CHRON2504

Saint Lucia

	November 2004 47th Year No.11 Internet Edition Page 2 Click below for Page 1 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Home

National Councils of Churches call for Response to the
New Challenges of the Caribbean

Back Row: From Left - Fr. Harcourt Blackett, Major Ronald Ellis, Cpt. Winston Brown,
Rev. Dr. Knolly Clarke, Fr. George Bardowell, Mr. Carlton Williams,
Mrs. Nadine Lewis-Agard, Fr. Michel Francis, Mr. Robert Robinson, Deacon Winston Taylor
Front Row: From Left - Mr. Ronnie Daniel, Rev. Osbert James, Mr. Davis R. Williams,
Mrs. Marcia Faustin-Walker, Canon Franics Caesar, Ms. Jacqueline Cornwall.
Missing from photo: Rev. C. Stilson Cato, Mr Stephen Sandiford, Ms.Leslie Ann Emmanuel,
Deaon Nathaniel Husbands, Ms. Allison Bidaisee (staff)

We, the representatives of the National Councils of Churches of Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago came together at the Benedictine monastery in Castries, St. Lucia from November 8-12, 2004 to re-define our mission as Councils of Churches and to re-position the various Councils so that they may better respond to the challenges facing the region at this time.

Mindful of the Lord’s prayer for his followers - Father that they may all be one - and of his command that they be united in their common purpose, and conscious of the movements towards regional integration, we believe that the time has come to begin a process of collaboration between the various Councils and to deepen our relationship with the Caribbean Conference of Churches at this critical moment.

During the time spent in Castries, we looked at some of the challenges facing our National Councils of Churches:

.A lack of commitment on the part of members
.Communication between the National Councils of Churches and the Caribbean
Conference of Churches and among the Councils themselves
.The non-visibility of young people in the Councils of Churches
.The challenge of creative leadership for the Councils of Churches
Whilst we battle with these intemal issues we are quite aware of the extemal challenges which require the immediate attention of churches of the region:
The disintegration of family life and its consequences
.The high incidence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean
.The negative influence of cultural penetration
.Escalating crime and violence
.Drug trafficking and the harmful impact on the younger population
.Trade liberalisation
.Rise in poverty

Ongoing development challenges faced by Haiti

To fulfil our mandate to build a culture of love in the Caribbean, we have agreed on the following:

.A common mission statement patterned after that of the CCC which will guide us in our activities. That each National Council appoints an officer to liaise with the CCC. Recognition of the CCC as the legitimate body for planning and co-ordinating the regional efforts of the churches and assisting with ongoing formation.

.To promote dialogue between the various National Councils of Churches in the Caribbean.

.To use our resources for the common good of the peoples of the region and especially those who are poor and marginalized by society.

.To engage our youth in the decision-making processes of the National Councils of Churches.

Realising the difficult task that lies ahead of us in the Caribbean, we wish to urge the National Councils of Churches to use the recommendations as a way forward and to support the measures that we have put in place to help the process.

We have commissioned a group comprising representatives from each of the National Council of Churches represented, to help in this restructuring process.

CTI Advanced Course For
Formators 2004

CTI Advanced Course group Dominica

Sunday, 15th August began with torrential rains and thunderstorms across the Lesser Antilles. The ominous weather cast doubts as to whether air transport would be possible. Would we be able to start this CTI Course, I wondered.

This was the final year for all but two participants. I need not have worried for come they did! Many had stories to tell of lengthy early morning travel in very inclement weather.

The twenty-three participants came from the five dioceses of the Province of Castries, from the islands of Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and St. Lucia. The largest number of fourteen (14) participants came from Dominica.

Throughout the Course, participants displayed a high level of commitment and application. Lectures were challenging and educational. Every aspect of the Course combined to make the two-week stay an experience in Christian Community living and learning.

This year’s Closing Ceremony marked the completion of the Second Three-Year Cycle of the Formators’ Programme, conducted in collaboration with Collegio Mater Ecclesiae in Rome. May God bless these catechists in their resolve to assist their local catechetical directresses and co-ordinators in the important ministry of catechesis in the Province of Castries.

Click here to view other photos

CTI Advanced Course Valedictory Address
By Denise James – Dominica

Your Grace, Most Rev. Archbishop Kelvin Felix, Directress of the Catechist Training Institute, Sister Paula Andrew sjc, Facilitators of the New Advanced Course for Formators, Rev. Dr. Arnold Francis, Brother Kipoy Pombo, J.K., Mrs. Kay Pierrre Catechetical Directress - St Lucia, Mrs. Angel Felix, Friends of CTI, family members and Graduates, a pleasant Good Evening.

It is indeed an honour, a privilege and a surprise to be chosen on such an occasion to address all on behalf of this CTI graduating class.

In August 2002 a diverse group of participants from the five Dioceses of the Province of Castries embarked on a spiritual journey as we prepared to take more extensive responsibilities in the Catechetical Ministry.

The theme was “Launching into the deep” and indeed it was a great plunge into the deep! I recall the mountainous Terrain and the lush, green, Peaceful environment of the Holy Redeemer Retreat House in Dominica. Persons who linger in my memory are Ms Adele Scarnera and Father Andrzej Gieniusz. We studied the Gospel according to Mark and the other synoptic Gospels.

We discussed extensively the Church’s Doctrine on the Trinity, Christology, Evangelization with reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Also incorporated into this particular year’s Course was a workshop on the Catechesis for Children Presented by Sisters Paula Andrew.

In a wink of an eye the second year rolled in and we met again with our CTI family. This time the course was situated in St. Lucia. We familiarized ourselves with our new facilitators in the persons of Rev. Msg. Herbert Panton From Jamaica, Father Guido Migletta from Italy, Mrs. Kay Pierre from Trinidad and Sister Paula’s sister Valerie who resides in Texas. Teachings on prophecy, prophetic Literature and Moral Theology added new insights to our formation as Catechists. Mrs. Pierre’s creative, artistic and energetic nature made our workshop on Youth Catechesis come alive. Sister Paula and her sister, Valerie complemented each other wonderfully as they introduced us to the Documents of Vatican II. The. Course, “Vatican II - Forty Years Later”, laid specific focus on the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church Lumen Gentuim. We will not forget Grmma, Sister Paula’s other sister who in her unassuming manner supported us in all situations, health needs included.

One of our sister-catechists reviewed the Course and declared “in the first year the corn grains were planted, the second year they germinated, but this year they bloomed”

Sisters and Brothers, look at each other. Haven’t we bloomed since we were planted?

Among ourselves we have discussed the absolute relevance and significance of this year’s programme, the topics were deeper, full of information, clearly and forcefully delivered. Again, as catechist, we have been alerted to take a good look at ourselves in the mirror of the Gospel.

Through our formation this year I think that we are more deeply rooted into our faith, more committed to go and teach and build communities.

Rev. Dr. Arnold Francis exposed us to the wonders of the acts of the Apostles and the absolute control of the Holy Spirit. His soul-searching sermons functioned as wake-up calls jolting us out of complacency. Out human dignity and that of others was an important aspect of Broth Kipoy’s Lectures as he shared a wealth of information.

Your Grace, Archbishop Felix you did challenge us during the Opening Ceremony, not in the words so often used by sister Paula, open your eyes and see but had a similar meaning. You told us that we should seek to encounter Christ in the word, the Eucharist and fellowship with each other. You concluded by saying that we are gathered here and then to be scattered. This is very much in keeping with our theme – “Gathered in Christ Jesus and Scattered to Proclaim and Teach the Good News to the Nations”.

Over the two weeks we have grown and prepared ourselves for service as we scatter into our different dioceses.

Our socialization through our various activities especially the cultural aspect was at a peak this year.

Our minds and hearts continued to be enriched as we focused on Adult Catechesis delivered by Mrs. Kay Pierre. No longer will we close our eyes to the occasions to catechize our young adults and the elderly. But with vigour we go forth to community as family on a mission with deep compassion for adult brothers and sisters.

We thank Ms. Violet Marin for her supportive presence.

Remember graduates, we met a CTI as ‘Church Gathered as ‘Church scattered’.’. Our Mission is the Good News! So being faith-filled and zealous we obey the command, “GO AND TEACH!”

On behalf of all the graduates I say to you, Your Grace, Archbishop Kelvin Felix, our respective Bishops, parish priests, directresses, facilitators a big thank you.

To you Sister Paula Andrew thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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