January 22 marked the 15 th anniversary of the Diocese of Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Bishop Robert Rivas, OP, celebrated a thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on this grand occasion. It was also the 15 th anniversary of his Episcopal ordination.

In his homily, Bishop Rivas said, " Over the past fifteen years God has blessed us with a committed core group of laity. with local vocations. and a devoted and dedicated band of missionaries." He also pointed out that in the fifteen years, two Diocesan Assemblies had been held.

He took this opportunity to announce that the diocese will celebrate its first Diocesan Synod, which will coincide with their twentieth anniversary celebrations in the year 2010.

Referring to the Gospel reading, taken from Mark, chapter four, the bishop reminded the congregation that the pastoral focus of the diocese for this year is on Vocations. For this reason he chose to reflect on vocations to the priesthood and the religious life, with consideration to the permanent diaconate.

Mass celebrating the 15th anniversary of the diocese and Bishop Rivas' Episcopal Ordination

"We need to cultivate a vocation culture in our communities and society. A vocation culture is nurtured in a culture of self-giving and generosity. We cannot afford to sit back and be complacent. The entire diocese must be involved in nurturing vocations to the priesthood and religious life."

Bishop Rivas said the Eucharist must be at the centre of all efforts to promote and foster vocations. He recommended that a serious effort be made in all parishes to promote Eucharistic adoration as a means of deepening love for the Lord in the Eucharist, as an oasis and centre of prayer for vocations.

He specified the roles of families, the elderly, priests and religious in creating such a culture. He encouraged the people not to be defeated by the prevailing secularist, materialistic and consumerist culture that prevails today.

The virtues identified by the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee (DPPC) as fundamental to cultivating a vocation culture are faith, generosity, selflessness and commitment, and Catholic families should have the right priorities and nurture these from the cradle.

Bishop Rivas firmly believes this focus on vocations for 2005 is what God wants of the diocese now. He sees events such as the Regional Seminary's request for the diocese to host five seminarians for three months during their Spiritual Pastoral Year, and a visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines by a mission team from Michigan , which included a deacon and his wife, as signs of God's approval.

Recalling a resolution made at the Diocesan Assembly in 1998 calling on the Bishop "to give active consideration to the establishment of the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Kingstown", Bishop Rivas said, "I believe that the time has come to do so."

He explained that the married permanent deacon is one who is called to serve and who is ordained for service in the Church. "Permanent deacons are men of good character with a depth of understanding of their faith."

The diaconate is supportive to the priest in the parish community. They take up special roles in the Church like preaching, baptising, performing marriages and proclaiming the Gospel in liturgical celebrations.

They can be called upon to exercise services such as hospital and prison chaplaincies, adult catechesis and the promotion of vocations in a diocese. All this they do apart from their own jobs and supporting their families.

He announced that by Easter a commission, including a deacon from St Lucia , will be appointed to examine the feasibility of establishing the permanent diaconate in the diocese of Kingstown and to advise the bishop accordingly.

The bishop touched on the topic of Catholic education, referring to the relocation of St Mary's RC Primary School to Pembroke. He also clarified that St Martin's Secondary School will remain a Catholic school in which the Catholic ethos will predominate in accordance with the purpose for which it was founded.

Bishop Rivas then concluded his homily saying, "My dear sisters and brothers we are still young and moving on in communion with Christ and each other. May the courage and faith of St. Vincent , deacon and martyr, inspire us in living our faith radically. May the Blessed Virgin, Mary, Mother of priests and Queen of the family, instruct us and guide us on our way. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!" - KB