BISHOP MURRY'S JANUARY 2007 PUBLIC SCHEDULE

Monday, January 1, 8:00 a.m., Inauguration Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.

Sunday, January 7, 8:00 a.m., Mass, St. Anne Chapel, St. Thomas.

Friday, January 12, 10:00 a.m., Chancery staff meeting, Catholic Chancery, St. Thomas.

Saturday, January 13, 6:00 p.m., Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.

Sunday, January 14, 12:30 p.m., Spanish Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.

January 15-17, Priests Retreat, Light of Christ Retreat Center, St. Croix.

January 22-26, Jesuit Meetings, Rome, Italy.

Wednesday, January 31, 7:30 p.m., Mass, St. Anne Chapel, St. Thomas.

SUDAN

Bishop George Murry, SJ, will not be able to accompany two other African-American bishops visiting Sudan this month. Originally scheduled for December 2006, the new January dates conflict with Bishop Murry's commitment to attend meetings in Rome.

On behalf of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry of Chicago and Bishop John Ricard of Pensacola­ Tallahassee will visit Sudan and develop plans for humanitarian efforts among American Catholics. CRS provides food, clothing, medicine and shelter to 100 underdeveloped countries.

The Most Reverend George V. Murry, SJ Bishop ofthe Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

APPOINTMENTS

Bishop George Murry, SJ, has made the following appointments.

Fr. Cecil Corneille has been granted a six-month sabbatical, effective January 1. He had been Pastor of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix.

Fr. Charles Crespo is appointed Chancellor of the diocese, effective January 1. He continues as Pastor of Our Lady ofMt. Carmel Church on St. John and Editor-in-Chief of The Catholic Islander.

Fr. Louis Kemayou is appointed Administrator of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix, effective January 1. He had been Parochial Vicar at St. Ann Church on St. Croix.

Fr. John Mark is appointed Administrator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas, effective December 18. Fr. Mark will reside at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral and continue serving as Diocesan Director of the Diaconate and Director of Hispanic Ministries on St. Thomas. He had been Parochial Vicar of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

PRIESTS RETREAT

VESSELS AT MASS

Pope Benedict XVI has mandated that only priests, deacons and instituted acolytes may purify sacred vessels used at Mass. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may no longer assist with the purification.

Bishop George Murry, SJ, has asked pastors in the Virgin Islands to enforce this ruling immediately.

Bishop George Murry, SJ, and the priests serving the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands will at­ tend a retreat from January 15 to 17 at Light of Christ Retreat Center on St. Croix. Fr. John Conelly, CP, will speak on priestly spirituality. The theme is "Embracing the Paradox of Imagination and Faith."

BISHOP CELEBRATES MASS IN SPANISH

Utilizing the Spanish he learned over the summer, Bishop George Murry, SJ, celebrated an Advent Sunday Mass in Spanish at St. Joseph Church on St.

Croix on December 10.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER    *JANUARY 2007 *    2