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Mass schedules, Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 16, 2021(CLICK photo tO ACCESS)
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News of the Archdiocese of agana
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May 5, 2021
ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES
Vaccinations at Our Lady of Lourdes social hall, Yigo
Saturday, May 8 as Catholic Church helps protect against virus
The Archdiocese of Agaña is assisting in efforts to keep people safe from COVID-19 by hosting vaccination sites at some church sites on island. Vaccination will be available at the social hall of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Yigo from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. this Saturday, May 8.
The endeavor is in partnership with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) which will staff the sites and administer the vaccines.
Vaccinations are open to all people 16-years and older. Interested persons can come on a walk-in basis or register in advance through Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-lady-of-lourdes-catholic-church-dphss-covid-19-vaccination-tickets-153272683723
Please note, only the Pfizer vaccine will be administered, not the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Archdiocese recognizes its responsibility to help keep all people safe as a member of the community and in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ to care for one another. As more parishes are confirmed as vaccination sites, the Archdiocese will make those announcements.
Santa Teresita Church in Mangilao is not confirmed to serve as a vaccination site at this time and Saint Francis Catholic Church in Yona is unable to do so.
Tony C. Diaz, Archdiocese of Agana, Director of Communications
(671) 562-0065 tony.diaz@archagana.org
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May 6, 2021
CONGRATULATIONS FRIARS
Father Dueñas Memorial School hails its Class of 2021
during graduation ceremony Wednesday night
(Click here for a pdf copy)Father Dueñas Memorial School’s Class of 2021 celebrated the culmination of a challenging but rewarding school year, gathering with family and friends during the Friars’ graduation ceremony Wednesday night, May 5 at the FDMS Phoenix Center in Mangilao.
Ninety-six young men became the newest graduates in the 73-year-old history of the all-boys Catholic high school. Father Duenas Memorial was established in October of 1948 and is named in honor of heroic Chamorro priest, Father Jesus Baza Dueñas, who died defying Japanese soldiers during World War II.
Before the commencement exercise, Archbishop Michael Byrnes celebrated the Friars’ baccalaureate Mass with concelebrants and FD graduates, Father Jeff San Nicolas and Father Richard Kidd. Superintendent of Catholic Education, Dr. Juan Flores participated in the commencement exercise.
The valedictorian for the Father Duenas Class of 2021 is Gabriel Michael Leon Guerrero. The salutatorian for the Friars is Edward Guintu. Each delivered their addresses. Principal Ismael C. Perez gave the welcoming remarks.
Sent by Tony C. Diaz, Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Agaña, (671) 562-0065, tony.diaz@archagana.org
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April 25, 2021During Good Shepherd Sunday, Archbishop
discusses grave sin of child abuse committed by clergy in past
Gospel, John 10:11-18
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep…”---
Archbishop Michael Byrnes spoke frankly about the grave sin of sexual abuse committed in the past by a number of Catholic clergy on Guam including his predecessor, former Archbishop Anthony Apuron during the 9:30 a.m. Mass April 25, 2021 in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.
During his homily on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Archbishop Byrnes discussed the Gospel of John and Jesus our Good Shepherd while decrying the so-called shepherds of our diocese who instead acted as hired men and had no regard for the sheep. Instead they harmed the flock.
Archbishop Byrnes also described the responsibility that the Archdiocese of Agana has today. “Since we’re the Church, we have to bear the sins of our predecessors and try to make some recompense to those who have suffered so grievously in the past and (who) continue to suffer in that way,” he said.
“Our aim is to bring some measure of justice, not full justice because there is no capacity for full justice when you’ve been grievously suffered in this way,” the archbishop said. “But we must make some recompense to bring through this proceeding, the greatest measure of justice to the greatest number of victim/survivors.”
“So what I want to say today is that we the Archdiocese of Agaña will give no place to those who serve as hired men, as hired people who let the wolf run free,” he said. “And so, may the Good Shepherd himself strengthen us that we stay true to that conviction and turn that conviction into action.”
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To hear the Gospel and Archbishop Byrnes’ entire homily, view a recording of the April 25, 2021 Fourth Sunday of Easter Mass by visiting the Agana Cathedral’s website at
https://aganacathedral.org/---
Archdiocese of Agaña Child Abuse Awareness
and Prevention Training number of participants---
(Click here for a pdf copy)Under the leadership of Archbishop Michael Byrnes, the Archdiocese of Agaña adopted the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People from Sexual Abuse” in February of 2017.
In accordance with the Charter, the archdiocese has been conducting child abuse awareness and prevention training through the VIRTUS program on-line and on site since November of 2017.
The training is mandatory for all clergy, employees and volunteers who are in ministry involving children and young people in our archdiocese. Others have taken the training as well. The “Archdiocese’s Policy on the Protection of Children and Young People from Sexual Abuse” falls under our Safe Environment Program, which coordinates the training.
Here are some figures as of April 19, 2021:-
Total Active Accounts – 2,964
Individuals registered in VIRTUS training. Includes others who do not necessarily work with children.
Note -- May include duplicates (those who registered more than once)-
Total completed “Protecting God’s Children” On-line or Live Awareness Session 3.0 – 3,032
Note – Some attended both on-line and live sessions.
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For more information on the Archdiocese of Agana's Safe Environment Program, click this link
https://archagana.org/safe-environment
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Report SExual Abuse
The Archdiocese of Agaña encourages anyone who has been a victim of abuse by any clergy, employee or volunteer of the Roman Catholic Church to contact the Guam Police Department and Child Protective Services. In addition, the Archdiocese of Agaña provides support services through its Victim Assistance Coordinator.
Click here for more info on how to report -
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PASToral messageARCHBISHOP’SMy dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
PASTORAL MESSAGE ON THE UPDATED MITIGATION PROTOCOLS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF AGANA
FEBRUARY 09, 2021
Protocol No. 2021-008
With prayer and discernment, I gladly present the Archdiocese of Agaña’s updated mitigation protocols. As we continue to respond proactively to our island’s public health emergency it is important that you, the faithful, are aware of the updates and contingencies that are developed as this dynamic situation continues to affect the landscape of how, and where we worship.
I am grateful to our priests and religious who have continued to unpack these protocols so that our parish communities may be safe, and I am grateful for all of you and your continued prayers and cooperation.
My approval of these updates come after closely monitoring the situation and with continuous input from my brother priests, the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission (ALC) and different members of our Catholic community.
Above all, as in all things, we look to our loving Father for guidance as the Church and the general community navigate these unprecedented perilous waters of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With this in mind, please note that our houses of worship must continue to abide by strict COVID-19 requirements. Your pastors and dedicated parish staff and volunteers are working diligently to ensure these ongoing protocols are communicated within the parishes and schools.
I take this opportunity to note that the livestreaming of Masses and loudspeakers may still be utilized for the sake of our brothers and sisters who still opt to follow the Mass from their cars or at home. The dispensation which excuses persons from the obligation to attend Mass still stands at this time because of the pandemic. Catholics who are sick, frail or who are uncomfortable should still stay at home. Pastors who are unable to have indoor Mass for certain reasons have such prerogative.
I thank the Faithful of our island, our clergy, and the many groups and individuals who are selflessly assisting our parishes and schools at this time. I mention with gratitude the Archdiocese of Agaña’s COVID-19 Task Force and our Liturgical Commission which have been working diligently throughout our archdiocese. We thank our government and health care professionals, most especially those courageous men and women who are caring for our sick and frail in our hospitals and clinics. God bless you.
Please stay strong in Jesus as His love for each of us is boundless.
/s/ Most Rev. Michael J. Byrnes, S.T.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Agaña
(Click here for a signed PDF copy on AOA letterhead)
