Saint of the Day for Sunday

 

St. Vincent Ferrer

St. Vincent Ferrer is the patron saint of builders because of his fame for "building up" and strengthening the Church: through his preaching, missionary work, in his teachings, as confessor and adviser.  At Valencia in Spain, this illustrious son of St. Dominic came into the world on January 23, 1357. In the year 1374, he entered the Order of St. Dominic in a monastery near his native city. Soon after his profession he was commissioned to deliver lectures on philosophy. On being sent to Barcelona, he continued his scholastic duties and at the same time devoted himself to preaching. At Lerida, the famous university city of Catalonia, he received his doctorate. After this he labored six years in Valencia, during which time he perfected himself in the Christian life. In 1390, he was obliged to accompany Cardinal Pedro de Luna to France, but he soon returned home. When, in 1394, de Luna himself had become Pope at Avignon he summoned St. Vincent and made him Master of the sacred palace. In this capacity St. Vincent made unsuccessful efforts to put an end to the great schism. He refused all ecclesiastical dignities, even the cardinal's hat, and only craved to be appointed apostolical missionary. Now began those labors that made him the famous missionary of the fourteenth century. He evangelized nearly every province of Spain, and preached in France, Italy, Germany, Flanders, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Numerous conversions followed his preaching, which God Himself assisted by the gift of miracles. Though the Church was then divided by the great schism, the saint was honorably received in the districts subject to the two claimants to the Papacy. He was even invited to Mohammedan Granada, where he preached the gospel with much success. He lived to behold the end of the great schism and the election of Pope Martin V. Finally, crowned with labors, he died April 5, 1419. His feast day is April 5.

Saint of the Day for Friday

 

St. Isidore of Seville

Isidore was literally born into a family of saints in sixth century Spain. Two of his brothers, Leander and Fulgentius, and one of his sisters, Florentina, are revered as saints in Spain. It was also a family of leaders and strong minds with Leander and Fulgentius serving as bishops and Florentina as abbess.

This didn't make life easier for Isidore. To the contrary, Leander may have been holy in many ways, but his treatment of his little brother shocked many even at the time. Leander, who was much older than Isidore, took over Isidore's education and his pedagogical theory involved force and punishment. We know from Isidore's later accomplishments that he was intelligent and hard-working so it is hard to understand why Leander thought abuse would work instead of patience.

One day, the young boy couldn't take any more. Frustrated by his inability to learn as fast as his brother wanted and hurt by his brother's treatment, Isidore ran away. But though he could escape his brother's hand and words, he couldn't escape his own feeling of failure and rejection. When he finally let the outside world catch his attention, he noticed water dripping on the rock near where he sat. The drops of water that fell repeatedly carried no force and seemed to have no effect on the solid stone. And yet he saw that over time, the water drops had worn holes in the rock.

Isidore realized that if he kept working at his studies, his seemingly small efforts would eventually pay off in great learning. He also may have hoped that his efforts would also wear down the rock of his brother's heart.

When he returned home, however, his brother in exasperation confined him to a cell (probably in a monastery) to complete his studies, not believing that he wouldn't run away again.

Either there must have been a loving side to this relationship or Isidore was remarkably forgiving even for a saint, because later he would work side by side with his brother and after Leander's death, Isidore would complete many of the projects he began including a missal and breviary.

In a time where it's fashionable to blame the past for our present and future problems, Isidore was able to separate the abusive way he was taught from the joy of learning. He didn't run from learning after he left his brother but embraced education and made it his life's work. Isidore rose above his past to become known as the greatest teacher in Spain.

His love of learning made him promote the establishment of a seminary in every diocese of Spain. He didn't limit his own studies and didn't want others to as well. In a unique move, he made sure that all branches of knowledge including the arts and medicine were taught in the seminaries.

His encyclopedia of knowledge, the Etymologies, was a popular textbook for nine centuries. He also wrote books on grammar, astronomy, geography, history, and biography as well as theology. When the Arabs brought study of Aristotle back to Europe, this was nothing new to Spain because Isidore's open mind had already reintroduced the philosopher to students there.

As bishop of Seville for 37 years, succeeding Leander, he set a model for representative government in Europe. Under his direction, and perhaps remembering the tyrannies of his brother, he rejected autocratic decision- making and organized synods to discuss government of the Spanish Church.

Still trying to wear away rock with water, he helped convert the barbarian Visigoths from Arianism to Christianity.

He lived until almost 80. As he was dying his house was filled with crowds of poor he was giving aid and alms to. One of his last acts was to give all his possessions to the poor.

When he died in 636, this Doctor of the Church had done more than his brother had ever hoped; the light of his learning caught fire in Spanish minds and held back the Dark Ages of barbarism from Spain. But even greater than his outstanding mind must have been the genius of his heart that allowed him to see beyond rejection and discouragement to joy and possibility.

Theodore McCarrick has died

 

BREAKING: Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick dies at 94

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick arrives at Massachusetts’ Dedham District Courthouse for his arraignment, Sept. 3, 2021. | Credit: Andrew Bukuras/CNA

By Jonah McKeown

CNA Staff, Apr 4, 2025

Theodore McCarrick, the disgraced former cardinal and archbishop of Washington who spent decades moving in the highest circles in the Church and was later found guilty in a Vatican investigation of sexually abusing minors and adults, has died at age 94. 

A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Washington on Friday shared a statement with CNA in which Cardinal Robert McElroy confirmed McCarrick’s passing. McCarrick, who was reportedly suffering with dementia, had been living in a facility in rural Missouri. 

“Today I learned of the death of Theodore McCarrick, former archbishop of Washington. At this moment I am especially mindful of those who he harmed during the course of his priestly ministry. Through their enduring pain, may we remain steadfast in our prayers for them and for all victims of sexual abuse,” McElroy said. 

Ordained a priest in 1958, the New York-born McCarrick rose through the ranks of the American Church throughout the mid- to late-20th century. During his episcopal tenure he was an auxiliary bishop of New York, then led the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey; the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey; and later Washington, D.C.

He was a leading participant in the development of the 2002 Dallas Charter and the USCCB Essential Norms, which established procedures for handling allegations of sexual abuse concerning priests.

In 2018, reports of McCarrick’s abuse, grooming, and harassment of seminarians burst publicly onto the scene amid a nationwide reckoning on clerical sexual abuse. 

A Vatican investigation in 2019 found McCarrick guilty of numerous instances of sexual abuse, and Pope Francis laicized him in February of that year. The year after, the Vatican published a lengthy report on McCarrick examining in detail the “institutional knowledge and decision-making” regarding the former cardinal and how he continued to be promoted despite rumors of misconduct. 

In addition to the Vatican investigations, McCarrick faced numerous criminal charges. However, a Massachusetts state district judge ruled in 2023 that McCarrick was not competent to stand trial on the criminal sexual abuse charges brought against him. 

A criminal case against McCarrick in Wisconsin was suspended in January 2024 after a psychologist hired by the court found McCarrick was not competent to stand trial.

Kansas Priest senselessly murdered in Kansas

 

Portrait of Father Raj "Arul" Carasala, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, Kansas, who was fatally shot in his rectory April 3, 2025. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, who traveled to Seneca to console the community and celebrate a Mass, called the attack a "senseless act of violence" and mourned the loss of a "beloved priest, leader and friend." (OSV News photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Kansas City)

Kansas pastor fatally shot in his rectory

(OSV News) — The pastor of a parish in Seneca, Kansas, was shot in his rectory and later died of his injuries at a local hospital April 3.

In a message shared on social media, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas said he was “heartbroken to share the tragic news” of the death of Father Raj “Arul” Carasala. “This senseless act of violence has left us grieving the loss of a beloved priest, leader, and friend,” he said.

“Fr. Carasala was a devoted and zealous pastor who faithfully served our Archdiocese for over twenty years, including as dean of the Nemaha-Marshall region,” he continued. “His love for Christ and His Church was evident in how he ministered to his people with great generosity and care. His parishioners, friends, and brother priests will deeply miss him.”

By late afternoon April 3, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation announced an arrest had been made in connection to the shooting death of Father Arul, 57. Gary L. Hermesch, 66, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested and booked into the Nemaha County Jail for first-degree murder.

Archbishop Naumann calls Father Carasala’s death ‘ a senseless tragedy’

A message from the diocese’s vicar general shared by the parish’s social media said Archbishop Naumann had gone to Seneca to console and pray with Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners and area priests.

The Knights of Columbus led the rosary at 6 p.m. April 3, followed by a 7:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Naumann. A cantor sang “Be Still My Soul” a cappella as mourners filled the church.

In his opening remarks, Archbishop Naumann again called Father Carasala’s death a “senseless tragedy.”

“Father Arul spent his life making this Blessed Sacrament available to us, and so I think this would please him to see this church full tonight and drawing ourselves into the presence of the Risen Lord,” the archbishop said.

Father Carasala originally from India and served in Kansas since 2004

Father Carasala had served since 2011 as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, a town with a population around 2,100 about 115 miles northwest of Kansas City. According to a biography on the parish’s website, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cuddapah in southeast India in 1994 and began ministering in Kansas in 2004, where he served at several parishes before his last assignment. He became an American citizen in 2011.

“In this time of sorrow, let us entrust Fr. Carasala to the mercy of God and lift up in prayer his family in Cuddapah, India, his parish community at Saints Peter and Paul in Seneca, and all who mourn his passing. Let us also pray for the perpetrator, that God may touch and transform his heart,” Archbishop Naumann said in his social media statement.

“There is no ongoing threat to the community, but I recognize the pain and shock that such an event brings. In moments like these, we turn to our Lord, who is close to the brokenhearted,” he continued. “As we grieve, may we find strength in our faith and in the hope of Christ’s Resurrection.”

The next Jubilee 2025 event at the Vatican is the Jubilee of the Sick

 

Pilgrims walk with a wooden cross to pass through the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica  (AFP or licensors)

Vatican

• jubilee
• the sick
• #JUBILEE2025

Jubilee of the Sick marks the 7th in the list of Holy Year events

Patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, healthcare personnel, and technicians from 90 countries will participate in the events held in Rome and Vatican City.

By Vatican News

The 7th Jubilee event, dedicated to the sick and to the world of healthcare, will take place in Rome on April 5-6. Some 20,000 people from over 90 countries, including patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare personnel, and technicians, will flock to the Eternal City to participate. 

Pilgrimage to the Holy Door

On Saturday, April 5, the two-day event will begin with the opportunity for a pilgrimage to the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, a series of cultural, spiritual, and artistic offerings called “Dialogues with the City” will take place in the squares of Rome, organized by associations, organizations, and movements. 

Events of hope, giving, and care

In the afternoon, in Piazza di Spagna, a meeting titled “The Value of Giving and Solidarity,” organized by the Ministry of Health, will feature speeches by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Italian Minister of Health, the Mayor of Rome, and other civil authorities.

Later that day, the jubilee events are scheduled to continue with a conference titled “Hospice = Hope” on the topic of palliative care, hosted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and organized by the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome.

The American Heart Association is to offer practical support by leading a session to teach CPR techniques in English, Spanish, French, Polish, and German. 

The Fratres association, in collaboration with the National Office for Health Pastoral Care of the Central European Initiative, will raise awareness about a blood drive taking place in Piazza San Giovanni in the evening.

From a medical case to a cause for canonization

At the Church of Santa Monica, a conference on Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro, a medical student who passed away from a rare disease, will be held. Her sister, Emanuela, and her biographer and postulator, Fr. Andrea Vena, will speak.

There will also be moments of prayer for the sick, with Eucharistic Adoration and catecheses led by religious congregations whose charism is care. Other appointments include a moment of prayer titled "Following the Footsteps of Blessed Luigi Novarese. Finding Blessing When Life is Marked by Fragility," held at the Church of St. Mary of the Suffrage.

The second and final day of the Jubilee for the Sick and the World of Healthcare will feature a Mass in St. Peter’s Square presided over by Archbishop Fisichella, who will read the homily written by Pope Francis for the occasion.

Preparing for the 1,700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea

 

Representation of the Council of Nicea 

VATICAN

• theology
• dicastery
• ecumenism
• #JUBILEE2025
• jesus

The Nicene Creed: an expression of Christian identity

The International Theological Commission publishes “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour: 1700th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325-2025)”, dedicated to the Council that produced the first universal creed and proclaimed the faith of salvation in Jesus Christ, and in the One God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

By Vatican News

On May 20, the Christian world will commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the opening of the first ecumenical council, held in Nicea in 325, which has gone down in history primarily on account of the Creed, which brings together, defines, and proclaims the faith in salvation in Jesus Christ and in the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Later completed by the Council of Constantinople in 381, the Nicene Creed became in practice the identity card of the professed faith of the Church. For this reason, the International Theological Commission (ITC) decided to dedicate a document of almost seventy pages to the Council, which was convened by the emperor Constantine in Asia Minor, with the twofold objective of recalling its fundamental meaning and highlighting the extraordinary resources of the Creed, relaunching them in the perspective of the new stage of evangelisation that the Church is called to undertake in the current change of epoch. The new document acquires special relevance as the anniversary of Nicea occurs during the Jubilee of Hope in a year when Easter is celebrated by all Christians on the same date.

“Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour - the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325-2025)” – the title of the document released today, Thursday April 3 – is therefore not simply a work of academic theology, but is offered as a synthesis that can lead to a more profound understanding of the faith and the witness it bears in the life of the Christian community.

Finally, Nicea marked the first time that the Church’s unity and mission were expressed at a universal level (hence the title “ecumenical” or “universal”) in a synodal form. The first ecumenical council can therefore also be seen as a point of reference and inspiration for the synodal journey the Church is currently undertaking.

The theologians

Coming in at 124 numbered paragraphs, the document is the result of the ITC’s decision to initiate a deeper study of the dogmatic relevance of Nicea during the Commission’s tenth quinquennium (five-year term). The work was conducted by a Sub-Commission chaired by French priest Philippe Vallin and composed of Bishops Antonio Luiz Catelan Ferreira and Etienne Vetö; priests Mario Angel Flores Ramos, Gaby Alfred Hachem, and Karl-Heinz Menke; and professors Marianne Schlosser and Robin Darling Young. The text, in forma specifica, was voted on and approved unanimously in 2024, and then submitted for approval to the Cardinal President Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in which the Commission is established. After receiving the approval of Pope Francis, Cardinal Fernández authorised its publication on December 16.

The document is comprised of an introduction entitled “Doxology, Theology and Proclamation”; four chapters of theological reflection, and a conclusion on the contemporary proclamation of “Jesus our salvation” to all men and women.

A doxological reading of the Symbol

The first chapter, “A Symbol for Salvation: Doxology and Theology of the Nicea Dogma” (nos. 7-47) is the most substantial. It offers “a doxological reading of the Symbol, to highlight its soteriological and therefore Christological, Trinitarian, and anthropological resources,” with the intention of giving “new impetus to the journey towards Christian unity.”

Pointing out the ecumenical significance of the faith of Nicea, the text expresses the hope for and agreement on a common date for the celebration of Easter, which Pope Francis himself has repeatedly called for. Paragraph 43 notes that the year 2025 represents for all Christians “an invaluable opportunity to emphasize that what we have in common is much greater than what divides us: Together, we believe in the triune God, in Christ true man and true God, in salvation in Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures read in the Church and under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. Together, we believe in the Church, in baptism, and in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life.”

“Consequently,” the ITC states in paragraph 45, “the divergence of Christians concerning the most important feast in their calendar creates pastoral discomfort within communities, to the point of dividing families; and causes scandal among non-Christians, thus damaging the witness given to the Gospel.”

‘We believe as we baptise; and we pray as we believe’

But welcoming the richness of Nicea after seventeen centuries also leads to an understanding of how the Council of Nicea continues to nourish and guide Christian existence. The second chapter, “The Symbol of Nicea in the Life of Believers” (nos. 48-69), therefore, explores how the liturgy and prayer have been enriched in the Church since Nicea, which therefore constitutes a turning point in the history of Christianity. Rooted in the teachings of the Fathers of the Church, the document recalls, “We believe as we baptise; and we pray as we believe.” It exhorts Christians to draw, today and always from that “fountain of living water” whose rich dogmatic content has been decisive in establishing Christian doctrine. It is in this sense that the document delves into the reception of the Creed in liturgical and sacramental practice, in catechesis and preaching, and in the prayers and hymns of the 4th century.

A theological and ecclesial event

The third chapter, “Nicea as a theological and ecclesial event” (nos. 70-102), then explores how the Symbol and the Council “bear witness to the same event of Jesus Christ, whose irruption into history offers unprecedented access to God and introduces a transformation of human thought.”

They also represent a novelty in the way the Church structures itself and fulfils its mission. “Summoned by the Emperor to resolve a local dispute that had spread to all the Churches of the Eastern Roman Empire and to numerous Churches of the West,” the document explains, “for the first time bishops from all over the Oikouménè are gathered in Synod. Its profession of faith and canonical decisions are promulgated as normative for the entire Church. The unprecedented communion and unity aroused in the Church by the event of Jesus Christ are made visible and effective in a new way by a structure of universal scope, and the proclamation of the good news of Christ in all its immensity also receives an instrument of unprecedented authority” (Cf. n. 101).

A faith accessible to all

In the fourth and final chapter—“Safeguarding a faith that is accessible to all God's people” (103-120)—“the conditions for the credibility of the faith professed at Nicea are highlighted in a stage of fundamental theology that sheds light on the nature and identity of the Church, insofar as she is the authentic interpreter of the normative truth of the faith through the Magisterium and the guardian of believers, especially the smallest and most vulnerable.”

The faith preached by Jesus to the simple is not a simplistic faith, the ITC says. Christianity has never considered itself an esoteric religion reserved for an elite of initiates; on the contrary, Nicea – despite coming about thanks to the initiative of the Emperor Constantine – represents “a milestone in the long journey towards libertas Ecclesiae, which is everywhere a guarantee of the protection of the faith of the most vulnerable in the face of political power.”

In the year 325, the common good of Revelation was truly made “available” to all the faithful, as confirmed by the Catholic doctrine of the infallibility “in credendo” of the baptised. Although bishops have a specific role in defining the faith, they cannot assume it without being in the ecclesial communion of the entire Holy People of God, a concept that has often been highlighted by Pope Francis.

Perennial relevance of Nicea

The document concludes with “a pressing invitation” to “proclaim to all Jesus our Salvation today,” starting from the faith expressed at Nicea in a multiplicity of meanings.

First of all, the perennial relevance of that Council and of the Symbol that sprang from it lies in continuing to allow ourselves to be “amazed by the immensity of Christ, so that all may be astonished” and to “revive the fire of our love for Him” because “in Jesus, homooúsios (consubstantial) with the Father... God Himself has bound Himself to mankind forever.”

Secondly, it means not ignoring “reality” nor turning away “from the sufferings and upheavals that torment the world and seem to compromise all hope,” while at the same time, listening to culture and cultures.

Thirdly, it means making ourselves “particularly attentive to the little ones among our brothers and sisters,” because those who have been “crucified” throughout history, ” those “who are most in need of hope and grace” are “Christ among us.” At the same time, understanding the sufferings of the Crucified Jesus, they are able, in turn, to be “the apostles, teachers, and evangelisers of the rich and wealthy.”

Finally, proclamation must be done “as the Church” or rather “with the witness of fraternity,” showing the world the marvellous things by which it is “one, holy, catholic and apostolic” and the “universal sacrament of salvation.” At the same time it diffuses the treasure of the Scriptures that the Symbol interprets: the richness of prayer, liturgy, and sacraments that derive from the baptism professed at Nicea and the light of the Magisterium; always focused on the Risen Christ who triumphs over death and sin, and not on adversaries, since there are no losers in the Paschal Mystery except the eschatological loser, Satan, the divider.

It is no coincidence that last November 28, during an audience for members of the International Theological Commission, the Pope praised their work, highlighting the value of a document “intended to shed light on the timeliness of the faith professed at Nicea” and “to nourish and deepen the faith of believers and, based on the figure of Jesus, to offer insights and reflections useful for a new cultural and social paradigm inspired by the humanity of Christ.”

Study day

A study day on “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour - the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325-2025)” will be held at the Pontifical Urban University, the Urbaniana, on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., with the participation of the theologians who contributed to the drafting of the document and other experts in the field.

The full text of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour - the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325-2025), in the original Italian, can be found on the website of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Yes indeed, the Catholic Church does exist in Greenland

 

An interview with Greenland’s only Catholic priest

Gina Christian - OSV NewsApril 02, 2025

Franciscan Father Tomaz Majcen, the only Catholic parish priest serving in Greenland, is seen with several of his parishioners at Christ the King Church in Nuuk, Greenland. (OSV News photo/Father Tomaz Majcen)

(OSV News) — Father Tomaž Majcen, a Conventual Franciscan, is the only Catholic parish priest in Greenland, working alongside two fellow Franciscan friars.

OSV News asked the Slovenian-born Father Majcen—who serves at Christ the King Church in the capital city of Nuuk—to share his experiences of ministering in Greenland.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

OSV News: How did you come to serve in Greenland?

Father Majcen: Since February 1, 2017, I have been a member of the Conventual Franciscan Mission in Denmark, which belongs to the Province of St. Jerome in Croatia. We are a community of three Franciscan friars who came to Denmark as missionaries, and we work pastorally in two Catholic parishes in Copenhagen.

In the summer of 2023, Bishop Czeslaw Kozon of Copenhagen asked us if we could take over pastoral care in Greenland. Since I had previously provided regular pastoral care in Nuuk at least once a year, I agreed to the bishop’s appointment as the parish priest there.

Are you the only Catholic priest in the country? If so, do you have any relief priests who assist when you need to travel?

Yes, I am the only Catholic parish priest in Greenland. As I mentioned, I have two parishes, one in Copenhagen and the other in Nuuk, so I divide my time between these two parishes.

I spend several weeks in Greenland at different times throughout the year, and along with some priests from Denmark, I make sure the Mass is celebrated for the faithful every Sunday. It is in English, although most people also understand Danish. Sometimes tourists come to our church, and that is also why the Mass is in English.

Sometimes it happens that I cannot provide a priest, and then the community itself arranges a liturgy of the Word service on Sunday.

About how many Catholics are currently in Greenland?

There are about 300 Catholics in Nuuk and a few in other towns in Greenland. I assume there are 500 in total, more or less.

There are a few other small groups of Catholics on the island who do not have their own church. Occasionally, a priest visits a small Catholic flock in the towns of Ilulissat and Sisimiut. It’s a two-hour flight north from Nuuk. On those occasions, the faithful gather in their own homes and thus, they have an experience similar to that of the early Christians.

What is the makeup of the Catholic community in Greenland?

The Catholic community in Greenland is relatively small and diverse, with many members being immigrants from various countries.

The majority of Catholics in Greenland come from the Philippines and other European and Latin American countries.

There are also some Danes who are Catholic.

As for the Indigenous Inuit (Kalaallisut-speaking Greenlandic people), only a very small number are Catholic. Most Indigenous traditionally follow Lutheran Christianity, which was introduced by Danish missionaries. However, there are a few Indigenous Greenlanders who have converted to Catholicism.

How is the Second Vatican Council’s call for the enculturation of the faith lived out in your parish? Do you incorporate songs, symbols and the like from the parishioners’ various backgrounds?

Since the majority of Catholics in our church, approximately 90%, are Filipinos, we occasionally sing Filipino songs during worship and especially at Christmas and Easter we also incorporate some of their traditions into the worship, such as decorating the church.

How would you describe parish life at Christ the King?

Despite the small number of parishioners, I always admire their care for the parish and their beautifully prepared services.

After every Sunday Mass, we have dinner with shared foods.

We have activities where we dine together for a small amount of money, and the proceeds are donated to Caritas.

We pray the holy rosary in the church with the youth and children. Parishioners participate in Christian life activities in the city.

Last year was a very fruitful year. We had seven baptisms; one confirmation of an adult person, and 10 children received their first holy Communion.

This year, three young people are preparing to receive confirmation. I am happy to say that our parish is growing.

What are the main challenges of serving in Greenland?

My main challenge is that I can’t always be with my parishioners. As I mentioned, I also have a parish in Copenhagen, so I travel back and forth throughout the year.

These trips are also a bit tiring and uncertain, because you never know if you will reach your destination. Due to the changeable and unpredictable weather in Nuuk, my trips have been canceled several times for a few days.

Here, one often faces isolation, harsh weather, and the challenge of serving to a tiny, widely dispersed congregation. However, the beauty of Greenland’s landscapes and the deep sense of mission can make it a rewarding but demanding calling.

What are the blessings of serving in Greenland?

From the very beginning, this land was for me the place of grace and peace where I can rest my body and soul. At the same time, it gives me a chance to reflect deeply on my spiritual life, and I can truly step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Greenland is called the “land of the midnight sun,” since the sun does not set for several months during the year. Is there a spiritual lesson or inspiration in that for you?

Yes, the phrase “land of the midnight sun” can carry deep spiritual inspiration. For those who seek meaning in nature, Greenland’s land of the midnight sun can serve as a powerful reminder that light -- whether literal or spiritual -- can always be found, even when it seems unexpected.

I can say that for me this is always an exciting adventure, where God and man come together in the world of light and darkness

Do you have any thoughts on recent calls by the current administration to take control over Greenland? If so, how might such a move affect your ministry and your parish?

If (President Donald) Trump’s wishes come true, it could happen in the future that pastoral care in Greenland would be offered from some American diocese, which would mean I would lose my dream job here. I hope and pray that this will not happen.

From my perspective, whether there is a conflict or not with this issue, I will let God be the center of everything. We pray as best we can for peace on earth and let God do the rest. I am more concerned about accompanying the small Catholic flocks of the island than about Trump’s conquering desires

Thursday Saint of the Day

 

St. Richard of Wyche

Feastday: April 3
Patron: of Coachmen; Diocese of Chichester; Sussex, England
Birth: 1197
Death: 1253

Richard of Wyche, also known as Richard of Chichester, was born at Wyche (Droitwich), Worcestershire, England. He was orphaned when he was quite young. He retrieved the fortunes of the mismanaged estate he inherited when he took it over, and then turned it over to his brother Robert. Richard refused marriage and went to Oxford, where he studied under Grosseteste and met and began a lifelong friendship with Edmund Rich. Richard pursued his studies at Paris, received his M.A. from Oxford, and then continued his studies at Bologna, where he received his doctorate in Canon Law. After seven years at Bologna, he returned to Oxford, was appointed chancellor of the university in 1235, and then became chancellor to Edmund Rich, now archbishop of Canterbury, whom he accompanied to the Cistercian monastery at Pontigny when the archbishop retired there. After Rich died at Pontigny, Richard taught at the Dominican House of Studies at Orleans and was ordained there in 1243. After a time as a parish priest at Deal, he became chancellor of Boniface of Savoy, the new archbishop of Canterbury, and when King Henry III named Ralph Neville bishop of Chichester in 1244, Boniface declared his selection invalid and named Richard to the See. Eventually, the matter was brought to Rome and in 1245, Pope Innocent IV declared in Richard's favor and consecrated him. When he returned to England, he was still opposed by Henry and was refused admittance to the bishop's palace; eventually Henry gave in when threatened with excommunication by the Pope. The remaining eight years of Richard's life were spend in ministering to his flock. He denounced nepotism, insisted on strict clerical discipline, and was ever generous to the poor and the needy. He died at a house for poor priests in Dover, England, while preaching a crusade, and was canonized in 1262. His feast day is April 3.