Notes from the Bishop's Desk

Sunday, February 1, 7:00 a.m., Mass, St. Joseph Church, St. Croix.
Sunday, February 1, 8:00 a.m., Parish Pastoral Council Meeting, St. Joseph Church, St. Croix.
Monday, February 2, 8:30 a.m., Ss. Peter and Paul School Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.
Tuesday, February 3, 10:00 a.m., St. Thomas/St. John Deanery Meeting, Catholic Chancery, St. Thomas.
Sunday, February 8, 5:00 p.m., Cathedral Restoration Meeting, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.
Wednesday, February 11, 10:00 a.m., St. Croix Deanery Meeting, St. Joseph Church Hospitality Lounge and Learning                                                                   Center, St. Croix.
Sunday, February 15, 8:30 a.m., Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.
Sunday, February 15, 10:00 a.m., Knights of Columbus Meeting, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.
Sunday, February 22, 8:00 a.m., Mass and Installation of Lectors, St. Anne Chapel, St. Thomas.
Ash Wednesday, February 25, Mass, Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas.

    Bishop Herbert Bevard will install two deacon candidates into the Ministry of Lector at Mass at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas on Sunday, February 22, at 8:00 a.m. Bernard Gibs and Clement Danet, parishioners of the chapel, have been preparing for possible ordination to the diaconate for the past four years.

    Parishes in the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands will promote Operation Rice Bowl beginning Ash Wednesday, February 25. For 34 years, this Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services has called participants to pray with their families and faith communities, fast in solidarity with those who hunger, learn about our global community and the challenges of poverty overseas, and give sacrificial contributions to those in need.

    The launching of the Bishop's Appeal 2009 will generate financial support for Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, the territory's four Catholic schools and evangelization outreach. The Bishop's Appeal is an annual fund-raising campaign designed to meet major needs within the diocese. All money raised stays in the territory. The 2009 appeal begins on Ash Wednesday, February 25, and ends on Pentecost Sunday, May 31. Brochures are available at all parishes and schools.
The 2008 Bishop's Appeal raised nearly $400,000. The goal for 2009 is $400,000. The parish goals are as follows.

Holy Cross Church $50,000
Holy Family Church 40,000
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 19,000
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 35,000
St. Ann Church 40,000
St. Anne Chapel 13,000
St. Joseph Church 16,000
St. Patrick Church 22,000
Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral 60,000
The Catholic Chancery 105,000