WHITESVILLE, Ky. - Fr. Michael Palud, O.F.F.M., a Son of Mary priest, gave a Day of Recollection October 11 at St. Joseph Monastery for the Passionist Nuns here. Fr. Michael is the Vicar General and the local Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica. He was also in the Owensboro Diocese to begin talks with Bishop McRaith and priests of the diocese to find out what projects the sister dioceses can share.

In recent years, youth groups from the Owensboro Diocese (guided by Fr. John Meredith, Fr. Freddy Byrd, and Fr. Richard Powers) have travelled to Mandeville, Fr. Michael said, to the mutual benefit of both. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Fr. Michael said in an interview that in his fifteen years as a priest, he has seen firsthand that "We’re all responsible in mission. When I open myself to care about the youth, the people in my parish in Mandeville, St. Vincent Strambi, my life is not the same. I think, see differently." Fr. Michael is in his ninth year of service to the Mandeville diocese.

In reports published in The Western Kentucky Catholic, local Western Kentucky youth who traveled to Mandeville said the same thing. Fr. Michael said that our diocesan pilgrims "saw the poor, met families, painted a church, and became aware of the giftedness of the Jamaican people. They took a step in spirituality in reaching out to help others. When confronted with poverty, everything takes on a different dimension."

A former parishioner from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Owensboro, Greg Elder, spent two years working and teaching in Mandeville parishes and schools. Presently a Western Kentuckian, Brother Brad Smith from Sorgho, is a Vice-Principal in a Mandeville School.

Fr. Michael talked about life in his home diocese. From the airport in Montego Bay, it’s a 2 1/2 hour drive to the Mandeville Mission Center. Many people are rural, hospitable farmers and gardeners of fruits and vegetables. 98% are of African descent. 50% are first generation Catholics. $35 a month supports an orphan in the diocsan orphanage/schools which are open to all. $350 a year supports one high school student. Calaloo (collard greens) is a favorite food, as is jerked chicken or pork (cooked with powdered spices and peppers.) Mangos grow profusely.

Mandeville is in a Christian country; everything starts with a prayer, Fr. Michael said. One Hail Mary is prayed every day by everyone in the school. What the three bishops of Jamaica say is heard; Catholic parlimentarians meet once a month with the bishops. However, there are also special pastoral concerns: 97% of the babies are born out of wedlock, Fr. Michael said. 50% of the mothers are under 16. For the people, a Catholic priest has more power than the obeah, a Jamaican voodoo man who has potions and spells.

Other church denominations influence the people of Mandeville. Many people ask about whether Catholics worship Mary, the Mother of God. Fr. Michael said that the experiences which non-Catholics have from the adult education and through Catholic Schools helps them answer the Mary objection from family and friends. "Education is the biggest need of all among our people, as is health care," Fr. Michael said.

"What are our needs?" Fr. Michael pondered. "Come and see, then you’ll understand. Collecting money to send to Bishop Boyle is better than sending stuff," he said.