MASS TIMES

Sunday: 7:00 AM 9:00 AM 6:00 PMMon- Fri: 6:15 AM 8:00 AM (Holidays)

Saturday: 7:30 AM

OUR PASTOR’SMESSAGE

“The Cross – The Key to Open the Door to Holiness”

The cyclical structure of our Liturgical Calendar provides us, once again, with another marvellous opportunity for reflection, refreshment and transformation. The austerity of the Lenten season calls us to face the harsh realities of the many times we have strayed from Jesus’ love, our occasions of suffering, penitence, reconciliation and transformation.

Our Lenten theme, “The Cross – The Key to Open the Door to Holiness” provides us with an inter-esting metaphor which forces us to recognise the twofold significance of the cross. Firstly, the ac-ceptance of the cross as the beacon in our lives signals our recognition of Jesus’ suffering and our willingness to respond to God’s call. Secondly, this acceptance forces us to recognise that we too will negotiate many dark moments throughout our lives. However, holiness demands that we use these moments to transform ourselves so that we can live Jesus’ commandment of love.

How can we show our acceptance of the cross during our Lenten journey? St. Paul invites us to, “. . . purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). This year, let us deliberately choose to rid ourselves of our customary thoughts which allow us to accept suffering only as debilitating. Let us decide to use our darkness as an agent to renew our Christian life. Thus, during Lent, we need to ask ourselves: How do we answer God’s call and use our brokenness to help others? How do we free our lives of contaminating forces that prevent us from rising out of darkness?

As Catholics, we sometimes succumb to these contaminating forces. We become weary of Lent by not making a serious effort to avail ourselves of His love to transform us. Nor do we participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation which provokes change. We are content to let the busyness of life consume us without paying attention to changing our lives in union with the suffering of the cross. Ultimately, if we put little effort into Lent the result will be an uninspiring Easter.

This Lent, let us fling open the doors to holiness by using this season to love those who have hurt us, to alter our practice of unforgiveness and to use our suffering to transform. Ultimately this will enable us to have a truly “fired up” Easter and experience the joy of His resurrection.

Will you answer this call?Rev. Fr. Donald Chambers

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Are you familiar with the Packaging Group at Sts. Peter and Paul? In your mind, you must be saying: ‘’Packag-ing?” “Who?” “What?” “When?” “Why?” “How?” If you are, that’s because it is one of the Church’s best-kept secrets. But no more! It is time for that secret to be revealed for two reasons. The first is to acknowledge and commend the work done for the benefit of our poor and needy in the par-ish and the second is to solicit assistance for the group so that it continues the work.The Packaging Group pre-pares care packages of non-perishable food and personal items which are distributed monthly from the Church. Special packages are prepared at Easter and Christmas. The big item in the Easter package is of course bun and cheese. Pearline Hoo, “the head cook and bottle washer” of the Group, says that although they receive assistance from Food for the Poor, they are always in need of items for the packages. Financial assistance would also be welcomed. It would be a wonderful Corporal Work of Mercy if each member of the parish (includ-ing children) were to bring a small tin of

mackerel, corned beef or toiletries to Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, 8 April and place

them in the drums for the care packages.

Scripture reminds us to

“Be generous and share your food with the poor. You will be blessed for it” (Proverbs 22:9). Therefore let us do our part so that the work of God will con-tinue and grow.

Loreen Walker

THE PACKAGING GROUP

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Growing up as a Catholic, being raised by a very devout Catholic father, go-ing to Catholic schools from primary to secondary I am pretty certain that the beatitudes were discussed and I must have learned about them. Fast forward to present day and I have to admit that, and I hang my head in shame, the beatitudes is just a vague notion to me that is only bandied about during the Lenten season. Now is as good a time as any to have a refresher on the Beatitudes.So what are the Beatitudes?Beatitudes means blessed. The Beati-tudes are a list of blessings from God, taken from the the opening of the Ser-mon on the Mount, the very first of Our Lord’s sermons in the Gospel of St. Mat-thew 5:3-10. The beatitudes give us a clear picture of what is expected of us to be considered true disciples of God. For those of you who are just like me

here are the Blessings that are the Be-atitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are the meek: for they shall pos-sess the land. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

May these Beatitudes guide and bless you.

Gayle Cunningham

The BEATITUDES

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Some years ago, I received a pamphlet on Divine Mercy Sunday which I read very quickly and put in my Hymnal. Truth be told, I never paid much attention to it. Sometime after that I acquired an image of The Divine Mercy because I really liked it. It resonated with me. I liked the colours and the figure of Jesus reaching out. However, I still did not spend any time understanding the message which is that Jesus is The Divine Mercy. He wants all of us to receive His mercy which is greater than our sins. All we have to do is ask. We, in turn, are to be merciful to others.During the Rite of Canonisation for Sister Mary

Faustina Kowalska, in 2000, Pope John Paul II declared the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. Sister Faustina (1905-1938) was an apostle of The Divine Mercy. Over many years, she received a series of revelations about God’s mercy which she recorded in her journal. This year the Feast of Divine Mercy is celebrated with Mass on Sunday 8 April. Forms of devotion as revealed to Saint Faustina include the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chap-let while reflecting on The Passion; the displaying of an image of Jesus as the Divine Mercy; the spreading of mercy through prayer and performing acts of mercy.The Church encourages us to prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday during Lent by:1) Going to confession;2) Showing mercy to others;3) Telling others about God’s mercy; 4) Praying The Divine Mercy Chaplet;5) Making a novena to The Divine Mercy;6) Reading the Diary of Saint Faustina;7) Reading from Sacred Scripture;8) Listening to audio, and watching audio-visual materials about The Divine Mercy;

9) TRUSTING in Jesus even more.

Loreen Walker

Divine Mercy Sunday

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The most important season of the liturgical cal-endar for Roman Catholics is the three-day Eas-ter Triduum which ends lent. The three 24-hour periods encompass the major feasts of four days which are the core of the Easter celebration; from the evening of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy (Maundy) Thursday. This Mass commemorates Jesus’ establishment of the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his crucifixion. He also washed the feet of his dis-ciples at this last meal in Jerusalem symbolising, to those who would become the first priests, the importance of humility and service. The washing of feet is also performed at this Mass by the priest. The Mass ends in silence.

The Good Friday service follows and begins in si-lence. Catholics commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion by fasting and the faithful traverse a series of four-teen images depicting His suffering on this day.

There is no Mass or celebration of the Eucharist, church bells are silent, altars are stripped, the tab-ernacle is empty and no holy water is in the fonts.

Holy Saturday commemorates Jesus’ entomb-ing and we should mark the day in quietude. The only sacraments allowed are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. Converts to Catholicism are baptised at the Easter Vigil service, which takes place on Holy Saturday night, the Paschale Candle is also lit; the vigil is the high point of the Triduum.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated on Easter Sunday. For the first time since the start of Lent, the Alleluia is sung at Mass. Easter Sunday marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.

Robin Rattray

The easTer Triduum

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Youth Explosion was held over three days, Febru-ary 15 - 17, 2018, with most of its pilgrims boarding in nearby communities which aids in the fellowship among the attending young people. The three days involve many activities including Praise and Worship, Mass, and talks with engaging guest speakers. Sev-eral young people responded well to the dynamic and interactive workshops held each day. A new activity called the Living Rosary was another major highlight of the conference which moved several hearts. It would be difficult to find anyone who did not enjoy the C-Link Concert on the final day which turned out to be full of excitement at the performances and youth awards. It truly was an enriching experience for many youths who said that they made new friends, stepped out of their shells, and became more confident in their faith.

Such testimony continues the tradition of the annual event of bringing together young people from all over the island and all walks of life. Youth Explosion 2018 allowed us to fully express ourselves, learn important life les-sons, and fellow-ship with each other. We are already look-ing forward to the next Youth Explo-sion.

Christophe James

Joanne Foster, Christophe James, Audrene Edwards, Alexandria Fatta and Kristen James

My Youth Explosion ExperienceFrom all indications it would seem as if I was not destined to participate in this year’s youth explosion. First I registered late, then after registering I realized that I was one of the few that would attend from my Parish. I then started to wonder what the experience would be like without the usual familiar faces. In any event I stepped out in Faith and I can say with surety that it was one of my best experiences. The Theme was “Do not be Afraid Mary, for you have found favour with God”. I attended only the last day and I felt like I didn’t miss anything because I was fully engaged into the spiritual (prayers, mass, praise

and worship, talks) as well as the many fun activities (games, dancing, youths being youths) that were planned. Also, being able to mingle with my Arch-bishop and others from various religious communi-ties was pretty cool. As we approach this Easter Season I would like to en-courage my fellow youths to realize that we serve a RISEN CHRIST and through him we too can seek and find favour with God like Mary. Our church is wonder-ful and we must celebrate it and appreciate the many gifts we have. I look forward to next year and to see-ing more youths from our Parishes.

David Findlator

Youth Explosion 2018Youth Explosion 2018

Adam Findlator ( St Martin De Porres) presenting Award Certificate to Adrian Lewis (Holy Cross).

Youth exploding with exuberance

Editor in ChiefRev. Fr. Donald Chambers

Editorial TeamThe Sts. Peter & Paul Communication Ministry

Copy EditorHaidee Heron

ContributorsGayle CunninghamDavid Findlator Christophe JamesRobin RattrayLoreen Walker

PhotographyAndrew Chin

Please send your feedback & comments to: thekeysandsword@gmail.com

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TEA

MEternal God,

in whom mercy is endless

and the treasury of compassion

- inexhaustible

look kindly upon us

and increase Your mercy in us,

that in difficult moments

we might not despair

nor become despondent,

but with great confidence

submit ourselves to Your holy will,

which is Love and Mercy itself.

Amen.

Prayer for Mercy

Youth Explosion 2018Youth Explosion 2018

Archbishop Ken delivers a powerful Homily.

One of the dynamic , Interactive workshops for youth 15-18 years old.

Youth bouncing to the beat.Youth from Portland are awarded as the Group with the most vybz.

Striking a pose in a modeling session.