While the United States Virgin Islands continues to await news from Pope Benedict XVI regarding his appointment of a new bishop for the diocese, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, announced on July 19 the appointment of Bishop Robert Rivas, OP, as the new Coadjutor Archbishop of Castries in St. Lucia.
Archbishop Rivas is currently the Bishop of the Diocese of Kingstown in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as the Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Bridgetown in Barbados. In his new appointment, he will replace Archbishop Kelvin Felix, who has reached the mandatory retirement age.
Ordained as a priest in the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans, in his native Trinidad in 1971, he was ordained as the first bishop of Kingstown in 1990, becoming the first Caribbeanborn Dominican to become a bishop in the West Indies.
The new archbishop will preside and officially take possession of the Archdiocese of Castries during a Pontifical Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries on October 14.
The parish priests of St. Thomas held a farewell dinner for Fr. Shane Wasinger at a restaurant on July 15. Fr. Wasinger, who spent his six-month sabbatical in the Virgin Islands, regularly celebrated Mass on St. Thomas and St. John from January to July. Pictured left to right are Very Rev. Neil Scantlebury, Msgr. Jerome Feudjio, Fr. Wasinger, Fr. John Mark, Fr. Charles Crespo and Fr. William Montgomery.
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where we recall how the mother of Jesus was assumed into heaven, will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 15. All parishes in the Virgin Islands will celebrate this day with Mass, and some will add Masses to that day's schedule.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 2042: "The first precept (`You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor') requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principle liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days."
Magnificat, an international ministry to Catholic women, will sponsor a two-day seminar entitled "Empowerment of the Holy Spirit" at Light of Christ Retreat Center on St. Croix on two Saturdays, August 18 and 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Guest speakers will teach how Catholic women can find a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit, what it means to live a life in the Holy Spirit and how to maintain that life.
Magnificat requests that participants pre-register. Magnificat members have forms and further information at all St. Croix parishes.
Deacon Edward Cave, Deputy Director of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6482, installed new officers at McAlpin Hall on June 28. The new officers are Dr. Roy Arcano, Grand Knight; Secundino Roman-Cruz, Deputy Grand Knight; Pierre Tepie, Recorder; Martin Burgos, treasurer; Raphael Munchez, Sr., Chancellor; Gary Molloy, Lecturer; Eleutorio Torres, Warden; Arnold Golden, Advocate; Joseph Baker, Inside Guard; Roy Joseph, Outside Guard; Rev. Mr. Louis Soto, Jr., Benito Santos, Jr., and Nick Castruccio, Trustees.