April 6, 2005 – By directive of George V. Murry, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Thomas, Catholic charities, Catholic schools and the Catholic Chancery will be closed Friday, April 8, out of respect for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Acting Gov. Vargrave Richards has also called upon the community to take time on Friday to pause to remember the pope.
In a release from his office, Richards issued a proclamation calling for Friday, April 8 to be a day of remembrance. "t is only fitting that all throughout the territory spend some time reflecting on the extraordinary life of this great man, who devoted almost three decades to humanitarian causes and fought for the freedom of people everywhere," Richards said.
Bishop Murry will celebrate memorial masses for the recently deceased pope on all three islands between Wednesday and Friday, according to a release from the St. Thomas Diocese. The Schedule will be as follows:
– Wednesday, April 6, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas, 12:15 p.m.
– Thursday, April 7, St. Joseph Church, St. Croix, noon.
– Friday, April 8, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, St. John, 7:30 p.m.