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A year ago, Father Rulx-André Alcineus succeeded Father Évariste Hitayezu as pastor of the Saint-Barthélemy parish. This succession was more of a transition, since Father Rulx-André Alcineus has already moved on to pastures new. On Sunday, September 27, at 10 a.m., his successor celebrated his installation Mass at the church in Lorient, in the presence of the Bishop of Guadeloupe, Monsignor Philippe Guiougou. Smiling and already fully invested in his role, Father Jules Ahouandjinou addressed his new parishioners from the parish community, which includes Gustavia, Lorient, and Colombier. “A priest does not assign himself a mission; he receives it from the hands of the bishop,” said Father Jules Ahouandjinou, before adding: “It was the bishop who saw in me the qualities needed, and he sent me to this island of Saint Barthélemy. I am embarking on this journey with confidence, because it is the Lord who sends, and when He sends, He is always with us. I know He will accompany me in everything I do on this island, for the good of all the faithful.” His first goal is to bring the entire Catholic community together. “No one will be left out,” he assures us. “From now on, we will have groups dedicated to priestly and religious vocations. We will also have many Christian families. My hope is that there will be many weddings and many baptisms on this island during the pastoral year.” A pipe dream, needless to say.
