Message to Principals and Board Chairs

On Thursday, 4 February 2010, the body of the late Archbishop Lawrence A. Burke, S.J., will lie in state at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity from 12 noon until 2.45 p.m., prior to the commencement of the Funeral Mass at 3.00 p.m.

In appreciation for Archbishop Burke who championed the cause of Catholic Education, it would be commendable were the students and teaching staff (as well as Board Members) to pay their respect by visiting the Cathedral and praying for the Archbishop’s happy repose at the hours aforementioned. The students in uniform would give a good testimony of the school’s appreciation of and love for this great Churchman.

God bless!

Most Reverend Donald J. Reece, D.D., G.C.M.
Archbishop of Kingston

Please be advised. . .

We have been informed that permission needs to be sought for flying flags at half staff.

No disrespect was intended.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

In Memoriam +Archbishop Lawrence Burke, SJ

+Archbishop Lawrence Burke, SJ, OJ
1932 - 2010

45.6 years a priest

28.3 years a bishop

As you know +Archbishop Burke died on Sunday evening after a long battle with cancer. So too you know he was a champion for education and the restoration of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Kingston. It was under his leadership that the Catholic Schools Initiative started back in 2006.

As a sign of respect the CSI Team in consort with the Director of Catholic Education is asking that all schools, under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Kingston, that fly the National Flag: to please fly said flags at half mast/half staff through Thursday, 4 February 2010 (the date of +His Grace’s funeral). Flags should go back to full staff on Friday, 5 February 2010.

.

In addition, as a tribute to +His Grace, we would ask that a morning devotion be devoted to remembering +Archbishop Burke as your school schedule permits.

.

May he rest in peace!

Alpha Academy Reports In . . .

In Sunday’s Gospel – (John 2) The wedding in Cana of Galilee, Mary the mother of Jesus was there with her son, Jesus and his disciples.

And we hear Mary saying to the disciples, “Do whatever he tells you”. Over the last week our neighbours in Haiti experienced the worst natural disaster in this hemisphere for over 200 years. For us Jamaicans, young people, young ladies of one of the Greatest Schools in Jamaica, Alpha Academy.

What does it mean to do what Jesus tell us? What does it mean to do what love requires. All this means that each of us must find some practical and tangible way of supporting our brothers and sisters in Haiti. For some of us this means spending more time in prayer, asking God to receive the souls of the dead, to give comfort to the injured, let us try to be givers and not takers, to help and not hinder, to build up and not tear down; to encourage and not criticize, to be thoughtful and kind, a ready listener to the troubles of others; despite all our problems, great or small .... and we all have problems. Let us sincerely give gifts to those in need not from our surplus but from the gifts on which our lives depend. Times like these demand great sacrifice of God’s people... all of us here. Let us do what love requires for this is precisely what Jesus tells us to do.

Jesus called his disciples and said to them, “truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave from their plenty, but she gave from her poverty and put in everything she had, her life, her all”.

The Campus Minister: Velia Espeut,

The CSI Team: Margaret Little Wilson and Sonia Witter Rickards, Team Leader, reporting.

Archbishop Annouces Catholic Schools Sunday

Archbishop Reece has announced that SUNDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2010 will be Catholic Schools Sunday. On this Sunday, members of the Catholic Schools Initiative be in local church communities raising awareness of the initiative and seeking out new recruits for this vital ministry. Look for our red shirts in your church community and spread the word: Catholic Schools Sunday - February 14, 2010!

News from Sts. Peter & Paul Preparatory School

Saints Peter & Paul Prep under the direction of the CSI Team: Louise Marcelle-Peart, Andrew Chin, Andrea Spence and Simone Fong Kong (Team Leader) have filed the following update.

-

This past term the CSI Team has assisted with:

Assisting with devotions
Assist in the preparation of first Friday Mass
Maintain the Catholic presence in the school
Assist with the various events in accordance with the Liturgical Calendar (Advent season )

Assist RE teacher in the various explanations of the

Catholic Faith

Meet with the teachers to share their concerns and to explain fully our purpose.

The Team is leading devotion three (3) days a week, posted posters of the prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, etc) and teaching the children the parts of the Mass. The team reports: "we are fortunate that the new principal Mrs Shinabola is Catholic. This will greatly enhance our objectives in promoting Catholic values in the school ... she is delighted with the initiative and welcomes our assistance."

All eyes look to great things happening this

new term 2010.

Back to School - January Term

Happy New Year to all the Catholic Schools Initiative Volunteers! We pray these few days of holiday have refreshed you for this second term of school ministry beginning Monday, 11 January 2010 in all our Catholic Schools that are now on stream.

A reminder to all - send those stories and pictures to: csi.aeb@gmail.com so we can highlight your ministry on the CSI Blog.