In 1996 Bishop Roger Schwietz and Bishop Robert Rivas signed a covenant establishing a
sister diocese relationship between the Diocese of Duluth and the Diocese of Kingstown,
St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The covenant states, in part:
"God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we as local churches might
live no longer for ourselves, but for Him, in the service of one another."
The Diocese of Kingstown was formed in 1990 (it had previously been a part of the
Diocese of Barbados). There are eight priests and thirteen nuns serving the needs of
10,000 Catholics.
Bishop Rivas and the priests and nuns of the Diocese are working to establish a
meaningful Catholic presence on the islands. In addition to the faith needs of
parishioners, they are trying to address staggering social problems fueled by
severe unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and the spread of AIDS. Accordingly,
Bishop Rivas has identified the health and educational needs of children as a
diocesan priority.
With the help of God, I can and I will.
LOCATION:
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Facts about St. Vincent:
Coastline: 84 km
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Ethnic groups: black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Caib Amerindian 2%
Religions: Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, Seventh-Day Adventist, Hindu, other Protestant, but no VooDoo!
Languages: English, French patois
Independence: 27 October 1979 (From UK)
Government type: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereigh state within the Commonwealth
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange Rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US $1 - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Railways: 0 km
Highways: 1,040 km
Ports and harbors: Kingstown
Economy - overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this lower-middle-income economy. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and a high unemployment rate of 22% continues. The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade.
St. Vincent Committee Continues Commitment to the Poor
Mary Lou Jennings, chair
St. Vincent's Children's Committee
It has always been a part of the mission and identity of the Catholic
Church to work with the poor and the underprivileged. To actively support this broader
mission, our Parish formed the St. Vincent Committee three years ago, with the specific
goal of feeding the poor and hungry children attending St. Mary's School in our sister
Diocese of St. Vincent in the Grenadines, West Indies.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic School educates over 600 children and is run
by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny. The Sisters have served the poor of this school
since the turn of the century, that is, the early 1900's. The school itself is a
dilapidated building that is overcrowded and, like many buildings on the island, in
need of extensive repair.
In our first year as a Parish committee, we raised grant monies
totaling $16,000. With those funds, we were able to completely support a hot lunch
program for the underprivileged children. Last year, through the annual Thanksgiving
collection, a pasty sale, and the St. Vincent's Gala, the Committee raised in excess
of $30,000. We were able to fund the hot lunch program and assist with other physical
needs of the school and our sister diocese.
The committee's goal for this year is equally ambitious. Because of
the success that we have had, we are changing the name of our program from
"Feed-a-Child" to the "St. Vincent's Children's Fund." The third annual St. Vincent
Gala is scheduled for February 25, 2006.
Catholic education has always been one of the primary ways to break
the chains of poverty. The work of this committee truly is the work of our "faith in
action" as it continues to reach those most in need by assisting with their Catholic
education.
NOTE: Though the money is raised expressly for the children of St. Vincent, a system
of checks and balances has been established to ensure that the money is used for the
intended purposes. According to US government guidelines, a grant request must be
submitted. The request must show that the funds will be used for purposes that
fulfill our own Parish's mission. The grant is then reviewed by the Finance Council. If
approved, the money is sent. St. Mary's School is also required to provide financial
statements showing how the funds were used. In addition, a representative from our
Parish committee must visit the Island each year to verify the expenditures.
Article Taken from the 2005 Annual Report to the Parish
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