AGUINALDO MASSES

Hispanics on St. Croix will celebrate aguinaldo Masses in preparation for Christmas. For the nine days leading up to Christmas, these communities come together before sunrise for Eucharistic celebrations accompanied by festive singing and refreshments.

Aguinaldo Masses will be celebrated in Spanish at two St. Croix churches on December 16-24, followed by a light breakfast.The Masses will be at St. Joseph Church on weekdays at 5:45 a.m., Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and at Holy Cross Church on weekdays at 6:30 a.m. and Sundays at 7:15 a.m.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS

In conjunction with the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, the students of St. Patrick School on St. Croix will present Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at St. Gerard Hall on Friday, December 8, at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $5. The school also will present its Carnival Pageant at St. Gerard Hall on Wednesday, December 13, at 9:00 a.m.

STRESS SEMINAR

Fr. Charles Crespo, Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St.

John, led the opening prayer for the week-long symposium on stress at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas on November 13.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR

Over a hundred participants attended the Life in the Spirit Seminar over six Monday evenings at Holy Family Church on St. Thomas in October and November.

PARISH RUMMAGE SALE

Volunteers at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on St. Thomas held a rummage sale in the clubhouse on October 28 to raise funds towards the purchase of a new holy water font.

MUSIC MINISTRY WORKSHOPS

Allan Harrigan and Vern Callwood are leading a series of Music Ministry Workshops at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on St. John on Wednesday evenings. Particpants are learning skills including reading music, breathing correctly and harmonizing.

THE CATHOLIC ISLANDER      *DECEMBER 2006*     5