Youth Ministry

Divine Word Missionaries

Caribbeandistrict

s v d c h i c a g o p r o v i n c e

n e w s l e t t e r

Diocese of St. John’s-BasseterreANGUILLAPawel Czoch

ANTIGUAAnte JeroncicPierre Tevi-BenissanRobert Ratajczak

MONTSERRATGeorge Agger

VIRGIN GORDALuis Lapus

TORTOLAWalter Mendonca

ST. KITTSBernard LatusJan PastuszczakVicente DominguezXuan Ho

NEVISZbigniew Orlikowski

Arch-Diocese of KingstonJamaicaAdam OleszczukBernie SpitzleyBobby Lucas YehFrank PowerYohanes Lunga Bally

Diocese of WillemstadSt. MaartenBob JohnsonManuel AntaoMiguel LopezPeter Son Le

Divine Word Missionaries serve in 3 dioceses in Caribbean islands

How to reach us?Divine Word Missionaries

Chicago Provincewww.divineword.org

CONTENTConnecting With The Youth Adam Oleszczuk

Befriending The Sea!Bernie Spitzley

Transiting Into TransitionPierre Tevi-Benissan

Montserrat’s Catholic Youth Community(CYC)George Agger

A Miracle? Amazing......Walter Mendonca

Meeting God In Jamaica Where Youth Ministries Thrives!Bernie Spitzley

Youth Ministry: Virgin Gorda, British Virgin IslandsLuis Lapus

Youth Of St. Thomas ParishFrank Power

What’s Next, Father?Bob Johnson

Youth --- The Present Of The ChurchYohanes Lunga Bally

0201

FROM THE DISTRICT

SUPERIOR’S DESK

Dear friends,

Greetings on behalf of our Caribbean District!

Once again, I am very happy to present to you the latest

edition of our newsletter. The personal reflections,

ministries, invite you to journey with us and to understand

our mission. As you will discover, this year’s magazine

focuses on Youth Ministry – its challenges, struggles, joys

and opportunities experienced in different ways and forms

in our daily life. I am sure many of you have been there!

I hope you will find these articles interesting, inspiring and

somehow intriguing so that it might kindle in you a little

spark of possibly joining us as we serve the people of God

in this beautiful part of the world and live out our

missionary call.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the editors of this

2011 edition of our newsletter, Bernie Spitzley and Bobby

Lucas Yeh. You have done a tremendous job!

In the Divine Word,

Adam Oleszczuk, SVD

CONTENTConnecting With The Youth Adam Oleszczuk

Befriending The Sea!Bernie Spitzley

Transiting Into TransitionPierre Tevi-Benissan

Montserrat’s Catholic Youth Community(CYC)George Agger

A Miracle? Amazing......Walter Mendonca

Meeting God In Jamaica Where Youth Ministries Thrives!Bernie Spitzley

Youth Ministry: Virgin Gorda, British Virgin IslandsLuis Lapus

Youth Of St. Thomas ParishFrank Power

What’s Next, Father?Bob Johnson

Youth --- The Present Of The ChurchYohanes Lunga Bally

0201

FROM THE DISTRICT

SUPERIOR’S DESK

Dear friends,

Greetings on behalf of our Caribbean District!

Once again, I am very happy to present to you the latest

edition of our newsletter. The personal reflections,

ministries, invite you to journey with us and to understand

our mission. As you will discover, this year’s magazine

focuses on Youth Ministry – its challenges, struggles, joys

and opportunities experienced in different ways and forms

in our daily life. I am sure many of you have been there!

I hope you will find these articles interesting, inspiring and

somehow intriguing so that it might kindle in you a little

spark of possibly joining us as we serve the people of God

in this beautiful part of the world and live out our

missionary call.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the editors of this

2011 edition of our newsletter, Bernie Spitzley and Bobby

Lucas Yeh. You have done a tremendous job!

In the Divine Word,

Adam Oleszczuk, SVD

0403

Connecting

With The Youth

A couple of years ago, the Church of Reconciliation celebrated its 30th

Anniversary under the theme: “That all may be one”. A unique example

of Christian unity, Church of Reconciliation is the spiritual home of two

faith communities - one Roman Catholic and the other Anglican. For

more than 30 years, the two congregations have shared the same

worship space and have engaged in joint spiritual, pastoral, social and

fundraising activities.

To commemorate this memorable milestone of our ecumenical

endeavour, jointly - both congregations – have organized numerous

events. First of all, to thank God for all the blessings we received as a

church, secondly to reflect on our identity and the role we, as this unique

church, have to play in the Jamaican society, which is divided so much

politically, economically and socially.

A Methodist Pastor was invited to deliver a message at one of our joint

services. In his outstanding presentation on the theme taken from

Jesus’s prayer in St. John’s Gospel “… that they all be one…” he

reminded all of us, Anglican and Roman Catholic alike, that a church

cannot exist only for itself… it exists for the community in which it is

erected and should become an agent of change and transformation.

Challenged by these prophetic words, joint committees have been

established to look at various possibilities of outreach ministries to make

the Church of Reconciliation vibrant, vocal and visible in the Portmore

area. After several meetings and reflection it has became clear to us

that we need to start with our youth. Therefore, a decision was made to

establish a joint educational outreach ministry for the youth in the area.

Primary and High school teachers from both congregations were invited

to undertake this project and make it a reality.

Meanwhile, our Pastoral Centre, was undergoing major renovation.

In our plans, a provision was made to expand one of the existing rooms

and turn it to a Computer and Homework Centre. Thanks to a very

generous sponsor from, the USA, we were able to furnish the Centre

with good computers. Now we are ready to start the “ministry of

presence” to the young men and women in the Bridgeport community.

It is my hope that by the Grace of God this little project will

become a bridge between our church and so many boys and girls, who

do not go to any church yet. Indeed we are called to be a living sign of

the passage in St. John’s Gospel that prays "that they all be one."

Adam Oleszczuk

0403

Connecting

With The Youth

A couple of years ago, the Church of Reconciliation celebrated its 30th

Anniversary under the theme: “That all may be one”. A unique example

of Christian unity, Church of Reconciliation is the spiritual home of two

faith communities - one Roman Catholic and the other Anglican. For

more than 30 years, the two congregations have shared the same

worship space and have engaged in joint spiritual, pastoral, social and

fundraising activities.

To commemorate this memorable milestone of our ecumenical

endeavour, jointly - both congregations – have organized numerous

events. First of all, to thank God for all the blessings we received as a

church, secondly to reflect on our identity and the role we, as this unique

church, have to play in the Jamaican society, which is divided so much

politically, economically and socially.

A Methodist Pastor was invited to deliver a message at one of our joint

services. In his outstanding presentation on the theme taken from

Jesus’s prayer in St. John’s Gospel “… that they all be one…” he

reminded all of us, Anglican and Roman Catholic alike, that a church

cannot exist only for itself… it exists for the community in which it is

erected and should become an agent of change and transformation.

Challenged by these prophetic words, joint committees have been

established to look at various possibilities of outreach ministries to make

the Church of Reconciliation vibrant, vocal and visible in the Portmore

area. After several meetings and reflection it has became clear to us

that we need to start with our youth. Therefore, a decision was made to

establish a joint educational outreach ministry for the youth in the area.

Primary and High school teachers from both congregations were invited

to undertake this project and make it a reality.

Meanwhile, our Pastoral Centre, was undergoing major renovation.

In our plans, a provision was made to expand one of the existing rooms

and turn it to a Computer and Homework Centre. Thanks to a very

generous sponsor from, the USA, we were able to furnish the Centre

with good computers. Now we are ready to start the “ministry of

presence” to the young men and women in the Bridgeport community.

It is my hope that by the Grace of God this little project will

become a bridge between our church and so many boys and girls, who

do not go to any church yet. Indeed we are called to be a living sign of

the passage in St. John’s Gospel that prays "that they all be one."

Adam Oleszczuk

0605

Befriending

The Sea!

One of the joys of serving in the Caribbean is the Sea! The beach, a

place of rest and quiet contemplation. I find the sea to be spiritual, like

saying a prayer, ‘being with God’. The sea captures us, comforts us, and

calls us. It is ministerial, mysterious, and magnificent. We see no signs

of its age. The sea is strong, constant, and everlasting in its perfection.

It connects us not only to God but to ourselves. The sea evokes a feeling

of just how temporal and fragile our lives are. It is inflexible in its

teaching: that such things in life as power, glory, possessions do not

really matter. In the real run-ins of our lives they will disintegrate like a

sand castle under a tidal wave. Only God is certain, says the sea.

At the sea, in reflection and contemplation of our lives, we can

peel away those parts that lead us astray. The sea encourages us to

behave differently: to celebrate the passion of the soul, to not take life

so seriously as the ‘suits’ make it seem, to awaken the innocent that

often gets lost, or at least misplaced, when we become adults. At the

sea I feel gratitude.

Walking along the sea, I get to embrace its perfection, soak up its

eternal mysteries. The sea keeps giving back to me. I keep taking in its

gifts, free, without charge. The sea gives me a sense of who I am. It

cuts out my tendency to live according to how they think I should live,

and it helps me embrace the promise of God in order to find the meaning

of life; it contributes to the destiny of my soul. For me the sea is sacred.

It swells, like faith, and there I hear God’s voice in the splashing of the

waves.

Bernie Spitzley

0605

Befriending

The Sea!

One of the joys of serving in the Caribbean is the Sea! The beach, a

place of rest and quiet contemplation. I find the sea to be spiritual, like

saying a prayer, ‘being with God’. The sea captures us, comforts us, and

calls us. It is ministerial, mysterious, and magnificent. We see no signs

of its age. The sea is strong, constant, and everlasting in its perfection.

It connects us not only to God but to ourselves. The sea evokes a feeling

of just how temporal and fragile our lives are. It is inflexible in its

teaching: that such things in life as power, glory, possessions do not

really matter. In the real run-ins of our lives they will disintegrate like a

sand castle under a tidal wave. Only God is certain, says the sea.

At the sea, in reflection and contemplation of our lives, we can

peel away those parts that lead us astray. The sea encourages us to

behave differently: to celebrate the passion of the soul, to not take life

so seriously as the ‘suits’ make it seem, to awaken the innocent that

often gets lost, or at least misplaced, when we become adults. At the

sea I feel gratitude.

Walking along the sea, I get to embrace its perfection, soak up its

eternal mysteries. The sea keeps giving back to me. I keep taking in its

gifts, free, without charge. The sea gives me a sense of who I am. It

cuts out my tendency to live according to how they think I should live,

and it helps me embrace the promise of God in order to find the meaning

of life; it contributes to the destiny of my soul. For me the sea is sacred.

It swells, like faith, and there I hear God’s voice in the splashing of the

waves.

Bernie Spitzley

0807

Transiting

Into Transition

when I left Jamaica in December 2006, I was pretty sure of what I

wanted to do for the next three years, get a degree in Marital and Family

Therapy. The idea developed out of my pastoral ministry in Jamaica. I

fancied the idea of returning to Jamaica, of serving there. Of course the

people I came across and interacted with played an important role in my

decision and I thought returning to Jamaica could be my way of

expressing my gratitude. In addition there was and there is still a

window of opportunity to practice Marital and Family therapy in Jamaica

and I was also looking forward to making a difference in the life of many.

However, it was the first time I would be going back to school after 9

years of pastoral ministry. Also the first time I would be enrolled as a

student in the American educational system. It was a new beginning with

a new set of challenges. Though I did not really have time to process

and think out the transition, I approached it with what I have: a

missionary spirit and zeal. Yet despite the confidence in my abilities, I

was nervous that crossing over from full time pastoral ministry to full

time student would be challenging.

And it was! The first semester as an undergrad student placed me

together with younger students who were quicker and faster. A few

times I was left alone in the classroom finishing a test and felt sorry that

the “professor” had to wait for this slow learner. But I quickly realized

that fast does not always mean accurate. I was slow for sure but I was

certainly getting good grades. The first experience gave me the

confidence I needed to transit into a full time student and finished my

studies with good grades of course!

Since I was a full time student, I was not able to do any pastoral

work and celebrating Mass and preaching to myself was hard at the

beginning but became part of my life as a student. On other occasions, I

gladly joined the confreres of the Western Province to whom I am very

much grateful. It was home away from home.

After my studies and home leave in Togo, here I am again facing

another challenging transition: Integrating my studies in Marital and

Family Therapy into my pastoral ministry in Antigua. During my studies

in San Diego, I had time to reflect on this question, as well as having

done academic work on it. So I had anticipated a smooth transition, at

least in theory! However, the delay in getting a new passport and my

visa to Antigua meant that by the time I finally arrived in Antigua in the

Pierre Tevi-Benissan

0807

Transiting

Into Transition

when I left Jamaica in December 2006, I was pretty sure of what I

wanted to do for the next three years, get a degree in Marital and Family

Therapy. The idea developed out of my pastoral ministry in Jamaica. I

fancied the idea of returning to Jamaica, of serving there. Of course the

people I came across and interacted with played an important role in my

decision and I thought returning to Jamaica could be my way of

expressing my gratitude. In addition there was and there is still a

window of opportunity to practice Marital and Family therapy in Jamaica

and I was also looking forward to making a difference in the life of many.

However, it was the first time I would be going back to school after 9

years of pastoral ministry. Also the first time I would be enrolled as a

student in the American educational system. It was a new beginning with

a new set of challenges. Though I did not really have time to process

and think out the transition, I approached it with what I have: a

missionary spirit and zeal. Yet despite the confidence in my abilities, I

was nervous that crossing over from full time pastoral ministry to full

time student would be challenging.

And it was! The first semester as an undergrad student placed me

together with younger students who were quicker and faster. A few

times I was left alone in the classroom finishing a test and felt sorry that

the “professor” had to wait for this slow learner. But I quickly realized

that fast does not always mean accurate. I was slow for sure but I was

certainly getting good grades. The first experience gave me the

confidence I needed to transit into a full time student and finished my

studies with good grades of course!

Since I was a full time student, I was not able to do any pastoral

work and celebrating Mass and preaching to myself was hard at the

beginning but became part of my life as a student. On other occasions, I

gladly joined the confreres of the Western Province to whom I am very

much grateful. It was home away from home.

After my studies and home leave in Togo, here I am again facing

another challenging transition: Integrating my studies in Marital and

Family Therapy into my pastoral ministry in Antigua. During my studies

in San Diego, I had time to reflect on this question, as well as having

done academic work on it. So I had anticipated a smooth transition, at

least in theory! However, the delay in getting a new passport and my

visa to Antigua meant that by the time I finally arrived in Antigua in the

Pierre Tevi-Benissan

of December, work has been waiting for me. No “honeymoon” or “grace

period” to wet my feet! I had to jump right away into ministry!

A day after my arrival I had the first Mass at 5:00 a.m. and

introduced myself to the congregation! And that set the tone! Learning

on the job and finding my way around! Father Tony and Father Robert

have been very helpful and supportive which made a great difference!

Thank you both!

I have been to Antigua several times before, but it was in a

different context! Yet even though Antigua is different from Jamaica and

this my first time living and working here, I have relied at the beginning

on my years of pastoral ministry in Jamaica! Antigua and the Eastern

Caribbean have a different cultural flavor yet there is something familiar

about it! I am still in the Caribbean and it feels great to be back to the

Islands! So while my approach at the beginning of my studies in San

Diego was slow but sure, I have changed gears and it is full throttle here

in Antigua: I have to be quick and get it right. For the moment my

priority has been to get off the ground the Marriage and Family Living

ministry so that I can venture into other areas of my new skills. So far it

has been learning on the go and after nearly five months in Antigua, I

can say the ministry is going well and I am very excited about it! I am

beginning to feel at home. But I know transiting from full time student

back to full time ministry is itself a full time transition! So I am taking

one step at time! After all, as a missionary I see my life as in transitions:

a process of beginnings and endings, endings that lead to new beginning

and new ending and the cycle goes on… So I am already looking ahead

to my next big transition: Big Five… O!

1009

What Have Our Youth Been Up To?

Youth Community(CYC)

A Brief History…

CYC started in the 1980’s and was originally known as CYO, Catholic

Youth Organization. Before the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano

(1995 to present) and relocation of the capital among other areas, group

meetings were held at the Catholic Church grounds in Plymouth within

close proximity to the Convent and St. Augustine Primary School. The

group went on a brief hiatus, but soon resumed and continued meetings

in Woodlands, near the new location of the School.

One of its main functions has always been to encourage the youth

of the community to strengthen their relationship with God and to focus

their energies towards positive interaction with the community. It is

George Agger

Montserrat’s Catholic

of December, work has been waiting for me. No “honeymoon” or “grace

period” to wet my feet! I had to jump right away into ministry!

A day after my arrival I had the first Mass at 5:00 a.m. and

introduced myself to the congregation! And that set the tone! Learning

on the job and finding my way around! Father Tony and Father Robert

have been very helpful and supportive which made a great difference!

Thank you both!

I have been to Antigua several times before, but it was in a

different context! Yet even though Antigua is different from Jamaica and

this my first time living and working here, I have relied at the beginning

on my years of pastoral ministry in Jamaica! Antigua and the Eastern

Caribbean have a different cultural flavor yet there is something familiar

about it! I am still in the Caribbean and it feels great to be back to the

Islands! So while my approach at the beginning of my studies in San

Diego was slow but sure, I have changed gears and it is full throttle here

in Antigua: I have to be quick and get it right. For the moment my

priority has been to get off the ground the Marriage and Family Living

ministry so that I can venture into other areas of my new skills. So far it

has been learning on the go and after nearly five months in Antigua, I

can say the ministry is going well and I am very excited about it! I am

beginning to feel at home. But I know transiting from full time student

back to full time ministry is itself a full time transition! So I am taking

one step at time! After all, as a missionary I see my life as in transitions:

a process of beginnings and endings, endings that lead to new beginning

and new ending and the cycle goes on… So I am already looking ahead

to my next big transition: Big Five… O!

1009

What Have Our Youth Been Up To?

Youth Community(CYC)

A Brief History…

CYC started in the 1980’s and was originally known as CYO, Catholic

Youth Organization. Before the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano

(1995 to present) and relocation of the capital among other areas, group

meetings were held at the Catholic Church grounds in Plymouth within

close proximity to the Convent and St. Augustine Primary School. The

group went on a brief hiatus, but soon resumed and continued meetings

in Woodlands, near the new location of the School.

One of its main functions has always been to encourage the youth

of the community to strengthen their relationship with God and to focus

their energies towards positive interaction with the community. It is

George Agger

Montserrat’s Catholic

1211

therefore no surprise that among its many activities, community service

and spiritual development have always been a constant, not only on a

domestic level but internationally as well. From its inception, the group

has both invited and visited groups from various parts of the Caribbean

region and participated in several internationally recognized events,

including World Youth Day and quite a few Christian jamborees.

A former CYC member, while reminiscing upon his youthful days,

recalled attending a CYO camp in Dominica and taking charge of the

Sunday Mass, participating fully in the choir. We were also informed

that they organized retreats and local outdoor camping trips and hosted

fundraising events such as raffles, of which the prizes were sometimes

as grand as cars.

The current CYC has been guided by the exemplary actions of the

former CYO and has kept up the pace with great dedication and

exuberance, showing no signs of slowing down in the near future.

Our Goal…

We’ve had a very dynamic and vibrant 2010/2011 CYC year, with

membership almost doubling in number and enthusiasm in even greater

supply. As our membership increases, our main goal is to play a more

active role in becoming stronger Christians and contributing members of

our community. It is our firm belief that we can make a positive

difference and hope to inspire others to share the same spirit.

In order to accomplish this goal, a calendar of events is scheduled

at the beginning of each year; each month being divided to

accommodate four different types of meetings. The meetings are

categorized as: Fellowship/Social, Community Service, Fundraising and

Spiritual Enlightenment.

Fellowship…

Every CYC meeting begins with a social team building activity that

strengthens our understanding of and trust in one another and ends with

members being given the opportunity to share some of the highlights

and negatives of their week. Our biggest fellowship activity this year

was our retreat during our Easter break, where members were able to

work together on different projects, participate in group sessions and live

within a communal space.

In addition, we encourage youth from other churches to visit our

MembershipCurrently, there are 22 active CYC members and we’re encouraging all the youth (ages 12-21) in our community to join our growing and enthusiastic group.We convene every Thursday at 4:30 pm, primarily at the Parish House in Palm Loop.CYC consists of 4 moderators at the moment and welcomes other adults in the community to stop by and take part in our meetings regardless of whether it’s simply to say hi, to join in on the activities or to offer assistance. All are welcome!

1211

therefore no surprise that among its many activities, community service

and spiritual development have always been a constant, not only on a

domestic level but internationally as well. From its inception, the group

has both invited and visited groups from various parts of the Caribbean

region and participated in several internationally recognized events,

including World Youth Day and quite a few Christian jamborees.

A former CYC member, while reminiscing upon his youthful days,

recalled attending a CYO camp in Dominica and taking charge of the

Sunday Mass, participating fully in the choir. We were also informed

that they organized retreats and local outdoor camping trips and hosted

fundraising events such as raffles, of which the prizes were sometimes

as grand as cars.

The current CYC has been guided by the exemplary actions of the

former CYO and has kept up the pace with great dedication and

exuberance, showing no signs of slowing down in the near future.

Our Goal…

We’ve had a very dynamic and vibrant 2010/2011 CYC year, with

membership almost doubling in number and enthusiasm in even greater

supply. As our membership increases, our main goal is to play a more

active role in becoming stronger Christians and contributing members of

our community. It is our firm belief that we can make a positive

difference and hope to inspire others to share the same spirit.

In order to accomplish this goal, a calendar of events is scheduled

at the beginning of each year; each month being divided to

accommodate four different types of meetings. The meetings are

categorized as: Fellowship/Social, Community Service, Fundraising and

Spiritual Enlightenment.

Fellowship…

Every CYC meeting begins with a social team building activity that

strengthens our understanding of and trust in one another and ends with

members being given the opportunity to share some of the highlights

and negatives of their week. Our biggest fellowship activity this year

was our retreat during our Easter break, where members were able to

work together on different projects, participate in group sessions and live

within a communal space.

In addition, we encourage youth from other churches to visit our

MembershipCurrently, there are 22 active CYC members and we’re encouraging all the youth (ages 12-21) in our community to join our growing and enthusiastic group.We convene every Thursday at 4:30 pm, primarily at the Parish House in Palm Loop.CYC consists of 4 moderators at the moment and welcomes other adults in the community to stop by and take part in our meetings regardless of whether it’s simply to say hi, to join in on the activities or to offer assistance. All are welcome!

1413

meetings and activities in an effort to bring us closer as a community.

In the future we plan to have joint meetings and projects with other

youth groups in furtherance of this objective.

Community Service…

So far this year we have tried to assist anyone who asks. Some of our

community services included serving at the annual St. Patrick’s Day

dinner and giving assistance where needed at the annual Literary

Festival. We also volunteered in the cleaning up of and around Salem

Centre. So far we’ve conducted 2 youth Masses and participate regularly

in ordinary church Masses. We are currently in the process of seeking to

help beautify Montserrat in conjunction with the National Trust and to

visit some of the more elderly persons in the community.

Fundraising Efforts…

All our fundraising efforts so far this year went towards our annual

Easter Youth Retreat. Any further funds raised will go towards

completing community service projects as well as our next trip to

Jamboree in the Dioceses. So far, we’ve had a few bake sales after

church Mass on Sundays, a moonlit walkathon, a hat and fashion show

as well as the cleaning up of the church rectory in Palm Loop. We’re also

planning a talent show to be held later this year.

Spiritual Enlightenment…

As we grow in our faith we try to find different avenues to do so. From

time to time, we play a few bible games to not only educate ourselves,

but for the exposure to different forms of feeding our spirit. We’ve had

guest speakers come in and share with us ways in which we can become

confident in our faith, methods of meditation, and showing us how and

why reflection is good for our relationship with God and others.

At the beginning of Lent, we also conducted a special Youth

Stations of the Cross not only for ourselves but invited the church

community to participate. We also have a bible, especially for

teenagers, that teaches us about daily issues we inevitably have to deal

with such as anger, tolerance, love, prayer, respect and worship. In the

future we intend to conduct a candle light vigil and to encourage the

group to engage in more moments of reflection and worship.

Our Easter Retreat …

The highlight of every CYC year is the annual Easter Retreat. All the

youth look forward to this weekend event and make the extra effort to

raise funds and clear their schedules so that they can attend.

This year’s Easter Retreat took place on April 8th – 11th in Old Towne.

Most of the members were present and chaperoned by our four

1413

meetings and activities in an effort to bring us closer as a community.

In the future we plan to have joint meetings and projects with other

youth groups in furtherance of this objective.

Community Service…

So far this year we have tried to assist anyone who asks. Some of our

community services included serving at the annual St. Patrick’s Day

dinner and giving assistance where needed at the annual Literary

Festival. We also volunteered in the cleaning up of and around Salem

Centre. So far we’ve conducted 2 youth Masses and participate regularly

in ordinary church Masses. We are currently in the process of seeking to

help beautify Montserrat in conjunction with the National Trust and to

visit some of the more elderly persons in the community.

Fundraising Efforts…

All our fundraising efforts so far this year went towards our annual

Easter Youth Retreat. Any further funds raised will go towards

completing community service projects as well as our next trip to

Jamboree in the Dioceses. So far, we’ve had a few bake sales after

church Mass on Sundays, a moonlit walkathon, a hat and fashion show

as well as the cleaning up of the church rectory in Palm Loop. We’re also

planning a talent show to be held later this year.

Spiritual Enlightenment…

As we grow in our faith we try to find different avenues to do so. From

time to time, we play a few bible games to not only educate ourselves,

but for the exposure to different forms of feeding our spirit. We’ve had

guest speakers come in and share with us ways in which we can become

confident in our faith, methods of meditation, and showing us how and

why reflection is good for our relationship with God and others.

At the beginning of Lent, we also conducted a special Youth

Stations of the Cross not only for ourselves but invited the church

community to participate. We also have a bible, especially for

teenagers, that teaches us about daily issues we inevitably have to deal

with such as anger, tolerance, love, prayer, respect and worship. In the

future we intend to conduct a candle light vigil and to encourage the

group to engage in more moments of reflection and worship.

Our Easter Retreat …

The highlight of every CYC year is the annual Easter Retreat. All the

youth look forward to this weekend event and make the extra effort to

raise funds and clear their schedules so that they can attend.

This year’s Easter Retreat took place on April 8th – 11th in Old Towne.

Most of the members were present and chaperoned by our four

1615

moderators. The days were carefully scheduled starting at 5am with

devotion, exercise and 3 - 4 enlightening sessions in total before and

after lunch. The sessions included topics ranging from ‘The Keys to

Success’ to ‘Spiritual Confidence and Freedom’. The days ended with

social time, dinner and devotion followed by lights out at 10 pm.

Members were divided up into teams and charged with varying

responsibilities, which included the making of breakfast, conducting

devotion, the cleaning up of general areas of the compound and

participating in Sunday mass. On Sunday, everyone attended Mass and

performed a gospel calypso, learned in one of their sessions at the

retreat, entitled ‘Youth Quake’.

The aim of the annual retreat is to focus and reflect on our lives

from both a spiritual and social aspect without the disturbance of every

day distractions. All electronics were prohibited and no one was allowed

to leave the premises without the permission of the moderators and

being escorted by their parents. We sought to force ourselves to

contemplate on who we are as individuals and who we want to become

as life progresses. It also provoked thought as to the strength of our

relationship with God and how it could be improved.

Our retreat was a huge success and could not have been so

without the support of the members themselves and our moderators.

We especially could not have achieved such success without our

speakers who volunteered their time as well as all of the members of the

community and our very own Fr. George Agger, who sent us several

donations and in some cases stopped by to offer His support. They were

all appreciated and contributed significantly to the enjoyment of the

retreat.

We welcome any words of advice or support to help us in

our efforts to building a better future and a stronger youth group

in Christ.

1615

moderators. The days were carefully scheduled starting at 5am with

devotion, exercise and 3 - 4 enlightening sessions in total before and

after lunch. The sessions included topics ranging from ‘The Keys to

Success’ to ‘Spiritual Confidence and Freedom’. The days ended with

social time, dinner and devotion followed by lights out at 10 pm.

Members were divided up into teams and charged with varying

responsibilities, which included the making of breakfast, conducting

devotion, the cleaning up of general areas of the compound and

participating in Sunday mass. On Sunday, everyone attended Mass and

performed a gospel calypso, learned in one of their sessions at the

retreat, entitled ‘Youth Quake’.

The aim of the annual retreat is to focus and reflect on our lives

from both a spiritual and social aspect without the disturbance of every

day distractions. All electronics were prohibited and no one was allowed

to leave the premises without the permission of the moderators and

being escorted by their parents. We sought to force ourselves to

contemplate on who we are as individuals and who we want to become

as life progresses. It also provoked thought as to the strength of our

relationship with God and how it could be improved.

Our retreat was a huge success and could not have been so

without the support of the members themselves and our moderators.

We especially could not have achieved such success without our

speakers who volunteered their time as well as all of the members of the

community and our very own Fr. George Agger, who sent us several

donations and in some cases stopped by to offer His support. They were

all appreciated and contributed significantly to the enjoyment of the

retreat.

We welcome any words of advice or support to help us in

our efforts to building a better future and a stronger youth group

in Christ.

1817

A Miracle?

Amazing......

Walter Mendonca

There is a famous hymn which begins with the words: “:Amazing

Grace....” and this is one of my favourite hymns. Amazing...we

experience amazing things in our day to day life. If we look around and

see, the whole creation is amazing. People are amazed at various

things, events and happenings in life. The beauty of nature, a beautiful

sunrise or sunset, the gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean are amazing.

We are amazed at what a computer can do today.

In the Gospels, people were amazed at the gracious words that

came from the mouth of Jesus. They were amazed at the miracles that

Jesus performed. I am sure amazing things have happened in your lives

too. There is a hymn the words of which are “Great things happen when

God mixes with men”. Yes, great and amazing things happen when God

mixes with men and when we experience God in our lives, amazing

things do take place..

I want to share with you all, about an amazing thing that

happened at St. William’s Church in Tortola, British Virgin Islands on the

Easter Vigil Night. It all happened this way: As I was getting ready for

the celebration of the Holy Week, some of the parishioners were helping

me in arranging the altar and decorate it for the Maundy or Holy

Thursday. As we were talking how to arrange things for Good Friday and

Easter Vigil, Fr. Van Chinnappan from the diocese of Mandeville in

Jamaica who had come to help me during the Holy Week suggested to

have a picture of the Risen Lord for the Vigil Service. I thought it was a

good idea and said to myself: ‘Why not have a picture of the Risen Lord

painted and then during the singing of the Gloria gradually pull it up on

the wall at the back of the altar during the Easter Vigil Mass to show as if

Christ is rising from the tomb’. I spoke about this idea to Pearl Friday,

who is the member of our Church and also an artist. She promised me

to paint the picture. She spent the whole of Good Friday night, painting

the picture of Jesus rising from the tomb on a thick white cloth. She

brought this picture to the Church on Holy Saturday morning. It was

amazing. I got the help of three men of our parish to arrange the

picture in such a away, so that it can be pulled up during the Easter Vigil

Mass. Indeed they did a wonderful job and no one could see the picture

as it is kept hidden behind the altar.

We began our Easter Vigil Service at 8.00 p.m. The Church was

almost full. As we came to the point of singing the “Gloria”, which was

lead by the choir, and as the bells were being rung, at the same time

1817

A Miracle?

Amazing......

Walter Mendonca

There is a famous hymn which begins with the words: “:Amazing

Grace....” and this is one of my favourite hymns. Amazing...we

experience amazing things in our day to day life. If we look around and

see, the whole creation is amazing. People are amazed at various

things, events and happenings in life. The beauty of nature, a beautiful

sunrise or sunset, the gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean are amazing.

We are amazed at what a computer can do today.

In the Gospels, people were amazed at the gracious words that

came from the mouth of Jesus. They were amazed at the miracles that

Jesus performed. I am sure amazing things have happened in your lives

too. There is a hymn the words of which are “Great things happen when

God mixes with men”. Yes, great and amazing things happen when God

mixes with men and when we experience God in our lives, amazing

things do take place..

I want to share with you all, about an amazing thing that

happened at St. William’s Church in Tortola, British Virgin Islands on the

Easter Vigil Night. It all happened this way: As I was getting ready for

the celebration of the Holy Week, some of the parishioners were helping

me in arranging the altar and decorate it for the Maundy or Holy

Thursday. As we were talking how to arrange things for Good Friday and

Easter Vigil, Fr. Van Chinnappan from the diocese of Mandeville in

Jamaica who had come to help me during the Holy Week suggested to

have a picture of the Risen Lord for the Vigil Service. I thought it was a

good idea and said to myself: ‘Why not have a picture of the Risen Lord

painted and then during the singing of the Gloria gradually pull it up on

the wall at the back of the altar during the Easter Vigil Mass to show as if

Christ is rising from the tomb’. I spoke about this idea to Pearl Friday,

who is the member of our Church and also an artist. She promised me

to paint the picture. She spent the whole of Good Friday night, painting

the picture of Jesus rising from the tomb on a thick white cloth. She

brought this picture to the Church on Holy Saturday morning. It was

amazing. I got the help of three men of our parish to arrange the

picture in such a away, so that it can be pulled up during the Easter Vigil

Mass. Indeed they did a wonderful job and no one could see the picture

as it is kept hidden behind the altar.

We began our Easter Vigil Service at 8.00 p.m. The Church was

almost full. As we came to the point of singing the “Gloria”, which was

lead by the choir, and as the bells were being rung, at the same time

2019

AMAZING......

people saw Jesus rising from the tomb from the back of the altar up on

the wall! It was marvellous and amazing. People were thrilled and

overjoyed experiencing the ‘resurrection’! After the Mass people started

speaking about it saying “It was amazing”. I was greeting the people

and wishing them the joy and peace of Easter. When there walks a

young man Jephet Gordon by name and shakes hands with me wishing

me happy Easter. Then he says to me, “Father, did you notice Mother

Mary in the picture?, it is amazing Father”. I said to him, “which

picture?” “The Risen Lord” he answered. He was all excited and started

to tell everyone around us.

After the people left the Church, I walked towards the altar, and a

few people accompanied me to see whether Mother Mary is present in

that painting. And behold, to our amazement, I noticed there, right

beside Jesus, his Mother Mary. It was amazing. The artist had painted

the Risen Lord with the tomb at the background and the stone rolled by.

And in the rest of the empty space, she had dragged her brush up and

down with couple of colours to give some background. She had never

intended to draw Mother Mary in that picture, but we saw her there,

right beside the Risen Lord.

Next morning, Easter Sunday, after the Mass, I spoke to the

people about this amazing fact. Pearl Friday, who painted this picture,

was right there in the Church and when she heard me saying, she

shouted at the top of her voice, “What?” She couldn’t believe herself.

She went close to the picture and saw Mother Mary in her painting. It is

amazing how her brush that she dragged up and down on that piece of

cloth after the painting of the Risen Lord, could put Mary there which she

never had intended. Several parishioners walked closed to the altar to

find Mary in the painting and all of them were amazed and some were in

tears, and said, “It is amazing, it is a miracle”.

One of the parishioners, Maxim Pazos by name, returned next

morning for Mass with his camera and took a few pictures of the

painting. In the photographs he took, were some close-ups in which

Mother Mary is very visible standing beside the Risen Lord. Speaking to

me and other people, he and his wife kept repeating, “Isn’t it amazing!”.

He was full of joy. Later on one of the parishioners speaking to me said,

“Father, the Lord is pleased with whatever activities we do in the Church.

The Lord is pleased with us. Great things happen when God mixes with

men.” Great and amazing things happen when we experience God in our

lives.

2019

AMAZING......

people saw Jesus rising from the tomb from the back of the altar up on

the wall! It was marvellous and amazing. People were thrilled and

overjoyed experiencing the ‘resurrection’! After the Mass people started

speaking about it saying “It was amazing”. I was greeting the people

and wishing them the joy and peace of Easter. When there walks a

young man Jephet Gordon by name and shakes hands with me wishing

me happy Easter. Then he says to me, “Father, did you notice Mother

Mary in the picture?, it is amazing Father”. I said to him, “which

picture?” “The Risen Lord” he answered. He was all excited and started

to tell everyone around us.

After the people left the Church, I walked towards the altar, and a

few people accompanied me to see whether Mother Mary is present in

that painting. And behold, to our amazement, I noticed there, right

beside Jesus, his Mother Mary. It was amazing. The artist had painted

the Risen Lord with the tomb at the background and the stone rolled by.

And in the rest of the empty space, she had dragged her brush up and

down with couple of colours to give some background. She had never

intended to draw Mother Mary in that picture, but we saw her there,

right beside the Risen Lord.

Next morning, Easter Sunday, after the Mass, I spoke to the

people about this amazing fact. Pearl Friday, who painted this picture,

was right there in the Church and when she heard me saying, she

shouted at the top of her voice, “What?” She couldn’t believe herself.

She went close to the picture and saw Mother Mary in her painting. It is

amazing how her brush that she dragged up and down on that piece of

cloth after the painting of the Risen Lord, could put Mary there which she

never had intended. Several parishioners walked closed to the altar to

find Mary in the painting and all of them were amazed and some were in

tears, and said, “It is amazing, it is a miracle”.

One of the parishioners, Maxim Pazos by name, returned next

morning for Mass with his camera and took a few pictures of the

painting. In the photographs he took, were some close-ups in which

Mother Mary is very visible standing beside the Risen Lord. Speaking to

me and other people, he and his wife kept repeating, “Isn’t it amazing!”.

He was full of joy. Later on one of the parishioners speaking to me said,

“Father, the Lord is pleased with whatever activities we do in the Church.

The Lord is pleased with us. Great things happen when God mixes with

men.” Great and amazing things happen when we experience God in our

lives.

2221

AMAZING...... Is this a miracle? Well, whether it is a miracle or not, the truth is

that the artist never had an intention of putting Mary in that painting.

The truth is also that Mary, the Mother of Jesus is there right beside the

Risen Lord. Pearl Friday, the artist is deeply moved and touched by this

event and says to me, “Father, I never thought of painting Mary, but

now God has rewarded me with this gift of Mother Mary. It is really

amazing.”

I want to conclude this article saying that ‘Mary was always there

with her son Jesus, and she must have been the first one to witness her

Son rising from the dead. Mary is still there beside her Son Jesus today,

interceding for all of us. We will be amazed to know and experience how

close Mary is to all of us and how much she loves and cares for us.’

“O Mary, our Mother, bless us all with your Loving Son Jesus”

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His footsteps.”~1 Peter 2:21

Meeting God in Jamaica

where Youth ministries thrives!

JAMAICA! The land of beauty, warmth, friendliness, spiritual

awareness, music, rhythm, exotic plants, and Mother Earth. Everyday I

am greeted by the morning sun and a chorus of birds busy gathering

their breakfast. In front of our house is the Caribbean sea with its

rich and varied hues of blue. Behind us sits the majestic Blue Ridge

Mountain Range which is covered with trees and dotted with

settlements. This is home to our people. It’s easy to see the Creator’s

hand in such rich natural beauty, especially at dusk. At this time of

the day we are treated to some of the most beautiful sunsets I have

ever seen.

Bernie Spitzley

2221

AMAZING...... Is this a miracle? Well, whether it is a miracle or not, the truth is

that the artist never had an intention of putting Mary in that painting.

The truth is also that Mary, the Mother of Jesus is there right beside the

Risen Lord. Pearl Friday, the artist is deeply moved and touched by this

event and says to me, “Father, I never thought of painting Mary, but

now God has rewarded me with this gift of Mother Mary. It is really

amazing.”

I want to conclude this article saying that ‘Mary was always there

with her son Jesus, and she must have been the first one to witness her

Son rising from the dead. Mary is still there beside her Son Jesus today,

interceding for all of us. We will be amazed to know and experience how

close Mary is to all of us and how much she loves and cares for us.’

“O Mary, our Mother, bless us all with your Loving Son Jesus”

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His footsteps.”~1 Peter 2:21

Meeting God in Jamaica

where Youth ministries thrives!

JAMAICA! The land of beauty, warmth, friendliness, spiritual

awareness, music, rhythm, exotic plants, and Mother Earth. Everyday I

am greeted by the morning sun and a chorus of birds busy gathering

their breakfast. In front of our house is the Caribbean sea with its

rich and varied hues of blue. Behind us sits the majestic Blue Ridge

Mountain Range which is covered with trees and dotted with

settlements. This is home to our people. It’s easy to see the Creator’s

hand in such rich natural beauty, especially at dusk. At this time of

the day we are treated to some of the most beautiful sunsets I have

ever seen.

Bernie Spitzley

2423

Music permeates everything. One can hardly walk anywhere

without a radio or jam box beating out an eclectic display of music from

Bob Marley to country western, and of course gospel. There seem to be

choirs everywhere in schools, churches and business places. The air is

rich with melodies that are deeply reverential and accompanied by

drums and percussions. The voices are absolutely marvelous! They blend

harmonies while the leader spontaneously calls forth a song which

beckons an even greater response. Such is the environment in the civil

parish of St. Thomas.

We are an excellent place for one to experience a CTP year. We

have two vibrant Bible sharing groups of young people who desire to

know more and experience Jesus. Each of our three churches have Bible

sharing sessions. Some groups gather in the church while many others

gather under a street light to break open the Scriptures with their

neighbors. There are computer classes at two of the churches, where

lessons range from the very basics to exploring the internet and

Facebook! Additionally, the churches have a combined youth group.

Human development is a never ending, yet rewarding ministry.

From my encounters with such desperately poor people I’ve come to a

new and deeper appreciation of the Beatitudes, in particular the first one

.. “Blessed are you who are poor, the Kingdom of heaven is yours” (Lk

6:20). Why would Jesus say that one who is poor has a spiritual

advantage over one who is rich? Could it be the poor know how much

they help they need? They do not have the riches and material things,

like I do to give a false sense of security. They are not necessarily

virtuous, but they are less likely then many of us to pretend that they

are. When they turn to God for help, they are not playing games ...

they are serious! Thus, they are so grateful for whatever they have.

The simplicity of our rural life, which I believe is the heart of the

people of St. Thomas civil parish, is both simple and profound.

Everything and everyone is considered good. Yes there is mischievous

and roguish behaviour, but this is not the substance of daily life. As

the country folk know, God provides for even the least of us. Just like

the birds in the air and the animals in the fields, the lush fruitful nature

cares for one and all.

However there is a rift in the lives of these people. Radio,

television, hard-driving DJ voices, dance hall music, the hard sell of

2423

Music permeates everything. One can hardly walk anywhere

without a radio or jam box beating out an eclectic display of music from

Bob Marley to country western, and of course gospel. There seem to be

choirs everywhere in schools, churches and business places. The air is

rich with melodies that are deeply reverential and accompanied by

drums and percussions. The voices are absolutely marvelous! They blend

harmonies while the leader spontaneously calls forth a song which

beckons an even greater response. Such is the environment in the civil

parish of St. Thomas.

We are an excellent place for one to experience a CTP year. We

have two vibrant Bible sharing groups of young people who desire to

know more and experience Jesus. Each of our three churches have Bible

sharing sessions. Some groups gather in the church while many others

gather under a street light to break open the Scriptures with their

neighbors. There are computer classes at two of the churches, where

lessons range from the very basics to exploring the internet and

Facebook! Additionally, the churches have a combined youth group.

Human development is a never ending, yet rewarding ministry.

From my encounters with such desperately poor people I’ve come to a

new and deeper appreciation of the Beatitudes, in particular the first one

.. “Blessed are you who are poor, the Kingdom of heaven is yours” (Lk

6:20). Why would Jesus say that one who is poor has a spiritual

advantage over one who is rich? Could it be the poor know how much

they help they need? They do not have the riches and material things,

like I do to give a false sense of security. They are not necessarily

virtuous, but they are less likely then many of us to pretend that they

are. When they turn to God for help, they are not playing games ...

they are serious! Thus, they are so grateful for whatever they have.

The simplicity of our rural life, which I believe is the heart of the

people of St. Thomas civil parish, is both simple and profound.

Everything and everyone is considered good. Yes there is mischievous

and roguish behaviour, but this is not the substance of daily life. As

the country folk know, God provides for even the least of us. Just like

the birds in the air and the animals in the fields, the lush fruitful nature

cares for one and all.

However there is a rift in the lives of these people. Radio,

television, hard-driving DJ voices, dance hall music, the hard sell of

Youth Ministry

2625

material goods all inject a restlessness into the soul of the country

people. The fascination of the city is a powerful force, so swarms of

simple rural people fly to the ‘honey’ of city life that is Kingston. What

they find is a bitter and destructive poison. The ‘ethics’ of the city is dog

eat dog. Everyone exists for him or herself, and no one else. Those from

the country have within them only the attitude of simple trust. They are

exploited to the last one, not knowing that everything and everyone is

up for grabs. The sacredness of life and people is not the governing

principle of life. In order to survive in the city, anything goes. Money is

hard to come by and the benevolence once offered by nature and people

has been replaced by an uncompromising attitude of ‘make a buck ‘

deceit in order to survive. One’s labour, one’s talent and one’s moral

integrity are quickly degraded in a competitive world. Whatever a

person can sell is sold, i.e. cocaine, ganja (marijuana), his or her body.

It’s a fast changing world in which life becomes a dollar.

Yes, the people of St. Thomas are simple and trust in God. Our

role here is to minster with the youth, and to empower the people to

come together to form community. We must support one another and

work together so as to transform their lives, and make their small world

a better place. At the end of the day, we pray and hope that they and

their children can experience a glimpse of the reign of God at hand!

Youth Ministry:

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Madrid, here we come! The activities and energies of our Parish

Youth Group for the last few weeks have been focused on their spiritual

preparation for the World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, and together with

that, the ambitious plan to raise funds to finance the six youth scheduled

to attend the WYD. Our youth will form one group with the youth of our

neighboring parish of St. William’s of Tortola. A good number of adults

will accompany them to Madrid. The total number of youth and adults

who will go to the WYD is 27, a very big number for Virgin Gorda’s and

Tortola’s Catholic population of less than two thousand.

Raising funds to the tune of $4,000.00 for each youth going to

Madrid is a test of their creativity and persistence, as well as their ability

Luis Lapus

Youth Ministry

2625

material goods all inject a restlessness into the soul of the country

people. The fascination of the city is a powerful force, so swarms of

simple rural people fly to the ‘honey’ of city life that is Kingston. What

they find is a bitter and destructive poison. The ‘ethics’ of the city is dog

eat dog. Everyone exists for him or herself, and no one else. Those from

the country have within them only the attitude of simple trust. They are

exploited to the last one, not knowing that everything and everyone is

up for grabs. The sacredness of life and people is not the governing

principle of life. In order to survive in the city, anything goes. Money is

hard to come by and the benevolence once offered by nature and people

has been replaced by an uncompromising attitude of ‘make a buck ‘

deceit in order to survive. One’s labour, one’s talent and one’s moral

integrity are quickly degraded in a competitive world. Whatever a

person can sell is sold, i.e. cocaine, ganja (marijuana), his or her body.

It’s a fast changing world in which life becomes a dollar.

Yes, the people of St. Thomas are simple and trust in God. Our

role here is to minster with the youth, and to empower the people to

come together to form community. We must support one another and

work together so as to transform their lives, and make their small world

a better place. At the end of the day, we pray and hope that they and

their children can experience a glimpse of the reign of God at hand!

Youth Ministry:

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Madrid, here we come! The activities and energies of our Parish

Youth Group for the last few weeks have been focused on their spiritual

preparation for the World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, and together with

that, the ambitious plan to raise funds to finance the six youth scheduled

to attend the WYD. Our youth will form one group with the youth of our

neighboring parish of St. William’s of Tortola. A good number of adults

will accompany them to Madrid. The total number of youth and adults

who will go to the WYD is 27, a very big number for Virgin Gorda’s and

Tortola’s Catholic population of less than two thousand.

Raising funds to the tune of $4,000.00 for each youth going to

Madrid is a test of their creativity and persistence, as well as their ability

Luis Lapus

2827

to inspire the adult community to back up their project. If you measure

the good will and the spirit of these young people, they are doing very

well. If you count the coins, paper bills and checks coming in, they are

still a few thousand dollars short of their goal. But we will reach there,

they assure us.

I asked one of them, what really is the goal of the parish youth

group. She first quoted the group’s motto, “By trusting in the love of

God we can accomplish our mission.” Then she said, “The group’s

purpose is to develop the total person emotionally, spiritually and

mentally. In order to achieve our purpose, the group encourages church

attendance, holds prayer sessions and Bible sharing, as well as tutoring

sessions and lessons by spiritual and motivated speakers. Of course, we

are young people, therefore there must be games, fun and music.”

She then continued to talk of her experience in being a member of

the St. Ursula’s Youth Group: “Being a member of the youth group

continues to be a very rewarding experience that has allowed me to

develop not only as a Catholic but as a member of society. We are taking

part in many church activities, including leading the Sunday Liturgy (as

singers, servers and commentators),

participating in the Christmas concerts

and in church fund raisers. We have also

assisted the Home for the Elderly on

Virgin Gorda and other needy persons in

the community. We have gone on many

sailing trips together, a very fun

experience. As a group we regularly

assist VISAR in their training as well as learn a lot from them about

water safety. Our group has travelled to Antigua and Tortola to attend

retreats where we had the opportunity to interact with other Catholic

youth groups in the diocese. Now, we are venturing to the World Youth

Day in Madrid, Spain. It is truly a blessing that I have been fortunate

enough to be a part of such a wonderful group. I pray that it will

continue to develop and become an even better youth group in the years

to come.” (Chelsea Jno Baptiste, 17)

Our young people are highly motivated. And as pastors, we should

be proud of that. But there is a big down side of our youth ministry,

which affects all parishes in the diocese – it is the phenomenon of

emigration. Many of our youth will soon leave the parish in order to

pursue higher studies abroad, and some of these may not come back. In

addition, a good number will also go to US and England in search of

better work opportunities.

Once our young people leave the island, will they be as active in

their new parishes? Or even a more worrying question, will they still

continue to practice their faith in a new environment? Will their

preoccupation to find a job negatively affect their practice of the faith?

Will falling in love with a non-Catholic signal the end of their Catholic

life?

While we form our youth to be good, active Catholics in the

present, we still have another task: to prepare them for future life, which

for many may be a life which will be lived outside the island of their

birth.

2827

to inspire the adult community to back up their project. If you measure

the good will and the spirit of these young people, they are doing very

well. If you count the coins, paper bills and checks coming in, they are

still a few thousand dollars short of their goal. But we will reach there,

they assure us.

I asked one of them, what really is the goal of the parish youth

group. She first quoted the group’s motto, “By trusting in the love of

God we can accomplish our mission.” Then she said, “The group’s

purpose is to develop the total person emotionally, spiritually and

mentally. In order to achieve our purpose, the group encourages church

attendance, holds prayer sessions and Bible sharing, as well as tutoring

sessions and lessons by spiritual and motivated speakers. Of course, we

are young people, therefore there must be games, fun and music.”

She then continued to talk of her experience in being a member of

the St. Ursula’s Youth Group: “Being a member of the youth group

continues to be a very rewarding experience that has allowed me to

develop not only as a Catholic but as a member of society. We are taking

part in many church activities, including leading the Sunday Liturgy (as

singers, servers and commentators),

participating in the Christmas concerts

and in church fund raisers. We have also

assisted the Home for the Elderly on

Virgin Gorda and other needy persons in

the community. We have gone on many

sailing trips together, a very fun

experience. As a group we regularly

assist VISAR in their training as well as learn a lot from them about

water safety. Our group has travelled to Antigua and Tortola to attend

retreats where we had the opportunity to interact with other Catholic

youth groups in the diocese. Now, we are venturing to the World Youth

Day in Madrid, Spain. It is truly a blessing that I have been fortunate

enough to be a part of such a wonderful group. I pray that it will

continue to develop and become an even better youth group in the years

to come.” (Chelsea Jno Baptiste, 17)

Our young people are highly motivated. And as pastors, we should

be proud of that. But there is a big down side of our youth ministry,

which affects all parishes in the diocese – it is the phenomenon of

emigration. Many of our youth will soon leave the parish in order to

pursue higher studies abroad, and some of these may not come back. In

addition, a good number will also go to US and England in search of

better work opportunities.

Once our young people leave the island, will they be as active in

their new parishes? Or even a more worrying question, will they still

continue to practice their faith in a new environment? Will their

preoccupation to find a job negatively affect their practice of the faith?

Will falling in love with a non-Catholic signal the end of their Catholic

life?

While we form our youth to be good, active Catholics in the

present, we still have another task: to prepare them for future life, which

for many may be a life which will be lived outside the island of their

birth.

3029

Youth Of

St. Thomas Parish

“Wha gwaan?”

“Ah cool, mon; ah cool”

Thus may begin any one of a myriad of conversations between our youth

or between one of our youth and myself. That opener, coupled with a

handshake and a rhythmic rubbing of thumbs and you know you are in

Jamaica and mixing with our vibrant youth group here in the civic parish

of St. Thomas in beautiful Jamaica, “land we love” (national anthem).

The youth meet every Saturday afternoon and have one of their

four monthly activities. The cycle of activities is group discussion,

corporal works of mercy, Liturgy preparation and spiritual exercise.

Inevitably, a regular topic on the group discussion day is anything

in or around sex, relationships, friendships, or religion. I am happy that

they can be open with us on these topics and if we can lay some

foundation for values and for spiritual commitment, then all the better.

It was said again recently, and not for the first time, that our youth are

searching for meaning, for identity; they are searching for God; but

they lack direction. They are idealistic and we need to find ways to

channel that idealism in good and wholesome ways. Here in the parish

of St. Thomas, unemployment figures are very high and the youth do

not see many prospects for a future around here. So, those who can

head for colleges in Kingston and beyond and, sad to say, many of them

do not come back to the parish. They seek opportunities for work and

further education beyond the parish boundaries.

The Saturday that we have corporal works of mercy is both an

exciting one but also a not-very-popular one. Contradiction? Maybe!

Those who are really committed to the group come out on that Saturday

and participate in a visit to some

of our shut-ins (house-bound

elderly), or to the Infirmary

(Home for elderly citizens) and

the children’s hospital. It is

heart-warming to see how well

our youth interact on these

visits. In a sense, this is the

Saturday that we see a

distinction between those of our

Frank Power

3029

Youth Of

St. Thomas Parish

“Wha gwaan?”

“Ah cool, mon; ah cool”

Thus may begin any one of a myriad of conversations between our youth

or between one of our youth and myself. That opener, coupled with a

handshake and a rhythmic rubbing of thumbs and you know you are in

Jamaica and mixing with our vibrant youth group here in the civic parish

of St. Thomas in beautiful Jamaica, “land we love” (national anthem).

The youth meet every Saturday afternoon and have one of their

four monthly activities. The cycle of activities is group discussion,

corporal works of mercy, Liturgy preparation and spiritual exercise.

Inevitably, a regular topic on the group discussion day is anything

in or around sex, relationships, friendships, or religion. I am happy that

they can be open with us on these topics and if we can lay some

foundation for values and for spiritual commitment, then all the better.

It was said again recently, and not for the first time, that our youth are

searching for meaning, for identity; they are searching for God; but

they lack direction. They are idealistic and we need to find ways to

channel that idealism in good and wholesome ways. Here in the parish

of St. Thomas, unemployment figures are very high and the youth do

not see many prospects for a future around here. So, those who can

head for colleges in Kingston and beyond and, sad to say, many of them

do not come back to the parish. They seek opportunities for work and

further education beyond the parish boundaries.

The Saturday that we have corporal works of mercy is both an

exciting one but also a not-very-popular one. Contradiction? Maybe!

Those who are really committed to the group come out on that Saturday

and participate in a visit to some

of our shut-ins (house-bound

elderly), or to the Infirmary

(Home for elderly citizens) and

the children’s hospital. It is

heart-warming to see how well

our youth interact on these

visits. In a sense, this is the

Saturday that we see a

distinction between those of our

Frank Power

3231

youth who are REALLY committed to the group and those on the

peripheries. Visiting the Shut-ins and the Infirmary is not easy for the

youth, but we can help them get more accustomed to this kind of

ministry and service.

The Saturday of Liturgy

preparation is there because on the

following day, the celebration of the

Mass in one of our three churches

will be led by the youth. They

choose and prepare the hymns; they

prepare and participate in the

Readings and other ministries for the

celebration. I have to say they are

not the best singers – this will not

be news to them when they read

this!! But they do try and they get

support from the community. I am

hoping we can do some more work

with them in terms of singing and

learning to play musical instruments.

The Saturday of spiritual

exercise is somewhat ‘iffy’, to say

the least. It is an attempt to expose

them to different kinds of prayer and

to help them grow in their

relationship with Jesus. This one is a

real challenge and probably, the least well attended of the four

Saturdays of each month. It is also an opportunity to talk about

different religions. The Catholic Church is just 2.6% in Jamaica and only

1% here in this civil parish. The Catholic Church comes in for a lot of

criticism and most of it is due to misunderstanding, confusion or just

ignorance. Christians ‘hear’ about activities and rituals in the Church

and then presume they know about them. Statues in our churches, use

of incense at funerals, ritual and symbols, calling the priest “Father”, are

just some of the areas of confusion. So education and formation in faith

is so vital for our youth.

When there is a fifth Saturday in the month, it is meant to be

some kind of social activity. The group discussion and social activity

Saturdays are the best attended, AND if there is food being shared!!

They are good young people. They have represented themselves

well at parish and Deanery level and we can be proud of them. This

year’s annual Inter-Deanery Bible Quiz saw our Deanery win and two of

those on the team were from our parish. “Big-up” to our young people.

Trying to understand them when they speak is a real challenge. As

a pastoral team, we are trying to help them find a good direction in life.

They want to be around the Church and we need to tap into their

enthusiasm and energy.

“Ok?”

“Yeah, mon.”

“Cool”………

3231

youth who are REALLY committed to the group and those on the

peripheries. Visiting the Shut-ins and the Infirmary is not easy for the

youth, but we can help them get more accustomed to this kind of

ministry and service.

The Saturday of Liturgy

preparation is there because on the

following day, the celebration of the

Mass in one of our three churches

will be led by the youth. They

choose and prepare the hymns; they

prepare and participate in the

Readings and other ministries for the

celebration. I have to say they are

not the best singers – this will not

be news to them when they read

this!! But they do try and they get

support from the community. I am

hoping we can do some more work

with them in terms of singing and

learning to play musical instruments.

The Saturday of spiritual

exercise is somewhat ‘iffy’, to say

the least. It is an attempt to expose

them to different kinds of prayer and

to help them grow in their

relationship with Jesus. This one is a

real challenge and probably, the least well attended of the four

Saturdays of each month. It is also an opportunity to talk about

different religions. The Catholic Church is just 2.6% in Jamaica and only

1% here in this civil parish. The Catholic Church comes in for a lot of

criticism and most of it is due to misunderstanding, confusion or just

ignorance. Christians ‘hear’ about activities and rituals in the Church

and then presume they know about them. Statues in our churches, use

of incense at funerals, ritual and symbols, calling the priest “Father”, are

just some of the areas of confusion. So education and formation in faith

is so vital for our youth.

When there is a fifth Saturday in the month, it is meant to be

some kind of social activity. The group discussion and social activity

Saturdays are the best attended, AND if there is food being shared!!

They are good young people. They have represented themselves

well at parish and Deanery level and we can be proud of them. This

year’s annual Inter-Deanery Bible Quiz saw our Deanery win and two of

those on the team were from our parish. “Big-up” to our young people.

Trying to understand them when they speak is a real challenge. As

a pastoral team, we are trying to help them find a good direction in life.

They want to be around the Church and we need to tap into their

enthusiasm and energy.

“Ok?”

“Yeah, mon.”

“Cool”………

3433

“What’s Next,

Father?”

Since my ordination in 1992, my main focus had been education; and

so, working with young people between the ages of 5 to 18 became my

main ministry in Antigua, West Indies. I was in the very formal

structures of “youth ministry” with school bells, class schedules, lesson

plans, and everything else that being an administrator, teacher, chaplain

and music director had to offer. I became involved with youth workshops

in other churches…and found such energy, life and creativity amongst

God’s “younger” people.

And then, I was transferred to become pastor on the Dutch side of

St. Maarten, West Indies. In a whole new situation, with a ministry that

had a completely new orientation, I was exposed to the full spectrum of

a large parish with committees, finances, schools, and outreach

programs at the hospital, prison, nursing home and food pantry. It

seemed my life had taken a different turn. My interaction with children

and young people became more limited, less consistent, and more within

the “liturgical” moments of the Church.

Presiding at the school Masses for the children, I realized I missed

the overall energy and perspective only children and young people can

give…but, I certainly DID NOT miss the work that entailed writing out

lesson plans, compiling report cards and correcting endless amounts of

homework assignments. I almost seemed to be on two different ends of

the spectrum in regards to how I felt and how I wanted to fit in with

young people in my life.

In preparing for my Easter homily in the parish, I kept asking God,

“What is the message you want me to give your people this Easter?”

Every time I asked the question, I kept hearing the same, simple

answer: “HOPE.”

As I reflected on the “hopeful” moments I experienced in the

parish these last fifteen months as pastor, they all had one common

thread: the youth.

St. Maarten has had a lot of youth violence lately, ultimately

resulting in deaths. As I have had to have funerals for young people in

their teens, I began to ponder on almost a sense of hopelessness with

many of our youth. As I was walking from one of the graves one day

Bob Johnson

3433

“What’s Next,

Father?”

Since my ordination in 1992, my main focus had been education; and

so, working with young people between the ages of 5 to 18 became my

main ministry in Antigua, West Indies. I was in the very formal

structures of “youth ministry” with school bells, class schedules, lesson

plans, and everything else that being an administrator, teacher, chaplain

and music director had to offer. I became involved with youth workshops

in other churches…and found such energy, life and creativity amongst

God’s “younger” people.

And then, I was transferred to become pastor on the Dutch side of

St. Maarten, West Indies. In a whole new situation, with a ministry that

had a completely new orientation, I was exposed to the full spectrum of

a large parish with committees, finances, schools, and outreach

programs at the hospital, prison, nursing home and food pantry. It

seemed my life had taken a different turn. My interaction with children

and young people became more limited, less consistent, and more within

the “liturgical” moments of the Church.

Presiding at the school Masses for the children, I realized I missed

the overall energy and perspective only children and young people can

give…but, I certainly DID NOT miss the work that entailed writing out

lesson plans, compiling report cards and correcting endless amounts of

homework assignments. I almost seemed to be on two different ends of

the spectrum in regards to how I felt and how I wanted to fit in with

young people in my life.

In preparing for my Easter homily in the parish, I kept asking God,

“What is the message you want me to give your people this Easter?”

Every time I asked the question, I kept hearing the same, simple

answer: “HOPE.”

As I reflected on the “hopeful” moments I experienced in the

parish these last fifteen months as pastor, they all had one common

thread: the youth.

St. Maarten has had a lot of youth violence lately, ultimately

resulting in deaths. As I have had to have funerals for young people in

their teens, I began to ponder on almost a sense of hopelessness with

many of our youth. As I was walking from one of the graves one day

Bob Johnson

3635

back to my car, I noticed three teenagers sitting on a specific grave that

I had to directly pass in front of. I started to think about my encounter

with them, and decided I would walk by with a polite: “Good afternoon.”

As I walked by, not expecting much of an encounter (if any), I greeted

the three teenagers and kept walking. Within about ten seconds, one of

the teenagers called me back, saying: “Pastor, excuse me, but would

you come back and pray with us?” A little startled I went back. She

explained the three of them had been there sitting on the tombstone of a

young person, a friend of theirs, who had been killed. She then asked

me to pray with them. After the prayer, I engaged them in

conversation, and then went to leave them. As I started to walk away,

one of the other youth responded: “Before you go, pastor, would you

come back and bless us?” A sense of hope…

After the Good Friday Service, I was standing in the sacristy, and

while others were putting things away, etc. I noticed a father and son

standing in the midst of all of it. I started to wonder if they were there

about possibly explaining why the young man should be Confirmed

(since the catechists had just told a group of candidates and parents that

their Confirmation would be delayed!). After everyone left, the two came

towards me (I took a deep breath, thinking this is all I need after several

Good Friday Services…what was next?) The father said: “Fr. Bob, my

son wants to speak to you.” I looked at the young man and he handed

me a paper with a picture he had drawn of Jesus on the cross with the

following words: “Jesus died on the cross because He loved us.” I

thanked the young man, very touched by his action and told him that I

would use the picture in my room the rest of Good Friday to meditate on

such an act of love Jesus had for

us. Another moment I

experienced “hope.”

During Holy Week, a ten

year old parishioner came up to

me and asked: “Father, I want to

help…what can I do?” The

women were cleaning and

decorating for Holy Thursday, so

I mentioned to them we had a

young helper. They told the

young girl that the biggest help

she could give was to help

“polish” all the pews in the

church. I held my breath for a

moment wondering whether that

was the kind of help the young ten year old was thinking of when she

said she wanted to help. The young ten year old looked at the lady and

said: “No problem, where are the rags and oil?” Later I came into the

church, and the two women getting ready for Holy Thursday responded

in amazement, “Father, Karen (changed the name to protect the

innocent!) has polished almost all the pews in the church.” She told us

to tell you she will come back later to finish because she promised to go

help at her old pre-school today. When I saw “Karen” later in the day,

she said: “Father, I came to finish up…” She then looked at me and

said, “Father, what’s next?” I could not believe the commitment and

3635

back to my car, I noticed three teenagers sitting on a specific grave that

I had to directly pass in front of. I started to think about my encounter

with them, and decided I would walk by with a polite: “Good afternoon.”

As I walked by, not expecting much of an encounter (if any), I greeted

the three teenagers and kept walking. Within about ten seconds, one of

the teenagers called me back, saying: “Pastor, excuse me, but would

you come back and pray with us?” A little startled I went back. She

explained the three of them had been there sitting on the tombstone of a

young person, a friend of theirs, who had been killed. She then asked

me to pray with them. After the prayer, I engaged them in

conversation, and then went to leave them. As I started to walk away,

one of the other youth responded: “Before you go, pastor, would you

come back and bless us?” A sense of hope…

After the Good Friday Service, I was standing in the sacristy, and

while others were putting things away, etc. I noticed a father and son

standing in the midst of all of it. I started to wonder if they were there

about possibly explaining why the young man should be Confirmed

(since the catechists had just told a group of candidates and parents that

their Confirmation would be delayed!). After everyone left, the two came

towards me (I took a deep breath, thinking this is all I need after several

Good Friday Services…what was next?) The father said: “Fr. Bob, my

son wants to speak to you.” I looked at the young man and he handed

me a paper with a picture he had drawn of Jesus on the cross with the

following words: “Jesus died on the cross because He loved us.” I

thanked the young man, very touched by his action and told him that I

would use the picture in my room the rest of Good Friday to meditate on

such an act of love Jesus had for

us. Another moment I

experienced “hope.”

During Holy Week, a ten

year old parishioner came up to

me and asked: “Father, I want to

help…what can I do?” The

women were cleaning and

decorating for Holy Thursday, so

I mentioned to them we had a

young helper. They told the

young girl that the biggest help

she could give was to help

“polish” all the pews in the

church. I held my breath for a

moment wondering whether that

was the kind of help the young ten year old was thinking of when she

said she wanted to help. The young ten year old looked at the lady and

said: “No problem, where are the rags and oil?” Later I came into the

church, and the two women getting ready for Holy Thursday responded

in amazement, “Father, Karen (changed the name to protect the

innocent!) has polished almost all the pews in the church.” She told us

to tell you she will come back later to finish because she promised to go

help at her old pre-school today. When I saw “Karen” later in the day,

she said: “Father, I came to finish up…” She then looked at me and

said, “Father, what’s next?” I could not believe the commitment and

3837

dedication of my young ten year old parishioner! I stood there in awe,

and remembered once again a profound sense of “hope” this young child

had given.

When I shared these moments of “hope” at the Easter homily and

came to the story of the ten year old parishioner, the community in the

church that Easter Sunday morning applauded with excitement. After the

applause subsided, I responded to the community by asking them if they

felt inspired…moved…touched. And a loud chorus responded: “Amen,

Father!” I looked at the community for a moment, and then responded:

“Then people of God, I only have one question for you that a ten year

old parishioner taught me: “What’s next?” It is not enough to simply sit

in the pew…what is next? And will each of us be able to “rise up” and

say to our community: “What’s next?”

The Resurrection of Jesus is all about hope…for me these sixteen

months as pastor of the parish in St. Maarten the moments of “hope” so

many times have come from children and young people…and in their

own way, they have made me have to reflect in my own life as believer

in Jesus Christ to reflect on what should I be doing…how I should be

serving…and in directions should I be leading God’s people as pastor?

“What’s next?”

Youth --

The Present Of The Church

The word youth is itself so meaningful. That is why many people long

to act as if the spirit of youth never dies. A lot of people talk about youth

being the future of the Church. That couldn’t be more wrong. Youth are

not only the future of the Church but the present Church, and the future

of the Church depends on them. Thus when the older generation passes

on, their place will be occupied by the next generation whom we called

youth.

The words: “Future of the Church” only serve to further alienate youth

who are in a stage of their lives where they need something to hang on

to; something that they know is greater than themselves, that brings

YOHANES LUNGA BALLY

3837

dedication of my young ten year old parishioner! I stood there in awe,

and remembered once again a profound sense of “hope” this young child

had given.

When I shared these moments of “hope” at the Easter homily and

came to the story of the ten year old parishioner, the community in the

church that Easter Sunday morning applauded with excitement. After the

applause subsided, I responded to the community by asking them if they

felt inspired…moved…touched. And a loud chorus responded: “Amen,

Father!” I looked at the community for a moment, and then responded:

“Then people of God, I only have one question for you that a ten year

old parishioner taught me: “What’s next?” It is not enough to simply sit

in the pew…what is next? And will each of us be able to “rise up” and

say to our community: “What’s next?”

The Resurrection of Jesus is all about hope…for me these sixteen

months as pastor of the parish in St. Maarten the moments of “hope” so

many times have come from children and young people…and in their

own way, they have made me have to reflect in my own life as believer

in Jesus Christ to reflect on what should I be doing…how I should be

serving…and in directions should I be leading God’s people as pastor?

“What’s next?”

Youth --

The Present Of The Church

The word youth is itself so meaningful. That is why many people long

to act as if the spirit of youth never dies. A lot of people talk about youth

being the future of the Church. That couldn’t be more wrong. Youth are

not only the future of the Church but the present Church, and the future

of the Church depends on them. Thus when the older generation passes

on, their place will be occupied by the next generation whom we called

youth.

The words: “Future of the Church” only serve to further alienate youth

who are in a stage of their lives where they need something to hang on

to; something that they know is greater than themselves, that brings

YOHANES LUNGA BALLY

them back to the loving arms of Christ. We adults need to change our

language to be more inclusive. We need to let go of our fears that the

youth in our Churches will somehow screw things up. We need to truly

take the position of being mentors to these young people. The youth that

attend services – any service – are present. They are participants in the

Body of Christ, and their hearts and minds are joined with the

congregation in communion in the present, now! The Church has many

challenges in reaching out to young people. But the Church has a

compelling message for young people, and as disciples we have to have

watch each other’s backs. Here is the situation. How do we allow them

their freedom and help them to face today’s challenges and stand firm

to recognize that they are the present of the church?

As we know, today’s youth worldwide, live with so many

temptations such as drugs, violence, wars and glorified sex in the media.

The biggest challenges for our youth as it is seen in the parish, are; a

lack of care and love from homes, poverty; a weak educational system

as the government is not paying attention and a lack of interfaith

dialogue. For Christians in Jamaica, there is a need for interfaith dialogue

and we need to redefine what mission means in the context of plurality

of religions. This means a new approach to missio dei. Ecumenical

cooperation among youth is limited in action. We need to use our human

resources to bring greater cooperation among youth. Christian students

and youth movement that were the frontline of this ecumenical

movement have somehow faded and lost their zeal. We need to promote

as many programs as possible to help our youth reach their full

potential, within our church, ecumenically and in society.

We believe our youth will respond to this. In fact, when inspired by the

Light of Christ, they’re more ready to participate and volunteer to serve

than most adults! So mentor the young people in your assemblies.

They’re not the future. They’re the present NOW!

4039

SVD Caribbean District Retreat Mount of Prayer, St. LuciaMay 2-5, 2011

Retreat Speaker: Steve Bevans

them back to the loving arms of Christ. We adults need to change our

language to be more inclusive. We need to let go of our fears that the

youth in our Churches will somehow screw things up. We need to truly

take the position of being mentors to these young people. The youth that

attend services – any service – are present. They are participants in the

Body of Christ, and their hearts and minds are joined with the

congregation in communion in the present, now! The Church has many

challenges in reaching out to young people. But the Church has a

compelling message for young people, and as disciples we have to have

watch each other’s backs. Here is the situation. How do we allow them

their freedom and help them to face today’s challenges and stand firm

to recognize that they are the present of the church?

As we know, today’s youth worldwide, live with so many

temptations such as drugs, violence, wars and glorified sex in the media.

The biggest challenges for our youth as it is seen in the parish, are; a

lack of care and love from homes, poverty; a weak educational system

as the government is not paying attention and a lack of interfaith

dialogue. For Christians in Jamaica, there is a need for interfaith dialogue

and we need to redefine what mission means in the context of plurality

of religions. This means a new approach to missio dei. Ecumenical

cooperation among youth is limited in action. We need to use our human

resources to bring greater cooperation among youth. Christian students

and youth movement that were the frontline of this ecumenical

movement have somehow faded and lost their zeal. We need to promote

as many programs as possible to help our youth reach their full

potential, within our church, ecumenically and in society.

We believe our youth will respond to this. In fact, when inspired by the

Light of Christ, they’re more ready to participate and volunteer to serve

than most adults! So mentor the young people in your assemblies.

They’re not the future. They’re the present NOW!

4039

SVD Caribbean District Retreat Mount of Prayer, St. LuciaMay 2-5, 2011

Retreat Speaker: Steve Bevans

ANGUILLA

Pawel Czoch

ANTIGUA

Ante Jeroncic

Pierre Tevi-Benissan

Robert Ratajczak

MONTSERRAT

George Agger

VIRGIN GORDA

Luis Lapus

TORTOLA

Walter Mendonca

ST. KITTS

Bernard Latus

Jan Pastuszczak

Vicente Dominguez

Xuan Ho

NEVIS

Zbigniew Orlikowski

Jamaica

Adam Oleszczuk

Bernie Spitzley

Bobby Lucas Yeh

Frank Power

Yohanes Lunga Bally

St. Maarten

Robert Johnson

Manuel Antao

Miguel Lopez

Peter Son Le

Pawel Czoch

Jan Pastuszczak

AdamOleszczuk

WalterMendonca

Bob Johnson

Luis LapusYohanesBally

Robert Ratajczak

BernardLatus

XuanHo

Mark Weber

ManuelAntao

ZbigniewOrlikowski

Bobby Lucas Yeh

Ante Jeroncic

Miguel Lopez

VicenteDominguez

Pierre Tevi-Benissan

Bernie Spitzley

FrankPower

GeorgeAgger

Peter Son Le

Caribbeandistrict

s v d c h i c a g o p r o v i n c e

ANGUILLA

Pawel Czoch

ANTIGUA

Ante Jeroncic

Pierre Tevi-Benissan

Robert Ratajczak

MONTSERRAT

George Agger

VIRGIN GORDA

Luis Lapus

TORTOLA

Walter Mendonca

ST. KITTS

Bernard Latus

Jan Pastuszczak

Vicente Dominguez

Xuan Ho

NEVIS

Zbigniew Orlikowski

Jamaica

Adam Oleszczuk

Bernie Spitzley

Bobby Lucas Yeh

Frank Power

Yohanes Lunga Bally

St. Maarten

Robert Johnson

Manuel Antao

Miguel Lopez

Peter Son Le

Pawel Czoch

Jan Pastuszczak

AdamOleszczuk

WalterMendonca

Bob Johnson

Luis LapusYohanesBally

Robert Ratajczak

BernardLatus

XuanHo

Mark Weber

ManuelAntao

ZbigniewOrlikowski

Bobby Lucas Yeh

Ante Jeroncic

Miguel Lopez

VicenteDominguez

Pierre Tevi-Benissan

Bernie Spitzley

FrankPower

GeorgeAgger

Peter Son Le

Caribbeandistrict

s v d c h i c a g o p r o v i n c e

Youth Ministry

Divine Word Missionaries

Caribbeandistrict

s v d c h i c a g o p r o v i n c e

n e w s l e t t e r

Diocese of St. John’s-BasseterreANGUILLAPawel Czoch

ANTIGUAAnte JeroncicPierre Tevi-BenissanRobert Ratajczak

MONTSERRATGeorge Agger

VIRGIN GORDALuis Lapus

TORTOLAWalter Mendonca

ST. KITTSBernard LatusJan PastuszczakVicente DominguezXuan Ho

NEVISZbigniew Orlikowski

Arch-Diocese of KingstonJamaicaAdam OleszczukBernie SpitzleyBobby Lucas YehFrank PowerYohanes Lunga Bally

Diocese of WillemstadSt. MaartenBob JohnsonManuel AntaoMiguel LopezPeter Son Le

Divine Word Missionaries serve in 3 dioceses in Caribbean islands

How to reach us?Divine Word Missionaries

Chicago Provincewww.divineword.org