1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

The Diocese of Mandeville
Views and News
V O L U M E
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:

Pisgah Phase I

Mount St. Joseph
5
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in ed in his image and likeness so that
Christ,
we may give him to one another.
Mary’s soul proclaims the greatness
Christmas has always been my favor- of the Lord. For this were we born, to
ite time of year. It’s filled with music, sing the greatness of the Lord.
lights, decorations and special food
and drink. It is a time of hope and The Gospel of Matthew presents to
peace. Families come together; mem- us the struggles and travails of life
ories are created and shared; chil- and the call to discipleship. As the
Catholic College of
Mandeville launches
new programmes

I S S U E
D E C E M B E R
2 0 1 4
From the Desk of the Bishop: Christmas Greetings
High School Opens

2 0 ,
Sr. Purita—New
medical coordinator of clinics
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Editorial by the
Vicar General
2
Christ The King
Procession/ Altar
Server’s Day
3
dren are filled with excitement and
joy - they take a special place in all
we do. Christmas inspires and enlivens all the best in us. We celebrate
that God not only came among us
but became one of us.
During Christmas, the Church invites
us to feast on the Word of God. We
are inspired by those who lived according to the promise. Jesus Christ
Catholic College of
4
the Word of God was sent from God
Mandeville
and comes among us in and through
others. The Gospels announced durMount St. Joseph
5
ing this season nourish us in a way
Catholic High School
that brings us out of the ordinary and
Pisgah Outreach
6-7 dull and transforms us into a vibrant
Phase I
image of God.
Mandeville Art Fair
8
St. Vincent Strambi
9
Missionary Childhood Association &
Biblical Animation
10
Editorial
11
As we listen to the Gospel of Luke,
Mary becomes the model of God’s
dreams for us. Mary is told that she is
favored and highly blessed. Her vocation is to give Christ to the world. She
places Him in the manger as life for
the world. She gives us food that will
be nourishment for our journey. This
is the Lamb of God to whom the angels sing. The mystery of the Incarnation speaks of God’s dream and loving plan for each of us. We are creat-
Magi search for the newborn King,
the City of Jerusalem is in turmoil.
Goodness and love are often rejected. They are dangerous because they
demand change and conversion.
Herod, like the Pharaoh of Exodus,
brings about death and destruction.
Innocence is violated and destroyed
because of jealousy and abuse of
power. St. Joseph is our hero, a man
of action who does the will of God.
He protects the infant Child and His
mother.
of power. Yet we celebrate Emmanuel God-With-Us. Our vocation is to do
the will of the Father and to protect
the Word of God.
Our Christmas season will draw to an
end with the baptism of Jesus. The
Eternal Word of God made flesh will
embrace us in our sinfulness. St. Paul
tells us, “He who did not know
sin became sin for us.” As
Jesus embraces us in our frailty and sinfulness, the heavens
are torn apart and the Holy
Spirit descends upon Him. A
voice from heaven proclaims
“You are my Son, my Beloved,
with you I am well pleased.”
The Christmas Gospels proclaim to us God’s Word of
love. He draws near to us at every
moment. Within the moments of joy,
mission, trial and struggle, He is Emmanuel God-With-Us.
Christmas is an invitation to receive
the Word of God and experience His
presence and love. We can sing our
songs if, like Mary, we hear His Word.
We can celebrate with holiday food if
we draw near the manger and adore
Him. Gifts are sacred when we see
others as God sees them. Lights fill
the night when God’s grace makes its
We the Church, the body of Christ, abode in us.
experience the trials and difficulties
of life. Death and violence harm
Bishop Neil Tiedemann CP
many of us. Who among us has not
been the victim of jealousy or abuse
+
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2
Editorial
+
““Peace! Be Still!”
Christmas 2014
“ Peace, Be
Still!”
Mark 4:39”
It was Christmas Eve in 1818 at
St. Nicholas Catholic Church in
Obendorf, Austria. The Young
priest, Fr. Joseph Mohr had discovered that the organ was broken – and thus, he was frantic
about the celebration of Christmas at Midnight Mass – that no
music would be provided. Fr.
Mohr was known to have
played the classical guitar. He
had penned the lyrics of a
new type of German Christmas poem called, “Stille
Nacht” back in 1816; but
the poem had no real tune.
Thus, Fr. Mohr rushed in
haste to visit his friend, Mr.
Franz Gruber, the organist
at the nearby village and
asked him to compose
quickly a new melody and
guitar accompaniment for
Mass. And so, on that first
cold “Silent Night,” with only
guitar accompaniment, Fr.
Mohr led his congregation in
song with this new Christmas
Carol, thus warming the hearts
of the Faithful!
On one memorable occasion
during the Christmas Eve of
1914; a Christmas truce was
called during the First World
War; and on the front lines
along both sides, “Silent Night”
was sung simultaneously in
French, English and German by
THE
DIOCESE
From the Desk of the Vicar General
the troops – since this song was
the one Christmas Carol that
soldiers on both sides of the
front line knew. And for a brief
moment, the troops shared a
song, perhaps a cigarette and
coffee: peace was expressed on
that cold and silent night – that
is – until the truce was called
off and war erupted once again!
Amid our world today; war is
fought in the Middle East, while
hunger and thirst are realities
felt here at home. Where is the
calm and the brightness of faith
amid such storms of violence
from the Bible concerning the
story of Jesus who was seemingly asleep during a stormy
time sailing with his disciples on
the Sea of Galilee: “When evening [night] had come, he said,
‘Let us go across to the other
side’ … and a great storm of
wind arose and the waves beat
into the boat, so that the boat
was filling up. But he was
asleep on the cushion; but they
awoke him … And he awoke and
said … ‘Peace! Be Still!’ And the
wind ceased and there was a
great calm! (Mark 4: 35 – 40).”
Certainly, many a time amid
our storms in life we are
tempted to say, “Where is
God? Doesn’t God care
about me?” All the while, we
can react to the storms as
did the disciples who cried
out, “Save us! Save us!” Our
rage can be like the storm,
causing our hearts to sink in
doubt and despair, often
times causing us to forget
that Jesus is present amid us!
The real meaning of the mystery of Christmas is that especially amid our stormy nights
(Mark 4:35 – 40), the Lord whispers ever so silently in the
depths of our souls, “Peace! Be
Still!”
and clouds of corruption? Is
there a “Silent Night” here in
Jamaica? The real mystery of
Christmas is discovered not
through buying things or by
frivolous parties; no, it is discovered through faith that God
loves us – that God is present
and incarnate in the depths of
our souls! Perhaps now – amid Merry Christmas!
our own times of spiritual
storms and clouds of doubt, we Very Reverend Timothy
can sing, “Silent Night.”
Gadziala, VG, JV
Diocese of Mandeville
The Lord is present and abides
with us! Let us take a lesson
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Feast of Christ The King
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
The rain did not prevent the faithful from showing up in
their numbers on Sunday, November 23 for the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King at the St. Paul of the
Cross Cathedral. Congregants from all parts of the Diocese filled the Cathedral until it was packed to overflowing. Unfortunately, the wet conditions prevented the
congregation from leading the customary march into the
Mandeville square. Instead, Deacon Ron Hamilton led worshippers in
praying the rosary, with a
joyful chorus sung in between each decade.
Left: Bishop Neil Tiedemann, C.P
greets a parishioner
Altar Server’s Workshop
Thirty-five boys and girls from the
parishes of Manchester, Clarendon
and St. Elizabeth gathered on Saturday, October 25 at Bishop Clarke Hall
in Mandeville for the annual Diocesan Altar Servers’ Workshop, which
was led by Fr. Michael Rowe, C.P and
facilitated by the Youth Commission.
The theme for the day was:
“Ministry at the Altar: Serve the Lord
with Gladness” Ps. 100 vs. 2.
It was an informative day for the
young people, many of whom were
previously unfamiliar with the names
and uses of all the instruments used
during the Mass; these, Father Michael introduced and explained individually. Participants were called
upon to assist as he pointed out the
difference between the Lectionary
and the Roman Missal, and demonstrated the proper way to process to
the altar, holding a thurible and
boat, better known as a censer for
incense and an incense holder.
Above: Congregants
stream out of the Cathedral after the service.
Left: Worshippers fill the
St. Paul of the Cross
Cathedral.
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
serving. He reminded the youths
that all eyes were upon them, and
Father Michael also explained the that they were to assist the congresignificance of certain priestly vest- gation in adopting a prayerful attiments, and spoke about the mean- tude, and not to be a distraction.
ing of certain colours to the Church,
in relation to the seasons of the “You must pay attention to all that is
Church year.
happening during the Mass.” he
emphasized, explaining that the altar
server’s role is to quietly and unobtrusively ensure that everything was
in place for the Mass to proceed
smoothly. “If something is not in its
place, then go and get it.” he said. “A
good altar server must know where
everything is, and their proper
Fr. Michael Rowe, C.P. addresses the
names, so if the priest asks you to
youth
get something, you know where to
Father Michael then called upon the find it.”
young people to be good examples
for the congregation while serving at After breaking for refreshments,
the altar. “As long as you are at the Father Michael then led the young
sanctuary, you are at prayer.” he people through the proper Mass
said, demonstrating the proper pos- responses. The workshop culminatture and attitude to display while ed with Mass.
3
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4
Latest Happenings in Education:
Catholic College of Mandeville Launches New Programmes
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
The official launch of the new programmes being offered by the Catholic College of
Mandeville took place at the College grounds on
Friday, November 14th. The College will now
offer a two year Associate Degree in Agriculture,
leading to a Bachelor’s Degree. In addition, A Diploma in Sports Coaching and a Certificate in Sports
Massage in partnership
with G.C. Foster will begin
in January. This arrangement
comes
about
through a memorandum
of understanding that was
signed between Sr. Una
O’Connor, president of
the Catholic College, and
Dr. Joyce Royal, president
of G.C Foster College in
Spanish Town.
Guests at the launch
Bishop of Mandeville and CCM Chancellor,
the Most Rev. Neil Tiedemann, C.P, performed an
official dedication of the science laboratory after
the ribbon was cut by Dr. Royal and Sr. Una.
To add to the celebratory atmosphere,
eleven students were awarded with start-up scholarships to the agriculture programme.
Congratulations
were read on behalf of
the Minister of Education, Hon. Ronald Thwaites,
by Dr. Paul Thompson, CCM Registrar.
Minister of National Security, and Member
of Parliament Hon. Peter Bunting expressed his
satisfaction at the emphasis being placed on sports
and agriculture in the constituency. He felt optimistic that the new programmes would bring value to
central Jamaica and assist in increasing technology
use and raising the standards in the industry.
Mayor of Mandeville, Brenda Ramsay was
also pleased at this welcome addition to the educational offerings in Mandeville.
Sr. Una O’Connor and Dr. Joyce Royal
made a symbolic exchange of college shirts and
embraced in friendship in recognition of the new
partnership.
In announcing this latest step forward for
CCM in offering these new programmes, CCM
Board Chairman Marcia Tai Chun also thanked Sr.
Una O’Connor for her sterling contribution to the
development of the Catholic College and an-
THE
nounced that the new science lab was to be named
the SR. UNA O’CONNOR CP PHD SCIENCE LAB.
DIOCESE
OF MANDE VILLE
Dr. Joyce Royal , GC Foster President, (far right) &
Sr. Una O’Connor, CCM President sign the MOU as
Marcia Tai Chun, CCM Board Chairman (far left) and
Bishop Neil Tiedemann, C.P., CCM Chancellor, look
on.
Right: Sr, Una O’Connor, CCM President,
and Dr. Joyce Royal,
GC Foster President,
cut the ribbon to the
new Sr. Una O’Connor
CP PHD Science Lab.
Left:
Agricultural
scholarship
recipients
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5
Mount St. Joseph Catholic High School Opens in Mandeville
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
pal of Campion College
sits on the Board of
Management. The Project leader from the
Diocese was Miss Marcia Tai Chun, who is
chairperson of the
Board of Management.
Interactive white boards.
Character building is also a
priority, and school chaplain, Sr.
Jane Nesmith, S.B.S is in charge of
handling the spiritual component of
school life.
The campus, located next
to Mount St. Joseph Prep School,
MSJCHS
was renovated during the summer.
opened in September
Some funds were provided by the
2014 with Mrs. Cheryl
Ministry of Education, and the beauAnn-Gayle as its princitification of the grounds, including
Above: The First Form Block
pal. The enthusiastic response from
painting, signage, fencing, landscapparents in the parish resulted in the
ing and the installation of certain
On Sunday August 31, 2014 the
school opening with all six streams
fixtures, was funded by an overseas
Most Rev. Neil Tiedemann presided
of seventh grade students. The sixth
grant, sourced by Bishop Neil
over the official blessing of the newform opened in the second week of
Tiedemann, C.P. Food for the Poor
Mount St. Joseph Catholic High
September with seven students.
provided the furniture, while UniSchool in Mandeville.
Discipline is in sharp focus versal Access equipped the school
Among the special guests
at MSJCHS, with high standards of
with the latest state-of-the-art comwere Mrs. Sally Porteous, J. P. Cusbehavior, deportment and speech
puter and audio visual equipment.
tos Rotolorum, Mrs. Elaine Fosterexpected of students in order to
Allen, Permanent Secretary Ministry
ensure an orderly environment for
of Education, Mr. Radley Reid, Senlearning.
ior Advisor to the Minister of EducaThere
tion, Dr. Grace McClean, Chief Education Officer Ministry of Education, is a focus on elearning, and
and Dr. Nadine Leachman Director
the use of the
of Region 5 Ministry of Education.
internet and all
The grant-aided, denomiattendant technational high school is a collaboranology is extive effort between the Catholic
pected by both
Diocese of Mandeville, the Sisters of
teachers and
Mercy, and the Ministry of Educastudents. Each
tion. MSJCHS and Campion College
classroom has
have signed a collaborative agreebeen equipped
ment to share best practices in its
with
curriculum, policies, procedures and
MimioTeach
expertise. Mrs. Grace Baston, princi-
Above: Students of Mount St. Joseph Catholic High School attend their Opening Mass
PAGE
6
New Homes, New Beginnings
Being Built in Pisgah
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
“...in so far
as you did
this to one
of the least
of these
brothers of
mine, you
did it to
me."
Matt:25:40
Left: BEFORE:
The house
perches on
the side of a
rocky cliff.
Left: AFTER: A
brand new
single unit is
handed over
by Hope
Wood-Salmon
Christine Martin and her blind mother were living in a dilapidated structure located on rocky land. The house was
unsafe and falling apart. Specialized work was required to
pack stones to make the foundation. Christine Martin’s
living space was transformed into a livable one-bedroom
home by the Diocese and furnished by Food for the Poor.
Edland Ward is 37 years old, employed as a casual labourer. He was
living in an old wooden shack, perched precariously close to a sheer
drop. Edland had no bed or other furniture. He slept on the floor
and the situation posed imminent danger to him as the floor boards
were rotten and liable to break away at any time. A small area of
level ground was made available to him by a kind relative and allowed for the construction of a one-bedroom home.
Above:
BEFORE: The
wooden shack.
THE
DIOCESE
OF MANDE VILLE
Right: AFTER:
Edland Ward
enters his new,
furnished home
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George & Mavis Robinson are an elderly couple aged 84 years and 70
years respectively. They lived on a hillside that is very difficult to negotiate. George has in recent times suffered a stroke and is bed-ridden and
unable to help himself. His wife is his primary care-giver, but she is sometimes assisted by their son who lives nearby. Their cramped one-bedroom
house was dilapidated and beyond repair. The roof leaked profusely when
it rained.
It was extremely difficult to transport George to and from his residence to
seek medical care, and not easy to find help to do so. It required at least
six persons to lift him up and down the incline.
The house was relocated to an area on the same land that is
closer to the road. It is now easier to enter and leave the
house, and the couple can finally live in a more comfortable
space.
Right: A workman
applies paint to
the new house
Above: Before:
Mavis Robinson stands
outside her
dilapidated
board house.
Left: Before:
George and Mavis
Robinson inside
their home.
Left: After: A view
of the new structure, on the builtup foundation.
Above: Workmen work on the
building as Mavis Robinson stands
outside in contemplation.
The Diocese of Mandeville is ever grateful to the donors who continue to support us in our mission to provide shelter
for those in need. Our housing ministry relies heavily upon the generosity of ordinary persons who continue to open
their hearts and give of their time, talent and treasure. With their help, we have had the great privilege of touching
these and many other persons and helping to improve their lives.
7
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8
Annual Mandeville Art Fair
By Theresa C. Givans
Below: Several of
the pieces on display
Above: A young
lady has her face
painted
It was 23 years ago that a small
group of lay persons came up
with the idea of putting on
an art fair to help fund the
many projects of the Diocese. Instead of seeking
sponsorship the traditional
way, they came upon the
idea of something original and exciting that
would be attractive to
persons in the community, while promoting
upcoming
Jamaican
artists from Manchester and
around the island. And thus
the art fair was born.
Over the years, this event has
become a premier social event
in Mandeville, growing from a
modest function in Bishop
Boyle’s home with 50 items on
offer, into this year’s event in
which over 600 pieces of art
were displayed at the new
hall at St. John Bosco Boys
Home.
Ashley Chambers of
DeCarteret College
receives first prize for
her entry in the Junior Art Competition
13-18 yr category.
Now a greatly-anticipated
event in the parish, this year’s
art fair featured eye-catching
paintings, ceramics, drawings,
photographs and prints from
both famous and budding
artists right across the island.
As always, the artwork was
painstakingly placed on display
by the Art Fair Committee,
whose hard work and dedica-
THE
DIOCESE
tion in the planning of this
event was evident. Delicious
hors d’oeuvres were brought in
by kind contributors for Opening Night.
The main sponsor for the
affair, Stocks & Securities Ltd.,
was present with an attractive
and inviting seating area for
A patron takes a keen interest in one
of the paintings
guests’ relaxation.
The Fair continued on Friday
when buses of school children
arrived to admire and be inspired. On Saturday, the usual
craft items were on sale, while
the children were invited to
participate in various art &
craft activities, in addition to
the usual face painting and
bounce-about. This year, special guest artist Lennox Coke
held a workshop to inspire
young artists.
received more than ninety
entries combined in both the 6
-12yr and 13-18yr age groups.
Monique
Davidson
and
Dwayne Little, curators from
the National Art Gallery, spent
five hours determining the
winners. The top ten in each
category received certificates,
with the top three in each age
group receiving special prizes
courtesy of the Jamaican National Resolution Project. Third
prize winners received $2,500,
second prize winners received
$5,000 and the top prize winners received digital cameras.
This year, the Annual Julie Lyn
Scholarship, which is given to a
needy fourth year student of
the Edna Manley College of
The Visual and Performing Arts
each year, was awarded to
Gavin Samuels, who hopes to
become an architect.
Funds raised from the event go
towards supporting the St.
John Bosco Home for Boys,
the Gift of Hope Children’s
Home, the Retreat houses,
Clinics, the Holy Spirit homework programme, schools,
educational and other institutions supported by the Roman
The Junior Art Competition had
Catholic Diocese of Manyoungsters from a number of
deville.
schools in the area demonstrating their creativity with
impressive pieces. The judges
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St Vincent Strambi Clinic Reopens
By Theresa C. Givans
The St. Vincent Strambi
Clinic is once more open to the
public after having been closed
for renovations during the summer. Dr. Lensworth Broomfield ,
who has been lending service to
the clinic, is to be
relieved by Sr. Purita Ringor, ICM,
who will become
the doctor in residence there.
a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary in the Philippines. After
completing her residency at the
Cook County Hospital in Chicago,
she joined the Missionary Sisters
and spent twenty-six years in
the Democratic Republic of Congo and four years in Cameroon
before coming here to Jamaica.
After taking a sabbatical,
Sr. Purita made the decision to
Sr. Purita
come and serve in our Diocese.
recently joined the Her services will be very welDiocese of Mandeville as Dioce- comed as she fills a great need
san Medical Coordinator for the in the Diocese. “When the Bull
clinics of the Diocese. She has
Savannah clinic opened in October, we had close
to forty patients
per day.” explained Sr. Purita,
“But now that we
have been opening twice a week,
we have about
thirty patients per
day.” Most of
these patients are
Sr. Purita Ringor ICM attends to a patient at the St.
elderly persons
Vincent Strambi Clinic
who come in for
spent many years ministering to consultations for hypertension
the sick as a medical doctor and and diabetes. “Now, with the
chikungunya outbreak, there are
many people coming in with
those symptoms as well.” said
Sr. Purita.
For her first few weeks,
Sr. Purita took the time to pay
several visits to each of the five
clinics
that
are run
by the
Diocese.
There
St. Vincent Strambi
is a
Clinic reception area
notable
difference in the types of patients that come into the various
clinics. “There are over one
hundred patients seen per day
in Maggotty.” she observed “and
about fifty of them are children.”
Sr. Purita ’s schedule
includes consultation days at St.
Paul’s Clinic in Mandeville, Holy
Spirit Clinic in Maggotty, St.
Croix’s Clinic in Santa Cruz, St.
Gabriel in Balaclava and St. Vincent Strambi Clinic in Bull Savannah.
9
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10
MISSIONARY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
Recognizing
that the youth
are a vital part
of life of the
Church today,
Above: The children wear colours
to represent the five continents the Missionary
of the world, as Sr. Lucy Kamene,
Childhood
A.S.N, Missionary Childhood
Coordinator, addresses the stu- Association
dents of St. Thomas More
seeks to engage children and challenge them to live
out their baptismal call to be missionaries, for as Pope Paul VI said, “The
Church exists in order to evangelize” (Evangelii Nuntiandi 14).
potential and great need. He then returned home and started appealing to
the children of France to reach out to
help the children of the Missions in the
USA as well as China.
Today, The Missionary Childhood Association which was founded in 1843, continues to follow the vision of Bishop
Forbin de Janson, with the motto:
“Children Helping Children.” After hearing about the needs of the world’s poorest children, young people are invited to
pray and offer financial help so that children in the Missions today may know
In 1839, Bishop Forbin de Janson of Christ and experience His love and care.
France sailed across the ocean to the
Here in Jamaica, Sr. Lucy Kamene,
then young churches of the United
A.S.N, Coordinator of the Missionary
States, and saw that there was great
Childhood Association in Mandeville,
has been engaging the children of the
Diocese in this same mission of reaching
out to other children of the world
through learning, prayer and generous
sacrifice. Her aim is to awaken in them
an awareness of the needs of other children in the wider world and of their
own ability and responsibility in helping
to make a difference.
Right: Children Helping
Children: The children at
St. Thomas More make a
donation to help the children of the world who are
in need.
BIBLICAL ANIMATION
“As St. Jerome wrote ‘Whoever is ignorant of the Scriptures is ignorant of Jesus
Christ.’ It is important for us to read,
study, understand and meditate upon
Scriptures.” explains Bishop Neil
Tiedemann, C.P.
It is with this in mind that the Biblical
Animation Team, formed by Bishop Neil,
C.P, has been visiting the parishes in order to teach parishioners a practice
known as Lectio Divina, which involves
reading the Word of God, praying, meditating, and reflecting on what God is saying to them personally. The person then
makes a commitment to make a change
in their life as an active response to
God's Word.
THE
DIOCESE
The team consists of Bishop Neil, C.P,
Father James Price, C.P., Father Zachaeus
Munyao, Brother Kent Connolly, F.S.C.,
Miss Jerome King, Miss Sharifa BrockLewin and Miss Carleen Cato.
“We are teaching
people to listen and
improve their listening skills when they
pray” explains Miss Cato. “Many people
just talk to God, asking Him for what
they want, but don’t know how to listen.
When you learn to listen, it transforms
you. It transforms your life, because you
hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you
through the Word of God. We then commit ourselves to act on what we hear
OF MANDE VILLE
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
when we listen. The Word of God gives
life.” During meetings, participants read
a passage from the Bible, reflect, and
share with the group why those words
spoke to them and what it means to
them personally. Finally, each person is
asked to reflect upon what God might be
asking him or her to do in response to
the reading. “As each person shares,
others listen, and there is no rebuttal or
objection, only clarification.” explains
Miss Cato.
“It’s not a Bible Study.” Bishop Neil C.P.
points out. “It’s saying ‘What does God
say to me in the reading, what do I say to
him in response, and finally, what shall I
do.’”
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11
The Diocese Welcomes New Religious
BY THERESA C. GIVANS
from the United States, has been
given responsibility for Evangelization
and Pontifical Missions. Father Pascal
Cuthina, C.P, Father Benzen Devassykutty, C.P, and Father Xavier
Valiaparambil, C.P of India, have set up a
Passionist Community in May Pen. Sr.
Faith Okerson, S.B.S, is serving as chaplain of the Catholic College of Mandeville. Sr. Purita Ringor, I.C.M. is responsi- L-R: Sister Faith Okerson, S.B.S, Sister Purita Ringor,
L-R: Father James Price, C.P., Father Pascal
ble for coordination of the clinics, and I.C.M, Sister Jane Nesmith, S.B.S.
Cuthina, C.P., Father Benzen Devassykutty,
will also serve in her capacity as a mediC.P., and Father Xavier Valiaparambil, C.P.
cal doctor, and Sr. Jane Nesmith, S.B.S is United States, while Sister Purita joins us
This year, The Diocese was pleased to the chaplain at the new Mount St. Joseph from the Phillipines. The Diocese is gratewelcome several new religious into ser- Catholic High School.
ful for their service and extends to them a
vice. Fr. James Price, C.P, who arrived
warm and sincere welcome.
Sr. Faith and Sr. Jane are both from the
Editorial
It is perennially remarkable that
every year as its end approaches, our
commercial ‘friends’ trot out those very
items of publicity and advertising telling
us—more than gently! - that Christmas is
a-coming.
We see the Santa Claus costumes and colours, the miniature Christmas trees, the cotton, the tinsel… the
usual trappings that serve to remind all
of us that we must begin to prepare for
Christmas and to start our Yuletide shopping early.
It is also perennially remarkable
that we never really think or even give
serious thought or reflection to what is
the true cause of all the hoopla and the
constant invitations to be merry and to
BY DEACON DENNIS HENDRIKS
exercise goodwill to all.
There is no gainsaying that the
time of
Christmas
is certainly a time
for lifting
up
of
spirit and of rejoicing and celebration of
an event that means everything to Christians. It is an event that saw to the commencement of the salvation of humankind and which we, as Christians, cherish
and rightfully mark with much jubilation
and merry-making.
However, despite all the
‘jumping-up’, we are called to consider
sober-mindedly its real meaning and
substance. God, our Creator assumed
human form and was born in humble
and lowly circumstances as our Redeemer and Saviour. The fact that, in a manner of speaking, we have become wise
after that event is nevertheless true and
of such significance that there can, perhaps, be some excusing of the excesses
peculiar to this season of all our lives.
Yes, there is every reason to celebrate
this joyous occurrence, but we must
never
lose
that
awareness and saving conviction that …
unto us a Saviour is
born, Jesus Christ
Our Lord… Amen.
THE DIOCESE OF MANDEVILLE
The Diocese of
Mandeville
VIEWS & NEWS
Views and News
Published By:
The Diocese of Mandeville,
Communications Office
P.O. Box 8, Mandeville P.O.
59 Main Street
Mandeville, Manchester
Jamaica, West Indies
Printed by:
Phone: 962-1269, 961-2849, 577-3038
Alpha Boys’ School
Fax: 962-1297
26 South Camp Road, Kingston 4
www.mandevillediocese.com
Tel: (876) 930-2200
2015 CALENDARS
Last year’s
Missionary
Childhood
Association
calendars
were a
great success! This year, we
are once again asking for your
support for the Missionary
Childhood Association. Each
calendar purchased helps a
child in need. The cost is
JA$700.You can pick yours up
at the Catholic Pastoral Centre or contact us at
tcgivans.communications@
mandevillediocese.org