Friday February 13th 2026 Established 1905 27 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana Year 121, No. 6
the faithful commitment of all - says Bishop Francis in Lenten message His Lordship Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB has given the following Lenten message: Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, As we enter the holy season of Lent, the Church invites us once again into a sacred time of restraint, reflection, and renewal. These forty days are not merely a personal spiritual exercise; they are a communal journey. We walk together toward the Cross and toward the hope of the Resurrection. Lent calls us to restraint — not as an end in itself, but as a way of making space: space for God’s voice, space for one another, and space for the deeper movements of the Spirit. In fasting, we learn freedom. In prayer, we rediscover communion. In almsgiving, we renew our solidarity with those on the margins. Each discipline reminds us that conversion is both personal and ecclesial. The recent Synod on Synodality has reaffirmed something ancient and ever new: synodality is
intrinsic to the life and mission of the Church. We are a people who journey together - in communion, through participation, for the sake of mission. This Lenten season offers us an opportunity to embody that vision more intentionally. To journey together means to listen — deeply and respectfully. It means to engage in dialogue marked not by fear or division, but by charity and truth. It means discerning together what the Spirit is saying to the Church today and being willing to decide and act together at every level of ministry and participation in the life of the Church. Lent sharpens our awareness that participation in the Church’s life is not optional; it flows from our baptism. Each of us is called to co-responsibility for the Church’s mission. Clergy, religious, and laity alike share in Christ’s prophetic, priestly, and kingly mission. The renewal of the Church depends not on a few, but on the faithful commitment of all. (please turn to page 2)
World Marriage Day 2026 at Diamond - p2 Pope explains why Catholics fast during Lent - p3 Cuban bishops postpone ‘ad limina’ visit, citing current instability and uncertainty - p3 A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4 Sunday Scripture - p5 Head of Ukrainian Catholic Church meets with Pope Leo, calls Ukraine ‘wounded but alive’- p6 Pope Leo XIV prays at Vatican’s Lourdes grotto for the sick on World Day of the Sick - p7 Pope meets leaders of chastity apostolate for Catholics with same-sex attractions - p7 High-ranking US Catholic bishops join call for Trump to apologize over racist video - p8 Children’s Page - p9 ME celebrates World Marriage Day - p10 Faith in Practice Week 2 - p11 Daily Lenten Activities for Families - p12 Lenten & Easter Music Workshop - p14
February 18th
Bishop’s Engagements Sunday February 15th 08:00hrs – Mass at St. Joseph Church, Henrietta, Essequibo Coast Return to Georgetown Monday February 16th 19:00hrs – Synod Team Meeting Tuesday February 17th 18:00hrs – DPC Meeting Wednesday February 18th 17:00hrs – Ash Wednesday Mass at Cathedral Sunday February 22nd 7:30hrs – Mass at Cathedral
Married couples, along with Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB and Msgr. Terrence Montrose at Worldwide Marriage Encounter Guyana’s “An Evening of Love”, Saturday, February 7th 2026 .❖ (please see article on page 10)
Francis Alleyne OSB