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ATTENTION FOR ADORATION
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In the three churches of the St Martin of Tours parish there is regularly opportunity for all parishioners and visitors to spend some time for personal prayer and reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament. In the church of the Risen Christ in Reward (Tuesday 7.30 pm), in the St Martin of Tours church in Frontstreet (Wednesday 7 pm) and in the church of Mary, Star of the Sea, in Simpsonbay (Thursday 6 pm). People come to Eucharistic celebration with a variety of motives and methods of prayer. Some people come, because they are suffering in some way and they remember the words of Jesus "Come to me, you all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". Others come to give praise and thankgiving to God for all his blessings. Still others come to simply sit in his presence, to find a moment of peace with God in the midst of a busy life. This form of worship, different ftom the celebration of the Holy Mass, formally began in Avignon, France, on September 22, 1226, and this devotion spread over Europe and the whole world, and culminated in the establishment of the feast of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ) in 1264.
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LITURGY AND SPIRITUALITY (2)
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Participants in the Parish Hall Meeting last year in the St Martin of Tours parish noted the need for the formation of a liturgical committee for the fiture with representatives from the three churches (Great Bay, Simpson Bay and Reward). There is a need to emphasize the need and value of the Sacrament of Reconciliation which regrettably has fallen into disuse. There appears to be a need for a monthly weekend Mass designated exclusively for the youth of the parish. Several times of the year, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick could be celebrated in all three churches for the sick and elderly instead of keeping it only a private business for the patient and the direct family in the last moments of the patient's life. This Anointing of the Sick is one of the most beautiful sacraments of the church, thanks to a new interpretation of the meaning of this sacrament. Another suggestion in the meeting was that a study should be undertaken to determine the feasibility of introducing Perpetual Adoration in one of our churches. The time, place and participation of parishioners would need to be studies carefully.
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LITURGY AND SPIRITUALITY (1)
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The church provides the celebration of the Church's liturgical life in the celebration of the Eucharist throughout the year. It also makes available the other sacraments of the church, as needed. The arrival of a priest to tend to the liturgical needs of the Hispanic community was seen as a positive move. The liturgy is generally celebrated in a dignified and fitting manner, especially thr Sunday Eucharist. It was noted that visitors from abroad often comment favourably on the parish Sunday celebrations with the full, enthousiastic participation of the faithful. That is not to say that there is no need for ongoing training for all liturgical ministers, old and new. There surely is. Musicians and readers were focused on in particular. School Masses are offered throughout the year with the involvement, as much as possible, of the children. The quality of most of our funeral celebrations in our parish was commented on as favourably.
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FORMATION AND EDUCATION (2)
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The first concern was and is the limited time set aside for religious instruction in our Catholic schools. The Diocesan School Office should look into the present law of sixty minutes per week which is considered to be inadequate. A review of text books needs to be done to use only those that are culturally sensitive and age level friendly. Pre- and post-sacramental programs should be designed for children. The age for Confirmation should be raised and preparation should be extended over two years. The support and involvement of parents in all programs for children need to be enhanced. For adult education program, a seies of lectures on timely religious topics should be designed. Consideration should be given to family-centered faith formation. There is a great need to employ Catholic teachers in our Catholic schools who can transmit the Catholic faith by both their teaching and example. There should be more cooperation and collaboration from the Diocesan Office of Education with communication, and programs offered in English for the islands of St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten.
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FORMATION AND EDUCATION
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Without doubt, formation and education are central to the life of our parish, as it is in every parish of the Catholic church.This is reflected in the number of areas where formation already takes place.Participants in the Parish Hall Meetings last year listed several major areas: liturgical preaching, preparation programs for the sacraments (in the Catholic schools and parish programs; Center for Catechesis programs; pre=marriage program;RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults);Bible study groups (in English and Spanish); Haitian formation programs; three youth groups; Couples for Christ; in service training for teachers and catechists;preparation of liturgical ministers, catechists ans teachers. Much more should be done, as you will rfead in our next week's column.
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