Bahama Catholic - February 2016

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016THE NEWSPAPER OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NASSAU

2Archbishop Pinder marks the start of Lent with traditional ash blessingThe following is Archbishop Pinder’s homily delivered at the grace. So be it! That is our task for Lent. Remember theAsh Wednesday midday service at St. Francis Xavier instructions of the prophet Joel. \"Rend your hearts, not yourCathedral, February 10, 2016. garments.\"Readings Archbishop Pinder blessing ashes during the Ash Historically, Lent began as a reflection on the 40-day desertJoel 2:1-2,12-18 Wednesday midday service at experience of Jesus, as he prepared for his public ministry. It[Psalm 51] St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. also evokes the 40-year journey of the Exodus experience.II Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Both are desert experiences. The desert teaches one what isMatthew 6:1-6,16-18 We all receive that call whenever we hear the Gospel pro- most essential in life. It is a lesson in how to properly order claimed. Whether our response be that of Jeremiah and our priorities and our values. Lent is a time for that too.Dear Friends Peter or Isaiah and James and John, it does not matter. What does matter is that our response be affirmative and honest. Pope Francis, reflecting on Lent, last year, said that theWe pause and take a step back from all the pressing con- Lent is the time for us to think seriously about the quality of Gospel is the only real antidote to the moral and spiritualcerns of our world and our community to begin, once again, our response to the invitation of Christ. destitution which may surround us.the journey of Lent. This journey begins with a simple ritualgesture. It begins with the imposition of Ashes upon our Each year, as we come to this day, we are greeted with words This year, Lent falls within the extraordinary Jubilee offoreheads. This serves to remind us of our mortality. It is from yet another Prophet Joel. This is what we hear: Mercy. During this time, Pope Francis has challenged us toalso a reminder of our accountability before God. This jour- give special attention to the Corporal and Spiritual Works ofney will end in 40 days with our celebration of the death and Even now, says the Lord, Mercy.resurrection of the Lord at Easter. return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; The Church invites us to consider that the penitential prac-As we approached this day, the Sunday scripture passages Rend your hearts, not your garments, tice of Lent is not so much an obligation to be prescribed byfor the past two weeks included words from the Prophets. and return to the Lord, your God. law, but it is a responsibility of every Christian who must liveWe heard the moving and unforgetable call of Jeremiah. The For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger out the ongoing conversion begun in our baptism. No oneLord said to him, \"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew abounding in steadfast love, knows better than you what claim the call to conversion ofyou. Before you were born, I dedicated you.\" (Jeremiah and relenting in punishment. (Joel 2:12-13) heart has placed on you this Lent. Only you know how best1:5) to honestly and sincerely respond to that claim during these The Church places before us the discipline of Lent... places weeks of Lent. And you must! We all must!Jeremiah is hesitant and uncertain. He thinks that he is too before us the challenge of ongoing conversion of heart. Inyoung, too inarticulate. But the Lord will not accept NO for the words and images of the prophet we are to “Rend our Again, today’s Gospel speaks of fasting, almsgiving, andan answer. He says to Jeremiah, \"To whomever I send you, hearts not our garments.” Surely, this season is a time when prayer. This gospel is but a continuation of the great Sermonyou shall go, whatever I command you, you shall speak.\" our commitment to change, to the call for conversion, must on the Mount. It occupies chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the Gospel(Jeremiah 1:7) be intensely personal and intensely sincere. of Matthew. It is the finest summary of the teachings of Jesus found in all the Gospels. Recall how earlier the GospelNext we heard the call of Isaiah. It takes the form of a ques- Today’s Gospel mentions the three time-honored penitential says:tion. The Lord asks, \"Whom shall I send? Who will go for practices for Lent...Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving.us?\" (Isaiah 6:8) In Isaiah, there is no hesitation, no self- However, the Gospel issues a warning first of all. “Take care “You are the salt of the earth but that salt must not lose its fla-doubt, no uncertainty. He responds full of zeal and enthusi- not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see vor. You are the light of the world but that light must not beasm: 'Here I am,\" he says, \"send me.\" (Isaiah 6:8). them.”(Matthew 6:1) put under a bushel basket.\" (5:13-15) Care for others. Be concerned for others. Get to know others and their needsIn a very unexpected way, these two calls are brought Why not? Because these external gestures are intended to and concerns. Let us deepen the sense of family and com-together in the gospel for Sunday past (Luke 5:1-11). It express a much deeper reality. They are meant to express a munity among ourselves this Lent.appears to be a story about a miraculous catch of fish. desire for conversion of heart. That desire must be true andReally, though, it is the call of Peter on the one hand and sincere. It may mean having to make hard choices to steer We are asked to Fast and Abstain on this day. We are invitedJames and John, on the other. our lives back to the straight and right path. Perhaps this can to have Ashes imposed upon us. We are challenged to take only be achieved by humbly seeking the assistance of God's our devotional duties much more seriously throughout theThey are all in the boat with Jesus. Peter, after toiling all next 40 days.night, but without result, is asked by Jesus to put out into thedeep and lower the nets once again. He does and the result All these are ways of acknowledging the sin in our lives butis more fish than he could ever imagine. Realizing the pres- more importantly, doing something about it. Let us try, withence of the divine, he fell to his knees and said, \"Depart from God's grace, to turn away from sin and to live the Gospel.me for I am a sinful man.\" But Jesus responds, \"Do not be That is what the Season of Lent is for. And, for that purpose,afraid; from now on you will be catching men.\" Peter's let us embrace, as our own, the words of St Paul to theresponse is like Jeremiah's. Church at Corinth, where he says...James and John meanwhile, are quietly watching all this. “Now is a very acceptable time! Now is the day ofThey can't wait to get back to shore. When they do they Salvation! “abandon everything and follow Jesus. Their response is clos-er to Isaiah's.

3 LENTEN MISSIONTheme: “Practicing Mercy: Living the Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy\"Throughout the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, in particular during Lent, Pope Francis has invited the Church tofocus on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy that “remind us that faith finds expression in concrete, everydayactions meant to help our neighbours in body and spirit: by feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them.” (fromPope Francis’ Lenten Message 2016).In keeping with this focus, the Citywide Lenten Mission this year was themed: “Practicing Mercy: Living the Corporal& Spiritual Works of Mercy.”Deacons Samuel Mitchell, Danny Price, Peter Jones, D’Arcy Rahming and Michael Checkley, led the five-night mis-sion. On the final night, the Mission concluded with a celebration of Mass. Excerpts from the Deacons’ homiliesare on pages 3 - 11.Deacon Samuel MitchellNIGHT 1: “Visiting the imprisoned & forgiving offenses”Many people do not know what mercy is. As suggesting, that he should forgive 7 times. The perfect all these enter our hearts. They lie there and become Catholics, many of us have forgotten about number 7 was enough to forgive someone. On this like poison. To refuse to forgive will prevent us from the seven corporal and spiritual works of occasion Peter thought that he was being very generous finding peace and tranquillity in our lives. To refuse tomercy. and that he was doing well. forgive is to keep that poison inside of you.Those words are not only a story about Jesus fulfilling Peter was not without warrant for this suggestion. It In their hurt and pride, some people believe they arethe ministry God gave him, it is also a story of our own was Rabbinic teaching that a man must forgive his getting their revenge on another person by refusing for-calling. For, by Baptism, the Lord Jesus has asked each brother three times; the fourth time they did not forgive. giveness. They refuse to speak to that person whoone of us to share His Ministry. Imagine Almighty God caused them pain and grief, or they do it in a cold,relying on ordinary mortals to carry out His ministry. The biblical proof that this was correct was taken from unfriendly way. the Book of the Prophet Amos, Chapter 1: 3-13 andIn the second verse of the hymn “God’s spirit is in my Chapter 2: 1-6. From this it was deduced, that God’s The memories of past hurts continue to cloud our lives.heart”, Alan Dale penned these words: forgiveness extended to three offenses and that he visit- Self -pity and further thinking of the wrong done to us“ Just as the Father send me, so am sending you out to ed the sinners with punishment at the fourth. only add to the bitterness we feel; and, when thosebe, my witnesses throughout the world, the whole hurtful things, those poisonous feelings are in ourworld”. It was not to be thought that a man could be more gen- hearts, what happens? Joy and happiness go out the erous than God. window of our hearts.This is what God wants us to do, to proclaim His wordto everyone, to tell others of his mercy, love and for- Forgiveness was limited to three times. All the people in Inside we hold on to the memory of the wrong done togiveness. here over 40 or 50 years can remember a saying in The us and we refuse to face the fact that we should forgive Bahamas, “three times is the Law, four times is war.” as Peter’s question reminds us. Lord, if my brother sinI think of Blessed Mother Teresa and others, who have against me, how often must I forgive as many as 7lived the definition of the corporal and spiritual works Just as in the old days, there was no limit to hatred and times?of mercy. vengeance, so, among Christians, there is to be no limit to mercy and forgiveness. The parable of the unforgiv- Jesus is telling us that there never comes a time whenShe showed us God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and ing servant is also told in order to underline the need we need forgive no longer.compassion by becoming a vessel of love and mercy for forgiveness. Forgiveness of debts is one kind, butwith her life. Jesus used this parable as an example of another kind His reply sets no limits, His words means as often as he of forgiveness.That of the hurt or wrong that others do the offender offends you. To make this clear to us JesusMatthew in his Gospel, deals with relations between to us. No one can live life without getting hurt by oth- tells us a story, the meaning of which we cannot miss.Christians, focusing on the need for forgiveness ers. People fail us; they put us in situations which We are amazed at how the servant acted with his fel-between members of the community. cause us to suffer. We become sorry for ourselves and low servant. How cruel and inhumane he was we say angry with those who bring the hurt. to ourselves.He asked Jesus, “How often must I forgive my brother;“Like some of us, he answered his own question by Anger and bitterness, hurt and desire to take revenge, Continued on page 4

4 continued from page 3 - “Visiting the imprisoned & forgiving offenses”He had been forgiven a debt of a million denarii grateful heart. Now in your mind, clearly see a person who hasand he could not forgive a debt of one hundred 2. Forgiveness is not something we can easily do, hurt you and whom you have not really forgiven.denarii. If the Master had forgiven me all my debt, but rather something we can begin and nurture; it’swhen I had met the man who owed me less, I a process and not a one-time act. Maybe, it is your mother or your father, or wife orwould have embraced him and said, “You did not husband, or sister or brother.. Someone you arerepay me, but my Master was kind and generous.” 3. Forgiveness is not something we can do alone; if inwardly angry at. See the person clearly right we think so, that is why we fail. now.. Now talk to the person quietly. Say, as youOf course the two amounts could not be compared. name that person with love, I forgive you com- We have the Holy Spirit in our hearts constantly pletely for whatever you did, for being unfair to me,The point is, nothing that men can do to us, in any calling us to reconcile with each other and with for rejecting me, for belittling me, for neglectingway, can compare with what we have done to God. God. It’s at the Spirit’s prompting and with the me. Be sure to bring out all the hurt. Put all the per-And if God has forgiven us the debt we owe to Spirit’s help that we can begin to forgive. sons on that chair until everyone is forgiven.him, we must forgive our fellow men the debts theyowe to us.Nothing that we have to forgive can even 4. Being from God, forgiveness works miracles of You may also be healing your headaches or ulcersfaintly or remotely compare with that which we healing where once was darkness and despair. or depression just by really forgiving. If you do thishave been forgiven. Forgiveness brings light and peace. often nothing can bring you closer to the love of Jesus. Now forgive and love that person, and, asSometimes we say to those who hurt us, what you Jesus instructs us to love others, even if they have you leave here tonight, thank Jesus for giving thehave done to me, I forgive you, but I will never for- hurt us. Forgiveness is the love of those who hurt. greatest power of love.get. If you don’t do this it is not God who punishes you, THE POWER OF FORGIVING.If we think about it, what person, living or dead, you punish yourself.has offended me as much as I have offended God.What comparison is there between my sin, in the A lady told me, “Deacon God used to answer myface of God’s love and other people’s failing to me? prayer, until I became bitter about a person whoThis cannot be compared. hurt me and my family. I refused to forgive, and after that my prayers just seemed useless.”Most Christians pray every day the prayer Jesustaught us, the Our Father Prayer. Every day we say How many blessings we miss if we refuse to for-these words: “ Forgive us our trespasses as we for- give? How much peace and joy do we miss, if wegive those who trespass against us. “ refuse to forgive?How many of us realize, what we are saying, as we Jesus showed us how to forgive. As he was nailedpray those words? What we are saying in fact is to the cross, he said, “Father forgive them for theythis: Lord forgive me, to the extent, to the same know not what they do.” Nothing but love in hisdegree, as I myself have forgiven… heart, even at the very worst he could suffer -com- plete rejection and murder by the people he cameIs that what we really want? The kind of forgive- to save.ness we have given; nothing more, nothing less! When you forgive, you have a very personal part ofThe question for us, this evening is, how can we his teaching because his was a ministry of healingforgive when it seems impossible? How can I cope and saving lives.with bitterness and resentment? How can we besincere, when we want to forgive but also want to This evening you maybe thinking, “Deacon I can-hold a grudge? not forgive, you may be right. “ Of your own power, you may not be able to forgive. But you canWe have to see forgiveness as it really is: ask Jesus to come into your life and forgive you.1. An art of Justice, we have been forgiven by God. The Spirit of Jesus is the spirit of forgiveness. To Lector, Alicia-Marie MusgroveOur response to that gift is to forgive others in turn. help prevent our separation from God, while youNot because of fear of punishment, but out of a are seated, I will place an empty chair right here.

5Deacon Danny PriceNIGHT 2: “Give drink to the thirsty & counsel the doubtful”The Holy Father, Pope Francis, in declaring an the ills threatening to to thirst? Who thirst? Why do they thirst? What do they Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, dedicated to destroy our families, thirst for? What is mercy? Who is mercy for? The con- works of mercy, presents us with a golden oppor- our parish communi- cise Oxford Dictionary defines thirst as “a feeling oftunity for the Church to once again reclaim its appoint- ties, and our country. dryness in the mouth and throat, a strong desire”.ed position as the primary catalyst for the conversion of Like a needle, these Another defines it this way “a distressful feeling of dry-minds and hearts, so that she may begin again to win words should pierce ness….accompanied by an increasingly urgent desiresouls for Christ; to be the face of mercy to the margin- our hearts and con- for liquids; an eager desire; a longing or craving”. To bealized of the world in every society. sciences and stir us to thirsty then is to be affected with thirst, lacking mois- re-examine our lives in ture, arid parched, consumed by a deep desire andDuring this Jubilee, Pope Francis says the Church will the light of our baptism craving. These definitions give us a graphic understand-be called even more to heal these wounds, to assuage when we were called ing of what it means to thirst physically, but to get anthem with the oil of consolation, to bind them with to be the face of Christ understanding of what thirst is and what it feels like inmercy and cure them with solidarity and vigilant care. for each other in this the context of the corporal work of mercy.Let us not fall into humiliating indifference or a monot- world. To be merciful Like the Samaritan woman in the Gospel we all thirstonous routine;....let us ward off destructive cynicism! like our Heavenly and have a deep seated desire to be rescued from ourLet us open our eyes and see the misery of the world, Father is to strive daily misery by the love of God.the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are denied to use the gifts and tal-their dignity, and let us recognize that we are com- ents God has given us My friends there many among us today who thirst forpelled to heed their cry for help. May their cry become to uplift, and encour- just a sip of the living water Jesus offers. Many rightour own and, together, may we break down the barriers age, to console and to provide a path for the oppressed here in this hall tonight, perhaps someone sitting rightof indifference that too often reign supreme and mask among us to escape a life of misery, self- inflicted or next to you, or someone you know at work. They cryour hypocrisy and egoism. not; deserved or not; we neglect to do it not only at our out in the misery of their pain due to broken relation- own peril, but that of the present and future good of ships and the heartache it has brought to their lives andMy friends, do you understand what Pope Francis is the wider society; of our children and our grandchil- their homes. They cry out, from beneath the burden ofsaying to you and me in these words, as we gather this dren. The proof of that is already with us. not being able to meet financial obligations, sufferingweek in mission? If you think about it in the context of silently, afraid that they may be ridiculed and scoffed atwhat is happening in our country today, his words go One time ago, in the life of this country in the not too if their so called friends were to find out. There areto the heart of many of the issues we are facing as a distant past, which most of us in here can still remem- persons who come into my parish and into yours, over-people and a nation today. ber, the kind of violence against the person that we see burdened and depressed, feeling the weight of the today was unheard of. Now, after only a generation or world on their shoulders, looking for solace and com-These words of Pope Francis, in which he exhorts us to two, we live in a society where it is commonplace to fort, who yearn to be welcomed, accepted and nour-rekindle our zeal for works of mercy, read like a pre- witness scenes of the most violent and senseless acts ished by the cooling waters of a welcoming smile andscription for a healing tonic that could cure many of visited on our brothers and sisters. We see pain and a warm embrace, but instead they are shuffled from suffering on a daily basis, which cause us to recoil and seat to seat because sometimes it appears there are par- express outrage and shock to see the extent of our ticular pews that seem to have names on them. inhumanity to each other; that is the obvious; that is what we can see. But what about the more subtle, What if Jesus had behaved that way towards the insidious violence that is equally as destructive that we Samaritan woman? So many of our brothers and sisters perpetrate against each other on a daily basis. thirst in so many ways and rather than give them to drink of the refreshing waters of our love, compassion, There is a kind of misery that many of our brothers and understanding and acceptance, we sometimes give sisters are made to endure simply because they may be them the most bitter vinegar to drink when they cry out different, may look different, or because they may not in their thirst. Just like physical thirst, if neglected and have as much as others do. Are they to be excluded left unattended, the thirst of our brothers and sisters for from God’s mercy? I believe that there is no one in this the living water found in the mercy of God, if left unat- hall tonight who would challenge the assertion that all tended, will cause them too to dry up; spiritually, and of us need to make a more conscious and sincere effort socially and become either like the walking dead or a to practice living the works of mercy on a daily basis. ticking time bomb. There is always room for improvement in the way we treat our brothers and sisters. Continued on page 6 How do we give drink to the thirsty? Let us first attempt to answer a few questions. What does it mean

6continued from page 5- “Give drink to the thirsty & counsel the doubtful”Mercy is very real. But it does not just plop out of thin quench their thirst. and was about to be hauled off to the Boys Industrialair. God does not work that way. When his Son Jesus School. A missionary nun looked at the boy and sawChrist walked the face of the earth, he was the consum- My dear brothers and sisters God and God alone is the more in him than he could see in himself. She con-mate living, flesh and blood example of mercy. dispenser of Mercy; we participate in his acts of mercy vinced the officer to allow him to stay and she would when we choose to freely cooperate with his will. All see to it that he attended school. It was an act of kind-Jesus no longer walks the face of the earth, so it is up to of us are always in need of his mercy because we are ness that he would remember for the rest of his life.you and me to bring his mercy to all our brothers and all continually in sin. Not one of us is better than the Tonight that young boy stands before you a husband, asisters wherever they may be, however big or small other. We are all in this boat together, and whether it father, a grandfather, and a Deacon, all because oftheir need may be. We show God’s mercy when we reaches heaven’s gate intact, or ends up on rocky God’s mercy and a stranger from a foreign land,give of ourselves to our children when they thirst for shores, is up to each of us. through whom God chose to save him. He did notour attention, love, and affection. We manifest God’s deserve it; she did not have to do it, but she chose tomercy and give drink when we give of ourselves to I leave you now with the concise version of the story of give him to drink of God’s mercy. That is how mercymentor and train the young men of our inner cities who a young boy, and some words from Blessed Mother works; this is what mercy does; mercy changes lives.are destroying each other perhaps because they have Teresa. The smallest, simplest act of charity can makenever experienced God’s unconditional love. all the difference to someone’s life; you may not know Blessed Mother Teresa, was one of the finest examples when, you may not know how. That is how mercy in modern times of what it truly means to live theWe show God’s mercy when we walk with that person works, that is what mercy does; mercy change lives. works of mercy. She had these words for us, whichthrough the agony of the guilt they carry because of express the urgency of the need that exists among us;past mistakes, and give them to drink of a compassion- There was a young boy growing up in Taylor street off “Our work is for today. Yesterday has gone, tomorrowate listening ear that is not judgmental and a voice that East street; the son of a single mother facing challenges has not yet come. Today- we have only today to makesimply consoles and encourages. Mercy is when you to adequately provide for her five children at the time. Jesus known, loved, served, fed, clothed, and sheltered.are there to lift up a brother or a sister when they hit He attended Our Lady’s Catholic School. He had his Do not wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow might not come.rock bottom in life and you give them to drink of your share of problems in school. He did not have friends as Tomorrow we will not have them if we do not feedtime, your love and your compassion to help them get such at school and did not always go where he was them today.” And if I might add, tomorrow we will notback on their feet, no questions asked no strings sent. One day while he was out roaming the streets, have them if we do not give them drink today. To himattached; when everyone else has abandoned them; heading down the wrong path when he should have be glory now and forever. Amen .when no one else will offer them a sip of water to been in school, he got picked up by the truant officerCatholic faithfuls from parishes throughout New Providence began their Lenten Journey at the 2016 Citywide Lector, Kevin GlintonMission, themed, “Practicing Mercy: Living the Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy,” February 15-19.

7Deacon Peter JonesNIGHT 3: “Feeding the hungry and visiting the sick” Feeding the Hungry 6. Helping to shop for groceries. itually feed ourselves on the Word of God; for we cannot give what we don’t have. So, how do we feedIn our country (The Bahamas) and indeed our It was Mother Teresa who said “When a poor person ourselves on the Word of God? world, there are many people who go without dies of hunger it has not happened because God did food on a regular basis. When so much of our not take care of him or her. It has happened because 1. Receive the Word with our ears. We must commitfood goes to waste, consider how good stewardship neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he ourselves to attending Mass regularly (daily if we can)practices of our own food habits and other works can or she needed.” Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and listening to God’s Word being preached.benefit others who do not have those same resources. an icon of compassionate care for the poor and dis- advantaged, was one such person who dedicated her 2. Read the Word with our eyes. Having a Bible inWhat are some of these stewardship practices? whole life to picking up the poor and the suffering our house collecting dust isn’t going to bless us. We from the streets of Calcutta and other major cities in have to have the Bible in our hearts.1. Try not to purchase more food than we are able to India and providing for them the most basic necessi-eat. If we notice that we end up throwing away gro- ties: food, shelter, a blanket and a bit of human 3. Research the Word with our hands and mouth.ceries each week, purchasing less groceries would warmth and kindness. Many were desperately sick When studying the Word of God, have a pencil andeliminate waste and allow us to donate the savings to with incurable illnesses, but it made no difference to pad in our hands and write down what God teaches.those in need. Mother Teresa and her Sisters of Charity. They were Talk about what we’re discovering with others. committed to feeding the hungry and loving the poor2. Share our meals with others. as “Jesus in disguise,” so to speak. The sisters saw the 4. Reflect on the Word with our minds. We must Lord as truly present in all who suffer. What we see think about and chew on God’s Word.3. Bringing food or donating money to buy food for in the life of Mother Teresa is a shining example of athe poor. life dedicated especially to practicing the corporal 5. Remember the Word with your heart. We must works of mercy. commit God’s Word to memory. It is likely that when4. Supporting and volunteering for St. Vincent de we really need a Bible we may not be able to put ourPaul’s soup kitchen at our parishes and other agencies Traditionally, this work, “to feed the hungry,” is seen hands on one. So having God’s Word in our hearts,that feed the hungry. merely as providing food for the poor, but in perspec- we can recall them to mind at any given time, when tive we see that Christ reminded us that the most we are facing challenges in our lives.5. Having a special celebration with lots of food? important food, the Bread of Life, is the Word of God,Don’t throw away the left-overs, deliver them to insti- with Christ as its Teacher and Example. What good is Without physical food, the body quickly collapses;tutions like that of the Nazareth Center, other daycare giving mere physical nourishment to those poor in without spiritual food, the soul deteriorates. What thecenters for children and the elderly, who would wel- money, if one ignores providing the nourishment of soul requires for nourishment is divine life or “grace.”come them, and God’s Word and Christ’s example to those poor in the It is of this sustenance that Jesus speaks in John 6: 27: diet of that Word and example? Just like we need “Do not work for food that perishes but for food that physical food for physical strength, we need spiritual endures for eternal life.” Most people are at least part- food for spiritual strength. The Bible itself is spiritual ly aware of the soul and its hunger, but they feed it food – the water, milk, bread, and meat of our spiri- with insufficient food: wealth, pleasure, power and tual lives. honor. All of these are good in themselves, but none of them is designed to satisfy the longing of the soul; We need to feed ourselves to have the strength to and that’s precisely why some of the wealthiest, most accomplish the tasks ahead of us. We are not going famous and accomplished people in our society are to have much success in winning the spiritual battles dying of spiritual starvation. we face if we’re starving ourselves to death. We need to feed ourselves on the Word of God. Unlike eating So where and how do we find divine life? First, physical food, whenever we feed on the Word of through prayer – The soul wants to pray every day, to God, we get even hungrier. The more we taste and speak to God and to listen to him. A second way in see how good God is, the more we want. Colossians which we encounter grace is through serious spiritual 3: 16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you rich- reading. A third way to feed the soul is to practice the ly.” St. Paul tells us to let the Bible take up residence corporal and spiritual works of mercy in our lives in a rich, profound and life-giving way. Continued on page 8 In order to spiritually feed others, we must, first, spir-

8 continued from page 7- “Feeding the hungry and visiting the sick”Finally, and most importantly, receive the Eucharist regular- Parents, these children need you, they need your love and Helping sick people in any way is an act of love. We canly. The divine life is found, par excellence, in the transfig- care. Mother Teresa encourages us to be missionaries of help the sick and elderly by both caring for their physicalured bread and wine of the Eucharist. What the soul is hun- love: “You are God’s love in action. Through you, God is needs and offering them company and friendly conversa-gry for, finally, is the person of Jesus, the body and blood of still loving the world. Each time people come into contact tion for a while. The best example in Scripture is the para-Christ. Without feeding regularly on that food, the soul will with us, they must become different and better people ble of the Good Samaritan, who cared for the woundeddeteriorate. The reason why so many Catholics are feeling because of having met us. We must radiate God’s love.” man and when he could no longer do so himself, commit-lost today is because most of them stay away from the Mass ted him to the care of another, whom he paid out of his ownand the Eucharist on a regular basis. If we want to be To Visit the Sick pocket (Lk. 10: 30-37).healthy spiritually, we’ve got to eat! It is in the sick and suffering, that we encounter Jesus. We Other practical ways that we can assist in caring for the sickBesides being hungry for food, people also hunger for love, directly serve Christ when we visit those who are ill or are:acceptance and respect and so on. Blessed Mother Teresa infirm: “I was sick and you visited me.” Again, it was 1. Visiting someone in the hospital or nursing home and/oris an ideal role model for us. St. John Paul II said after her Mother Teresa who said, “I see Jesus in every human being. volunteering at a hospital, clinic or nursing home.death that Mother Teresa “wanted to be a sign of ‘God’s I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This islove, God’s presence and God’s compassion,’ and so sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash 2. Visiting someone who is sick at home or the elderly whoremind all of the value and dignity of each of God’s chil- him and tend to him. “ This was her response to the call of are shut-ins.dren, ‘created to love and be loved.’” Mother Teresa and Christ in Matt. 25: 35-36. Those who are sick are often for-her Missionary sisters aim was, and is, to see and care for gotten or avoided. In spite of their illness, these individuals 3. Running errands for the elderly or sick person.Jesus in the poor, most especially the poorest of the poor, still have much to offer to those who take the time to visitthat is the unwanted, unloved, forgotten, abandoned and and comfort them. Of course, there are some people who 4. Taking the time to call, send a card or an e-mail.uncared for throughout society. Are we, today, demonstrat- are “sick” not from physical illness but from social isola-ing this love to those who hunger for it? tion. One thinks especially of the elderly in our communi- 5. Assist those who are full-time caregivers for family mem- ties who, whether at home or in long-term care facilities, bers.During my 45 years of teaching, I came in contact with so live in geographical isolation from their loved ones.many students, support staff and teachers alike who hun- “Visiting the sick” in our world can mean reaching out to 6. Volunteering to drive patients to medical appointmentsgered for love, acceptance and respect, just to list a few. the friendless in our local nursing homes: those who are and treatment facilities.There were those primary school students who would go to “sick at heart” from being lonely and forgotten and who aregreat length in telling me how their parents/guardians neg- regularly deprived of the basic human need called “friend- For many centuries, the Church has encouraged us to prac-lected them on so many occasions when they needed them ship.” This corporal work of mercy is relatively easy to do. tice the “corporal” and “spiritual” works of mercy. This ismost. Could you imagine primary school students telling It doesn’t take a great deal to accomplish this task. The nothing new to us; so my brothers and sisters, as we haveme that their mother and father never said to them, “I love socially isolated elderly are usually not far away. They often begun our Lenten journey, let us make every effort to liveyou?” or a 7 year old girl with a key around her neck saying live just around the corner from us, or they are members of out the Works of Mercy and to let His merciful love flowto me this is the key for me to get in the house after school, our own parish. Ask your parish priest to direct you toward through our hearts toward anyone in need whom we meetbecause no one will be home when I arrive, or my father is those who need visiting in the parish. Most of all, do not along life’s way.always out somewhere. forget that some of them may even be members of your own family, relatives too much overlooked and too often forgotten.

9Deacon D’Arcy RahmingNIGHT 4: “Comforting the afflicted and sheltering the homeless” Comforting the afflicted I was trying to teach my son leadership and empathy. Everyone should be treated with the same level of What it means to have mercy for people less fortunate dignity and respect. Mercy demands that no one isIn Luke 23: 28 Jesus teaches us how to be merci- than yourself and to give back. My son did not like here to be our slave or our master. ful when he encourages us to weep, when he this boy and insisted that I get rid of this boy from the turned to the women who were weeping for him program. Since I was trying to teach my son how to Sheltering the Homelessnesson the way to the cross and said, “Daughters of feel for other people I felt pretty frustrated that heJerusalem, stop weeping, for Me, but weep for your- wasn’t getting the message. So many young people that have left us have notselves and for your children.” In other words DON'T gone to other Parishes. They have become homelessWORRY ABOUT ME, terrible things are about to hap- Then one night I told the boys in the program I had to like the prodigal son and many are now in the fieldpen and you should weep for those who are about to meet their parents or a Guardian. If you did not show feeding pigs. The problem is that unless we invitebe affected by them. up with one you couldn’t be a part of the program. them back they will not come of their own volition The unkempt boy’s mother showed up. She was very because they have lost their way. Because they areThe power of mercy was driven home to me as I was drunk, filthy and wearing a t-shirt as a dress. That having kids so rapidly and people are living longerreflecting on my son’s life and God’s mercy toward night my son wept and begged me not to throw the we are beginning to see a generation of the unbap-sparing him from a life threatening illness in the latter guy out of the program. He began to understand tized, the homeless. We should not be surprised atpart of last year. I’m not talking about my weeping for mercy. This mercy has apparently driven him to the animalistic behaviors we are now encountering.him because, of course, “What father would give his action. 14 years later my son has delayed his profes- There are many homeless amongst us that haveson a snake when he asks for a fish.” Here’s how sional career as an engineer to help nurture similar NEVER been to a church. We need to have mercy.Mercy, beginning with weeping, affected him. boys who are in need in our judo program at Holy We need to weep for them. We need to understand Family. their situation. We need to invite them in. They areAbout 14 years ago, I ran a judo program for the largely the young.neighborhood kids from Fox Hill at St. Anselm’s. My That, my beloved, is the power of weeping. It is theSon who was about 12 would go along with me. first step toward mercy. Mercy has the power to trans- Beloved, so when I am talking of being homeless, IThese boys mostly attended Sandilands Primary and form you, without your even realizing it. Comforting am talking about no longer being an active part of theL. W. Young Schools and some of them were from the afflicted begins with weeping for them, under- church, actively taking part in the Eucharist and thevery poor families. One boy in particular was standing their situation, then being moved to action. other sacraments of the Church and Beloved, thereunkempt and quite frankly he smelt badly some- Sometimes simple action and sometimes heroic are many many in the land that are homeless.times…. as if he had not bathed for the day. action. I am talking about people who no longer worship in We have not wept for each other in this land, our churches or any church for that matter. Some do Beloved. That is why there is so much violence. We not even worship in the churches of our non - don’t want to understand each other’s situation. Many Catholic brothers and sisters. Where even though people think that as long as killing is happening out- they lack the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit is surely with side of our neighborhoods, we don’t have to worry many of them and they have provided homes for about it. Surely, even those with the hardest of hearts many people. have noticed that all of us are afraid to go out at night. Some will be fearful driving home this very Indeed, many of our young have become homeless night. And we are all worried that no one will want because they no longer worship God anywhere. They to visit our country if we don’t get the violence under no longer recognize God in their lives, and do not control. know who to be thankful to when mercy is shown to them. When we learn to weep for everyone living in this land, visiting this land, immigrating to this land, being The Parish Beloved is our mutual home. The Church trafficked as human cargo through this land… is a beacon of hope. That is why we Catholics take whether their station is high or low… whether they great pride in maintaining our church structures. are rich or poor, whether they are black, white or But having a home is more than having a beautiful Chinese… We will finally understand that what hap- structure. It is a place where people feel like they pens to everyone matters. We will finally understand belong. Young and old and those in between, all that those that are here by birth or by invitation are have a place in a proper functioning home. called by God to add their gifts to the Bahamian community. Continued on page 10

10continued from page 9 - “Conforting the afflicted and sheltering the homeless”We have to ask ourselves the question are we creating that they can make impactful decisions. All of this child?”an environment for people to stay in our parishes or within the context of CHURCH RULES. I explained to her that I understand if a person is bro-even if they stray, they want to return back to our ken, afflicted by mental illness or addiction and hungryparishes. I am not talking theory, Beloved. I will end with a we should show mercy and feed them. But it is not story about bringing home the homeless. And if I boast, mercy to feed someone who is capable of producing. ItOne of the key reasons for homelessness is bad rela- I boast in the Lord. In our Judo program at Holy Family is training kids to be lazy. They need to understandtionships. People run away or are driven from home after school until about 6:30, we train about 40 boys rights come with responsibilities. That’s mercy. I under-because they are being verbally or physically abused. It and girls and it’s growing. We then feed them a simple stand his situation and he needs to attach WORKINGis rarely because they are not getting their own way. If hot meal. And help them with their homework. WITH EARNING. But I felt bad about it that my daugh-a house has no discipline, it has no stability, so do not ter thought I was being cruel.fall for the lie that people leave the church and become It is a very strict, disciplined environment. And theyhomeless because it is boring, or they want to live a love it. We actually have to run children from hanging The next day I asked her if he came back to the prac-faster life. around the church. Imagine that. They can’t get tice and trained. She said “Yes!” Praise God. So he enough of us. was fed. Lesson learned. If I had not wept for thoseA parish home should be like a stable home and a sta- boys I would not be able to understand their situation.ble home should be like a parish home. In both cases a If you don’t train, you don’t eat. It’s the whole package. Mercy does not mean that you are to be weak. Mercychild should be able to feel that it’s his home. That he A few days ago one boy snuck into the meal. He was begins with weeping. Mercy is God’s love in action. Iis completely welcome there and this is his place. too lazy to practice with us and just wanted to eat. I am told that some of the boys have asked our RCIA took his plate away from him in front of the other boys coordinator about Baptism. Thank you Lord for yourTo translate this to our Parishes, this means that young and my daughter rebuked me later that night saying mercies. To God be the Glory.people should have their own ministries that they feel “How is that merciful that I would turn away a hungry Archbishop Pinder carries Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic procession at the Lenten Mission held on February 15-19.

11NIGHT 5: “Admonish the sinner & bear wrongs patiently”Deacon Michael CheckleyThe spiritual and corporal works of mercy, or come across a woman found in sin and about, your reputation smeared, look only to the cru- the works of Christian charity, read like a job dragged before the authorities. She is cifix. description for a Christian. They are, it would gripped in fear because the men surround- Look to Jesus.seem, a check-list for us to use in examining how ing her are about to kill her by stoning her to Jesus was wrongly accused, lied about, his namewell we are, in fact, being faithful to our baptism and death. They press Jesus to confirm their deci- smeared, he was also tortured, beaten, bruised,to living the Christian life.” sion. mocked and spat upon. This was Jesus, the God-Man, the redeemer of the world, the savior of our souls.While the corporal works have to deal with the phys- Voice upon voice clamours for him to And he said nothing. Sentenced to death, he draggedical, that is, the things of the body, the physical; the invoke the Law of Moses, which orders her his cross through Jerusalem, tired and made weak byspiritual works deal with our interior life, the life of death for her shameful deed. his beatings, he fell not once, not twice, but threethe soul. times. He was silent. Jesus tunes them out. He says nothing toOf the spiritual works, one is a call to admonish the them. He bends down and scribbles in the After having been brutally nailed to the cross andsinner – to challenge the sinner to take a different sand, completely ignoring their noise. hoisted above Calvary, he saw he was abandoned.path – to point out the danger of what is deep and Finally, he asks that the one who is without Only his mother, a few women were there and St.dark and to embrace what is positive and good. But, sin throw the first stone. They then fall silent. John. Where were the others? He remained silent.before we can admonish others we must challenge Not a sound is heard. No words of revenge or getting even. No plotting onourselves. We must live authentic Christian lives and his accusers.be seen doing so for, a plastic Christian is of no use They slowly slunk away. Jesus, with theto God nor to others. If we are seen as being fake in woman, now asks her who there is to con- When he did speak he said, “Father, forgive them forour Chistian life, our examples or words will be seen demn her. “There is no one” she says and they know not what they do.” After all of that agonyfor what they are, hollow. Jesus speaks, “Nor do I condemn you,” and he offered mercy and forgiveness. From the cross he adds then, “go, sin no more.” came mercy and forgiveness to those who hadHow do we then admonish the sinner? We look to wronged him and nailed him to the cross. AndJesus. There was no yelling or screaming from Jesus, no among those who wronged him were you and me. loud voices. Jesus didn’t threaten her, he didn't argue He offered forgiveness and mercy to all who had everWe see Jesus with the woman caught in adultery and either. He said simply, “I do not condemn you. Go lived, were then living and would ever live. You and now and stop sinning.” me. The sin he hates. The sinner he embraces. He offered Having offered this divine mercy and pardon, there to her a gentle invitation to conversion. And so must was nothing left to do, he simply added, “It is fin- we. By our example of authentic Christian living we ished” and breathed his last. admonish others. And then by our words, like Jesus, we can offer a gentle invitation to change. The rest Pray for your accusers. Forgive your accusers. As God we leave to God. And we pray. the Father has shown you mercy, pass it on. In justice we can do no less. We are also called by the spiritual works of mercy to bear wrongs patiently. When we are wronged by oth- The mercy of God is His great gift to all of us. None ers we often feel within ourselves a deep rage that is beyond his mercy, his understanding and compas- seeks to get even. Our name has been slurred. We sion. No matter how deep in darkness we have been have been wrongly accused, our reputation has been living, his mercy, as Psalm 136 repeats, “endures for- destroyed, we are wounded and hurt and seek ever.” revenge. His mercy has been shown to us. We then must show Is that the Christian response? As followers of Jesus, mercy to others. Look to Jesus for the example. Look as we make our journey towards heaven, is that our to Jesus for the way. God’s mercy is boundless. Seek proper response? it. Embrace it. Bathe in it. Live it and above all share it. When you have been wrongly accused, your name Be merciful like the Father. dragged through the mud, when you have been lied

12 LENTEN MISSION

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14 Prayer Reflections shared by Archbishop Pinder at Lenten Mission PRAYER OF HIS HOLINESS A Universal Prayer POPE FRANCIS attributed to Pope Clement XI, 18th century FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY Read by Archbishop JUBILEE OF MERCY * LENTEN MISSION - Tuesday, February 16, 2016 Read by Archbishop Lord, I believe in you: give me firmer faith Lenten Mission - Monday, February 15, 2016 I trust in you: make my trust secure. Lord Jesus Christ, I love you: let me love you more and more with all my you have taught us to be merciful like heart. the heavenly Father, I am sorry for my sins: give me deeper sorrow. and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. I worship you as the source of my existence, Show us your face and we will be saved. I long for you as my final goal,Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from I praise you as my constant helper, And call on you as my loving protector. being enslaved by money;the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness Direct me by your wisdom, Correct me by your justice, only in created things; Comfort me by your mercy, made Peter weep after his betrayal, Protect me by your power. and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the I offer to you, Lord, Make me prudent in counsel, words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: my thoughts, that they may be fixed on you; Courageous in danger, My words , that they may have you for their theme; “If you knew the gift of God!” My actions, that they may be in accordance with your will; Patient in time of trouble, Modest and unassuming in time of prosperity. You are the visible face of the invisible Father, My sufferings, that they may be accepted of the God who manifests his power above all by for your sake. Keep me, Lord, Vigilant in prayer, Moderate in food and drink, forgiveness and mercy: I want what you will: Diligent in my work, let the Church be your visible face in the world, its in the way that you will, For as long as you will, And Firm in my good intentions. Lord risen and glorified. And because it is you who will it.You willed that your ministers would also be clothed Let my heart be free from evil, I pray to you, Lord, My actions without fault, in weakness enlighten my understanding, My words without blame, in order that they may feel compassion for those in Strengthen my will, And let my life be lived in conformity to your will. ignorance and error: Make clean my heart, Let me guard against the frailty of my nature. let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, Make holy my inward being. Stir up your grace in me, Give me sorrow for my past sins, loved, and forgiven by God. Let me not fall into temptation. Make me walk the way of your commandments, Help me to rise above my natural weaknesses, And count me worthy of the salvation you have promised.Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with Let me grow stronger in all that is good and true. its anointing, Teach me to realize Grant me, O good and loving God, how fragile this life is, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace To love you as you deserve, How fleeting are the things of time, from the Lord, How great and lasting are the things that are eternal. To turn away from all that is self-centred: and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may Let me seek your kingdom above all, Let me live as one who knows that I must die, bring good news to the poor, Let me live as a pilgrim in this world, Let me bear in mind the judgment, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, Give me right respect for all who have a claim on me, Let me not fall into the emptiness of evil, and restore sight to the blind. Give me a tender care for any who depend on me, But seek and gain the fullness of your presence. Let me cherish my friends, Grant this, O heavenly Father, through Christ our Lord. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the interces- and let me forgive my enemies from my heart. sion of Mary, Mother of Mercy; Amen. Help me to overcome my appetites by abstinence,you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy My greed by generosity, From: THE HEART IN PILGRIMAGE: Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. My anger by gentleness, A Prayerbook for Catholic Christians My apathy by fervour. Revised Edition Edited by Eamon Duffy * www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va (Bloomsbury: London, 2014) pp. 122-124

15 A Prayer by St. Clement of Rome And established the foundations FOR PERSEVERANCE IN (c. AD 90) of the earth. THE LOVE OF GOD Read by Archbishop You are faithful from by St. Thomas Aquinas (d. AD 1274) LENTEN MISSION - generation to generation, Read by Archbishop Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Righteous in judgement, marvellous Lenten Mission - Thursday, February 18, 2016 Teach us, O Lord our God, in majesty and might. To hope in your name, In wisdom you have created, Grant, O most merciful Lord, In prudence and in judgement you have estab- That I may eagerly seek your will in everything, For you are the source of all creation, You alone abide, highest of the high and holi- lished everything that is. Let me search for it wisely, Your goodness is reflected in all we see, Acknowledge it unflinchingly, est of holies. You bring down the arrogant, You are faithful to those who And fulfil it perfectly, put their trust in you. To the glory of your holy Name. You frustrate the schemers, Order my life, O Lord my God, You raise up the lowly, O most merciful, O most compassionate, So that I may understand and obey your will for me, Absolve us from all our sins and failings. Who are my deepest freedom and fulfilment. and put down the mighty. Let me neither fear nor falter, whatever befalls me. Riches and poverty, life and death, Lay not the sins of your Do not let me be discouraged by failure, servants to their charge, are in your hand; But cleanse us by your truth. or puffed up by success. You alone are the discerner of all spirits, Direct our steps in holiness and justice Let my joy and sorrow be measured And in singleness of heart, By what will take me home to you, You alone are the God of all flesh: That all our doings may be Let my one fear be that I lose your friendship. Your eyes alone can fathom righteous in your sight. Don not let me set my heart on things the deepest depths, Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, which are passing away:and you see through every work of humankind. Shelter us by your mighty hand, Let me hold firmly to you, the one who abides for ever. You are the help of those in peril, And deliver us from evil with The saviour of those in despair. Let me labour at nothing which is not work for you, The creator and ruler of an outstretched arm. Let me rest in nothing if I do not rest in you. everything that breathes. To us and all mankind give Take possession of my heart, Lord, It is you who give increase to Give me true sorrow when I grieve you, the people of the earth, peace and concord, And the will to turn again to seek your face. And from the whole of humankind As you did to our ancestors When they called upon you Give me a vigilant heart no alien thought can lure away from you, You have chosen a people for yourself A generous heart which no unworthy love can soil, Through your beloved child, Jesus Christ, in faith and truth. An upright heart which no crooked intention To you, who alone can grant can lead astray, Through whom you have taught us, An unconquered heart which does not falter enlightened us, these and all good gifts before hardship, Be prayer and praise, A free heart which is not the slave of mere emotion. sanctified us, and exalted us. through Jesus Christ, Grant me, O Lord my God, We beseech you, Lord our God, The high priest and guardian of our souls. Understanding to know you, Be now our help and our protection. Through whom be glory and dominion Diligence to seek you, Wisdom to find you, Save those in tribulation; Now and forever, A life that is pleasing to you, Have mercy on the lowly; And to the ages of ages. Amen. Perseverance to wait for you, And a loving trust that will lay hold of you at last. Lift up the fallen; (slightly shortened) Let me so live through all life's joys and sorrows, Show yourself to the needy; Heal the sick; bring home the wanderer; From: THE HEART IN PILGRIMAGE: That I may come at last to share your glory and your joy. Feed the hungry; ransom the captives; A Prayerbook for Catholic Christians Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (slightly shortened) Strengthen the weak; Revised Edition comfort the fainthearted. Edited by Eamon Duffy From: THE HEART IN PILGRIMAGE: Let all the peoples of the earth, (Bloomsbury: London, 2014) A Prayerbook for Catholic Christians Know that you alone are God, The Jesus Christ is your child, pp. 200-201 Revised Edition And that we are your people, the sheep Edited by Eamon Duffy (Bloomsbury: London, 2014) of your flock. Lord, by your mighty works you pp. 213-214 brought to light The everlasting fabric of the world,

16 A RECOMMITMENT TO AN EXTRAORDINARY YEARBy Generation Catholic “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy” has forgiven your sins. Go in peace,” we feel truly restored with God and, by extension, connected to our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is oneOh the all too familiar New Year slump. That period into the new calendar year or school part of the double-edged sword of mercy. The other part involves the extension of mercyyear when all our good intentions and lofty resolutions have fallen by the wayside. to our fellow human beings. God’s unwavering mercy is the ultimate blueprint of how weFortunately, our spiritual New Year does not require a full change in our diet nor a com- should show mercy to others. God’s mercy is overflowing with love and compassion, weplete revamp of our physical lifestyle. The observance of our spiritual New Year, the Year all know how mercy feels. But what does mercy look like? Mercy is realizing that some-of Mercy, demand action steps focused around one central mission. This charge is out- one is depressed or hurting, and taking time out to comfort them. Not with an impatientlined in the theme Pope Francis has chosen for the Jubilee Year of Mercy, “Merciful like sigh or harried responses, but truly acknowledging that a family has hit on hard times andthe Father.” More than two months into the Jubilee Year, we must recommit to extending is in need of food or clothing. It is not giving clothes that have been lying in a box in theand receiving forgiveness, mercy and justice. The change we need to implement during closet for months or food that you do not want, but giving of yourself, of your best.this Year of Mercy is gradual. As we embark on this extraordinary spiritual journey, witheach step we should seek to rediscover God’s mercy, which has always and will always The church recognizes both the material and spiritual needs we all have. The Corporalbe there, and to render this mercy to others. and Spiritual Works of Mercy are actions we can perform that extend God’s compassion and mercy to those in need. During this year of Mercy, let us remember that Christ callsIn his invitation to the Church’s faithful to accept this offer of an “extraordinary path”, the us to not only hear the Word but to put it into practice through action. We need not searchPope has presented each of us with both a clear sense of purpose and specific guidelines. long or hard to find persons in need in our community. To feed the hungry, clothe theOur roadmap along this journey exists in the form of the official proclamation (bull of naked, counsel the doubtful; all of these we can rattle off as a result of rote memorization.induction) of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy entitled Misericordiae Vultus (The Let us put these works into action, as we strive not only to seek God’s mercy, but also toFace of Mercy). In his Papal Bull, Pope Francis focuses on three key areas: reconciliation, work tirelessly to extend mercy to others.living mercifully through the practice of Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and pil-grimage. PILGRIMAGE RECONCILIATION “Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the human being is a visitor, a pilgrim travelling along the road”“When faced with the gravity of sin, God responds with the fullness of mercy” The Holy Father encourages all believers during this Year of Mercy to go on a pilgrimage. The pilgrimage serves as a path to a deeper understanding about mercy and as a meansThrough the Sacrament of Reconciliation God forgives our sins and gives us the strength of developing the discipline we need to walk in all the ways God commands. Pilgrimageto forgive others. Upon returning home from college, I had not participated in the represents the journey each of us makes in this life. We are all on a spiritual journey.Sacrament of Reconciliation for years. The deep sense of shame I felt in confessing my God’s mercy is accessible but also conditional. His mercy requires that we follow his way,sins to a priest I knew or to a priest I would probably run into on the street the next day and here enters the challenge for all of us. Mercy, wrote Pope Francis, is “a goal to reachwas for me too much to bear. It took prayer and strength from God to embrace my shame, and requires dedication and sacrifice.” In short, it requires that we do things God’s way,not hide behind it. My shame is a consequence of knowing that I have offended God. My not our way.shame gives me the humility to admit my wrongdoing and to move on to forgiveness andamendment. Our Holy Father tells us that this shame we feel is a grace. He explains “that Traditionally, the term pilgrimage connotes a religious journey to some far off land. In(shame) happens to all of us, but we must remember that our shame prepares us for this context, the invitation to go on a pilgrimage is an invitation to journey someplaceembrace of the Father, who always forgives and always forgives everything.” where we can “find the strength to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us “(Misericordiae Vultus, No. 14). ThisWe are all familiar with the Bahamian colloquialism, “You ain gat no shame.” It is usually pilgrimage can be miles away or right around the corner. The value of the pilgrimage doesdoled out to the offending party when he or she had done something wrong in the eyes not lie in how far you travel but in the growth, grace and experience of God along yourof the accuser, but walks around boldly, head held high as if nothing is wrong. It is a journey. Many of us, I include myself in this count, have not yet walked through the Doorsstrongly held cultural belief that is worse than the actual wrongdoing itself for someone of Mercy which were opened in December 2015 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. As pil-to not feel some level of embarrassment about the act. Isn’t it ironic that we demand grims, walking through the Holy Doors is a deep, spiritual commitment to turn away fromsome level of shame when we hurt another human being, but we feel that when we place sin and acknowledge that Christ is the only way to the Father.ourselves before God in an act of contrition somehow our shame is misplaced? The HolyBishop, Saint Antonius, said, “The devil takes away our shame when we are led to sin, The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy is a historic one, breaking the previous cycles ofbut hands it back to us when we are led to the sacrament.” If shame did not keep us from every twenty-five years. The last Extraordinary Jubilee Year was called fifteen years ago bysinning, surely it should not keep us from the Act of Reconciliation, which restores our Pope John Paul II, the Jubilee of Redemption in 2000. The Year of Mercy called by Francisrelationship with God.” is the third “extraordinary” jubilee since the tradition began seven hundred years ago. The Church, during Holy Years and Jubilees, seeks to emphasize one of her more profound CORPORAL & SPIRITUAL WORKS characteristics, to make it visible for all to understand. Pope Francis described the Jubilee as a “privileged moment.” Let us embrace it as such, take action steps towards becoming“We are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us” a people of mercy and recommit to undertaking an extraordinary year of mercy.The experience of God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation encapsulates thevery essence of mercy. When we leave confession and the priest utters the words, “God

17 SEMINARIAN SPOTLIGHT Jay Cartwright receives Ministry of Acolyte Seminarian, Jay Cartwright was among the eighteen priesthood stu- dents from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, St. Meinrad, IN, who received the ministry of acolyte on February 18, 2016, in the Seminary’s St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel. Archbishop Joseph Tobin, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, installed the acolytes. An acolyte assists a deacon or priest, primarily in the celebration of JAY CARTWRIGHT Mass. He attends to the needs of the altar and may distribute Communion as an auxiliary minister. He also may be entrusted with the public veneration of the Blessed Sacrament, but does not give the Benediction, which is reserved for a priest or deacon. Jay is pictured (partly hidden) at the installation ceremony.9 catechumens, 13 candidates prepare to enter the church at EasterNine catechumens and 13 candidates, whowill join the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil,They were recognized during the annual Riteof Election at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral onFebruary 14 (the first Sunday of Lent). Thisannual tradition is a formal Rite in which cate-chumens are presented and their names areentered into the Book of Elect.The 9 catechumens were joined by anadditional 13 Candidates who also participatedin the formal ceremony and are welcomedduring the celebration for answering the call totheir continuing conversion.The Rite of Election was presided byArchbishop Patrick Pinder.PHOTOS: CARLTON ROBINSON

18 St. Cecilia’s School takes 1st and 2nd place in 49th annual Spelling CompetitionAfter 39 rounds of competition, Craig Simmons from St. Cecilia’sSchool was declared the new champion after successfully spellingthe words” bildungsroman and liverwurst”, at the 49th annualArchdiocesan Spelling Competition, on Monday, February 1, 2016.The Strikers of St. Cecilia truly shone, as the second place winner,Khyla Jones also hailed from that school. Pauline Calleja from St.Thomas More placed third.A total of 17 contestants from six schools participated in the heated Winners of the 49th annual Archdiocesan Spelling Bee Competition: From left to right: St. Cecilia’scompetition at Seton Hall, Xavier Lower School. Mrs. CrystalWoods, Spelling Bee Coordinator stated, “I am very pleased with School students, Craig Simmons ( first place winner), Khyla Jones, second place and third place winnerthis year’s calibre of spellers. In fact this year’s contest was one ofthe most competitive that we have seen in recent years”. and Pauline Calleja, a student of St. Thomas More School. They will go on to represent the Catholic Schools in the Bahamas National Spelling Bee Competition later this year. ARCHBISHOP PINDERSCHOOL VISITSDuring the week of January 28 - February 8, 2016, Archbishop Patrick Pinder,visited our Catholic Schools accompanied by Director of Catholic Education,Mrs. Claudette Rolle and Mrs Christine Robinson, Catholic Board of Education,member. Archbishop Pinder visited all our schools on New Providence, GrandBahama, and Abaco. At each school the students prepared special programsincluding song, dance and poetry. At a few schools, Archbishop was presentedwith cheques (funds) raised by the students.Sts Francis & Joseph School

St. Cecilia School 19Xavier Lower School St. Thomas More SchoolSt. Francis de Sales & Every Child Counts, Abaco

20 ST JOSEPH’S PARISH HOSTS MINISTRY FAIR Msgr. Alfred Culmer and Lawrence Ferguson. Jermain Carey at Men’s Ministry booth. On January 10, 2016, St. Joseph’s Parish held parish ministries PHOTOS: RITA RAMSEY fair, under the theme, “Know your Ministries, Join a Ministry.” The purpose of the fair was not only to foster involvement in the ministries, but for parishioners to become familiar with which ministries are available at St. Joseph’s Parish. The event also showcased how parish members can contribute to building the community of St. Joseph through the sharing of their gifts and to grow spiritually, according to coordinator, Angela Hanna. There were 16 ministries represented at the fair. Each partici- pating ministry set up booths in the church hall, which displayed pictures, posters and other items that explained the goals of each particular ministry. The booths ranged from the soup kitchen to the music ministry. Mrs. Hanna dubbed the fair a success. Members of the the Liturgical Ministry Ministry, Joseph Symonette and Kelli Rolle.Soup Kitchen, co-ordinator Liane Cox (second from left) and team. Members of the Children’s Music Ministry. Sr. Cecelia Albury - St. Martin Monastery.St. Joseph’s Youth.

21 ARCHDIOCESAN MARRIAGE RENEWAL RETREAT “The experience re-awakens, in a deep way, your love for your spouse and a revitalization of your marital relationship”The Archdiocesan Family Life Commission hosted its annual Marriage Renewal Weekend (MRW) on February 14 - 16, 2016 at Emmaus Centre, Fox Hill. The retreat is in its ninth year. Mrs. Agatha Cartwright, Director,Office of Family Life, says: \"Marriage Renewal Weekend 2016 was one of thefinest couples' retreat ever organized by the MRW team. The weekend was anawesome experience for both the participating couples and the team alike. It wasqualitative as well as quantitative in substance. Sixteen couples, one of the largestenrollments, were recipients of the Marriage Renewal experience. The weekendprovided an opportunity for married couples to reconnect with their own person-al love history, while gaining a joyful sense of purpose, hope and direction for thefuture. They felt empowered, affirmed, renewed and excited about living in lovefor a lifetime. Calvin and Francise GreeneAs Catholics, we take the vocation of marriage seriously. We believe itis the prototype of all sacraments. Moreover, the Church mandates thatall couples be required to attend Marriage Preparation Classes beforetheir wedding. Perhaps we leave these sessions thinking that we knowit all and there is nothing else to learn.However, what you thought you knew about married life, you do not Dominique & Vinnette Gaitor Barbara & Daniel Reckleyknow and what you thought you knew about yourself or your spouse,you do not know. What you thought you knew about married love you \"We thought the weekend was amazingly The Marriage Renewal Weekend was an awesomedo not know and your marriage suddenly becomes a challenge without beautiful! We went there thinking that our and exciting event for us. It was a ‘one of a kind’answers. We ask ourselves, “Who are these persons we are living marriage was in a good place. But soon experience from the time we checked in until thewith?” realized that there was still room for time we checked out. growth. The weekend drew us even closerAgainst this premise, I present the Marriage Renewal Weekend to any- to one another in an intimate and spiritual The facilitators had varied activities for couplesone who loves their spouse and wants what’s best for their marriage. It way. We were reminded of the beauty and that brought awareness to the needs of a spouseis solidly spiritual, blissful and rejuvenating. The experience re-awak- strength of our relationship, the importance and to the little things that couples sometimes takeens, in a deep way, your love for your spouse and a revitalization of of mutual trust and understanding and the for granted. This spiritual and fun-filled weekendyour marital relationship. It provides you with an opportunity to vital need to have God as an integral part has put even more enthusiasm and value tounmask feelings and thoughts that were misunderstood and some that of our bond. We would highly recommend warmth and love in our relationship.you never knew existed within yourself or your spouse, even though the weekend to all couples who are pas-you were married for a short or a long time. sionate about preserving a long, beautiful, We encourage ALL married couples to take full loving, healthy relationship that will stand advantage of the Marriage Renewal Weekend inAs Francise and I reflect on our personal experiences of the Weekend, the test of time! their second or third year of marriage as it willwe can say, beyond a shadow of doubt, that our marriage has been help them to share in a delightful, joy-filled mar-positively enriched and transformed. We now have a much healthier riage.and happier marriage.

22 Archbishop Pinder co-consecrated at ordination of new Bishop of Paramaribo (Suriname) connected. The ring and pectoral cross are the signs of your of governing power, using your ring to imprint the seal on authoritative documents, always mindful of Christ. And as shepherd you receive the pastoral staff. You are to be a shepherd to the peo- ple who have been entrusted to you. A people with good and bad persons, people who listen and fol- low, but also people who go their own way, who pull down, and do not follow God’s plan. Much is expected from a Bishop, but thankfully you will have good people around you, who will assist you with word and deed. Ultimately, you will be the one to make decisions and you cannot hide your advisory bodies. That is why listening is a spe- cific quality of a Bishop. He oversees the conse- quences of his actions. Never be afraid to revert on a decision, which in hindsight proves to be an unwise decision.Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder, Archbishop of Nassau and president of the Antilles Episcopal Conference was one of the However, love rules all. After all, love comes fromco-consecrators at the Episcopal Ordination of Rev. Karel Choennie. Rev. Chonnie’s predecessor, Rev. Wilhelmus de God. He first loved us. That is why love should beBekker, was the principal consecrator and delivered the homily (please see below). anchored in our youth. The book of DeuteronomyParamaribo’s metropolitan Archbishop Most Rev. Joseph Harris; the Archbishop of Castries, Most Rev. Robert Rivas; the says it beautifully: “Take to heart these words whichApostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Nicola Girasoli; His Eminence Kelvin Felix, and more than 1,800 Catholic faithful of I command you today. Keep repeating them to yourSuriname witnessed the solemn consecration of their new Bishop. children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and whenThe following is the homily delivered by Rev. Wilhelmus de You are entering into the footsteps of the Apostles. you get up. Bind them on your arm as a sign and letBekker. We are ordained as their successors and we contin- them be as a pendant on your forehead” (Dt.6:6- ue the apostolic line that originates with them. That 8).Dear Karel, is why the Roman Catholic Church is an apostolic church and bishops can, therefore, only be Moreover, the motto of your coat of arms, “DiligesIn a few minutes you will be ordained Bishop. You ordained with the mandate of the Pope by three Dominum et Proximum, Love the Lord and yourwill take charge of the Bishop’s chair and from that consecrators. The letter of appointment has to be neighbour,” conveys the essence of your life pro-moment on you are the Bishop of Paramaribo. You read publicly and presented to the faithful, to the gram.will enter a new phase in your life. We know it has Apostolic Administrator and the College ofbeen a struggle for you to accept this office. During Consultors. In Luke we read: “You shall love the Lord, yourthe period after I had resigned and father Toon had God, with all your heart, with all your being, withtaken up the office of Apostolic Administrator, there Our Church is a hierarchical church. You will there- all your strength, and with all your mind, and yourhave been travels to Rome and Port of Spain. There for be charged with three tasks: you are to teach, to neighbor as yourself” (10:27). The Lord provideshas been a lot of consultation, and finally you govern and to be a shepherd. These charges are justice to the oppressed, food for those who hunger,agreed to accept this office. A heavy burden was indicated by the mitre, your ring and pectoral cross, liberates the imprisoned, makes the blind see, liftsthen lifted off your shoulders and you could once and your staff. The mitre consists of two parts, rep- up who are weighed down. He loves those who doagain look to the future with job and thankfulness. resenting the way the Scriptures come to us as the His will. Old and New Testaments, which are intimately Continued on page 23

23from page 22 in my case, Dutch. In fact, they were the ones who made New bishop appointed to the choice for us to be Christian and Surinamese or Dutch. Diocese of KingstownOn January 10, we celebrated the feast of the Baptism of The arguments to withdraw from this have to be way morethe Lord in the river Jordan. That marked the beginning of convincing than the arguments to remain. Life would (St. Vincent & the Grenadines )the public life of Jesus. John, who had said that he was not become impossible. Every development would come to aworthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals, now had to standstill if everyone would continually turn back on Fr. Gerard Maximin County, CSSp.baptize Jesus. And then it happens: the heavens were choices they made. Most of you have encountered a cer- Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder, Archbishop of Nassau and presi-opened, a dove descends and a voice sounds from heav- tain man or woman with whom you are married. There dent of the Antilles Episcopal Conference was in attendance aten: “You are my beloved Son” (Lk. 3:15-22). A glorious may certainly have been moments when you said: “What the February 20th Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Gerard Maximinevent. Joy and silent happiness. What is less known, is that an idiot have I been.” However, the argument to revert County, CSSp. Bishop County was installed as the third bishopJesus’ public life also ended with a baptism. Because in that choice will have to weigh much, much more on the of the Diocese of Kingstown in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.Luke 12 verse 50, we hear Jesus saying: “There is a bap- argument to continue with that choice. Bishop County was born on the December 5, 1960 in Trinidadtism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my and Tobago, and was prepared for the priesthood at the Regionalanguish until it is accomplished !” When He has under- We may say: “I feel imprisoned.” The feeling may be to Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs, Mount Stgone this baptism, we then hear: “It is fulfilled.” After that abandon. But then the radiance of the first choice will Benedict, Trinidad. He was ordained a priest in 1996 as a mem-terrible hour on the cross on Good Friday, He can now fade, when the heavens opened and you received the ber of the Order of the Holy Ghost (Spiritan) Fathers. For the lastwholeheartedly proclaim: “It is fulfilled!” But there are dif- Spirit. Maybe this also happened to Jesus. But He did not 19 years, Fr. County has been a missionary priest in Mexico .ferences between the first and the second baptism. abandon His first choice. He felt completely forsaken by His appointment means that the Diocese of Kingstown will once God, but He was still able to say: “Father, into your hands more be governed by its own bishop.At the first baptism, the Father says: “You are my beloved I commend my spirit. “ May you also act in that spirit.Son,” but at the second baptism, the Son says: “My God,my God, why have you forsaken Me?” At the first baptism, In your coat of arms you continue the tradition of Bishopthe heavens opened. At the second baptism, darkness cov- Zichem and myself, with a reference to the love and theered the whole land. At the first baptism Jesus received the mercy of Blessed Peter Donders, but also to Mary, MotherSpirit. At the second baptism He gave up His spirit. At the of Mercy, with the Spirit who permeates all with His fire.first baptism, water flowed, and at the second water andblood. Be assured that you do not stand alone. Your family has your back, sustain those family ties. The priests and dea-We can truly understand what Jesus said about His second cons will support you in your work. You have a bond withbaptism: “There is a baptism with which I must be bap- the Antilles Episcopal Conference, and the people oftized, and how great is my anguish until it is accom- Suriname, who are in need of a leader in these difficultplished!” We can view Jesus’ first baptism as a beginning: times. They depend on you.not knowing where it will lead to. A promise to be faithfulwithout any knowledge of the price of that faithfulness. A May God bless you, protect and keep you. Amen.choice full of enthusiasm, a declaration of love withoutany limitations, a priestly ordination under a bright sun, awedding full of music. Maybe we can view that first bap-tism as a choice, the acceptance of a command withoutknowing what it all entails. We may certainly call Jesusrather reckless, because every idealist is in some way reck-less: he takes on great risks for himself, overestimates hisown strengths, and still appears to reach that ideal.For you, this ordination is likewise a baptism into theunknown. A joyful day, but also a task of which we do notknow the ending.Jesus takes a task upon himself at the first baptism. Longbefore this, Isaiah remarked: “He will not cry out, notshout, nor make his voice heard in the street. A bruisedreed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he willnot quench. He will faithfully bring forth justice”( Is.42:2-3). This is indeed in accordance with what Jesus does afterHis baptism: He goes around beneficently. May you alsogo around beneficently. But then comes the first disillu-sionment. A prophet is not honoured in his own country.His task proved to be demanding, but only then His faith-fulness became apparent.It is also striking that it is more a matter of being chosen,than of choosing yourself. Others choose you and youcannot easily turn back on a choice. We all received a cer-tain father and mother. That choice was not made by us.By chance our parents were Catholic and Surinamese – or

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