Grenada
Relief Beyond Food

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, St. George’s - Grenada devastated by hurricane ‘Ivan’

Having been battered by Hurricane Ivan, repeatedly plundered by looters, and sentenced to a period of almost continuous mopping and cleaning up after each periodic displacement of tarpaulins, it is no wonder that many Grenadians complained of feeling stressed out, tired and just plain frustrated. Some can’t even find words with which to complain but their faces say it all.
Early attempts by the Cluny Sisters in St. Georges, to at least accommodate their 4th and 5th Formers for an October 11th possible re-opening of School was further set back with the discovery of asbestos roofing in one block and theurgent need to organize for safe disposal of debris, and by the arrogance of looters who boldly declared “This is our time,” as they daringly smashed two bottles of malt at the feet of the Sisters when caught red-handedly raiding the fully stocked Tuck Shop. Needless to say, when the Sisters returned to the scene, the shop had been thoroughly pillaged.

When we arrived the schools premises were still exposed to this type heartless pilfering, with the fence twisted and broken and none of the doors secured. The group of ten, a motley crowd in the truest sense of the word, had been brought together following quite casual conversations between Marie-Celine Lawrence, of the Cathedral Parish and Sr. Rufina Donat, S.J.C. With the assistance of a number of benefactors, tickets were obtained and supplies were purchased and having no idea what to expect, we had set out for Grenada. However we were warned to try to cater for our own needs (even down to walking with our own makeshift mattresses), so as not to be an additional burden to our hosts. We knew that we were bringing relief in the form of foodstuff and in the tasks that we would be assigned, but we had certainly not reflected on the deeper aspect of relief which we would be leaving behind.

For Dice (Randolph Henry), Bota (Hilary Cherubin) and Thomas Pelage, the main assignment was the securing of the premises. And so they searched through the rubble for usable material and with hammer, power saw and other tools worked assiduously, to complete their task. As usual, there’s always a lot more drama where the ladies are concerned and as we cleared debris, cleaned out ditches and carried water, we were treated to the sight of a certain former national netballer jumping feet high at the discovery of a 5’-long snake. The snake which was even more fearful beat a very hasty retreat, but was certainly not to be forgotten for the remainder of the weekend. We were a lot more tentative in our hauling from then on.

We worked through many a downpour and were joined for the most part by a young Math teacher and subsequently by the Games Mistress. This was quite commendable, when one considered their innate sadness and inner grieving for their tremendous loss. It was hard work, but we learnt that not a single task could have been undertaken alone. Sometimes it was mere physical strength required and at others it was an idea as to how to undertake a task. We were pleased to see Egbert Louis of ECMC Ltd., who stopped by to provide voluntary assistance to the Sisters in assessing the structural integrity of the buildings.

We learnt lessons about sharing and sacrifice as we so quickly tired of our canned foods that we almost jumped with joy when Leonie (St. Juste Jean), now a lecturer at St. George’s University, invited us all to her Ivan-struck residence for a Sunday night supper. The Sisters too shared with us the cooked goodies which we had brought over to them, for lunch on Monday. We were all very touched by this as we knew that they were more deserving of this than us, who were returning very shortly to far more stable conditions. Their living room had been turned into a storeroom of sorts, as they repackaged the various items which had been sent for redistribution to all who stopped by.

It was only when Sr. Reina referred to what was taking place as elements of basic Christian Community that I understood the ‘relief’ that we had in fact brought with us ­an experience of community. The entire weekend was an example of this, as we all did what each was called to do -in God’s name- and no-one, not a single person or benefactor had stopped to count the cost.
There was general agreement that we had lots to be thankful for. We went to Grenada to give (we thought) but in the end had received. We had received a glimmer of a value system that is more than material and that even in the worst of crises, grace can prevail. To that motley team of Marie-Celine Lawrence, Mary Ann Montoute, Charmaine Gardner, Randolph Henry, Hilary Cherubin. Heidi Soucra, Francisca Charles, Genevieve Charles and Thomas Pelage, I must say a personal thank you for the camaraderie, the sharing, the losing of self, and for reflecting the joy and dignity that there is in hard work.

St. Lucia Seminary Re-Opens

The Pope John Paul II minor seminary located next to the Pastoral Centre at Marisule was re-opened on Wednesday 6th October. There are four minor seminarians; three from St. Lucia, including two brothers, Derek and Marlon Weekes, and Cleophas Joseph. The other candidate, Francis Kyeyune, is from Uganda, but studying for the diocese of Montego Bay. The rector is Fr. Jesus Emmanuel Obias, M.F. former parish priest of Anse-la-Raye/Canaries and Micoud/Mon Repos; with Fr. Leonardo Vincente, parish priest of Marchand, as spiritual director.

The Opening ceremony with Mass which started at 10.00 was attended by clergy, religious, family and friends of the candidates and domestic staff. Archbishop Kelvin Felix welcomed everyone, thanked them for their contribution to the seminary and invited Fr. Lambert St. Rose, the vocations director, to introduce the candidates.

Msgr. Patrick Anthony then introduced the teaching staff and explained the course outline for the year’s work which includes Basic Christian Doctrine (Fr. Lambert St. Rose, Msgr. Theophilus. Joseph, Fr. Vincente, Sr.Paula Andrew SJC, Deacon Winston Taylor), Recent Papal and other Church documents (Fr. Leslie Lett), Introduction to Liturgy (Fr. Michel Francis), Spirituality (Fr. Leonardo Vincente), Human Development (Sr. Marie Thérèse Clement O.P.), Bible (Msgr. Patrick Anthony), Latin (Fr. Konrad Mair), English/Caribbean Studies (Bertilia Jn Baptiste), Communications/Computer Literacy (Msgr. Patrick Anthony).

Msgr. Theophilus Joseph explained the “Eli-model,” which he anticipated was one of the models he and the rest of the formation team (the rector, spiritual director and Sr. Marie Therese) would employ in journeying with the candidates during this year of discernment.

Rector Fr. Jesus Obias, M.F. with seminarians (l-r): Marlon Weekes, Francis Kyeyune, Cleophas Joseph and Derek Weekes

Following these introductory remarks His Grace officiated at the Holy Mass. At the end of Mass, the rector said a few works of thanks encouraging all present to support the seminary. Refreshments followed.

The St. Lucia pre-seminary programme will run in cycles of one year. This year will consists of 35 weeks of study in three semesters : First Semestre (Oct.6th-Dec. 10th, 2004); Second Semestre (Jan.3rd- March 18th 2005); Third Semestre (Match 28th –July 1st 2005). Classes will be held during the week, but on week-ends the candidates will return to their families and parish communities.

New Apostolic Nuncio
To Saint Lucia and
The Caribbean

Msgr. Thomas Guillickson, a native of Sioux City, South Dakota, USA, has been appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Saint Lucia and five other Caribbean countries. He replaces Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig who completed his term of service in the region and has been reassigned to Korea and Mongolia. Archbishop-designate Guillickson’s last diplomatic appointment was to the nunciature in Germany, but previously served in Diplomatic Missions in Rwanda, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Jerusalem and Palestine. He entered the diplomatic service of the Vatican on 1st May 1985.

The Archbishop-designate was born on the 14th August 1950 and ordained a priest on 27th June 1976. He holds a degree in Canon Law and speaks English, Italian, French and German. The new nuncio will be based at the Apostolic Nunciature in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and will be accredited to Trinidad & Tobago, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Commonwealth of Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Saint Lucia. The Catholic Chronicle welcomes the new nuncio to the region.

CARITAS St. Lucia Visits Babonneau
by Diane Jharriah

As an ongoing effort to promote the dignity of every human person and to accelerate the visibility of Caritas Saint Lucia and subsequently Caritas Antilles throughout Saint Lucia, the Coordinators of Caritas Antilles Miss Marcia Boxill and Miss Diane Jharriah together with Babonneau Caritas Parish Coordinator Mrs. Marie Daniel and two of her distributors met some of those who teach us compassion and empower us to act: the poor, sic!:?, afflicted and marginalized. This visit is the first of several, as the coordinators are scheduling visits to all twenty-two parishes throughout the island. These visits will serve as a tremendous grassroots opportunity to identify the five main issues in the civil society and the Church that need to be addressed, which are in keeping with the mandate of Caritas Antilles whilst living out both the mission and the vision of Caritas.

VISION

We look forward in hope to a region in which the values of equity, justice and peace will enable all individuals to realize their full potential We wish to revitalize and create a functional organization with a view to future expansion, to include all members of the Antilles Episcopal Conference through a provincial structure.

MISSION

Caritas Antilles is fully committed to the dignity of the human person and the promotion of active charity, social justice and solidarity. We believe in the integral development of every individual as a means of empowerment and greater self­-reliance, especially for the poor, marginalized and excluded.

Babonneau is comprised of fifteen communities. Through her great organisational gift and dedication to serving the poor, Mrs. Marie Daniel identified and appointed one distributor from each community who teams up with other community members to facilitate frequent visits and effective distribution of items received from the Caritas Saint Lucia warehouse.

Present in this community is a great sense of stewardship. There is genuine care and concern for each other. It is not so much about charity but about solidarity.

As Uruguayan Social Justice Activist Eduardo Galeano writes II I don’t believe in charity. I believe in solidarity. Charity is so vertical. It goes from top to bottom. Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other person and learns from the other. I have a lot to learn from other people.” The Parish Coordinator and her team have described our visit as successful as it helps them to better identify the needs of the people and empower us to give more realising that in our giving we are no less needy in our own ways. To other members of the Babonneau parish Community, we say feel free to lend a helping hand to reach out to those most in need in your areas recognizing that the one who is weaker can call forth powers of love and compassion in the one who is stronger. Those who are vulnerable and weak have great difficulty in finding thier place in society. Let us build a society, whic is inclusive of the needs and gift of ALL its members.

Contact your local Caritas Parish Coordinator (Mrs. Marie Daniel) at the Babonneau Presbytery at telephone number 450-5496.

Meet some of those who provoke us and let our waters of compassion flow.

Question to ponder

How can we lay claim to making an open and friendly society where human rights are respected and fostered when, by the values we teach and foster, we systematically exclude segments of our population?

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has his foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.-
Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Cursillistas From The Neighbouring Islands Meet
August 11 - 15 2004

Participants

Cursillistas from the neighbouring Caribbean Islands recently met in St Lucia to attend the Biennial Caribbean Cursillo Workshop which was held from August. 11-15, 2004 at the Mount of Prayer, Coubaril.

The Workshop which had as its theme “Am I my Brother’s Keeper?” (Gen 4:9-10) provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life at a time when ‘ethical values and the truth about the human person made in the Image of God, are acknowledged without conviction”,
Archbishop Kelvin Felix set the tone for the workshop when he addressed participants on the significance of the theme in the context of living the gospel message on a daily basis.

A significant highlight of the workshop was the opportunity for individual participants from the various territories to share with their fellow cursillistas their hope for the Movement in their own territories and within the wider Caribbean. The ‘hope’ had to be presented in the form of a concrete object or image which would serve as a daily source of Inspiration to participants. A number of interesting and lively presentations were made on topics relevant to the theme, These included: “The Beginning of Life” (Deacon Winston Taylor).

Page 2  Page 3 Page 4 Page 5

Archbishop | Caritas Antilles | Calendar | Catholic Chronicle
Chancery Departments | Education | Events | History | Institutions
Links | Mass and other Services | Monastery | Parishes
Seminary | Schools | Suffragans | The Bible | The Holy Mass

Home

Copyright ©2004 Archdiocese of Castries