Caribbean Church
TRINIDAD TOBAGO
PORT - OF -SPAIN
CHERISHING THE GIFT OF LIFE
Human life international (HLI) the global organization dedicated to fostering the pro-life movement held a Caribbean Regional Conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel , Port -of-Spain, Trinidad over the weekend of 5-7 November 2004.Theme of the conference was Love, Life and Family. Presenters panelist and participants were drawn from host country- Trinidad, the region and throughout the world.
Presentations covered such areas as “Stem Cell Research”, Effects of Abortion on Women and Family”, Pro- Abortion Myths “ Both prayer and Action Needed”, Forming Pro-life Groups and Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life)”
Prominent speakers included India-born Dr. Jeanette Pinto, Fr. Tom Euteneuer Dr. Brian Clowes, Fr. Gerry Farfan and Dr. Peter Gentle. Panelists included a representative each from Bermuda, Jamaica, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Guyana.Among these were Attorney-at-law Leela Ramdeen (Trinidad and Tobago) Fr. Leonard Alphonso (Barbados), Sir Ellis Clarke, former President of the twin-island republic and Sir Paul Scoon, former Governor-General of Granada.
Dr. Pinto in her keynote addressed entitled “Be Fully Alive” said the world today suffer from epidemic called I, Me, My” She described this tremendous disease as selfishness and self-centered living. She said that to over come this disease, we must become people who are “giving, caring, sharing, reaching out and empowering others.”She noted, however, that this can only ensue from “pure, genuine love.”
Speaking of men and women she said while both are equal, each had specific roles to play in raising a family were the cornerstone of our existence “ but they were dishonored and devalued by society,treated as a play thing of man to satisfy his needs and entertainment. To men, in particular father she urged them to be a model for your children.”
One of the results of the conference is likely to be increased networking among pro-life advocates in the Caribbean in order to confront attempts to promote abortion in the region.
BAHAMAS - NASSAU
HURRICANE FRANCES LEAVES DAMAGE TO SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
“Similar stories can be told of Abaco, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island and other islands as well. The scale of the destruction was as I have never known to take place in our Bahamian community before. What we are faced with now is nothing short of a national disasters.What it requires of us is nothing less than a full scale national response “ These were the comments of Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau shortly after hurricane Frances had wreaked destruction across the Bahama archipelago.
Arcbishop Pinder has appointed an eight-person Archdiocesan Relief Committee chaired by Monsignor Preston Moss. This committee will direct the archdiocesan effort and co-ordinate that effort with the national relief effort through the national Emergency Management Relief Agency (NEMA). In this way the church in the Bahamas will maximize results and avoid duplicating the month of September. Monsignor Preston Moss and his committee visited all the Bahama islands, assessing damages to churches and schools and compiling their report. On the islands of San Salvada the Holy Savior Church was severely damaged but the basic structure remained intact.
BARBADOS - BRIDGETOWN.
CHRISTIANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The Christians role in preserving the environment was the focus of an Adult Religious Education programme in Barbados during the month of October and November. The programme was sponsored by the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Bridgetown and chaired by retired Roman Catholic Bishop of Bridgetown,Athony Dickson.
The series entitled- “The Environment and Human Responsibility” was intended to highlight the issues of concern in Barbados and help ordinary persons understand their role in environmental preservation.
Some of the topics which generated heated discussion were: “The Crusie Ship Industry and the Environment,” The Hotel Industry and the Environment,” Waste Disposal and illegal Dumping.” This programme focused on the Catholic Church’s concern for the environment and the need for balanced integral development. The series was held at the Ursuline Convent in Collymore Rock. It was bishop Dickson’s hope that participants in the programme would begin to think differently about the role of human beings in the welfare of the planet.
BELIZE- BELMOPAN
BELIZEANS ATTEND 48TH INTERNATIONAL
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
Thousands of Catholics from all over the world attended the 48th Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara Mexico from October 10-17 2004. Among them was a contingent of forty-seven Belizeans from four different parishes throughout the country.The group was organized by the DIVINE MERCY CHURCH and led by Fr. Paul Grala and Fr. Jim Blont. Belize is one of those countries which borders Mexico, situated on its south eastern side. Bishops from all over the world attended the International Eucharistic Congress and took part in the closing Mass held at Jalisco Stadium where more than 70,000 pilgrims attended.
DOMINICA - ROSEAU
DOMINICA LOSES TWO CHURCHES TO EARTH QUAKE.
For the Catholic Faithful of Dominica it was indeed providential that the earth quake that shook their island on Sunday November 21 occurred on the feast of Christ the King. Had it been a normal Sunday the two churches severely damaged by the 6.0 magnitude quake would have been filled with its usual congregation attending 7:30am. Mass, and there might have been serious injuries and possible loss of life. This was the view of both bishop Gabriel Malzaire and chancellor of the diocese, Noeliva Le Blanc.
As it happened the majority of parishioners were in route to Wesley to attend the annual Christ the King diocesan rally at the Church of Our Lady Of the assumption.
The St. John church in Portsmouth and St.Andrew in Vieille case, both almost 100 years old will have to be rebuilt. One of the churchs‘steeples came tumbling down. Parishioners of St. Andrew had been awaiting their transport to the rally under the bell tower. The bus arrived early and had just driven off when the quake struck bringing down the same tower. Bishop Malzaire has been able to tour some of the affected areas. He expressed concern for the many who had lost their homes. He said it is a time of fear and shock for the people and they need the prayerful support of their Caribbean brothers and sisters. He said it was amazing to see strong structure crumbling and the hills shaking .
Like his chancellor Bishop Malzaire expressed thanksgiving to God that there had been no casualties. The earthquake did not stop the feast of Christ the King celebrations.
HAITI, PORT-AU-PRINCE
LIFE IN HAITI AFTER THE STORM.
Two months after Tropical Storm Jeanne swept through Haiti, devastating northwestern portions of the island, the situation has begun to stabilize and humanitarian non-governmental organizations are providing relief, aid workers said. Clean -up operations remain one of the major challenges of rehabilitation and need strong co-ordination between the Haitian government , the United Nation Humanitarian partners so said Sheyla Biamby, spokeswoman for Catholic Relief Service (CRS)in Haiti. She said the process would take four to six months. But the sure thing is that most people are determined to rehabilitate the houses that were not completely destroyed and move back into their homes.. There had been significant concerns because of the deaths of more than 3000 people after the storms and floods and the mass burials that followed. One US Agency for International Development employee reported that neighbour-hoods in Gonaives had been sprayed for mosquitoes and that 95 percent of the stockpiles in local warehouses were no longer of use.
US AID‘s office of foreign disaster assistance has approved funding to employ local residents of Gonaives in clean-up efforts through programme co-ordinated by CRS/ CARITAS CARE and World-Vision. Under the programmes
which is a cash -for - work project, the residents will be paid more than the average daily wage to help clean up the streets and common areas of the town.
In the rural areas the main concern now is to salvage what they can of the next agricultural season. The planting season begins in late November and early December, and so it is important to get mud and debris cleared from the fields and then to get seeds and tools to the farmers in time for planting.
JAMAICA - KINGSTON
MISSIONARIES OF THE POOR (M.O.P.)
CELEBRATED FOUNDATION DAY.
This year 2004 was a significant one for Fr. Richard HoLung and the Missionaries of the Poor when they celebrated the 23rd anniversary of their foundation day. The celebration took the form of a Concelebrated Mass on the 19th June, feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Chief celebrant was the Archbishop of Kingston Most Rev. Lawrence Burke S.J. together with Very Rev. Fr. Richard HoLung, founder and superior general of the M.O.P. and Rt. Rev. Msgr. Robert Haughton- James, Vicar General of the archdiocese of Kingston.
This Holy Mass was a celebration of the profession of vows of fourteen M.O.P. brothers—eight professing final vows and six professing temporary vows. Over 1,200 faithful joined the 120 M.O.P. brothers at their Corpus Christi novitiate grounds for the wonderful celebration, including nearly 200 M.O.P. lay associates and volunteers from Canada, U.S.A Cayman Islands the Bahamas, Jamaica and other Caribbean Islands- all united in giving praise and thanks to God. Fr. HoLung and Friends music groups was present in full complement along with a large contingent of the poor whom the brothers serve in the inner-city Kingston ghettos.
In his homily, Archbishop Burke reminded the large congregation that they should realize the special and unique role of this religious institute in the life of the church. The particular Charism of the institute- the joyful service to the least of our brothers and sisters- presents the face of Christ powerfully to our world” said Archbishop Burke. At the same time, he exhorted all to appreciate the beauty of the church as the Mystical Body of Christ in which the various parts are invested with different gifts and services while working for the good of the whole.
World Church
VATICAN CITY
Preacher warns of growing accustomed to Eucharist
The greatest risk is to grow accustomed to the Eucharist, where Christ’s body and blood are truly present, said a Capuchin in an Advent sermon heard by the Pope.
And what most saddens Christ is the “coldness” of his own followers, added Father Raniero Cantalamessa in his sermon delivered in the presence of John Paul II and officials of the Roman Curia.
He was continuing his Advent meditations in the Redemptoris Mater chapel of the Apostolic Palace, in preparation for Christmas, by calling attention to the real presence of the Son of God in the sacrament of the altar. The context of his sermon was the year of the Eucharist.
The papal preacher proposed a reflection on the second stanza of the Eucharistic hymn “Adoro Te Devote”, which says: “Sight, touch and taste in Thee are each deceived; the ear alone most safely is believed; I believe all the Son of God has spoken; than Truth’s own word there is no truer token.”
It is about “hearing a precise word pronounced by Jesus who is Truth itself,” the Capuchin said, “the word of the institution that the priest repeats in the Mass: ‘This is my body’; ‘This is the cup of my blood’”
The preacher quoted St. Thomas Aquinas, who explained: “That the real body and blood of Christ is present in this sacrament, is something that cannot be perceived either with the senses or with the intellect, but only with faith, which is supported by the authority of God. Because of this, when commenting on the passage in St. Luke 22: 19: ‘This is my body which is given for you,’ St. Cyril says: Do not cast doubt on the truth of this, but rather, accept with faith the words of the Saviour: because He, being the Truth, does not lie. “
“Faith is necessary if the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is not only ‘real’ but also ‘personal’, namely, from person to person, because it is one thing ‘to be’ and another ‘to be present’” he specified.
“Without faith, Christ is in the Eucharist but he is not so for me. Presence implies one who is present and one to whom one is present; implies reciprocal communion, the exchange between two free subjects, who notice one another. It is much more, therefore, than simply being in a certain place,” the Capuchin explained.
This is the reason St.. Augustine said: “Do not open wide the mouth but the heart. We are not nourished by what we see, but by what we believe.
And, despite all of the above, “the most serious danger risked is to grow accustomed to the Eucharist, to take it for granted and, therefore, to trivialize it,” warned Father Cantalamessa.
“We are rightly horrified at the news of violated tabernacles, ciboria stolen for abominable ends,” he said. “Perhaps, of them, Jesus repeats what He said of His executioners: ‘They know not what they do.’ But that which most saddens Him, perhaps, is the coldness of his own.”
ROME
Cardinal Ruini Assails Ban on Nativitv Scenes in Some Schools The president of the Italian bishops’ conference appealed to his country’s schools not to eliminate Christmas symbols and not to fail to organize traditional Nativity plays and musicals during yuletide.
Cardinal Ruini, the Pope’s vicar in Rome, made his appeal during a news programme of Italian Radio and Television. His comments drew wide attention in the media.
He intervened after some schools in northern Italy, the area of the country that attracts the greatest number on immigrants, especially Muslims, suspended Christmas plays and other season celebrations. “In no way must such options be accepted,” he insisted.
The province of Vicenza, for example, has launched a competition which will award the most beautiful Nativity scene. However, directors and teachers in some schools refused to allow representations of Jesus’ nativity “out of respect for children of other confessions.” In a school in Treviso, the director and some teachers decided to replace the Nativity play with the story of Little Red Riding Hood, triggering protests among parents and pupils.
Cardinal Ruini warned: “We do not realise what we are doing. These things might seem trivial, but the spirit is radically mistaken.”
“I take the liberty to ask all Italians not to accept these decisions. They must know that our Christian tradition is a tradition of goodness and truth,” he said.
Several of the controversies were resolved by declaring that foreign students have no problem in pronouncing Jesus’ name. Milan’s imam also expressed his opposition to the removal of Jesus’ name from Christmas songs.
Naples, a city known for its Nativity markets, addressed the problem in its own way. This year, the figurines around the crib have Arab, Asian and Aftican features. so that no one feels excluded from Christmas.
VATICAN CITY
Christmas Tree Arrives in Square
After a long trip in a helicopter and a special truck, the Christmas tree that will adorn St. Peter’s Square this yuletide arrived in the Vatican.
The 110-year-old fir, which is 115 feet long and weighs 16,800 pounds, was donated to John Paul II by the Trento region of northeastern Italy, and by 12 councils of the Rendena Valley.
The tree is intended, in part, as a call for solidarity with Tanzania. The Italian bishops’ conference and the Trento region have launched a fund-raising campaign in Italy “to finance the formation of medical and paramedical personnel who will work in Dodoma, administrative capital of Tanzania,” explained a statement published by the region.
The project in Dudoma will begin in 2005 with the help of several doctors from Italy.
WASHINGTON
U.S. Pro-life Provision Becomes law A U.S. bishops’ aide praised President George Bush’s signing into law a spending bill which also bans discrimination against hospitals and health care providers who chose not to provide or participate in abortions.
The provision banning the discrimination is known as the Hyde- Weldon Conscience Protection Amendment. The measure containing it was signed into law on Wednesday December 8th.
“We applaud President Bush’s recognition that hospitals and other health care providers have a right to choose not to be involved in destroying life,” said Cathy Cleaver Ruse, a spokeswoman for the bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities.
“Over a million abortions are done every year by willing abortion providers in this country,” Ruse said. “It is outrageous to suggest that Catholic health care providers and others with moral objections should be forced into the practice of abortion.”
Federal law already protected “health care entities” from having to perform or provide for abortions, but that law had been misinterpreted to protect only residency training programmes.
The Hyde-Weldon Amendment was needed so that individual physicians, hospitals, health plans, nurses and other health care participants who choose not to do abortions would also be protected.
U.S. to Celebrate Dav for Consecrated Life on Feb. 6.
The U.S. celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life will be held on Sunday, February 6th. across the nation.
The Vatican-sponsored event is marked on February 2nd. In Rome. John Paul 11 instituted this annual event in 1997.
Kits to assist parishes and dioceses in commemorating this event are available for purchase from the National Coalition for Church Vocations in Chicago.
The kit includes a liturgy planning guide, music suggestions, general intercessions, prayer-card master, bulletin announcements and clip art. Kits are available in both English and Spanish for $14 each
TOKYO
Article points UP Japanese Interest in Church
A leading Japanese daily confirmed that Japanese interest in John Paul II and the Church of Rome is high.
The long article in the prestigious, 6-million-circulation Asahi Shimbun is a sign of how much Japan’s elite know and appreciate the universal Catholic Church for its unity and for the Pope’s gesture, reported Asianews.
The newspaper sees these gestures in political terms. According to the article, the Japanese see John Paul II’s 104 international trips as part of a wider diplomatic scheme designed to bring unity to the world’s peoples and favour dialogue among religions. The Japanese daily points out that Russia and China do not appear on the list of the Pope’s completed trips. It stresses that the trip to Russia remains close to the Pope’s heart, to the extent that he desires to achieve reconciliation with the Russian Orthodox Church, but wonders if he can make this visit, given his failing health
Only about 516,000 of Japan’s 127 million inhabitants are Catholic.
DUBLIN
Irish Premier Pays Tribute To Church
When the new staff of Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See took up their posts in August, little did they know their small mission would soon be the focus of so much attention. First to visit was Bertie Ahern, Ireland’s Prime Minister, followed by the country’s new Foreign Secretary, Dermot Ahern. Both visits were expected; their impromptu speeches and policy announcements were not.
The Prime Minister was in Rome for the signing of the new Constitution, but took the opportunity to deliver a highly-publicised and well-received tribute to the Church, praising her outstanding contribution to Ireland’s past, and valuing her important role in the future. Dermot Ahern chose the 75th. Anniversary of established diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Holy See to announce an initiative to bring more structured dialogue between Church and state.
Both visits and a high-level conference underlined the importance of the church in Ireland’s life, But why make them now? According to one diplomatic source in Rome, Dublin is increasingly concerned about a decline in moral values in society and a large and vocal group of “Church-hating individuals” who are inclined to blame all Irelend’s problems on the church. Of particular concern is that the Church, having played such a major role in building Ireland’s society, may “retreat to the sacristy.”
“The Church is needed,” stressed new Ambassador Philip McDonagh..
So much so that Bertie Ahem came rallying to the church’s defence in a way not matched by his predecessors. In his speech, he was particularly keen to emphasise that “any blanket portrayal of the Church as a negative force in our society was not only misleading, but also inherently dangerous”.
Ireland, like most of Europe, is grappling to maintain its foundation of moral values while tending to social problems such as high rates of teenage suicide. One Irish civil servant in
Rome spoke recently of a “complete collapse of the moral order” in some parts of the country.
But the tide may be changing. According to one diplomatic source, some of the nation’s youth are “becoming increasingly sick of this ‘Dutch liberalism’ agenda which they consider to be an inversion of the negative image of the Church in the 1950s.”People therefore still identify with the Church”, said the source. “One of the things the Church in Ireland has done right is to stick with the people and not, like the Church in other parts of the world, gone along with the privileged.”
Children's Page
Dear Boys and Girls,
The Christmas season is nearly here and many of us, grown ups and children at this time are feeling tired and worn down from shopping, planning, decorating, and preparing for Christmas Day. Some of you also may have been involved in Christmas concerts and parties at your schools and are very excited about Christmas and wonder whether you will receive the gifts which you are hoping for. Perhaps it is a good time now to pause and remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
All the shopping and decorating and concerts and parties are certainly highlights of the Christmas season, but let us not forget that the real reason we are celebrating is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ birthday is a constant reminder of the promise of God’s love, peace, joy and strength, guidance and presence in our lives.. These beautiful gifts have been with us for more than two thousand years and when we celebrate Christmas each year they are brought to mind and cherished even more.
Remember the angels’ message “I am bringing you Good News of great joy…..” Luke 2:10 Get your Mummy or Daddy to read the whole Christmas story from the New Testament Book Luke 2. It is exciting.
There are several ways that we can give thanks to Jesus for the joy which He brings, for example, help at home, be obedient, help older people, choose something of yours which you like and give it to someone who has no one to care for her or him at Christmas. I am sure that you can think of other good things to do which will please Jesus. Everything which you do, do so with a smile as a gift for the Baby Jesus.
Would you like to learn this poem by Winifred Brand?
What do I wish You?
What do I wish you for Christmas?
A long ago, faraway night
When a star hovered over a stable
And bathed a sweet new born with light.
What do I wish you for Christmas?
The wonder of Wise Men who found
A King with no crown and no castle,
And the humblest of creatures around
A father protective and watchful,
A mother with love in her eyes,
And shepherds who whispered of angels
And songs coming out of the skies.
What do I wish you for Christmas?
That its miracle never depart,
And the love that was born in a stable
Find a permanent home in your heart.
Perhaps your brothers and sisters, or your friends can join in reciting this poem by Margaret Primrose: “I cannot but I can”
First Child
I cannot pick a star from the sky to put on the Christmas tree.
But I can hang this one I made for everyone to see.
Second Child
I cannot go to the gloomy stall where Jesus slept on the hay
But I can tell Him ‘Thank you Lord” for coming to earth today.
Third Child
I cannot give Him spices and gold, I only have this dime
But I can help buy a poor child some food to eat at Christmas time.
Fourth Child
I cannot play a violin nor an organ nor a horn
But I can ring this bell and say have a happy Christmas morn.
Fifth Child
I cannot fill the world with music about the newborn King,
But everyone who’s here today can join me as I sing.
Happy Birthday to Jesus
(To the tune of Happy Birthday to you)
May God bless all the boys and girls of St. Lucia and give you a
joyful and
Happy Christmas.
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