Disciples on Mission.

Renewing and revitalizing The Church in

Barbados.

On November 21, the Church in Barbados will be launching its Diocesan Assembly
which will be the beginning of a process of pastoral reflection, research and analysis
on the life and mission of the Church in Barbados. A Diocesan Assembly provides
the opportunity for a local Church to renew itself through consultation and
participation. It is a time for listening and determining ways of exercising
responsible stewardship for one's Church. The wide participation in a Diocesan
Assembly provides for many voices to be heard. It is a time of grace and
commitment.

The Diocesan Assembly process will run for a period of one year culminating in a
special Assembly which will be held over a period of three days beginning on a
Thursday evening and ending on a Saturday. During those days the Mission and
Vision Statements, Pastoral Priorities and resolutions for each priority will be
presented and voted on. When these are adopted by the Assembly and
promulgated by the Bishop they become the core of a Diocesan Pastoral Plan. This
gives stimulus and clear direction for all pastoral planning at the parish or diocesan
level. On the Sunday of that weekend the entire Church in Barbados will gather for
the closing activities of the Diocesan Assembly. The highlight of that day will be the
presentation of the resolutions to the Catholic community ending with the
celebration of a Mass of Thanksgiving.

Between now and then the work begins. Committees will have to be established,
responsibilities shared, goals and objectives determined and a Theme for the
Diocesan Assembly finalized and accepted. What does it mean to be a Catholic in
Barbados? How passionate are you about your Catholic Identity? What are the
challenges facing the Church in Barbados today? What would you consider the most
vital and urgent pastoral concerns of our local Church? How are we as Church
presently addressing these? What are you prepared to do to ling make a difference?

At a meeting with the clergy and other pastoral agents an Assembly Coordinating
Committee (ACC) was named in order to start planning for the launching of the
Assembly on ten- November 21. I wish to thank all those whose names were
presented to me and who have accepted to serve on the ACC. I have also asked Fr.
Luke Kopaniak to be the coordinator of e of the ACC and he has accepted.

The following are the members of the ACC: The Apostolic Administrator, the
Delegate (Ex-officio), Fr. Luke Kopaniak (coordinator), Fr. Leonard Alfonso,
(representing the clergy), ling Sr. Teresa Mary Fredericks, OSU, (representing the
Religious), Ms. Rose Jackman (Living Water Community), Shakira Franklin (DYC),
Daren Goodridge (DYC), Mrs. Susan Marshall (Our Lady of Sorrows), Mrs. Sherry
Western (Sacred Heart), Mrs. Marina Laurie (Our Lady of the Rosary), Mr. Adrian
Lovell (St. Patrick's), Mrs. Pixie Mahon (St. Francis of Assisi), Mr. Andrew the Foster
(St. Dominic's), Mr. Simon Charles-Dolcy (Black Rock).

The members of the ACC will be officially presented to the Church community at the
Mass of Thanksgiving for the 50th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of
the Church of Our Lady Queen of the Universe, Black Rock, on the Feast of Christ
the King.

I call upon the entire Church in Barbados to will pray fervently for the success of the
Diocesan Assembly and to come on board as part of the process of working
together for the renewal and revitalization of the Church in Barbados. Everyone has
a contribution to make. Renewal is the work of the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit
unite, guide and inspire us. We are Church! I entrust this Assembly to the care and
intercession of Our Blessed Mother, Mary, Mother of the Church and our Lady of
Aparecida.

Archbishop Robert Rivas OP

Apostolic Administrator