Bahama Catholic - August/September 2012

THE NEWSPAPER OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NASSAUJULY/AUGUST 2012 www.archdioceseofnassau.orgHappy Anniversary Archbishop Benedictine Volunteer Corps (Bahamas) Program launchedThe Most Rev. Patrick Pinder celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving to mark his For the past 121 years, The Benedictine Monks have been serving the Bahamian com-32nd anniversary as a priest and 9th Episcopal Anniversary at St. Cecilia’s munity. The tradition will be kept alive through The Benedictine Volunteer CorpParish on August 15th, 2012, (the feast of the Assumption of The Blessed (Bahamas), an initiative of the Monks of Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN in col-Virgin Mary.) Archbishop was ordained a priest in 1980 at Our Lady of the laboration with Archbishop Patrick Pinder. The program was launched in TheHoly Souls Parish by Archbishop Samuel Carter, Archbishop of Kingston, Archdiocese of Nassau on August 1st, 2012. Mr. D’arcy Rahming was appointedJamaica (deceased) and installed Archbishop of Nassau on May 4th, 2004. In the local co-ordinator. The volunteers are pictured from left to right: Tyler Etheridge,his homily Archbishop noted that both dates are, “moments of commitment Peter Blattner, Jack Dwyer and Charlie Swanson. See article on page 4to service”. (see Archbishop’s homily in its entirely on page 2). Archbishopis pictured above as a young priest performing the Sacrament of Baptism.Pope Benedict XVI declares a 'Year of Faith' Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year of Faith” which will fullness of time sent his Son for our salvation; Jesus Christ, begin on October 11th, 2012, the 50th anniversary of the open- who in the mystery of his death and resurrection redeemed ing of the Second Vatican Council and to conclude Nov. 24, the world; the Holy Spirit, who leads the Church across the 2013- The Feast of Christ The King. The following is his centuries as we await the Lord’s glorious return. Apostolic Letter. 2. Ever since the start of my ministry as Successor of Peter, I 1. The “door of faith” (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ush- have spoken of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so ering us into the life of communion with God and offering as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusi- entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold asm of the encounter with Christ. During the homily at the when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows Mass marking the inauguration of my pontificate I said: “The itself to be shaped by transforming grace. To enter through Church as a whole and all her Pastors, like Christ, must set out that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. It to lead people out of the desert, towards the place of life, begins with baptism (cf. Rom 6:4), through which we can towards friendship with the Son of God, towards the One who address God as Father, and it ends with the passage through gives us life, and life in abundance.”[1] It often happens that death to eternal life, fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, Christians are more concerned for the social, cultural and whose will it was, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, to draw those political consequences of their commitment, continuing to who believe in him into his own glory (cf. Jn 17:22). To profess think of the faith as a self-evident presupposition for life in faith in the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is to believe society. Continued on page 13 in one God who is Love (cf. 1 Jn 4:8): the Father, who in the

PAGe 2 ARCHBISHOP CELEBRATES PRIESTLY & EPISCOPAL ANNIVERSARIESArchbishopSpeaks “I consider both dates moments of commitment to service”Archbi shop Patri ck C. Pi nder, S TD, CMG in heaven.” This is associ- During the Year of Faith I invite you all to gold medal in track and field. ated with the ‘keys’ given read the Council’s Dogmatic Constitution Of course, there were others from the region on the Church. A dogmatic constitution is like Kirani James who won a gold medal forThe following is the homily delivered by to Peter in Matthew 16:19. the highest statement a council can make. Grenada who was merely 19 years old. ButArchbishop Patrick C. Pinder, S.T.D. on the It is associated with the Sacrament of This document Lumen Gentium (which most of all, one cannot overlook the incred-occasion of his 32nd Anniversary as priest Reconciliation. Do we use this instrument translates Light of the Nations) speaks of ible achievement of Usain Bolt of Jamaica.and his 9th Episcopal Anniversary at St. of renewal given us by Christ? the Church in a unique way. Notice his extravagant gestures as he rev- eled in victory. But do not fail to lookCecilia’s Parish, August 15, 2012. During the month of October the Holy It speaks of the Church as a mystery, as the beyond these mere gestures. People of God and as the Body of Christ. It Father will open a Year of Faith. It will run One does not achieve what he achieved with- out a great deal of dedication and disciplineReadi ng s : from October 11, 2012-November 24, 2013 and hard work. One does not achieve what our Bahamian athletes achieved without theEzekiel 9:1-7, 10, 18-22 same dedication, discipline and hard work and not hours or days or weeks or monthsMatthew 18:15-20 but years of commitment. Nothing that is worthwhile is easy to achieve. There is noOn this date, thirty-two years ago, at Our easy road to success and accomplishment inLady’s Church I was ordained a priest. I was life. I know that. The Gospel teaches thatin my mid 20’s. On this date, nine years ago when it says that the way to life is the wayat Loyola Hall, I was ordained a Bishop. I of the Cross.was in my late 40’s. I consider both datesmoments of commitment to service. I thank Now, much has happened since that warmGod for the opportunity to serve, even August night thirty-two years ago when Ithough often the road is rough and load is was ordained a priest. Much has happenedburdensome. since that August night nine years ago when I was ordained a bishop. It is all the work ofOn the Universal Church’s Calendar today is the Lord that has occupied me.the Feast of the Assumption of the BlessedVirgin Mary. It is a Solemnity, the most My ambition is simply to preach and to livesolemn of feasts. Every month of the litur- the Gospel. I take solace in the Suscipe ofgical calendar there is a feast devoted to St. Ignatius of Loyola:Mary. There is a reason for this. It serves toremind us that God is not an idea but a per- “Take Lord and receive all my liberty, myson. He is fully present among us in Jesus memory my understanding, my entire will,Christ. Every person has a mother. all that I have and possess.I am usually away on vacation in the month Archbishop is pictured with Fr. Alain Lav erne and Msgr. Simeon Roberts at the Mass of You have given all to me, to you, O Lord, Iof August. My schedule dictates that. This Thank sgiv ing. return it. All is yours. Dispose of it accord-year, there is a difference, however. ing to your will.When I was here with you a few weeks ago I (the Feast of Christ the King). October speaks of a Pilgrim Church and it reminds us Give me only your love and your grace forexplained that during the month of October 11th, 2012 is also the 50th Anniversary of of our universal call to holiness. Indeed, we that is sufficient for me.”I will travel to Rome for the XIII Ordinary the opening the Second Vatican Council. are each pilgrims in pursuit of that call toSession of the World Synod of Bishops. For holiness. We live out our faith in following I thank all of you who have taken the time tothat reason I decided to forego my August Again, I mentioned here before that the that call. The Corporal and Spiritual Works join me in this simple celebration. I askvacation. Council which ran from 1962-1965 (meet- of Mercy guide us on that way. you to join me too in remembering a simple ing in the fall of each of those years), fash- prayer for guidance as we travel our pilgrimThe theme for the Synod of Bishops is The ioned the visible shape of our Church as we Celebrating the Eucharist is central to that way following our call to holiness: know it today. journey of pilgrimage in response to ourNew Evangelization for the Transmission of call to be Holy. Out of this will come much “Lord, please allow us despite all the distrac- Because of the Second Vatican Council we good by way of Family Life and by way of tion and disappointments of daily life to seethe Christian Faith. The New have Mass in English and not in Latin as it Vocations. This pilgrimage is not easy. No you more clearly, love you more dearly and was when I was a child. Because of the significant achievement is easy. This is a follow you more nearly, day by day.”Evangelization causes us to think anew Council we have the RCIA, Permanent lesson our friends who love to buy numbers Diaconate, parish councils, renewed rites of will hopefully learn someday.about how the Gospel we have heard all all the Sacraments and wider use of Scripture in worship. Recently, we observed the Olympic Gamesthese years affects the way we live. taking place in London. It is said that the This latter point accords well with the words Olympics is the world’s largest stage. TheLook for a minute at today’s Gospel. It is a of St. Jerome who noted that knowledge of countries of our region did their best ever atmessage of Forgiveness and scripture is knowledge Christ and ignorance these Olympics. We salute in particular ourReconciliation. Has that taken root in our of scripture is ignorance of Christ. Bahamian athletes who returned home with alives? How has it taken root in our lives?In the Gospel Jesus says, “Whatever youbind on earth will be bound in heaven andwhatever you loose on earth will be loosed

PAGe 3AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE Pastoral appointment Fr. David Cooper Archbishop Patrick Pinder, in The Bahamas for 37 years. Msgr Ambrose MacKinnon appointed pastor, announced the appointment of the Fr. Remy David will serve as retires as pastor,Mary, Star of The Sea new pastor of Mary, Star of the Sea Associate Pastor and Deacon Nixon Parish as Fr. David Cooper, effective Lindor remains the Deacon of the Mary, Star of The Sea Church September 1st, 2012. Fr. Cooper has parish. At a date to be determined, been named to replace Monsignor the parish and the entire Ambrose MacKinnon, SFM. Archdiocese will express its grati- Monsignor been away on medical tude to Msgr. MacKinnon. He was leave for the past year and now due the only remaining priest from the to health challenges has retired after Scarboro Foreign Mission Society in serving at the parish for 24 years and The Bahamas.Anniversaries Fr. Nduka Uzor says farewell to the people of the ArchdioceseDeacon Francis Tremblay It will be the memories of “wonderful friendships” that Fr. 10 years (Diaconate) Nduka Uzor, MSP will keep close to his heart when he returns to his native Nigeria, after serving here for twoSr. Anne Thompson, OSB years and seven months as assistant pastor at St. Anselm 50 years (Religious) Parish. His way of adjusting to the Bahamian culture was simple; he believed that “you get what you give….If you Sr. Vernice Wilson,OSB give love you get love in return.” This is exactly what he did. 45 years (Religious) As a result of his humility and loving attitude towards Bahamians, Fr. Nduka developed wonderful friendships. He was recalled by his religious order to return to Nigeria on September 1st, 2012. Going to further spread his knowledge and wisdom with others, he will be leaving to study Liturgy in order to lecture in his congregation’ s seminary: The National Missionary Seminary of St. Paul of Nigeria. “I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful Bahamian people and A Mass of Thank sgiv ing was held on August 27th, 2012, to say the missionary nature of the Bahamian church, Fr. says. “farewell”to Fr. Nduk a Uzor, MSP. He was recalled by his religious In the past two years Father says he has learnt many order to return to Nigeria on September 1st, 2012. Bahamian adages and have applied them in many of his hom- He is pictured with Msgr. Preston Moss, pastor of St. Anselm ilies in an effort to get his message across. “I will always Parish. Fr. Nduk a serv ed at the parish for two y ears. remember the \"eh\" added at the end of words and words like 'lil'” and “kupunkle up” he said. effort to know their faith”. He also went on to say that he believes that respect for the elderly is very important. He He advocates that as Christians, we must always forgive one believes that the elderly’s strong values should be transmit- another as Christ forgave us. That is the way forward for the ted to the younger generations. “ I crave for a greater spirit of human society if we vanish it with love. understanding among one another.” He believes that this as well as the way we treat one another can help in the fight Father has visited every island where there is a Catholic against our nation’s crime. Church, except Bimini and has tried almost every Bahamian dish there is to try. However, Johnny cake is his favourite. “I will miss the “great friendships and support from the cler- gy of the Archdiocese” Fr. says. During Fr. Nduka’s mission here, he gave many presenta- tions at retreats and missions and schools throughout the He noted that he is grateful to Archbishop Pinder and Msgr. Archdiocese, and credits those experiences as something Preston Moss for the opportunity to serve in The Bahamas. that has developed him personally as a priest. God Bless Fr. Nduka in his new ministry. “ I desire to see a more committed laity who make an extra -PSR

PAGe 4 Archbishop greets new youth coordinators Archbishop Pinder welcomes new youth coordinators, Charlie Swanson and Peter Blattner to the Chancery Office. They are volunteers of the Benedictine Volunteer Corp (Bahamas), which was launched in the Archdiocese of Nassau on August 1st, 2012. Charlie and Peter will coordinate the day-to-day activities in the Youth Department, as Jay Cartwright, former Director of Youth is attending St. Meinrad’s Seminary. Pictured from left to right are: Archbishop, Charlie, Peter and Jay. Benedictine Volunteer Corps (Bahamas) Program launchedContinued from page 1 All four men say they are looking forward to building the Peter Blattner grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota with a fam- community and establishing a good repport with the youth. ily of 5. He became connected with Saint John’s at an earlyAbout the programme age when he went to St. John’s Preparatory School begin- Meet the volunteers: ning in Middle School and all the way through High School.These volunteers will lead a life of prayer and service He then attended Grinnell College in Iowa for one yearinspired by the Rule of St. Benedict. Although not monks, Jack Dwyer was born in Duluth, Minnesota. As a youth, he before heading back to Collegeville to finish at St. John’sthey follow in the footsteps of a strong Benedictine tradition took an early interest in music; learning to play the piano, where he majored in Sociology. During college, Peter keptin the Bahamas, which began in 1891 and ended with the cello and guitar. When he reached high school, his family busy as a lifeguard and on mock trial. After graduation, helast monk leaving in early 2012. moved to central Minnesota where he attended St. John’s joined the Benedictine Volunteers where he was assigned to Preparatory School. This was his first experience with Israel. He worked in the Holy Land, where he was respon-Brother Paul Richards, OSB in 2003, founded the Benedictine monks, but it would not be his last. After high sible for running and maintaining a camp for pilgrims,Benedictine Volunteer Corp. The Benedictine Volunteer school, he spent one year at college in Washington, DC school, and handicapped groups. \"My time in Israel wasCorps sends graduates of Saint John's University to before transferring to St. John’s University. During his time incredible, and I came back with a deeper appreciation forBenedictine monasteries around the world for a year of at SJU he was a Resident Assistant, member of the men’s the wonderful complexity of community and dedication toservice. The volunteers join in the apostolic work of the chorus and Abbey School, played in a folk band, worked for good work.\" Peter serves as a youth coordinator in themonastery they serve. Some of the sites and assignment the university development office and served on a commu- Archdiocesan Youth Department.includes eaching at Saint Maur's Abbey - Hanga in nity conduct board. After graduating with a degree inTanzania, medical service and technology development at Management, he spent his first year at Glenstal Abbey, Charlie Swanson grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota where heResurrection Priory - Coban, Guatemala, managing a food Ireland while in the service of the Benedictine Volunteer was deeply involved in sports and scouts. After having anpantry at Saint James Parish - Chicago, Serving refresh- Corps. Jack serves as guest master at the monastery. older brother graduate from SJU, it was a clear choice thatments and guests at The Benedictine Monastery of Tabgha he would go to Saint John’s. There he studied Biochemistryon The Sea of Galilee in The Holy Land. Tyler Etheridge grew up in Eau Claire, WI, where his fami- and Mathematics but kept just as busy as a student ambas- ly lives on a hobby farm raising Belted Galloway beef cattle. sador, a student senator, and an orientation coordinator inMembers of The Benedictine Volunteer Corps in The After graduating from Eau Claire North High School he the office of student activities and leadership development.Bahamas are made up Jack Dwyer, Peter Blattner, Tyler went to Wartburg College in Waverly, IA for one year before \"My senior year, I had my eyes opened to how privilegedEtheridge and Charlie Swanson, who will serve here for one transferring to Saint John’s University. As a student at Saint and lucky I was to have all the great opportunities that Iyear and commit to The Benedictine life at St. Augustine’s John’s he studied biology, worked at the Outdoor grew up with. I then realized that I had to give back.\" HeMonastery, Fox Hill. Leadership Center, and was a member of both the track and decided to postpone pursuing a career in teaching to better field and cross-country teams. After graduating in 2011 he discern his calling by joining the BVC and was thenTheir ministry to the Archdiocese will include youth min- served his first year of the BVC at Saint Maurus’ Abbey in assigned to Chicago, IL. There, Charlie helped direct one ofistry coordinators, teaching and coaching. They will also Hanga, Tanzania as a biology teacher at two secondary Chicago's largest food pantries located at Saint Jamesmaintain a daily prayer regimen balanced with their work schools and worked in the medical dispensary. He enjoys a Catholic Church on the south sideof the city. Charlie enjoysschedule, following St. Benedict notable saying “ora et lab- number of hobbies, including running, reading and cook- outdoor activities such as swimming and camping as wellora” … translated means “work and prayer”. ing, which he hopes to share with the community here in as more academic subjects such as science and computer Nassau. \"My motivation for volunteering in the SJUBVC technology. Charlie serves as a youth coordinator in theAccording to Charlie, “in addition to our ministry outside was to develop my cultural appreciation by living and Archdiocesan Youth Department.of the monastery we hope to run a small bakery, farm a large working in a foreign country, exploring my spirituality andgarden and raise animals such as chickens.” He also added, the role religion can play in my life, and begin giving back The Benedictine Volunteer Corps (Bahamas) website is:“As St. Augustine was self-sufficient before, we too as vol- to an institution that fostered my academic and personal benedictinevolunteersbahamas.blogspot.comunteers will strive for the same. growth.\" Tyler is teaching at Aquinas College.

PAGe 5Archbishop Pinder greets faithful

PAGe 6 New Appointments Joye Ritchie-Greene Shannals Johnson Ms. Crystal GreenPrincipal at the Grand Bahama Senior Mistress Special Project Officer Catholic Education Centre Catholic High School Our Lady of The Holy Soul School Teachers participate in Seminars Maria Cooper, teacher at Sts. Francis/Joseph School displays her work duirng the activity session at the Mathematics Workshop. Bottom photo shows Sherill Forbes, of St Cecilia’s School. - photos by Marie RodgersAs students enjoyed their last days of summer vacation, administra- tors, teachers and counselors from the Catholic Board of Education were preparing for the new school year. They were hosted to twoseminars during the month of August.Mr. Darron Turnquest, Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, Sportsand Culture gave a dynamic presentation at the Male EmpowermentSeminar on \"Teaching the Male Learner and Restoring the EducationalBalance\". His presentation was relevant to the challenges that educatorsface when teaching male students.With his personal experience as a male in the Bahamian educational sys-tem, Mr. Turnquest was qualified to speak at great length on this issue.He advised the educators to be life long learners and to be open to learn-ing from their students. Mr. Turnquest also provided teachers with specif-ic strategies that they could use when teaching boys.Continued on page 7

PAGe 7 Left photo: Dr. Marcella Elliot, senior mathematics lecturer at The College of The Bahamas facilitated a Mathematics Seminar. Top photo: Mr. Darron Turnquest, Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture giving presentation at the Male Empowerment Seminar on \"Teaching the Male Learner and Restoring the Educational Balance\". Mrs. Rosemary Daniels, principal of St. Thomas More School, Maurice Fawkes, Guidance Counselor and Sr. Marva Coakley, principal of St. Bede’s School perform a skit at Mathematics Seminar. Incentives, Parental Involvement Activities and Afterschool Technical and Vocational Training. The seminar was held on Monday, August 20, 2012 at Seton Hall, Xavier Lower School. *************From page 6 that may make them biased to female learners” On August 22, 2012, Dr. Marcella Elliot, senior math- ematics lecturer at The College of The Bahamas facil-According to Ms Crystal Green, Special Projects “The Catholic Board of Education’s objective is to itated a Mathematics Seminar at the Sandals RoyalOfficer at CEC, the workshops are the first in a series create school environments that are more male Bahamian Resort and Spa. Dr. Elliot's presentationof Male Empowerment Projects to be hosted in the friendly and that cater to the specific needs of the focused on several topics that present challenges forCatholic schools this year. male learner.” some primary school students including the teaching of division and fractions. It was an inter-active day“One of our main focus is the male learner. We want Ms. Green also noted that, “research has indicated as teachers completed group presentations demon-to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all of our that the two sexes learn differently. Because most of strating how they would cater to students with vary-students”. She added that, “… national statistics our staff is female we saw the need to sensitize them ing challenges.indicate that female students are out performing to the specifics involved with teaching boys.”male students in national examinations. Therefore, The day began with remarks from Mr. Patrick Drake,the Catholic Board of Education (CBOE) saw the Other Male Empowerment Projects scheduled for General Manager at Sandals, as well as welcomingneed to address some of the factors in our schools this year include: Mentoring Programmes, Academic comments from Mrs. Claudette Rolle, Director of Catholic Education. This year marked the secondanniversary of CBOE's partnership with The Sandals Foundation. The Sandals Foundation has been a committed partner in our efforts to prepare our students for success in the 21st century.

PAGe 8St Vincent de Paul Church rededicatedArchbishop Patrick C. Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G., pose with parishioners in front the recently renovated “old” St. Vincent de Paul Church. The church wasblessed and rededicated by the Archbishop during the recent Confirmation Mass. Dr. Fr. Saju Mathew Vadakumpadan, pastor at St. Vincent de Paul, super-vised the renovation plans for the old church, which will be used daily for weekday Masses and special services. St Vincent de Paul Church was built in1942. A brief history of St. Vincent de Paul Church ices. They wanted an intentions. extension of these Under the able leadership of Mr. Victor Bevans a well respected churches within their community leader, a delegation headed into Nassau on board a own community so motor-less sailing vessel where they met with the Catholic Church they constructed a authorities who happily agreed to take Catholicism to Grand Bahama. “lime kiln” (originally It was not easy, but thanks to the used to construct stone dedication and hard work of the residents within these communi- buildings) and erected ties, along with the Benedictines who proved to have true hearts of the body of a building. God, the cornerstone of St. Vincent de Paul Church was laid in early To their dismay this 1942. dream did not becomeArchbishop Pinder blesses the altar at newly renovated St. Vincent de Paul Church, a reality.also pictured is Deacon Jeffrey Hollingsworth. During this time, Mr.It was some seventy years ago that Yard were transformed from strong Robert Gray ofthe birth of the first Roman Baptist and Anglican communities Hepburn Town, Eight Mile RockCatholic Church in Grand Bahama into the Roman Catholic faith. lay ill in a New Providence hospitalwas established. It all took place in and came in contact with somea quaint little settlement called As the story has been told, the zealous Catholic Benedictines whoHunter. majority of the residents of these had plans to take Catholicism into settlements attended the Baptist islands other than NewIt was during the latter part of the and Anglican churches in Eight Providence. Upon his recovery, Mr.1930s that three little settlements, Mile Rock, but soon grew weary of Gray returned to Grand BahamaMack Town, Hunter and Lewis taking the long trip to attend serv- with news of the Benedictines’

PAGe 9

PAGe 10 Youth Director leaves for Seminary Archbishop Pinder and staff at the Chancery Office bid farewell and best wishes to Jay Cartwright, Director of Youth and Young Adults Ministry at a luncheon in his honor. Jay is will be attending St. Meinrad’s Seminary in the Fall of 2012. He served in this ministry for three years and developed many relationships with the young people in our Archdiocese. He will be greatly missed. God Bless you Jay! “Gospel Roads Retreat taught me how to love others” The programs are not just service trips, nor are they just day has plenty of recreation time to play and enjoy one retreats. While each day centers around service work, another's company. there is also the opportunity for daily Mass and other A team of well-trained and well-formed young adults runs \"retreat\" elements. In addition to large and small group each program. discussions, sharing, and reflections, the Sacraments are A “young team” that consists of youth that recently par- made available to the participants throughout the week. ticipated in the program assists them. Every night includes an evening prayer service and a tra- ditional Salesian \"Good Night\" during which a member of **************** the adult team offers a final thought for the night. Every GR program includes at least one night with an opportu- REFLECTIONS BY PARTICIPANTS nity for Eucharistic Adoration.On June 23-30th, 2012, Jay Cartwright, Julie Ritchie- The focus of the program is on the service work. Machara Tuck er - St. Thomas More ParishBingham, Charles Grant, Kenton Dawkins, Latayah Every day includes work at a local service site.Johnson, Machara Tucker, and Michelle Foulkes of the Participants have an opportunity to work directly with My time at Gospel Roads was better than I had ex pected.Archdiocese of Nassau travelled to Tampa, Florida to par- people in need. Service sites include soup kitchens, food I was initially v ery ex cited about going to Tampa but Iticipate at the Gospel Roads retreat. pantries, crisis-pregnancy centers, summer camps, and nev er ex pected to learn so much about the Salesians and more. After work each day, participants return to their Don Bosco himself. The program is deeply rooted in theAbo ut Go s pel Ro ads retreat house and the discussions, reflections, and prayer Catholic faith and ev en though I was not at St Thomas services focus on the work they took part in that day. More the week day masses alway s reminded me of backGospel Roads is a series of Christian service retreats. home. We had the opportunity to attend a HispanicFor one week, young people live and work side-by-side The work doesn't end upon leaving the service sites. Catholic Church serv ice in one of the poorer areas. Thewith other high-school and college students. They are Everyone is asked to chip in both before and after the mass was done completely in Spanish, which was a v erygiven an opportunity to walk with Jesus Christ through service work. In addition to sharing in your small groups, new ex perience for me. Although the weather was not theservice to the young and the poor in the spirit of Don participants will help in preparing and setting up for best upon arriv al once things cleared up we were able toBosco, the founder of the Salesians (learn more about meals. They will also help to plan and lead prayer servic- start at the v arious work sites. The work definitely taughtDon Bosco and the Salesians here). es and Masses throughout the week, selecting music, me more discipline and helped me to be more appreciativ e readings, and reflections. of what I am blessed with. I made a lot of new friends butYou will walk the road set out by Jesus Christ in the the most beautiful part of the trip for me would hav e hadGospels. In addition to Service and Spirituality, Gospel Roads to been say ing the rosary. It was the most touching andYou will learn new things about yourself, while growing emphasizes Community. creativ e display I hav e ev er seen. They used v arious can-closer to Christ and others. At the end of the program, Participants live and work together for the length of the dles to represent the different pray ers of the rosary. Theyou will receive a footprint pendant as a reminder to program. Participants begin the program as complete candles were lit and placed on the ground in the design ofalways walk the Gospel Roads. strangers, but by the end of a week spent sharing stories, an actual rosary. This is something that I would lov e toWe call them Service Retreats for a very specific reason. experiences, laughs, and even tears, they form lasting try with my parish's y outh group while teaching them friendships, rooted in Jesus Christ. more about the Salesians and Don Bosco You'll work hard, pray hard, and play hard! Continued on page 11 Gospel Roads combines service, faith, and fun. Participants can expect to have plenty of fun, too. Each

PAGe 1114 attend A.E.C.Y.A Youth Conference in St. LuciaBahamian pilgrims pose with Fr. Jaacob Kenneth at St. Theresa’s of The Child Jesus, in Saltibus, St. Lucia On July 19th, 2012, fourteen pilgrims from The Bahamas attended the 4that the recent A.E.C.Y.A. conference. Pictured at front Row Left to Right: Lorena Ciceron, Brenda A.E.C.Y.A Youth Conference in St. Lucia. The pilgrims consisted of per-Lightbourne, Sherv ine Thompson, Dania Stubbs, Donv ar Duncombe, Deangela Ferguson, Tanario sons from St. Francis Cathedral, Holy Family, St. Joseph’s, St. VincentFarquharson, Wendy Joseph, Wilscha François Back Row Left to Right: Pamela Newton, De’Andrea Neely, De Paul and The Haitian Community of Freeport Grand Bahama. TheLenneisha Hepburn, Fr. Kenneth, Lamarison Rolle and Jay Cartwright. Assembly’s purpose was to put the youth in the forefront, helping us to reaffirm our Catholic identity, and see ourselves as vibrant Catholic youth’s in the region. The inspiration for AECYA came from World Youth Day (WYD), and was first held in Curacao in 1999. The theme for the A.E.C.Y.A. 2012 was: “Your Word is a lamp to my steps, and a light to my path.” (Psalm 118:105). The A.E.C.Y.A. conference was a week of scripture and workshops; which began with a flag raising of each country represented at the conference. Each day we shared jokes and encouraged one another during the long hours of prayer, meditation and fellowship. The workshops were very informative as it helped us to broaden our under- standing of the Catholic Faith and its traditions and beliefs. This scrip- ture passage was surely broken to us in various aspects for us to truly understand. The Word was given to us in song, drama, and scripture and even through motivational speakers. As a group we can say that we are truly journeying with one another as we strive to grow deeper in this “Our Catholic Faith”. -Submitted by: Donvar Duncombe St. Vincent De Paul, Freeport Grand Bahama“Gospel Roads Retreat taught me how to love others”. My fav orite activ ity of the whole trip was when I v isited somehow force y ou to dig deep and really ex press y ourself.From page 9 Penelis Hope. It is a shelter for the homeless of St. They choose all 4 of these groups randomly to sit by for Petersburg, Tampa. The reason why I lik ed it so much is break fast lunch and dinner. This allows y ou to get well Latayah Johnson - St. Anselm because I got to interact with the people at the institution. acquainted with each other and helped me improv e my socialGospel Roads, Tampa was a spiritual community - based pro- They were all so nice and it humbled me because, we who skills.gram that totally enriched my v iew on God and the Catholic hav e all we can ask for don’t ev en offer smiles to others. TheChurch. I was totally opened to the ex perience and it is one biggest lesson that Gospel Roads taught me was how to During morning masses father Joe really brok ethat I will nev er forget. I went into the program with an lov e others. I got to meet wonderful people, both the partic- down his sermons and made it really interesting. This wasopen mind and it took my mind to places that I could hav e ipants and the persons that I helped at the different institu- the first time in a long time I actually paid full attention tonev er imagined. I was alway s a v ery spiritual girl, but this tions. Most of the friends that I made there will me my an entire homily. They were short sweet and to the point. Atmade me realize ev en more how awesome my Jesus really is. friends for a v ery long time. the end of the schedule ev ery night we would head into theEv ery morning, we had Mass. It was v ery motiv ational, It Gospel Roads will forev er remain in my heart. It opened my chapel and hav e announcements ev ening pray ers and thengav e me the striv e I needed for each new day. It made me ey es to many things that I would hav e nev er seen. It taught either father Joe or Bro. Rob would come to giv e the goodwant to continue going to morning mass when I returned to me lessons that will help me get through the rest of my life. night and we would hav e 3 Hail Mary ’s and an Our Father,my normal life. I will nev er forget the persons that I helped and how fortu- which surprisingly I was look ing forward to ev ery day. ThisEv ery day we went to a different institution to help those nate I really am. I will remain faithful to Jesus, because with- brought back to pay ing full attention to homilies again, atthat are not as fortunate as we are. It was a v ery emotional out him I could do nothing. Most importantly I will remem- least for a while. Also I pray ev ery day now.ex perience to see how persons are suffering, but still hum- ber the lessons we were taught about faith, lov e, trust and My absolute fav orite part of the entire trip is work ing forble enough to offer a smile. It showed me how I took the friendship. the people who need. I alway s wanted to do this k ind ofthings I had for granted. Those ex periences opened my ey es work . In the past on my way from CCD on Saturday s I wouldto show me how I could v olunteer my self right here in The **************** stop to my cousins and help them around the house. But IBahamas, by lending a helping hand to others. Each got bored and really wanted to do major work for organiza-ev ening we had challenging activ ities with our small Kenton Dawk ins - St. Anselm tions and Gospel Roads really helped. When we arriv ed ongroups. It taught me lessons on faith, trust and friendship. This trip to Gospel Roads was an ex perience of a lifetime for our first work site I was so ex cited. By the time we were fin-The most memorable moment I had at Gospel Roads was the me. I found that a lot of their methods were well thought out ished I was engulfed by dirt. I nev er work ed so hard in myev ening we had Adoration. I usually pray to God ev ery day, v ery inv iting comfortable and really encouraging. Upon life. I learned the true meaning of handwork and I lov ed it.but normally not truly ex pressing my feelings. Adoration arriv al a welcoming party that briefed us on the camp begin-gav e me the time that I needed with God on a personal lev el. ning of the trip immediately greeted us. The one thing that stood out to me is adoration. They gav eI went to the priest first for confession. Following that, I us 2 hours to be alone with Jesus Christ I nev er really under-went to my pew and poured my heart out to Jesus, which As we arriv ed to Mary Help of Christians Center we were stood adoration until Gospel Roads. That was a powerfulsurely changed my life from that moment onward. giv en a name tag that consists of our names another name time for me. I was able present my self before Jesus Christ. IAt Gospel Roads I learnt more to lov e God and to k now that (work site group) on the front while a number (small group) could see my self going through this ev ery month. This triphe is alway s going to be there for me. I realized that I no a letter (no specific group) and a shape (no specific group) was amazing I could not think of any thing better I could belonger had to hold all my troubles inside, but that I could was on the back of the name tag. These names are for the doing with my time than work ing for our brothers and sis-release them all to God. I dev eloped an ev en deeper lov e for many different groups y ou are in. The work group is the set ters who need it.God after realizing the true suffering and pain that he endured of people y ou will be work ing with on the different sites.for my sak e. The small groups are groups that we do little activ ities that

PAGe 12News from Family Life OfficeFamily Life Commission members - The Most Reverend Patrick Pinder, hosted Fr. Noel Clarke, Mrs. Agatha Cartwright, Director of Family Life, Archbishop Pinder,the Family Life Commission members to a delightful dinner recently. The Paula and Peter Jones, co-chairs, Keith and Marie Roberts and D’Arcy and Benitaevening was an enjoyable and festive one as everyone present abandoned the Rahming.cares and concerns of the day and embraced the opportunity to mingle and fel-lowship with His Grace and each other.The event was two-fold as it was an expression of gratitude to the committeewho serve faithfully on the Commission and to say farewell to the out-goingmembers. Three couples who had completed two terms (four years) of service onthe Commission are: Peter and Paula Jones, Co-Chairs; Keith and Marie Robertsand D’Arcy and Benita Rahming. Also leaving the Commission is JayCartwright, Director of Youth and Young Adults ministry. He will be attendingthe St. Meinrad’s Seminary in the Fall of 2012.The members who will be staying on are: Drs. Williamson and Christine Chea;Judith Russell-Cleare; Fr. Noel Clarke and Agatha Cartwright. The new personswho have been recruited to serve on the Commission are; Mrs. SharonCartwright, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Long Island; Darren and Jeanelle Francis,St. Francis Xavier Cathedral; Ondrey and Gabrielle McKenzie, Our Lady of theHoly Souls’ Parish and Brandon and Tamika Cartwright, Sacred Heart Parish.(Pictured from Left to Right are: Drs. Williamson and Christine Chea, Jay Cartwright, Retired & Elderly Fun Day 2012 On Friday, July 06, the retired and elderly were hosted to a Fun Day by the Office of Family Life. The delightful event was held at Emmaus Centre, Fox Hill. Ninety-three persons attended filling the hall to capacity. The day began with Mass, celebrated by Fr. Noel Clarke. There was Old Time story-telling followed by lunch, then the eagerly awaited BINGO games. The participants played enthusiastically and excitedly shouted \"BINGO' when a game was won. The R & E Team assisted with the activities and contributed to the overall success.

PAGe 13'Year of Faith' LOGO for YEAR OF FAITH  declared 2012-2013From page 1In reality, not only can this presupposition no longerbe taken for granted, but it is often openly denied.[2]Whereas in the past it was possible to recognize a uni-tary cultural matrix, broadly accepted in its appeal tothe content of the faith and the values inspired by it,today this no longer seems to be the case in largeswathes of society, because of a profound crisis offaith that has affected many people.3. We cannot accept that salt should become tastelessor the light be kept hidden (cf. Mt 5:13-16). The peo-ple of today can still experience the need to go to thewell, like the Samaritan woman, in order to hearJesus, who invites us to believe in him and to drawupon the source of living water welling up withinhim (cf. Jn 4:14). We must rediscover a taste for feed-ing ourselves on the word of God, faithfully handeddown by the Church, and on the bread of life, offeredas sustenance for his disciples (cf. Jn 6:51). Indeed, theteaching of Jesus still resounds in our day with thesame power: “Do not labour for the food which per-ishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life”(Jn 6:27). The question posed by his listeners is thesame that we ask today: “What must we do, to bedoing the works of God?” (Jn 6:28). We know Jesus’reply: “This is the work of God, that you believe inhim whom he has sent” (Jn 6:29). Belief in JesusChrist, then, is the way to arrive definitively at salva-tion.4. In the light of all this, I have decided to announce a solemn moment for the whole Church to make “an that for centuries has formed the heritage of allYear of Faith. It will begin on 11 October 2012, the authentic and sincere profession of the same faith”; believers needs to be confirmed, understood andfiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second moreover, he wanted this to be confirmed in a way explored ever anew, so as to bear consistent witnessVatican Council, and it will end on the Solemnity of that was “individual and collective, free and con- in historical circumstances very different from thoseOur Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, on 24 scious, inward and outward, humble and frank”.[5] of the past.November 2013. The starting date of 11 October 2012 He thought that in this way the whole Church couldalso marks the twentieth anniversary of the publica- reappropriate “exact knowledge of the faith, so as to Continued on page 18tion of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a text reinvigorate it, purify it, confirm it, and confess it”.[6]promulgated by my Predecessor, Blessed John Paul The great upheavals of that year made even more evi-II,[3] with a view to illustrating for all the faithful the dent the need for a celebration of this kind. It con-power and beauty of the faith. This document, an cluded with the Credo of the People of God,[7]authentic fruit of the Second Vatican Council, was intended to show how much the essential contentrequested by the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in1985 as an instrument at the service of catechesis[4]and it was produced in collaboration with all thebishops of the Catholic Church. Moreover, the themeof the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops thatI have convoked for October 2012 is “The NewEvangelization for the Transmission of the ChristianFaith”. This will be a good opportunity to usher thewhole Church into a time of particular reflection andrediscovery of the faith. It is not the first time that theChurch has been called to celebrate a Year of Faith.My venerable Predecessor the Servant of God Paul VIannounced one in 1967, to commemorate the martyr-dom of Saints Peter and Paul on the 19th centenary oftheir supreme act of witness. He thought of it as a

PAGe 14Meet the Fathers of Carmelites of Mary ImmaculateA call to serve in a foreign landCatholic Missionaries have been serving in The Bahamas since the early1800’s. The Sisters of Charity of Mount St. Vincent-on-the-Hudson, NewYork were the first to arrive on October 28th, 1889, followed by TheBenedictine Monks of St. John’s Abbey, Minnesota, USA in 1891. TheCatholic community are forever grateful to these early missionaries who-have served.Since then other missionaries have came to our shores to serve. BC will fea-ture these men who have come to serve and evangelize. In these articles theywill share their experiences of adjusting to serving in a Bahamian Catholiccommunity.The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate is featured in this months issue. Frs. Fathers of Camelites of Mary Immaculate from left: Fr. Saju Vadakumpadan, pastor at St.Saju Vadakumpadan, pastor at St. Vincent de Paul, Hunter, GrandBahama, Steephen Koola, pastor St. Agnes, Eight Mile Rock, Grand Vincent de Paul, Hunter, Grand Bahama, and Steephen Koola, pastor St. Agnes, Eight Mile Rock, GrandBahama and George Kallukaran (he returned to his community in July Bahama.2012.) were assigned to The Bahamas in 2011.They share their experiences:(BC). How are you adjusting to the Bahamian it with Christian values. I wish to be with the peo- the Latin rite, the pastor is facing the peopleculture? ple and inspire them to be with Jesus Christ. throughout time, but in the Syrian rite pastor is Fr. Steephen – facing the altar except at the time of the GospelA. Fr. Saju – The difference in culture is not a hin- It is very simple. Be just like Bahamians. Try to be reading and homily.drance for me to interact with the people and also engaged on a daily basis. In our family system -be with the people. Of course there are a lot of dif- We know each and every neighborhood and there It is very interesting to notice that all are using theferences between Indian culture and Bahamian are close interactions. Different social networks text and praying and singing loudly here.culture. I think that Bahamian culture is a blend- enrich everyone and all are helpful in every situa-ing of Afro-European and American culture. I feel tion. We cannot think of a husband and wife with- I think that Bahimians are very much interested inthat this culture is very much influenced by the out proper marriage, otherwise the children might listening to the word of God than reading. So it iship-hop culture of U.S. Indian culture is totally be offended. Our Indian society is very busy, 24/7 very interesting to note that they are ready to lis-based on the indigenous tradition. Each culture work and tensions but here, I have found that life ten the homily even up to half an hour and tohas its own values and taboos. Being a pastor, it is is very simple and totally relaxed. There is compe- spend any amount of time in the church onmy prime duty to understand my parishioners, tition in my country among parent to parent, stu- Sundays. But in India they expect only seven toreach out them, and provide them with spiritual dent to student, worker to worker, position to ten minutes homily. So I appreciate the people inenlightenment. position etc. Bahamas for their readiness to be with Jesus the whole day. I can say that Bahamians are a very expressive (BC) How would you compare the worshippeople who love nothing more than a reason to style? How is the Mass celebrated differently? Fr. Steephen -I found that there is a praying com-celebrate. Life is to be enjoyed without much munity in St. Agnes. Regarding the language therestress. The welcoming nature of Bahamians is A. Fr. Saju – Celebration of the liturgy is different is a difference in twisting the tongue, however, ifvery remarkable. They greet each other, and from Indian liturgy. As you know I belong to we talk slowly with proper pronounciaton too,express their feelings of oneness and friendship Carmelite Congregation , we follow Syrian that can be adjusted. There is the accent differenceby hugging followed by the question “Everything catholic rite. Though the theological concepts are but not that much.is cool”. I think that this calm and cool nature of the same the expression of the liturgical celebra-the people of The Bahamas help them to stand for tion is different. At the time of the Holy Mass ,in Continued on page 15unity of the country with powerful patriotic spir-it. As a pastor, I can regenerate this powerful spir-

PAGe 15A call to serve in a foreign landFrom page 14 al atmosphere and spiritual mind among the people. So as long as I am here I will be dedicating my time and energy to my people to where I am assigned.Homily: It is almost the same compared to our culture except in between the Being a religious priest and pastor I desire to be with people and to understandpeople say \"yes, amen, alleluia.....) Here I introduced homily by the computer them and to extend my help as much I can. I try to keep transparency in all myand LCD projector. Length of the sermon is maximum of 15 minutes. endeavors. I try to be available all the time for my people. People are seeking for truth and justice, love and care. As pastors, if we keep the same in our lives,Sacraments: In my country, Baptism and Marriage: Sundays are busy with everything will be good and cool. I pray that my parish (St. Vincent De Paul )Baptisms and Marriages. Sometimes there may be more than 5 marriages in a be the best parish both physically and spiritually) in the Archdiocese of Nassau.church. Within every 2 miles we have a Catholic church. Most of the churches May our Lord Jesus bless us through the intercession of Mother Mary.have Sunday marriages and baptism. We have child baptisms after the 7 daysof birth. Here baptisms and marriages are very rare. In order to bring all the members of this parish and friends togheter, we start- ed daily Holy Mass, First Friday adoration and Novena to Mother Mary(BC. Are there in similarities in the food? Do you have a favourite Bahamian Perpetual Help. We renovated the old church. Archbishop blessed it on July 24dish? th. My prayer is that all the people of God receive the Lord’s blessing through the intercession of Mother Mary Perpetual Help and experience the peace andA. Fr. Saju – Food is not an important matter for me . I love to eat rice and fish.I Joy.love the Bahimian style of preparation, but it is very sad to say I am allergic toflour. But the members of the parish and friends are supportive and encourag- Fr. Steephen – Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament: First Friday Adoration anding. They make me to feel at home by providing delicious food very often. The everyday half an hour adoration. I have already introduced one and half-hourabundance of seafood, fruits, vegetables and delicious Bahamian specialties; adoration every Wednesday in St. Agnes. Particularly the Haitian communitylike conch salad, peas and rice, boiled fish etc…etc are excellent. takes interest in this adoration. I would like to introduce 12 hours of adoration once in a year during the feast of St. Agnes.Fr. Steephen – There are similarities and some of the main differences. I have Veneration to the Saints: I would like introduce The Novena to St. Agnes onfound are that chili powder, turmeric and spices are used to make curry. We Sundays after the Mass and Prayer to Don Bosco for the youth.cook curry and use coconut milk, coconut oil for cooking. The smell and taste Prayers for the dead: We have already introduced a special Mass for the deadof coconut milk and oil is delicious. My favorite delicious Bahamian dish is according to the need.Conch Salad. Visiting and Blessing the houses: On Sundays I visit families. Family get-together/social: I plan to socialize with family’s members in the area(BC). Experience you bring…. to pray and fellowship.A. Fr. Saju – I came to this country with a specific intention to love and to servethe people of God wholeheartedly. My target is nothing but to create a spiritu-About Camelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI)Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805-1871) founded the Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.) on May 11th 1831. Itwas the first indigenous Catholic religious congregation of India. From its inception the C.M.I. Congregation was engaged in such activitiesas the Catholic Church and the general public needs.Today the CMI Congregation is the largest Religious Congregation for men in the Syro-Malabar Church. The CMIs are spread throughoutIndia and abroad in 13 Provinces. It has a membership of 2900 personnel including 7 Bishops, 1621 Priests, 11 permanent Deacons, 40Brothers and about 1300 Brothers in formation. Seven hundred priests are working outside Kerala, of which 200 are outside India. Otherpriests are actively involved in pastoral services in 20 Countries around the world.Education is one of the congregation’s principal avenues of their apostolate, and considered an educational institution a second home. The con-gregation operates 510 schools, 1 university, 2 medical colleges, 2 engineering colleges, 17 university colleges, 9 parallel and B. Ed. Colleges,48 hospitals and dispensaries, 129 social services and rural development centers, 1 science research centre, 16 printing houses and publica-tions, 13 periodicals, 1 daily newspaper and numerous charitable institutions.The mission in Bahamas is inspiring and interesting for our congregation, because we celebrate the 50th year of our missionary activities out-side the Kerala State in India. So we consider Bahamas mission as a golden jubilee gift to the CMI congregation. We express our sincere grat-itude to our Archbishop Patrick Pinder, for his red carpet welcome to the Bahamas. We are grateful for the love and affection from the clergyand laity of the entire Archdiocese.

PAGe 16 18 Pilgrims visit Shine of Our Lady of GuadalupeReflections by Greta Smith Holy Mass at the Shrine of San Miguel Del Milagro. It is the site where St. Michael theFinally the day had arrived. Eighteen excited Archangel appeared to Diego Lazaro in 1631pilgrims with our spiritual director, Msgr directing him to a well of curative waters.Simeon Roberts departed for Mexico City. We The highlight of our pilgrimage was theall knew the story of Our Lady’s appearance to Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We visitedJuan Diego in 1531 and we could not wait to the shrine on two occasions, the second timesee the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe which was the day before our departure. The groundshas been preserved for so many centuries. were magnificent. There is the new Basilica,I must admit that prior to our departure there and the original old basilica which is underwas some apprehension as there were so many repairs. There is also a small chapel at the topterrible stories in the news about Mexico but of the hill on the exact spot where Our Ladywe were convinced that God was guiding us on appeared to St. Juan Diego. It was very steepthis spiritual journey and that Our Lady would so only our intrepid spiritual director had thatgive us her protection. experience. My heart swelled with pride andWe were certainly not disappointed as the visit excitement when in the new Basilica, I spiedof six days which we thought was too short our Bahamian flag among the flags of nationsturned out to be filled with both spiritual and over the altar. Then the moment had arrived,secular activities. We visited several churches we viewed the tilma with the sacred image ofand cathedrals where we attended Mass and Our Lady, encased in a frame high up on thewere awed by the spirituality and devotion of wall and pilgrims stepped on a “people mover”the Mexican people. Although the Masses to view it.were in Spanish we were of one accord with the The non religious sites visited were thepeople and truly realized what is meant when Museum of Anthropology, an architecturalwe say that one of the marks of the church is wonder that houses artifacts from Mexico’sthat the church is “One”. We were truly one at pre-Columbian civilizations.; the Plaza of thethose masses. Three cultures; the Archaeological zone, visit-Some of their customs were interesting. We ing the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the temple of Quetzalcoatl and local arts and crafts markets. This pilgrimage was indeed a special spiritual journey and I returned home renewed and restored by the many graces and blessings received. *********** Pilgrims in front othe grotto at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Reflections by Cecile M. Sherman: Nineteen Pilgrims from Andros, Grand Bahama Americas, the Shrine of San Miguel Del ing, we thought that six days was quite a short and New Providence, were privileged to travel Milagro and the baptismal place of San Juan period but within that time we covered quite a to Mexico City, Tlaxcala and Puebla, Mexico Diego. lot of territory. We were fortunate to have an on July 28th- August 2, 2012. The pilgrimage excellent tour guide who gave us historical was spiritually directed by Msgr Simeon The highlight of the visit was the Basilica at facts and information of the various sites, Roberts and coordinated by Ms. Greta Smith. Guadalupe where the image of Our Lady cathedrals and other places of interest. appeared on a humble cloth (tilma) during a Daily events included morning and evening visit to a skeptical bishop by San Juan Diego However, our most memorable event would prayers, Masses at various churches and bril- who was instructed by the Virgin Mary to have have to be SEEING the Tilma, the sackcloth liantly colored modern Basilicas, eating at a Shrine built in Her honour. This miraculous bearing the image of The Virgin Mary. local cuisines and visits to numerous historic image is displayed above the main altar of the Although familiar with the story of Juan Diego religious sites some of which were the Shrine Basilica and is viewed by pilgrims worldwide. and the events leading up to Our Blessed of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Mother leaving the imprint of herself on his The common religious tilma, it was quite something to actually see Pilgrim Cecile Sherman outside entrance to belief of so many pil- this miraculous image. The image is beautiful- The Shrine of San Miguel Del Milagro, in grims is such an awe- ly encased in a frame behind the main altar of Tlaxcala. some religious bonding the new Basilica, dedicated in 1976. Hundreds that words cannot of pilgrims proceed in reverence silence on theexperienced a small ceremony where a little express and is proof that moving tracts, which slowly pass the astound-girl of three was brought to Mass all nicely the Roman Catholic ing Tilma. We had the privilege of viewing thedressed and at the end of Mass she was taken to Church and faith are image on two separate occasions.the altar by her parents for a brief ceremony. truly alive and universal. Attending Masses at the beautiful BasilicaWe were told that it was said that Sts. Anne and made us proud to be Roman Catholics.Joachim the parents of the Blessed Mother had ************* Although in Spanish, we had no difficulty fol-presented her to the Lord at that age and it was lowing the mass and the reverence and devo-a custom followed by Catholics in Mexico. Reflections by Ken & tion of the congregation, was a tribute to ourThe churches in the different cities that we vis- Constance Joseph: belief in the Real Presence. Beautiful flowersited were of various architectural styles but and floral arrangements were everywhere.they were all very ornate with lots of statues We feel truly blessed to Meeting as a group early each day for Morningand every church was beautifully decorated Prayers, praying the Rosary while travellingwith lots of flowers. Our spiritual director was have been a part of the on the bus and ending the day with Eveningthe celebrant in Tiaxcala where he celebrated Prayers added to our total spiritual experience. Pilgrims say thank you to Msgr. Roberts, spiritual director of the pil- pilgrimage to Mexico grimage. Pictured from left are: Lillian Jones, Msgr. Roberts, Julia and Our Lady of Stephen, and Ken and Constance Joseph. Guadalupe. Before leav-

PAGe 17Director of Samaritan Ministry conducts workshop in SurinameSister Clare with participants and pictured at right with Msgr. William de Becker, Bishopof Suriname.Following Jesus’ command, “go into the world and preach are designed to help the volunteers cation, which will help their helper return to a more produc-the good news to all people” (mark 16:15), Sister Clare prepare for counseling and their car- tive and positive lifestyle.Rolle conducted a two-week training program, in the ing ministry. Topics for the prepara- Msgr. William de Becker, Bishop of Suriname, thanked theDiocese of Suriname, for volunteers in the Samaritan tory and required courses included: volunteers for their unselfish giving and sharing of theirMinistry program. These Samaritans minister not only to listening, feelings, assertiveness, role of the caregiver, cri- gifts. He offered words of encouragement and support beforethose infected with HIV/AIDS but also with their affected sis intervention, confidentiality, depression, hospitaliza- he presented certificate to those who successfully completedfamilies and friends. tion, stages of dying and the first meeting with the helper. the programme.The volunteers are known as “Samaritans”, a familiar namewhich reminds us of our moral duty to come to the aid of our At the completion of the training sessions, each volunteer, -submitted by Sr. Clare Rolle, OSBbrothers and sisters in need. In Luke 10:29-37, it was the who completed the required courses, was commissioned toGood Samaritan who showed compassion and care for a fel- minister to person infected with HIV/AIDS, on a one-on-onelow human being. basis. They are encouraged to minister at least once a week,Volunteers in Suriname consisted of lay ministers and dea- whether the helper is at home or in the hospital. Volunteerscons. The program offered instructions and training which provide companionship, care, support, counseling, and edu- St. Joseph‘s Men’s Ministry hosts health seminar on colon cancer Dr. Marcus Cooper, was the guest speaker at a recent health work- shop hosted by St. Joseph‘s Men’s Ministry at their parish hall. He spoke on colon cancer.Dr. Marcus Cooper, address Dr. Cooper urged the men to be more proactive and have yearly rou- St. Joseph’s Mens group. tine checkups. He noted that colon cancer is a preventable disease; persons only need to make lifestyle changes such as eating a balance diet high in fiber, exercising and having routine screenings. “Screenings are important because it provides the physician with a history of checkups for comparison; every person of the age of 45 and above should get a colonoscopy. If colon cancer runs in the family, persons should get screenings 10 years before their relative was diag- nosed,’’ he said.Keys of prevention:1.Nearing the end of his presentation Dr. Cooper spoke about and reminded the lose weight if overweight St. Joseph‘s Men’s Ministry was hosted to a health workshop2. Maintain a healthy diet, consisting of lots of fiber, fruits and vegetables. recently. Dr. Marcus Cooper, was the guest speaker and spoke on3. Get routine colon screenings. colon cancer.4. Obtain family history.5. Don’t smoke.6. Consume aspirins, it reduces risk for getting colon cancer, but one should first consult their doctor.President, Michael Neely and Max Daniels, treasurer, gave a vote of thanks to Dr. Cooper, for a informative pres-entation. Monsignor Alfred Culmer, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church gave the benediction.-submitted by Guerry Caprice

PAGe 18 'Year of Successor of Peter, during this time of spiritual grace that the Lord offers us, in recalling the precious giftfrom page 13 Faith' of faith. We want to celebrate this Year in a worthy declared and fruitful manner. Reflection on the faith will have5. In some respects, my venerable predecessor saw to be intensified, so as to help all believers in Christthis Year as a “consequence and a necessity of the the radical new reality of the resurrection. To the to acquire a more conscious and vigorous adherencepostconciliar period”,[8] fully conscious of the grave extent that he freely cooperates, man’s thoughts and to the Gospel, especially at a time of profounddifficulties of the time, especially with regard to the affections, mentality and conduct are slowly puri- change such as humanity is currently experiencing.profession of the true faith and its correct interpreta- fied and transformed, on a journey that is never We will have the opportunity to profess our faith intion. It seemed to me that timing the launch of the completely finished in this life. “Faith working the Risen Lord in our cathedrals and in the churchesYear of Faith to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary through love” (Gal 5:6) becomes a new criterion of of the whole world; in our homes and among ourof the opening of the Second Vatican Council would understanding and action that changes the whole of families, so that everyone may feel a strong need toprovide a good opportunity to help people under- man’s life (cf. Rom 12:2; Col 3:9-10; Eph 4:20-29; 2 know better and to transmit to future generationsstand that the texts bequeathed by the Council Cor 5:17). the faith of all times. Religious communities as wellFathers, in the words of Blessed John Paul II, “have as parish communities, and all ecclesial bodies oldlost nothing of their value or brilliance. They need to 7. “Caritas Christi urget nos” (2 Cor 5:14): it is the and new, are to find a way, during this Year, to makebe read correctly, to be widely known and taken to love of Christ that fills our hearts and impels us to a public profession of the Credo.heart as important and normative texts of the evangelize. Today as in the past, he sends us through 9. We want this Year to arouse in every believer theMagisterium, within the Church's Tradition ... I feel the highways of the world to proclaim his Gospel to aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and withmore than ever in duty bound to point to the all the peoples of the earth (cf. Mt 28:19). Through renewed conviction, with confidence and hope. ItCouncil as the great grace bestowed on the Church his love, Jesus Christ attracts to himself the people of will also be a good opportunity to intensify the cele-in the twentieth century: there we find a sure com- every generation: in every age he convokes the bration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in thepass by which to take our bearings in the century Church, entrusting her with the proclamation of the Eucharist, which is “the summit towards which thenow beginning.”[9] I would also like to emphasize Gospel by a mandate that is ever new. Today too, activity of the Church is directed; ... and also thestrongly what I had occasion to say concerning the there is a need for stronger ecclesial commitment to source from which all its power flows.”[14] At theCouncil a few months after my election as Successor new evangelization in order to rediscover the joy of same time, we make it our prayer that believers’ wit-of Peter: “if we interpret and implement it guided by believing and the enthusiasm for communicating ness of life may grow in credibility. To rediscover thea right hermeneutic, it can be and can become the faith. In rediscovering his love day by day, the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated,increasingly powerful for the ever necessary renew- missionary commitment of believers attains force lived and prayed,[15] and to reflect on the act ofal of the Church.”[10] and vigour that can never fade away. Faith grows faith, is a task that every believer must make his when it is lived as an experience of love received own, especially in the course of this Year.6. The renewal of the Church is also achieved and when it is communicated as an experience ofthrough the witness offered by the lives of believers: grace and joy. It makes us fruitful, because it Not without reason, Christians in the early centuries wereby their very existence in the world, Christians are expands our hearts in hope and enables us to bear required to learn the creed from memory. It served them ascalled to radiate the word of truth that the Lord life-giving witness: indeed, it opens the hearts and a daily prayer not to forget the commitment they hadJesus has left us. The Council itself, in the Dogmatic minds of those who listen to respond to the Lord’s undertaken in baptism. With words rich in meaning, SaintConstitution Lumen Gentium, said this: While invitation to adhere to his word and become his dis- Augustine speaks of this in a homily on the redditio sym-“Christ, ‘holy, innocent and undefiled’ (Heb 7:26) ciples. Believers, so Saint Augustine tells us, boli, the handing over of the creed: “the symbol of theknew nothing of sin (cf. 2 Cor 5:21), but came only to “strengthen themselves by believing”.[12] The saint- holy mystery that you have all received together and thatexpiate the sins of the people (cf. Heb 2:17)... the ly Bishop of Hippo had good reason to express him- today you have recited one by one, are the words on whichChurch ... clasping sinners to its bosom, at once holy self in this way. As we know, his life was a continu- the faith of Mother Church is firmly built above the sta-and always in need of purification, follows constant- al search for the beauty of the faith until such time as ble foundation that is Christ the Lord. You have receivedly the path of penance and renewal. The Church, his heart would find rest in God.[13] His extensive it and recited it, but in your minds and hearts you must‘like a stranger in a foreign land, presses forward writings, in which he explains the importance of keep it ever present, you must repeat it in your beds, recallamid the persecutions of the world and the consola- believing and the truth of the faith, continue even it in the public squares and not forget it during meals:tions of God’, announcing the cross and death of the now to form a heritage of incomparable riches, and even when your body is asleep, you must watch over itLord until he comes (cf. 1 Cor 11:26). But by the they still help many people in search of God to find with your hearts.”[16]power of the risen Lord it is given strength to over- the right path towards the “door of faith”.come, in patience and in love, its sorrow and its dif- Only through believing, then, does faith grow and 10. At this point I would like to sketch a path intended toficulties, both those that are from within and those become stronger; there is no other possibility for help us understand more profoundly not only the contentthat are from without, so that it may reveal in the possessing certitude with regard to one’s life apart of the faith, but also the act by which we choose to entrustworld, faithfully, although with shadows, the mys- from self-abandonment, in a continuous crescendo, ourselves fully to God, in complete freedom. In fact, theretery of its Lord until, in the end, it shall be manifest- into the hands of a love that seems to grow constant- exists a profound unity between the act by which weed in full light.”[11] ly because it has its origin in God. believe and the content to which we give our assent. SaintThe Year of Faith, from this perspective, is a sum- 8. On this happy occasion, I wish to invite my broth- Paul helps us to enter into this reality when he writes:mons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the er bishops from all over the world to join the “Man believes with his heart and so is justified, and heLord, the one Saviour of the world. In the mystery of confesses with his lips and so is saved” (Rom 10:10). Thehis death and resurrection, God has revealed in its heart indicates that the first act by which one comes tofullness the Love that saves and calls us to conver- faith is God’s gift and the action of grace which acts andsion of life through the forgiveness of sins (cf. Acts5:31). For Saint Paul, this Love ushers us into a new transforms the person deep within.life: “We were buried ... with him by baptism intodeath, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by Continued on page 19the glory of the Father, we too might walk in new-ness of life” (Rom 6:4). Through faith, this new lifeshapes the whole of human existence according to

PAGe 19“Year of Faith” declearedContinued from page 18 tutes a permanent summons, indelibly written into the To a greater extent than in the past, faith is now being human heart, to set out to find the One whom we subjected to a series of questions arising from a changedThe example of Lydia is particularly eloquent in this would not be seeking had he not already set out to meet mentality which, especially today, limits the field ofregard. Saint Luke recounts that, while he was at us.[20] To this encounter, faith invites us and it opens rational certainties to that of scientific and technologi-Philippi, Paul went on the Sabbath to proclaim the us in fullness. cal discoveries. Nevertheless, the Church has neverGospel to some women; among them was Lydia and been afraid of demonstrating that there cannot be any“the Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said 11. In order to arrive at a systematic knowledge of the conflict between faith and genuine science, becauseby Paul” (Acts 16:14). There is an important meaning content of the faith, all can find in the Catechism of the both, albeit via different routes, tend towards thecontained within this expression. Saint Luke teaches Catholic Church a precious and indispensable tool. It is truth.[22]that knowing the content to be believed is not suffi- one of the most important fruits of the Second Vaticancient unless the heart, the authentic sacred space with- Council. In the Apostolic Constitution Fidei 13. One thing that will be of decisive importance inin the person, is opened by grace that allows the eyes Depositum, signed, not by accident, on the thirtieth this Year is retracing the history of our faith, marked asto see below the surface and to understand that what has anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican it is by the unfathomable mystery of the interweavingbeen proclaimed is the word of God. Council, Blessed John Paul II wrote: “this catechism of holiness and sin. While the former highlights the will make a very important contribution to that work great contribution that men and women have made toConfessing with the lips indicates in turn that faith of renewing the whole life of the Church ... I declare it the growth and development of the community throughimplies public testimony and commitment. A to be a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial the witness of their lives, the latter must provoke inChristian may never think of belief as a private act. communion and a sure norm for teaching the faith.”[21] each person a sincere and continuing work of conver-Faith is choosing to stand with the Lord so as to live sion in order to experience the mercy of the Fatherwith him. This “standing with him” points towards an It is in this sense that that the Year of Faith will have which is held out to everyone.understanding of the reasons for believing. Faith, pre- to see a concerted effort to rediscover and study the fun-cisely because it is a free act, also demands social damental content of the faith that receives its systemat- During this time we will need to keep our gaze fixedresponsibility for what one believes. The Church on ic and organic synthesis in the Catechism of the upon Jesus Christ, the “pioneer and perfecter of ourthe day of Pentecost demonstrates with utter clarity this Catholic Church. Here, in fact, we see the wealth of faith” (Heb 12:2): in him, all the anguish and all thepublic dimension of believing and proclaiming one’s teaching that the Church has received, safeguarded and longing of the human heart finds fulfilment. The joy offaith fearlessly to every person. It is the gift of the proposed in her two thousand years of history. From love, the answer to the drama of suffering and pain, theHoly Spirit that makes us fit for mission and strength- Sacred Scripture to the Fathers of the Church, from the- power of forgiveness in the face of an offence receivedens our witness, making it frank and courageous. ological masters to the saints across the centuries, the and the victory of life over the emptiness of death: allProfession of faith is an act both personal and commu- Catechism provides a permanent record of the many this finds fulfilment in the mystery of his Incarnation,nitarian. It is the Church that is the primary subject of ways in which the Church has meditated on the faith in his becoming man, in his sharing our human weak-faith. In the faith of the Christian community, each and made progress in doctrine so as to offer certitude to ness so as to transform it by the power of his resurrec-individual receives baptism, an effective sign of entry believers in their lives of faith. tion. In him who died and rose again for our salvation,into the people of believers in order to obtain salvation. the examples of faith that have marked these two thou-As we read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “ In its very structure, the Catechism of the Catholic sand years of our salvation history are brought into the‘I believe’ is the faith of the Church professed person- Church follows the development of the faith right up fullness of light.ally by each believer, principally during baptism. ‘We to the great themes of daily life. On page after page, webelieve’ is the faith of the Church confessed by the find that what is presented here is no theory, but an By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s word and believedbishops assembled in council or more generally by the encounter with a Person who lives within the Church. the message that she was to become the Mother of Godliturgical assembly of believers. ‘I believe’ is also the The profession of faith is followed by an account of in the obedience of her devotion (cf. Lk 1:38). VisitingChurch, our mother, responding to God by faith as she sacramental life, in which Christ is present, operative Elizabeth, she raised her hymn of praise to the Mostteaches us to say both ‘I believe’ and ‘we believe’.”[17] and continues to build his Church. Without the liturgy High for the marvels he worked in those who trust himEvidently, knowledge of the content of faith is essen- and the sacraments, the profession of faith would lack (cf. Lk 1:46-55). With joy and trepidation she gavetial for giving one’s own assent, that is to say for efficacy, because it would lack the grace which supports birth to her only son, keeping her virginity intact (cf.adhering fully with intellect and will to what the Christian witness. By the same criterion, the teaching Lk 2:6-7). Trusting in Joseph, her husband, she tookChurch proposes. Knowledge of faith opens a door into of the Catechism on the moral life acquires its full Jesus to Egypt to save him from Herod’s persecutionthe fullness of the saving mystery revealed by God. The meaning if placed in relationship with faith, liturgy and (cf. Mt 2:13-15). With the same faith, she followed thegiving of assent implies that, when we believe, we prayer. Lord in his preaching and remained with him all thefreely accept the whole mystery of faith, because the way to Golgotha (cf. Jn 19:25-27). By faith, Mary tast-guarantor of its truth is God who reveals himself and 12. In this Year, then, the Catechism of the Catholic ed the fruits of Jesus’ resurrection, and treasuring everyallows us to know his mystery of love.[18] Church will serve as a tool providing real support for memory in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19, 51), she passed themOn the other hand, we must not forget that in our cul- the faith, especially for those concerned with the forma- on to the Twelve assembled with her in the Uppertural context, very many people, while not claiming to tion of Christians, so crucial in our cultural context. To Room to receive the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14; 2:1-4).have the gift of faith, are nevertheless sincerely search- this end, I have invited the Congregation for theing for the ultimate meaning and definitive truth of Doctrine of the Faith, by agreement with the competent Contiuned on page 21their lives and of the world. This search is an authentic Dicasteries of the Holy See, to draw up a Note, provid-“preamble” to the faith, because it guides people onto ing the Church and individual believers with somethe path that leads to the mystery of God. Human rea- guidelines on how to live this Year of Faith in the mostson, in fact, bears within itself a demand for “what is effective and appropriate ways, at the service of beliefperennially valid and lasting”.[19] This demand consti- and evangelization.

PAGe 20 AVAILABLE AT Nassau Catholic Bookstore (Located on St. Francis Xavier Cathedral grounds) Telephone: 242 • 325-6855

PAGe 21“Year of Faith” declearedFrom page 19 exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet 1:6- 9). The life of Christians knows the experience of joy as well as the experience of suffer-By faith, the disciples formed the first community, gathered around the teaching of the ing. How many of the saints have lived in solitude! How many believers, even in our ownApostles, in prayer, in celebration of the Eucharist, holding their possessions in common day, are tested by God’s silence when they would rather hear his consoling voice! The trialsso as to meet the needs of the brethren (cf. Acts 2:42-47). of life, while helping us to understand the mystery of the Cross and to participate in the suf-By faith, the martyrs gave their lives, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel that had ferings of Christ (cf. Col 1:24), are a prelude to the joy and hope to which faith leads:transformed them and made them capable of attaining to the greatest gift of love: the for- “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). We believe with firm certitude that thegiveness of their persecutors. Lord Jesus has conquered evil and death. With this sure confidence we entrust ourselves to him: he, present in our midst, overcomes the power of the evil one (cf. Lk 11:20); and theBy faith, men and women have consecrated their lives to Christ, leaving all things behind Church, the visible community of his mercy, abides in him as a sign of definitive reconcil-so as to live obedience, poverty and chastity with Gospel simplicity, concrete signs of iation with the Father.waiting for the Lord who comes without delay. By faith, countless Christians have promot-ed action for justice so as to put into practice the word of the Lord, who came to proclaim Let us entrust this time of grace to the Mother of God, proclaimed “blessed because shedeliverance from oppression and a year of favour for all (cf. Lk 4:18-19). believed” (Lk 1:45). Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 11 October in the year 2011, the seventh of myBy faith, across the centuries, men and women of all ages, whose names are written in the Pontificate.Book of Life (cf. Rev 7:9, 13:8), have confessed the beauty of following the Lord Jesus BENEDICTUS PP. XVIwherever they were called to bear witness to the fact that they were Christian: in the fami-ly, in the workplace, in public life, in the exercise of the charisms and ministries to whichthey were called.By faith, we too live: by the living recognition of the Lord Jesus, present in our lives and [1] Homily for the beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome (24in our history. April 2005): AAS 97 (2005), 710. [2] Cf. Benedict XVI, Homily at Holy Mass in Lisbon’s “Terreiro do Paço” (11 May14. The Year of Faith will also be a good opp 2010): Insegnamenti VI:1 (2010), 673.ortunity to intensify the witness of charity. As Saint Paul reminds us: “So faith, hope, love [3] Cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum (11 October 1992):abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13). With even stronger AAS 86 (1994), 113-118.words – which have always placed Christians under obligation – Saint James said: “What [4] Cf. Final Report of the Second Extraordinary Synod of Bishops (7 Decemberdoes it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save 1985), II, B, a, 4 in Enchiridion Vaticanum, ix, n. 1797.him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, [5] Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Petrum et Paulum Apostolos on the XIX cente-‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled’, without giving them the things needed for the body, nary of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul (22 February 1967): AAS 59 (1967),what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, 196.‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my [6] Ibid., 198.works will show you my faith” (Jas 2:14-18). [7] Paul VI, Credo of the People of God, cf. Homily at Mass on the XIX centenary of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul at the conclusion of the “Year of Faith”Faith without charity bears no fruit, while charity without faith would be a sentiment con- (30 June 1968): AAS 60 (1968), 433-445.stantly at the mercy of doubt. Faith and charity each require the other, in such a way that [8] Paul VI, General Audience (14 June 1967): Insegnamenti V (1967), 801.each allows the other to set out along its respective path. Indeed, many Christians dedicate [9] John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (6 January 2001), 57:their lives with love to those who are lonely, marginalized or excluded, as to those who are AAS 93 (2001), 308.the first with a claim on our attention and the most important for us to support, because it [10] Address to the Roman Curia (22 December 2005): AAS 98 (2006), 52.is in them that the reflection of Christ’s own face is seen. Through faith, we can recognize [11] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Churchthe face of the risen Lord in those who ask for our love. “As you did it to one of the least of Lumen Gentium, 8.these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). These words are a warning that must not [12] De Utilitate Credendi, I:2.be forgotten and a perennial invitation to return the love by which he takes care of us. It is [13] Cf. Saint Augustine, Confessions, I:1.faith that enables us to recognize Christ and it is his love that impels us to assist him when- [14] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgyever he becomes our neighbour along the journey of life. Supported by faith, let us look Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10.with hope at our commitment in the world, as we await “new heavens and a new earth in [15] Cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum (11 October 1992):which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13; cf. Rev 21:1). AAS 86 (1994), 116.15. Having reached the end of his life, Saint Paul asks his disciple Timothy to “aim at faith” [16] Sermo 215:1.(2 Tim 2:22) with the same constancy as when he was a boy (cf. 2 Tim 3:15). We hear this [17] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 167.invitation directed to each of us, that none of us grow lazy in the faith. It is the lifelong [18] Cf. First Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholiccompanion that makes it possible to perceive, ever anew, the marvels that God works for Faith Dei Filius, chap. III: DS 3008-3009: Second Vatican Ecumenical Council,us. Intent on gathering the signs of the times in the present of history, faith commits every Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum, 5.one of us to become a living sign of the presence of the Risen Lord in the world. What the [19] Benedict XVI, Address at the Collège des Bernardins, Paris (12 September 2008):world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind AAS 100 (2008), 722.and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to [20] Cf. Saint Augustine, Confessions, XIII:1.the desire for God and for true life, life without end. [21] John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum (11 October 1992): AAS 86 (1994), 115 and 117.“That the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph” (2 Th 3:1): may this Year of Faith [22] Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio (14 September 1998), 34,make our relationship with Christ the Lord increasingly firm, since only in him is there the 106: AAS 91 (1999), 31-32, 86-87.certitude for looking to the future and the guarantee of an authentic and lasting love. The Libreria Editrice Vaticanawords of Saint Peter shed one final ray of light on faith: “In this you rejoice, though nowfor a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith,more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praiseand glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you lovehim; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and

PAGe 22

PAGe 2335 participate in vocations workshopPromoters confirm commitment to developing next generation Jay Cartwright was one of the thirty five participants from across the AEC, comprising 12 Diocesan Vocations Directors, 6 Diocesan Youth Coordinators and 17 Vocations directors and promoters from religious congregations who met 30 July - 3 August at the Benedictine Abbey in St Lucia, for the second training Seminar to assist them in discerning and promoting vocations to the priest- hood and religious life for the future of the Church in the region. Sister Julie Peters SSM and Fr William Jarema facilitated the work- shop. They presented participants with a wealth of information geared to helping the group respond to persons who might approach them for guidance in discerning their vocation as well as in understanding themselves as vocations promoters and the people with whom they live and work.