Pastorale -- Volume 3. No. 1 -- (11 December 2005)
Newsletter of the Diocesan Task Force

“Proclaim the Good News”
Diocese of St. George’s-in-Grenada , 20 February 1956 – 19 February 2006

“Rebuilding through Evangelisation”

The Diocesan Task Force has been charged by His Lordship Bishop Vincent Darius to organize the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Diocese. This newsletter is the first in a series to keep you informed of activities for the celebrations. Look out for further updates.

INTRODUCTION

The Diocese was created on 20th February 1955 , after being for many years part of the Archdiocese of Trinidad and Tobago . 50 years – a golden jubilee - is an achievement, a milestone well worth celebrating. It is the wish of Bishop Darius that the entire Diocese participates in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations which will span a twelve month period under the theme, “Rebuilding through Evangelisation.” It is the hope of the Bishop that as we rebuild our churches we too will be rebuilt spiritually.

JUBILEE YEAR

The year of celebrations started on Sunday 27th November 2005 and will conclude on Friday 8th December 2006 . The highlight of the celebrations will take place from Sunday 19th February 2006 until Sunday 26th February 2006 during which activities are expected to take place both at diocesan and parish levels. Parishes are expected to continue holding various activities during the year.

GOLDEN JUBILEE ASSEMBLY

On Sunday 19th February 2006 a Diocesan Assembly will take place at Pearls Airstrip. We will assemble at Seamoon and a fanfare of conch shells will announce the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration as we walk in procession from Seamoon to Pearls. The Police band and the Secondary Schools Drum Corps will be asked to accompany the procession.

On entering Pearls, the call to praise will be led by folk drummers and the choir with the hymn, “O Creator”. Standard bearers carrying the flag of each ecclesiastic parish as well as the coat of arms of the Bishop and the Papal flag will follow the faithful on to the airstrip but will precede the clergy and religious.

The Mass will begin as usual as soon as all the flags are placed but the penitential rite will have a particularly Grenadian flavour. After the examination of conscience, water from the rivers and lakes of Grenada will be carried in calabashes and poured into a large urn. After the water is blessed by His Lordship, he and other priests will move among the people sprinkling them with the blessed Grenadian water in a symbolic gesture of cleansing us of our sins. The main feature of the afternoon will be the bestowing of Papal and Diocesan Awards to deserving members of the faithful, both living and dead, who have contributed much to the life of the Diocese over the years.

Note : Choirs will receive tapes of the hymns to be sung at the Assembly Mass. They are expected to practice them and sing them at regular mass so that parishioners can learn them before the Assembly. If you do not receive your tape by December 31, 2005 , please call Sr. Maureen Alexander at 440-3284 or Ms. Denise Clouden at 440 2551.

JUBILEE WEEK

During the week of February 19 – 26, 2006 , a number of major activities are planned in which all parishes will participate.

• Youth Day
• Fund-raising Dinner
• Symposium
• Assembly in Carriacou

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TASK FORCE

Awards criteria : Each parish will be asked to nominate parishioners for consideration based on criteria established by the Awards Committee.

Symposium : Each parish will be given topics for discussion and is expected to hold a parish symposium. Parishes will nominate delegates to attend and participate in the Diocesan Symposium, sharing the outcome of their parish deliberations. The Diocesan Symposium will take place on Saturday 25th February 2006 from 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Banner : The design, colour and size of the banner will be provided. Each parish is expected to make their banner(s) according to the prescribed design and have it (them) in place before February 01, 2006

WHAT THE TASK FORCE EXPECTS FROM YOU

• The logo or symbol of your parish
• Names of musicians in the parish, active as well as non-active
• List of musical equipment owned or used by the choir
• Names of photographers and/or videographers
• Programme of activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee
• Names of persons willing to accommodate our brothers and sisters from Carriacou interested in coming for the Assembly
• Register with the Task Force if any Church group wishes to sell any item on that day to raise funds.
• Pray for the success of the Assembly, the celebrations in general and for the spiritual renewal of the Church in Grenada .

The Parish Pastoral Council President or a delegate should submit this information to Mr. Alvin Clouden, Task Force Chairman or Mrs. Meryl Forysth, Deputy Chairperson or Mrs. Cheryl Kirton, Chairperson of the Communications Committee

ACTIVITIES AT PARISH LEVEL

Gather together to compose the history of your parish. As folks talk about what they remember about their Church, someone should be recording their memories, ideally on tape and video.

Arrange to have your parish awards ceremony, using either your own criteria or that submitted by the Task Force.

Plan ahead for your parish symposium in order to make a meaningful contribution at the Diocesan symposium.

Talk, talk, talk about the Golden Jubilee celebrations and encourage all your family and friends to attend

We ARE the church and if we are to rebuild the Body of Christ, it is important that everybody gets involved.

For further information, please contact: Denise Clouden on 440 2551 or 457 3031