Worship Leaders on Retreat in Jamaica
by Judy Rene
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Tean of Worship Leaders of the St. Lucia Catholic Charismatic Renewal |
Greeted in Jamaica by a breathtaking warm evening sunset, a team of worship leaders of the St. Lucia Catholic Charismatic Renewal headed for Mount Calvary Retreat House in Mandeville, for a six-day Retreat, from July 25 to 31, 2004.
The theme of the retreat – “The Heart of Worship is Life” focused on Jesus’ discourse with the woman at the well in John 4:23 “… the hour is coming – indeed is already here – when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father seeks – God is spirit and those who worship must worship in Spirit and in truth.”
The programme included morning reflections on essential aspects at the heart of worship: Life; Thirsting for God; Surrender and Appreciation. Afternoon workshops dealt with the practical side of worship – Building and Leading Worship Teams; Demonstrating Worship in our lives; Participating in Worship; Worshiping God in Creation and in the Market Place. Daily Eucharistic celebration (the highest form of worship) and adoration were essential features of the Retreat. Evening group discussions provided the opportunity for generating new ideas, and reviewing the guidelines, policies and practices of the Worship Team.
A Serious Responsibility
Leading others into the presence of God is a high honour and a serious responsibility, therefore, worship leaders must themselves be true worshipers. The retreat provided the opportunity for much needed personal, soul searching reflection on essential aspects of worship.
Leaders’ Reflection
The Heart of Worship is Life – Worship entails living life in accordance with God’s character and his will. Worship is our hearts response to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It involves recognizing and responding to God’s character by inward and outward expression of thanksgiving, praise and adoration. Worship gives expression to the relationship that exists between us and God. It is not a feeling, neither is it passive. It is an active declaration of our relationship with God – attributing worth and supreme value to God. We worship God because of who He is. The action of the Holy Spirit in us enables us to worship him in spirit and in truth, the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised in John 16:13 that would lead us to all truth.
At the heart of worship is a thirst for God - a longing, a deep inner yearning and desire that creates the need in us to be satisfied and fulfilled. The psalmist in Psalm 63 cried out “God , my God, I pine for you, my body longs for you, as a land parched, dreary and waterless. Thus I have gazed on you in the sanctuary, seeing your power and your glory.”
And so we ask - What and who are we craving for? What are the deepest yearnings of our soul? What quenches our thirst? What satisfies us? The deepest desire of every human soul is for complete union with God, a union which includes the universe. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote – “Only God satisfies”
The Heart of Worship is Appreciation – Our attitude in worship must be one of gratitude. Worship involves our giving to God, our total selves in loving appreciation, taking on a humble posture of humility, like Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with oil in loving gratitude and appreciation John 12.3
Workshops Demonstrating Worship in Our Lives - Jesus is a perfect example of a true worshiper. As worship leaders, we are called to be like Jesus. 1 Tim 4: 12 tells us “…….be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity.” We were encouraged to guard our hearts, since true worship must be a sincere expression of the heart if it is to be acceptable to God. Jesus was concerned with the hidden places of the heart and what comes out from deep within us. Heart and lips must be in harmony if we are to worship in truth.
Participants were creatively led into various forms of worship. Prayerfully, we demonstrated an assent into the God’s presence – entering his gates with praise, singing and joyful dance, entering the outer and inner courts and into the Holy of Holies, which in fact is the main goal of a worship leader i.e. to build and lead others into worship. However, in the midst of all practical considerations of choosing appropriate songs of praise and worship, sensing the atmosphere, playing the right musical chords, the leader’s main activity must be to stir up his own spirit and that of others towards God, giving Him genuine gratitude, love, thanks and praise.
Worship God in Creation
We shared a unique experience, worshiping God in the beauty of His creation. The stunning beauty of the vast Jamaican landscape, from waterfalls, lush green scenery to alligators teeming in Black River, provided the perfect ambiance for worship. Worship is not limited to a particular time of prayer indoors, but a moment by moment awareness of God who is omnipresent – a way of life.
In the market place, our interaction with our Jamaican brothers and sisters took on a new meaning. Blessed with a worshiping mindset, all activities were aimed at bringing honour to God and that he would be glorified in all we do. A new Approach – Strategies, Guideline and Policies
Resulting from a thorough examination of the state of and commitment to worship, some new approaches were identified. Among these were a set of criteria or qualities of Leaders and prospective Leaders and strategies for enhancing active participation in worship.
Opening Ceremony of CTI Basic Course 2004
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Participants at the CTI Basic Course with His Grace Archbishop Kelvin Felix and
Sr. Paula Andrew
, S.J.C. |
On Monday, July 26th 2004, thirty-three catechists joined His Grace, Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Archbishop of the Province of Castries in the 2004 Opening Ceremony of the Catechist Training Institute (CTI).
Also in attendance were Sr. Paula Andrew, SJC, Directress of CTI, Mrs. Morvette Thomas, Catechetical Co-ordinator of St. John’s-Basseterre, Antigua, Mrs. Angel Felix, Catechetical Co-ordinator of St. Lucia and Ms Violet Morin, Educator and Guest Volunteer member.
A Mass to celebrate this occasion was held at the Pastoral Centre in Marisule with
His Grace, Archbishop Kelvin Felix as Celebrant. Friends and supporters of CTI were also present.
This year CTI celebrated the Fifth Cycle of the three-year Course. Participants came mainly from seven islands:
Diocese of St. George’s in Grenada 8
Diocese of Bridgetown - Barbados 2
Diocese of Kingstown - St. Vincent 3
Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre - Montserrat 1
Diocese of Roseau - Dominica 7
Diocese of Castries - St. Lucia 6
In his homily, His Grace, Archbishop Kelvin Felix complimented the Catechists for truly answering God’s call to teach and pass on the faith of the Catholic Church. He also emphasized the role and importance of Catechists in the Caribbean Region today.
During the two weeks of training, the Catechists will be studying Church History, Celebrating and Living the Eucharist, The Psalms as well as Teaching Methodology.
As we the Catechists search for new information we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us and enrich our spiritual life. May we use the acquired wealth of knowledge to glorify God as we continue to spread the good news in our respective communities within the Dioceses of the Province of Castries and beyond.
To God be the glory!!
Patricia Jacob - Diocese of St. George’s in Grenada
Juanita Henry - Archdiocese of Castries
August 2004
CTI Basic Course Valedictory Address
by Phanuel Hilaire - Dominica
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Good afternoon everyone, it is good to be here to speak
on your behalf.
Your Grace, Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Sr. Paula Andrew,SJC. Directress of the Catechist Training Institute, Mrs, Angel Felix Directress of Catechesis in St. Lucia, Miss Violet Marin, Guest Staff Member of CTI, Lecturers Rev.Fr. Bernard Latus,SVD and Rev.Fr. Ashton Pierre, CSSp., CTI Graduates, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen.
It is an honour and privilege for me to be given the opportunity to deliver this address at this CTI graduation ceremony. Three years ago, participants of the Basic Course of the Catechist Training Institute, embarked on a programme at the Holy Redeemer Retreat House in Dominica. We felt that were called up to the mountain of the Lord. That first year we were asked “to launch into the deep” and that is just what we did. Not knowing how deep the depth was, we launched in faith. Indeed the launching was a moment of grace for us all as there, we were challenged in many ways and were asked to answer to the call. That launching really stirred us up. To some it was an awakening, a call to respond in faith, also a call to examine ourselves, as well as, a call to believe. Some of us were doubtful about our launching, as we knew not what to expect. However, we did entrust ourselves into God’s hands.
That first year was a great one and we have a lot of memories of the fellowship that we shared, the excellent inspirational faith-lifting lectures that were so aptly presented by Mrs. Kay Pierre, Fr. Garfield Rochard,and Fr. Louis Vrignaud,FMI. These lecturers helped us to examine the origin and meaning of liturgy, as well as, the methods of catechizing children, youth and adults. Some issues related to the caring of others, while other issues focused on evangelization. We also looked at our role in the missionary activity of the church for which Sr. Paula has a passion. Sister encouraged us to develop a missionary spirit. I will describe the first year as a success for us as we experienced Jesus on the mountain.
In 2003 , we gathered here in Marisule to continue our mission which was to receive further training, and to be formed into better Catholics, but more importantly to become knowledgeable catechists. Msgr. Patrick Anthony did ensure that we left with “a Catholic mind” and that being Catholic means being Eucharistic. Fr. Vincent Esprit,FMI. introduced us to the New Testament from which we examined closely the Gospels and the Letters. The course helped to fortify our faith and we left here with a zeal to serve. .Ms. Leonora de Verteuil journeyed with us through liturgical seasons and gave very practical and innovative ideas in craft making.
In 2004, we launched further into church history with Msgr.Patrick Anthony and we examined the Psalms with Fr. Bernard Latus. We are now able to analyse a Psalm and I must say that we benefited tremendously in this course. Fr. Ashton Pierre, gave us new insights into the Eucharist, and as a result, we are now better able to understand the Word of God as Eucharist. The Eucharist is now for us, all encompassing.
One of the other important components of this course was living in community. Service was a key agenda item. Therefore, through CTI, we came to better understand how to serve, support, and care for others. CTI sought to form us into catechists with a purpose. It ensured us that we not only to teach what is in the book, but instead to go beyond and touch the hearts and lives of people we encounter.
Graduates, we who are called to be catechists, and have launched into the deep, must treat this call as a vocation. We must do every thing that we can to live up to the calling and be mindful of our behaviour, attitude, words and actions, for these tell a lot about who we are. We must remember that in the early church, Christians were recognized by the way they lived. There is a need to be true to our church as catechists and to live exemplary lives so that through us, others may come to know Him.
CTI has enlightened us in many ways. Obviously, we could not have been taught everything, and as such the process continues .We must now read, study, research and find innovative ways in handing down the faith.
Unfortunately, it is while we are experiencing bonding in a tangible way that we must depart. It is said that all good things must come to an end. However, I encourage everyone to take the spirit of CTI to our various dioceses and hold steadfastly to our faith.
On behalf of the graduates, I wish to express sincere thanks and appreciation to you, Your Grace Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Msgr. Patrick Anthony, Fr. Ashton Pierre, Fr. Bernard Latus, Sr. Paula Andrew, Ms. Violet Marin, the Pastoral Centre Staff, the management and staff of the Seminary, our benefactors and all those who ensure that the Lord’s work continues here. Let us Catechists execute our work diligently and do it out of love and commitment. Remember that CTI would be a waste if we just let lie what God has begun in us. I pray that all future participants find us faithful. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, we may be tempted to figuratively build a tent here. However, we are most certainly called to go back to our dioceses and parishes and build the Church of Jesus Christ.
God bless you. God bless CTI. God bless our territories. I thank you.
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