Bahama Catholic Feb/March 2014

THE NEWSPAPER OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NASSAU ARCHDIOCESAN CITYWIDE LENTEN MISSIONFEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 MARCH 10th-14th, 2014 LOYOLA HALL, GLADSTONE ROAD 7:00 NIGHTLY www.archdioceseofnassau.org2014 Archbishop Pinder challenges the faithful to take devotional duties more seriously Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder’s homily at Ash Wednesday Mid-day service, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, March 5, 2014. Readings: Joel 2:1-2,12-18; Psalm 51) ; 11Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Matthew 6:1-6,16-18Beloved, greeted with words from the Prophet Joel. This is what we hear.We pause and take a step back from all the Even now, says the Lord, pressing concerns of our world and our Return to me with your whole heart, community to begin, once again the With fasting, and weeping, and mourning;journey of Lent. This journey begins with a simple Rend your hearts, not your garments,ritual gesture. It begins with the imposition on And return to the Lord, your God.Ashes upon our foreheads. This serves asreminder of our mortality. It is also a reminder of These words of the prophet were occa-our accountability before God. This journey will sioned by a plague of Locusts descending uponend in 40 days with our celebration of the death the people. The plague of Locusts, like anyand resurrection of the Lord at Easter. plague, disrupted all order in life. The Locusts came frequently.Each year, as we come to this day, we are -Continued On Page 2The Archdiocese of Nassau hosts Annual Meeting of the Directors of the Pontifical Mission SocietiesDIRECTORS OF THE PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIETIES (PMS) - The The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) diocesan directors gathered at EmmausArchdiocese of Nassau led by The Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, STD, CMG, Centre, Fox Hill to examine their roles, share vital information, and to make plansArchbishop of Nassau and President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) to assist Catholics develop an awareness of their baptismal call as missionaries.hosted the annual meeting of the Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies on The Directors are mandated to lead participants to a deeper understanding of theFebruary 3 - 7th, 2014. The theme for the meeting was “Animate and Deepen the concepts of mission and service. ( Article continues on page 3)Mission Conscience of Every Baptized Christian.” His Excellency, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio, and thirty-one Above are: Archbishop Pinder, His Excellency, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli,directors from the English, French and Dutch territories of the Caribbean were in Apostolic Nuncio, Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) Directors, priests andattendance. The delegation was led by Rev. Fr. Athanasius George Williams, deacons are pictured above following a Mass at St. Joseph Parish.(Regional Director) and His Grace Neil Tiedemann, CP, (Bishop of Mandeville See highlights of meeting on pages 3,5,7,9 & 11.and PMS Liaison)

PAgE 2 New Appointments AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE Sr. Agnes Johnson makes final vows On February 10, 2014, Sister Agnes Fr. Anselm Russell Johnson made her final Perpetual Archbishop Patrick Pinder has recently Monastic Profession. Her monastic appointed Fr. Anselm Russell Archdiocesan community, family, friends and Director of Religious Education, and Mrs. well wishers gathered at St. Joseph Vernice Cargill-Russell, Assistant Director of Catholic Church to witness her Religious Education. This appointment follows special day. Archbishop Patrick C. the retirement of Mrs. Floridell Adderley Pinder, was the chief celebrant. Sr. December 2013. Fr. Anselm also serves as Agnes is pictured receiving her Pastor of Sacred Heart Church. ring, which identifies her as a Mrs. Russell, graduated from St. Augustine’s member of the monastic communi- College in 1985 and continued her formal ty and signifies fidelity to the Catholic education by attending Barry monastic way of life. See article on University and obtaining a Bachelor’s of Arts in page 13 Accounting. She spent over fifteen years in the business environment working in Accounting, Lent: the journey to Easter Marketing, Computers and Management. She volunteered as CCD catechist and YouthBy Fr. Remy R. David Traditionally when we hear of fasting, praying we Director at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Miami,Pastor, Haitian Mission think negatively normally not eating, drinking or giving up this Florida. Additionally, she volunteered as a and that extra curriculum activities or hobbies. This season is tutor and mentor at the American Black Hawksbill, GB more than that. It is a season when we are invited indeed to give Community Center. Upon returning to the up some material or pleasurable things in order to pay more Bahamas, she continued to function as CCD atEvery year the liturgy attention to what God is doing in our lives. “Even now says the Holy Family. -continued on page 17 of the Roman Lord, return to me with your whole heart; rent not your gar- ments, but your hearts, and return to the Lord, your God.” (Joel Mrs. Vernice Cargill-Russell Catholic Church 2:12-13).offers us a series of opportunities to renew again and again our These words “Even now…” are telling us that it is not too late to take the necessary steps to experience a true conver-contacts with God and with one another. The great historical sion, to return to the Lord – giving him the attention that He rightly deserves. It is so imperative that privileged persons suchand salvific events are preceded by a period of preparations: as – elderly, children, newly married couple, priests, in a word the entire community must be engaged in that spiritual exerciseIncarnation, the birth of Christ by the Advent season – Death (Joel 2:16-17) – No one is to be exempted – Every Lent, God is offering to each one of us a season of grace so that we canand resurrection of Jesus by Lenten season and the descent of change, we can progress in our relationship with Him. “Fear the Lord who is passing and not returning “ St Augustine.the Holy Spirit by ten days of prayer. Jesus came not only to offer forgiveness of sins or to The Lenten season is extended over a period of forty save us from eternal death or to free us from the well deserveddays – namely from the celebration of Ash Wednesday liturgy punishment. He came to offer us salvation namely eternal life –until the Paschal Triduum. It sets the tune for the season. It is lent is that acceptable time as St. Paul said, “Now is the accept-more than the imposition of the ashes which reminds of our able time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2). Wehuman origins and final destination humanly speaking namely can use that opportunity to come closer to Jesus by puttingwe are from dust and we shall return to dust (Gen.3: 19). This away our sinful actions, attitudes that we have acquired in ourecclesial action is to tell us that we must be humble indeed in daily life. This is indeed the time to sit at Jesus’ feet, enter intoour daily life – let us look at the human span of Jesus’ life ourselves and try to understand the depth of God’s love for usamong us. It began at the manger in Bethlehem and finished at as manifested in the very life of Jesus – we are indeed loved bythe cross on the hills of Golgotha where he died between two God who has been so good to us in sending his only begottenthieves. Is there a human existence more humble then that? Son, so that those who believe in Him may have eternal life (Jn 3:16). Jesus was sent not to judge the world but to save it Right after his baptism, under the power of the Holy through His death and resurrection. - continued on page 12Spirit, Jesus was led into the wilderness where he spent fortydays and nights fasting and praying. This was the first Lentenseason. It was a period of preparation for his public ministry,where he will be the “Suffering Servant” of the Lord predictedby the prophet Isaiah (Is. 52:13-53:12). The desert life was a prel-ude of what his real life among us would be – “The Son of Manhas nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58).

PAgE 3 The Archdiocese of Nassau hosts Pontifical Mission Societies Directors Meeting February 3 - 7, 2014“The New Evangelization in the Caribbean means delightfully sharing the Joy of the Gospel with all “ - continued from page 1Pontifical Mission Societies Directors - Front Row - left to right: Bishop Neil Teiderman, CP (Bishop of Mandeville, Conclusions of Vatican Council II teach that the PMS, takenJamaica) Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder (Archbishop of Nassau & President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference together, are the principal instruments to awaken the faithful’s(AEC), His Excellency, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio, Fr. George Williams (PMS Regional Director) awareness of the Church’s universal mission through prayer andSecond row – Bishop Gabriel Malzaire ( Bishop of Roseau) Rock Beharry (Dioecese of Georgetown, Guyana) Fr. sacrifice among universal Catholics.Karel Choennie ( Bishop of Suriname) Bishop Emmanuel Lafont (Bishop of Cayenne) Bishop Jason Gordon ( Bishopof Kingston) Sister Annita Peter (Diocese of Roseau) Fr. Kaze Eugene, SSM (Diocese of Basse Terre & Pointe a Pitre, Many of us will ask, “How are they the principalGuadeloupe) Third row - Brother Thomas Gerchak (Jamaica) Fr. Alain Laverne (Archdiocese of Nassau) Sister instrument if we are only just hearing about them?” Well,Paula Andrew ( Diocese of Castries, St. Lucia) Fr. Wlodzieirz Sobolewski (Diocese of Hamilton-in-Bermuda) some of us may not have heard of the PMS per se, but all ofDeacon Georges Darien (Diocese of Georgetown, French Guyana) Fr. Simon Wilson (Diocese of Willemstad, us have participated in and benefited from their work. WeCuracao) Fourth Row- Debbie De La Rosia (Archdiocese of Port of Spain) Claudia Tjon Kiem Sang (Diocese of have participated each year through contributing to the spe-Paramaribo, Suriname) Sister Paulette Nugent ( St. John’s Bassterre) Msgr. Georges Bawdell (Diocese of Kingston, cial collection on World Mission Sunday and with our chil-St. Vincent and the Grenadines) Fr. Frank Powers ( Archdiocese of Kingston) Fr. Suresh Rajaan (Diocese of Missio dren through sacrificial collections at school, which areSui Juris, Cayman Islands) Fifth Row- Morvette Thomas (Diocese of St. John’s, PMS Secretary) Maria James offered at the Holy Childhood Mass at our cathedral. Funds(Archdiocese of Port of Spain) Sister Lucy Kameni (Jamaica) Simone Pasmore (Diocese of Bridgetown) Back row - to train some of our priests came from the Societies.Deacon Mike James (AEC Secretary, Archdiocese of Port of Spain). Additionally, many of our buildings, including the Emmaus Centre, have derived funds for construction from the PMS. BY DEACON MIKE JAMES Girasoli, Fr. George Williams, Regional PMS Director Secretary General of the Antilles and representatives from 17 AEC dioceses, Bishop We are all responsible to answer the call to proclaim Malzaire, Chairman of the AEC’s Education Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, laity and the clergy alike. Episcopal Conference (AEC) Commission also identified four other characteristics Recognizing this, Pope Pius XI, in 1922, elevated organized as he applied the message of Pope Francis Exhortation missionary efforts to the aegis of the Bishop of Rome, declar-The number one characteristic of The Caribbean “The Joy of the Gospel” to the AEC region. ing them the Pontifical Mission Societies. Today, these soci- Church of the New Evangelization is that it is eties are known as: “full of the joy of the gospel - a joy that is ever The Church of the New Evangelization is: • The Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith;new and a joy that is delightful and comforting when • The Pontifical Society for St. Peter the Apostle;it is shared,” Bishop Gabriel Malzaire of Roseau 1. Engaged in an evangelization addressed to all and • Pontifical Society of the Missionary Childhood (HolyDominica told the region’s Pontifical Mission Societies shared by all; Childhood); andDirectors gathered at their Annual Meeting in Nassau, 2. Sent out with a mission that comes from the heart • The Pontifical Missionary Union of Priest and Religious.Bahamas on February 3-7th, 2014. of the gospel; These Societies help to bring the Good News of Christ to the 3. Truly a mother with an open heart; world, especially in countries where the Church is new, The theme of the meeting was “Animate and 4. Ready to face the challenges of today's world. young, or poor; caring for and supporting them until theyDeepen the Missionary Conscience of Every Baptized become self-sufficient.Christian.” The national offices, in more than one hundred In the feature address at the Conference -Continued on page 9 twenty countries, exist through the generosity of Catholics.attended by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Nicola The officers aim to secure prayers and sacrificial offerings, which are transmitted to the Holy See and distributed among more than one thousand mission dioceses of the world. Our faithful and loving response to the needs of brothers and sis- ters, especially where poverty is most severe, plays a critical role in combating poverty, disease, injustice and exploitation. In the same way, the National Office in the Archdiocese of Nassau promotes the mission spirit among our baptized. Under the direction of Fr. Alain Laverne, the office is responsible to direct and coordinate missionary for- mation and cooperation through information, celebration and solidarity. Fr. Alain facilitates understanding and partic- ipation among clergy, religious and the laity, animating them to the new evangelization and universal mission of our Church. “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature (Mk 16:15).” The Catholic community joined the delegation each night to celebrate Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. The celebrant for the opening Mass was Archbishop Pinder. On Tuesday, February 4th, Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, Bishop of Roseau celebrated at St .Anselm’s Parish and on Wednesday, February, 5th, His Excellency, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio, was the main celebrant at St. Joseph Parish. The closing Mass was celebrated at Holy Family Parish and the celebrant was Bishop Neil Tiedemann,CP, Bishop of Mandeville.

PAgE 4 Archbishop Pinder challenges the faithful to take devotional duties more seriously- continued from page 1 Gather the children and the infants at the breast; The image of the journey, the image of the pil- Let the bridegroom quit his room and the bride her grimage is one of which is helpful for us during Lent.In the face of one such plague, the prophet Joel exhorts chamber. Blessed John Paul II, who will be canonized on thethe people to turn to the Lord with their whole hearts. ...let the priests...weep, And say “Spare O Lord your Sunday after Easter this year, once said:“Blow the trumpet in Zion, people…” “Lent is a journey of evolving, creative reflection whichproclaim a fast, inspires penance and gives new impetus to every aspectcall an assembly: With this tone of urgency, and desperation, of our commitment to follow the Gospel. [He goes on.]Gather the people, occasioned by a plague of Locusts, the prophet urges It is a journey to love which opens the hearts of believ-Notify the congregation; the people to turn to the Lord. ers to our brothers and sisters and draws them to God.”Assemble the elders, These word and images are placed before us He calls Lent a journey of “evolving, creative each year at this time to suggest to us how sin in our reflection which inspires penance and gives new impe- lives can be like a plague of Locusts. The things we do tus to every aspect of our community to the Gospel.” which are wrong... we know that they are wrong...yet, Pope Francis in his message to us for Lent, this year, we do them freely... They are our own plague of says that the Gospel is the only real antidote to the Locusts. moral and spiritual destitution which may suround us. We are tempted by them. The church invites us to consider that the penitential We give in to the temptation. practice of Lent is not so much an obligation to be pre- We commit the sin. scribed by law, but is a responsibility of every Christian We may even confess the sin. who must live out the ongoing conversion begun in Yet, we return to the same pattern of sin. baptism. No one knows better than you what claim the This may be our own, personal, plague of Locusts. call to conversion of heart has placed on you this Lent. Only you know how best to honestly and sincerely It can disrupt the order of our lives. It may dis- respond to that claim during these weeks of Lent. And rupt the order of home and family life. It may adverse- you must! We all must! ly affect the lives of countless others. It certainly dis- tracts us from our true vocation in life which, the scrip- Again, today’s Gospel speaks of fasting, alms- ture tells us, is to be holy as the Father is holy. giving, and prayer. This gospel is but a continuation of the great Sermon on the Mount. It occupies chapters 5, And so the Church our Mother and Teacher, 6 and 7 of the Gospel of Matthew. It is the finest sum- places before us the discipline of Lent…places before us mary of the teachings of Jesus found in all the Gospels. the challenge of ongoing conversion of heart. In the Recall how earlier the gospel says: words and images of the prophet we are to “Rend our hearts, not your garments.” Surely, this season is a time “You are the salt of the earth but that salt must when our commitment to change, to the call for conver- not lose its flavor. You are the light of the world but that sion, must be intensely personal and intensely sincere. light must not be put under a bushel basket.” Care for others. Be concerned for others. Get to know others and Today’s gospel mentions the three time-hon- their needs and concerns. Let us deepen the sense of ored penitential practices for Lent...Fasting, Praying family and community among ourselves this Lent. and Almsgiving. However, the gospel issues a warning first of all. “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in We are asked to Fast and Abstain on this day. order that people may see them.” We are invited to have Ashes imposed upon us. We are challenged to take our devotional duties much more Why? Because these external gestures are seriously throughout the next 40 days. intended to express a much deeper reality. They are meant to express a desire for conversion of heart. That All these are ways of acknowledging the desire must be true and sincere. It may mean having to Locust of sin in our lives and doing something about it. make hard choices to steer our lives back to the straight Let us try, with God’s grace, to turn away from sin and and right path. Perhaps this can only be achieved by to live the gospel. That is what the Season of Lent is for. humbly seeking the assistance of God’s grace. So be it! And for that purpose let us embrace as our own the That is our task for Lent. Remember the instructions of words of St. Paul to the Church at Corinth... where he the prophet Joel. “Rend your hearts, not your gar- says. Now is a very acceptable time! Now is the day of ments.” Salvation! Historically, Lent began as a reflection on the 40-day desert experience of Jesus ... as he prepared for his public ministry. It also evokes the 40 year journey of the Exodus experience. Both are desert experiences. The desert teaches one what is most essential in life. It is a lesson in how to properly order our priorities and val- ues. Lent is a time for that too.

PAgE 5PO.M.Spening Mass St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Concelebrant Bishops and Priests Top photo: Bishop Gabriel Malzaire (Bishop of Roseau) and Fr. Glen Nixon (Archdiocese of Nassau) Bottom photo: Bishop Emmanuel Lafont (Bishop of Cayenne), Bishop Neil Tiedemann, CP (Bishop of Mandeville & PMS Liaison) and Fr. Frank Powers, SDV (Archdiocese of Kingston.)Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder, STD, CMG., Archbishop of Nassau and His ExcellencyArchbishop Nicola Girosoli Apostolic Nunico.

PAgE 6Msgr. Simeon Roberts, at right (Archdiocese of Nassau) reunites with classmates, Bishop Deacon of the Mass - Samuel Mitchell.Jason Gordon, (Bishop of Kingston) and Fr. Simon Wilson, (Diocese of Willemstad,Curacao).Fr. Thomas Brislin, CP (Archdiocese of Nassau and Fr. Wlodzimierz Soboleswski Archbishop Pinder greets the Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, GCMG and(Diocese of Hamilton- in- Bermuda). Mrs. Foulkes. Bottom photo: Steve Ramsey and Norma Ash. Holy Childhood Association Children

PAgE 7- Blessing of the Throats - Top photo: Ms. Anya Symonette (PMS planning committee member) reads the Prayers of The Faithful. Left photo: Sister Paula Andrew, (Diocese of Castries, St. Lucia) reads the 1st Reading at the opening Mass on February 3rd, 2014 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

PAgE 8PMS planning committee members - top photo: Wanda Gomez andDeno Moss. Right photo: Ishmael Pinder, Renee Mortimer, ValerieFerguson and Lesley Hutchinson.Sister Cecilia Albury, OSB, welcoming PMS directors, from left to right- Bishop Neil Rosie Wilson, standing (PMS planning committee member), Fr Simon Wilson (DioceseTiedemann (Bishop of Mandeville) Fr. Wlodzimierz Soboleswski, Fr. Suresh Rajain of Willemstad, Curacao) and Sr. Paulette Nugent (Diocese of St. John’s, Basseterre).(Diocese of Missio Sui Luris ) and Fr. Frank Powers, SVD (Archdiocese of Kingston,Jamaica.) Top photo: Mass Servers, Laverne Gardiner and Kelli Rolle. Left photo: Archbishop Nicola Girosoli Apostolic Nunico receives Offertory Gifts from parishioners of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Concelebrant Bishops and Priests - Fr. Junior Calixte, Archdiocese of Nassau, Fr. Wlodzimierz PAgE 9Soboleswski, Diocese of Hamilton- in- Bermuda, Msgr Preston Moss, Archdiocese of Nassau,Fr. George Williams (PMS Regional Director) and Deacon Peter Rahming (retired), -Continued from page 3Archdiocese of Nassau.The Celebrity Artist, Jamall Rolle, presented Archbishop Nicola Girosoli Apostolic In his own brief remarks, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Girasoli told theNunico with a portrait of himself following Mass at St. Joseph Parish on February 5th, Mission directors that while the title of Pope Francis’ Exhortation followed2014. Archbisop Girosoli was the main celebrant. the traditional pattern of a more formal initial sentence beginning “Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel”, Pope Francis himself would have liked to call it, “Try again, with enthusiasm,” and that the whole Exhortation and Pope Francis’ message to the Church and the world is filled with the enthusiastic joyful response to the saving love of Christ. “How I long to find the right words to stir up enthusiasm for a new chapter of evan- gelization full of fervour, joy, generosity, courage, boundless love and attrac- tion”(Joy of the Gospel, 261). Fr. George Williams, PMS Regional Director reminded participants of the words of Pope Francis that the service of the Church is not that of just another NGO; and that even more important than the fund raising work of Mission Societies, is their building the spirit of evangelism and service in Christ, in every baptized Catholic, especially in children and youth. Recognizing the importance of the new internet technologies for the spreading of the Gospel, especially among young people, the meeting devoted a session, to the use of social media for Community Animation. This session was done very professionally led by Ms. Simone Pasmore. In a moving presentation on Missionary Childhood Now, Sister Paula Andrew, Director for St. Lucia cited statistics indicating that 250 thou- sand children worldwide die every week; 200 million children are starving; 5 million are suffering with AIDS; 13 million died last year; 250 million are refugees…. Thousands are child soldiers…. Inviting participants to declare that “It’s NOT FAIR”, she called on them to redouble efforts in the region for the protection and rights of chil- dren. Diocesan Directors reported on their programmes and best practices during the past year. Following the Mission Societies meeting, the AEC Mission and Evangelization Commission met for a one day seminar on the implementing of the New Evangelization in the region. As a result of this meeting the fol- lowing vision ws developed. It reads as follows: “We, joyful evangelisers, collaborate with all Commissions and Dioceses of the AEC in developing and implementing inclusive and system- atic mission plans, empowering Catholics to live and proclaim Jesus Christ the Light. We do this cognisant of the changing social realities of the 21st century Caribbean.” Two projects to promote the encounter with Christ through greater love for the Word of God in the promotion of reading and meditation on the Bible and in catechesis in schools were also developed. - Deacon Mike JamesArchdiocese of Nassau combined choirs. Bishop Jason Gordon (Bishop of Kingstown Jamaica), Msgr. Alfred Culmer, Fr. Noel Clarke and Deacon Dennis Mackey (Archdiocese of Nassau).

PAgE 10 Congratulate The Most Rev. Patrick C. Pinder, STD, CMG on 10 years of faithful service as Archbishop of Nassau2004 2014 May 4th, 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder’s installation as Archbishop of Nassau. This was an historic day in our Archdiocese. He was the first Bahamian priest to be elevated to this office.We want to commemorate this most notable achievement by producing a special supplement of the Bahama Catholic which will celebrate and chronicle the Archbishop’s journey from a local Priest to the Archbishop of Nassau. You are invited to participate in this celebration by submitting a congratulatory advertisement for placement in the supplement to be published in May 2014. CONTACT: Paula Strachan-Reckley for more information at The Chancery Office (322-7711 / 322-8919) email: [email protected] DEADLINE FOR ADS: Monday, April, 14th, 2014 PUBLICATION: May 2014

PAgE 11Archbishop Nicola Girosoli Apostolic Nunico Greets the faithful Eucharistic Celebration at St. Joseph’s Parish

PAgE 12 Lent: the journey to Easter -Continued from page 2 ment so that others can see that they are helping. Some used such programs to promote their electoral campaign. Now how are we to attain that closeness with Jesus in our daily life – the Gospel selection for In the church, fasting, praying and almsgiving must be spiritual exercis- Ash Wednesday celebration is very useful. It es, which help us after the “Lenten” season to be a better witness to Christ as we offers us a “Lenten Program”, which includes: live a life totally dedicated to God in the services of our brothers and sisters. Fasting, Praying and almsgiving - Their applica- We must take this season as a time for conversion by allowing the regard of God tion has not been uniform – for some they are to penetrate the deepest part of our being. This Lenten liturgy of the year A is wellecclesiastical laws, to which they pay just lip services, for others a pure corporal suited for that retrospective regard – it will help you to come to know yourselfexercise to satisfy people expectation, purely external – there are people for whom and how you stand before God, “ I know my sins, they are always before me.God and faith are reduced to just Sunday attendances – for those people fasting, Against you, you alone have I sin and what is bad I have done. ‘’ (Ps 50:5-6) –for example will be simply refusal to eat this or that food for a period of time well When through prayers, meditations you allow God to penetrate your soul youdefined. will receive the necessary spiritual strength to overcome or resist victoriously the temptations of the devil, the archenemy of God. For still others this ecclesiastical program, requires more than physical or These spiritual exercises will enable you to have a different outlook ontemporal suspension. It is a program, which calls for the total involvement of the life. Consider at the way that Jesus looked at the Samaritan woman (3rd Sunday),human person. This corporal exercise is not sufficient – it will not be pleasing to or at the boy born blind (4th Sunday). It was completely different than the lookGod who said….” Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weep- that the common (people) folks have of them. For the people even for Martha, hising and mourning; rend your heart, not your garments, and return to the Lord, sister, Lazarus was dead but for Jesus, Lazarus was only sleepy and Jesus went toyour God,” (Joel 2:12-13). wake him up. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I will go and wake him up.” (Jn 11:11). The behavior of Jesus was the result of his forty days of fasting and Jesus’ call for admonition is also for the whole community, the assembly praying in the wilderness after his baptism.of the poor in spirit. It is a call to place your whole life under the total guidanceof God. This placement of total self “body and soul” will result unto a greater and It is possible for each and every one of us if we practice these three spir-better relationship with God – you will become a different and better person. itual exercises not to satisfy the requirements of the church but as spiritual guid-Now today, each year, the Church is asking each one of us to fast, to pray and to ance to help us walk in close relationship with Jesus, as we discover the need fordo almsgiving - but they are to do so with the utmost secrecy “...The left hand daily conversion, as we approach the end of the Lenten season to enter unto theshould not know what the right had is doing…” Namely those spiritual exercis- Paschal Triduum. Allowing God to penetrate our inner being, we will indeedes should not be a show, a public spectacle – they call for great privacy – they experience a transfiguration so that on Easter Sunday, we can shout with greatshould be known only between God and you. They should not be done only to joy, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Pslet the people see that you are fasting and praying or giving alms – you are not to 118:24).act like nations when they are helping other nations – made a public announce- Lent is the road to Easter joy.Re-aligning our priorities during LentAll of us have at one time or another, named certain things as our \"priori- Getting Started ties.\" From time to time, when we become aware of our not doing some- thing that is really important, we say, \"I have to make that a priority.\" Lent I can start a variety of ways, but it would be wonderful if we could start withis an important time to do a top-to-bottom review of what we value and what we prayer. We can ask God - in our own words, and with desire - for the grace to doactually do, in our every day lives. Whenever we do this, we always discover that this review with real honesty, and with a real desire to grow in freedom andsomething needs re-aligning. We discover that there are values we hold, commit- integrity.ments we've made, growth we desire, that simply don't make it on the list of our\"actual priorities\" - that is, the things that take the \"first place\" in our lives. For Who am I? What is my purpose? Then, I might want to spend a few days reflect-example, I might say, \"My family is my first priority!\" My family might say oth- ing upon - in the background all day long - who I am, and what my purpose is.erwise. I might say, \"My faith is among my top priorities.\" But, an honest self- Then, I might spend a few more days reflecting upon who I say Jesus is, and whatexamination may show otherwise. I may say, I hear the words of Jesus that we this means for me. It doesn't make sense to start with a review of what I reallywill be judged really on only one thing: how we care for \"the least\" of his sister value, if I haven't first examined if my values \"fit\" the truth of who I am and whoand brothers. I may only occasionally even notice that feeding, clothing, caring I am called to be.for or defending the marginal never makes it to my priority list.A thorough review of what is most important to us, and what seems to be impor- Naming my values -Then, I can name what is most important to me. A piece oftant to us by virtue of what we actually do, is prime Lenten activity. If what we paper would be very helpful, so that I can put it into words and keep \"editing\" orare hoping to do during Lent is to grow in personal freedom, based upon our refining the words as I go along. I will try to be as explicit as possible. Instead ofgrowing sense of God's love for us, and our clearer vision of who we are, and our saying, \"My kids.\" I might spell out the values that are important to me in my say-deepening desire to be more closely aligned with the heart of Jesus, then we will ing that my kids are a value, e.g., \"It is extremely important to me that I be therewant to do this personal review very carefully. How else might we ever hope to for and with my kids when they are encountering key growth moments in theirget to a heroic, courageous, self-sacrificing service of others? What chance will lives, in so many areas - homework time, for reflection time, in relationship strug-care of the poor ever have of making it into our priorities? How will we ever be gles, in wins and losses, in relaxing and having fun.\" We want to \"open up\" ourable to break old self-defeating habits and secure the establishment of new ones values, as we name them. What does it mean to say I value \"my faith\" or \"my rela-that help us be who we want to actually be? tionship with God\" or \"service to others\"? - continued on page 18

PAgE 13“The journey was rough but God has been good” Sr. Agnes Johnson OSB makes final vowsCALL AND REQUEST - Sr. Agnes stands in front of Sr. Mary Benedict, OSB, Signing of the Perpetual Monastic Profession Document.(Prioress) during the Call, assisted by her spiritual advisor, Sr. Clare Rolle, OSB. Blessed and Grateful” are the words her journey of monastic life. On February that the newest member of the 2, 2011, Agnes Gertrude Johnson declared Benedictine Order describes the her first Monastic Profession. day she made her final Perpetual Monastic Profession. Sr. Agnes enjoys working with the poor. and recalls her fondest memory as a nun, Sister Agnes Johnson, OSB says the jour- on Cat Island doing Missionary work ney was a rough one, but God has been during 1956-1968 and chanting the Divine good to her and she feels blessed. office with the Benedictine Priest.Sr. Agnes prostrates as the Litany of The Saints is sung. Journey to vocation Assignments Ever since Agnes Johnson was a little girl Sr. Agnes taught at St. Bede’s, St. Joseph in Gregory Town, Eleuthera, she aspired and St. Vincent de Paul (Grand Bahama) to become a nun. In 1949, she left for Schools. Presently, she prepares meals, Nassau and entered St. Martin Monastery bakes at the Convent, visits the hospital and took her final vows in 1956. But in and assists at St. Joseph Day Care Centre. 1974, Agnes had to make a decision that would change her life. She had to decide Quick Facts whether to leave the convent and care for her ailing father or stay faithful to her Date of Birth: February 3, 1933 vows.Sr. Agnes stands with open hands to receive a blessing from Archbishop Pinder. After much prayer, discernment and Place: Gregory Town, Eleuthera mostly fear that she may not return, she left and was granted dispensation. Agnes Hobbies: Sewing, cooking, baking and cared for her father until his death with dancing no regrets. She continued on life’s journey back in the secular world, but as she went Favourite food: Fish & Chicken on with her day-to-day living the desire and eagerness to serve God still remained Color: Blue & green (light) foremost in her heart. After much prayer and counseling she allowed God’s will to Hymn: “I lift up my hands to the Lord” unfold. And in 2009, she began prepara- tion to return. Scripture: “Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine On April 29, 2010, Agnes re-entered the heart.” (Psalms 37:4) novitiate of St. Martin Monastery to begin

PAgE 14 OFFICE OF FAMILY LIFEARCHDIOCESAN MARRIAGE RENEWAL RETREATMarriage Renewal The Archdiocesan Family Life Commission host- There was agrandeur flair about everything - formWeekend: “simply ed its annual Marriage Renewal Weekend and matter. Above all, there were eight couples mak-awesome” (MRW) on February 14 - 16, 2014 at Emmaus ing the retreat ... the largest enrollment ever! Centre, Fox Hill. The retreat is in its seventh year. Mrs. Agatha Cartwright, Director, Office of Family Life, The weekend provided an opportunity for married says: \"Marriage Renewal Weekend 2014 was one of couples to reconnect with their own personal love his- the finest couples' retreat ever organized by the MRW tory while gaining a joyful sense of purpose, hope and team. The weekend was an awesome experience for direction for the future. They felt empowered, both the participating couples and the team alike. It affirmed, renewed and excited about living in love for was qualitative as well as quantitative in substance. a lifetime. Participants and Team leaders of MRW2014Receiving Couples workbook - are Bernard & Deborah Higgs from Mrs. Richard & Veronica Lewis from St. John Chrysostom Parish, Fresh Creek,Agatha Cartwright, Director, Office of Family Life and Marriage Renewal Andros were participants at the recent Marriage Renewal Weekend.Weekend, Spiritual Director, Fr. Noel Clarke at the recent weekend retreat.

PAgE 15REFLECTIONS DWAYNE AND DONNA SAUNDERS ONDREY & GABRIELLE McKENZIEThis weekend brought us closer together and made us see the importance of spending The Marriage Renewal weekend was truly a Godsend for us. It gavetime together alone .... just being a Couple.It reminded us that making time for each us the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of life andother and being each others priority is imperative in a successful Marriage. focus solely on our marriage. Through the various exercises we were able to open up to each other in ways we never imagined and as aIt helped us to really SEE each other and ourselves.... to take notice of the strengths and result have deepened our level of intimacy and connectedness.weaknesses as individuals and as a couple. We can now better express our feelings. We would highly recommend this weekend to all married couplesWe have resolved to work together to overcome the shortcomings in our marriage and whether your relationship is strong or not. Every couple can benefitwith God at the head of our home... \"we can do all things through Christ who strength- from it in some meaningful way. We cannot begin to explain howen us\".We now reminisce more about our courtship and have tried to recreate some of grateful we are to Archbishop Pinder and the entire Marriage Renewalour old 'Dates'. team for such a wonderful ministry!We are now more committed to each other, the Holy Spirit and Prayer now play a big-ger role in our lives. Thank you to the Archdiocese for sponsoring this weekend and toTeam MRW2014 for a job well done!

PAgE 16 St. Francis & Joseph student wins Knights of Columbus Florida State Spelling Bee ChampionDonovan Butler from Xavier Lower School finished second place in the 47th Annual Archdiocesan Amani Stuart, a student of Sts. Francis & Joseph’s School won theSpelling Contest on Friday, January 17th, in Seton Hall, Xavier Lower School. Sharriah Meadows from Florida State Spelling Bee Champion on February 1, 2014.Mary Star of the Sea School finished third. Donovan represented The Bahamas Catholic Schools inthe Florida Spelling Bee on February 1st. Amani qualified to compete after she was declared the new Annual Archdiocesan Spelling Contest champion on Friday, January 1, 2014. Top Catholic Board administrators and teachers photo: Amani showing off her trophy as she was greeted at the Lynden hosted a Day of Reflection Pindling International Airport by family, friends, fellow classmates and & Professional Seminars teachers. She is pictured with her parents and coach. Teachers of Aquinas College recently participated in group activities at a Day of Reflection under the theme “New Beginnings.” The day was divided into three core segments – “new beginnings with self” “new beginnings with others” and “new beginnings with God”.During the morning of January 2, 2014 all Catholic The day began with energetic activities such as hoopla date to embrace the ingenuity of the Master Teacher and to Board of Education administrators and teachers exercises and Junkanoo pasting of “new beginnings take wings and fly. gathered for a Day of Reflection under the theme symbols.” As the day progressed, the activities became“New Beginnings.” The day was divided into three core more and more contemplative and it included exercises According to Religion Coordinator, Miss Lesleysegments – “new beginnings with self” “new beginnings such as “a temperature check” to evaluate our holistic Hutchinson activities such as this are very important towith others” and “new beginnings with God”. growth and to explore areas of needed improvement. This Catholic educators especially, she stated, “As we attempt was followed by a guided “Epiphany Mediation” where to follow in the footsteps of the Master Teacher, we seekWith the butterfly, as the primary symbol, the day pro- participants were challenged to reflect on their dreams, opportunities to be guided by Christ's word and example.gressed mimicking the stages in the life of the butterfly, God’s role in bringing them to fruition and the various We do this in the hope of becoming 'a better version ofmoving us through the initial stage of the caterpillar, onto “stars” that guide them along the way. The day climaxed ourselves' with a view to having a greater and more effec-the cocoon stage and finally through to the butterfly stage. with a “Lectio Dvina” exercise, and the re-commissioning tive impact on our students whom we seek to educate for of the staff who received new life crosses with the man- life.\"

PAgE 17Catholic Board administrators and teachers hosted to a Day Reflection & Professional SeminarsGrand Bahama teachers sport their BNT T-shirts at professional development seminar The Catholic Board of Education Participants were then organized intoin Grand Bahama. (CBOE) is committed to the process of groups and partook in hands on activities learning and the formation of the such as “Upcycling” and Bahamian student. This is evident in the “Conchservation.” The day concluded with three professional development seminars a presentation on fresh water conservation. held for its 240 educators in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco on According to Special Projects Officer, Miss January 3, 2014. Crystal Green, “Environmental preserva- tion is key to sustaining and developing These seminars, sponsored by The Sandals this nation. Therefore, we must educate our Foundation, did not take the format of tra- educators so that they can produce students ditional workshops. Instead administrators who are focused on preserving the natural and teachers were engaged in a series of resources of this country. Indeed, these nat- interactive experiences facilitated by The ural resources are the foundation for our Bahamas National Trust and structured success in industries such as Tourism.” around the theme, “Preserving Our One of the objectives of the Bahamas Environment.” Catholic Board of Education is to create schools that are environmentally friendly Each seminar began with a “Weecology” and ultimately, students who are environ- presentation that highlighted ten changes mentally conscious. These seminars are an individuals can make in order to preserve initial step in the Board’s aim to achieve and protect the natural environment. “greener” school environments.St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Soup KitchenMinistry continues to feed souls Each year the Soup Kitchen Ministry at St. Joseph’s Sturrup, helped with the drawing on Top photo - WestJet representative Angelo Sturrup and St. Joseph's Soup Kitchen co-ordi- Catholic Church serves Sunday December 23rd. The grand prize nator Lianne Cox present Rhonda Chipman Johnson with the grand prize, two roundtripthousands of hot meals to people who may was won by Jahleelah, granddaughter of tickets to any of West Jet's destinations. Bottom photo - Soup kitchen volunteers dishingotherwise go without. It’s an essential min- Rhonda Chipman Johnson, who regularly up hot meals as part of the weekly Soup Kitchen Ministry.istry that not only fills the stomachs of makes soup for the soup kitchen. The soupthose in need, but also fills their souls with kitchen volunteers were thrilled that theneighborly goodwill that is hard to come by winner was a member of our congregation,in tough times. It’s also a ministry that and one who contributes soup regularly.requires time, talent, dedication and treas-ure. “With the economy the way it is, many So while Rhonda has the opportu-persons are out of a job, barely making nity to visit the cool Canada provincesends meet, and generally finding it difficult thanks to West Jet, the St. Joseph’s Soupto survive,” said Liane Cox, St. Joseph’s Kitchen will be able to provide hot food,Soup Kitchen coordinator. Tough times cozy blankets, warm clothes toiletries, asmean more mouths to feed, but with a well as Christmas gifts for the kids whohands-on ministry and continued support will attended. St. Joseph’s Parish wouldof the congregation, St. Joseph is up to the lkie to thank Westjet, its team leaders oftask. Community Investment, Jenifer Van Meenen and Angelo Sturrup for partnering Due to a generous surprise dona- with them in this blessed undertaking andtion from the Canada-based WestJet for believing in the work of this Ministry.Airlines, the soup kitchen was able to raisefunds through a raffle. Dozens of tickets Through more partnerships withwere sold, with many hoping to take home stakeholders and businesses in the commu-the grand prize of two roundtrip tickets to nity, St. Joseph’s Soup Kitchen Ministryany of WestJet’s destinations. will continue to warm souls, one bowl of soup at a time.West Jet representative, Angelo -submitted by Kristina McNeilNew appointment - continued from page 2 She has worked as RCIA Director while remaining active in the Music andYouth Ministries. In 2005, she followed her passion for teaching and youth min-istry and changed careers by securing a position as Religion Teacher at her AlmaMater, St. Augustine’s College. She has coached SAC’s Junior Girls softball teamfor the past seven years and has been recently appointed Alcuin House modera-tor. Her response to her many students who ask why she became a religionteacher is “I finally answered God’s call.” She is humbled by her appointment asAssistant Director of Religious Education and believes that she is simply a vesselfor God to work through.

PAgE 18 Re-aligning our priorities during Lent- continued from page 12 should name it. If escaping into sexual fantasy is some- actually come first. thing I do quite regularly, I should name it. Smoking,Spelling out the values in actions -Then, with each value, drinking, surfing the net, collecting little ceramic things, Then, I will clearly put a lot of other stuff in the third levelI will list what that value will mean in concrete behavior. fixing up the basement, are things that can become pretty of priorities. Now this process gets to be purifying. I mayFor example, I may have written a value statement that is engaging, are often time and resource consuming, and discover that I spend more money on smoking or recre-quite wonderful, \"My relationship with my wife is the should be named. ation or knickknacks than I give in support of my faithmost important relationship of my life: I need her for my community or the poor. I may realize that I spend morefaith, and for my everyday strength; I want to be there for Establishing new priorities - When all of my priorities time watching TV than I do praying. I may find it diffi-her, supporting her faith, affirming her, and caring for her are lined up like this, I am then ready to re-value them. cult to surrender something I \"always do\" for something Iin all her needs; I want to spend the rest of my life grow- We don't want to rush this part of the process. Perhaps now want to make sure I always do. Since this is whereing together in service of others.\" That would be an we will want to discuss this review with some of the peo- we may need the most grace, this is a very important timeincredibly important set of things to say about what my ple who are intimately involved with the choices I will be to turn to the Lord and ask for help and freedom. Dyingwife means to me. The real work, the real \"choosing\" hap- making. And I will want to assess if I have the freedom to self, in order to be who I am called to be for and withpens when I spell that out in real actions that will give life and grace I need to make the decisions I want to make and others, is not easy at first. With practice, it can become ato that valuing. The true test of a value's importance to to begin to establish new patters. That is precisely when source of great joy and fulfillment. And, with God'sme is how it survives, in competition with other impor- it is important to turn to God with my fresh desires (trust- grace, it will be part of my contribution to the Reign oftant values, in the contest for time in my everyday life. I ing that they have been inspired by God's initiative God's coming closer and closer.can tell what I really value, by what I really do. When I already) and ask what I need.feel like I'm not doing what I really value, then I need to Building in a review time - Because this realignment willrealign my priorities. The next step is to name what my \"first priorities\" are. take practice, it will involve some back sliding at times. In This may sound ironic: how many \"first\" priorities can I times of crisis or under pressure, we all regress back toDon't forget to be complete - One of the serious \"mis- have? In this sense, my first priorities are those that I will behaviors we were most comfortable with. Our new pri-takes\" in trying to realign priorities is that I can easily always do. In any competition for time, these choices will orities can vanish. That is why it is critical to keep review-overlook \"operational priorities\" that I might not be too win out. That is what defines them as my priorities. My ing how we are doing. During this Lenten time, we mayaware of, or that I might not be to proud of. If I'm going relationship with God, with my family, with my faith build in a daily examination of how we are doing. Withto \"re-arrange\" what is important to me - moving some community, with my friends, with others in need, might time, we may want to develop the practice of reviewingthings higher up on the list and others things lower down be in this category. This is what I do not want to neglect our day to day fidelity to our priorities every Sunday- then I need a complete list. There probably are things in any more. morning, or some other time during the week. With eachmy life that I just do regularly - I read the paper every Then, it is very important to name the second level of pri- examination, we need to give thanks to God, for the gracemorning at 6 a.m.; we go out to dinner every Saturday orities. These are very important, and I don't want to neg- that has inspired and sustained this life-giving realign-night; I have \"season tickets\" to something. I need to lect them either, but I want to make sure to distinguish ment of our priorities.name these. If \"watching TV\" is a big priority in my life them from my top priorities. I may, for example, have - online ministries - Creighton University(something I spend 4, 6, 10, 20 or more hours a week \"my work\" priorities here. They are very important to me,doing), or if I have to watch something every week, I but I want to realign my priorities so that my first ones Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral West Hill Street Every WednesdayTime: 9:00 a.m. - 12noon1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

PAgE 19 Archbishop of Castries Kelvin Felix has been named a Cardinal “This is a signal honour in that Archbishop Felix is the first from the AEC region to be raised to the College of Cardinal.” - Archbishop Patrick Pinder , STD, CMG Archbishop Kelvin Felix and especially the Catholic Community”. ****************************** About Archbishop Kelvin FelixIn an immediate reaction to the news that Emeritus Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, bishop of Roseau, said “it is a Archbishop of Castries Kelvin Felix has been named a wonderful honour for St. Lucia and the region as well Archbishop Kelvin Felix was born in Dominica on February 15, Cardinal by Pope Francis, Archbishop Patrick Pinder of as for Dominica where Archbishop Felix hails from, 1933. He was ordained a priest on April 8, 1956.Nassau, President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference has that the contribution of a humble servant of God and ofsaid, “This is a signal honour in that Archbishop Felix is the people of small territories is recognized by the In 1962 he left the West Indies for St Francis Xavier Universitythe first from the AEC region to be raised to the College of Church. He added that “ Archbishop Felix himself was in Nova Scotia where he attained a Diploma in Adult EducationCardinals. On behalf of all the bishops of the AEC I offer made aware that he was being raised to the college of in 1963, gained a Master’s Degree from the University of Notremy heartfelt congratulation, fraternal support and prayers cardinals only 2 hours before the public announcement Dame in Indiana in Sociology and Anthropology in 1967, andfor Cardinal Elect Kelvin Edward Felix. This is a cause for by Pope Francis today” completed post-graduate studies in Sociology at the Universitygreat joy and encouragement for the people of our region of Bradford in Yorkshire, England, in 1970. He was awarded an While he is the first from the AEC to become a Cardinal, Honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1986 from St Francis Xavier “I also must recall that he follows in the footsteps of the University, Nova Scotia. late Bishop Joseph Bowers, also a Dominican who was Archbishop Felix was the Principal of the Roman Catholic High the first Black Bishop ordained in the New World. School in Dominica from 1972–1975 and Associate General Another son of Dominica, Methodist Minister Philip Secretary of the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) from Potter also rose to become the President of the World 1975–1981. Council of Churches,” noted Bishop Malzaire. “I am very proud to be a member of the body of bishops of the He was ordained Archbishop on October 5, 1981 and served as AEC at this time when such a great honour is bestowed President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference from 1991–1997 on Archbishop Felix and the entire church in the and President of the CCC from 1981–1986. region.” The Archbishop received the Honour of OBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1992, and the Dominica Medal of Honour Today 12 January Pope Francis announced in Rome the for Meritorious Service in 1999 from the Government of name of Archbishop Felix as one of 19 prelates in the Dominica. In 2002 he received the Medal of Honour (Gold) Catholic church who will be made cardinal at a ceremony (SLMH) in the Order of St Lucia for services to Religion from at the Vatican on 22 February the Government of St Lucia. This medal of honour is awarded to a person who has rendered eminent service of national impor- - Antilles Episcopal Conference website. tance to St Lucia.Pope to canonize Blessed John XXIII, John Paul II April 27th Pope Francis announced recently that he The choice of April 27, which will be Divine would declare John XXIII and John Paul II, Mercy Sunday in 2014, was not a complete sur- his two predecessors saints at a single cere- prise. Speaking to reporters traveling with him mony April 27, 2014. from Brazil to Rome July 28, Pope Francis said he had been considering Dec. 8, but the possibility of The pope made the announcement Sept. 30, 2013, icy roads could make it difficult for Polish pil- at the end of an \"ordinary public consistory,\" a grims who would travel by bus to Rome for the gathering of cardinals and promoters of the saint- ceremony. hood causes of the two late popes. Pope Francis signed a decree recognizing the mir- Blessed John Paul, known as a globetrotter who acle needed for Blessed John Paul's canonization made 104 trips outside Italy, served as pope from July 5; the same day, the Vatican announced that 1978 to 2005 and was beatified by Pope Benedict the pope had agreed with members of the XVI on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011. Congregation for Saints' Causes that the canon- Blessed John XXIII, known particularly for con- ization of Blessed John should go forward even voking the Second Vatican Council, was pope without a second miracle attributed to his inter- from 1958 to 1963; Blessed John Paul beatified cession. him in 2000.John Paul II and John XXIII