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Parish mass schedules for Aug. 8-9, 2020 (CLICK image TO ACCESS)
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News of the Archdiocese of agana
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Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 -- 6:45 p.m.
NEWS RELEASE
Father Dueñas Memorial School
to continue remote instructions FridayThe Archdiocese of Agaña and Father Dueñas Memorial School remain in communication with the Department of Public Health and Social Service regarding the positive case of COVID-19 by a member of the school community which was announced this morning.
Public Health’s investigation of the case continues. In the meantime, the school facility will remain closed on Friday, Aug. 7 and students will continue attending classes remotely.
The Archdiocese will make sure to update parents, families and everyone in the FDMS school community as further guidance is provided by Public Health. The safety of students and all members is of the highest priority.
Sent by Tony C. Diaz, Director of Communications (671) 562-0065, tony.diaz@archagana.org in coordination with the Office of Catholic Education and Father Duenas Memorial School.
Father Duenas Principal, Ismael Perez (671) 734-2261, iperez@fatherduenas.com
Juan Flores, Superintendent of Catholic Education, (671) 562-0051 or 53 superintendent@archagana.org
For a pdf copy of the news release, click here.
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Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Father Duenas shifts to on-line instructions
as member of school community tests positive for COVID-19Father Duenas Memorial School has advised all students, staff and faculty to remain home starting today, Aug. 6 after being informed by Public Health officials that a member of the school community has tested positive.
The Archdiocese of Agaña Office of Catholic Education and Father Duenas Memorial school officials are working closely with Public Health and assures everyone we are acting with great diligence. We greatly appreciate Public Health’s assistance and professionalism.
As health officials investigate the positive case, the school will remain closed and will issue updates based on information provided by Public Health. Father Duenas principal Ismael Perez issued an announcement to all parents and families and assures them the school makes the safety of the students and entire FD community an utmost priority.
Sent by Tony Diaz, Office of Communication
562-0065, tony.diaz@archagana.org
Note -- For a pdf copy of the news release, please click here.
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Dominican Catholic School begins classes in SY 2020-21
Dominican Catholic School in Yigo became the second school on Guam to open its doors for the 2020-21 Schoolyear today, Wednesday, August 5 with strict protocols in place for the health and safety of all students and adults.
Principal, Sister Esperanza H. Seguban, OP, reported a smooth and successful start as Dominican Catholic School welcomed students in grade levels Pre-K to 8th grade.
Dominican reports an enrollment of 110 students and is continuing to welcome new students. The school closed last schoolyear with 140 students.
Pre-K teacher, Mrs. Tesha Mae Porte helps a student sanitize her hand at Dominican Catholic School. Hand sanitizers, facemasks, strict distancing of students and their desks are part of the protocols Dominican is following to keep everyone safe.
Eight grade students in Mr. Curtis Aranzaso's Physical Education class take a snack break in the morning during the first day of classes at Dominican Aug. 5.
A statue of Saint Dominic graces the front of Dominican Catholic School in Yigo, Guam. The school operated by the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic is open to students in Pre-K to 8th grade. Enrollment is being accepted. Call (671) 653-3021.
Mrs. Tesha Mae Porte guides students in her Pre-K class while Principal, Sister Esperanza H. Seguban, OP, visits.
Students recite a grace before meals prayers as they prepare to take a snack break in the Physical Education class of Mr. Curtis Aranzaso.
Sister Esperanza H. Seguban, OP, is shown at the front office of Dominican Catholic School. Sister Esperanza is entering her sixth year at Dominican.
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Father Duenas Memorial opens 2020-21 Schoolyear Aug. 3
Father Duenas Memorial School in Tai became the first school on Guam to commence classes in the 2020-21 schoolyear welcoming students back to the Tai campus on Monday, Aug. 3. (UPDATE: Please see new development in news release at top)
Principal Ismael Perez, faculty and staff greeted students for a full day of instruction since the COVID-19 pandemic struck Guam and many parts of the globe. All students and adults were required to wear masks and keep their hands sanitized as part of safety and health protocols.
Father Duenas has registered a student enrollment of 380 thus far this year. Dominican Catholic School in Yigo will be the next Archdiocese of Agana school to resume classes, opoening its doors on Wednesdau, August 5.
The statue of school namesake, Father Jesus Baza Duenas looks toward the heavens at the front of Father Duenas Memorial School in Tai.
Here, Mrs. Christina Mantanona leads opening prayers in her Literature class.
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Concerned Catholics of Guam subsidizes education
of Guam seminarians; Archbishop gives thanks to ccog for supportArchbishop Michael Byrnes extends sincerest gratitude to the Concerned Catholics of Guam (CCOG) for the group’s recent contribution of $20,000 to St. Patrick’s Seminary in California to cover the cost of education and formation of the Archdiocese of AgAÑa’s three seminarians: Deacon Junee Valencia, Deacon Ron Pangan, and Deacon William Mamangun.
“Thank you very much for supporting our seminarians, now all deacons,” Archbishop Byrnes said in an email message to CCOG President, Dave Sablan on July 30.
“In the months to come we will have three new priests ready to bring Jesus to every Catholic in His Word and in His Flesh CCOG has been a faithfilled benefactor toward the formation of priests on Guam. God bless you all!”
CCOG issued a news release on July 27. Access a pdf copy of the release by clicking here..
L-R, first row: David Sablan, president of CCOG; Fr. Richard Kidd, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Agaña. L-R, second row: Andrew Camacho, CCOG vice president; Evangeline Lujan, CCOG secretary; and Gerald Taitano, CCOG Treasurer. (Photo by CCOG)
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July 29, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Opening dates announced for Catholic schools,
2020-21 Schoolyear
The Archdiocese of Agaña’s Office of Catholic Education announces the start dates of classes for Catholic schools in Schoolyear 2020-21. Most of the 14 Catholic schools will begin instructions within the first two weeks of August. Some have already begun parent and student orientation this week.
Two schools will begin classes by next week. Father Duenas Memorial’s first day of classes at Tai will be Monday, Aug. 3rd. Dominican Catholic School in Yigo will welcome students on Wednesday, Aug. 5th. Most other schools will start on Aug. 10 with some on Aug. 11, 12 or 17.
FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
Academy of Our Lady, Hagatna
Aug. 10 -- Group A students (on-campus); Group B (virtual)
Aug. 11 – Group A students (virtual); Group B (on-campus)
Father Duenas Memorial School, Tai
Aug. 3
Notre Dame High School, Talofofo
Aug. 17 – 9th and 10th grade
Aug. 18 – 11th and 12th grade
Bishop Baumgartner Memorial, Sinajana
Aug. 10
Dominican Catholic School, Yigo
Aug. 5
Mount Carmel School, Agat
Aug. 11
Saint Anthony Catholic School, Tamuning
Aug. 11 – Kinder to 4th grade
Aug. 17 – 5th to 8th grade
Santa Barbara Catholic School, Dededo
Aug. 10 – PreK to 3rd grade
Aug. 12 – 4th to 8th grade
Saint Francis Catholic School, Yona
Aug. 10
San Vicente Catholic School, Barrigada
Aug. 10
Mercy Heights Nursery & Kinder, Oka
Aug. 10
Maria Artero PreK & Kinder, Agana Hts.
Aug. 10
Dominican Child Development Center, Ordot
Aug. 10
Infant of Prague Nursery & Kinder, Tai
Aug. 10
A list which includes parent and student orientation dates is also attached. Parents and guardians, pls. call your respective schools if needed. Juan Flores, Superintendent of Catholic Education can be reached at 562-0051 or superintendent@archagana.org.
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July 28, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PREPARED FOR NEW SCHOOL YEARWithin days of resuming classes in the first two weeks of August, Guam’s Catholic schools are prepared to welcome students for the reopening of schools in safe and healthy environments.
Specific opening days for Archdiocese of Agaña schools are expected to be announced by tomorrow. Schools are prepared to address the needs of students and deliver sound and effective academic lessons while paying attention to the social and emotional well-being of students from PreK classes to the 12th grade. All Catholic schools are communicating with the families of their students in various ways to support the adjustment to the new school year and the new school protocols. The schools will continue to support the students with practices rooted in the Catholic faith.
All 14 Catholic schools have taken measures to ensure that classrooms and high touch areas will be initially and periodically sanitized. Students will be required to wear masks, wash their hands regularly, and have access to hand sanitizing solutions when necessary. Students’ temperatures will be taken and recorded upon their entrance to campus and/or individual classrooms. Schools have made significant purchases and installed equipment to maximize health and safety precautions. Various activities, such as the dropping off and picking up of students, assigning students to classes, picking up lunches, and carrying out academic and other activities will follow social distancing protocols. For some schools and at some grade levels, students will be assigned to cohort groups and will stay with those groups throughout the day. Teachers will move from class to class.
Teachers and administrators have spent the summer preparing for the new approaches to effective teaching and learning amidst the COVID-19 challenges. Preparations for distance learning, adjustments to the regular uses of digital devices, and conducting classes with limited interactions among students have been part of the efforts leading to the reopening of the schools. After almost five months away from school, teachers are prepared to welcome students and help them adjust to the school environments. They will be aware of the students’ anxieties about returning to interactions with individuals outside their immediate families. The teachers will also pay attention to the needs of students that go beyond the academic expectations of the classroom environment.
In preparing for the new school year, schools have held or have scheduled orientations for students’ families to ensure that they understand and will support the health and safety protocols.
The orientations will also open opportunities to more effective communication between teachers
and parents, especially in addressing students’ academic and social and emotional needs. More than ever, the partnerships between schools and families will lead to a successful adjustment to the new school year and a meaningful and rewarding experience for the students.
Parents are encouraged to contact individual schools if they have questions on specific reopening protocols and expectations.
For more information on the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Agaña, contact Juan Flores, Superintendent of the Office of Catholic Education at 562-0051 or superintendent@archagana.org.
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FAREWELL TO SISTER GERTRUDE, RSMThe Sisters of Mercy on Guam, relatives and friends gathered on Saturday, July 18 in prayerful remembrance of the late Sister Mary Gertrude Quitugua, RSM during her Mass of Christian Burial at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Hagatna.
Fr. Mike Crisostomo was the main celebrant with a half dozen concelebrating priests. Fr. Andre Eduvala, OFM Cap., was the homilist and Fr. Jeff San Nicolas did the final commendation.
Passing away on July 9, 2020 at age 88, Sr. Gertrude dedicated 70 years as a Sister of Mercy. She taught multitudes of children on Guam in Catholic schools such as Cathedral Grade School, Santa Barbara, and Saint Anthony as well as CCD students in archdiocese parishes.
Passing of Sister Mary Gertrude Quitugua, RSM
July 14, 2020
NEWS RELEASESister Mary Gertrude Quitugua, also known as Isabel Santos Quitugua, 88 years old, was called home to God on July 9, 2020, at Mercy Care Center on Guam.
She entered the Mercy community on Guam on July 2, 1950 and enjoyed 70 years as a Sister of Mercy. For most of her years of service, Sister Gertrude taught at Santa Barbara Catholic School in Dededo and Cathedral Grade School in Hagatña. She also taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) in Dededo, Yigo, Naval Air Station (NAS), Agaña, Tumon, Maina and the Agaña Cathedral.
Sister Gertrude served as Administrator of Infant of Prague Nursery and Kindergarten for a year. She also served as pastoral minister/associate in the parishes of Maina, Barrigada, Asan, Umatac and Merizo. In her later years, Sr. Gertrude moved to Mercy Care Center in Oka and succumbed to cancer on July 9, 2020.
Most of her surviving siblings reside in the U.S. mainland. Sister Gertrude was very outgoing and friendly. She loved coming across the many students she taught on Guam and with a big smile, often shared how proud she was of them.
Sister Gertrude will be greatly missed by her community and many friends. She has lived her motto: “Love of God conquers all!” May Sister Mary Gertrude rest in the Lord’s eternal peace!
Daily Rosary/Mass
and Funeral Mass Information
Mass is being celebrated at 4 p.m. daily followed by Rosary. Supporters can follow the Masses and Rosaries via livestream on the Sisters of Mercy Guam Region Facebook page. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica. Burial will be at Pigo Catholic Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Sent by Tony C. Diaz, Archdiocese Director of Communications on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy, Guam. tony.diaz@archagana.com, (671) 562-0065
/documents/2020/7/AOA%20Sister%20Gertrude%20death%2007142020%20FIN.pdf
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Archbishop’s statement on opening of churches
23 May 2020
The Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission has been busy updating our protocols on the liturgy after holding very fruitful meetings with our clergy and I this week.
I am pleased to inform our Catholic faithful that we plan to resume the celebration of Holy Mass inside our churches on the following weekend of Pentecost Sunday, May 30-31. Since the COVID-19 pandemic is quite fluid, opening of our churches would be contingent on no major outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the near future. With utmost prudence, Masses would be celebrated with our churches not exceeding 50 percent capacity and following strict distancing between Mass attendees. The faithful will also be kindly required to wear masks.
In the meantime, for this weekend of May 23-24, priests will proceed as planned, celebrating Masses with the faithful attending in their cars in parish parking lots. I ask everyone’s support in giving our pastors and their staff adequate time to prepare their churches for resumption of indoor Masses the following Sunday. We shall update everyone in a few days.
We agree with President Trump that houses of worship and the activities of faith and worship that take place within the sacred walls are vital to numerous human beings. Our Archdiocese will continue to work with our government and health officials to keep our entire island safe from the COVID-19 virus that has changed our world. Most of all, we shall be guided by our loving God who is all wise in his care and providence of his children.
/s/Archbishop Michael Byrnes
Metropolitan Archbishop of Agaña
download pdf here
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