Notes from the Bishop's Desk

The Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard
Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

 

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BISHOP BEVARD'S MARCH 2009 CALENDAR

Tuesday, March 10, 10:00 a.m., Board of Directors Meeting, Catholic Charities, St. Thomas.
Wednesday, March 11, College of Consultors meeting, Catholic Chancery, St. Thomas.
Saturday, March 14, 5:00 p.m., Life in the Spirit Youth Mass, St. Anne Chapel, St. Thomas.
Thursday, March 19, Ordination Mass for Bishop Richard Stika, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, Mission Appeal, Church of Good Counsel, Southampton, Pennsylvania.

THE BISHOP’S APPEAL 2009 HELPS CATHOLIC CHARITIES, SCHOOLS, EVANGELIZATION

The Bishop’s Appeal is an annual fund-raising campaign designed to meet major needs within the diocese. By introducing the Bishop’s Appeal 2009 on the first weekend of Lent, February 28 and March 1, the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands will generate vital financial support for the needy served by Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands (CCVI), the hundreds of children who attend the four Catholic schools in the United States Virgin Islands, and evangelization projects throughout the diocese. All money raised stays in the territory.
The 2009 appeal began on Ash Wednesday, February 25, and ends on Pentecost Sunday, May 31. The goal for the Bishop’s Appeal 2009 is $400,000. Brochures and envelopes are available in all the Catholic schools and churches in the Virgin Islands. 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   15,000
St. Patrick Church   22,000
Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral   60,000
The Catholic Chancery   106,000

Those who are located outside the diocese can find more information about the appeal at:

The Catholic Chancery

P.O. Box 301825
St. Thomas, V.I.  00803-1825
Telephone:        (340) 774-3166
Fax:                  (340) 774-5816
E-mail:              chancery@islands.vi
Website       www.catholicvi.com

APPOINTMENTS

Bishop Herbert Bevard has appointed Fr. Charles Crespo to a medical leave and sabbatical in Pennsylvania effective March 1. Fr. Crespo will receive physical therapy following his recent knee surgery and assist at parishes. The sabbatical is expected to last about three months. He will continue as Editor of The Catholic Islander while he is away.

Bishop Bevard appointed Fr. John Mark to the College of Consultors, effective February 13. The College of Consultors is the canonical body of priests who serve as the bishop’s advisors. Fr. Mark will continue as Director of the Diaconate and Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas.

Bishop Herbert Bevard has asked Msgr. Jerome Feudjio, Vicar for Clergy and Religious, and Fr. Anthony Abraham to create a five-year program for newly-ordained priests.

EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

Bishop Herbert Bevard will be among the bishops concelebrating the ordination Mass for Bishop Richard Stika at the Knoxville Convention Center on Thursday, March 19. Bishop-elect Stika will be ordained and installed as the third bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee.

MINISTRY OF LECTOR

Bishop Herbert Bevard installed (left to right) deacon candidates Steven Olive, Clement Danet, Bernard Gibs and John MacDonald as lectors at St. Anne Chapel on St. Thomas on February 22.