Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

42 Barren Spot- P.O. Box 1160 Kingshill U.S. Virgin Islands 00851

Tel. (340) 778-0484 Fax. (340) 779-3151

Website: www.catholicvi.com/stann/

E-mail: stannbarrenspot@gmail.com

The Ascension of the Lord

May 16– May 17, 2015 Most Rev. Herbert A. Bevard

“TOGETHER BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”

ST. ANN’S BOOKSTORE & GIFTS SHOP

Tuesdays to Fridays: 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.

Sundays: Open after Masses

CCN / EWTN Channel 7

9:30 a.m. Sundays Mass (Live) Channel 7

Internet: www.livestream.com/caribbeancatholicnetwork7

ALTAR FLOWERS

Would you like the Altar flowers to be offered in memory of someone or in celebration of a special occasion, Please call the office and schedule a date. A free-will donation is welcome.

SANCTUARY DEVOTIONAL LIGHT

Would you like to donate the sanctuary candle in memory of someone or in celebration of a special occasion, please call the office and schedule a date. A free-will donation is welcome.

Daily

Readings

This week’s sanctuary candle:

St. Ann Chapel: Donald & Mario Robles

St. Joachim Church: Ruth McFarlane

Shrine of Our Lady: Fevena Jerome

This week’s Altar Flowers:

B’day Celia Nicole Letang

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

EVERY FRIDAY AT 5:30 P.M

THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 7:00 P.M

Adorémus in ætérnum

Sanctíssimum Sacraméntum

MASS SCHEDULE AND INTENTION

May 16, Saturday

5:00 p.m. In Thanksgiving Halimah Blanc rb mother May 17, Sunday

7:00 a.m. B’day Elizabeth Charles rb family 9:30 a.m. +Cerelia Octave rb Anne Marie St. Ange

May 19, Tuesday 12:15 p.m. In Thanksgiving Rudinsky Fam. rb Theodosia Christopher May 20, Wednesday 6:30 a.m. +Hubert Valmont rb family May 21, Thursday 12:15 p.m. B’day Timothy Samuel rb mother

May 22, Friday 6:30 a.m. B’day Kiahna Leon rb Eunice George May 23, Saturday 8:30 a.m. +Juanita & Carmen rb Religious Ed. Program

18-Monday

Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab,

4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33

19–Tuesday

Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a

20-Wednesday

Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab; Jn 17:11b-19

21-Thursday

Acts 22:20; 23:6-11; Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab; Jn 17:20-26

22–Friday

Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2,

11-12, 19-20ab; Jn

21:15-19

23–Saturday

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps

11:4, 5, 7; Jn 21:20-25

24–Sunday (Red)

Vigil: Gn 11:1-9; Ps 104:1-2,

24, 35, 27-30; Jn 7:37-39

Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-

31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13;

Jn 20:19-23

Directory

PRIESTS DEACONS

Rev. Fr. Louis K. Kemayou, Pastor Rev. Mr. Joseph T. Mark, OCDS

Rev. Fr. Simon Peter Opira, Parochial Vicar Rev. Mr. Hyacinthe George, Rev. Mr. Denis Griffith,

Rev. Msgr. Michael F. Kosak, (Retired) In Residence Rev. Mr. Norbert Xavier, Rev. Mr. Eugene Thompson, ( Retired )

Rev. Mr. Arnold Helenese, OCDS– ( Retired )

SECRETARY Ms. Mary St. Aime RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Mrs. Patricia Browne, Coordinator

Bookstore: Mrs. Callista Julien SACRISTAN: Mr. Aldon Rogers,

Assistant Sacristans: Mrs. Patricia Browne, Mrs. Theodosia Christopher, Mrs. Patricia Griffith, Mrs. Patricia Murray.

MAINTENANCE: Mr. Aldon Rogers & Mr. Michael Matthews

MASSES & DEVOTIONS

Weekend

Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Sundays: 7:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m.

Weekday

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 12:15 p.m.

Wednesdays & Fridays 6:30 a.m.

Fridays: 5:30 p.m.—Holy Hour

SACRAMENTS

BAPTISM: Call for Appointment

CONFESSION: Saturdays: 4:30 p.m. or by Appointment

MARRIAGE: Call 4 months in advance

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Call anytime

FUNERAL: Tuesdays through Fridays

Please call prior to final arrangements

FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR

The Ascension of the Lord B

Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven.

Our first reading from the Book of Acts records a time of great tension for the Apostles. They felt abandoned and uncer-

tain after witnessing Jesus slowly fading from sight into the heavens. With nervous uncertainty they huddled closely

around Jesus' mother Mary in that same Upper Room where the Master had first appeared to them following His Resur-

rection. Obedient to His instructions, they gathered there to pray while awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.

First, however, they felt it necessary to round out their numbers again to twelve. We may well wonder why the number

twelve was so important. Scholars are generally in agreement that Jesus Himself carefully chose twelve to fulfil the mis-

sion of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In any case, the Holy Spirit chose Matthias. In choosing Matthias, they established a

key criterion for an apostle. He must have accompanied the others the whole time, and have been a witness to the Resur-

rection. Listeners to the Gospel would be strongly drawn to believe those who, with their own eyes, had seen Jesus alive

in His own body. Even Thomas had believed when he saw the wounds of his Lord and Savior.

The Gospel continues from last week, the farewell address of Jesus at the Last Supper. "Consecrate them in the truth,"

Jesus prays. All successors of the apostles are so consecrated. Truth is the one great divine force which will assure the

unity of the infant church. "One faith, one Lord, one Baptism" binds all who would be faithful branches on the Vine

which is Christ.

We have seen through the ages from the beginning how deviation from Christ's teaching tears apart the solidarity of the

one Church. Christian bodies generally separate from this unity on one or another point of doctrine. The physical unity

of Christ's church will only be restored when there is a return to consensus on all aspects of the "deposit of faith."

May Christ, this Ascension, help all Christians to be drowned in the unity of Love and Truth!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God our Father, all the elements of

nature obey your command. We

praise and thank you for your pro-

tection during the hurricane season

We ask again to guide us through a

new year, free of any earthquakes,

floods, natural disasters and all

acts of terrorism. Bless our families

and bring peace to all nations. We

ask this through our Lord Jesus

Christ who lives and reigns with

you and the Holy Spirit, one God,

for ever and ever. Amen.

WANT TO BE

MORE

INVOLVED

IN THE

ACTIVITIES

OF YOUR

CHURCH?

WANT TO

MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

IN YOUR

COMMUNITY?

COME AND JOIN US AT A MEETING ON FRIDAY,

MAY 29, 2015 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE MARIAN

HALL.. LET US REVITALIZE THE YOUTH

GROUP/MINISTRY OF STS. JOACHIM & ANN

CHURCH. BRING YOUR IDEAS!!!

MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

God of all goodness, look on those who wait for the safe return of

their loved ones who serve in the Armed Forces of their country. In

faith and hope we turn to you for comfort. Grant that we may trust

in your mercy and send an angel to sustain us as we await their safe

return. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SERVING OUR COUNTRY

Fr. Simon Obeng, Fr. Alejandro Sanchez, Fr. Jose Herrera, Fr. Cecil-

Corneille, Sanil-Dale Tison, Darryl D’Souza, Brian Krauser, Gemma Em-

manuel, Levi Denios, Natasha & Ivone Alcala, Linus Felix, Camillus Tho-

mas, Erica A. Toussaint, Nareka Selkriege, Agnes Lindsay, Patrick Rivers,

Denecia Weekes, Marcus Maximin, Miguel Navarro, Jr., Mariel Chi-

nouyaz, Audin Benjamin, Jane William, Verin Nesbitt Wescott, Michael

Moorehead, Brian Halloway, Istomin & Ismael Lampe, John Noel, Pablo

Montanez,Jr., Dwayne Thomas, Xandrio Tank Yuk, Robinson Ferdinand,

Kimberly JohnBaptiste, Kimberly Ferdinand, Mario Mason, Jr., Aaron

Thomas, Valence Modeste Kelly, Iulani Greenidge, Anissa Eversley,

David Best, Wayne J. Baker, Kareem James, Reginald Antoine, Marvin

Delsol, Ismenio Lampe, Brian Peterson, Elsworth Stevenson, Patricia

Charles, Terrance Ritter, Lawrence Ritter, Tasha Warner, Shana Antoine,

James Frymyre, Kevin Purcell, Emmanuel Maldonado, Denis Duparl,

Louis Encarnacion, Pedro Reyes, Patrick Vernon, James Gaston, Fabian

Claxton, Collin Joseph, John A. Francis, Jon Megahy, Nyasia Reed, Jason

Jaggernauth, Martin Alexis, Joel Gilbert, James Bressendroff, Jeffry Cen-

teno, Anthony Camacho, Aubrey Camaho, Austin Carino, Kernatha Au-

guste, Masline Noel, Darwin Richards, Jeremiah L. Charler, Akeem

Greenidge, Ganisia Lashan, Alex Hector, John &Felicita Matinez-Gines,

Henisha Williams, Nkosi Dennie, Jeremye Morgan, Sasha Chastanet,

Eduardo A. Molina, Comeron Childres, Jainea Louis, Tyquavias & Jemel

Dawson, Enja Gumbs, Luis D. Molina, Rodney Fabio 111, Kareem Pedro,

Rashid A. Richards, Naim Muhammad, George O’Neal Davis 111.

Please call the Office, to add or remove names from this list.

BISHOP’S APPEAL

Many thanks to all who have already contributed

to the Bishop’s Appeal 2015! We need more help

in order to reach our goal. Please give a brochure

to a friend.

Our schools, Catholic Charities and Evangelization

efforts need everyone’s support!

For your convenience you can make a pledge now

and pay it in installments.

“He Who Supplies All our Needs Can Never Be

Outdone in Generosity.”

DIOCESAN PRIEST RETIREMENT FUND

Your gift provides support for priests. Please give to those who

have given a lifetime. Envelopes are located at the exit of the

church. Thank you for your kind generosity. May God bless you a

hundredfold!!!

HALO

Abundant blessings and thanks to our Altar Society

Group “E” that cleaned and prepared the various ar-

eas for church services this past Saturday. Group “A”

is scheduled for cleaning Saturday, May 23 starting

about 6:00 A.M. Please think and pray about giving

just one hour each month to prepare the Lord’s house

for worship.

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

7 things Pope Francis wants you to know about

Jesus' Ascension by Jimmy Akin 05/08/2013

1) Your Holiness, what is a good starting point for under-

standing the Ascension?

[Pope Francis:] Let us start from the moment when Jesus decided

to make his last pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

St Luke notes: “When the days drew near for him to be received up,

he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51).

While he was “going up” to the Holy City, where his own “exodus”

from this life was to occur, Jesus already saw the destination,

heaven, but he knew well that the way which would lead him to the

glory of the Father passed through the Cross, through obedience to

the divine design of love for mankind.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: “The lifting up of

Jesus on the cross signifies and announces his lifting up by his As-

cension into heaven” (n. 662).

2) What can we learn from this?

We too should be clear in our Christian life that entering the glory

of God demands daily fidelity to his will, even when it demands

sacrifice and sometimes requires us to change our plans.

The Ascension of Jesus actually happened on the Mount of Olives,

close to the place where he had withdrawn to pray before the Pas-

sion in order to remain in deep union with the Father: Once again

we see that prayer gives us the grace to be faithful to God’s plan.

3) How does Luke's Gospel describe the Ascension?

At the end of his Gospel, St Luke gives a very concise account of

the event of the Ascension.

Jesus led his disciples “out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his

hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them,

and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and re-

turned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the tem-

ple blessing God” (Lk 24:50-53).

This is what St Luke says.

I would like to note two elements in the account.

4) What is the first point?

First of all, during the Ascension Jesus made the priestly gesture of

blessing, and the disciples certainly expressed their faith with pros-

tration, they knelt with bowed heads.

This is a first important point: Jesus is the one eternal High Priest

who with his Passion passed through death and the tomb and as-

cended into heaven. He is with God the Father where he intercedes

forever in our favour (cf. Heb 9:24). As St. John says in his First Letter, he is our Advocate: How beauti-

ful it is to hear this! When someone is summoned by the judge or is

involved in legal proceedings, the first thing he does is to seek a

lawyer to defend him.

We have One who always defends us, who defends us from the

snares of devil, who defends us from ourselves and from our sins!

Dear brothers and sisters, we have this Advocate; let us not be afraid

to turn to him to ask forgiveness, to ask for a blessing, to ask for

mercy!

He always pardons us, he is our Advocate: He always defends us!

Don’t forget this!

The Ascension of Jesus into heaven acquaints us with this deeply

consoling reality on our journey: In Christ, true God and true man,

our humanity was taken to God.

Christ opened the path to us. He is like a roped guide climbing a

mountain who, on reaching the summit, pulls us up to him and

leads us to God.

If we entrust our life to him, if we let ourselves be guided by him,

we are certain to be in safe hands, in the hands of our Saviour, of

our Advocate.

5) What is the second point?

A second element: St Luke says that having seen Jesus ascending

into heaven, the Apostles returned to Jerusalem “with great joy.”

This seems to us a little odd. When we are separated from our

relatives, from our friends, because of a definitive departure and,

especially, death, there is usually a natural sadness in us since we

will no longer see their face, no longer hear their voice, or enjoy

their love, their presence.

The Evangelist instead emphasizes the profound joy of the Apos-

tles.

But how could this be?

Precisely because, with the gaze of faith they understand that al-

though he has been removed from their sight, Jesus stays with

them forever, he does not abandon them and in the glory of the

Father supports them, guides them and intercedes for them.

6) How does Luke's other book--the book of Acts--record the

Ascension?

St Luke too recounts the event of the Ascension — at the begin-

ning of the Acts of the Apostles — to emphasize that this event is

like the link of the chain that connects Jesus’ earthly life to the

life of the Church.

Here St Luke also speaks of the cloud that hid Jesus from the

sight of the disciples, who stood gazing at him ascending to God

(cf. Acts 1:9-10).

Then two men in white robes appeared and asked them not to

stand there looking up to heaven but to nourish their lives and

their witness with the certainty that Jesus will come again in the

same way in which they saw him ascending into heaven (cf. Acts

1:10-11).

This is the invitation to base our contemplation on Christ’s lord-

ship, to find in him the strength to spread the Gospel and to wit-

ness to it in everyday life: contemplation and action, ora et la-

bora [Latin, "pray and work"], as St Benedict taught, are both

necessary in our life as Christians.

7) What does the Ascension imply about Jesus' presence with

us?

Dear brothers and sisters, the Ascension does not point to Jesus’

absence, but tells us that he is alive in our midst in a new way.

He is no longer in a specific place in the world as he was before

the Ascension.

He is now in the lordship of God, present in every space and time,

close to each one of us.

In our life we are never alone: We have this Advocate who awaits

us, who defends us.

We are never alone: The Crucified and Risen Lord guides us.

We have with us a multitude of brothers and sisters who, in si-

lence and concealment, in their family life and at work, in their

problems and hardships, in their joys and hopes, live faith daily

and together with us bring the world the lordship of God’s love,

in the Risen Jesus Christ, ascended into Heaven, our own Advo-

cate who pleads for us.

Many thanks.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECOND COLLECTION: The second collection this weekend is for the support of the Catholic Communication campaign. The second collection next weekend is to support the Religious Education Program and Bus transportation services. We deeply thank you for your generosity.

Meeting(s):

Stewards of Christ will be meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Marian Hall.

The month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Holy Rosary will be prayed 15 minutes before each mass. We also encourage families to pray the Rosary together.

Bookstore: Confirmation is Sunday, May 31st; First Communion is Sun-day, June 7th. Check us out for Special Rosaries, Wall Crosses, Commun-ion Bibles, Confirmation Prayer books, Picture Frames and special night light crucifixes; Sale—Confirmation & First Communion cards—fifty (.50) cents. Come see, come browse!

As the nation celebrates National Public Works week, let us recognize our public workers in the Virgin Islands, particularly on the island of St. Croix and extend a special welcome to public workers in attendance at our 9:30 a.m. Mass. This year’s theme: Community begins here”, speaks to the essential nature of public works services in support of our everyday quality of life. We appreciate and thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sunday, May 31, 2015—Confirmation Mass 9:30 a.m. Mass

Sunday, June 7, 2015—First Communion Mass 9:30 a.m. Mass

OUR SICK: Please keep in the charity of your

prayers the sick amongst us. Magdeline James,

Alberta Hendrickson, Lucinda Pemberton, Mary

Denis, Catherine Decembre, Leona Javois, Pricilla

Brown, Doreen Pemberton, Zephrine Thomas,

Elden Serrant, Joseph Jones, Abel Javois, Stanis-

laus Prescott, Marv E. Jon, Julie Dizon, Irene

Prevot, Josephine Prescott, Hyacinthe Bright,

Steve Keith, Catherine Samuel, Larry Cook, Omar

Dubois, Mary Bishop, Bernadette Koupie, Kalla

Joseph, Kalla Genevieve, Maria Hall, Olive Le-

Cointe, Derick James, Walter E. Durand,

Clementina Tuitt, Kay Colon, Bernadette Megahy,

Troy Jones, Maurille Philemon, Ann Marie Marius,

Veronica Fleming, Stephen Williams, Yvonne Mon-

roe, Anna Lindo, Desmond Etienne, Charles Gil-

bert 111, Mervyn Tyrell, Linda White, Kianna

Ireland, Francis Davinci, Peter Joseph John,

Wilberto Bennet, Claudelle Mathurin, Magdalene

Greene, Phillip Joseph, Brenda Plaskett, Olaf

Smith, Catherine Royer, Clytie James, Fr. John

Molyneuz, Eduarda Francis, Gerald Douglas,

Stanley Martin Jr., Hakeem Martin, Evarice Xavier,

Lynette Carrabon, Craig Matthew, Landralyn Nel-

son, Marlon & Stephanie Jordan, Wilhelimina

Cooke, Gerard Hall, Marie Urgent, Stephen Ross,

Conrad Edwin, Arkuright Johnson, Rosemary

Jones, Ishvelle Christopher, Agnes Dominique,

Lisa Obeius, Vera Irwin, Erville Pemberton, John

O’Neal, Charleen Isaac, Veronica Rawlins, Maria

Leon, Ann Marie Octalien, Alexander Jean Marie,

Gina Weissinger, Mayco Santiago, Mabel Richard-

son, Gladys Charriez, Shalmar Bine, Iris Caesar,

Nicholas Miller, Catherine Hughes, Melanie Krig-

ger, Merina Durgadeen, Laura Christopher, Peter

Nestor, Doreen Henry, Ivan A. Redo, Lawrence

Walcott, Alexis Denis. Novena Charles, Varonica

Hughes, Herbert Hoover. Please call the Office,

to add or remove names from this list.

MAKE STEWARDSHIP A WAY OF LIFE

You are invited to answer Jesus’ call to follow

his example of Christian living. Disciples are

stewards. Being a disciple means committing

your heart and mind—your whole life to God.

Being a good steward is part of discipleship.

Being a good steward means being generous

with your time, talent and treasure. Your

giving is the key to the success of the church

plans and programs. To help us meet our

obligations, please pray about TITHING as a

reminder to support your church and becoming

good STEWARDS.

REMEMBER, Tithing becomes easier if we

set aside the Lord’s portion.

The Miracle Prayer

Lord, Jesus, I come before you just as I am,

I am sorry for my sins. I repent of my sins.

Please forgive me. In Your name,

I forgive all others for what they have done against me,

I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works.

I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever.

I invite you into my life. Jesus, I accept You as my Lord, God and Savior.

Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit.

Come Lord Jesus, cover me with your precious blood

and fill me with Your Holy Spirit.

I love you Lord Jesus.

I Praise you Lord Jesus.

I thank you Lord Jesus.

I shall follow you every day of my life. Amen. Mary, my Mother, Queen of Peace, all the Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

On behalf of all the mothers, a heartfelt THANK YOU to the father’s of the Sts. Joachim & Ann Parish for a magnificent job with the Mother’s Day brunch. Job well done!

Saturdays

** 8:30 a.m.—10:45 a.m. Levels 7, 8 & 9, Confirma-tion

** 11:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m. First Communion and Lev-els 3, 4, .5, & 6

(PLEASE BE ON TIME AND ALSO PICK UP

THE STUDENTS IMME-DIATELY AFTER

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Please patronize these sponsors. It is through their generous support that this Church Bulletin is provided to our Parish Family.

Let us express our gratitude by making them our first choice.

St. Ann’s Bookstore/GIFTS SHOP Rosaries, Auto Rosaries, Rosary Bracelets, Children’s Book, Prayer Books, Spiritual Books,

Bibles, Gift Cards, Baptism items, Holy Water bottles, Statues, Holy Images, Scapular, Crucifix, and more.

Hours Tuesdays to Fridays: 9:00am to 3:00pm Saturdays: 9:00am –12:00 noon / Sundays: After each Mass.