Ministries and Groups

THE LECTORS MINISTRY

The ministry includes both youth and experienced individuals who dedicate their service and time, especially at a juncture when various societal challenges may influence engagement with faith and church. Youth participation is particularly emphasized during the family mass, which provides a suitable opportunity for families to attend together.

Candidates seeking to become Lectors must be practicing Catholics, available to attend mass, and willing to participate in the requisite training and ministry activities. Upon completion of training, new lectors are assigned to their preferred mass and included in the roster. Lectors are expected to prepare themselves spiritually and mentally prior to their scheduled readings to ensure that they deliver the scripture meaningfully and effectively.

Structure and Responsibilities

Mission and Service

The principal responsibility of the Lectors Ministry is to proclaim the liturgy—the word of scripture—to the congregation with both clarity and sincerity. The Ministry currently comprises twenty-seven (27) members who serve at the four Cathedral Masses and extend their service to the Christmas and Easter liturgical seasons. The demands upon the ministry are particularly heightened during Holy Week, encompassing services from Passion Sunday through the Easter Vigil, and necessitating thorough coordination among all lectors involved.

Mass Coordination

Each Mass is overseen by a designated coordinator, whose duties include the preparation of the monthly lector roster. The appointed coordinators for each Mass are as follows:

• Saturday – 5:00 PM: Mrs. Wendy Knight-Hunte
• Sunday – 7:00 AM: Ms. Sherrie Joseph
• Sunday – 10:00 AM (Family Mass): Ms. Josephine Haywood
• Sunday – 6:00 PM: Ms. Jackie Wilson

Father Charles Dominique also serves as liturgist of the Cathedral and is very involved in the Lectors ministry.

Below: Vincent Constantin, one of the young lectors.

Membership and Participation

The ministry is composed of both youth and experienced individuals who dedicate their time and service, a commitment that is particularly significant in the current social climate where various challenges may impact engagement with faith and the Church. Participation by youth is especially highlighted during the Family Mass, which provides an optimal occasion for families to attend together and foster greater involvement.

Above: Kerla Alfay, a lector reading the Scripture.

Requirements for Lectors

Prospective Lectors must be practicing Catholics who are available to attend Mass and willing to engage in the requisite training and ministry activities. Upon successful completion of their training, lectors are assigned to their preferred Mass and included in the official roster. Lectors are expected to make adequate spiritual and mental preparation prior to their scheduled readings, thereby ensuring that the proclamation of scripture is delivered with meaning and efficacy.

The ministry values its strong female presence and appreciates the involvement of men and youth, encouraging more participation as the church progresses. We thank everyone for their ongoing dedication to the Lectors Ministry.

Ministry Leader: Sherrie Joseph

email: Sherrieluj@gmail.com

Mobile: (246) 231-8849

The Catholic Prayer Movement (CPM)

The Catholic Prayer Movement had its origin during the COVID pandemic when there was the need for daily prayer and togetherness as all churches were closed. A WhatsApp group was started by Fr Vibert Stephens so that Catholics could pray online and be in contact spiritually and virtually with other Catholics.

Out of this platform, an online Tuesday evening prayer meeting emerged at a time when there was a dire need for community prayer. This initiative has grown and thrived and online prayer meetings are held every Tuesday evening. These weekly prayer events continue to attract persons from across the Caribbean and beyond.

The prayer initiatives provide a sacred space for Catholics and non-Catholics to come together in prayer; to be motivated and inspired about the Catholic faith and Christianity; and to be informed about topics of interest to the church community.

The link to the Tuesday prayer meetings is made available in the St Patrick’s Cathedral weekly eBulletin.

CARE MINISTRY

Background

Over 25 years ago, Sr.Angela Coraspe started the Bridge of Hope at St Patrick’s Cathedral, the aim of which was to assist persons afflicted with HIV/AIDS. When she was about to leave Barbados, she asked Michael Hunte and Lisa …..to continue the program and ensure it did not fail. Hence, the ministry has continued the programme and has successfully fulfilled its mandate.

Programmes

Every week, the Care Ministry feeds almost 30 families whose members suffer with HIV AIDS. Every third Thursday of every month each family is given a handbag of groceries. The ministry is funded by donations from caring members of the church community.

At Christmas, a Christmas tree is put up in the Cathedral with cards listing items that persons can select to contribute toiletries. These generous donations are provided to the families throughout the year.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

The SVP Mission

The St. Vincent De Paul Society was started in 1833 by young men who were challenged by peers to “Stop talking, and do something”. They were exhorted to help impoverished and vulnerable people. What those young men created has withstood the test of time in its 193 years of existence.

Today, the SVP has 800 000 members worldwide in 149 countries. Young men created a society out of compassion, mercy and faith. We as Vincentians serve, support and visit vulnerable persons who we refer to as our families.

The SVP has adapted to diverse social contexts and ever-changing realities. The work carried out today by its members reflects a sustained commitment to vulnerable communities.

Each one of us is a branch of the one vine, and all of us together are called to bear the fruits of this common membership in Christ and in the Church. We are a Catholic Lay Society. We develop, educate and empower. John 15:12 states: The love that Christ has for us, love one another as I love you.

Small everyday actions of closeness to an elderly person, a child, a sick person, a lonely person, those in difficulty, without a home or work are what Christ asks of us. Thanks to the word of God, each one of us can make ourselves the brother or sister of those whom we encounter.

The SVP in Barbados

The St. Vincent de Paul Society came to Barbados in 1901 and in 2001 celebrated 100 years in this island.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION

On the night before He suffered and died on the Cross, our Lord Jesus Christ shared a final meal with His disciples. During this sacred meal, He instituted the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, giving the Church the Eucharist as a memorial of His death and resurrection and a way for His saving sacrifice to remain present throughout the ages.

As the Gospel of Matthew tells us:

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matthew 26:26–28)

Recalling these words of Jesus, the Catholic Church teaches that during the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the priest.

Jesus Himself proclaimed:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world… For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (John 6:51–55)

For this reason, the Church teaches that Christ is truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine. This is what we mean when we speak of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The risen Lord is present to His Church in many ways, but most especially in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood.

Because of the sacredness of the Eucharist, the Church entrusts its distribution primarily to the ordinary ministers of Holy Communion: Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. However, when needed, trained and commissioned lay persons may assist as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

This ministry developed as the Church encouraged the faithful to receive Holy Communion more frequently, especially following the encouragement of Pope Pius X and the pastoral renewal of the Second Vatican Council.

Extraordinary Ministers assist when there are large congregations or when additional help is needed to ensure that Holy Communion is distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. They may also bring Holy Communion to members of the parish who are sick, elderly, or homebound, ensuring that those who cannot attend Mass may still share in the grace of the Eucharist.

Those who serve in this ministry are fully initiated Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion/Eucharist and Confirmation. They are individuals who faithfully participate in the life of the Church and who approach this sacred responsibility with humility, reverence, and devotion.

When bringing Holy Communion to the sick and homebound, ministers are called not only to distribute the Eucharist but also to offer comfort, compassion, and prayer. In doing so, they extend the love and presence of Christ to members of our parish family who cannot be physically present at Mass.

The Eucharist is truly the source and summit of the Christian life, nourishing us spiritually and strengthening our unity as the Body of Christ.

Let us continue to approach this great gift with faith, gratitude, and reverence.

Rosemary P. Leon, JP, Coordinator