Remember the bone-chilling temperatures of early January in central Illinois? The Catholic Post and the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation extend a “warm” invitation to spend a week next January celebrating faith while enjoying a cruise through the eastern Caribbean.

“Ship, Sunshine & Sheen” is the theme of a seven-day cruise aboard Holland America’s newest vessel, the Eurodam, leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, and returning the following Saturday, Jan. 16. Ports of call will include Grand Turk; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.

The cruise will feature daily Mass celebrated by Father Stanley Deptula, executive director of the Sheen Foundation and director of divine worship for the Diocese of Peoria. In addition, during the cruise’s two scheduled days at sea, Father Deptula will lead optional “Diving Deeper into Sheen” educational sessions on the life and sainthood cause of the famed media pioneer, author and missionary born in the central Illinois town of El Paso.

The cruise opportunity is being sponsored by The Catholic Post as part of its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, set to begin in April. The first issue of The Register, the predecessor to The Catholic Post, was published on April 2, 1934.

“We are excited to link our newspaper’s celebration with the cause of our diocese’s holy media giant, Archbishop Sheen,” said Tom Dermody, editor, in announcing details of the trip this week.

Noting that the cruise is scheduled during the diocesan “Year of the Rosary,” Dermody said daily rosaries are also planned, perhaps on the ship’s deck at sunset.

Holland America is one of the world’s top cruise lines, and the Eurodam — whose maiden voyage was in July of 2008 — is its newest vessel. Featuring 11 passenger decks, the ship follows in the Holland America tradition of displaying exquisite art collections on board.

Cost of the seven-day cruise, including elements — such as a special cocktail reception — offered only to those registering through The Catholic Post or Sheen Foundation, is just $849 for an inside stateroom. The sum includes all meals aboard the ship as well as government taxes and fees. Upgraded rooms are also available, and a variety of excursions will be offered at the various ports.

The price does not include transportation to and from Ft. Lauderdale.

For more information on the cruise, as well as assistance with airline reservations, if desired, call Donna at (800) 226-0902.