SEVEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

Of the more than 75 Parish Missions that I have conducted in Kentucky, Indiana and Florida, probably the most energetic and responsive was held this week seven years ago down in Marion County, Kentucky. St. Augustine Church in Lebanon was packed every night and the attendees sang gospel music at the top of their voices. It was a very, very memorable event that seemed to energize both the participants and those of us who provided the preaching and the music. It was an event I will never ever forget! 

Gospel Group Reflections

Even the choir loft was full.

Greeting old friends after one of the three-night sessions. 

MY SEMINARY CLASSMATE - A DEDICATED MISSIONARY IN CAMBODIA

One of my classmates at Saint Thomas Seminary here in Louisville between 1958 - 1964 is doing great missionary work with the deaf on the other side of the world. I am proud of him and keep up with him a bit by way of modern technology. I get his parish bulletin every week by e-mail. 

Fr. Charles R. Dittmeier

serving

Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme

English Catholic Community

Phnom Penh

CAMBODIA

Father Charlie lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and serves as the Director of the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme. The program offers sign language, education, vocational training, and basic life skills to deaf individuals. Besides efforts to promote a national sign language, the program fosters leadership skills and the establishment of deaf organizations in various areas. It has three community centers for students and members of the deaf community to participate in social activities, sports, and adult education.

Father Charlie is also the pastor of the English speaking Catholic community in Phnom Penh.

He is Secretary of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners Board of Directors.

Father Charles (Charlie) Dittmeier, is a diocesan priest from Louisville, Kentucky, and a Maryknoll Associate Priest. He began working with deaf people in the seminary in Baltimore and has continued that ministry in assignments in Louisville and in deaf schools and deaf communities in India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and now in Cambodia where he has lived since 2000. He was also a parish priest in Louisville and a teacher, chaplain, and counselor in a high school here for thirteen years. His hometown is Peewee Valley, Kentucky, (outside Louisville). 

This little notice in his weekly church bulletin grabbed my attention. It summarizes my own approach to ministry especially when I was pastor of our Cathedral of the Assumption here in Louisville between 1983 - 1997. We specialized in welcoming home "marginal, disaffected and rejected" Catholics, They came from 67 zip codes. This approach has been central to my own ministry, as well as his, over the last 52 years. Since Father Charlie and I were ordained on the same day in the same place, it is not surprising that we share this same perspective! Below is his quote below in yellow. I have also added a Lenten article from AMERICA Magazine that supports his and my thinking. 

ALL ARE WELCOME  

   
No matter what your personal history, age, background, race, sexual
          orientation, nationality, etc.,
     No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church,
        No matter what your own self image,
   You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved, and respected here.

A Reflection for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday

 Sebastian Gomes

“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Lk 5:30).

In Lent, we often ask ourselves, “What will I give up?” We default to denying ourselves something enjoyable or even important in our lives. I once abstained from the Eucharist during Lent in order to intentionally reflect on the mystery of the sacrament and hopefully reignite my spiritual hunger for God.

One of the biggest stories we covered over the past year was the infamous Communion war—a raucous debate over whether or not priests should deny the Eucharist to President Joe Biden. The second Catholic president in U.S. history is a regular Massgoer. According to the head of the U.S. bishops’ conference, some of Mr. Biden’s political positions advance moral evils and threaten human life and dignity, namely in the areas of abortion, contraception, marriage and gender. That’s very serious.

So, it is understandable that some Catholics would adopt an attitude of protectionism and argue for denying him the Eucharist. It was a noble compulsion: to protect the integrity of the sacrament that is so central to the life of the Catholic community and a corporeal connection to Christ. And yet, this drive to arbitrate the altar conflicts, ironically enough, with another cornerstone of the Catholic faith, namely Jesus’ own ministerial practices around meals as described in the Gospels.

Jesus did many things to unsettle the religious authorities of his day. But the one that got him killed was eating with tax collectors and sinners. We hear about one of these encounters in today’s Gospel.

Tax collectors and sinners were not individuals who periodically slipped up by skipping synagogue, lying to a spouse or wishing harm on their neighbor. These were individuals who deliberately made life decisions and pursued occupations that set them outside the established moral norms of the community. They were deemed outcasts and totally unacceptable in sacred spaces like the temple.

In today’s Gospel, we see the impulse of the Pharisees and scribes to protect the sanctity of sacred spaces and the entire community on full display. Yet this story, and so many others like it in the Gospels, is about how Jesus challenged that prevailing attitude and system by leaving the confines of sacred space to eat and drink with the unclean, the unworthy, the broken—people like Levi.

Jesus’ pastoral strategy was so creative: Instead of hosting an exclusive meal and guarding the door against sinners, he went to where sinners were. We can only conclude from stories like this one in Luke 5 that Jesus would have eaten with anybody! But why? It seems that he believed that grace operates in such encounters. Our faith is built on the witness that grace did operate in those encounters. If Catholics want to protect the integrity of the Eucharist, then studying Jesus’ habits around the dinner table, written plainly on the pages of the Gospels, is a good place to start.

I mentioned that the impulse to protect the integrity of the Eucharist—Jesus really present to us—is a noble one. Maybe President Biden should be denied Communion, or maybe he shouldn’t. But if Catholics want to protect the integrity of the Eucharist, then studying Jesus’ habits around the dinner table, written plainly on the pages of the Gospels, is a good place to start.

I don’t intend to abstain from the Eucharist this Lent. Instead, I will be praying for the grace to be more like Jesus and expanding my dinner table.

A RESURRECTION STORY IN THE MAKING

After a Volcano Eruption - Our "Star" is Rising From the Ashes

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church

Sandy Bay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

In this small village of Sandy Bay, Catholics used the top floor of this building as their church, while Anglicans use the bottom floor as their church. 

This is only one of the small community churches that suffered damage, but one we spent a lot of time, effort and resources on a few years ago. When it was done, we were so very proud of what we had accomplished. Remembering the times I celebrated Mass there and stood on that balcony talking to people, it was personally heart-breaking to see how much damage had occurred to it. We are thrilled to see, now that the volcano is dormant again and COVID is subsiding, that they are progressing on making it "whole" again. 

 Below are two pictures of our finished renovation with  statues, ceiling fans, stations of the cross, new paint and floor finishing and beautiful used red chairs from our Cathedral in Louisville.  

Below is a picture of what most of the island of St. Vincent looked like as the ash was falling from the exploding volcano. It went on for weeks. 

Below is the collapsed roof of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church from the weight of 18" inches of volcanic ash landing on it. Notice how deep the volcanic ash is on the floor. Just to think that our beautiful red Cathedral chairs are crushed under the weight of that roof and ash! 

The statues at the front of the church and the terrazzo floor were spared. The chairs, altar furniture, ceiling fans and stations of the cross were a total loss. 

Below is a picture of the reconstruction going on now. Notice the new concrete pillars that will hold up the new roof. Rather than a nearly-flat roof like before, the new roof will be more "pitched" and able to shed volcanic ash as it falls if there were to be another eruption. 

 Even though I am no longer leading priest retreats all over the United States and Canada to make

money for the island missions, if you are moved to help with this renovation project I am sure that that little parish would be most appreciative. Even though I am no longer making trips down there, I can still forward deposits to their account with any help you might want to send them. 

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO

 "Saint Bartholomew Church - SVG Mission Account" 

AND SEND TO ME

Rev. Ronald Knott

1271 Parkway Gardens Court

#106

Louisville, KY 40217 

Most of us don't know how good we have it compared to the rest of the world!

Out of gratitude, I plan on personally sending them some more help. Join me if you can!  

 

THAT IRISH "CAT WITH THE NINE LIVES" IS BACK IN THE ISLANDS!

Fergal is back! Fergal is back! Fergal is back! 

I knew when I asked all of my readers to pray for my Irish friend and fellow volunteer in the islands, that it might work! Well, it did! He is back in the islands after several health scares over the last year and a half when he was back home in Ireland. What can I say? He's a tough old bird! 

He arrived back in Saint Vincent just the other day. I live-chatted with him on SKYPE. 

I took a picture of the computer screen to prove that this "cat with nine lives" is still with us! He is back until fall at his old desk in the Diocese of Kingstown Pastoral Centre!

After a few months down in the islands, he plans to come back through Kentucky on his way home to Ireland! I will let you know when that is - probably late August or early September. He has many Kentucky friends who will be wanting to see him, enjoy a few laughs and share a few "pints." 

 

"Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!"

WHO SAID "BAD" CAN'T GET "WORSE?" ---- SAINT VINCENT UPDATE

A TRUE ONGOING DISASTER IN THE MIDDLE OF A COVID EPIDEMIC

IT'S HEART-BREAKING WHEN YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE

Besides all the heavy ash deposits causing roofs to collapse, polluting the water supply and killing the vegetation and animals (food supply), I just heard that hot lava is now coming out of the volcano! 20,000 have been evacuated off the island and thousands more are living with relatives or living in homeless shelters, including the orphans of Saint Benedict Home for Children. All this is happening in a COVID epidemic! 

When I feel like complaining about something, I stop and try to remember that I only have "aggravations," while the poor people of Saint Vincent have real "problems." 

The "Georgetown" mentioned in this video is the home of the orphanage, Saint Benedict Home for Children, Saint Benedict Church and Ligouri House where a Redemptorist priest and Brother live. 

North of Georgetown is Sandy Bay where Our Lady Star of the Sea Church that we renovated with red chairs from our Cathedral in Louisville, new fans, statues and a large crucifix and Stations of the Cross from the Ursuline Sisters and Providence Sisters were completely crushed under the weight of a collapsing roof. 

Even though I decided to "officially" end my trips down to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines back in January because of COVID, I did not foresee a major volcano eruption coming. Even though I dissolved my CATHOLIC SECOND WIND GUILD at that time, I am still in contact with Bishop County and several of his staff on a regular basis. 

The needs are many and the problems will be long-term, but if anyone is moved to help I want you to know that I can still deposit checks made out to SAINT BARTHOLOMEW CHURCH - SVG MISSION FUND into their account if they are sent to me.

Rev. Ronald Knott

1271 Parkway Gardens Court

#106

Louisville, KY 40217    

With the help of our local SUPPLIES OVER SEAS organization who salvage surplus 

medical supplies and the help of some funds I still have in my R.J. MISSION PROJECTS

account, I was able to pack 6 boxes (312 pounds) of "toiletries" for my friends down in Saint Vincent who are suffering from the ongoing effects of the still erupting volcano. Bishop County and his staff suggested that these items were most needed at this time: bar soap, shampoo, tooth brushes and paste, razors, hair brushes and combs, toilet paper, deodorant, Kleenex, wipes and bandages.  Simple things like washing your hair and taking a bath can be a huge problem when everything is covered with layers of volcanic ash and the water supply has been compromised.

I was hoping to send them today, but I was told by the people of AMERIJET that they have yet to resume flights down to that island country because of volcanic ash. I was told to hold the boxes for a few more days and to contact them again to see if they had clearance.   

YET MORE CARIBBEAN BOOKS SPONSORED

HOT OFF THE PRESS

at amazon.com

As part of my work in the Caribbean Missions,  I have been helping Archbishop Jason Gordon, Archbishop of Port of Spain in the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Mr. Timothy Schoenbachler and I have been helping him publish some of his homilies. This is our fourth  and fifth book. 

Teach Us To Pray

Meditations in the Upper Room

Birthing the Word of God

Homilies I: Food For Our Journey

Homilies II: Food For Our Journey 

Archbishop Gordon is the former bishop of the countries of Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He is the bishop who got me involved in the Caribbean Missions. I met him at Saint Meinrad Seminary in 2015 when I was about to retire. He stays at my house when he visits Saint Meinrad Seminary each year. 

Archbishop Gordon's books are published under the auspices of my little publishing company, Sophronismos Press here in Louisville, and sold internationally online at Amazon Books. 

MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKING ME ABOUT SAINT VINCENT - AN UPDATE

My dear island of Saint Vincent is experiencing a real disaster. The volcano is still spewing out ash that has reached other Caribbean nations. Barbados and Saint Lucia at 10:00 in the morning look like 10:00 at night. 

The photos below show what it is like all day in Saint Vincent.  Breathing, water access, electrical power and food availability are serious issues and are growing worse by the day. Thousands from the northern most segment of the island are being evacuated to other Caribbean nations. The orphans from Saint Benedict Home for Children, from the northern segment of the island, are being housed in Saint Mary's School in the capitol in the very southern part of the island. Priests from the northern segment are being housed in the Pastoral Centre in the capitol city of Kingstown down in the south. 

Some of our "investments," through my Catholic Second Wind Guild (the Pastoral Centre, automobiles, school supplies and tuition help, most church renovations), are intact as far as I know. However the whole roof on Our Lady Star of the Sea Church collapsed into the church from the weight of the ash and sand. That was the church that we renovated with some of our old Cathedral chairs, new ceiling fans and other nice used liturgical furniture. Look how deep the ash and sand from the volcano is! No wonder it collapsed!

After we fixed it up and before the roof collapsed 

As it looks now after the roof collapse from the weight of the volcanic ash and sand. 

 

Father Alando sent the photo above and also a video below of what he encountered on the road home. 

Even though I feel a bit helpless at this point, I am consoled by the fact that the Diocese of Kingstown would be a whole lot worse off without our past help. 

The saddest thing about all this is that it could continue for a long time, it could get worse and people who have been evacuated may not be able to return for months and even years! The ash will affect the fruit trees, the vegetable gardens and the farm animals - a big source of their food supply. Because people are having to crowd together in smaller spaces, COVID will no doubt spread faster than ever in a country with a limited health system! A country who has suffered so much is suffering even more now!

I am in contact with the Bishop and several of the diocesan leaders by telephone, text and WHATSAPP.

If you are inspired to offer help, please make your donations check out to SAINT BARTHOLOMEW CHURCH - SVG MISSION FUND and send them to me. I can still deposit them from here. This is the safest, quickest and cheapest way to get it to them. Bishop County has a committee to divide and distribute any help fairly and efficiently. 

SEND YOUR ST. BARTHOLOMEW SVG MISSION FUND CHECKS TO ME

Rev. Ronald Knott

1271 Parkway Gardens Court

#106

Louisville, KY 40217

Out in the country ash keeps falling like snow.

Ash is blanketing the whole city of Kingstown. It's so bad, the streets are almost empty. 

Some men are trying to clean the ash off a house roof. The roof is red. The ash is brown. As you can see, it is no easy task. Just imagine everything covered with ash getting wet and baking in the hot Caribbean sun for a few weeks!

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (AP) — La Soufriere volcano fired an enormous amount of ash and hot gas

early Monday in the biggest explosive eruption yet since volcanic activity began on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent late last week, with officials worried about the lives of those

who have refused to evacuate.

Experts called it a “huge explosion” that generated pyroclastic flows down the volcano’s south and southwest flanks.

“It’s destroying everything in its path,” Erouscilla Joseph, director of the University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Center, told The Associated Press. “Anybody who would have not heeded the evacuation, they need to get out immediately.”

There were no immediate reports of injuries or death, but government officials were scrambling to respond to the latest eruption, which was even bigger than the first eruption that occurred Friday morning. Roughly 16,000 people who live in communities close to the volcano had been evacuated under government orders on Thursday, but an unknown number have remained behind and refused to move.

Richard Robertson, with the seismic research center, told local station NBC Radio that the volcano's old and new dome have been destroyed and that a new crater has been created. He said that the pyroclastic flows would have razed everything in their way.

“Anything that was there, man, animal, anything...they are gone,” he said. “And it’s a terrible thing to say it.”

Joseph said the latest explosion is equivalent to the one that occurred in 1902 and killed some 1,600. The volcano last erupted in 1979. Ash from the ongoing explosions has fallen on Barbados and other nearby islands.

One government minister who toured the island’s northeast region on Sunday said he saw an estimated two or three dozen people still remaining in the community of Sandy Bay alone, prompting Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to urge people to leave.

“It is over time for you to leave,” he said. “It is dangerous.”

JUST NOW - 6:45 AM - TODAY

The volcano is erupting yet again. I am getting photos and videos of falling ash, rivers of mud and landslides faster than I can keep up with! 

It appears to be a "hell on earth" situation that keeps getting worse by the day! 

My heart goes out to the people of my adopted country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines!  

UPDATE ON THE VOLCANO ON THE ISLAND OF SAINT VINCENT

The effusive eruption of the volcano continues characterized by the actively growing lava dome.

On 19 March the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) monitored the volcano by drone to detect of physical changes of the new lava dome.

The central active vent continues to feed the growing lava dome in north-west and south-east direction. The extruded lava dome is currently about 105 m tall, 243 m wide and 921 long (511 m on 4 Feb) with a volume of 13.13 million cubic meters (5.93 million cubic meters on 4 Feb). Its length and volume is almost twice since the last update on 4 February.

The observations confirmed ongoing sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions concentrated on the top of the new dome as well as at the contact with the 1979 lava dome.

Source: University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre volcano activity update 22 March 2021

https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/soufriere-st-vincent/news/125255/Soufriere-St-Vincent-volcano-West-Indies-St-Vincent-twice-length-and-volume-of-new-lava-dome-since-l.html

I got this message this morning. 

"We are having earth movements at the moment so it's a matter of time! 

Oh! Happy Day! Our Easter Eggs Are Out For Delivery!

My helpers,  Kimberly (delivering one of our Easter eggs) and Catherine (taking the photo), filled and delivered 300 Easter Eggs to 300 children starting on Holy Thursday.  

Many children in the U.S. would not be impressed with one Easter Egg filled with a small toy, some candy and three coins, but the 300 island kids really appreciated them. Here is just a sample of the excitement and appreciation that our Easter eggs brought to the kids of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

I COULDN'T FORGET THE KIDS!

 THREE HUNDRED EASTER EGGS FOR THE ISLAND KIDS

Even though I have dissolved the CATHOLIC SECOND WIND GUILD after six years and have needed to step back drastically from my involvement in the Caribbean Missions of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, I could not let Easter come and go without thinking of the kids. For years, I usually sent Easter baskets and the contents to fill them. This year, I sent 300 plastic eggs, 30 pounds of candy. 300 small toys and enough money to put three East Caribbean dollar coins (amounting to $1.00 in our currency) in each egg. These will be given out in the parishes on four islands on Easter Sunday. 

Kimberly (above) and Catherine (taking the photo) are my helpers with this project. They are always there to help me. I so appreciate both of them. Just think how much work it is to assemble 300 plastic eggs with candy, a small toy and three coins! (Notice the bags of coins in the top left corner of the picture below.) The kids have had a tough year, so I hope these eggs bring a little joy! 

WHILE LOOKING FOR A NEW NORMAL - PART THREE

A TIME TO START AND A TIME TO STOP

 

A Simultaneous Announcement For All My Friends

and

Generous Donors to My Efforts in the Caribbean Missions

BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES 

3:1-3

After six very successful years of working in the Caribbean missions, after doing so much good for so many, it is time to really read the handwriting on the wall. Various circumstances are telling me that it is time to move on to a new ministry, something closer to home. I will let you know what that "something closer to home" means in a few months. 

After twelve trips to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the COVID-19 pandemic caused me to cancel my thirteenth scheduled trip last March. I had hoped that COVID would be a thing of the past by now, when in fact it has gotten worse. Even though the islands were spared for a while, it has now moved very quickly into the islands since the Christmas travel holidays and is now spreading rapidly. What's worse, mutations of the virus are expected there and elsewhere. Travel, the rest of this year into next year, does not look promising. As if all that is not bad enough,  they are having a deadly outbreak of dengue fever (causing more deaths than COVID) and a large shark infestation! On top of that, the volcano in Saint Vincent has been showing activity again and the country still remains on alert. Then there is always the annual hurricane season to come.  You can't make this stuff up! 

My volunteer partner, Fergal Redmond, has been held up in Ireland for over a year because of serious health issues and is still not permitted to travel without a clear date on the horizon when that could change from his doctors. Meanwhile, the COVID pandemic keeps spreading its way through in Ireland as well.  I do hope he will be able to visit me again here in Kentucky someday before we both have to "hang it up" for good. 

On a personal note, I will be turning seventy-seven this April. While I do not have any major health problems at this point, I do have a few issues that I need to keep a watch on that make it wise to be close to good health care which is not available in the islands. These factors were also part of my decision to give up my trips to Canada and across the United States doing priest retreats and convocations as a way to raise funds for the Caribbean missions. I still hope to restart taking real vacations again, once it is safe, but so many long distance work trips for weeks at a time are most probably a thing of the past.   

As much as I hate shutting down the CATHOLIC SECOND WIND GUILD in Saint Vincent in the Grenadines, I leave knowing that my donor partners and I have done much good for many people. Many of our efforts will have lasting value and help them in many ways going forward whether it be in the area of health care, educational support, the renovation of the Pastoral Centre, transportation  or  church renovations and updates. All of us who were involved in this ministry, including those who made volunteer trips, will have lasting memories of the people we have met and tried to help through things like  computer camps, Christmas toys, Easter baskets, school supplies, help with diocesan staff salaries, furniture and furnishings and so many things that we have forgotten already.  I will still be able to make deposits and send on any donations that people are inspired to send to them. A couple of the small "reserved funds" will remain in place until they are gradually dispersed.  

Personally speaking, I am leaving with a heavy heart. I tried my best to give my best. I gave it everything I had. I lived and breathed "Caribbean missions" for the last six years. Even good things do not last forever. In any regard, I want to express my heart-felt gratitude to God for this memorable six-year experience. I will never forget it. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the people Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. I wish them well and I will always pray that God will spare them from danger and continue to to bless them with His care. 

I thank all those who have supported the CATHOLIC SECOND WIND GUILD - SVG CHAPTER over the last six years from the bottom of my heart. I think we can all be proud of what we have accomplished in support of our fellow Catholics in the Caribbean missions.  We have done a good thing and God will remember it. 

Please continue to pray that the people of the Caribbean will be spared diseases like COVID, poverty and natural disasters like volcano eruptions and hurricanes. 

SAINT VINCENT VOLCANO UPDATE

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GENADINES 

is a 32 island country off the coast of Venezuela, South America

(bottom right hand corner)

Saint Vincent island is the largest and most northern of the islands and

is home of the capitol city of Kingstown.

I have been volunteering there since 2015 and have made 12 trips. 

There are about 12  small Catholic churches on the main island and four more on

the outer islands. 

SOUFRIERE MOUNTAIN (VOLCANO) IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RED ZONE

KINGSTOWN - Capitol city, southwest, where the Pastoral Centre (Bishop's House and Chancery)

                            and Cathedral of the Assumption are located. (green zone) 

AIRPORT - Between Stubbs and Biabou on the east coast (green zone)

SAINT BENEDICT ORPHANAGE  AND PARISH - In Georgetown in the northeast coast  (red zone) 

SANDY BAY -  In the very north (right) where many of our old Cathedral red chairs and several of our

                           donated liturgical furnishings were sent (wooden Crucifix, Mary and Joseph 

                           statues, Stations of the Cross and new ceiling fans), as well as a new paint job,

                           floor restoration and bathroom update. Our Lady Star of the Sea Church.

 

 

  

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

A KENTUCKY FRIED CHRISTMAS PARTY

"Extra Chrispy" George Hamilton

This year each child in Saint Benedict Home for Children (an orphanage) received $25.00 USD. Out of that, each child will make a donation to the parish Christmas collection where they go to church. (I like to add a teaching element to everything we do down there.) We want to teach them to be givers, not just takers. Out of what's left, they went shopping for their own Christmas present in Kingstown and bought lunch at the Kentucky Fried Chicken and took it home for safety concerns. Sister taught them something about Kentucky and where their gifts came from in the USA. (I have provided a world map, a United States map and a Kentucky map along with some pictures of famous Kentuckians and places.) (Again, I like to add a teaching element to everything we do down there.) If they had any change left over, it went into their personal savings accounts that we set up for each child. I believe that the knowledge each child will have that they actually have a little growing "nest egg" will have a profound affect on their self-esteem and morale.

The savings accounts are a new idea, but a very important one. In the past, when and if it was time to leave the Home they had nothing to begin a new life outside.  We will continue to put small amounts into their savings accounts as we go along.

BELOW ARE SOME VIDEOS AND PHOTOS OF THEIR SPECIAL DAY

Can you hear "My Old Kentucky Home" on the steel drum?

The excited kids all saying "thank you!" Notice

the photo of "Father Ronald" high up on the wall surrounded by garlands.

Waiting for their bus ride to town to shop for their Christmas

presents, they are waving their money around. For most, it might 

be their first time to have their own money. 

More excitement and anticipation 

Nothing like a Kentucky Fried Chicken box after a hard

day of shopping. Sister Nyra Anne said they were "starving" by the time they

got home from their shopping trip to town. 

KFC boxes and kids as far as the eye can see! 

(I may have to give Sister Nyra Anne photography lessons!)

Even the young one's love KFC

Even the staff can't wait to dig in! 

Even those who need help eating, enjoyed their KFC box. Many in the orphanage 

are severely handicapped. 

Below are some of the reports from the kids themselves about their shopping trip. 

Dear Fr. Ron

Please find quotes of the children thanking you and other donors for your Christmas blessings.

“I bought a kitchen set, a doctor set, a toy phone, and a water toy with rubber bands inside” – Kelsie Cato

“I bought a water balloon, three slimes, a doctor set, a new play toy phone, and a hand sanitizer and I want to thank Father Ronald for the money” – Kashaniah Patterson

“With my money, I bought a magic wand, five slimes, a beauty set and a dolly and I would thank Ronald Knott for the money because he is a donor and I’m happy for that” – Skye Roberts

“I thank Father Ron and other donors for giving us the money to buy gifts and KFC. I bought a glass, a birthday glasses and a birthday ribbon” – Reecia Sutherland (Her birthday was the day after shopping day).

“I bought a toy car and water balloon” – Edmond Medford

“I thank Father Ron for the money and gift. I got a new car, working things, phone and pictures” – Daniel Alexander

“I thank you for going to town and for the gifts” – LeeTanya Davis

“I thank Father Ron and I enjoy myself a lot in town” – Aneisha Sutherland

“I am thankful for the Christmas tree, light, and camera” – Zimran Gage


Thank you. God bless you. Yours truly,

Sr Nyra Anne Pajotte O. Carm. 

PHOTOS FROM SOME OF THE ISLAND PARISHES

Kimberley (above) and Catherine (below), two of my most dependable helpers, help unbox, sort and prepare the "goody bags" and snacks for the children of Saint Vincent and the Grenadine. 

A few of the 300 "goody bags" we made available to the kids on Saint Vincent and the four outer island parishes. 

Some of the appreciative children of Corpus Christi Parish

Another thankful child with her Dollar Tree elf doll and candy. 

A proud father and son.

A happy young girl.

Did you notice the young child in the bucket on the right? Is it a bath or a

swimming pool? Cute! 

More grateful children with their snacks and "goody bags" in hand. 

KIDS' CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE LOAVES AND FISHES SOUP KITCHEN SHELTER

Our "goody bags" filled and ready to be given out.  

Snack plates ready to be served.

A whole lot of happy kids.

BE SURE TO WATCH THIS

JOY TO THE WORLD by Father Peter and the kids of our Lady of Lourdes Church

when they got their "goody bags" and Christmas snacks. 

CATHEDRAL OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH

A committee member helps prepare some of the "goody bags." 

A few of the "dressed for a party" kids with their "goody bag" gifts at the Cathedral.  

THE ISLAND OF MAYREAU

Open the box!

Come and get yours! 

Everyone got theirs? 

Looks like a lot of happy kids!

THE ISLAND OF UNION

Father Boniface calls them up one at a time.

One happy young boy!

Two excited young girls!

Everyone got theirs? 

SAINT THERESA IN GOMEA

NOT ALL THE PHOTOS FROM ALL THE PARISHES HAVE MADE IT IN TIME FOR PUBLICATION, BUT EVERYONE SEEMED TO HAVE HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE. 

Thank you, donors! 

You made a lot of kids happy this Christmas!