Dear Friends,

As you read this week’s column, I will be in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, with Archbishop Myers, as he dedicates the new church.  Yesterday, he dedicated the new Chapel on South Caicos (Island). 

January 1, 1999, the Archbishop of Newark (then, Archbishop McCarrick) became the Ecclesiastical Superior of the Missio Sui Iuris (Mission in Its Own Right), Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies, because the Diocese of Nassau informed the Holy See they could no longer care for the spiritual needs of the population.  Two priests from Newark had already been serving on the Islands since the previous July 1st.  With that, a journey of faith began that has brought us to this happy moment.

I remember my first trip to the Islands, in the fall of 1998.  The main road that ran the length of the Island was one lane in each direction and part of it was still a dirt road.  The church in Provo (Providenciales) could hold 75 people.  There had been a priest on the Islands for only six months of the year and when he was there he traveled between Provo and Grand Turk, the Island capital and site of the other parish, Holy Cross.  Water had to be collected from rainfall and stored in a cistern, or delivered by truck from the desalination plant. 

Much has happened in these thirteen years.  A third priest was added, then a fourth, now a fifth.  A school was opened.  Many more resorts opened and are flourishing.  The two-lane (dirt) road has become a four-lane highway.  Water pipes were laid.  The church was expanded to seat 180 people, instead of the original 75 and even that became too small and today the Archbishop dedicates a church that seats 500.  On Grand Turk a rectory was built next to the church, instead of the house that was two miles away.  A new chapel, the Chapel of St. Lucy, was built on South Caicos so the Catholic population didn’t have to worship in the Anglican Church anymore.  This Chapel, which seats 40 but can be expanded to seat 100 was dedicated yesterday.

This weekend is a milestone in the life of this local church which gives thanks to God for the many graces and blessings He has showered upon it.  Among them are the graces of good priests, like Fr. Peter, and good friends, like the people of Mount Carmel.  As you pray for them in this happy moment, I pray for you for your generosity in their support.

Before I close, I put in a word for the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, for those who missed last weekend.  The rest of the Archdiocese is doing Pledge Sunday this weekend.  We did it last weekend because I was to be away this weekend.  Pledge envelopes are still in the pews.  I appeal to every family/household to join the parish family in caring for our larger family, those in need in the counties that comprise the Archdiocese of Newark.  As you can see from the above, the Church of Newark does its share in caring for others (Turks and Caicos), so, please, let’s help them help our own.  Just fill out a pledge envelope and place it in the boxes at the doors of the church before you leave today.

Lastly, before I left I got a surprise on January 31st.  ParishPay sent me a statement of my donations to the parish for the year.  Automatically, via email.  Another reason to sign up for ParishPay as the best way to support the parish.

Blessings from the sunny Islands,
Fr. Ron

PS.  Two issues have been in the headlines recently which should be of concern to all Catholics.  One is the assault on the freedom of conscience of Catholics by this Administration in which Catholic institutions will be forced to provide health care coverage that includes drugs and procedures which the Church opposes on moral grounds.  To learn more about this dangerous precedent and what you can do about it, go to www.usccb.org/conscience.

The second issue is the consideration, once again, by the State Legislature, of the meaning of marriage.  The Bishops of New Jersey have issued a statement reaffirming the Church’s understanding of marriage.  As World Marriage Sunday (Feb. 12) approaches, may I suggest you go to the Archdiocesan website for the full text of the Statement www.rcan.org. In addition, the New Jersey Catholic Conference provides a simple and easy way to contact your legislators to let them know your opposition to any change in the present understanding of marriage. That site is www.capwiz.com/njcathconf/issues/alert/?alertid=60482501.