GENEROUS FRIENDS, YOU HAVE DONE MUCH GOOD
YOUR OUR FELLOW CATHOLICS DOWN IN THE ISLANDS APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH
A NEW LAPTOP IN A FINANCIAL EMERGENCY
YOUR OUR FELLOW CATHOLICS DOWN IN THE ISLANDS APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH
A NEW LAPTOP IN A FINANCIAL EMERGENCY
Right before the pandemic, the Catholic Second Wind Guild donors rushed to replace a badly malfunctioning laptop in the Catholic Pastoral Centre of the Diocese of Kingstown, down in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines where Father Knott volunteers.
“My thank you goes beyond my brand new laptop. Words alone can't express how grateful I am to have met such a wonderful person as Fr Ron who only needs to hear the slightest of a cry to run to help in every way possible.
Fr Ron, thank you for all you have done and continue to do. The joy you bring to little children and the life you give to broken things could never be repaid.
Thank you.”
Fr Ron, thank you for all you have done and continue to do. The joy you bring to little children and the life you give to broken things could never be repaid.
Thank you.”
Kimberley Olliver
Diocese of Kingstown, Assistant Financial Officer
I Hope You Enjoy Giving As Much As I Do!
I learned this habit from my mother. Growing up, we didn't have much, but any time anybody came to our house, my mother would give them a bag from her garden, a jar from her shelf or package from her freezer. They never seemed to leave empty-handed. She intensely enjoyed giving, even though she had very little to give. She is now enjoying her fabulous heavenly reward, but she is also enjoying a wonderful earthly reward, an unselfish reputation. Her legacy to us, her children, is the enjoyment of giving that she taught us by her example.
"Along with her (Kimberley), I wanted to express my personal gratitude to you for this gift. It was a most timely donation for which I am most grateful.
I can scarcely believe that it is coming up to eight months since I left St Vincent and the duration of this time lapse struck me when I reflected on how well Kimberley has assumed her responsibilities over this period. Even before I left last July, she had been ‘complaining’ about some hiccups on her old laptop. So, you can imagine how delighted she was with her new acquisition."
I can scarcely believe that it is coming up to eight months since I left St Vincent and the duration of this time lapse struck me when I reflected on how well Kimberley has assumed her responsibilities over this period. Even before I left last July, she had been ‘complaining’ about some hiccups on her old laptop. So, you can imagine how delighted she was with her new acquisition."
Fergal Redmond
Diocese of Kingstown, Chief Financial Officer
(He is temporarily operating from his home in Ireland during the pandemic. He, like me, is itching to go back.)
RELIEF FROM A CUT IN THE FOOD BUDGET
A DELAYED EASTER IN THE OUTER ISLANDS
This is the boy in the photo above holding the sign that reads
"Thank You Father Ron"
This close-up shows a cute little boy with a basket almost as big as he is!
This beautiful little girl, in her Sunday best, could hardly carry her Easter "goodies."
A few of the kids on Union island got their Easter Baskets the Sunday following the ones on Mayreau island. Some, who could not make it that Sunday, got their baskets later.
Part of the new fence (to keep roaming goats from doing their business the church) we built in partnership with the parish of the Immaculate Conception on the island of Mayreau. The fence is done, but the new gate has yet to be installed.
Old fence in a pile. New fence going up. Church and bell tower in top left of the photo.
Father Boniface Oganna, a priest from Nigeria, is serving as the pastor on Mayrau and Union islands
(He is temporarily operating from his home in Ireland during the pandemic. He, like me, is itching to go back.)
RELIEF FROM A CUT IN THE FOOD BUDGET
Because the rippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have severely affected the diocesan budgets, Bishop County has had to implement cutbacks - from staff numbers and staff salaries to food budgets. Besides the cuts, some items are too expensive or not available.
Above are photos of 6 of the 9 boxes of food staples and other needed items we have sent down to alleviate some of the pain. There are items for the bishop's house, items to be shared with the staff, items for the orphanage, items for the Sisters and items for a priest serving on two of the outer islands. The next box or two will go to those not yet helped.
A DELAYED EASTER IN THE OUTER ISLANDS
Because of COVID-19 precautions, churches in the islands were closed for Easter. On Sunday June 7, Trinity Sunday, the parish was able to gather again. This is a photo of the kids on Mayreau island receiving their delayed Easter baskets. Father Boniface had to miss the photo because he had to catch the boat to Union island immediately after Mass. Notice how well-dressed and groomed the kids are! This is true when they are sent to school and brought to church! It was one of the first things I noticed when I starting working down there - how much they value their children!
The islands of Bequia, Canouan and Union also had delayed Easter Basket distributions. Photos from there are unavailable at this time.
The islands of Bequia, Canouan and Union also had delayed Easter Basket distributions. Photos from there are unavailable at this time.
This is the boy in the photo above holding the sign that reads
"Thank You Father Ron"
This close-up shows a cute little boy with a basket almost as big as he is!
This beautiful little girl, in her Sunday best, could hardly carry her Easter "goodies."
A few of the kids on Union island got their Easter Baskets the Sunday following the ones on Mayreau island. Some, who could not make it that Sunday, got their baskets later.
Part of the new fence (to keep roaming goats from doing their business the church) we built in partnership with the parish of the Immaculate Conception on the island of Mayreau. The fence is done, but the new gate has yet to be installed.
Old fence in a pile. New fence going up. Church and bell tower in top left of the photo.
Three years in the making, we were able to help replace the badly leaking roof on Saint Joseph House on Union island. Saint Joseph House is rentable property given to the Diocese of Kingstown SVG several years ago to produce income to support the parish. The old roof was leaking so badly that it could not be rented over the last three years. With a few more internal repairs, the parish will be able to rent it again and have the support it needs to continue to stay open and operate.
Father Boniface Oganna, a priest from Nigeria, is serving as the pastor on Mayrau and Union islands
I Hope You Enjoy Giving As Much As I Do!
I learned this habit from my mother. Growing up, we didn't have much, but any time anybody came to our house, my mother would give them a bag from her garden, a jar from her shelf or package from her freezer. They never seemed to leave empty-handed. She intensely enjoyed giving, even though she had very little to give. She is now enjoying her fabulous heavenly reward, but she is also enjoying a wonderful earthly reward, an unselfish reputation. Her legacy to us, her children, is the enjoyment of giving that she taught us by her example.
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