction and Mass the next morning at 6 a.m.

Knights of ColumbusCouncil 6187 meets at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on the first and third Sunday of every month at 10 a.m.

Legion of Mary• Presidium María, Arca de la Alianza, holds meetings in Spanish at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on Sundays at 2 p.m.• Presidium Mary, Mystical Rose, meets in Holy Family Church’s classroom on Sundays at 3 p.m.• Presidium Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, meets at the St. Anne Chapel hall on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Holy Hours / Eucharistic Adoration• St. Therese Chapel-Divine Mercy Shrine has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. until Benediction at 5:30 p.m. (Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.) and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until Benediction at 1 p.m.• Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church has Exposition on Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. until Benediction at 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.• Holy Family Church and St. Anne Chapel have Holy Hours with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at 6 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

Divine Mercy Chaplet• Altar servers from Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church lead the Divine Mercy chaplet at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Mondays at 3 p.m.• The chaplet is prayed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Tuesdays at 3 p.m.

St. Thomas CalendarCharismatic Prayer• Pray in Spanish at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s Hospitality Lounge on Mondays at 6 p.m.• Holy Family Church holds evenings of charismatic prayer on Mondays at 7 p.m.

Men’s Prayer GroupThe Sons of Joseph and Mary meet at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help DevotionsDevotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help are prayed before Mass on Wednesdays at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral at 6:45 a.m. and noon, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 6:15 p.m., at Holy Family Church at 6:50 p.m. and at St. Anne Chapel at 7 p.m.

Pro-Life RosaryPray a pro-life rosary at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m.

Intercessory Prayer GroupA team is prepared to pray for the needs of all who ask at Holy Family Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

World Apostolate of FatimaThe World Apostolate of Fatima meets at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursdays at 10 a.m.

parish calendars

Pride of the Parish

The Cultural Dancers from Holy Family Church on St. Thomas performed at Cultural Night at Lionel Roberts Stadium on April 18.



Holy Hours/Eucharistic Adoration• Holy Cross Church has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on June 1 and the first Friday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon.• 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 St. Ann Chapel on Fridays at 5:30 p.m.• St. Joseph Church has a Holy Hour with Exposition and Benediction on Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

Santo NiñoSt. Joseph Church hosts devotions to the Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus) on June 2 and the first Saturday of every month at 4:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during this time.

Pro-Life Prayer VigilThe St. Croix Right to Life Committee will hold a prayer vigil against abortion across from Dr. Marc Jerome’s office at Island Center, on Tuesday, June 12, at 5 p.m.

Charismatic Prayer• St. Patrick Church has charismatic prayer in the chapel on June 15 and the third Friday of each month at 6 p.m.• St. Ann Church has charismatic prayer in Marian Hall on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.• The Cenacle of Our Lady of the Rosary Intercessory Prayer Group meets at Franciscan House on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

MagnificatMagnificat, an international ministry to Catholic women, meets at Franciscan House on June 17 and the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m.

Carmelite SpiritualityThe Our Lady Star of the Sea Community shares Carmelite spirituality in the St. Joseph Church Hospitality Lounge and Learning Center on June 24 and the fourth Sunday of each month at 1 p.m.

Franciscan SpiritualityThe Our Lady of the Angels fraternity of the Third Order of St. Francis shares Franciscan spirituality at Franciscan

House on June 24 and the fourth Sunday of each month at 2 p.m.

Divine Mercy ChapletSt. Joseph Church hosts Divine Mercy devotions on June 24 and the fourth Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. The hour-long program includes the chaplet, prayers, adoration and teachings of the Divine Mercy by Father John Mark.

Cursillo Prayer GroupThe Cursillo Movement hosts a Spanish prayer meeting in the St. Michael Chapel at St. Joseph Church on June 25 and the last Monday of every month at 7 p.m.

Adult Education• The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM Sisters) offer classes in Pre-GED, GED, Computer Literacy, Intermediate Computer and English as a Second Language at the St. Patrick Learning Center on Monday through Thursday mornings.• The Religious of the Good Shepherd offer adult education classes in Spanish at the Good Shepherd Center from Mondays to Fridays. These courses include Spanish writing, English as a Second Language and computer courses in Windows, Word, Excel and internet.

Neo-Catechumenal WayThe Neo-Catechumenal Way leads a Celebration of the Word at St. Joseph Church on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.

Devotions to St. Gerard MajellaPray a devotion to St. Gerard Majella at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays at 8:45 a.m.

World Apostolate of FatimaThe World Apostolate of Fatima meets in the chapel at Holy Cross Church on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

Spanish Prayer and ReflectionPray the rosary and share reflections on the readings of the coming Sunday Mass at Holy Cross Church on alternate Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Meetings are in Spanish.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help DevotionsDevotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help are prayed at St. Patrick Church on Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., at Holy Cross Church on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:45 a.m., and at St. Joseph Church on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Intercessory PrayerDeacon Hyacinthe George is available for prayer and counseling at St. Ann Chapel on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Bible StudyHoly Cross Church hosts Bible studies in the parish’s McAlpin Hall on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m., following morning Mass.

Spiritual DirectionSister Patricia Alexander, WIF, is available for spiritual direction at Franciscan House on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call (340) 778-5773 for an appointment.

Shepherds of Christ AssociatesThe 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 every month at 5 p.m.

Knights of ColumbusHoly Cross Council #6482 meets at Holy Cross Church’s McAlpin Hall on the first and third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m.

Cursillo UltreyaCursillo 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.

Rosary for the UnbornSt. Joseph Church hosts a bilingual English/Spanish rosary for the unborn on Fridays at 6 p.m.

Legion of MaryPresidium Mary, Our Lady of Grace, meets in the Holy Cross Church rectory on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.

St. Croix Calendarparish calendars


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St. Croix

Prayer for Protectionfrom Hurricanes

God, our Father, Creator of the Universe, You have set the earth on its foundation and all the elements of nature obey Your command. We humbly beseech You to keep us safe

from all dangers and calm the storms which may threaten us. May we be secure in Your loving protection and serve You

always with grateful hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Courtesy of Ed Foerstel and family

Pride of the ParishAt the request of Bishop Herbert Bevard, Msgr.

Michael Kosak, vicar general, installed six deacon candidates to the ministry of lector at St. Ann Church on St. Croix on April 26. The new lectors posed afterwards with Msgr. Kosak and Deacon Joseph Mark, dean of the formation program. Left to right, front row, they are Reynold Modeste, Alvin Bedneau, Hector Arroyo, Tony Murray and Benjamin Parrilla; Deacon Mark and Marlon Braithwaite are in the middle row; Msgr. Kosak stands in the back row.

25

Pride of the ParishLeft to right, Michael Sorzano, Steven Burkholder and Ed August usually

play instruments at different Masses at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John, but on April 29 they all played at the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

parish calendars St. John Calendar

Visit the website of the Diocese of St. Thomas in

the Virgin Islands atwww.catholicvi.com

Read The Catholic Islander online at www.catholicislander.com

The latest diocesan newsand photographs

catholicislander.blogspot.comupdated twice weekly!

Legion of MaryPresidium Mary, Queen of Angels, meets in the Guadalupe Hall of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Free MealsOur Lady of Mt. Carmel Church’s Kallaloo Kitchen: Food for the Soul feeds the needy in the parish’s Guadalupe Hall on Mondays and Fridays at noon. Volunteers are welcomed.

Eucharistic AdorationOur Lady of Mt. Carmel Church has Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction on Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Charismatic PrayerOur Lady of Mt. Carmel Church hosts an hour of charismatic prayer on Thursdays at 7 p.m.



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Documents

Cathedral Restoration - Catholic Islander · Flea Market The fundraising committee of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix held a flea market on the parish grounds on April 21 to help defray