PREACHING WORKSHOP FOR PRIESTS

   Rev. Dr. George Franklin, President/Principal of Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas, led the priests of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands in a homiletics workshop at Light of Christ Retreat Center on St. Croix on February 19.
   The workshop, entitled “Ministry of Giving: How We Preach About It,” helped prepare the priests for the Bishop’s Appeal 2009, which the diocese launched on February 28.
 

LENTEN REGULATIONS

     The season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, which fell this year on February 25.
     Abstinence from meats is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent.
     In addition, fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those bound by this may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted.
     The Paschal fast and abstinence are encouraged for Holy Saturday.
    By the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the Church keeps Lent from Ash Wednesday until the evening of Holy Thursday. All of the faithful and the catechumens should undertake serious practice of these three traditions. Failure to observe any penitential days at all or a substantial number of such days must be considered serious.

LENTEN MISSIONS AND DAYS OF RECOLLECTION

     Lenten Missions are an opportunity for Catholics to delve more deeply into the mystery of the Paschal faith.
     Fr. Neil Scantlebury, Rector of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas, will lead a Lenten Mission at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John on March 2-6 at 7:00 p.m.
     Fr. Abraham also will lead a Lenten Mission at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas on March 9-13 at 7:00 p.m. The Thursday conference will be oriented to men and the Friday conference will be oriented toward leaders of ministries.
     Men are invited to a Lenten Day of Recollection at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

PENANCE SERVICES

     Catholics who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year. Several priests on St. Croix will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at Penance Services at St. Ann Church on St. Croix on Tuesday, March 31, and at St. Joseph Church on Wednesday, April 1. Both services are at 7:00 p.m.
     Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas will host a Day of Eucharistic Adoration on Sunday, March 29. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins immediately after the 9:00 a.m. Mass and ends with Benediction at 5:00 p.m. Several priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation beginning at 1:00 p.m.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

     Praying the Stations of the Cross (also known as the Way of the Cross and the Via Crucis) helps the faithful enter spiritually into the Good Friday experience of Jesus walking through the streets of Jerusalem to his passion and death. The Stations of the Cross will be prayed at all parishes on the Fridays of Lent.
     On St. Thomas, the Stations of the Cross will be prayed at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral in English at 5:30 p.m. and in Spanish at 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 6:00 p.m., and Holy Family Church and St. Anne Chapel at 7:00 p.m.
     On St. Croix, the Stations will be prayed at St. Ann Church at 5:30 p.m., St. Joseph Church (bilingual) at 6:00 p.m., and Holy Cross Church, Sacred Heart Chapel (Spanish) and St. Patrick Church at 7:00 p.m.
     On St. John, the Stations will be prayed at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 7:00 p.m.

SOUP AND BREAD SUPPERS

     As penance during Fridays in Lent, Catholics on St. Croix are invited to forego their usual supper and instead come to St. Joseph Church to share free homemade soup, bread and fellowship. The suppers begin at 5:30 p.m.