Seminarian Anthony Abraham was instituted into the ministry of acolyte by Msgr. Michael Kosak, Administrator of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, at St. Ann Church on St. Croix on Pentecost Sunday, May 27. Mr. Abraham is completing his final year of studies at the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney/Martyrs of Uganda in Tunapuna, Trinidad. Deacon Arnold Helenese, who is also a native of Trinidad, is shown holding the pontifical.
Br. James Petrait, OSFS, a science teacher at St. Joseph High School on St. Croix and the webmaster for the Catholic Islander, recently published his first book, Faith Stories from a Science Teacher, a collection of stories that link his experiences as a science teacher and as a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. The book includes a reprint of his articles about Hurricane Hugo on St. Croix, which were placed in the Congressional Record by the former Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress, Ron DeLugo. The book can be purchased as a paperback print version or can be downloaded as a PDF file at www.lulu.com; search for "petrait."
The Ss. Peter and Paul School Board has appointed Patricia Rogers as Director of Development and Alumni Relations. Ms. Rogers, an alumna herself, will be responsible for development of capital campaigns and building relationships with alumni and the community at large. Her immediate goal is to establish an alumni data base and develop a newsletter and directory so that visiting alumni can contact other alumni and support their businesses.
Prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Fr. Thomas Normanly, who served as the first pastor of Holy Family Church on St. Thomas from 1969 to 1975. He died May 21. A memorial Mass was held at Holy Family Church on June 6.
Prayers are also solicited for the repose of George Bailey, brother of Sr. Florence Bailey, ICM, of St. Patrick Church on St. Croix. Mr. Bailey passed away on June 2 at home on St. Croix. His funeral Mass was at St. Patrick Church on June 12.
Sr. Louis Marie Bryan, SC, will be relocating to the retirement home of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, New Jersey, on July 4. A St. Thomas native and graduate of Ss. Peter and Paul School, she entered the religious life in 1957 and on August 20 will celebrate her 50th anniversary jubilee.
Missioned to St. Thomas in 1977, Sr. Bryan served first on the pastoral team of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, then worked with the Family Life Apostolate under Bishop Edward Harper, as Chancellor under Bishop Sean O'Malley and as Executive Director of Catholic Charities under Bishop Elliott Thomas. She hosted the weekly Catholic Voice radio show on WSTA for 10 years. Most recently, she taught RCIA at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John from 2004-2005.
Sr. Bryan was among the four parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral who were honored at a patronal feast luncheon at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel on June 30.
Bishop Gabriel Malzaire in Dominica has installed Fr. Michael Houston, CSsR, as Episcopal Vicar for the Western Vicariate in Dominica. In that role, Fr. Houston will liaison between the bishop and the parishes situated within Western Vicariate. Fr. Houston also continues as Pastor of St. Joseph parish (comprising of the main church and two chapels) and Superior of the Redemptorist community at St. Clement House in Belfast.
Fr. Houston was Parochial Vicar of Holy Cross Church on St. Croix from 1999 to 2005.
THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * July 2007 * 2