Thank You to All Supporters of the Archbishop’s Appeal

Sincere thanks to all who supported my annual Appeal Dinner and Auction which was held on May 15, 2013 at the Holiday Inn, St. John’s, NL. To those who made donations for the live and silent auctions, raffles and dessert table, I extend a huge thank you. To my staff for all their behind the scenes planning and preparations and to all those who volunteered in any capacity, your support was invaluable. To our faithful supporters and your family and friends who came out to attend the dinner and auction, it was a joy for me to socialize with you for this great cause. To all parishioners who have made a financial donation at your parish over the past two weekends, I express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and kindness. All monies raised will be used to support our many social justice and community outreach programs. Your contributions make you a partner in the Archdiocese’s ministry of caring.

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
Proverbs 19:17

Mother's Day ~ Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mother’s Day is a day set aside to honour all mothers and mother-like figures to show our gratitude for their love, compassion, friendship, guidance, direction and protection. I salute all mothers on Mother's Day and extend my prayers, praises and thanks for all that they do. For those mothers who are no longer with us, let us honor their memories on this special day and pray for them. Let us remember on Mother's Day our Blessed Mother Mary, mother of Jesus, for she shows us what a sacred and noble vocation motherhood is. May all mothers, following Mary's example, be aware that their children are a gift of God and have the courage and grace to bring them up in the ways of faith and love.

“What a joy to remember that Mary is our Mother! Since she loves us and knows our weakness, what have we to fear?” - Saint Therese of Lisieux


My 45th Anniversary

On Sunday, May 12, 2013 I will mark my 45th anniversary of ordination to the ministerial priesthood. On this day, I thank God for the opportunity I have had to serve in so many ways – time spent with youth, time with the poor in Peru and at home, pastor of churches in the Archdiocese of Halifax and for the past twelve years as Bishop in NL – seven years in the Diocese of Grand Falls and five years in the Archdiocese of St. John’s. On this occasion, I give thanks to God for all those people who have been good to me and have accompanied me on my journey.

Events in the Archdiocese

Brother L. Sofield – Sessions on Stewardship
From April 30 – May 2, 2013 Brother Sofield will be returning to St. John’s, having been here in the Fall. In addition to sessions with priests of the archdiocese, Brother Sofield will be offering two sessions at St. Peter’s Parish in Mount Pearl for laity. These will take place on Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1. Brother Sofield will lead attendees in a discussion of examining the gifts, talents and resources available in a community for carrying out the mission of the Church; exploring ways of meeting the challenge of sharing o

ur faith in our parishes; and presenting stewardship as a way of living the Gospel. All are invited to attend these inspiring and insightful sessions.

Brother Loughlan Sofield, S.T., is a member of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. He served as the director of the Missionary Servant Center for Collaborative Ministry; director of the Washington Archdiocesan Consultation and Counseling Center; and assistant direct

or of the Center for Religion and Psychiatry, Washington, DC. Sofield has worked as a speaker and consultant in more than three hundred dioceses on six continents and served on the faculty of or lectured at many colleges and universities in the United States and abroad.



Knights of Columbus Rosary and Light Procession

On Thursday, May 2, 2013 I will preach at the 

Knights of Columbus annual Rosary and Light procession which will take place at the Basilica at 7:00 p.m. 

All are invited to attend. 

A reception will follow at St. Bonaventure’s school gymnasium. The Knights of Columbus was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. 

Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. For their faithful support of the Church, local communities and their many philanthropic efforts, the Knights of Columbus is often referred to as the “strong arm of the Church”. 

2013 Archbishop’s Appeal – Faith In Action/Acting In Faith

This annual appeal takes place at all parishes under the Archdiocese of St. John’s on the weekends of May 4/5 and May 11/12. A brochure explaining the Appeal and an envelope for your donations are available in all churches. Monies raised will be used to support social justice and community outreach programs. Your generosity will help us to offer vital ministries of care, comfort and hope as we provide chaplaincy and pastoral care services in hospitals, seniors’ homes, and our penitentiary as well as counseling and many outreach programs offered by the Archdiocesan Family Life Bureau. Your donation to the Archbishop’s Appeal 2013 is greatly appreciated.

Ordination of Bishop Daniel Jodoin

Today, April 25, 2013 I am attending the ordination of Bishop Daniel Jodoin of Bathurst, New Brunswick. I am joined by bishops from various provinces for this momentous occasion. On behalf of all parishioners of the Archdiocese of St. John’s, NL I offer Bishop Jodoin our heartfelt congratulations, prayers and support as he guides and directs the faithful people of Bathurst.

Women of the Bible
On Monday, April 15, 2013 I participated at St. Joseph’s church in Gander, along with other women, in a presentation of “Women of the Bible”. I told the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, through the eyes of her husband Joseph. Other women portrayed for the presentation included Mary, the wife of Cleopas (told by Diane O’Mara), Ruth (told by Sr. Maura Mason), and Naomi (told by Kay Barrington). Sr. Rosemary Ryan, RSM, moderated the evening. We had a good turnout for the event and I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the presentation as I did in February when it took place at the Episcopal Library, Archdiocese of St. John’s. This performance is presented to celebrate the ‘Year of Faith’.



Blessing of the Cemetery in Petite Forte 

On Sunday, April 21, 2013 I visited Petite Forte on the Burin Peninsula to bless the extension to the RC cemetery. Petite Forte is a beautiful community with wonderful people of strong faith. 

Volunteer Appreciation Week

Volunteer Appreciation Week takes place in NL from April 21 – 27, 2013. I take this opportunity to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the many volunteers who support all efforts under the auspices of the Archdiocese of St. John’s. To those who volunteer at their local parish in any capacity, St. Vincent de Paul Societies who provide food and materials to the underprivileged, Eucharistic ministers who minister to the sick at hospitals and homes and to the shut in, CWL, St. Anne’s Sodality, K of C and all other volunteers who help build up our local faith communities. All volunteers are integral and vital to doing the work of Christ in the world. 

“Christ has no body on earth now but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now. ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

2013 Appeal Letter from the Archbishop

April 22, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are about to embark on the 2013 Archbishop's Appeal. Our theme this year is "FAITH IN ACTION." The purpose of the Appeal, and money raised through it, is to raise awareness of the needs and then raise the funds that make it possible for us to offer the many Social Justice and Outreach programs and services of the Archdiocese of St. John's.

Many people are not aware of the good work that is being done, day in and day out, by hundreds of dedicated people, for the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalized, the sick and the elderly. It comes as a surprise to many when they hear that it is the Church, and not the various health authorities, that provides chaplaincy and spiritual care to the sick in our hospitals and long-term care and seniors' facilities. The Church provides outreach to the poor on the Avalon and Burin Peninsulas. We hire the chaplains who minister with the imprisoned in various institutions. We train and support the thousands of volunteers who work alongside the chaplains and spiritual care professionals in all of these places. The Archdiocese of St. John's provides professional counsellors in the Family Life Bureau, which offers counselling to individuals, families and groups throughout the Archdiocese.

If you or a loved one have ever been sick, elderly, in prison, or in need, you probably have some idea of the practical help and generous assistance that the Church offers. This year, the aim of the Archbishop's Appeal is to raise a minimum of $150,000.00 to support and enhance the work Social Justice and Outreach done in the Archdiocese of St. John's. At all Masses on the weekends of May 4/5 and May 11/12, we will be taking up a collection. Please be as generous as you can. And I thank you for your care and concern, for your Faith in Action in this Appeal.


MOST REVEREND MARTIN W. CURRIE, D.D.

Good Friday Prayer Service - Centre For Life

On Good Friday, March 29, 2013 I attended an ecumenical prayer service sponsored by the Centre For Life organization in St. John’s. Despite being a blustery morning, a faithful gathering assembled at Mary Queen of the World Church on Topsail Road to commemorate and pray for life - life in all its stages - from conception to natural death. Scripture readings, prayers and hymns filled the program. I had the honour to speak, along with members from The Salvation Army and the Worship Centre as well as a representative from the Knights of Columbus, to those who had gathered. The Centre for Life is aware of the deep pain that often goes along with having an abortion as well as the impact it often has on the woman’s family and loved ones. The Centre has a psychologist on staff to provide counseling for those who wish to avail of it so that comfort, hope, understanding and healing can be experienced in the often painful aftermath of abortion. Thank you to the organizers for this prayerful Good Friday service to celebrate the sanctity, dignity and value of all human life. Let us always acknowledge and give thanks to God our creator, whose image we are made in and from whom all life comes.

Congratulations to the Newly Initiated

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the Church's process of welcoming newcomers into full communion with the Catholic Church. The RCIA program involves not just the newcomer, but all members of the community, who by prayer and personal example, help the participant find his or her place in the Church.

I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to all those enrolled in the RCIA process who were fully initiated into the Roman Catholic faith at Easter. Thank you to the RCIA teams and sponsors at the various parishes throughout the archdiocese for your commitment to journeying with the catechumens by providing support, prayer and example. I wish to congratulate too those individuals from other Christian denominations who were received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church at Easter. Be assured of my prayers for you as you continue your faith journey.

Annual Easter Day Mass for Filipino Population of St. John’s, NL

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 I presided at the Filipino Association Easter Day Mass held at St. Pius X Church. Many families turned out for this special Mass. After Mass, a celebration took place in the parish hall where food, fellowship and community were celebrated by all in attendance. This gathering gives members of various areas of the Philippines an opportunity to reconnect and renew acquaintances and friendships. Thank you to the local Filipino Association for inviting me to preside at this Mass and for sharing with us your rich culture and deep faith.

Blessings for Polish Community

On Holy Saturday morning, March 30, 2013 I was joined at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist by the Polish community of St. John’s for morning prayer. I then blessed the various foods that the members had presented at the altar. Thank you to our local Polish community for joining me on this holy day for morning prayer and for the opportunity to bless your food which will bring nourishment to your bodies throughout the coming year and for your deep faith in God which nourishes your hearts and souls.