News of the Parishes

CATECHISTS INSTALLED

Fr. Louis Kemayou, Administrator of St. Joseph Church on St. Croix, blessed catechists at the end of Mass on September 9.

 

ALL SAINTS DAY

All Saints Day on Thursday, November 1, recalls the saints in heaven. All parishes in the Virgin Islands will celebrate this day of precept with Mass, and some parishes 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."

RISE EARLIER FOR SUNDAY MASS

Holy Family Church on St. Thomas will begin its first Sunday Mass a half hour earlier beginning October 7. Mass times on Sunday will now be at 7:00 and 10:00 a.m. The change was made to accommodate Religious Education classes, which take place between Masses.

ALL SOULS DAY

On All Souls Day on Friday, November 2, Catholics are invited to pray for those souls still in purgatory. Two parishes are inviting congregants to participate in this remembrance in unique ways.

Congregants at St. Joseph Church on St. Croix are invited to remember their dearly departed by placing bottled candles at the altar during Mass at 6:30 a.m.

Congregants at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John are invited to bring a flower to recall their deceased loved ones to Mass at 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. During the prayers of intercession, congregants will be invited to place the flowers by the altar in remembrance of their dearly departed.

THE MONTH OF THE ROSARY

October is the month of the rosary, and so this traditional prayer will be prayed before all daily Masses at most parishes.

In addition, a Hispanic evangelization team on St. Thomas will travel from home to home nightly throughout the month to lead evenings of praise and prayer in Spanish. Those who offer their dwellings are asked to invite their neighbors. The program consists of Fr. Charles Crespo and Deacon Jose Vazquez blessing the homes, the parish team leading the recitation of the rosary, and all participating in a Bible-based catechetical teaching. The evening concludes with intercessory prayers.