Parishioners at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas pray for God's protection during hurricane season after the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass with a procession that includes banners and a litany to the Blessed Virgin Mass.
The restoration of Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral has begun a preliminary stage. Exterior walls in the building that houses both the parish office and the Knights of Columbus were repaired and painted. Beginning October 1, work will begin on the renovation of the older of the two rectory buildings.
Meanwhile, Very Rev. Neil Scantlebury, Rector of the Cathedral, is seeking sponsors for the construction of new shutters for the doors and windows of the church.
All over the world, Franciscans celebrate the transitus or "passing over" of St. Francis of Assisi on the anniversary of his death, October 3, and a Mass on his feast day, October 4. "Transitus" is a Latin word meaning "to pass through," but the service is as much a celebration of the saint's life as a commemoration of his death.
On St. Thomas, the Lady Clare of Assisi Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans will celebrate the Transitus with a prayer service at Holy Family Church on Wednesday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m.
On St. Croix, the Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans will celebrate the Transitus on Wednesday, October 3, after the 7:00 p.m. bilingual Mass.
The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi is October 4, and in honor of his renowned love for animals, one parish and two schools will celebrate with a blessing of pets.
On St. Thomas, pets will be blessed in the center coourtyard of Ss. Peter and Paul School on Thursday, October 4, at 8:30 a.m. Students from the lower grades will read original poems and sing songs at the prayer service.
On St. John, the blessing of animals will be outside the front entrance of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Saturday, October 6, at 9:00 a.m.
On St. Croix, all creatures great and small may be blessed at a block party between Holy Cross Church and St. Mary School on Saturday, October 6, at 10:00 a.m. The festivities will include games, food, live music and donkey rides. Participants may have their photographs taken with their pets and imprinted on t-shirts.
The Hispanic community at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas raised $1,000 for relief efforts in Peru in a special collection at Sunday Mass on September 9.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) workers are assisting survivors of Peru's worst earthquake in 30 years. Over 510 people died and over 1,500 others were injured by the 8.0-magnitude earthquake on August 15. CRS is delivering water, blankets and hygiene kits to the victims.
Holy Family Church on St. Thomas will celebrate the third anniversary of the reopening of Columban Hall with a luncheon at the newly air-conditioned hall on Sunday, October 7, at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children.
This July marked the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and the World Apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima on St. Thomas will celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima with Mass, a candlelight procession and benediction on Saturday, October 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER * October 2007 * Page 4