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With Father Évariste Hitayezu having returned to the Nièvre and the diocese of Nevers, the parish of Saint-Barthélemy was waiting for its new parish priest. On Sunday August 31, the new parish priest officially took up his post. The installation mass for Father Rulx-André Alcineus, successor to Father Évariste Hitayezu, took place in the Lorient church. A solemn celebration presided over by Bishop Philippe Guiougou of Guadeloupe, and Father Isadan, superior of the Holy Spirit congregation in the diocese. A congregation to which Father Rulx-André Alcineus belongs. Father Albert Blanchard, who will attend the funeral of his brother, Father Robert Blanchard, on the afternoon of Sunday August 31, also attended the ceremony.
Needless to say, the faithful of Saint-Barthélemy came out in force in the Lorient church to welcome their new parish priest. The President of the Collectivité territoriale, Xavier Lédée, made a symbolic gesture by handing over the keys to the church and presbytery to Father Rulx-André Alcineus. Aliénor Barbé-Guillaume, delegate of the Prefect of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, Senator Micheline Jacques and MP Frantz Gumbs were also present at the installation mass. As were the headmistresses of the Sainte-Marie de Colombier and Saint-Joseph de Lorient schools, Laurence Rebatel and Géraldine Cointre, and Sister Marie-Lucia joseph, head of mission for the sisters of Marie Auxiliatrice.
I've been a priest for twenty years, and it's with great joy that, after Saint-Martin, I'm now in Saint-Barthélemy," confided Father Rulx-André Alcineus. I've been very, very well received by the parishioners."In his first words in the Lorient church, he called for everyone to work together, formulated a proposal inviting parishioners to draw inspiration from an orchestra to find harmony and, finally, he made a promise: to be available. "I ask the Lord to give me the strength to be available, to be present for people," he declared at the end of mass, adding: "We have to be there, listening to the people. We also need to bring the two islands (Saint-Martin and Saint-Barth) closer together in a pastoral way."
Finally, Father Rulx-André Alcineus noted the symbolism of the date of his installation mass, which falls on the same day as the funeral of Father Blanchard, "our brother Robert", he added.
Mass schedule
Saturday, September 6: Gustavia at 5:30pm
Sunday, September 7: Colombier at 7am, Lorient at 8:30am and
Gustavia at 10:30am
