We are not a church but a ministry.

If you see a Baptist minister inside an Independent Catholic Ministry, it is not because I’m participating in an ecumenical event, attending a personal milestone, or undergoing a faith transition.

It is because I’m the co-founder, a member of the chaplaincy as chief chaplain, and president of the house of bishops. As an independent entity, we are autonomous and set our own rules, meaning we are not bound by the Pope’s authority or Vatican law.

I’m a Baptist bishop, and I do not have that hat as my coat of arms. The wide-brimmed ecclesiastical hat (the galero) and hanging tassels seen in traditional Ecclesiastical Heraldry are specific to the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Independent Catholic traditions. Baptist polity does not employ this uniform heraldic system. Because Baptist church governance, including the role of a bishop or overseer, is largely autonomous, there are no universal, standardized rules dictating an official hat or crest for your coat of arms. If a Baptist bishop chooses to design a personal crest, they typically follow general principles of amateur heraldry rather than the Vatican’s strict colour and tassel system. We have the freedom to design a coat of arms that reflects your personal faith, ministry, and spiritual calling, using symbols meaningful to our specific congregation or community. Notice the Archbishop’s colours and symbols, which were taken from mine, except for the brown, which reflects the Franciscan colour; my gold, blue, and white were added to his.

Meaning of the Founder’s Blason

The Blason of the Archbishop Eric
✝️ Central Structure — The Cross
The white cross (Argent) divides the shield into four parts. It represents: Christ at the center of everything, Unity of life and mission, the foundation upon which all else rests. 👉 This is the governing symbol of the whole shield

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🔵 Left Side (Azure Field)
Fleur-de-lis (Top Left) Symbol of Purity and consecration Traditionally associated with Our Lady Meaning here: A life placed under Marian protection and spiritual purity

Crossed Elements (Bottom Left)
These resemble missionary or apostolic crosses/tools.

Meaning: Evangelization Readiness to serve Apostolic labour

👉 Together, the left side speaks of:

Faith received and lived in devotion and mission

• Blue shield (Azure) → faithfulness, charity, openness to all
• White cross (Argent) → purity, truth, and Christ at the center
• 🟤 Right Side (Brown / Franciscan Field) Sacred Heart (Top Right) Symbol of: Christ’s love and sacrifice, Mercy and suffering embraced. Meaning: A heart conformed to Christ Franciscan Arms (Bottom Right) The crossed arms (one bare, one sleeved) Classic Franciscan symbol: Christ’s arm and St. Francis’ arm Meaning: Union with Christ in humility, poverty, and service, walking in the Franciscan path 👉 Together, the right side speaks of: Love lived through sacrifice and humility
• 👑 Center Detail — Crown of Thorns Placed at the intersection of the cross. Meaning: Suffering united with Christ’s Sacrifice at the heart of the vocation 👉 This is extremely strong theologically: Not just faith—but crucified faith 📜 Motto In sacrificium et perseverantia (In sacrifice and perseverance This ties everything together perfectly. Sacrifice → Crown, Sacred Heart Perseverance → Cross, mission symbol
• 🧩 Overall Interpretation This is a deeply structured blason with a clear progression: Left → Formation Faith received Marian grounding Call to mission
• Right → Transformation Love through sacrifice Franciscan humility Union with Christ
• Center → Fulfillment The Cross The Crown
• The total gift of self

🔥 In One Sentence
A life rooted in faith, formed in devotion, and fulfilled through sacrifice in union with Christ.

Co-Founder’s Arms
The Blason of Bishop Marie
The coat of arms of Bishop Marie expresses a ministry rooted in charity, guided by truth, and open to all without distinction.

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The shield is rendered in azure, signifying fidelity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to serve. At its center stands a cross argent, the enduring sign of Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

In chief, a dove bearing an olive branch represents peace and renewal, reflecting a mission oriented toward reconciliation and new beginnings. In base, two hands joined in service signify a life dedicated to helping others, embodying a ministry of presence, care, and compassion. At the heart of the composition, the figure of Christ reminds all who behold it that every act of service flows from Him and returns to Him.

In keeping with Baptist tradition, the arms are presented in simplicity, without external ecclesiastical ornaments, emphasizing the primacy of the Gospel over rank or distinction.

• Dove with olive branch → peace and new beginnings
• Christ figure (gold) → “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”
• Helping hands → her ministry of service and compassion
• Motto: “Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow”
• Disce Hodie, Duc Cras”

Blazon in English (Formal Heraldic Form)
A shield quarterly divided by a cross Argent;
In the first quarter, Azure, a fleur-de-lis Or;
In the second quarter, Brown, the Sacred Heart Gules;
In the third quarter, Azure, two apostolic emblems Or in saltire;
In the fourth quarter, Brown, two arms in saltire, one bare and one sleeved, after the Franciscan manner;
Overall, upon the cross, a crown of thorns proper.

For the glory of Almighty God and the good of souls, we declare and confirm the heraldic arms of the Founder and the Co-Founder, which manifest both the unity of their vocation and the distinction of their ministries.

The arms of the Founder, quarterly divided by a cross Argent, express a faith firmly rooted, a life shaped by sacrifice, and perseverance in the way of Christ.

The arms of the Co-Founder, set upon a brown field with a blue cross, signify peace, service, and a charity extended to all without distinction.

These arms, though distinct, are united in one mission: that the work founded in Christ may grow and extend through charity to all.

Given under the sign of the Cross, in a spirit of truth and peace.

You will discover that you can’t.

Do you often feel that you are being pulled in all directions? Have you been wishing for some time away from all the insanity? Then this message is for you. Don’t get trapped into thinking you are the only one who can do everything that needs to be done, and that it must be done immediately.

Take a step back and refocus. Whose job is it to plan your day, yours or God’s?

Have you ever stood out of the way and just let things flow in sequence as they should?

Life can be a beautiful thing if we just learn not to push it. We need to learn to slow down and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity that surrounds us.

We cannot do that as long as we allow ourselves to be pushed here and there in the frenzy of the demands of the day-to-day world. Take a little time each day for meditation, just be silent before the Creator and enjoy the solitude that you will find there.

It is time to free yourself from everything that causes you stress and holds you captive and decide what your priorities are, what is truly important in your life.

God gives you strength and wisdom to make those choices, and He takes care of the rest.

~ the One life in the many ~ 73.**

Let your mind become clear like a mountain lake.

Then all false beliefs will rise to the surface and evaporate, and only truth will remain.

Light of the Soul Practice Meditation, prayer, and inner silence are the steps toward a clear mind.

Give yourself permission to value this. Often, the value of ‘keeping busy’ or the sense of obligation to others creates a life out of balance, with no possibility of inner peace.

Today, find the way of silence that is most natural to you and the time to be alone with it. Let it nourish your soul.

Stop awhile and listen to the heartbeat of the Universe.

Shut out the voice of everyday life, telling you what you have to do, who you have to be, voices from television, family, and your job. You need the healing of silence, time to take back your life. Time to meditate and listen to that still small voice.

That voice that tells you that you are so much more than what everyday life defines you to be. You are not of some great value because of the work that you do; you are of great value just because of who you are and who you choose to be. As you connect with the true source of peace and contentment within the silence of your mind, you will discover that you are much more than what life dictates; you are a part of a much greater plan.

For years, humans have been searching for their true purpose and meaning in life. Are you one of those who are still searching?

Are you looking for a place where your soul can find lasting peace?

So many are going through life just wandering, with no real purpose, led by their ego, trying to find meaning by accumulating material possessions.

This is a life of unfulfilled dreams and a never-ending search for peace and contentment, where worldly possessions are never enough.

If this in any way describes you, then you have been missing out on a very simple way of finding the peace that you have been longing for.

It is through meditation that you take time to be silent and allow God to fill you with His Peace.

Don’t say you are too busy, take the time, this is your life, your time to accept the gift of peace that is waiting for you.

I KNOW MY CREATOR LIVES

You ask me if my creator lives

Well, I want you to know,

I”ve seen Him in each blade of grass

And in the breeze that blows.

I see Him when I see the sparrow

Fly graceful in the sky,

I also know my creator  lives

And guides me from on high.

I see Him in a baby”s smile

So innocent and pure,

I see Him as I walk the sand

Along the peaceful shore.

And if you live your life for Him

And humbly do your  part,

This God of all Creation

                                                          Will live within your heart

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

As you bow your head today

And you pray in Jesus name,

Will you thin

k to pray for others

With their sorrow and their pain.

Others  with their heartaches

And others with their care

Will you think of all their trials

As our Father hears your prayers.

For as you take the burden

Of some soul to God above,

Your reward will be the blessing

Of our own Dear Saviour’s love.

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

Though strife surrounds us day by day

If we just take the time to pray,

Those troubles slowly fade away

As we commune with Jesus.

Though this old world be full of woe

There is one place we all can go,

We have a Heavenly Home, you know

If we just live for Jesus.

Though there be trials on every  hand

The Christian has a salvation plan,

That someday in that Promised Land

We”ll walk beside our Jesus.

So don’t be ashamed of the Love of our Father

Don’t be ashamed of His Kindness and grace,

Don’t be ashamed of our Blessed Redeemer

Who, upon Calvary, died in our place.

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

In our tiny village, a church stands upon a hill

There was a time when songs rang out

As her seats filled, the people filled.

Where the neighbour greeted the neighbour

And children played so freely,

That was a time I now recall

with things as they should be.

Our little church stood proud and tall 

And overlooked the sea

To guide our fishermen along

The path where they should be.

Things are all so different now

To a new church, we make our way

But the memories of that little church

In our minds will always stay.

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

Our little village we call home

Snugly nestled by the sea

With the harbor sparkling near your door

A lovely sight to see.

With fishing boats along the shore

Where the artist often come

To paint the seans of East Jeddore

The place that I call home.

To see the evening sunset

Is more beautiful than gold

Done by the Master Painter

Is a beauty to behold.

The sky so blue, the trees so green

The birds that flutter by

As the sun sets slowly

On the sea, the fishing boats go by.

As I say goodbye one time again

To the beautiful East Jeddore,

I know that I will soon return

To see her just once more.

IT IS MY HOME

.Rev. Marie Yvonne.

I won first prize for this poem at two different poetry contests two years in a row.

The missionaries leave their homes

Their family, friends, and all,

To travel far across the seas

In answer to God’s call.

They learn the language of the land

In order to go,

And tell the natives of our God

Who cares and loves them so?

The natives in these foreign lands

To idols, they all go,

But idols neither hear nor speak

The Bible tells us so.

So the mission of  our people here

Is to take the Holy Word,

Of salvation from a living God

To those who have never heard.

And we at home can do our part

As we do daily, we pray,

For God to keep them free from harm

While they are far away.

But let’s not forget our missionaries

That work for God at home,

And show God’s love to many

Who feel lost and all alone.

So let us all just do our part

For our missionaries dear,

Whether they be far away

Or whether they be near.

We’ll pray for God to guide them

As they teach His Word so true,

And support them with our pledges

As His work, they gladly do.

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

I felt so close to God today

 As I stood beside a brook,

 And watched the water flow

  Or’e the rocks, as it’s trickling

Pathway took.   

And as I stood there gazing  

   I saw our Creator’s plan,         

                       For that tiny little babbling brook              

                            Was made by God’s own hand.                        

          And the God that made the rocks

               The trees, the seas, and all the land,

                                                         Yes, the God of all the Universe 

                                                       He, too, created man.

So if cares close in around you

  And you need someone to care,

       Go find yourself a babbling brook

God’s peace is always there.       

              Rev. Marie Yvonne.                         

From Just A Piece Of Clay

God took a piece of love one day

And turned it into a clump of clay

He worked it in His loving hands

And tenderly created man.

He made him strong and mighty and tall

To have dominion over all,

He put a garden fence

To rule all God’s creation there.

But man was lonely all alone

So God removed from him a bone

And made for him a helpmate true

To live with him his whole life through.

So from this tiny piece of bone

God made us all to be His own,

So be thankful for the life you share

And live for God while you are here.

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

When pressures are mounting

And burdens you bear

Your troubles grow day after day

You wonder if God”s really listening to you

Will He take all your sorrows away.

With your pain and your suffering

Your heartache and tears,

Your mind starts to question and say

Does God understand what I’m going through

Is He with me each step of the way.

God knows all our sorrows

He feels all our pain

He shares all our struggles and cares

He walks with us through crooked paths

And dries our eyes of our tears.

Our hearts are His garden

In which His love grows

Our tears are His dew on the rose

Our burdens grow lighter as His Spirit comes in

To harvest His joy in our souls.

Rev. Marie Yvonne

THE ABANDONED CHURCH

Upon a hill, a lonely hill an abandoned church house

stands, This proud old church in years gone by was

built by willing hands.

With timber strong and steeple tall, a wood stove

warmed the few that sang by oil lamps on the wall

to cast light on wooden pews.

As years went by a furnace new and electricity

replaced the stove and oil lamps. Much better

“ all agreed”

As time went by this simple church served the

faithful few, until a modern church was built

with softly padded pews.

As years go by and folks pass on to rest upon

the hill, our proud old church with steeple tall

will still stand abandoned on the hill

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

Is there something that you have been wanting so bad that it has been consuming your thoughts day and night? Does the longing for it bring tears to your eyes? Have you been praying to God for it to happen but it seems like it never will?

Why don’t you just stop worrying? In 1st.Peter 5 verse 7 we are told to “Cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us.”

Don’t worry God hears your prayers and He will answer your prayers, but it will be in His good time. we can’t rush God. He doesn’t always give us what we want when we want it but He always gives us what we need when we need it.

When your thoughts consume you
All day and all night, with dreams
that you want to come true
Do tears fill your eyes, are you-
hurting inside wondering is God
really listening to you.
Do you pray day and night, do you
long for the light indicating
that hope will abound.

But let God do His part and let
peace fill your heart, He already
knows what you need, He will dry
all your tears give you joy for
your fears and the assurance that
new hope will abound.”So Give Him
your cares, your His child and He
cares for you.”

Rev. Marie Yvonne.

Do you wonder at times just where your life is heading? You may not know where your path is taking you or even what your next step should be. One thing you can be absolutely sure of is what you need to know God will show you.

There will be times when things will seem hopeless and you will have to ask God for wisdom. We know that when we do God’s will that He is happy with us and He has given us a guidebook, the Bible to lead us step by step.

If we trust in Him and read His word, He will make it plain to us in which direction He wants our lives to go. Just be patient and walk with God. He will never steer you wrong.

When you’re drifting out there in the world
And all hope and faith seem lost,
When your burdened down with trials and cares
And defeat seems like your cost.

When sinking deep in miry clay
In quicksand, you seem to go,
When you cry for help but none is found
From friends, you use to know.

Do not despair you’re not alone
There’s a hand outstretched to you,
He’ll pull you from the miry clay
And walk along with you.

He promised He will be your friend
A friend that’s always true,
He’ll set your feet on solid rock
He’ll be that rock for you.

A friend that’s true, a Savour too
A Counselor and guide,
He’ll carry you through the mire and clay
If you walk by His side.

Rev. Marie Yvonne

Do you ever have an immense longing for this life to be over, To be free from suffering, fear, illness, debt, heartbreak, and stress?
Sometimes our greatest joy seems to be about being in Heaven, free from all our pain and suffering. Until God is ready to call us home He wants us to live in a manner that is honoring to Him.

It takes courage to live a Christian life, to face challenges every day and yet redirect our focus from our weakness and trust in God’s strength. But that is precisely what He had called us to do and we can do it. God supplies strength in our weakness and through Him, we can live courageously. As we surrender our needs to God, He will be exalted in us as He shows His strength and power through us.

JEWELS IN HIS CROWN

[1] We are jewels in the crown of our Savior
He refines us and makes us shine,
As we live here below with our troubles
He’s preparing our new home sublime.

[2] In this world with its heartaches and trials
We, er reminded of our dear Father’s Love,
And when all our trials are over
We, ll meet with our Lord up above.

[3] He tells our hearts not to be troubled
With burdens of this world so cold,
He’ll give us a crown when we meet Him
As bright-shining as any pure gold.

[4] So let’s be jewels in the crown of our Saviour
And serve Him while living below,
Then on that day when we meet Him
We, ll be shining much brighter than gold

Rev. Marie Yvonne

   Today’s a day for mothers, and as we think of those

      We love, we think of all the  Children God entrusted

to our love

For just as He gave Mary-Jesus to love and nurture

For awhile He also put within your care that tender

Little child.

To be a Christian mother is a duty from above, so

Don’t ever fail to guide them and tell them of Jesus’ love.

So remember, Mom, those lives that you are moulding

Now with care, are the lives that you will smile upon

With joy in later years. And when they’re men and

women and their life for God, they can always

remember it was a Christian Mother’s Love.

Rev. Marie Yvonne

We read in Corn.12: 7-10 that Paul is speaking about a {thorn in the flesh}
He asked God three times to remove it but it never happened.
We don’t know if Paul’s problem was a physical, spiritual or emotional affliction.
Many explanations have been put forward but we have no way of knowing.
We do know that it caused him a great deal of pain, causing him to question
if God was allowing him to have this affliction so that he would not get too proud
of being chosen by God to bring the great commission to the people.

Today there are more afflictions then could ever be mentioned here, none of us get through life without something that could stop us from serving God, but like Paul, we have the same promise that Gods grace is sufficient in our times of trials. In this life, there isn’t one of us that doesn’t have some form of problem, be it physical, spiritual or emotional and there are those that are bereaved and many other problems. But we know that we are never alone. None of us likes to live in pain and we think that we could serve God so much more effectively if we had better health. God didn’t ask us to have a medical checkup he takes us as we are and gives us strength for each day.

Many times we try to figure out why things happen as they do, but there never seems to be an answer, we say where is God, why does he allow things to happen like they do and these are questions that cannot be answered because we can not know the mind of God our minds can’t comprehend a God that was powerful enough to create the universe and still take care of us, and all he asks of us is that we believe and have faith. We are children of God and if we do not allow him to have a part in our lives we have a very empty feeling that something is missing. I don’t know if this applies to any of you but if you have that empty feeling try giving God a chance you have nothing to lose.

Believe God! if he calls you to work then he will see to it that you will accomplish it. Many times we are impatient, ,sometimes we get discouraged, sometimes we grow weary of waiting and we jump ahead of God. But we must learn to be patient and not always be in control, we must learn to trust and wait on God..

Rev. Marie Arnold.

When you have a problem that you can’t solve on your own, be it medical, relational, car problems or other, you would most likely go to an expert in any one of those fields. And with the cost of getting an expert opinion, you would most likely spend most of your time listening and getting all the professional advice you could for your money.

It is the same with consequential matters in your life, you want the best advice you can get so you can always go to your friends and maybe have a cup of coffee together and hear what they have to give, or you can pay a lawyer for his or her time which would be very costly. But why would you?

You do have another option, you can take your problems to God. He is an expert when it comes to everything concerning your life and His advise is free. But don’t spend all your time talking. He already knows what you need, if you do all the talking you will miss the life-giving counsel that you need. So when you go to God make the most of your time by listening.
The only payment He wants is your love.

HOW LONG OH LORD

When the cares of the day
Seem too much to bare
When your nights seem
Weary and long.
Do you sometimes cry out
To God in despair
How long OH Lord how long?

Do you wonder how long
These trials will last
And the uncertain days
cease to come
As you plead with God
To answer your prayer
How long OH lord how long.

Have faith and keep trusting
His promise is true
He’ll gladden your heart
With a song
Your burdens will lighten
He answers your prayer
Not long My Child, Not Long.

Rev. Marie Yvonne.