Bahama Catholic - December 2020

DECEMBER 2020 Follow Us @archdioceseofnassau CHRISTMAS MESSAGE By Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder, STD, CMG Once again we come to celebrate the Feast and the Season of Christmas. This is a very special time of year. It is a “The gift of hope and time when we have festive gatherings with family and friends. This is a time when we pause to hear the message joy which defines this of hope and happiness which is the essence of the Christmas Story. That message as preserved for us in the Gos- pel of Luke says: \"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom God's favor rests.\" (Luke 2:14) In grasping the meaning and significance of this message, we reach back in time to the Prophet Isaiah. He assures us that: season will sustain us \"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has through the pandemic shone.\" (Isaiah 9:1) of Covid-19 and on This is certainly a message of hope. There is nothing more inviting than a ray of light when we are lost in darkness. There to the brighter are few things more desirable than a source of brightness to offset our gloom. ’’days ahead. The gloom which visits our lives from time to time can be unkind to hope. This Christmas the pall of darkness and gloom is cast over our entire planet by the pandemic of Covid-19. Globally, to date, over 77 million have been infected with the - ARCHBISHOP PINDER virus. More than 1.7 million have died. Locally, well over 7,000 have been infected and 164 have died. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

2 Pope Francis proclaims 2021 Year of St. Joseph With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis re- calls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Uni- versal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from today, 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021. By Vatican News In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Fran- cis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St Joseph,” beginning on the Solemnity of the Im- maculate Conception 2020 and extending to the same feast in 2021. The Holy Father wrote Patris corde against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, mean- ing to which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In every event, this, they resemble Saint Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of however happy or salvation.” sad,” and makes us aware that A beloved, tender, obedient father “God can make flowers spring up Saint Joseph, in fact, “concretely expressed his fatherhood” by making an offering of himself in love “a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to ma- from stony ground.” Joseph “did not look for shortcuts turity in his home,” writes Pope Francis, quoting his predecessor St Paul VI. but confronted reality with open eyes and accepted personal responsibility for it.” For this reason, “he encourages us to accept and welcome others as they are, without ex- cetion, and to show special concern for the weak” (4). And because of his role at “the crossroads between the Old and New Testament,” St A creatively courageous father, example of love Joseph “has always been venerated as a father by the Christian people” (PC, 1). In him, “Jesus saw the tender love of God,” the one that helps us accept our weakness, Patris corde highlights “the creative courage” of St. Joseph, which “emerges espe- because “it is through” and despite “our fears, our frailties, and our weakness” that cially in the way we deal with difficulties.” “The carpenter of Nazareth,” explains the most divine designs are realized. “Only tender love will save us from the snares of the Pope, was able to turn a problem into a possibility by trusting in divine providence.” accuser,” emphasizes the Pontiff, and it is by encountering God’s mercy especially in He had to deal with “the concrete problems” his Family faced, problems faced by the Sacrament of Reconciliation that we “experience His truth and tenderness,” – other families in the world, and especially those of migrants. because “we know that God’s truth does not condemn us, but instead welcomes, em- braces, sustains and forgives us” (2). In this sense, St. Joseph is “the special patron of all those forced to leave their native lands because of war, hatred, persecution and poverty.” As the guardian of Jesus and Joseph is also a father in obedience to God: with his ‘fiat’ he protects Mary and Jesus Mary, Joseph cannot “be other than the guardian of the Church,” of her mother- and teaches his Son to “do the will of the Father.” Called by God to serve the mission hood, and of the Body of Christ. “Consequently, every poor, needy, suffering or of Jesus, he “cooperated… in the great mystery of Redemption,” as St John Paul II dying person, every stranger, every prisoner, every infirm person is ‘the child’ whom said, “and is truly a minister of salvation” (3). Joseph continues to protect.” From St Joseph, writes Pope Francis, “we must learn… to love the Church and the poor” (5). Welcoming the will of God At the same time, Joseph is “an accepting Father,” because he “accepted Mary un- A father who teaches the value, dignity and joy of work conditionally” — an important gesture even today, says Pope Francis, “in our world where psychological, verbal and physical violence towards women is so evident.” But “A carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family,” St Joseph also the Bridegroom of Mary is also the one who, trusting in the Lord, accepts in his life teaches us “the value, the dignity and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the even the events that he does not understand, “setting aside his own ideas” and recon- fruit of one’s own labour.” This aspect of Joseph’s character provides Pope Francis ciling himself with his own history. the opportunity to launch an appeal in favour of work, which has become “a burning social issue” even in countries with a certain level of well-being. “there is a renewed Joseph’s spiritual path “is not one that explains, but accepts” — which does not mean need to appreciate the importance of dignified work, of which Saint Joseph is an ex- that he is “resigned.” Instead, he is “courageously and firmly proactive,” because emplary patron,” the Pope writes. with “Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude,” and full of hope, he is able “to accept life as it is, with all its contradictions, frustrations and disappointments.” In practice, through St. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Joseph, it is as if God were to repeat to us: “Do not be afraid!” because “faith gives

3 Archbishop Pinder’s Christmas Message CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 healthy family life. After all, healthy family life is the basis of a healthy society. This The toll in human pain due to job loss, loss of income and loss of business though Christmas our family gatherings will be restricted but our family bonds must remain very real, is not easy to measure. Every aspect of life from education to worship has strong. been severely impacted. \"Glory to God in the highest\" is the song of the angels at the first Christmas and in Surely darkness has overshadowed us in a most unfamiliar way these past nine our worship we sing that great song of praise throughout the year. Surely this is a re- months. Yet even so, the words of the Prophet Isaiah are intended for us. \"The minder that the spirit of hope and joy and generosity which we associate with Christ- people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who dwelt in the mas should remain with us all year round. land of gloom, a light has shone.\" I once heard it said, that when all the lights and decorations are safely put away for Globally, over 54 million persons have recovered from Covid-19. Locally, over 6,000 another year and all the carols have been sung, it is then that the work of Christmas have recovered. There is now a vaccine which hopefully will be available locally in begins. That work is: the coming months. To find the lost Surely, the words of the prophet breathe new life into our weary spirits. His words To heal the broken are echoed with a greater fullness in the Gospel where it says: To feed the hungry To visit the sick and imprisoned \"Today in the city of David a saviour has been born for you who is Messiah and To make peace where there is discord Lord.\" To bring joy to every heart (Luke 2:11) To do all that we can to build our family, our community, our nation into a fellowship of caring, compassionate, concerned and committed persons. The gift of hope and This is the message of Christmas. This joyful and hopeful message is the story of joy which defines this season will sustain us through the pandemic of Covid-19 and Emmanuel, God's presence in our midst. on to the brighter days ahead. This horizon of hope must not just be an idea. It must be a guiding motivation in May the favor of God come to rest upon each of us this Christmas Day and remain our lives. with us always. The Christmas Story is a story about a family, the Holy Family. So we do not merely Merry Christmas! think of family at this time of the year. Rather we commit ourselves to good, strong, Pope Francis proclaims 2021 Year of St. Joseph From page 2 possibilities.” In his letter, Pope Francis notes how, “Every day, for Work, he says, “is a means of participating in the work over forty years, following Lauds [Morning Prayer]” he of salvation, an opportunity to hasten the coming of This is the sense in which St Joseph is described as a has “recited a prayer to Saint Joseph taken from a nine- the Kingdom, to develop our talents and abilities, and “most chaste” father, which is the opposite of dom- teenth-century French prayer book of the Congrega- to put them at the service of society and fraternal com- ineering possessiveness. Joseph, says Pope Francis, tion of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary.” This prayer, he munion.” Those who work, he explains, “are cooperat- “knew how to love with extraordinary freedom. He says, expresses devotion and trust, and even poses a cer- ing with God himself, and in some way become never made himself the centre of things. He did not tain challenge to Saint Joseph,” on account of its clos- creators of the world around us.” Pope Francis encour- think of himself, but focused instead on the lives of ing words: “My beloved father, all my trust is in you. ages everyone “to rediscover the value, the importance Mary and Jesus.” Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since and the necessity of work for bringing about a new you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me ‘normal’ from which no one is excluded.” Especially in Happiness for Joseph involved a true gift of self: “In that your goodness is as great as your power.” light of rising unemployment due to the Covid-19 pan- him, we never see frustration, but only trust,” writes demic, the Pope calls everyone to “review our prior- Pope Francis. “His patient silence was the prelude to At the conclusion of his Letter, he adds another prayer ities” and to express our firm conviction that no young concrete expressions of trust.” Joseph stands out, there- to St Joseph, which he encourages all of us person, no person at all, no family should be without fore, as an exemplary figure for our time, in a world to pray together: work!” (6). that “needs fathers,” and not “tyrants”; a society that “rejects those who confuse authority with authoritarian- Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, A father “in the shadows,” centred on Mary and Jesus ism, service with servility, discussion with oppression, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. charity with a welfare mentality, power with destruc- To you God entrusted his only Son; Taking a cue from The Shadow of the Father — a tion.” book by Polish writer Jan Dobraczyński — Pope Francis in you Mary placed her trust; describes Joseph’s fatherhood of Jesus as “the earthly True fathers, instead, “refuse to live the lives of their with you Christ became man. shadow of the heavenly Father.” children for them,” and instead respect their freedom. In this sense, says Pope Francis, a father realizes that Blessed Joseph, to us too, “Fathers are not born, but made,” says Pope Francis. “A “he is most a father and an educator at the point when show yourself a father man does not become a father simply by bringing a he becomes ‘useless,’ when he sees that his child has be- child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility come independent and can walk the paths of life unac- and guide us in the path of life. to care for that child.” Unfortunately, in today’s society, companied.” Being a father, the Pope emphasizes, “has Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, children “often seem orphans, lacking fathers” who are nothing to do with possession, but is rather a ‘sign’ able to introduce them “to life and reality.” Children, pointing to a greater fatherhood”: that of the “heavenly and defend us from every evil. Amen. the Pope says, need fathers who will not try to dominate Father” (7). them, but instead raise them to be “capable of deciding for themselves, enjoying freedom and exploring new A daily prayer to St Joseph… and a challenge

4 Archbishop Pinder dedicates the New St. Thomas More Church Dedication Photos by Carlton Robinson ARCHBISHOP PINDER ANOINTS THE ALTAR OF THE NEW ST. THOMAS PARISH WITH SACRED CHRISM. A year-and-a-half after renvonations of the former Garfunkel Audito- waited with a measure of anxiety. Some waited with a sense of despair. Now, rium began to transform into a new church complex to accommo- look and see for yourself. Something good has come to those who waited. You date the St. Thomas More parish community, members celebrated have a wonderful space in which to pray! You have a beautiful place to gather the dedication of their new church on December 8, 2020 (the Feast of the Im- and worship! maculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary). This parish was erected in 1950. On this occasion I wish to name and to Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a limited number of parishioners were able to thank all those who served this community over the years as Pastors of Souls: attend in person to see Archbishop Pinder dedicate the new space. The Mass was livestreamed for those unable to attend. - Fr. George Wolf Archbishop Pinder’s Dedication Homily: - Fr. Prosper Meyer - Fr. Clement Burns Readings - Fr. Silvan Bromenshenkel - Fr. Blaise Schumacher Nehemiah 8:1-10 - Fr. Elias Achatz Psalm 19:8-10,15 - Fr. Gall Fell Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38 These were the Benedictines (OSB). They were followed by the Scarborough For- eign Mission Fathers (SFM): Dear Friends: - Bishop Kenneth Turner We gather to open a new chapter in the history of St. Thomas More Parish. - Fr. Gerard McKernan The dedication of this new church takes place on the Feast of the Immaculate - Fr. Lawrence Beal Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is taking place within the Season of - Fr. John O'Grady Advent. - Fr. Robert Ling Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. It is a time to wait. - Msgr. Ambrose McKinnon The good parishioners of St. Thomas More Parish know a lot about waiting. You have waited a very long time for this day. Some waited patiently. Some CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

5 BLESSING OF BAPTISMAL FONT BLESSING OF ALTAR

6 Archbishop Pinder incenses the blessed sacrament in the chapel. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 The Diocesan Clergy who served this parish are: - Msgr. Alfred Culmer - Msgr. Simeon Roberts - Fr. Glen Nixon - Fr. Alain Laverne - Fr. Anselm Russell - Fr. Noel Clarke - Fr. Junior Calixte - Deacon Raymond Forbes - Deacon Dennis Mackey and - Fr. Jude Muokwe of the Missionaries of St. Paul (MSP). They all have our sincerest gratitude. At the 50th Anniversary celebration of this parish which was observed on June 20, 2001, the Bahama Catholic announced that Garfunkel Auditorium would become the new St. Thomas More Church. Much had to be done to make that happen. First and foremost was the daunting task of re-locating Aquinas College. This was part of a much broader plan to renovate and renew the physical plant of all our parishes here in the capital. This plan was initiated by Archbishop Lawrence A. Burke, S.J. He was trans- Fr. Anselm Russell, (pictured at right ) administrator of St. Thomas More Parish ferred to Jamaica before the plan was completed. I inherited it and continued and Fr. Junior Calixte, Priest in residence assisted in Dedication Mass of the New to bring the process to completion. Today, with this Dedication, that plan, that St. Thomas More Church on December 8, 2020. process, is substantially complete. Thanks be to God!!! In a number of our parishes you can see the old structure in proximity to the This transformation was possible because those who went before us built a new. That is the case with St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, St. Joseph, St. Cecilia solid foundation upon which we could build even more. On this occasion we and Holy Family. At St. Anselm you have a wonderful symbiosis of the old and remember with gratitude Mr. Joseph Garfunkel and Bishop Paul Leonard Ha- the new. Now here at St. Thomas More also, we have the old church in prox- garty, O.S.B. In honor of Bishop Hagarty I am using the ceremonial crosier imity to the new. It is as if history unfolded right before your eyes. from our Archdiocesan Archives. One of the aspects of our faith is that we take what is given and transform it. Jesus took water and changed it into wine. In the Eucharist, the greatest of This crosier was first presented to Bishop John Bernard Kevenhoester, O.S.B., transformations occurs when Bread and Wine becomes the Body and Blood of Superior of the Catholic Mission of the Bahama Islands, at his Episcopal Ordi- Christ. Taking what was given and transforming it is precisely what we have nation in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City, on December 21, 1933. It done here. We took the aging shell of an auditorium and transformed it into a was also presented to his successor, Bishop Paul Leonard Hagarty at his Episco- new parish complex. It includes the Church, Blessed Sacrament Chapel and pal Ordination at Our Lady's Church here in Nassau on the 19th of October, Parish Hall, all embraced by a covered external narthex. There are bathrooms, 1950. That was the same year that this parish of St. Thomas More was parishes offices and a conference room and of course, a sacristy. erected. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

7 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 forsake their own private conscience for the sake of public duties they lead their coun- try by a short route to chaos.\" (Bolt) Let us not overlook the works of art which adorn this space. The images in the cir- cular stained glass window are those of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher both More met a cruel end because he could not, in good conscience, do what the king martyred at the same time and sharing the same Feast Day, June 22nd. The 6 win- wanted him to do. Another writer says of More ... \"Here was an incredibly intelligent dows on either side of the Altar depict the six days of creation. The paintings from and witty man with a deep sense of spiritual awareness. He was a man for all seasons which they are made is the work of a local artist, Antonius Roberts. The originals are precisely because he was so vivid and complex a human being that he effortlessly took mounted in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The woodwork, beginning with the two on all the games of the world at the same time as he knew them to be empty--at least main doors, the Baptismal Font, the Altar, the Ambo, the Chair, the Credence Table, in comparison with the next world.\" (Ackroyd) the backdrop behind the Altar and the pedestal for the tabernacle are all the work of a local carpenter, Mr. Randolph Sands. So the beauty which surrounds you, blossomed Yes, your patron was a layman, an exemplary layman, a model for any layman or lay- in our own backyard. woman in any age. The patron of this fine parish, Thomas More, was a layman. One writer describes The First Reading for this Liturgy is from the Book of Nehemiah. It is a required him thus: \"More was of medium stature, his complexion was fair and his eyes were reading for an occasion such as this, the Dedication of a Church. It tells of Ezra the bluish gray. Simplicity was his mark in food and dress. He shrank from nothing that Scribe reading at length from the Book of the Law of Moses. imparted an innocent pleasure, even of a bodily kind. He had a speaker's voice and a memory that served him well for extempore rejoinders. \"Born for friendship,\" he His audience is men, women and children old enough to understand. That is a rather could extract delight from the dullest people and things. His family affections were comprehensive demographic. It could easily include all of us. Notice how the reading warm yet unobtrusive. He gave freely and gladly, expecting no thanks. Exotic objects ends. and curious animals graced his house and garden. Amid his intense professional activ- ity, he found hours for prayer and for supervising his domestic school. Most of his \"Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord is your strength.\" charges were girls, to whom he provided the most refined classical and Christian edu- cation.\" (Marc'hardour) We have reason to rejoice today. The Dedication of a Church is a rare and joyful oc- casion. That is why we are here today. So let us dedicate this place! Let us do so joy- More is the patron saint of Lawyers. Pope St. John Paul II included statesmen within fully! More's patronage. Of them More is supposed to have said, \"I believe, when statesmen Lectors of the Mass. - Ushers - Dianna Clarke and Christine Rolle. Claudette Rolle and Julyen Pinder.

8 THE STORY OF THE NEW ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH COMPLEX EXTERIOR VIEW INTERIOR VIEW

9 The backdrop behind the Altar and the pedestal for the tabernacle are all the work of Mr. Randolph Sands, a local carpenter. Shortly after the turn of the century His Grace Archbishop Lawrence Burke The new church follows the traditional layout of catholic churches around signaled that St. Thomas More was scheduled to have a new church struc- the world. The Baptismal Fount is located just inside the entrance of the ture though plans were not advanced before his transfer as Archbishop of church in an area called the Vestibule. The paschal candle will stand next to Kingston, Jamaica in 2003. the baptismal fount. In 2017 Archbishop Patrick Pinder, the first Bahamian born bishop and The Nave of the church is organized in two columns of pews with a centre Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church in The Bahamas informed pa- and two side aisles to permit easy entrance and exit. The walls of the Nave rishioners that the former Garfunkel Auditorium was to be repurposed into are lined with the Stations of the Cross which have been transferred from a new church complex to accommodate the St. Thomas More parish com- the old church. munity. A photograph of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, gifted to His Consultant architect Ben Lopez of Florida, taking into account the various Grace Archbishop Patrick Pinder by His Holiness Pope Francis, is hung on needs of the St. Thomas More parish, proposed a design that subdivided the far western end of the northern wall of the Nave. the old auditorium into four spaces: the main church, the Blessed Sacra- ment Chapel, the Parish Hall and on the second story, above the Parish The entrance doors, Baptismal Fount, Altar, the Ambo (from where the Hall, the Parish Office. Also, provision was made for the construction of a word of God is proclaimed) and the Lectern were all constructed locally bell tower, a long-held dream of parishioners. out of mahogany by Randolph Sands of New Providence. The Archdiocese engaged the services of architect Mr. Dwight Thompson St. Thomas More’s crucifix which for a time was hung at St. Francis Xavier to further develop the concept and to prepare working drawings. Mr. Cathedral has been returned to the parish and is now hung above the main Dwight Higgs was engaged as the project’s contractor. altar in the new church. The corner stone for the new church was laid on 12 August 2018 in a cere- Entrances to the Confessional and to the Sacristy are located along the mony attended by Archbishop Pinder, Fr. Amselm Russell, parish admin- southern wall of the Nave of the Church. istrator, Fr. Junior Calixte, resident priest and a small group of parishioners. A time capsule containing information on the parish in 2018 The silver icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which hung in the side chapel of was interred behind the stone. the old church is hung above the entryway to the Confessional The renovation of the building got underway in June 2018. A boxed portrait of St. Thomas More, which hung in the side chapel of the old church, is now hung over the main entrance doors of the church. Por- Church: traits of the His Holiness, Pope Francis, and of His Grace, Archbishop Pat- rick Pinder are hung at either side. The entrances to the church complex are via a covered portico that runs the full length of the eastern side of the building. The church, the Blessed Sac- New replacements for objects used in the celebration of the Mass and rament Chapel and the Parish Hall may each be accessed along the portico. others which increase the spiritual environment of our worship space have A Bell Tower stands at the north entrance to the portico while the southern been gifted by parishioners. entrance is marked with a free-standing arch. When opened to the portico the church’s doors and similar sized windows will permit the expansion of The Ambry, which holds the Holy Oils used in the administration of sacra- the church’s seating capacity. A 1983 pecuniary legacy gift from Gianni ments is kept in the Sacristy. Carrer, a late parishioner, has largely funded the construction of the Bell Tower. - taken from Solemn Dedication of the new St. Thomas More Dedication booklet

10 The Windows Six columns of stain glass windows depicting the six days of creation are located at the front of the church, three on either side of the altar each the inverse of the other. His Grace Archbishop Patrick Pinder provided the inspiration for the theme for the windows and renown Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts translated the creation story onto canvas using waves of the brilliant colors of The Bahamas Robert’s artwork was then transferred to glass by artist James Piercey of J. Piercey Studios Inc, Orlando, Florida. The six columns consist of 18 assembled smaller panels which are aligned to depict the sign of the cross. Among the panels can be found abstractions of some of the most important symbols of Christianity – the hand of God, the Holy Spirit Dove, the Lamb of God, and mankind arrayed in God’s creations of lands, seas, and air. On the north exterior wall of the Nave of the church is located a rose window depicting our patron saint St. Thomas More. Also included is a representation of St. John Fisher, the Bishop (and posthumous Cardinal) friend to Thomas More who like More was martyred for refusing to abide the King’s divorce and remarriage and further his self-appointment as Head of the Church in England. The feast day of both these saints is commemorated on the 22 June. This Rose window is ded- icated in memory of Gregoria Butler, long-time parishioner of St. Thomas More Church. The statues In the Catholic Christian tradition, there are several categories of angels which form a hierarchy. These celestial beings act as inter- mediaries between God and humanity. Among their many roles is that of protecting or guarding. Two bronze angels designed by Antonius Roberts are located at the entrance doors to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. A statuette of the Blessed Virgin Mary and that of St. Joseph and the child Jesus which have stood in the side chapel of the old St. Thomas More Church for more than 50 years are located on either side of the main altar in the new church.

11 Blessed Sacrament Chapel Two rose windows are inserted above the entryways into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, one leading from the Nave of the main Church and the other from the western portico. Both reflect the symbols of the Blessed Sacrament. The wooden frame encircling the rose window between the Nave of the church and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is made from wood reclaimed from the old St. Francis Xavier Cathedral which was extensively damaged by fire in September 2009. The Altar and lectern from the old church have been transferred to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel as have a selection of the pews from the old church. A photograph of the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” which hung in the side chapel of the old church is now hung on the eastern wall of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The original paintings by Antonius Roberts depicting the Six Days of Crea- tion and the representations of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher which were used as a guide for the creation of the stained-glass windows in the Nave were anonymously gifted by a parishioner and adorn the north and south walls of the Chapel. The Gardens Gardens have been developed at the eastern, northern and southern peri- meters of the new church grounds. Trees, shrubs, and plants were all pur- chased and or donated by parishioners or sourced from the gardens of parishioners and friends. A new sculpture of the Virgin Mother, Our Lady of Grace, is in the eastern gardens of the new church. A living Rosary has been installed at the circled end of the pathway in the eastern garden.

12 The Christian and the Pandemic Deacon Michael Checkley, OblSB, KHS “...as you move through Someone joked that they wouldn’t turn their clocks back last November to standard time be- the pandemic do not cause they couldn’t take an extra hour of 2020. As English author Geoffrey Chaucer wrote, stray from the love of “many a true word is spoken in jest.” 2020 has been a challenge. God which is the source of your interior life. Do For most of us the experience of 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic has been unsettling at the not stray from the least and devastating to the extreme. Our entire way of life has been uprooted. Things we took for promise of Heaven. granted have become impossible. What we did without much thought was taken from us practically Pray more. overnight. The beaches were off limits, restaurants were restricted and in many cases forced to ’’- DEACON MICHAEL CHECKLEY close. Schools were closed. Movie theatres were closed. Grocery stores and gas stations were given restricted hours. Shopping was curbed, galleries and museums were forced to close and even our movements were limited with lockdowns and curfews. Inter-island travel was curtailed and our in- ternational borders were shut. Tourism stalled and resorts and hotels closed their doors. Family visits and celebrations were off limits. Our churches were shuttered for months and funerals for our beloved dead were/are limited to but a few participants and then only in the grave yard. Junkanoo, our iconic cultural expression, was cancelled. People were getting sick and they were quarantined and isolated from family and friends. Sadly, some have died. We all live in dread of catching the virus for which there is no defence except for wearing a mask, washing our hands or just staying home. Businesses closed. Jobs were gone. Money was and remains short. Food was once rationed. Bills were and are mounting. Coping with the anxiety created by the virus has been difficult and stress was and remains a constant companion for many. The fear of getting sick or dying remains real. Suddenly, we all feel helpless and vulnerable and at the mercy of microscopic virus. Even though a vaccine is on the way and the end of this horror can be seen within a few months time we are still faced with the reality of COVID 19. It’s still here. And its long term consequences will linger despite the vaccinations to come. We have ahead of us a long road to recovery. And the question is asked, “What will hit us next?” The world has been shaken to its foundations by COVID-19 in a manner not experienced since the great Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 which killed over 50 million people around the world. Now suicide rates have soared and domestic violence has increased dramatically. Liquor sales are up and drug use has increased. Pornographic websites have had record hits and made millions more dollars than ever. Today we see many people traumatized by the pandemic as they see their comfortable and predictable world with its idols, lures and pleasures taken away. They’re lost. Uncertain. Frightened.

13 Worshippers adapt to a “new normal’, as masks are required to be worn at in-person Mass. There are cries from some Christian have a lasting city” and we are re- held as normal, casual and ordinary voices that God is punishing the world minded to “be ready, for we know not for the evil that pervades it. War, rac- the hour or the day when the Master was taken from us. All of humanity St Benedict in his Rule for living the ism, hate, poverty, abortion, violence, will come.” Our destiny lies else- pornography, the destruction of the where. It’s important for Christians to was brought to its knees by a microsco- Christian life writes, “seek Christ in ev- family, sexual irresponsibility and per- remember that how we see things here versions of all kinds offend Him. God, in this world must be seen with an eye pic virus for which there was no de- eryday life.” We are to look for Him they confirm, is finally thundering to the next. from Heaven, “Enough!” and his fence. No matter your wealth or health through this pandemic. Where is mighty arm has fallen on a disobedient The Bible teaches that there will be humanity who ignore Him and His wars, earthquakes and storms and or your education or country of birth Christ in this experience? As Chris- Law. plagues. For Christians our lives will be shaken but not shattered. We might be you were a target for the unseen virus tians, we are on an earthly journey to But, how do we as Christian people knocked down but not kept down if best react to COVID-19? How do we we see in the events of our time oppor- that could kill you. As a result of gov- an ever greater union with God which respond to the uneasiness, suffering tunities to grow closer to God and to and especially the loss of life brought appreciate the things of Heaven. ernment’s attempting to stem the tide finds its fulfillment in Heaven. A about by the virus? How do we cope with the fear and anxieties of the day? With the COVID crisis much that we of the virus our freedoms were re- measure of our trust in God and His Are we being punished? Have we brought about the ire of an angry stricted and what we could do one day plan for us is how we respond to life’s God? Probably not. God does not wish us anything bad but He allows things was taken away the next. Our jobs. adversities, such as COVID-19. This to happen for our betterment. There is always a divine message to be found in Our homes. Our loved ones. All in is an opportunity for us to re-evaluate the circumstances in which we find ourselves. jeopardy. All our earthly treasures our priorities. What is important? paled in value and our man-made What truly matters? How can I be- gods were seen to be but a sham. They come the best person I can be as a cannot help us. We’re helpless. Our consequence of this pandemic? arrogance of invincibility have been shown to be so much straw. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 First, we must remember that God Since the suspension of public Masses, Archbishop Pinder announced that weekday and Sunday Masses loves us. He seeks only what is best for would be provided for the faithful to participate in Mass remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The us and He has promised Heaven for Archbishop livestreams Daily Mass every morning at 9:00 am via the Archdiocesan Facebook page (later those who remain faithful to Him to available on the Youtube channel). Sunday Masses are pre-recorded by the Archdiocesan Communication the end. Each of us is called into exis- Team and aired on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am on the Archdiocese’s Facebook Page and Youtube channel. tence because God chose us to be here. Pope Benedict writes that, “each of us is a thought of God. Each of us is willed and has a purpose.” The com- mitment God has to each of us is im- measurable. He has given us free-will and the ability to reason. And so when a disaster strikes we must use the God- given gift of reason to make some sense of it. Secondly, we know that our earthly life is not forever but we can’t forget that our life after this one is forever. The bible teaches that, “here we do not

14 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 So as you move through the As Christians we learn in difficult times pandemic do not stray from the that God is ever in charge. He is the Cre- love of God which is the source ator and we are the created. Though of your interior life. Do not given formidable gifts of intellect and stray from the promise of free will we remain dependent on Him Heaven. Pray more. Read your for our every breath. The impact of the bible more. Take advantage of pandemic reminds us of Jesus’ teaching the beauty and power of the that we are truly our brother’s keeper. In Mass and the Sacraments. tough times we reach out in charity and Reach out to others and bring concern for those in greater need. We them some hope and joy. If you seek the well being of others before our- feel burdened, weary and over- selves. What we do for others we do for whelmed look at the crucifix. Him. We witness to a broken and bruised Know always that God is with humanity of God’s overpowering and you. He holds you close to transforming love. We don’t half step in Himself and He loves you. our witness either. We give it our full Together with Him you will measure so that it’s clear to everyone that Holy Name Altar Servers Camaro Dottin and Morton Guerrier. manage the pandemic and its we know a better way of living. As Chris- consequences. The world that tians we have a life that offers an unshak- emerges may be different but the able sense of well being, a deep and calming peace of soul with an assurance of love of God for you is ever the same and ever as strong and the promise of Heaven eternal communion with God Himself. never wavers. With this understanding of our dependence on God we can build anew an authentic sense of self, of what’s truly of value, and we can renew our com- We are learning through this pandemic that what we hold as necessary and as treas- munities and our economy. ure can be much tinsel and fluff. What the world considers important is not what God values as important. While so much that surrounds us is being changed or taken away In the COVID-19 experience we have seen and continue to see that so much of what the truth that God is Love remains. Love is the ground of our existence. It’s our very we took for granted is an illusion. Our dependence on God is not. Our relationship foundation and how well we build with it and upon it can influence a pagan world to with God is not. It’s real and it’s enduring. As we foster that heavenly relationship all choose a better path. Love is the real treasure we seek and share. With love there is no of our earthly relationships will be enriched and we will see more clearly what is truly hate, no racism, no war, no poverty, no stealing, no exploitation, no bullying, no envy important and lasting. or jealousy, no violence, no killing. There is no crippling fear or undo anxiety. Love conquers all. God is love. Youth Ministry hosts several virtual events By Cathrine Gomez With many studies stating that too many vir- tual events can cause stress and anxiety in This year the covid-19 pandemic children, Bingham voiced that she noticed the catapulted youth activities like youth strain it had on the youth at times. group, CCD, Get on the bus, and other programs onto a virtual plat- “We planned 2 virtual reflection days, one for form. our 16 – 19 year olds and the other for our 13 – 15 year olds as we weren’t able to have our Archdiocesan Youth Director Julie teen retreats. Unfortunately, the response was- Ritchie-Bingham said trying to n’t what we had hoped. In retrospect, we real- transfer youth events to an online ized that our teens were getting used to this setting seemed daunting at first, but new virtual learning space and may have they were able to take on the chal- been overwhelmed by all the time in front of lenge successfully even birthing new a monitor” she said. programs. Many young people expressed that they were \"When the first case was announced, I immediately started to think about how we very impressed with how fun the virtual youth events were. were going to continue with the events, but when I reached out to my team we brain- stormed ideas that would help the online transition. We then were able to create a One source said: \"I was honestly surprised at how fun events like 'Get on the Bus' and Facebook live conversation series called Next Generation Catholics and we continued youth group were. Like the games were very engaging and the spiritual conversations our Theology on Tap events virtually and both programs reached an even wider au- were very informative and impactful.” dience” she said. Another source said: \"I enjoyed watching the Next Generation Catholic Series and Bingham also said the response from the youth was very positive. Theology on Tap. During this hard time in our world, both events kept me spiritually woke and encouraged me in my walk with God.\" “Our biggest virtual turnout was our Get on the Bus event, of which we were able to have 4! The most exciting aspect was we were able to have teens from Grand Ba- hama and Abaco join us!! Although our numbers were not as large as when we met in person, we had anywhere between 20 – 55 teens for each of the events” she said.

15 SEMINARIAN NEWS Seminarian Devereaux King admitted to candidacy for Holy Orders We are happy to announce that seminarian Devereaux King was recently installed into Candidacy for Holy Orders at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology (Saint Mein- rad, Indiana) in the Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel. Rector of the seminary, Fr. Denis Rob- inson, OSB celebrated Candidacy Mass. In the Admission to Candidacy rite, the candi- date for ordination publicly expresses his in- tention to receive ordination as a Deacon and subsequently as a Priest. Devereaux is pic- tured with Fr. Denis. Our prayers as Devereaux continues his jour- ney to the priesthood. Chancery Office staff gives back In appreciation for God's mercy during the challenges of 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the staff of the Chancery Office, presented to Most Rev. Patrick Pinder, STD CMG, a computer and printer for St. Francis de Sales School, Abaco, in his honor. The school was severely damaged by category 5 Hurricane Dorian in 2019. St. Francis de Sales School reopened for some 80 primary school students in October 2020.