Saturday, November 6, 2010

Cuba's Castro meets Catholic Church leaders

Cuba's Castro meets Catholic Church leaders

Church sources said the talks touched on the issue of imprisoned dissidents
Cuban President Raul Castro has held a rare meeting with leading members of the Catholic Church.

Mr Castro met Cardinal Jaime Ortega, head of the country's Church, along with Archbishop Dionisio Garcia of Santiago.

Wednesday's talks touched on the sensitive issue of imprisoned political dissidents, Church sources said, without providing details.

This comes ahead of a visit next month by the Vatican's foreign secretary.

Dissidents hope that the visit of Archbishop Dominique Memberti could lead to the release of some political prisoners, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana.

The official Communist party newspaper - Granma - said the discussions had covered relations between Church and state, as well as international and domestic issues.

'Small steps'
Archbishop Garcia, the head of Cuba's bishops' conference, was cautious when asked whether the discussion might lead to an agreement to free dissidents.

"There will be a process and this process has to start with small steps and these steps will be made," he was quoted as saying by AFP. "We hope that the conversation will go in that direction."

Earlier this month Cardinal Ortega successfully mediated between the Cuban authorities and a group of wives and female relatives of imprisoned dissidents, known as the Ladies in White.

That resulted in the group being allowed to resume their Sunday marches in Havana free from harassment by government supporters.

In the early days of the revolution, Cuba officially became an atheist state, but relations with the Church have been steadily improving since Pope John Paul II's historic visit in 1998.

DVI: Sr. Lucía Fernández OP is the new director

DVI: Sr. Lucía Fernández OP is the new director

DVI’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

DVI’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

Friday, November 5, 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

CSM regional meeting at Mona, anniversary Mass in Curepe

The Catholic Students’ Movement (CSM) held its annual regional meeting from September 23-26 under the theme Sharing the Vision, Living the Life.


Mona, Jamaica campus hosted the meeting with visiting representatives being welcomed by CSM Mona chaplain, Fr Orville Shields and his student body.
Meeting participants were Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, Antilles Episcopal Conference liaison to the CSM; Fr Shields; Afiya Bynoe, CSM president, Mona; Martina Rodriguez, CSM vice president, Mona; Fr Charles Dominique OP, chaplain, Cave Hill campus, Barbados; Gabrielle Moore, CSM president, Cave Hill; Sr Monique Moniquette OP, chaplain, St Augustine campus, Trinidad; Micah Martin, CSM president, St Augustine; and Sr Mary Anthony HF, chaplain, University of Trinidad & Tobago.
The main events of the weekend included an address on the theme by Bishop Malzaire, the reading of the 2009 minutes, and presidents’ reports.
The CSM Constitution was also discussed in relation to broadening CSM’s scope to embrace other tertiary institutions.
Plans for the 20th anniversary were discussed with CSM St Augustine taking the lead, along with a few faith-building sessions that were interwoven among the main activities. The weekend concluded with a visit to Dunn’s River for some adventure and relaxation.

The anniversary celebrations on October 9, began with a concelebrated Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Curepe. Archbishop Edward Gilbert was the main celebrant with concelebrating priests including many who have served as CSM chaplains. An alumni choir led the singing.
In his homily, Archbishop Gilbert congratulated the Movement for its dedicated commitment to serving the university community in the region, noting that while the CSM was formally established 20 years ago, it is really celebrating 45 years of continued service and ministry from its beginnings at UWI Mona, Jamaica. He reminded the large gathering of students and alumni that as lay persons they have a special mission of evangelisation on and off campus.
Giving brief remarks, Sr Monique thanked the Dominican order for its long support for campus ministry, as well as all those who had supported the movement over the years.
Many past CSM presidents greeted the congregation and the current CSM St Augustine president, Micah Martin, announced a number of activities to mark the anniversary. After Mass all were invited for refreshments at the nearby church hall.

New Acolytes in Grenada


In the presence of their wives and other family members, six married men were instituted in the order of Acolyte by Bishop Vincent Darius OP, during an October 9 Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, Grand Anse.
The six new acolytes, in the third year of training for the diaconate, are: Carlyle Glean Jr, Raphael Johnson, Anthony Joseph, Loftus McMillan, Goderick Pierre and Cecil St Louis.
In his homily, Bishop Darius told the newly-instituted acolytes not to limit their ministry to their liturgical duties but to extend it into the wider community.
The permanent diaconate course in the diocese of St George’s, Grenada is being directed by Fr Clifton Harris OP and will end with their ordination as deacons in 2011.
The term “acolyte” was formerly used to denote young men and women (altar servers) who assist at the altar in liturgical celebrations. The ministry of instituted acolyte is a permanent institution. It is the responsibility of the acolyte to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels for Mass. If necessary he also assists with the distribution of Holy Communion. In the absence of a deacon the acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table where he purifies them and returns them to their proper place.

Passing of the later Barbados PM


Statement from the Apostolic Administer


The Catholic Church in Barbados joins in the national mourning over the death of Prime Minister David Thompson. The passing of such a young and promising leader has touched the entire nation. I am sure that his suffering prior to his death will serve as a source of strength and blessing for the leadership of this country. The Catholic Church in Barbados celebrated Mass and offered many prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased Prime Minister. The Church extends its sympathy to the Government and People of Barbados in recognition of the deceased Prime Minister’s love for country and dedication to public service. In recognition of his strong family values, the Church also extends condolences to his beloved wife, daughters and extended family who mourn the loss of their loved one. As Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Bridgetown I will be present at the funeral on Wednesday, November 3, 2010. May he rest in peace.

+ Robert Rivas, OP,
Apostolic Administrator,
Diocese of Bridgetown.
October 25, 2010.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Dominicans and the Challenge of Thomism

Dominicans and the Challenge of Thomism

The Preacher




With those friends who disclaim all knowledge
of God, I boast and I say,
"I know Him",
and I say I am speaking from my own experience.
But my friends say: "Be reasonable, how
can you know Him, how can you be so sure
that you are not self-deceived?" This question,
I know is honest, and I know it demands
for an answer not these obscure words
about experience, but the clear evidence
of a man's life. However, I will say it
here again, and even to my own doubting heart
and to my five agnostic senses: "I know Him".

Bro Paul Murray o.p.

Dominican Jubilee - Jubileo Dominicano - Jubilé Dominicain

Dominican Jubilee - Jubileo Dominicano - Jubilé Dominicain: "2016 - JUBILEE OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS
General Theme - “Woe to us if we do not preach the gospel!” (cf. 1 Cor. 9,16)

Yearly Themes to prepare for the jubilee:

2009 -“In the beginning was the Word” (Jn 1:1): St. Dominic, Preacher of Grace

2010 -“How can people preach unless they are sent?” (Rom 10:15): The Mission of Preaching

2011 - “We hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God” (Acts 2:11): Preaching and Culture / Community Preaching

2012 -“Go and tell my brothers…” (Jn 20:17): Dominican Women and Preaching

2013 - “Do unto me according to your Word” (Lk 1:38): Mary: Contemplation and Preaching of the Word

2014 - “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions (Joel 3:1): The Dominican Laity and Preaching

2015 -“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32);
-“For freedom Christ set us free” (Gal 5:1): Dominic: Government, Spirituality and Freedom

2016 -“Woe to us if we do not preach the gospel!” (cf. 1 Cor 9:16): The Order of Preachers: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow"

Jubilee Prayer



God of Mercy,

In your eternal Wisdom, you called your servant Dominic to set off on a journey of faith as itinerant pilgrim and preacher of grace. With your Word of gentle Truth in his heart and on his lips, Dominic invited the first sisters and brothers to join him in a life of contemplative obedience in the service of the holy preaching.

As we commemorate this Jubilee, we ask you to breathe the Spirit of the risen Christ once again into our hearts and minds. Re-create us, so that we might faithfully and joyfully proclaim the gospel of peace, through the same Christ, our Lord.

AMEN

Brother Bruno Cadoré,



New Master of the Dominican Order

The General Chapter of the Order of Preachers, founded by St Dominic, elected this Sunday, 5th September, Brother Bruno Cadoré as the new Master. Elected for a nine-year term, he takes the place of fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa (Argentinean), Master from 2001 to 2010, who succeeded Brother Timothy Radcliffe, an English brother known throughout the world for his writings and preaching. The last French brother to hold the office was Brother Vincent de Couesnongle, Master of the Order from 1974 to 1983.

Gathered in Rome since the first of September, the General Chapter of the Order is composed of 127 delegates coming from every continent. It is made up partly of Priors Provincial but also delegates elected by the friars themselves according to the democratic tradition of the Dominican Order. The General Chapter, which is the Order’s sovereign governmental body, will over the next two weeks work to establish the major priorities of the Order that the newly elected Master must pursue during his term of office.

Aged 56, Brother Bruno Cadoré has been the Prior Provincial of the Province of France for eight years and before that oversaw the formation of young friars, particularly in Lille. A medical Doctor before entering the noviciate, he later spent two years in Haiti before beginning his Dominican studies. As a Doctor of Theology, he taught biomedical ethics at the Catholic University of Lille while directing the centre for medical ethics. He was elected Prior Provincial in 2002. Author of several books on biomedical ethics, he has been on the National Aids Council of France since January 2008.

During his term of office, the Province of France welcomed many young brothers into the Order. Bruno Cadoré also worked to develop the Dominican life in Scandinavia, Equatorial Africa and West Africa, as well as in the Arab world, especially in Cairo and Iraq, which he has visited frequently.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Dominicans in the Caribbean



Missionary Activity
Another form of Dominican preaching has been its missionary activity. As we know, St. Dominic yearned to be a missionary to the Cuman Tatars who were out where the border of Russia would be today. At that time, Eastern Europe and on clear over to the Pacific Ocean was inhabited by barbarian tribes that kept pushing one another by invasion so that the situation was always chaotic. But it was a great field for missionary activity. St. Dominic's desire to a certain extent was partially realized when he received the Polish brothers, St. Hyacinth and Blessed Celaus, into the Order. Poland was on the frontier of the Faith, not completely Christianized itself but it would become a base of operations for further missionary work to the north and the east.

Blessed Jordan of Saxony, Dominic's successor, would set up the Province of the Holy Land as well as the Province of Greece. There was also the extraordinary group called the Pilgrim Friars which was a vicariate of the Order that sent Dominicans out into that vast region of Central Asia. Records have been lost so we know little about the details of the works done by these itinerant Friars. This all came to an end in 1453 when the Turks captured Constantinope and became the masters of the Near East.

In 1492, Columbus opened up a whole new mission field in the New World. Dominicans, especially the Spanish, poured into it to bring the Good News to the natives. Their biggest enemies were their own countrymen. Bartolome de las Casas was the most eloquent and powerful voice for the Indians. Another great Dominican missionary was St. Louis Bertrand who converted tens of thousands of Indians. But there were innumerable other Dominicans working in these missions. We must mention just in passing the Dominican missions in Baja California.

The Portuguese had already opened up the Far East to missionary activity and Dominicans were there from the beginning. The Province of the Holy Rosary was founded in Spain to man these missions. The proto-martyrs of Vietnam, China, Japan and Formosa were members of that Province. They also founded the largest Catholic University in the world in Manila, Santo Tomas.

Unfortunately we do not have time to go into the missionary activity of the Order in detail but it is glorious and we can be proud of it. Father Francis Weber, the eminient historian of the Church in the western United States, sums up very well our missionary work in the Americas:

Since its founding in 1215 by Domingo de Guzman, the Order of Prachers has diligently sought to make the world its cell and the ocean its cloister. Entering the New World in 1510, the Dominicans, as they are known, settled on Espaniola, a small island in the Caribbean Sea, to begin an unparalled humanitarian campaign on behalf of the region's native peoples. Pedro de Cordova, Antonio de Montesimos, Bartolome de Las Casas and Luis Cancer are only a few who threw themselves wholeheartedly into the task of advancing the spiritual and material welfare of the Indian population.

In practically every corner of the two American continents penetrated by Spain, the Order of Preachers labored with distinction. As early as 1526, they moved from the Caribbean islands to preach the Gospel within the present borders of the continental United States, possibly with Ponce de Leon in 1513 and assuredly with Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon in 1526.

Friday, October 8, 2010

St. Louis Bertrand


October 9
Friar and Priest
Memorial


St. Louis was born in Valencia, spain, on January 1, 1526, and in 1544 entered the Order against the wishes of his parents. He came to so exemplify the ideals of Dominican life that he was appointed master of novices. Combining an austere life with zeal for spreading the gospel, he asked to be sent to the fartheast parts of the Americas and in 1562 was sent to what is now Colombia. He was given the gift of communicating with the Indians in their own tongues and withn the encouragement of Bartolomeo de Las Casas defended their rights against the Spanish conquerors.
He returned to Spain in 1569 and again assumed the position of master of novices. He died at Valencia on October 9, 1581. St. Louis is the patron of novitiates and formation personnel.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Prayer for Vocations This Sunday

"Three Aspects ... I Consider Essential for an Effective Priestly Witness"

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 23, 2010 (Zenit.org).- As this Sunday is the 47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, ZENIT is republishing excerpts from Benedict XVI's message for this day, which he wrote on the theme "Witness Awakens Vocations." The message was originally published last November.
* * *
The 47th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, to be celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Easter -- Good Shepherd Sunday -- April 25, 2010, gives me the opportunity to offer for your meditation a theme which is most fitting for this Year for Priests: Witness Awakens Vocations. The fruitfulness of our efforts to promote vocations depends primarily on God’s free action, yet, as pastoral experience confirms, it is also helped by the quality and depth of the personal and communal witness of those who have already answered the Lord’s call to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life, for their witness is then able to awaken in others a desire to respond generously to Christ’s call.
[...]
God’s free and gracious initiative encounters and challenges the human responsibility of all those who accept his invitation to become, through their own witness, the instruments of his divine call. This occurs in the Church even today: the Lord makes use of the witness of priests who are faithful to their mission in order to awaken new priestly and religious vocations for the service of the People of God. For this reason, I would like to mention three aspects of the life of a priest which I consider essential for an effective priestly witness.
A fundamental element, one which can be seen in every vocation to the priesthood and the consecrated life, is friendship with Christ. Jesus lived in constant union with the Father and this is what made the disciples eager to have the same experience; from him they learned to live in communion and unceasing dialogue with God. If the priest is a “man of God”, one who belongs to God and helps others to know and love him, he cannot fail to cultivate a deep intimacy with God, abiding in his love and making space to hear his Word. Prayer is the first form of witness which awakens vocations.
[...]
Another aspect of the consecration belonging to the priesthood and the religious life is the complete gift of oneself to God. The Apostle John writes: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and therefore we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn 3:16). With these words, he invites the disciples to enter into the very mind of Jesus who in his entire life did the will of the Father, even to the ultimate gift of himself on the Cross. Here, the mercy of God is shown in all its fullness; a merciful love that has overcome the darkness of evil, sin and death. The figure of Jesus who at the Last Supper, rises from the table, lays aside his garments, takes a towel, girds himself with it and stoops to wash the feet of the Apostles, expresses the sense of service and gift manifested in his entire existence, in obedience to the will of the Father (cf. Jn 13:3-15). In following Jesus, everyone called to a life of special consecration must do his utmost to testify that he has given himself completely to God. [...] The story of every vocation is almost always intertwined with the testimony of a priest who joyfully lives the gift of himself to his brothers and sisters for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This is because the presence and words of a priest have the ability to raise questions and to lead even to definitive decisions (cf. John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, 39).
A third aspect which necessarily characterizes the priest and the consecrated person is a life of communion. Jesus showed that the mark of those who wish to be his disciples is profound communion in love: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). In a particular way the priest must be a man of communion, open to all, capable of gathering into one the pilgrim flock which the goodness of the Lord has entrusted to him, helping to overcome divisions, to heal rifts, to settle conflicts and misunderstandings, and to forgive offences. In July 2005, speaking to the clergy of Aosta, I noted that if young people see priests who appear distant and sad, they will hardly feel encouraged to follow their example. They will remain hesitant if they are led to think that this is the life of a priest. Instead, they need to see the example of a communion of life which can reveal to them the beauty of being a priest.
[...]
It can be said that priestly vocations are born of contact with priests, as a sort of precious legacy handed down by word, example and a whole way of life.