CHRON2504

“to be sure there were at least two acculturative processes going on side by side in the New World . As Africans of different experiences lived together, there was the interaction of the various African Cultures which produced a somewhat different set of customs and practices, which manifestly had their roots deep in the African experience. At the same time, there was the interaction of African and Western Cultures which doubtless changed the Culture patterns of both groups”...

Perhaps one can deduce that this dual acculturative process led the African to a revolution spiritually, emotionally, socially which would free him to be the person he always knew he was meant to be in spite of slavery .It is very important to realize in the specific nature of our reflection that it was a Roman Catholic Bishop, Bishop Las Casas, who in 1517 advocated and encouraged the immigration of Africans to the New World by permitting the Spaniards to import twelve Africans each. The monopolies on the trade always went to the highest bidder in that way depending on one's financial situation. Other European countries entered the slave trade. The Portuguese, the first nation to begin that trade, were followed by the Spanish, the French, the Dutch and the English.

The sixth movement was the dethroning of King Sugar” due to the following facts:
a) The cost of production had increased
b) The soil in the Caribbean had been exhausted.
c) The cost of imported slaves increased.
d) The demand for slaves on the plantation had decreased.
but a new market for cotton was opening up, and a new exportation of Africans began from the Caribbean to North America . The first group of twenty left Jamaica in 1619. That exportation continued for some two hundred years.

The seventh movement was in the United States . As with every economy the law of supply and demand was an overriding factor. As the demand for sugar fell, the supply also had to cease. The question in the early nineteenth century America was what to do with the Africans? John Hope Franklin writes:

‘'as early as 1714, a' Native American' believed to be a resident of New Jersey, had proposed sending Negroes back to Africa. The idea did not die... In 1777 (after

the war of independence) Thomas Jefferson had set a plan of gradual emancipation and exportation ...By 1830, one thousand four hundred and twenty Negroes had settled in the colony ...4

For me, the operative word is colony. Could it mean freedom at last or anew colonialization? History shows us that that movement which gained some momentum in its early years began to fizzle away. The African struggle for liberation continued.

Claude Mc Kay an African American poet expressed the liberation struggle thus:
“If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and pinned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock in our accursed lot
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed in vain;
Then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor is though dead!
O Kinsmen! We must meet the Common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow!
What though before us lies the open grave ?
Like men we'll face the murderous cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!”.. 5

There was more than a sociological basis for the many liberation movements in the United States and in the Caribbean there was a deeply spiritual basis. The African in the Diaspora had been taught to read the Bible which became their biggest weapon against their own enslavement which became the handbook of the many liberation movements. They did not accept the hermeneutics of the European but developed their own hermeneutical approach to the scriptures. They identified with the suffering people of Israel , they identified with their struggles for freedom. They identified with Jesus as their source and reason for freedom” and developed a theology so well expressed in the songs which they sang, all pointing to a return home -home to Africa and Freedom.

Nobodv Knows The Trouble I've Seen
“Oh nobody knows the trouble I've seen,
Nobody knows but Jesus!
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,
Glory Hallelujah!
Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down;
Oh, yes, Lord;
Sometimes I'm almost to the ground,
Oh, yes, Lord
Although you see me going along so,
Oh, yes, Lord;
I have my trials here below,
Oh, yes, Lord
One day when I was walking along,
Oh, yes, Lord;
The element opened, and the Love came down,
Oh, yes, Lord
I never shall forget that day,
Oh, yes, Lord;
When Jesus washed my sins away,
Oh, yes, Lord
. Deep River , My home is over Jordan ,
Deep River, Lord, I want to cross over into campground Campground,
Oh, don't you want to go to that Gospel feast,
That promised land where all is peace ?
Oh, don't you want to go to that promised land
Where there is peace ?
Steal Away
to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home, 1 ain't got long to stay here.
My Lord he calls me,
He calls me by the thunder,.
The trumpet sounds within a my soul:
I ain't got long to stay here.
Green trees are bending,
Poor sinners stand trembling,.
The trumpet sounds within a my soul:
I ain't got long to stay here.
My Lord he calls me,
He calls me by the lightning;
The trumpet sounds within my soul:
1 ain't got long to stay here.

Saint Anthony of Padua, whose baptismal name was Ferdinand, was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195. When he was very young, he was sent to be educated by the Canons of the Cathedral of Lisbon. At fifteen he entered the Order of Regular Canons of St. Augustine and was ordained a priest at Coimbra.
As a Canon Regular of Saint Augustine, Fr. Ferdinand spent much of his time at community prayer, studying and teaching the Augustinian seminarians, but his life was to be radically changed. One evening a group of Franciscan friars, a new religious order started by St. Francis of Assisi in Italy, whose members lived a life of extreme poverty, came to the convent in Coimbra on their way to Morocco in North Africa. Fr. Ferdinand eagerly met these friars and learnt about their life of prayer, preaching and poverty. A year later Ferdinand heard of the martyrdom of these friars in Morocco. Horrified and shocked at the martyrdom of his friends, he wished very much to become a Franciscan and go out on the missions to bring the Good News of Christ to the people of Morocco. He applied for permission to leave the Augustinians and was accepted by the Franciscans. He changed his name to Anthony.
Anthony joined the next group of Franciscans going out to Morocco, looking forward to martyrdom, but this was not God’s will for him. He fell ill of a fever that persisted for months and was thus forced to return to Italy. The ship in which he was sailing encountered a storm, which drove it to the coast of Sicily, where Anthony introduced himself to a community of Franciscan friars who, at the time, were preparing for a general meeting in Assisi.
Anthony went along with them. At first he was entirely ignored and purposely kept a low profile until one of the Superiors recognized him and, after the meeting, took him with his group to Padua where Anthony lived in a Franciscan hermitage, spending his time, for a few years, praying, reading the Bible, meditating for hours on the teachings of Jesus and of the Church, and cooking and chopping wood.
The Franciscans never realized what a treasure they had acquired in Anthony, until one day, at a meeting of priests, he was unexpectedly asked to give a little sermon. To the astonishment of his companions, who had looked on him as a simple, quiet man, beautiful words flowed from his lips, inspired by the Holy Spirit and fed by all the praying, reading and meditating that he had done over the years.
He was made professor of theology but, filled with zeal for souls, he gave up teaching to devote himself to the work of preaching. Many miracles were related of him, among them preaching to the fish at Rimini when people would not listen to his preaching, and one night his host saw him holding the Child Jesus in his arms.
Anthony died on June 13, 1231, at the age of thirty-six, worn out by the hard life of the Franciscan friars and the strain of constantly travelling and preaching.

Men of Faith celebrate Second Anniversary

by Jason Louis

Community at work repairing the Church benches

Men of Faith, the all male choir from the Parish of the Holy Family, Roseau, Jacmel, celebrated their second Anniversary on Sunday, May 23 under the theme, Faith in Action, Men’s Spiritual Mission, amidst much celebration and happiness. The Sunday celebration, which proved to be the icing on the cake, was preceded by a week of activities, which prepared the men spiritually for the great occasion.
The Second Anniversary observance started in earnest on Monday 17th May, with a group discussion amongst members where the group’s short history was recounted, its present status analyzed and the future charted. It is expected that the recommendations emanating from the discussions will be compiled into a document titled “Men of Faith 2010” which will seek to chart the group’s future.
On Wednesday 19th May, members of the group along with some specially invited guests received an inspiring and motivational speech delivered by Monsignor Patrick Anthony at the La Croix Maingot Combined School. . Monsignor Anthony’s presentation, which was centered around the anniversary theme, raised the spiritual consciousness of the men present, helping them understand the role that they are called to play in society and their spiritual mission as entrusted to them by God.
Friday 21st May was celebrated with a karaoke session. This activity did not only serve to help the men to hone their crooning skills but also served as an opportunity to create a stronger social bond amongst members. The next scheduled activity was held on Saturday 22nd May, where The Men of Faith along with other community groups and members of the church undertook to realign and fasten church benches. This much needed project which took the form of a ‘koudmen’, highlighted the need for the more able bodied men in the church to play a greater role in the upkeep and maintenance of the house of God.
Saturday’s esprit de coup set the tone for Sunday’s grand celebration. After the Men of Faith had put in their final touches for Sunday service with rehearsals Saturday evening, it was evident that the church was in for something special and what a special day it was. Graced by the presence of Her Excellency, Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy and other specially invited guest, the congregation was treated to a spiritual affair never before experienced at the church of the Holy Family. Every aspect of the liturgy, hymn (Latin and Standard), prayer and psalm seemed to have touched each member of the congregation personally. Members could not contain their joy on the day as they openly waved hands with shouts of amen in an endorsement of the spiritual satisfaction received. Men of Faith were at their best, with hymns such as “Men of Faith”, their popular medley “It Soon Be Done” and Meditation hymn “Jesus” sending members into a spiritual frenzy.
This was a really special occasion to mark the culmination of a week of activities. Parish priest Fr. Cecil Goodman, the founder of the group, was sincerely thanked for being like a shepherd to the group over the past two years. Other persons were also singled out for their tremendous assistance to the group over the years and especially during the week of celebrations which included; Musical director, Lester Hippolyte whose musical ingenuity and contribution has been a wonderful blessing not only to the Men of Faith but to the parish at large; Monsignor Anthony for his presentation during the week and to the various choirs, community groups and corporate sponsors which helped in ensuring that the Second Anniversary celebration was a successful one.
At the end of the celebration Men of Faith asked that members of the church community continue praying for them, asking God to give them strength, courage and wisdom to continue doing the ‘Work’ that God has called them to do. The Men of Faith promised that they will not be stopped, that through ‘thick and thin’ God’s word(which the forces of evil will go at great lengths to stop) will continue. They will continue to offer “Spiritual Elevation through Harmonic Presentation” for generations to come.

by Winston C.V. Parris, M.D, FACPM
St. Lucia Pain Institute
Castries
St. Lucia

Chronic pain affects most people at some time or another. When chronic pain is untreatable and persistent, the results are not only the loss of productivity in economic terms but more importantly, increased and unnecessary human suffering. These problems may lead to enhanced suppression of the immune response with multiple systemic implications, deceased activities of daily living, immeasurable emotional stress and the persistence of an unsatisfactory quality of life. Collectively the unfortunate patient with chronic pain not only continues to suffer, but the general health status declines markedly with time.
The causes of chronic pain are multiple; some are treatable while others may only be managed and partially controlled. Notwithstanding the etiology of chronic pain syndromes, chronic pain itself may be treated effectively and controlled in most circumstances. There are group of clinical symptoms, which are typical of the chronic pain patient. These symptoms are referred to as the “six D’s”; they include Depression, Disability, Disuse atrophy, Dependency, Drug abuse/Drug misuse, and Doctor shopping.
Depression - When chronic pain is unresolved and continues or occasionally increases, patients become angry and frustrated, and these emotions may lead to depression and in a few cases, suicide.
Disability – Many patients with chronic pain are unable to function both at home and at work. As a result, these patients may become occupationally impaired and as a consequence disability occurs.
Disuse atrophy – Chronic pain patients are unable to participate in normal activities of daily living and in some cases, may be confined to bed. When that occurs, demineralization of calcium within the bone structure occurs; muscles, tendons and ligaments become weak and fragile and the general muscle mass decreases. Collectively, those symptoms occurring in the musculo-skeletal system are referred to as Disuse atrophy.
Dependency – When chronic pain become uncontrolled, there are also emotional and behavioral consequences. Patients who are no longer able to work because of chronic pain become dependent on social security or national insurance health benefits or in some cases, they may become dependent on the physical assistance provide by a spouse, loved one or a health care professional. This development is not satisfactory and may in fact become emotionally harmful to the afflicted patient.
Drug abuse/Drug misuse – Chronic pain patients who are treated inappropriately or incorrectly may be given some drugs, which may cause opioid (narcotic) dependency with all its resultant ills. Addiction, drug dependency, tolerance, and tachyphylaxis, may occur as a result of drug abuse. There are times when the same clinical situations may occur inadvertently as a result of drug misuse.

Doctor Shopping – In an attempt to obtain an elusive cure for the chronic pain afflicted patient, that patient may go from physician to physician in search of that elusive cure. Then, that patient may not receive appropriate follow-up care and may suffer unnecessarily.
Three other D’s may be present particularly in chronic pain patients who have terminal illnesses for example Cancer or progressive HIV (AIDS) disease: they include Doom, Death and Dying issues. Fortunately these issues are best managed under the auspices of Palliative care medicine and/or a Hospice organization supplemented by chronic interventional pain management.
Modern medicine today has capabilities to effectively treat chronic pain using a variety of old and new drugs, innovative techniques, advanced surgical and conservative pain modalities. These therapeutic strategies, when effectively utilized, have served to significantly decrease chronic pain, enhance the quality of life of many patients and decrease the economic drain on medical resources.

following:
1). Drugs (narcotic and non-narcotic drugs)
2). Nerve blocks
a. therapeutic
b. diagnostic
c. neurolytic
d. central nervous system blocks
e. peripheral nervous system blocks
3). Epidural steroid injections
4). Sympathetic nerve blocks
5). Peripheral nerve blocks
6). Radiofrequency lesioning
7). Cryotherapy
8). Interventional pain strategies
9). Spinal cord stimulation
10). Implantation of pump devices in the spinal cord
11). Psychological modalities
12). And many others

In subsequent presentations in this column, I propose to discuss a variety of chronic pain syndromes, to review their causes, mechanisms and currently available therapeutic options. Whenever possible I would try to relate the treatment options to those available in St. Lucia (at the St. Lucia Pain Institute). Topics for future presentation and discussion include; headache, chronic back pain, cancer pain, sickle cell pain, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, abdominal pain, pelvic pain and chronic pain in children.

It is said that once, when Derek Walcott was asked how is it that a small island like St. Lucia continues to produce such outstanding people, he jokingly replied “It must be the breadfruit!” Well, if it’s not the food, then may be it’s something in the air, or in the spirit of the people. Whatever it is, the island keeps on churning out remarkable persons in diverse fields.
In the field of medicine, names such as Professor Winston Parris (Pain Management), Dr. Earl Long (Researcher/Tropical Disease) and Dr. Michael Alexander (Surgery/Hernia Specialist) immediately come to mind. Now word has come of the distinguished work of Dr. Susan King in the fight against Paediatric HIV/AIDS. The former island scholar, who is daughter of Anne King and Dr. Owen King, has been honoured by the University of Toronto with a humanitarian award for “her generous gift to society” and in celebration of her “extensive medical experience and compassion related to the care of families of children with HIV infection. In Canada she is recognized locally, regionally and internationally for her fight against Paediatric HIV/AIDS and has been cited as “a woman who has made a difference”
A Professor in the Department of Paediatrics of the Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto, and one of the directors for the HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Care Programme in Toronto, Dr. King has also been described as “one of Canada’s truly inspiring medical doctors.” She has contracted Lou Gehrig’s disease but continues to work at the university. At a special ceremony held on the 3rd June 2004 by the university to honour her contribution, the guest speaker was Dr. Mary Glenn Fowler, Chief of the Maternal Child Transmission, Paediatric and Adolescent Studies at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Susan King is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Convent, St. Lucia, Oxford University, McGill University and McMaster University. She has an American and Canadian Fellowship. She has also done HIV/AIDS research at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta under a Fulbright Scholarship. The Catholic Chronicle salutes Dr. Susan King, another outstanding St. Lucian.