Bahama Catholic - February 2021

LENT 2021 PRAYER . FASTING. ALMSGIVING Follow Us @archdioceseofnassau FEBRUARY 2021 ‘Lent is a journey of return to God’ - Pope Francis Photo - Paula Strachan-Reckley It’s traditional for Catholics to receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. However, this year, due to the pandemic, the Clergy were directed to sprinkle ashes on top of heads. Archbishop Patrick Pinder is pictured sprinkling ashes during Midday Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

2 MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2021 LENT 2021 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem” (Mt 20:18) Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love onciliation: “Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor5:20). By receiving forgiveness in the sacra- ment that lies at the heart of our process of conversion, we in turn can spread for- giveness to others. Having received forgiveness ourselves, we can offer it through our willingness to enter into attentive dialogue with others and to give comfort to those experiencing sorrow and pain. God’s forgiveness, offered also through our words and actions, enables us to experience an Easter of fraternity. Dear Brothers and Sisters, In Lent, may we be increasingly concerned with “speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement, and not words that demean, sadden, anger Jesus revealed to his disciples the deepest meaning of his mission when he told them or show scorn” (Fratelli Tutti, 223). In order to give hope to others, it is sometimes of his passion, death and resurrection, in fulfilment of the Father’s will. He then enough simply to be kind, to be “willing to set everything else aside in order to show called the disciples to share in this mission for the salvation of the world. interest, to give the gift of a smile, to speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference” (ibid., 224). In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled him- self and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this Through recollection and silent prayer, hope is given to us as inspiration and interior light, season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and illuminating the challenges and choices we face in our mission. Hence the need to receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. pray (cf. Mt 6:6) and, in secret, to encounter the Father of tender love. At the Easter vigil, we will renew our baptismal promises and experience rebirth as new men and women by the working of the Holy Spirit. This Lenten journey, like To experience Lent in hope entails growing in the realization that, in Jesus Christ, we are the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is even now illumined by the light of the witnesses of new times, in which God is “making all things new” (cf. Rev 21:1-6). It resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of means receiving the hope of Christ, who gave his life on the cross and was raised by Christ. God on the third day, and always being “prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls [us] to account for the hope that is in [us]” (1 Pet 3:15). Fasting, prayer and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus (cf. Mt 6:1-18), enable and express our conversion. The path of poverty and self-denial (fasting), concern and loving care 3. Love, following in the footsteps of Christ, in concern and compassion for all, is the highest expres- for the poor (almsgiving), and childlike dialogue with the Father (prayer) make it possible sion of our faith and hope. for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope and effective charity. Love rejoices in seeing others grow. Hence it suffers when others are anguished, lonely, sick, 1. Faith calls us to accept the truth and testify to it before God and all our brothers and sisters. homeless, despised or in need. Love is a leap of the heart; it brings us out of ourselves and creates bonds of sharing and communion.  In this Lenten season, accepting and living the truth revealed in Christ means, first of all, opening our hearts to God’s word, which the Church passes on from generation to “‘Social love’ makes it possible to advance towards a civilization of love, to which all generation. This truth is not an abstract concept reserved for a chosen intelligent few. of us can feel called. With its impulse to universality, love is capable of building a Instead, it is a message that all of us can receive and understand thanks to the wis- new world. No mere sentiment, it is the best means of discovering effective paths of dom of a heart open to the grandeur of God, who loves us even before we are aware development for everyone” (Fratelli Tutti, 183). of it. Christ himself is this truth. By taking on our humanity, even to its very limits, he has made himself the way – demanding, yet open to all – that leads to the fullness Love is a gift that gives meaning to our lives. It enables us to view those in need as of life. members of our own family, as friends, brothers or sisters. A small amount, if given with love, never ends, but becomes a source of life and happiness. Such was the case Fasting, experienced as a form of self-denial, helps those who undertake it in simplicity of with the jar of meal and jug of oil of the widow of Zarephath, who offered a cake of heart to rediscover God’s gift and to recognize that, created in his image and likeness, bread to the prophet Elijah (cf. 1 Kings17:7-16); it was also the case with the loaves we find our fulfilment in him. In embracing the experience of poverty, those who fast blessed, broken and given by Jesus to the disciples to distribute to the crowd make themselves poor with the poor and accumulate the treasure of a love both re- (cf. Mk 6:30-44). Such is the case too with our almsgiving, whether small or large, ceived and shared. In this way, fasting helps us to love God and our neighbour, inas- when offered with joy and simplicity. much as love, as Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches, is a movement outwards that focuses our attention on others and considers them as one with ourselves (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 93). To experience Lent with love means caring for those who suffer or feel abandoned and fearful because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In these days of deep uncertainty about 2. Hope as “living water” enabling us to continue our journey. the future, let us keep in mind the Lord’s word to his Servant, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you” (Is 43:1). In our charity, may we speak words of reassurance and help The Samaritan woman at the well, whom Jesus asks for a drink, does not understand what he others to realize that God loves them as sons and daughters. means when he says that he can offer her “living water” (Jn 4:10). Naturally, she thinks that he is referring to material water, but Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit “Only a gaze transformed by charity can enable the dignity of others to be recog- whom he will give in abundance through the paschal mystery, bestowing a hope that nized and, as a consequence, the poor to be acknowledged and valued in their dig- does not disappoint. Jesus had already spoken of this hope when, in telling of his pas- nity, respected in their identity and culture, and thus truly integrated into society” sion and death, he said that he would “be raised on the third day” (Mt20:19). Jesus (Fratelli Tutti, 187). was speaking of the future opened up by the Father’s mercy. Hoping with him and because of him means believing that history does not end with our mistakes, our vio- Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping lence and injustice, or the sin that crucifies Love. It means receiving from his open and loving. The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and shar- heart the Father’s forgiveness. ing of our goods, helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit In these times of trouble, when everything seems fragile and uncertain, it may appear and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father. challenging to speak of hope. Yet Lent is precisely the season of hope, when we turn back to God who patiently continues to care for his creation which we have often May Mary, Mother of the Saviour, ever faithful at the foot of the cross and in the mistreated (cf. Laudato Si’, 32-33; 43-44). Saint Paul urges us to place our hope in rec- heart of the Church, sustain us with her loving presence. May the blessing of the risen Lord accompany all of us on our journey towards the light of Easter. Rome, Saint John Lateran, 11 November 2020, the Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours

3 ASH WEDNESDAY HOMILY BY ARCHBISHOP PATRICK PINDER Parishioner has ash sprinkled on her head by Deacon William Fielding during \"Even now, says the Lord, Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Paul The Apostle Church. Return to me with your whole heart, With fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God.\" (Joel 2:12-13) These words you recognize as words of the prophet Joel. They form a part of the first reading for Ash Wednesday. We hear these words every year on this day. We also hear this: \"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise you will have no recompense from your heavenly father.\" (Matt. 6:1ff) These are the words of Jesus drawn from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. This is so unlike the prevailing attitude among us which is more like: \"Be sure that your righteous deed and acts of charity are done so that everyone can see them and you can be given immediate recognition.\" Continued on page 4

4 Benedict seeks to keep our enthusiasm in proper perspective and to ensure that we do not perform religious acts only to be seen. He says that fasting is an aid to open our eyes to the conditions of others around us. It enables us to grow in the spirit of the Good Samaritan by embracing acts of self- denial for the good of those whose basic needs are so much greater than our own. So he brings together fasting and almsgiving which together with prayer complete the three aspects of our discipline of penance. Again the Church invites us to embrace the journey and adventure of Lent for our good and for our salvation. Worshipper received ashes from Deacon Samuel Mitchell during Ash Wednesday Now, if we make a Lenten Resolution, it should be something, meaningful, Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. simple and practical. It should not be something we forget about after the first week and never think about again after that. It must be something Continued From page 3 meaningful, simple and practical. I will pause briefly to let you think about a Lenten resolution which is meaningful, simple and practical. With the words of Joel and Jesus to orient us, the Church invites us to em- (PAUSE) If our Lenten Resolution is meaningful, simple and practical, it brace this adventure we call Lent. Lent is cast as a journey of 40 days, a will also be doable. journey in the image of the Exodus. Lent is a journey of personal renewal which brings us closer to God, deeper into holiness and further and further Our Lenten Resolution is our way of making a sincere effort to turn away away from our own sinfulness. from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. If we fail in our Lenten resolution we need not lose heart. Just pick it up again and continue on the journey Lent is also a period of preparation for Easter. In this regard, the 40 days to Easter. of Lent are seen as having their roots in the 40 days Jesus spent in the de- sert preparing for his public life and ultimately for his crucifixion and glori- This Lent finds us living through a pandemic. We have had to live with fication. many habit-changing protocols over the past eleven months. This Ash Wednesday we have been asked to modify the ritual for the distribution of On this journey and adventure of Lent, the Church advises us to use the Ashes. As the ashes are blessed, the formula, \"Remember that you are traditional practices of penance, namely prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Dust and to Dust you shall return\" will be said only once for the entire as- sembly. During these weeks of Lent we are encourages to put greater emphasis on our prayer life. Many express this by including daily Mass attendance as a As you approach to receive your ashes remember that the ashes will not be part of their Lenten discipline. To that we may add daily, prayerful placed on your forehead as usual but rather lightly sprinkled on the top of reading of scriptures. It need not be more than ten minutes each day. your head in silence. So as you approach for your ashes gently bow your Take up and reflect on the readings of the day, each day this Lent, and you head in order to receive your ashes. Hopefully, this will be the only time in will discover how for the first half of the Lenten season, that is from now our lifetime when we will have to receive our ashes this way. until Saturday of the third week of Lent, the scriptures emphasize the need for conversion in our lives. We all need it! Also, given this unusual way of receiving our ashes, I have asked that one person from each household take home a small container of ashes. These After that, the theme shifts to the Mystery of Jesus Christ, Son of God, are provided for you. Keep the container of Ashes in a prominent place at who is the healer and the life-giver. He it is who gives life through his con- home to remind you of the penitential nature of the Season of Lent and frontation with death, his victory over death. to remind you of your own Lenten Resolution. This then is the season to expand our prayer life, to increase our daily Then on Palm Sunday, after you have received your Palm, bury the ashes Mass attendance and to make time for and spend time with the Lord, in the earth and prepare to celebrate Holy week and Easter. especially in Sacred Scriptures. Let us now begin this Lent by blessing and receiving our ashes. Let us also In an earlier message to us for Lent, Benedict XVI, focused on FASTING. and most sincerely recall the words of the prophet Joel. \"Rend your He explains how the discipline of fasting has had its place in the entire his- hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord your God.\" tory of salvation from the creation, through the patriarchs and prophets, in the life of Jesus and right down to our time. Let us remember the words of Jesus: \"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them....\" He says that fasting represents an important spiritual arm to do battle against every possible disordered attachment in ourselves. It enables the Despite all the distraction in our lives at this moment, may each one of us disciple of Christ to control the appetites of nature, weakened by original have a meaningful and fruitful Lent. sin, whose negative effects impact the entire human person.

5 A LENTEN REFLECTION: Restoring Your Soul During Lent By Deacon Michael Checkley, KGCH On a visit to Scotland some time ago I Jesus, Lent is our spiritual springtime was taken to a small but long aban- During Lent we examine and if we use the time well we will ex- doned castle which sat on a hill over- perience new life, a re-birth and a spir- looking the North Sea. The castle, ourselves and we take time to itual renewal. But, if the farmer doesn’t plant seed nor the landscaper over 900 years old, was in rough seriously look within put down fresh sod nothing will shape. A ruin really in which had once lived some Scottish Lord. He would and evaluate the happen. not be impressed with what he would depth and Nothing will prosper. Things remain find today. It had a couple of walls, no roof but had the remains of a soli- strength of our ever the same and ever so stale. So, tary tower turret. There were no friendship Lent requires work too. We need to re- longer any stairs leading to it but the plant and re-sod. We need to cut and view from it I was sure had to be spec- with God. prune. We need to water our spiritual garden. We need to fix up our interior tacular. The turret looked so precar- ious you could believe it would castle for therein God dwells and collapse in a strong wind. You could when He dwells in a clean, refurbished only assume how the castle was origi- and restored castle He is able, through nally designed to appear and function. us, to accomplish much. St Paul writes With the ear of your imagination, over in Philippians, “For it is God who the sound of the ocean waves hitting works in you, both to will and to work the rocks nearby, you could hear the for His good pleasure.” St Francis of music, dancing, laughter and conver- Assisi writing 800 years ago said,” I sations of the old castle in better times. have been all things unholy. If God But today, it is a mere shadow of its can work though me he can work former self compared to when it was through anybody.” an active and living castle and home to a great noble. So, this Lent lets clean house. Make it a habit to pray every day and through- I later remembered my visit to this old out the day with short prayers of castle after reading a book by St praise and petition. Ask for the grace Teresa of Avila, the great mystic and to see where you need to improve and reformer of the Carmelite nuns, who then ask for the strength and courage lived 500 years ago in Spain. Her book, The Interior Castle, describes the soul of to actually improve yourself. Read your Bible. Read from the Psalms as Jesus Him- the every person and how the King of Kings resides there. She writes that this cas- self did. I enthusiastically recommend reading the Gospel of Mark during this sea- tle within us serves to bring to fruition the human longing for union with God. son of spiritual opportunities. Fast when able and abstain from some of the things This interior castle, in which God dwells is our soul and is the very life of God you enjoy for the love of God. Attend Mass and Stations of the Cross and go to within us. St Teresa notes that we best maintain this “castle of the soul” through ar- confession. Strive to avoid persons, places or things that can lead you away from dent prayer, fasting and good works. It is to this that all Christians are called. God and down paths of darkness from which comes nothing good. Take seriously your spiritual life because God does. I had to consider the condition of my own castle within and I needed to determine if it was a fitting place for God to dwell. Or was my interior castle a ruin similar to As Christians we have been baptized into the very life of God and He has made a the one I visited in Scotland? A ghost of its true self. Was my interior castle in a di- home within us. He dwells in our soul which is that precious interior castle. His lapidated state that needed urgent attention and renovation? Looking at my own presence gives us an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort. He is truly with us life I had to ask, “What type of castle was I offering to God as a dwelling place?” in all of our joys and sorrows. He is committed to us without condition and invites us to a rich relationship of unfathomable love, devoted friendship and intimacy. Our Church is a wise mother who understands our frailties, weaknesses and our God is eager to share His divine life fully with us so that working with Him we can human condition. The season of Lent is our opportunity to repair our interior cas- help build His kingdom and lead others along on the journey of life that leads to tle and to make it a proper and fit lodging for God to dwell. Lent is soul cleaning Heaven. This gives our life purpose. This is our calling. This is our destiny. time. We need to dust it off, polish it up and take out the trash. We need to make ample room for God who is the cause of our existence, of our very being and our So, what is the condition of your interior castle? Is it fit for the King of eternal destiny. We look at the castle within and we must secure and make strong its Kings? Let’s be sure. Let’s clean it out and make it fresh. Let us use Lent as a time foundation. We rebuild what’s broken and we purge what is rotten. During Lent to renovate, restore and re-build the castle that is within us into a beautiful, pleasing we examine ourselves and we take time to seriously look within and evaluate the and worthy place for God to dwell. Let’s rebuild that vanquished stairway to the depth and strength of our friendship with God. tower- turret and enjoy the breathtaking and spectacular view which is Paradise. Lent matters. Make Lent count. Lent is a Latin word which means “springtime”. The grass grows ever so green, flowers begin to bloom, leaves return to many of our trees and farmers plant Deacon Michael Checkley, KGCHS crops with the hope of a bountiful harvest. Spring is about re-birth and renewal. Deacon Michael is an oblate of the Order of St Benedict and Spring signals new beginnings and new life and fresh starts. For us, as followers of administrator of Holy Name parish in Bimini. He was ordained in 2015.

6 THE 3 PILLARS OF LENT Why are prayer, fasting and almsgiving especially important during Lent? Prayer: Without prayer, fasting and almsgiving are merely actions we do out of tradition without much meaning. Prayer is our conversation with God. It is through prayer that we find the strength to fast. It is through prayer that we develop a closer, more intimate relationship with God. This relationship makes us so grateful for the blessings he has bestowed upon us, that we eagerly give to those less fortunate than us. The Church, in its wisdom, understands that prayer is essential to any action we Christians may undertake. 8 ideas how to pray during Lent 1. Make your abstinence a prayer-in-action. 2. Renew yourself through personal reflective prayer. 3. Pray the Stations of the Cross. 4 Meditate on Holy Scripture with Lectio Divina. 5. Reflect deeper on your liturgical prayer. 6. Join or start a prayer group. 7. Pray with children or as a family. 8. Start a practice of daily prayer that will last after Lent. Source: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/perspectives-on-lent/articles/8-ways-to-pray-during- lent/ Fasting: Fasting is one of the most ancient ac- tions linked to Lent. Fasting rules have changed through the ages, but throughout Church history fasting has been considered sacred. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our be- havior is not pleasing to God. Therefore, the goal of fasting is linked with prayer. The pangs of hunger re- mind us of our hunger for God, and prayer and fast- ing together brings us to what Lent is about - a deeper conversion. Almsgiving: Almsgiving is simply a response to God's generosity to us. It is an expres- sion of our gratitude, reflecting on the realization that we are the Body of Christ responsible for each other. As good stewards of our gifts, we are called to share generously not only our time and talent, but also our treasure and resources for the lifting and development of all. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is \"a witness to fraternal charity\" and \"a work of justice pleasing to God.\" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 246). As a part of your budgetary item for giving, the Catholic Archdiocesan Annual Appeal can be a part of your own personal practice of charity, that begins through your Lenten journey. Your gift to this ministry indicates your support of the mission and ministry of our local church and also assists with the needs of so many in our community through our outreach programs. Source: Material researched from the Catholic Update, Encyclopedia of Catholic Spirituality and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

7 Around the Archdiocese Hurricane Dorian survivors cuts ribbon to their new storm-resistant homes Mrs. Emily Bevans cuts the ribbon of her new Model Pilot home in High Rock, East End, Grand Bahama, also pictured at left is Fr. David Cooper, pastor of Mary, Star of The Sea Catholic Church, who blessed the homes. Right photo Ms. Gloria Newman, also a receipt of a new home. Submitted by : Tazia White and Aimee Lyons project adopted a community-based and learning-by-doing approach, in- tended to engage affected households and the wider community with aware- Mrs. Emily Bevans and Ms. Gloria Newman, were two of the beneficiaries ness raising on Build Back Better principles and techniques and to who received keys to their model homes in High Rock East End, Grand Ba- complement efforts to restore community hope. The primary goal was to hama in January 2021. establish an on-site learning environment for students from Bahamas Tech- nical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), as well as the locally-affected pop- With funding from Caritas Internationalis, the support of Caritas Antilles, ulation, to reconstruct homes and better understand hazard resistant and the Archdiocese of Nassau, the Model (Pilot) Home project worked to techniques. The secondary goal was to create and enable an environment to construct a replicable, hurricane-resistant home using recommendations increase self-efficacy towards Building Back Better homes in highly-im- from the “Build Back Better” building guidance, from the Grand Bahama pacted, hurricane-affected areas of east Grand Bahama, specifically High Port Authority and Ministry of Public Works. The purpose of the project Rock. was not only to provide a new shelter for two resident families of High Rock, a badly impacted area of Grand Bahama’s East End after Hurricane The initial project start date was March 2020 with a timeline of 45 days. Dorian, but also to strengthen community participation and improve techni- However, due to the unprecedented pandemic COVID- 19, disruptions cal knowledge related to construction techniques. were experienced through material shortages and the availability of qual- ified and affordable local labor. As a result of the protracted period of Households for the model homes project were selected using vulnerability COVID-19, there were significant delays in the project, resulting in the criteria that was supported and selected through community leaders, the project missing its scheduled completion date and incurring numerous unan- local churches and government officials. Through this committee, two sites ticipated costs. were identified and selected, and selection of the homeowners was com- municated through church leaders to ensure community acceptance. The Continued on page 8

8 Hurricane Dorian survivors cuts ribbon to their new storm-resistant homes From page 6 homeowner. We greatly appreciate their patience throughout this process, and The project pushed on, with homeowners benefiting from an expanded scope hope that these homes provide the community with a daily reminder of the po- of work to include installation of roof shingles, interior/exterior painting, and tential of hurricane-resistant shelters for their community. Both beneficiaries tiling. The initial projected cost per home approximately was $38,000 but costs shared how grateful and blessed they felt to be the recipients of this project. increased due to the additional time and work needed to make the homes One homeowner became visibly emotional as she expressed her gratitude to move-in ready for the homeowners. our organization. It has been a long and challenging journey and we are grateful and thankful They both are looking forward to when they can make the official move back that we were able to provide a safe, clean, hurricane-resistant home for each into their beloved community. Catholic Men Making A Difference: Knights of Columbus makes contribution to Archdiocesan Humanitarian Assistance Programme Archbishop Pinder met with members of the Knights of Columbus Councils # 11755 and 10415 recently at the Chancery Office. They presented him with a gener- ous donation to assist with the ongoing Archdiocesan Humanitarian Assistance Programme. As the coronavirus pan- demic continues, the programme pro- vides assistance to families and individuals adversely impacted. Care packages containing food items and hy- giene supplies are distributed to parishes throughout the Archdiocese. The pro- gramme is coordinated by the Office of Family Life. Left photo: KOC Council # 11755 - Davy Rolle, Deputy Grand Knight, Archbishop Pinder and William Grant, Grand Knight. Bottom photo: KOC Council # 10415- Pic- tured from left to right: Jermaine Carey, Grand Knight, Bertram Murray, Arch- bishop Patrick Pinder and District Dep- uty, Edwin Thompson.

9 Box of Joy brings Christmas joy to children amidst pandemic Thank You Cross Catholic Outreach Boys and girls aged 2 – 14 years in our Archdiocese gratefully received a of ‘Box of Joy’. Box of Joy an annual Christmas gift ministry facilitated by Cross Catholic Outreach. Organized by the Office of Family Life, hundreds of Box of Joy gifts were distributed to parishes on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini, Sal Salavador, Andros and Cat Island. The boxes were filled with, toys, rosaries, school supplies, religious coloring books/crayons, candy, hygiene items among other things. Thank you Cross Catholic Outreach !

10 SCHOOL NEWS Laptops donation for CBE students Sharon Sands, parishioner of Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, recently donated laptops to the Catholic Board of Education. The laptops will be loaned to CBE students who do not have access to the required technology. \"As a family, we believe that the pandemic has affected persons across the economic spectrum of society. After much discussion, we decided that the recipient of our donation should be selected by an entity with its fingers on the pulse of things. Having been beneficiaries of Catholic Education, and recognizing that the Catholic Church has a history of charitably contributing to our community needs, makes this institution our choice to find deserving recipients.\" - Sharon Sands. Pictured at left is Mrs. Claudette Rolle, Director of Education re- ceiving laptops from Ms. Sands. Students worshipped virtually for Ash Wednesday Mass Catholic Board of Education students worshipped together virtually for Ash Wednesday Mass in celebration of the beginning of the Lenten season. Mass was led by Fr. Noel Clarke from Xavier's Lower School, Seton Hall. Ashes were blessed and distributed to Religious Coordinators. The Coordinators transported the ashes to their respective schools where students were sprinkled atop their heads with the ashes.

11 Prince of Peace Catholic Church (Lake Villa, IL) donates to Hurricane Dorian Recovery Pastor calls on Bahamian to lead efforts Seven months after Brian Cooper accepted the position as Music Director at BC: Describe this awesome opportunity – was it something you Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Lake Villa, Illinois, he didn’t expect the always held in your heart to someday “assist” your country? Pastor to appoint him to head the parishes annual Lenten Project – The proj- ect? To raise funds for The Bahamas Hurricane Dorian Relief. Brian: Yes. It was a deep innate dream of mine to make my contribution to this world and human becomingness. I have always wanted to make an im- Brian, a Bahamian and parishioner of St. Anselm’s Parish raised over pact on my community. $10.000.00. He recently came home during the Christmas holidays and paid a visit to Archbishop Pinder presenting him with the check on behalf of Fr. BC: Share journey/experiences/challenges/ of heading this Gerald G. Walsh, pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Parish and the parish Lenten Project. community. During his visit Brian shared with Bahama Catholic (BC) his ex- perience of heading a fundraising project to assist his country. Brian: I must say I have learned so much by organizing this project. I have ac- quired more skills such as public speaking, organizing a committee, public re- BC: Did you ever imagine when you accepted the position as lations, and writing. I learned things about myself I didn’t know I could do. I music director at a church in Lake Villa, Illinois, you would be have definitely grown spiritually and professionally through this experience.  asked to head fundraising efforts for your beloved Bahama land ? BC: What was the most rewarding part of the project for you?  Brian.: No. I was very humbled because they (the parish community) hadn’t known me for very long, I had only been working there for about three Brian: It felt great that I was a part of such a great community of people months before the hurricane hit the shores of The Bahamas. Fr. Gerald de- doing something amazing for my people and country. The most rewarding cided that the theme for the Lenten project would be geared towards relief moment actually was coming home and speaking with the Archbishop Pinder for The Bahamas. Fr. Gerald, and the parish community showed me much and sharing with him how much we had raised and witnessing his reaction. support. I was surprised and honored. Validation feels amazing, especially when it comes from your countrymen. BC: When asked to head the project, what was your reaction? BC: In organizing the Lenten Project, did you develop more of a sense of pride to be a Bahamian ? Brian: I was definitely caught off guard ! Brian: I have always considered myself a proud Bahamian. Even the people When it was proposed that I should organize “a relief project” - It was new who know me have mentioned that I am very patriotic. I felt like this pride all new to me. I had no idea how to run a Lenten project. I was very nerv- went even further because I feel it was my responsibility to do what I can to ous, to say the least, especially when I heard it would involve speeches and make the lives of the Bahamian people better through my works.  presentations. However, my staff and choir members were supportive. They guided me through it, as well as assisted with posters, visual aids etc. I also felt BC: Did you learn more about your country ?  a sense of ministry… like God was calling me to do this.  Brian: This project was very personal to me in many ways. Three years prior BC: Was heading the Lenten project an opportunity to meet more to the hurricane, I visited Abaco, for the first time. I took my wife (who is of the parishioners in the Parish community ? American) so she could see the beauty of the Bahama Islands. I connected with an old colleague of mine who hosted us. These were the memories I am Brian: Yes, before that no one knew I even spoke due to the fact that I never left with. To see the destruction and hear the testimonials of that dangerous spoke much, especially directly with the parishioners. I now have a closer storm was heart breaking. I learned how quickly things can change so cherish bond with the choir members and the church community knows me and The everything in the moment.  Bahamas a little bit more. I can surely say that the parishioners of Prince of Peace Church, Lake Villa, Illinois are now much more informed about The Brian grew up in the Fox Hill community and attended St. Anselm’s Parish, he is a 2004 Bahamas and its people.  graduate of St. Augustine’s College (Nassau). He studied music (mainly piano) organ and brass at St. John’s University in Minnesota. Brain taught music for the Catholic Board of Education for five years before pursuing a

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