A Letter from Bishop Herbert Bevard
At the beginning of this New Year, I would like to take the opportunity to greet each one of you. In particular, I write to thank you for your prayers which you have offered for me and for the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands in the last few months. I also want you to know how deeply I appreciate the warmth of your welcome and the sincerity of the many expressions of love and support that I have received.
The priests of the diocese, along with the deacons and religious, have given ample evidence of their dedication and good will. To them I am especially grateful; and for them I thank God. Each day I get to know them a little better, and each day I am more and more impressed with their goodness and zeal. As your bishop, I join with the people of your parishes, schools and other institutions in telling you, my priests, deacons and religious, that we think you are wonderful. Your work is deeply appreciated and we love you very much.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the lay people who work in a special way, either in their parishes, in the schools or in the various agencies throughout our diocese. Both employees and volunteers are truly a treasure. We need you and the zeal, intelligence and energy with which you bless the Church.
I, along with you, was saddened at the financial loss that we experienced because of Mr. Madoff. However, I was greatly encouraged by the response of priests and people alike. It is in times of difficulty that we often show our true strength. Your support, your spirit of generosity, your dedication to Holy Mother Church, and the great concern and kindness that so many of you showed me was remarkable. I was right when I said that our true treasure lies in our faith, in each other’s hearts and in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We are already on the road to recovery. I ask only that you continue to pray for the diocese and for me.
January 1 is dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, the Mother of God. I look to her and ask her to pray for each one of you. I look to her and ask her to pray for the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and all its people. I look to her and ask her that we may come to see Jesus her Son more and more clearly in the days of the new year that lies ahead. This year, God will give us many, many opportunities to serve Him. May Our Lady help us to serve God well and to please Him in all our thoughts, words and deeds.
Have a wonderful and blessed New Year.
Sincerely yours in Our Lord,Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard
MSGR. CAMPBELL
Deacon Campbell had always wanted to become a priest. However, with his humble background he never thought he was worthy. Bishop O’Malley thought otherwise.
Fr. Campbell assisted at the Cathedral and Holy Family Church from 1989-95. He returned with Msgr. Kosak to St. Ann Church in 1995 and continued to minister until 2003 when he asked for retirement. Bishop George Murry petitioned Rome and he was made a Prelate of Honor with the title Monsignor. Due to deteriorating health, he moved to Seaview Nursing Home in St. Thomas in 2007. He was buried at St. Ann Church on January 31.
FR. BERTRAND
(Continued from page 1)"I really enjoyed my time with him," said Fr. Kenneth Gaddy, CSsR, who was Fr. Bertrand’s pastor at St. Patrick Church. "He had a knack for remembering names and was a wonderful confrere with a true sense of brotherhood." Fr. Gaddy said that Fr. Bertrand "always added a lot of joy, a lot of happiness for people. He was down-to-earth and available to everyone."
Despite the difference in their ages, Fr. Bertrand kept the Redemptorist practice of asking permission from his younger rector whenever he wanted to start a new ministry. "It was humbling to me to hear him," Fr. Gaddy said.
DEACON VERAART
(Continued from page 1)Deacon Veraart served at the Cathedral and on the St. Thomas Interfaith Coalition until he relocated to Earlysville, Virginia in May, 2000. There, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Richmond and served at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlottesville.
NEW DIVINE MERCY SHRINE
Bishop Emeritus Elliott
Thomas has donated the building that housed his former pharmacy on Main
Street on St. Thomas to the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
for use as a semi-perpetual adoration chapel with the Blessed
Sacrament. The Chapel of St. Theresa, as it will be called, will
include a Divine Mercy Shrine. The chapel will be located next door to
the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral office.THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * February 2009* Page 4