Newspaper Page Text
The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Savannah
View Bishop Parkes’ Thanksgiving
message to the diocese at
southerncrosssav.org/ thanksgiving
Vol. 100 No. 24 Thursday, November 26, 2020
Put Faith in Your Opinions
southerncross-sav.org
Note from the Publisher | Mensaje del Editor
As we gather around our tables for Thanksgiving and Christmas this
year, things may look a bit different. We remember that over the past
months there has been a significant loss of life due to the pandemic and
many have suffered physically, emotionally, and economically. Others
may not be able to travel this holiday season due to lockdowns and quar
antines. Amidst the suffering and challenges, though, we are all called
upon to look inside our heart, mind and soul and express gratitude to
Almighty God. No matter how difficult life may be, as Catholics we can
always look to the gift of our faith to find comfort, peace and hope. The
Lord is with us at all times and in all situations. As you celebrate the
holidays may you have the grace to thank the Almighty for the pre
cious gift of life and for being a part of our Catholic family of faith.
God needs us, His sons and daughters, to be witnesses of faith
and hope. At our Baptism we were given a candle, representing
the flame of faith. The manner in which we learn, understand, and
share this faith is all part of our witness and our ability to be the
fight of Christ in the world. At this particular time — where
there seems to be much darkness and uncertainty - our
fight needs to shine brighter than ever. I pray that we as
a diocesan family may never be afraid or ashamed to be
witnesses of faith. Our world needs our fights to shine,
for where fight and darkness meet, the unwavering
fight of Christ always overcomes.
Each edition of our diocesan newspaper, the ,
Southern Cross, should help you in your personal
journey to be a fight and witness of our Cathohc
faith. Recently I heard from some of our readers
commenting on the cover story of the November
12th edition regarding the recent elections. I appreci
ate your reaching out and I understand your concerns.
I realize the need for greater involvement in determining
see BISHOP MESSAGE page 3
Este ano, muy probablemente, nuestras celebraciones del Dia de Action
de Gracias y Navidad seran un poco diferentes a lo que estabamos acos-
tumbrados. A1 sentarnos a la mesa, tendremos en mente que en los ulti-
mos meses ha habido una perdida important^ de vidas debido a la pan
demia y que muchos han sufrido fisica, emocional y economicamente. Es
posible que algunos no puedan viajar en esta temporada de vacaciones
debido a cierres y cuarentenas. Sin embargo, en medio del sufrimiento y
los desafios, todos estamos llamados hacer una introspection y expresar
gratitud a Dios Todopoderoso. No importa lo dificil que pueda ser la vida,
como catolicos siempre podemos encontrar consuelo, paz y esperanza
en el don de nuestra fe. El Senor esta con nosotros en todo momento
y en todas las situaciones. Durante estas fiestas, que Dios todo
poderoso nos de la gratia de ser agradecidos por el precioso regalo
de la vida y por ser parte de la gran familia catolica.
Dios necesita que todos nosotros, sus hijos e hijas, seamos un
testimonio vivo de fe y esperanza. En nuestro bautismo recibimos
una vela, que representa la luz de la fe. La forma en que
aprendemos, entendemos y compartimos esta fe es parte
de nuestro testimonio y capacidad de ser luz de Cristo
en el mundo. En este tiempo —donde pareciera que
i hay mucha oscuridad e incertidumbre— nuestra
luz debe brillar mas que nunca. Yo rezo para que
L nosotros, como familia diocesana, nunca tengamos
miedo 0 nos sintamos avergonzados de ser testimo
nio vivo de nuestra fe. Nuestro mundo necesita
que nuestra luz brille, porque cuando la luz y la
oscuridad se enfrentan, la luz inquebrantable de
Cristo siempre vence.
Cada edition de nuestro periodico diocesano,
Southern Cross, debe ayudarles en su camino
personal para que sean luz y testimonio de nuestra fe
see MENSAJE DEL EDITOR page 3
Black Catholic Haitians played a
role in the War for Independence
By Donnell Suggs
Savannah, Ga. — On Veterans
Day morning, the monument to
the 500 Haitian soldiers that helped
protect this city during the Battle of
Savannah (also known as the “Seige
of Savannah), one of the earliest
battles of the Revolutionary War
on October 9,1779, was still wet
from the previous night’s rain. The
four soldiers and the drummer
boy (there are five soldiers on the
monument; one sits on the ground
with his left hand on his chest,
nursing an apparent wound) stand
valiantly in the morning sunshine.
See HAITIANS page 5
A memorial to the Haitian, volunteers who supported the colonists in the
Revolutionary War stands in Savannah’s Franklin Square.
Photo by Donnell Suggs