January 2000 - Week 2

CaribbeanTheologyConference CARIBBEAN Personhood held at the Archdiocesan Friday this week. will be theme of a Pastoral Centre in St This is the seventh in a Theological Conference to be Augustine from Monday to series of annual conferences Archbishop fo r Miam i on Catholic Theology in the Caribbean Today. AboutIN ESSENTIALS UNITY IN NON-ESSENTIALS LIBERTY IN ALL THINGS CHARITY Archbishop Anthony Rosa Pantin and by Dr forty participants usually 5610 Pantin leaves Trinidad on take part, including priests, $2.00 Tuesday 11 for Jackson Gerard Farfan. religious and laity, some of Memorial Hospital, Miami The clergy, religious them studying in Europe or where he will undergo the US. surgery. He will be accom­ and laity of the archdio­ panied by his sister Sr cese assure His Grace of Research papers on var­ our continued prayerful ious aspects of the life of faith in the Caribbean are support. • Continued on page 13 Su n d a y, J a n u a ry 9, 2 0 0 0BIG WEEKEND FOR THE CHURCH 12th Caribbean Conference followed by March forJesus THE 12th Caribbean Conference of Catholic sions of prayer, teachings and fellowship on Enjoy G od’s Favour, the angelic greeting Charismatic Renewal takes place this week- Friday and Saturday at the Centre of to Mary in Luke 1,28. The weekend culmi- end. Excellence in Macoya. nates in the “Marc'h Jfor Jesus on ~Sunday. About thousand registered for the ses- Conference theme is R ejoice, You w ho The Caribbean Conference is held every two years and delegates come from all the territories of the region. Conference Coordinator, Sr Debbie de Rosia of the Eternal Light Community in Tunapuna told Continued on page 13 E id G r e e tin g s THE Catholic News joins the national community in extending prayerful greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion o f Eid-ul-Fitr. ... f r o m t h e tR O THE Inter-Religious Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to congratu­ late our brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith as they celebrate their spe­ cial feast of Eid-ul-Fitr, after their holy month of Ramadan. The IRO looks forward to continued cooperation of all its members in order to fulfill the inspiring motto of our beloved country - “Together we aspire, together we achieve”. +Anthony Pantin, Archbishop of Port of Spain Public Relations Officer, IRO Prayer for the new year Ja n u a r y 1 is always a day of prayer in Trinidad and Tobago and it was even more so this year with the beginning of the new millenni­ um. Raymond Sym s captured moments of prayer at ‘The Hollows\" (left and bottom right) and in the Cathedral forecourt (top right). S E E PAG E 13. Joyanne James composite

Page l C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday,January 9,2000 Pray for death penalty to end E d ito r ia l A MODEL OF DEAR FATHER: In the spirit of this biblical to their families. The death penalty does not breakNON-VIOLENCE Jubilee, we join Pope John Paul II in calling for the cycle of violence, because it does not addressTHE baptism of Jesus marked the official opening the abolition of the death penalty. the underlying causes. It does not deter violentof his mission (see Bible Supplement, page one).Since we his followers are committed to continuing Once again, we call on all people of goodwill crimes. The death penalty does teach our childrenthis mission it is an appropriate feast to “march for who value life, especially Catholics, to work, this that the way to respond to violence and brutalityJesus” . Archbishop Pantin proposed in his Christmas year, for an end to hangings in our country. is with violence and brutality.sermon that the Church focus on one particular Last year we gained fame throughout the We appeal that we begin the journey towardsaspect of Jesus’ mission this year; our primary taskfor 2000 must be to create a culture of non-violence. world for ten executions. Any one who was associ­ abolition, hy marking January 14 in some way -His call has been made more urgent by the tragicevents which marked the first days of the year. ated in any way with these ten hangings felt bru­ —by having a moment of silence and prayer in Practical as always, the archbishop proposed talised by the experience. memory of the Amerindiansthat parish and other church communities set upgroups to reflect on the theory and practice of non­ None of us were P p f t P V Q I f ) f l i p f l t f n v ~ ^ remembering allviolence. Our situation requires such a step. The untouched either through the l ' I f t c L 'L i l l V I victims of violent crimeviolence we experience goes deeper than individualdeeds; it has become a way of life, permeating how complicity of silence or sup­ - by praying for an endwe relate with one another and with nature at everylevel, the music we listen to, the language we use. port, or through the pain involved in the struggle to violence of all forms, in particular, the death Laws are important but not adequate to deal against them and the subsequent horror when penaltywith what is a spiritual crisis. It is not enough tocondemn what is happening, we must make a posi­ they were carried out. One way or another each - by doing some non-violent gesture or choos­tive choice for a non-violent way of life, and thisinvolves understanding how it works. person in this country was affected and what hap­ ing not to retaliate when provoked. A S U B LIM E M O D E L pened is irreversible. Until the end of 2000, the Coliseum, the site of The first reading of today’s Mass, taken from the On January 14, 1700, twenty-two Amerindian terror and bloodshed in imperial Rome, will beSecond Book of Isaiah, presents us with a sublimemodel to guide our reflections on non-violence. The men were executed in St Joseph as a result of an illuminated with bright gold light for two daystext gives him no name but he is one of the greatpersons of the bible. Scholars call him merely “the uprising. This month marks the 300th anniver­ each time an execution anywhere in the world isservant of the Lord” because of the opening wordsof the passage, “ h ere is my serva n t sary of this brutal execution by the Spanish colo­ suspended or commuted, or a nation abolishes the The first Christians saw Jesus as the fulfilment nial government. Three hundred years later, in a death penalty. It would be wonderful if during thisof the Servant. The words which God the Fatherspoke from heaven in today’s gospel reading were post-colonial world, we continue to teach that Jubilee year, the Coliseum could be lit up by thefirst addressed to him. killing is wrong by more killing. people of Trinidad and Tobago. The passage starts by establishing the founda­tion for the Servant’s non-violence. He knows he is The death penalty does not honour the mem­ C R E D O FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICEloved, God’s “sou l d eligh ts in h im ” . This is very sig­ ory of victims, nor does it bring healing or closure and Holy Faith Sistersnificant. Our experience today teaches us clearlythat violence is always rooted in insecurity. People Disturbance in church Christmas Eve nightare violent because they are not satisfied with whothey are. They need to prove themselves by exercis­ DEAR FATHER: I wish to draw some attention to are not really accustomed to sitting still for longing power over others. the chaos at these large and significant services in services can be a task both on the child and the some of our Catholic churches. I speak for the one parent. When on the contrary, we know we are loved, I attend and the night I attended - Christmas Evethat someone “delights in us”, we feel good about Mass 7.00 p.m. I call upon these parents to exercise love andourselves and are free to reach out to others with consideration for others in the church. Childrengentleness. In the very touching metaphor of While the priest and lay ministers are all who scream all night inside the church (and sometoday’s reading, we do not “ brea k th e cru sh ed reed pleased to see a well-packed congregation, folks parents refuse to take them outside to pacifynor quench the wavering flam e”. must also be sensible. Taking young children who them) can cause much distraction to other folks in church, in fact it is really annoying and irritating To the extent that we are secure in who we are, Horror after abortion to hear a child screaming in one’s head all throughwe can persevere in non-violence irrespective of a service.what others say or do. Our motivation comes from DEAR FATHER: I read the Catholic News regu­within. This is important because non-violence is larly, and the different talks about abortion. Please Remember people, church is a place of wor­not an easy path. Whenever there is a dispute, tell readers and young people about the dangers of ship, not for playful noisy kids.between individuals and communities those who abortion.choose the path of peace find themselves attacked At the church I attend, Christmas Eve Masseven by those they are defending. Get as much information from a gynecologist was the pits with the children in one comer of the and print the dangers about abortion and let the church screaming, playing with coins on a wooden The heroes of non-violence in our century have young women know the dangers they are putting box, making lots of noise.often been victims of violence - Gandhi, Martin their lives in and what effect it can have on themLuther King, Steve Biko. Like the Servant they had years after. The parents did not make a note to help outto be strong, must “ n eith er w a ver n or b e cru sh ed the situation, this was an added attraction to theu ntil true ju s tic e is established on the ea rth ” . 1) They could die. service. The parish priest went right along with 2) They may never have children again in life. his service regardless of this side show. The passage concludes its meditation on the ser­ 3) They may get fibroids which could becomevant by remarking that uth e islan d s a re a w a itin g cancerous later in life. Another observation I have been making inhis la w ” . This is still true today. As Archbishop 4) Fibroids could make a woman’s life miser­ this same church. When it is the sharing of holyPantin noted in his sermon, the country is yearning able as she matures. communion I see adults and children, families of 5) Fibroids prevent women from having chil­ people rushing through pews where other peoplefor an end to violence. dren. are seated in an effort to (most probably) get theirs We pray that our “march for Jesus” will help to 6) Taking out a fibroid to get pregnant can quickly, instead of using the aisle. cause them to lose their lives.ensure that people’s “waiting for the law of non-vio­ 7) Abortion can have a woman mentally dis­ I find this awfully rude and should be stopped. turbed. Come on people aren’t you thinking. It’s all aboutlence” will not be in vain. Young women are having abortion at such an love, giving, sharing, consideration, and most of all early age and ten to twenty years later, their night­ thinking about the welfare of our fellow men and mare begins and lives with them until. ourselves most of all. Please get someone to give the facts on the danger of abortion which I believe would help the “For those who have ears let them hear.” public to be more concerned and interested. It May God bless us all. would also put a fear in the young women and dis­ courage them. V VILLAFANA, Maraval I am middle age and never knew the danger of having an abortion until now that I am working in CATHOLIC NEWS a doctor’s office. Mothers encourage their children to have founded M ay 6, 1892 abortion. Boyfriends encourage their girlfriends to have abortion, but if they knew the serious danger Publisher: Printing Services Limited after they would avoid or prevent it. Editor: Fr Michel de Verteuil If a young woman knows what danger could happen to her later in life she would say no to abor­ Associate Editor: June Johnston tion. Sub-editor/Layout: Andy Pitman If this letter makes any sense, please let some­ one out there give us the facts. Feature W riter: Raymond Syms Office Manager: Sr Cyrilla George FLORENCE DURANT. Belm ont Accounts/Advertising: Mary Pitman-Gilkes Marilyn Ramsumair CATHOLIC CENTRE 3 1 Independence Sq.. Port of Spain Telephone: 623-6093. Fax: 623-9468 e-mail: [email protected] website: http://www.tnmdad.net/catholicnews

JT 'C JT T l t h e C A T H O L IC N EW S Sunday, January 9, ?000 Page 3 J D C L m sh eSCYM training is lots of hard work but great funSouth Western informed about the various Deanery activities embarked upon by the leaders while still in the Thanksgiving Training Programme. AmongMass in Siparia the activities:by South W estern Youth In January 1999. a Communication and ResourceResource and Link was set up in Siparia. ThisCom m unication Link is being operated by five of the leaders: Dexter Hive, ColetteO N Sunday, November 21, Pantomime and dance at A E C Youth Rally in Curaçao Daniel, Resha Edwards, Billy the Catholic Youth Paul George and Marcia Ministry of the South The Mass was a lively, spir­ ising the knowledge they sised the theme of working for Alexander. They provide clerical it-filled one, with the youth the Lord. and printing services, eg:Western Deanery culminated themselves providing the music gained while in training, thus resumes, thesis, personalisedits two year Leadership and singing. ensuring the continuation of Before the final blessing, cards, invitations, certificates,Training Programme with a God’s Kingdom here on earth, Juliana Valdez, one o f the etc. The office is also at a cen­Thanksgiving Mass. In his homily, Fr Peter in the Holy Church. regions co-ordinators, addressed tral location for the reception encouraged the new leaders, the congregation, giving an and dissemination of informa­ This was held at the La The meditation dance, tion in the South WesternDivina Pastora Church in through their activities in their gracefully done by one of the insight into what the training Region. various parishes, to continue new leaders, Glorenn Rodd, toSiparia. Fr Peter de la Bastide, leading others to Christ, by util­ the song Field o f Souls, empha­ programme entailed. In July 1999, membersthe dean of the Region, cele­ The congregation was also attended the AEC Youth Rallybrated and among those pre­ in Curasao where they proudly represented our country on thesent were Sr Rosemary cultural night, putting on aCarvalho, the National Youth pantomime and a dance on theCo-ordinator, Sr Columba theme The Fatherhood ofByrne, Cathechetical Co-ordi- God and the Fatherhood ofnator, Sr Paul Clarke, Parish Man.Administrator of La Brea, par­ In the parishes, they haveents, well wishers and other taken over the running of manyyouth ministry members. of the Youth Ministries and Confirmation classes quite suc­Petit Valley celebrates cessfully.in and out of church J ULIANA Valdez urged the parishioners to con­by A P A R IS H IO N E R Congregation at and more came forward and joyful as Fr Joe and his concélé­ tinue supporting the many testified afterwards that brants gave us their final bless­ young leaders as they moved to T was Old Year’s Night in New Year’s Mass they had found it a deeply mov­ ing and invited us to proceed to take up the mantle of responsi­ Petit Valley and many ing experience. the courtyard outside. bility in their various parishes.-M. parishioners accepted the not distracted She reminded them that theinvitation of their parish priest. Fr Joe then said the prayer Parishioners had brought young people were not only “theFr. Joe Harris, to greet the year by firecrackers of absolution and gave us a final drinks and snacks so that we future” of the Church, they2000. Venue was the Church of blessing. The service ended could celebrate the New Year as were indeed “the Church”.the Nativity, Crystal Stream. comprehensive examination of with the congregation joining a community. We hugged andThe night’s programme consist­ conscience, which looked at our enthusiastically in the singing kissed family, friends and The sixteen young leaders,ed of a reconciliation service relationships with God, our of And the Father will Dance. parish associates, and wished elegantly dressed, were thenwhich began at 10.00 p.m. fol­ neighbour and ourselves. Fr Joe one another a happy and holy presented with certificates oflowed by Mass at 11.00. then led us in the “I Confess”. It was now eleven o’clock New Year. A parang band sere­ completion. The young leaders Fr Harris welcomed the and time for the New Year’s naded us. completing the programmecongregation and handed over This was followed by a rite Mass celebrated by Fr Joe with were:the proceedings to Felix of washing of the hands, con­ Frs Anton Dick and Gerard We were well into the yearEdinborough. Felix began the ducted by Bernadette Salandy. County as concélébrants. In his 2000 when the bars were closed Penal - Colette Daniel,reconciliation service by read­ She reminded us that washing and we happily wended our way Billy Paul George, Theresaing the gospel of Dec 31. has always been an important homily Fr Joe spoke about the out to wherever we felt we Leotaud, Inglebert Beharry and In his meditation he asked rite in the church and then importance of names. By “nam­ should continue our celebra­ Collin Leotaud.us whether we were able to invited all who wished to come ing” the child Jesus, Mary and tion.recognise Christ in our neigh­ up in pairs and wash each Joseph brought him up to be a Siparia - Mishka Ashton other’s hands. saviour; our name “Christian” CALENDAR and Dexter Hive.bour. He referred to Peter who too tells us the way we shouldwas able to recognise Jesus as Buckets of water with cups be brought up. S U N . J A N . 9 - March for La Brea — Marciathe Son of the living God, not and basins had been placed at Jesus. Alexander, Kerry Francis,through his own flesh and blood various points in the church A S the Mass continued we Kinda Grenade, Weselybut through the intervention of and ministers were on hand to could hear the explosion SU N . JAN . 1 6 -Cathedral Alexander and Cory Fortune. help us to perform the rite of firecrackers growing of the Immaculatethe Father. smoothly. Many were hesitant louder and at Communion time, Conception. 4.00 p.m. Erin - Waveney Burnette. He gave St Francis of to take part but. gradually more Ordination to the priesthood P oint F ortin — Resha the peace and seriousness with­ of Rev Dexter Brereton, Edwards, Lorren Francois,Assisi, St Vincent de Paul and in the church was well shaken. CSSp. Paula Honoré and GlorennMother Teresa as examples of This did not distract us frompeople who were able to recog­ what we were doing however; it • Continued on page 13nise Jesus in their neighbour. made us appreciate better the generosity of the One whom we OF EVENTS Three readers then guided were worshipping.the congregation through a S U N . J A N . 23 - La Vega The atmosphere was very Estate, Gran Couva. Renew 2000 Rally with Fr John Campoli. S U N . J A N 30 - Presentation College, Chaguanas. 8.30 a.m. Meeting of Catholic s Men Movement focussing on Reconciliation.

, fmf|r- f . . * 1/rln^f »? ? V V 5 H *>1 I ^ H T l “* *• i I * .,,,.»*»• • • ••»*>•■*• .«*• *•«... ...»«»»•• ■ •* kt I ! ,, >»| .» • .I (. yI 4 I 1P a g e 4 C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9f 2000 the Lo Let usworship F E A ST O F T H E B A P T IS M O F T H E L O R De n t r a n c e a n t ip h o n + A ll: T hanks be to God. When the Lord had been baptised, the heav­ A L L E L U IAens opened, and the Spirit came down like adove to rest on him. Then the voice of the Alleluia, allelluia!Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, with The heavens opened and the Father’s voicehim I am well pleased. resounded: T h is is my Son, the Beloved, Listen to him.” Alleluia!O P E N IN G P R A Y E R G O SPEL Let us pray (that we will be faithful to our A reading from the holy Gospel according tobaptism). Almighty, eternal God, when the M ark (1:7-11)Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism inthe Jordan, you revealed him as our own In the course of his preaching, John thebeloved Son. Keep us, your children bom of Baptist said “Someone is following me, someonewater and the Spirit, faithful to our calling. who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap o f his san­F I R S T R E A D I N G Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 dals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” Thus says the Lord: Here is my servant It was at this time that Jesus came fromwhom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up outsoul delights. I have endowed him with my spir­ of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending onit that he may bring true justice to the nations. OFFICIAL him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.”his voice heard in the streets. He does not break The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering D E A R L Y B E L O V E D IN C H R IS T ,flame. P R A Y E R O V E R T H E G IF T S O n e of m y greatest joys as A rc h b ish o p is Faithfully he brings true justice; he will nei­ to w itn ess the o rd in atio n to the p rie sth o od Lord, we celebrate the revelation o f Christ yourther waver, nor be crushed until true justice is Son who takes away the sins o f the world.established on earth, for the islands are await­ of one of our own. Accept our gifts and let them become one withing his law. his sacrifice, for he is Lord for ever and ever. N ext Sunday, Reverend Dexter Brereton, I, the Lord, have called you to serve C O M M U N IO N A N T IP H O Ncause of right; I have taken you by the hand thevCeSnSupe,, will be ordained priest forever. Theand formed you; I have appointed you as a of course, will be o u r Cathedral. This is he of whom John said: I have seencovenant of the people and light o f nations, to and have given witness that this is the Son o fopen the eyes o f the blind, to free captives from O n your behalf and on m y own, I w arm ly God.prison, and those who live in darkness from thedungeon. congratulate his parents and other m em b e rs P R A Y E R A F T E R C O M M U N IO N of his family, as well as his religious confrères. Lord, you feed us with bread from heaven. May we hear your Son with faith and become M ay o u r new priest have a long and fruitful your children in name and in fact. apostolate. Archbishop’s relief The word o f the Lord. * Anthony, Archbishop o f Port of Spain fund helps 935 people AIL Thanks be to God. ARCHBISHOPS ENGAGEMENTS THROUGH the continued generosity of donors, the Archbishop’s Relief Fund was able to assist 935 R E S P O N S O R IA L P SA L M S U N . J A N . 9 - M A R C H FO R JESUS different people, many of them on several occa­ 6.30 p.m. - M a s s at S t F in b a r’s (to m o rro w , Jan sions. SUNG RESPONSE: Justice shall flourish 10, 2 5 th a n n iv e r s a r y o f th e d e a th o f in his days and p ea ce shall last forever. Archbishop Finbar Ryan, O P). Apart from the usual necessities, such as food­ T U E S . J A N . I I - D e p a rtu re for operation in stuffs, shoes and school uniforms, needy people 1. 0 give the Lord you sons of God, give the Miam i. were able to get necessary medicines as well as Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of S U N . J A N . 16 - 4.00 p.m. O rd in a tio n to spectacles and mattresses. his name. Adore the Lord in his holy court. (R ) priesthood of Rev Dexter Brereton, C S S p - Cathedral. B ish op G alt will officiate. On quite a few occasions people were able to 2. The Lord’s voice resounding on the keep electricity in their homes, as well as pay off waters, the Lord on the immensity of waters; ARCHBISHOP’S RELIEF FUND for sewing machines to enable them to do prof­ the voice of the Lord, full o f power, the voice of itable work. the Lord, full o f splendour. (R) A n o n I .................................................$477 A n o n II.................................................$950 All in all, $188,067 was spent on our disadvan­ 3. The God of glory thunders. In his temple A n o n III................................................$882 taged brothers and sisters. they all cry: “Glory!” The Lord sat enthroned A n o n IV............................................... $640 over the flood; the Lord sits as king for ever. (R) A n o n V ................................................$775 I wish to assure our donors that they are regu­ A n o n V I ............................................... $990 larly remembered in my humble prayers and par­ ticularly in Masses offered for their intentions.S E C O N D R E A D I N G Acts 10:34-38 Christ is Lord o f all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about fAP Peter addressed Cornelius and his house­ Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee,hold: T h e truth I have now come to realise,” he after John had been preaching baptism. Godsaid, “is that God does not have favourites, butthat anybody o f any nationality who fears God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and withand does what is right is acceptable to him. power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had “It is true, God sent his word to the people of fallen into the power o f the devil.”Israel, and it was to them that the good news o fpeace was brought by Jesus Christ - but Jesus The word of the Lord.

C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000 Page 5 Liturgy of the 1stWeek& Ç.TÀT.t>N in Ordinary Time Prayer of the Church: Week I M a r k 1:7-1 I have baptised you with water, but he will MONDAY, «JANUARY 10 Green vestmentsby Felix Edinborough baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Ss Dermot, Paul the Hermit, Saethrith How many of us are ready to admit that there are among our co-workers Readings: 1 Sam 1:1-8 Ps 115 Mk 1:14-20R ECENTLY I spent a holiday those who are lesser paid but better able TUESDAY, «JANUARY 11 Green vestments with some friends who had to do our job? How many of us are ready migrated to the USA a few to declare openly that we are prepared Readings: 1 Sam 1:9-20 Ps 1 Mk l:21b-28 to recommend a co-worker for promotionyears ago. if we know that he/she will be holding a W EDNESDAY, «JANUARY 12 Green vestments As happens inevitably, we one day superior position to us? Ss Ailred, Benedict Biscop. Salvius, Antony Pucci (see below)were talking about the reasons why John is an example of humility, andthey had decided to leave sweet Readings: 1 Sam 3:1-10 Ps 39 Mk 1:29-39Trinidad and dwell in a foreign land. this triggers off a series of events. TheThe husband replied that he used to one whom he recommends asks him forwork in the Ministry of Finance and he baptism and when he does as requested TH UR SD AY, JA N U A R Y 13 Green vestmentshad some serious problems with his even the heavens respond with joy: He Optional Memorial: St Hilary, bishop and Doctor o f the Churchimmediate superior who saw the heavens torn St Kentigernseemed to want to keep I ^ apart and the Spirit like Readings: 1 Sam 4:1-11 Ps 43 Mk 1:40-45him down. I - , - y a dove, descending on FRIDAY, JA N U A R Y 14 Green vestments He said that on occa­ Ss Felix o f Nola, Macrina the Elder, Sava o f Serbia !him (Jesus). There is Readings: 1 Sam 8:4-7.10-22a Ps 88 Mk 2:1-12sions his boss would even greater glory as themake mistakes in his Father himself is movedwork and would resent to utter “You are my son, the Beloved; my favourcorrection. My friend felt SATURDAY, JAN U AR Y 15 Green vestmentsthat the boss resented iÉ §yyyf l I rests on you”.him because he was more When a superior is Ss Ceolwulf, Ita, Macariusacademically qualified forthe job. courageous enough to Readings: 1 Sam 9:1-4.17-19; 10:1a Ps 20 Mk 2:13-17 His wife had a simi­ manifest humility in our SUNDAY, JAN U AR Y 16 Green vestments work place we can expect Second Sunday o f Ordinary Timelar story about her place JE SU S W AS BAPTIZED a similar reaction. Doesof work. She was not the environment Readings: 1 Sam 3:3b-10.19 Ps 39 1 Cor 6:13c-15a.17-20employed in the Ministry 9 become a happier place Jn 1:35-42of Health and she where a spirit of peacerealised that it was useless making sug­ resides? Is he not appreciated by all forgestions to her superior or pointing out his example? Does he not become uthe Fbeloved?”that a project could be better executed if ATHER we call on you to forgive S t A ntony M ary Puccidifferent methods were adopted. us for the times we do not follow the example o f John the Baptist, A NTONY Mary Pucci, (1819- He also pioneered the provision of The experiences of these two are 92), Servite priest. Born of a seaside nursing-homes for children,not isolated for we often hear similar peasant family at Poggione de and in a wider field worked also forcomplaints from workers. Though all Vernio (Tuscany), he became a Servite the Association for the Propagation of friar at Florence in 1837. the Faith.may not be justifiable, unfortunately for the times when we stifle the growth o f Imperturbable and prayerful, he In 1883, he was appointed provin­many are. So often we encounter cases our fellow workers for we feel that they studied at Monte Senario and was cial of the Tuscan Province and heldwhere a superior is hard pressed to might take our place. Forgive us for the ordained in 1843. He then became this office for seven years.admit that someone else is better lack o f confidence we show when we fail curate and in 1844 parish priest of He died on January 14, a model Viareggio. There he spent the rest of pastor, deeply mourned. Miracles wereequipped to do the job that he is han­ to recognise the competence of those his life. soon reported at his grave and he wasdling. Many are they who even in the whom we supervise. Unattractive in looks and voice, canonised in 1962.face of concrete evidence refuse to refer We thank you for those among us taciturn and withdrawn by tempera­ Feast: January 12. ment, he was nevertheless ana client to a better person. who are courageous enough to let othersNow here comes John the Baptist grow, who allow their friends and neigh­freely admitting: Someone is following bours the space and freedom to developme, someone more powerful than I am. their talents, who are not afraid to admitUnlike many of us, John is ready to give that someone is better than them.way to a more competent person. He Give us the strength to be humble excellent organiser; but he often L Armstrong’sdoes not jealously hold on to his position before others, to be honest with our said that organisation is the ser­but is ready to relinquish it for he knows friends, to be ready to recommend our Funeral Home Ltdthat the one who is replacing him is bet­ colleagues for promotion, so that we may vant of charity, not its substitute.ter for the job and will do it more effec­ all grow together as beloved children o f His care for the sick was out­ Offers a complete and professional God. standing in the epidemics of 1854 range of Funeral Servicestively. Indeed he realises that Jesus will Felix Edinborough is acting and 1866. principal of Belmont Boys’give the people just what they want.John sees himself as just a stopgapwhile Jesus has the real thing. He Secondary School and a parish­ N E W R E L E A S E S by YEARS OF EXPERIENCEadmits openly to his followers, to those ioner of St A n th o n y ’s church.who were putting him on a pedestal: I PetitValley. Paul Keens-Douglas Much Better Serv ice We guide you through every step withCATHOUC FAMILY UFE RESOURCE CENTRE dignity, love and understanding | We also embalm and ship3 1 Independence Square, P O S (Tel: 623-7141) mto any country This service Is availableSCHEDULE FOR MARRIAGE COUNSELLING - Room 4 on a 24-hour basis every day. In times of M O N D AY A N D TUESDAY Alto available best of Paul Keeru-Douglas CD, grief and uncertainty.M r s T o m Y i c k - 10 a . m .- 2 p.m. Tel: 6 6 3 -1460 Call or visit our officesM r R.Tom Y ic k - T h u r s d a y 3 .3 0 -5 .3 0 p.m.Tel: 663-1460 Selected-Works Books & Twelve Original Cassettes. Cor Oxford & I Freellng Observatory St Street, OVULATION METHOD: Ask at record & bookshops. 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Page 6 C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000Haiti’s bishops warn priests and nuns: Fr Persaud appointedStay out of politics chancellor in Guyana Fr John Persaud has been appointed chancellor forHAITI’S bishops warned c ARIBBEAN presidential campaign. the diocese of Georgetown, Fr John Persaudpriests and nuns to stay out HURCH An anonymous religious Guyana.o f politics as the March leg­ Bishop Singh was himselfislative and municipal elec­ ticipation in political parties, or source in Jacmel, Haiti, told the The appointment was chancellor while parishtions approach. the board of a trade union, unless Haitian Press Agency that many church authorities deem such priests are directly involved in made official last month by The warning came as ten­ activity is necessary to “defend the current election campaign, Bishop Benedict Singh,sions built between supporters of the rights of the church” or to while others are working to influ­ according to the Catholicthe government’s Organisation of promote the “common good” of ence politics from behind thethe People in Struggle party and all. scenes. This source said priests Standard.the Lavalas family party during had directly encouraged the Fr Persaud returned tothe campaigns for the elections, “They must avoid any activi­ teachers to go on strike in JacmelHaiti’s first national vote in ty which could sow or fuel discord Guyana last August afteralmost three years. The Lavalas recently.party is led by former president In early December 1999, offi­ completing two years ofand former priest Jean-Bertrand studies (1997-1999) in cials said a fire that seriously Canon Law at Rome’sAristide. injured 10 and burned 14 houses In a pastoral letter, the in the southwestern city of Pontifical University of Jeremie was started by groups Urbaniana.Haitian bishops’ conference among the people of God,” said who oppose the elections. He was appointed Judicial Vicar for the dio­ cese last September and also is the current diocesan director for vocations, a priest at Meadow Bank.warned that priests who ignore the bishops of priests’ role. That Some months ago, the position he has held for On assuming the officethe directives to stay out of poli­ role, they added, is rather to pro­ Resistance Coordination of various periods. Fr Persaud of bishop. Bishop Singhtics are contravening Canon Law. mote peace and harmony. The Grande-Anse, a party led by has also served on other appointed Fr Joe MahaseArticle 285 of Canon Law, the calls have been widely interpret­ Aristide supporters, including Fr presbyterial and diocesan as his replacement. Sincebishops say, states that “clerics ed as a direct reference to the Joachim Samedi, threatened the councils. Fr Mahase’s departure aare forbidden to assume public activities of Aristide, a former elections would not go ahead in Fr Persaud is the third few years ago, no one hadoffices which entail a participa­ Salesian, and to supporters of his the region if electoral officials chancellor to be appointed. been appointed. were not changed. (C N S)tion in the exercise of civil party.power.\" The Lavalas family has been The bishops also cite Article widely accused o f deliberately287, which outlaws priests’ par- disrupting the legislative elec­ Love fo r God has grown coldtions campaign in an attempt to have theseE ye C linic elections put off until SOCIETY has become grimage in early December. Nigerian priest in Grenada next December, when anti-clergy, says a Nigeriau He said that while many says society is no longerMedical & Surgical Eye Care it is widely believed interested in good newsincluding cataract and glaucoma that Aristide will run priest in Grenada. priests and religious were mur­surgery and diabetic laser again for president. “The people of our day dered during the 20th century,No 49 Royal Palm Plaza Aristide support­ are hunting for the down­ today they “are no longer killed ers are said to believe physically but destroyed by the the Lavalas family fall of priests. The people of senatorial candidates our time are happier to mouths of men and women”. hear scandal about a priest When children hear grown than any good works done,” ups destroying priests they are7 Saddle Road, Maraval have more chance of opined Sacred Heart “turned off” from accepting the hope that, as we enter the newTel: 622 1887 being elected on the (Grenada) parish priest Fr vocation of the priesthood or millennium, that the people of coattails of Aristide’s John Eze, homilist at a pil­ religious life, and this is con­ God will walk hand in hand with tributing to the declining num­ their priests and religious to see bers willing to join, he said. that the true Kingdom of God is Fr Eze was particularly crit­ established here in the world. I ical of the media saying some have hope too, that the people of media houses rush to use any God in this new millennium will scandal involving clergy, “but do pray for their priests more than good things, and no one cares they have ever done before.” because we (society) are no During the Mass the diocese longer interested in the good”. was consecrated to the He said society’s anti-clergy Immaculate Heart of Mary, and mood is just one example of how Fr Eze challenged pilgrims to be much it had changed. He cited like Mary by saying “Yes” to God. other societal changes in Mass “To say Yes to God is to let go attendance, marriage and bap­ of our pride and put on the tism. “The truth is this,” he humility of Christ, and of our summed up, “Our love for God mother. Mary. To say Yes to God has grown cold.” is to let go of our own wills and Fr Eze, who was ordained desires for the sake of God’s will two years ago, ended on a posi­ for us, as Mary did,” he ended. tive note however, saying “I have (Edited from Catholic Focus) a n d the Election year of blessing outpouring of C o d 's H ealin g Love not division in Dominica upon our nation. 14 Jan. Frida) Church of ihe Nativity. Diego Marlin 6 00 pm CATHOLICS in Dominica were national elections will be held I7U‘ Jan. Monday Our Lady of Fatima. Curcpc 7.00 pm I8 U‘ Jan. Tuesday Santa Rosa. Arima 7 30 pm expected to turn out in their this year and Dominicans 2UU| Jan Thursday St Theresa’s. Woodbrook 6 .00 pm numbers at Holy Redeemer should therefore approach 2000 21“ Jan. Friday Our Lady of Perpetual Help. S'fdo 6.00 pm as an election year of blessing 9 00 am Retreat House in Eggleston on 22,|J Jan Sunday Renew 2000 Rally. La Vega Estate. Gran Couva 6.30 pm January 1, for an eight hour and not division. If the election 24*“ Jan Monday St. Cecelii’s. Maracas Valley 6.3Ó pm. “Y2K Prayer Festival” - prayer is viewed in the true Christian 25ltoJan. Tuesday Church of the Assumption. Maraval and fasting in honour of Our spirit, it will augur well for the Lady for the Millennium, the island, ended the Redemptorist priest. Blessed Virgin Mary. Speaking to The Chronicle Dominican Prime Minister weekly newspaper prior to the Edison James announced on event, event organiser and New Year’s Day that elections retreat house co-director, Fr will be held on January 31. Franklyn Cuffy, noted that

C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000 Page 7 Pope urges children tobuild a more beautiful worldVISIBLY energised during a probably at the Tiber”, the river the child victims of Sierra by Caritas Sierra Leone. He John XXIII International Peace Leone’s nine-year civil war, said he did not know how much Prize, “in order that they learnmusic-filled, sunlit celebration that runs by the Vatican. “Or which ended with a truce in money had been raised, but was to build a world in which all maybe beyond”, he added, July. sure of a generous response. people are able to live in truth,in St Peter’s Square, Pope John drawing laughs and cheers. justice and love.” Bishop Biguzzi said 6,000 Before leaving the childrenPaul II urged tens of thousands Though most of the chil­ children were abducted during who celebrated with more song The international ATD- dren came from Italy, 30 coun­ the conflict by various military and dance throughout the after­ Fourth World movement wasof cheering children to build a tries were represented, includ­ factions. noon, the pope presented the founded in 1957 in a camp for ing some in the former Soviet Vatican’s peace prize to mem­ homeless families outside Paris“more beautiful and welcoming” bloc, African nations like Sudan Organisers of the children’s bers of Aid to Those in Distress- by the late Father Joseph and Mozambique, and Asian jubilee asked participants Wresinski, who grew up inworld in the third millennium. specifically to pray for Sierra Fourth World, a Paris-based poverty and wanted to help the nations, including Japan and Leone’s children and donate Catholic aid group, for its work poorest in society.By being first of more than Indonesia. money for programmes to help with poor children around the reintegrate them into society. The Vatican award, which25 jubilee days dedicated to “Your presence is a globe. carries a cash prize, was insti­ Bishop Biguzzi said the “May the greatest attention tuted in 1963 by Pope Paul VI.specific groups, the Jan 2 reminder that the jubilee is a money would be used for half a time of joy”, a relaxed and smil­ dozen reintegration centers run of adults” go to children, the (CNS)Jubilee for Children shows that ing pope told the crowd. pope said in presenting the them, and in constant fear thatthe Church puts children “at if they do manage to contact the However, he said, “we can­ authorities they may end up inthe center of the attention of not forget all jail. those of your ownthe faithful”, the pope said. age who are suf­ A woman who manages to fering hunger or return to her place of originHighlighting the continu­ violence, and may fear reprisals to herself or those who are vic­ her family, and live in terroring exploitation suffered by tims of hideous that details of her past, if they are known, may prevent hermany children around the forms of exploitation. from marrying. “How can we forget theworld, 10 former Women for The consultation urged many children who are denied churches to open their buildingschild soldiers even the right to be born?” he “as safe shelters to victims of said. trafficking”. One participantfrom Sierra from Britain reflected that the “When people want to build trade “represents the dark faceLeone, aged 7 to of the new Europe: more perme­ a world ignoring God and his able borders and more mobility14, shared the law, they are in fact giving rise THE growing trade in women statement records that more make bad things easier as well than 100,000 eastern European as good ones”. (T H E TAB LET)stage with the to a situation of more and more was addressed in an interna­ women and girls are living out­ suffering and injustice”, the side their own countries, pluspope. Bishop pope said. “With the jubilee the tional consultation in an increasing number of women from southern Europe andGeorge Biguzzi of Makeni, Lord invites us to correct these Driebergen, the Netherlands, Balkans, the Middle East, wrongs by cooperating in the Africa, Latin America andSierra Leone, who brought the great plan he has for every per­ recently. The meeting was Asia.” son and for the whole humanchildren to Rome after freeing race.” organised jointly by the Council The statement explains that “women may be lured intothem from rebel factions, As a concrete example of of European Bishops’ solidarity, the event focused on leaving their countries byappealed to the crowd to help Conferences (CCEE) and the promises of well-paid jobs or glittering marriages, only tofund centers run by the Church Conference of European find, on arrival in the country ofto reintegrate into society Churches (CEC). destination, that they have in effect, been sold into slavery.Sierra Leone’s thousands of ex­ According to a statement Subject to abuse, violence or sexual exploitation, they may bechild soldiers. produced at the meeting, those kept in virtual imprisonment,During the celebration, an who trade in women for “forced their passports taken fromestimated 150,000 children and labour, forced marriage orparents packed St Peter’s forced prostitution”, are earningSquare and spilled out into the “between US$200 andmain street in front of the US$5,000 per traffickedsquare. Gazing out over a sea of woman”.waving white baseball caps, the Following figures for 1999pope joked that he could not see from the United Nationswhere the crowd ended, “but Development Programme, theLast 1000 years of Catholic h istoryby JERRY F IL T E A U military and hospitaller reli­ America. Columbus’ voyage sion in Christianity. gious orders, rising impor­ introduces Christianity in New 1534 Act of Supremacy. Henry VIII establishes ChurchH ERE, chronologically, tance of pilgrimages in reli­ World, starts global missionary of England, invoking fullness of are some of the leading expansion to Americas, Africa, power over it by divine right. events or individuals gious life and increased East- Asia, Oceania; it also starts West trade. more than four centuries of 1539-40 St Ignatius of that have shaped Catholic his­ European political and cultural Loyola. Rule is approved for his Society of Jesus, an ordertory over the past 1,000 years. 1 2 0 9 -1 5 Mendicant colonialism. with wide influence in Church life, especially in education.Catholic News Service editors orders. Itinerant preachersand writers, in consultation St Francis of Assisi and St 1 5 4 5 -6 3 Council of Trent. The Catholic response towith Church historians, devel­ Dominic found the Franciscan 150ÛS Renaissance art. the Reformation brings Church reform legislation and spellsoped the list and narrowed it to and Dominican orders, which Prodigious artistic and archi­ out Catholic teaching on doc­ trines under challenge from thea selection of 25. have deep impact on spiritual centuries. tectural output of figures like Reformation. Post-conciliar reforms included establishment and intellectual life of the Michelangelo, Raphael, of seminaries, liturgy reform1 0 5 4 G reat Schism. church and continue to thrive and a universal catechism. 1 4 5 2 -5 5 Gutenberg Leonardo da Vinci and many Bible. First book printed with 1596 Union of Brest.Mutual excommunications today. movable type marks beginning others under Church patronage Agreement uniting Ruthenian Orthodox and Roman Catholicharden centuries of growing rift of mass media, a cultural revo­ exemplifies the cultural contri­ churches of Poland becomes lution profoundly affecting reli­between East and West, divid­ 1 2 15 Fourth Lateran gion, education, commerce, poli­ bution of the Church’s embrace • Continued on page 14ing mainline Christianity into Council. Key medieval council tics and culture. of art and architecture asthe Orthodox churches of the formulates doctrine of transub- means of religious expression.East and the Latin Church of stantiation and makes Churchthe West. reforms, including obligation of 1517-21 Protestant Reforma-tion. Martin Luther annual confession and 1483-98 Spanish posts his 95 Theses in 1517, challenging errors in the1096 Crusades begin. Communion at Easter time. Inquisition. At height of its preaching o f indulgences, is excommunicated four yearsCampaign by Pope Urban II to campaign against heretics later. His reform agenda, later systematically institution­retake Holy Land from Islam 1265-73 Summa Theo- under Torquemada, some 2,000 alised by Calvin, marks the start of the second major divi­starts almost two centuries of logiae. The most notable work are executed, giving historicalintermittent religious wars of St Thomas Aquinas, who basis for later claims of Catholicthere, ending in 1291 with articulated a theological syn­ cruelty and intolerance.Muslim recapture of Acre. With thesis that would influence 1492 Colonisation ofthe Crusades came the birth of Western Christian thought for

Page 8 C A TH Ô L IC NEW S Sunday, January 9,2000First Nations9encounter rwith the Caribsby P A T R IC IA E L IEn j p j HE recent visit to our Grand chief R o d Bushie gives Ricardo Bharath a symbolic gift country by a delegation (m ocassins) for himself and the future members of the Carib community. JL of the First Nations of Guests at Carib Centre, Arima (from left) - Jai Parasram, Pat in a decision of such relevance tivity to and recognition of notCanada was an important his­ Elie, Nahum Kanhai and Dennis Meeches. only the First Nations but alsotorical event. It highlighted, to them. the Carib Community.even if briefly, the problems Peoples of the hemisphere. place as he said, but a Warao The barrage of concernedfaced (historically and still con­ We the locals realised after­ Among those present weretinuing) by Indigenous People sacred site of more than 8000 phone calls suddenly brought Pat Macleod of Harmony andin preserving their way of life. wards that the group had years duration. Besides it has home to the Trinidad and Diversity who had previously expected some preliminary dis­ in the recent past been dese­ Tobago High Commission that hosted an Indigenous The First Nations delega­ cussion to be organised, with crated by quarrying and devel­ they could be facing a total pub­ Gathering in 1997, members oftion came to Trinidad on a input from the local indigenous opment. But that is another lic relations fiasco at the inter­ the Orisha and East IndianTrade and Investment Mission national level. Communities, the Japaneseorganised through the Trinidad body, who would naturally be issue. Embassy - the Japanese areand Tobago High Commission the ones most interested in the The Santa Rosa Carib As to be expected the High also coming to terms with theirto Canada. establishment of such a venue. Commission and TIDCO almost own aboriginal people - the Community are the only recog­ crippled themselves bending Ainu, Arimians and Siparians In retrospect it became The discussion did occur over backwards to facilitate the with their historical links withclear that one of the primary but once again without any nised Indigenous Body in Carib Community’s full involve­ the indigenous peoples ofreasons for the interest of the Trinidad. Since 1987, they have ment in the visit - at the Trinidad, and many others. ItCanadian First Nations in involvement on the part of the eleventh hour and for the was an opportunity for theTrinidad was the presence of Carib Community, or indeed of been forming links with other wrong reasons.the Santa Rosa Caribs, descen­ any other interest group, the indigenous and related interest ‘The indigenous peopledants of the First Peoples here. Archaeology Centre of the groups in the Caribbean and Opportunities suddenly University of the West Indies opened for private meetings seekjustice, for themselves, Yet neither TIDCO nor the North America. with the First Nations group,High Commission for Canada for example. As soon as they heard of the invitations poured in for every for their ancestors and forsaw it fit to inform the Santa By the time the Caribs press conference and reception,Rosa Caribs of the proposed Trade and Investment Mission the Carib Community’s number their children; they seekvisit. They were told just four heard of it, the Mayor of San and especially of the proposal to was suddenly in everyone’sdays prior to the arrival of the create an indigenous venue in phone book. recognition oftheir right toMission, and simply because Fernando had already offeredthey had been timetabled to San Fernando Hill (can he do Trinidad, the Community Immense sensitivity pursue their own èstiny”provide an evening of cultural immediately informed theseentertainment. this?) for the proposed venue. It We have a saying in Carib Community and the First seems he was unaware that it other groups; they took for Trinidad: “not all bad luck is Nations to tell their stories andN o t an ancient meeting place was not an ancient meeting granted that Indigenous danger”. It all worked out amaz­ for once, to be heard. Peoples should have their input ingly well, for the Carib As regards the First Community that is, I’m not so So where are we now? DoesNations of Canada themselves, sure about the trade and invest­ the plethora of articles in thethey had two clearly expressed ment bit. Members of the Carib media indicate that we are fur­political goals for coming here. Community had opportunities ther forward in our awarenessThe first was to establish links to meet informally with the of indigenous cultures?and relationships with other First Nations delegates, to Perhaps. Although one membercountries (presumably this exchange gifts, eat together, of the audience at the culturalincluded Trinidad) in order to share stories of loss, struggle evening did comment, “the Redbring their issues and concerns and recent gains, recognise each Indians looked and danced justto the United Nations. other and form the beginnings like the ones on TV”! of a personal relationship. The second was to establish The timing of this visit wasa representative office in On a formal level the two significant on the eve of theTrinidad which would be a groups signed a Protocol creat­ opening of the Jubilee Yearmeeting place for Indigenous ing a foundation for continued 2000. The indigenous people, interaction in areas of mutual whether in Canada, Trinidad, In loving memory of In loving memory interest including the establish­ Guatemala or Dominica, seek of ment of the Meeting Place for justice, for themselves, for theirBaldeo Dharson Aboriginal Peoples of this ancestors and for their children; BEVERLY Hemisphere. they seek restoration and the Died: J a n u a ry 4, 1992 EDWARDS recognition of their right to pur­ The cultural evening host­ sue their own destiny. Maybe 23/9/73-10/1-98 ed by the Carib Community this visit was one step further turned out to be the sole oppor­ along that road. G ood took you to his loving home To som e you are forgotten tunity for the general public to a n d freed yo u from your pain. To others you are part of the past meet with the First Nations O u r hearts still a ch e in silence delegates, and Mr and Mrs a n d w e’ll alw ays cherish the To us you are always there Public turned out in their num­ Because you are always In our bers. As is often the case in beautiful m em ories yo u left behind. Trinidad and Tobago, the hearts Government does not alwaysSa d ly m isse d b y y o u r wife, children, reflect the people. Thank God! grandchildren, family and friends From M om Lorna and Dad Gareth, d au gh te r Shaded, five sisters and Many groups present that night showed immense sensi­ other relatives

Death makes the ranks of C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000 Page. 9 the family grow thinner 'ORIGINAL Recipes “forces men and women to ask by Z O B ID A J O S E P HEULOGY o f Ainsley Bonaventure themselves fundamental questions Cassava Pone 2 tbs softened margarine about life itself.” I 1/2 cup flourPantaleon delivered by Dr (M y mother's recipe) I tbs vanillaAudwln Pantaleon at Holy Cross The death of Ainsley marks I cup raisinsRC Church. Santa Cruz, on the fifth in the immediate Please do not use 112 tsp salt Pantaleon family Our father blender to prepare 1 tsp powdered spice 1/2 tsp black pepperNovember 9, 1999. passed away in 1962, sister 2 lbs cassava, pared and 3/4 tsp baking powder grated 2 cups brown sugar Dorothy in 1977, mother Juliana 1 lb sweet potato, pared Water and grated 3 large banana leaves in 1982 and brother Ossie in 1984. 1/2 lb pumpkin, pared and grated Prepare the leavesA in s l e y b o n a v e n t u r e Of the nine family members, four 2 cups grated, dried coconut have remained - Neville, Audric, kernel Remove stalks from cen­ Pantaleon was born on Edwina and Audwin. 2 tbs vanilla tre and discard. C ut green July 14,1919. The fourth of 1/4 cup soft butter parts into 9 ” x 9 ” squares. 112 tsp black pepper Heat squares on both seven children of Frederick and The diminishing of the family 2 tsp ground spice sides over open flame 2 eggs, beaten until soft. Be careful notJuliana Pantaleon. He passed on is what Pope John Paul II had in 1/2 cup cooking oil to burn. W ipe either side 3 cups brown sugar with a damp cloth and setNovember 2, 1999 after celebrat­ mind when he said in the letter 2 112 tsp baking powder aside. I cup flouring his 80th birthday. referred to above: “If nothing else Prepare the filling Combine all ingredientsHe leaves to mourn his wife we are reminded of death by the thoroughly in large bowl. Combine all ingredients Pour into greased casse­ thoroughly, add enoughChristine Selina, sons Roy, Hugh, very fact that the ranks of our role dish. Bake on top water to moisten. M ust beRupert, Kelvin and Anthony; family members and acquain­ shelf of oven at 350 mushy in texture. Place 3 degrees until firm and tbs of mixture on centredaughters Jeanette, Janice, tances grow ever thinner.” brown. C ool completely of each square of leaf. Fold before cutting. over neatly to secure andMerlin, Angela, Pearl and Joan; I will close with the prayer tie around and across N o water must be using soft string. D ro p tiedbrothers Neville. Audric and Ainsley Pantaleon extracted from Pope John Paul’s added to this dish. pamies into rapid boilingAudwin, and sister Edwina Welch letter: “When the moment o f our water. Boil rapidly for 20 Sweet Pamies minutes. Drain, cool and- 39 grandchildren and 22 great- ness could be related to a quote definitive passage comes, grant serve. that we may face it with serenity 1 lb cornmealgrands. from Pope John Paul II’s recently and without regret for what we 2 cups grated, dried coconut ________ J He was always concerned released letter marking the United shall leave behind.” kernel Nation’s 1999 Year of the Olderabout the well-being of his family Person: “Even though death natu­ We the family wish to express \ ______________________and worked hard for their supportand education. During his working rally is frightening, Christians our gratitude to all participatingyears he was employed in the must face the end of life with the in this service, and a specialMinistry of Agriculture both in certainty that they will be with thanks to Fr Hilaire for conductingTrinidad and in Tobago and the God in the next.” Death, he said, the service.Ministry of Workswhere he retired in1985. He was an avidcricketer and becameP R O C L A IM T H E J U B IL E Ecaptain of his team.Old Trafford. Politicswas a great concern tohim since the policiesof the government inpower affected himand his family’s wel­ 2000 RALtffare. He was a religiousperson and always sawto it that the children VV with C7arrtebecame likewise andattended Sunday Mass Fr. John Campolion a regular basis. PASTA Prior to his death His Love Ministries from N.J., U.S.A PIZZAhe experienced for SALADS STROMBOLIyears problems with Inspiring talks focusing on the Trinity SANDWICHEShis eyesight and even­ and more!tually lost his sight. Conversion & Reconciliation In recent times he ending with Holy Masshad spoken openly ofhis preparedness fordeath. This prepared-E&S CAKE DECOR Date: Sunday 23rd January 2000 ‘Enjoy Beginning at: 9 am tilDISTRIBUTORS Of WILTON our zuide CAKE STANDS Venue: La Vega Estate, Gran Couva & ACCESSORIESAn array of wedding & Admission: Free party accessories •v\Ov ^ p\cnic Basket and a ^ Coral Cove M arina & Hotel, variety available upon order Chaguaramas o fgood Yes!! We do bake & 9^ Refreshment ondecorate cakes for all Shoppes of Maraval fo o d occasions 6 2 8 -7 4 0 2 SHOPPE #7 W estern M ain Rd, St James GOLDEN DOOR PLAZA 6 2 8 -3 4 3 1 FREDERICK ST Diegoi Mairtin POS 625*5010 6 3 3 -0 9 4 1 /6 3 2 -1 9 5 1 Tel: (868) 634-2332 V H F - 6 8

Page 10 C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9,2000A time of favourfrom the LordCaribbean bishops’ Bishop Gilbert Christmas 1999 and New Year diocese in recent years, he wrote 2000 messages that for the New Year “We need, as a people, to face the truth of the pastJ' UBILEE YEAR 2000 is a “year of Archbishop Clarke Bishop Reece Bishop Galt honestly, repent for our faults and favour”... “a Kairos moment” .... “a omissions where necessary, learn to tremendous privilege in the forgive each other, and in this wayCatholic Church”. But it must be undergo personal and community reconciliation.”entered into in a spirit of conversion, become more and more what we are: ‘the tions... will join together with the Bishop Singh called for a returnhumility and openness. salt of the earth and the light of the Christian community to make Dominica to unselfish love and service of oth­ ers to counter the “individualism,These were some of the feelings world’”. The Trinidad-born bishop urged a society in which light will progressive­ profit-at-all thrust, ruthless compe­expressed by a few Caribbean bishops in Grenadian Catholics to pray that God ly replace the darkness.” tition and dehumanising structures” His firal prayer was for all in our modern globalised world.their Christmas 1999-New Year 2000 sends his Holy Spirit “to renew our lives and our society”. Christians to challenge the redefinition He told Guyana’s Catholic com­messages. munity to pray and work so that the Fellow Trinidadian, Bishop of Christmas as just another celebration. “promise and hope of peace andBishop Sydney Charles of the dio­ goodwill announced by the angels Malcolm Galt of Bridgetown, Barbados, “The attempt at redefinition is pervasive 2000 years ago may become somethingcese of St George’s-in-Grenada was said as the Church begins Jubilee cele­ throughout the world. The method is real in our individual lives and the life of brations with the opening of the Holy subtle: in advertising, decorating, pro­ the nation.”clear: the Jubilee is a “privileged Door at Rome’s St Peter’s Basilica, “let it viding seasonal music, sending The theme of Bishop Donald be a sign to us to open wide the door of Christmas greetings — never mention Reece’s message was connecting withmoment of mankind’s history.” God through humility and simplicity. He our heart to Christ and welcome the name of Jesus.” said the world today, as in the days of In “this special ‘year of favour1 we the Nativity, is filled with pride. We need to “take stock of our camouflaged pride\",are called upon and challenged to he said. “Let us confess humbly before God our own failings and limitations in him as our saviour. To open wide To the Catholics in the Archdiocese order for us to connect with the source of our existence.”SIM P SO N ’S the door of our home to Christ and of Castries, St Lucia, Dominica-born He suggested that Christians heed the lesson of the shepherds in their sim- welcome him as our Brother. To Archbishop Kelvin Felix said open wide the door of our nation to Christmas is an “unmistakable sign of “The world today, as in the days Christ and welcome him as our God’s love for us”. He added that as we of the Nativity, is filled withFUNERAL HOME Leader”. follow Jesus’ command to “‘love one pride. We need to ‘take stock of “This (Jubilee Year) is another as I have loved you’, let us our camouflaged pride’. Let us a Kairos moment for the resolve to make this Church, a time of grace confess humbly before God our and new beginnings,” our regular and per­ own failings and limitations wrote another Trinidadian manent way of life, in order for us to connect with HEAD OFFICE bishop. Bishop Robert throughout the Great the source of our existence” Rivas. Bishop of Jubilee Year and plicity, commenting that too many of us Kingstown, St Vincent and beyond.” yearn after “brand name clothes... and the fast track of life”.108 Picadilly Street, POS the Grenadines. Another arch­ It is a time for forgiv­ bishop, A rchbishop The bishop of St John’s-Basseterre, Antigua, said that to make “the divine ing and reconciliation, for Edgerton Clarke of connection” with God, we need to not only contemplate the mystery of868-623-4906/8918 cancelling debts, and “each Kingston, Jamaica, Christmas, but “ask God for the grace to one of us has to become an said living to see become convinced that this divine con­ nection effected by the Incarnation,Fort St, Scarborough agent of liberation if we Bishop Rivas 2000 was a “tremen­ must now radiate or shine through the Tobago are to adequately proclaim dous privilege\", and human channel of our very lives”. the Jubilee as a time of was thankful for the “If that conviction is realised, then favour from the Lord”. Church’s involvement God’s peace, patience, love forgiveness in education, social and generosity will be manifest in our At Christmas time, dealings with our brothers and sisters in all aspects of life: domestic, Church and everywhere seems lighted up for and charitable works, and for its concern civil,” he ended. - RS 868-639-2350 the season. “It is indeed the cele­ for family life, marriage, education, the bration of the coming of the true economy, the quality of life and life itself. light into the world.” Christmas However, he said we are all called to then, said the bishop, is a time for on-going conversion and this can only giving the Light to others and happen through prayer. “The Church inS m iiiu j y o u sin c e 1945 urged “Let us walk then as chil­ Jamaica must walk in hope. We must dren of the light,” since “every day prepare ourselves to enter the Third we have the opportunity to make a Millennium freed from prejudice, hesita­ difference in the lives of others....” tion, selfishness, fear or doubt.”w ith c i w f m s , e ffic ie n t Bishop Edward Gilbert of Bishop Benedict Singh of Roseau said he had three simple Georgetown, Guyana, said preparations Christmas prayers: that Catholics for the Jubilee should be on the materi­by & n ig h ts e r v ic e celebrated the Jubilee with faith al, but rather on a conversion of human and openness to the Holy Spirit; hearts. Noting the political instability in his “that people of all faith tradi­

( ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commentaries for January prepared by: Umilta Warner - Introduction and Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Raym ond Matthews - Second Sunday in Ordinary Time R V Lai Fang - Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Fr Michael M oses - Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Scripture quotations are from the Jerusalem Bible (JB) unless otherwise indicated. Other translations: New Jerusalem Bible (NJB); New American Bible (NAB); Revised Standard Version (RSV); New Revised Standard Version (New RSV). V_____________________________________________________ _____ JCATHOLIC NEWS SUPPLEMENT prepared by C atholic B ible Institu te, C a ro n i Sunday,January 9,2000 Issue #27THE BAPTISM OFJESUSIntroduction They crossed over after first sanctifying themselves, and with the priests leadingT HE baptism story in the Gospel of the procession with the Ark of the Mark asserts that Jesus was des­ Covenant (Joshua 3:1 - 4:18). ignated Son of God at the time ofhis baptism by John the Baptist. It was also here that Naaman, gen­Matthew and Luke, on the other hand eral of the king Damascus, was cured ofassert that he was Son of God at the his leprosy after bathing in the rivertime of his conception, and see the bap­ seven times at the command of Elisha (2tism as the beginning of his messianic Kings 5:1-14).mission. From his baptism in the Jordan, the The baptism is preceded by the Spirit-filled Jesus is “driven into the wilderness” where he has his initialpreaching of John and his call to repen­ encounter with Satan, the prince of evil,tance that will free the Israelites from the enemy of God (1:12-13). From thesin and prepare them for the arrival ofthe One who had been promised. wilderness Jesus emerges full of powerRepentance would bring about a com­ — performing miracles, teaching withplete reversal of spirit and would lead toreconciliation with God. authority, ushering the Kingdom of God, vanquishing demons (Luke 4:14 ff; Mt John’s preaching drew large crowds. 4:17, 23-25).Yet when the promised one did appear,no one recognised him in the person of With his emergence a new era hasJesus. He arrived, not as a mighty begun, the era of eschatological hope, anleader, but lining up with the penitents essential feature of which is the over­and allowing himself to be immersed inthe waters of the Jordan, though con­ throw of Satan.fessing no personal sinfulness. FEAST OF THE BAPTISM In this way he identifies totally withrepentant Israel. Though he enters the OFTHE LORDwaters as just another repentant sinner, F IR S T R E A D I N G Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7he will emerge from their midst as theMessiah. However, this will not immedi­ This is the first of the four “Songs ofately be revealed. the Servant o f the Lord” contained in Second Isaiah. Mark ignores the difficulty raised byJesus’ submitting to John’s baptism. For In Part I ( w 1-4) the Servant is pre­him, Jesus is the true Israelite whose sented for the first time, and his mission stated.attitude to God is perfect. Even more, heis the Son of God receiving the sign of The Servant is a “chosen one\", a des­ ignation which requires the presence ofrepentance on behalf of the people of others to witness it. It is not obvious who the audience is. The Servant is intro­God. duced as if already present, but his mis­ The title “Son of God” originally sion and its fulfillment (v 4) lie in the future.referred to the people of Israel (Exodus4:22; Jer 3:19; 31:9; Hos 11:1), and later In the Old Testament the word “cho­came to designate the messianic-king of sen” is applied at various times to Abraham, David, Israel, Zion and everythe line of David who would deliver his Israelite.people Israel (2 Sam 7:14; Pss 2:7; 89:4, The Servant is endowed with God’s26-27). 9:7 - used by the Father at Jesus’ and bears special and sacred signifi­ “spirit” (v lb), the same powerful spirit This title is found eight times in transfiguration. cance for the people of Israel. by which creation was achieved (Gn 1:2). And through the spirit the ServantMark each time skillfully used to remind 14:61 —the challenging question of At the end of their “forty years” in would inaugurate and establish God’s the high priest at Jesus’ trial. the wilderness, after fleeing bondage in messianic promises (justice) among thethe reader who Jesus is: nations, (v lc). 1:1 —the opening of the Gospel and 15:39 —its climax in the centurion’s Egypt and the wrath of Pharaoh, it was question at the foot of the cross. the river they crossed which brought uMy chosen one in whom my soulpreparation for this main theme. them into the land which God had delights. I have endowed him with my 1:11 - used by the Father at Jesus’ The Jordan, the place of Jesus bap­ Spirit”. These words are echoed at Jesus’ tism, is the largest river of Palestine, promised Abraham and his descendants. Baptism in today’s Gospel. Jesus wouldbaptism. sf f r r\) 11 1 1? t f r>r rn •-f J’ r'i>•tM • Continued on page 4 1:24; 3:11; 5:7 - used by demons andunclean spirits who recognise Jesus’true identity and its significance for thecoming Kingdom.J i u. J Jw V J . J i It > « v ^ ^ ) I J t * v.i. i .« jt . am » c a l l i n g ' l l * -- 1* I f * -Ml ’ (*vtr - If t \"Ip i ( f m t 1f ’* ....................i r “ i

2 EXPLO RIN G THE W O R D OF G O D RGod talks to Samuel 2ND SUNDAY IN lowed” is “akolouthein”. It Gospel the other. 3RD SUND ORDINARY TIME includes a spiritual aspect - The New Testament has o r d in a r recorded the memory of JesusFIR ST R E A D IN G the disciples learn from and changing Simon’s name; “Simon to1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 whom He gave the name Peter” model themselves on the <Mk 3:16; Mt 4:18; 10:2; Lk 6:14; FIR ST B E A D IN G Today’s first reading has two Acts 10:5). This change of nameaspects. There is first of all the call one they follow, and a phys­ was preserved in an even moreof Samuel, typical of religious explicit way in the Gospels ofleaders in the bible (e.g. Moses Ex ical aspect - the disciples The oassage begi3:4; Gideon Jg 6:12-13). Secondly Matthew and John. In Matthew j P ,.i “up goit reveals the type of person tread the same path as the 16:18 Jesus entitles Simon “Rock”. words as „ t. thusSamuel was, having been special master. “Peter” in English comes from thegraced by Yahweh. Latin Petrus which in turn comes JoT^h's* reluctance » V 38 - The disciples of from the Greek Petros, the mascu­ The scene is set in 1 Sam 3, 1- line form of petra - rock.2 which say first, “Now the boy John answer Jesus’ ques­ direction of G w - e, , rSamuel was sowing Yahweh in the The Aramaic Kepha which “N m ev eh th epresence o f Eli”. We are not told tion with another question. John used here in verse 42 was notwhat Samuel’s duty was but we “Rabbi” is the usual way a a name like our English “Peter”. It mscent of ° t n e smay assume it was to keep watch never meant anything but “rock”.at the ark of God because Eli’s eye­ disciple addresses his mas­ The “rock” is not the faith but the Bible most ofsight had become weak. Samuel’s person of Peter: his faith is oflater office is not a consequence of ter (said to John at 3:26 and course implied.this service, but of a special grace. to Jesus at 4:31; 9:2; 11:8). In Scripture, a change of name (Gen U U Sodom The situation “in those days” signifies a change of role in salva­ W 40-41 - “One o f (Gen 13:10). this then described: “it was rare for these two who became fol­ tion history (Gen 17:5; 32:29). LikeYahweh to speak ... visions were the Lord changing Abram’s name Nineveh \" auncommon”. The chief reason was lowers o f Jesus after hear­ to “Abraham”, Jesus changing of “great beyond^ c o wthe conduct of the house of Eli (1 Simon’s name to “Rock” indicatesSam 2:12-13, 22-24). ing what John had said was his unique mission. Abraham was ered only by a - the stone from which God quarried This descriptor* r Vs 3. “The lamp o f God had Andrew”. Only one of the His people (Is 51:1-2), Peter will be the theological I tnot yet gone out”. Lamps were the foundation stone on whichburned in the sanctuary from disciples is named. It has Jesus will build His Church. The author which waevening until morning according significance of the name “Rock” is m?ss” (l:l) was tn hto priestly regulations (Ex 27:20- long been suspected that explained in relationship to the vations of the si . ^21), so Samuel’s revelation appar­ Church in Matthew 16:16-18). area of less thanently took place just before sun­ the other may be John, the John indicates this relationshiprise. with the Church in 21:16-19 when son o f Zebedee, who may he tells how Jesus commissions Older texts use the designa­ Peter to be the shepherd of Histion “ark o f God” to describe a have guarded his anonymi­ sheep.portable wooden chest which mayhave had on its lid images of “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening\" ty behind the title “the dis­ whereas a thr® ncherubim, mythological creatures, ciple Jesus loved” (13:23; approximately i' -,part animal and part human in (1 Sam 3:9) 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20) or “theform (4:4). Although J° “letting nothing he said be false”. other disciple” (18:15; 20:2, prophetic missio Texts of the Deuteronomic Samuel’s words are the words he 8). What is significant is Andrew’sschool use the designation “ark o f tion that “only / ^the covenant”, indicating that the has received from the Lord and the designation o f Jesus as “the Nineveh is going jbox contained the two tables of the Messiah”.Law given to Moses on Mount Lord Himself authenticates the heneotedrosenso sfuortoihn.er_thaHoreb or Sinai (Deut 10:1-5; 1 Kgs words by bringing them to pass. V 42 - “Jesus looked hard at city and proclaims t8*9) This is how the word of the Lord is him and said, ‘You are Simon, son once without even s shown to be true in the o f John”” In Mt 16:17, Jesus wickedness has beco Vv 4-9.“Samuel! Samuel!” The Deuteronomic Law (Deutl8:22). addresses Simon as “son of Jonah”.call of the Lord, which includes the Some scholars believe the name (theTLhoerd)L”o(r1d:2-i3s ).nonaming the person usually once ortwice, happens three times with­ G O S P E L John 1:35-42 “Jonah” occasionally appeared for Jonah, only destructout either Samuel or Eli knowing the Hebrew name “Jochanan\" so that there is salwhat is happening. Samuel was Today’s Gospel reading shows that Matthew’s Gospel may havenot accustomed to divine commu­ that the Johannine Jesus’ first dis- one abbreviated form and John’snication because the special rela­tionship he would later enjoy with ciples came to him from John thethe Lord was not yet established (v Baptist. The disciples represent 4TH SUNDAY IN The s p19). the true Israel, answering the call ORDINARY TIME On the fourth occasion Samuel of God’s messenger and following FIR ST R E A D IN Gwas ready and gave the answer the Messiah (1:31, 47, 49); they Deuteronomy 18:15-20suggested to him by Eli (v 9). Such form the beginnings of the commu­readiness to receive the divinemanifestation is necessary nity which God gives the Messiahbecause only then does the Lord (3:27, 29). The other disciples ofcome and stand close by to call John continued to form a group The Hebrew title of Deuteronomy tivals, the laws given at Sinai were téj i l |again. with religious practices of their is haddebharim, “the words”, taken taught and preached. V 10. “The Lord then came and own, distinct from those of Jesus’ from the opening phrase in 1:1,“These Indees Sam disciples (Mt 11:2; Mk 2:18; Lk are the words...”. The Jewish people Following the fall of the Northern S S on om icstood by”. Apparently the revela­ 7:18, 11:1). also call it “mishneh hattorah”, “a Kingdom to Assyria in 721 BC, sometion to Samuel involved vision as copy o f the teaching”. This is the liter­ Levites fled to Jerusalem and oCme of the P The reading can be divided al translation of Deuteronomy 17:18. brought with them their collections of S ÏÏÏMwell as hearing. into two sections: Blb'w hat is sai V 19. “Sam uelgrew up and the The name Deuteronomy (Greek - “reinterpretations”. It was probably _ in w 15-22 is (a) the two disciples with deuteronomion touto - “second law”) prohibitions ofLord was with him ■This phrase Jesus (w 35-39) arose out of a mistranslation of 17:18 under Hezekiah (715 - 687 BC. C f 2 is specificallymay be used to describe any suc­ Kings 18-20” that all the collections Canaanite macessful person, but here it means (b) the meeting with Peter (w in the Septuagint (the Greek transla­ (divination).one who is especially blessed by 40-42). tion from the Hebrew). were gathered and the first edition of Deuteronomy appeared.the Lord. V 35 — “The next day John Nevertheless the name aptly “And did not let a single word describes much of the book’s con­ This edition disappeared for a stood there again with two o f his tents, which are essentially a review time, to emerge dramatically fromfall to the ground”. The Hebrew disciples”. A new scene is opened. the temple storeroom in 622 BC, dur­expression may be interpreted as, One cannot assume from the con­ of Israel’s history up to the moment ing Josiah’s reign (640 - 609 BC). of entry into the promised land, and King Josiah made this “book o f the struction that other disciples were a re-giving of the laws of the law” (cf 2 Kgs 22), the foundation of present. Covenant made on Mount Horeb (Sinai). Deuteronomy reshapes older his reform movement. Brought to V 36 - “John looked towards Babylon after Jerusalem’s destruc­ Him and said, ‘Look, there is the themes and events with a clear edu­ cational intent. tion in 587 BC, Deuteronomy Lamb o f God’. “ The Baptist points received its final form around 539 Though the book is presented as towards Jesus and repeats his Moses’ farewell speech on the eve of BC, just as the exiled Jews were words of verses 29-34. The back­ Israel’s entry into Canaan (around about to re-enter their land. ground for the title “Lamb o f God” 1250 BC), it developed over a period Moses is truly the author of may be the paschal lamb whose that began long after Moses. Deuteronomy, not in its entirety or blood saved Israel (Ex 12), the suf­ Deuteronomy was most likely word for word, but according to its conceived in the Northern Kingdom fering servant led like a lamb to substance. It is the result of a long the slaughter as a sin offering (Is of Israel before 750 BC, perhaps as a literary process begun and inspired programme of religious reform by Moses and continued and devel­ 53:7-10), the victorious apocalyptic spearheaded by the Levites, the oped in his spirit. lamb who would destroy evil in the guardians of Moses’ spirit and law. It was finally edited to become world (Rev 5-7, 14). There, in the context of liturgical fes- the first volume of the history pre­ V 37 - “And the two disciples sented in the books of Joshua, heard what he said and followed Jesus.” There is a movement away from John the Baptist toward Jesus. The Hebrew word for “fol-

EXPLORING TH E WORD OF GOD 3Responding to Jesus’ call D A Y IN Ninevites if they convert (4: 2-3) with J’ o'hn no■t on'ly •in- —ca«llii—ng *fo—r tic--e--a--n--d1vin—dii;_ca*t„e uhi;s„ _p_e_ople. but he withholds this information repentance but in suffering martyr­ The Kingdom is present in Jesus y t im e dom. The long shadow of the cross in his prophecy. It is obvious that himself and in his ministry, which is *M .I0 Jonah hopes his words will have no reaches to the start of Jesus ministry why it is said to be “close at hand” and and Mark never loses sight of that is a call to “repent” (v 15). Mark inf with the same effect, that the Ninevites will con­ emphasises the eschatological nature o t0 Nineveh, the cross in his gospel. of Jesus presence in Galilee (Ez 7:12;us reminds us of tinue with their wicked actions and In contrast to the region of Judea Dn 12:4.9; Zeph 1:12, Gal 4:4) » \"»P -nd «0 the be destroyed like the inhabitants of and the principal city of Jerusalem in Vv 16-20 record two parallel eat city” is remi- Sodom (Gen 19:23-25). which John successfully conducted his citie8 of the The figure forty when used as episodes which are meant to highlight preaching (1:5). Jesus begins his min­ the nature of Jesus’ call and the ^ bad reputa a period of time often has a nega­ istry in Galilee (v 14). This is much Christian response. Mark places them i0 :i2 ), Babe, tive connotation. Goliath chal­ more than the name of a region, for here to prepare the way for his disci­m 811(1 Gomorrah lenges the Israelites for forty days the occurrence of the name through­ ples in 1:21-39. out the Gospel is distinctive. It occurs Both callings (of Simon/Andrew he largest of all (1 Sam 17:16), the rain lasted for are': it can be cov- forty days during the great flood almost always in passages peculiar to and James/John) are modeled on the walk» (v 4) (Gen 7:4). But many other exam­ Mark (1:9, 14, 16, 28, 39; 3:7; 7:31; call of Elisha by Elijah (1 Kgs 19:19- tbe city satisfied 21) which involved both a break from rSpective of the ples show it as a transitional peri­ 9:30; 14:41). There is for Mark a con­ tbat ¡ts “wicked- trast between Galilee, land of preach­ his family and his livelihood. Simon od to better times. In Deut 9:18-19, and Andrew answer Jesus’ call by rft. Actual exca- ing, of miracles and of the consumma­ leaving behind their livelihood, haV(! disclosed an Moses prostrated himself before whereas James and John appear to ^ square miles, tion (16:7) and Jerusalem, city of the respond by severing family ties. It is the Lord for forty days, fasting and Jewish authorities where Jesus will interesting that Mark uses the walk suggests “Simon” seven and “Peter” nineteen nules- praying for the people because he suffer his passion. times but he never uses “Simon f}0ally fulfils his In Mark’s gospel, Jesus finds Peter”. He also has Jesus using feared he would destroy them. “Follow me and I will make you into “Simon” when the disciple is at his the proclama- The Ninevites perceived that fishers of m en” /Mark 1:18) acceptance and meets with success in more and Galilee, but eventually his way weakest. Jonah proclaimed a divine message descends to death in Jerusalem only In promising to make Simon and ^ destroyed” (v 5) for they “believed in God” (v 5), to end again in Galilee with eschato­ ^ im a l way. He although they did not know it was Andrew “fishers o f men” (v 18) Jesus an oonnee tthtuirrda ooff tthhee the true God who warned them. logical hope therein (16: 7-8). is not merely playing on words. In the the message only Jesus proclaims “the good news” OT, the Lord’s coming intervention in saying “that their Like the sailors of 1: 5-6 the judgment is described as his fishing ome known to me of God (v 15). This alludes to Is 61:1- with net or hook (Amos 4:2; Hb 1:14- Ninevites only use the word God, 2; 40:9; 52:7. From Isaiah onwardsnot mentioned by (40:9) “good news” meant the moment 17; Jer. 16:16, Ez. 29:4-5, 38:4). The tion Jonah knows never the description used by of the Lord’s promised deliverance of disciples, like Jesus, will gather lvation for the Jonah “Yahweh, the God o f Heaven, This is reflective of the teachings of his people, from their slavery in who made the sea and the Land”)1: 9- Jeremiah (18: 7-8, 26:3). Babylon or whatever oppression they human beings for God’s judgment, were experiencing. This moment was which Mark understands as a judg­ 10). G O S P E L Mark 1:14-20 called “the Kingdom o f God”. In the ment o f salvation for those who V 10 - “God relented: he did not gospels, kingdom does not mean believe the Good News (16:15). “realm” but “rule”, that is, God’s enter­ inflict on them the disaster which he John the Baptist heralded Jesus ing into his rule in time and history, (1:7-8) and Jesus begins his ministry the moment when he will enforce jus­ had threatened” is the central issue of only after John has been arrested (v today’s reading. It is not whether the 14). The same is to happen to Jesus Lord’s mercy can extend even to (15:46-47). Ninevites. The Lord’s oracle of doom is conditional so that he will relent from Mark is laying the foundation to the punishment he threatens if inform readers that Jesus will be one Nineveh will repent of her evil ways.ir it of Moses’ law Deuteronomy therefore offers two criteria for distinguishing between true and false prophets: loy­ alty to the religion of Israel (Ch. 13) and fulfilment of their predictions (18:22). G O S P E L Mark 1:21-28 ________________ ___ one wh1 o consults g1hosjts and1 spirits wp. an gann 0srot nottVh> sC a0 1yf eû ïr* )l , iift seemCSOÖ TT s that The majority of scholars agree that the Gospel o f Mark was written Human sacrifices are classed in or seeks oracles from the dead. (See Moses is referring in general to all 18:10 with other pagan superstitions in the late 60s AD, in Rome, as an because they were believed to pos­ NAB and New JB translations). the true prophets who were to suc­ encouragement to Christians suffer­ sess magical powers for averting a The only institution that is per­ ceed him. Yet, in late Jewish thought, ing persecution under Nero (AD 54- calamity (cf 2 Kgs 3:27; Lev 18:21; Ez v 15(like v 18) was understood in an 16:20 ff; 20:26, 31; 23:27). mitted in Israel is that of “the individual sense. In almost a mes­ 68). prophet” (w 15-18), who, like Moses, sianic context people began to expect After summarising Jesus’ procla­ Three other forms of superstition will interpret God’s will for His peo­ the prophet-like-Moses. It is to be are listed in w 10b-ll: augury (div­ ple. In biblical thought the prophet is noted that Deut 5: 28-29 and Deut mation of the “good news” (1:14-15), ination) by a fortune-teller or sooth­ God’s spokesperson, and not primar­ 18:18-19 are found together as a Mark places two series of stories, sayer; black-magic by a charmer or messianic text in the Dead Sea roughly parallel in arrangement and caster of spells; and necromancy by ily a foreteller of future events. centering around statements regard­ There are two main differences Scrolls. V18 was interpreted in later ing the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. Judaism as referring to an eschato­ between the way of the nations and 1:16 - 2:12 2:13 - 3:6 the way Israel is to go. One is the logical figure. (Cf John 1:21; 6:14, divine initiative over against all Call of disciples Call of disciples 7:40); the Christian Church saw it 1:16-20 2:13-14 human manipulation mentioned in fulfilled in Christ (Acts 3:22 ff.; 7:37 w 10-11. “/ will raise up for them a Stories of Stories of Conflict prophet; and I shall put my words ff). into his mouth; he shall tell them all V 20 identifies two kinds of false Healing - 1:21-34 2:15-20 that I command him” v 18. Earlier prophet: the one who speaks falsely Purpose of Jesus’ Nature of Jesus’ on in chapter 12, it is the Lord who in the name of the Lord and the one ministry - 1:35-39 ministry - 2:21-22 decides when, where and how Israel who speaks in the name of othermuf1; and Kings Stories of healing Stories of conflict History), and the last is to worship. gods. The death penalty threatens The other feature that stands them both (cf Jer 23:9-32; 28:16-17). 1:40 - 2:12 2:23 - 3:6Pentateuch (the collec- « » books of the out is the Deuteronomic emphasis on The verses immediately follow­ This Sunday’s gospel reading is a ing our reading (21 and 22) look at miraculous exorcism or healing story. id about -the prophet\" the “word” (w 18, 19, 20, 21, 22). The essential characteristics of this s set over against the “ Word” is the overarching name in the critical issue of differing prophet­ literary form are: - Israel Deuteronomy for the Lord’s instruc­ ic words claiming to come from the • Continued on page 4 l.nStI ^ ted to reject tion for life and His intention for the Lord. The criterion for judgment isagic and superstition future. Thus it is through God’s word communicated by the prophet that simple: the authentic word of the Lord comes to pass (v 22). True the divine rule is carried out. V 15. “A prophet like myself.” prophecy is the truth, correspon­ dence between the prophetic word From the context (opposition to the and the historical reality.

4 E X P L O R IN G T H E WORD O f GOD _____________________ TH E BAPTISM OF JESUS • From page one powerful than l am”. The one like a dove over the waters of of two Old Testament texts. “You are my Son...” (Ps 2:7) andhave been conscious of combin­ who is to come is identified the Jordan as Jesus emerges,ing in his own person the voca­ “My chosen one in whom mytion of Messiah-Son of Man and with the Servant of the Lord, cf reminds us of its hovering over soul delights.” (Is 42:1a), thehumble Servant of the Lord. opening words of the first of the Is 49:25, 53:12, and is stronger the waters of Creation (Gen four “Songs of the Servant of “That he may bring true Yahweh” in Deutero-Isaiah.justice (Hebrew mispat) to the than the “strong man” in Jesus’ 1:2). This is a new creation ofnations”. It is generally felt It is also the first identifi­that mispat is the key word of parable (3:27). the world. cation of Jesus with thethe passage since it recurs in w Servant. Many think that from V 9 —“It was at this time” — “A voice came from heaven” this moment Jesus knew he3 and 4. had to assume this role. In the V 2 —“He does not cry out the time when God’s plan for This opening of the heavens words of a biblical scholar: “It is at this moment....that' theor shout aloud.” The seven neg­ the salvation of humankind symbolises the end of separa­ fusion occurs in Jesus’ con­atives which occur here and in sciousness of the two figures ofw 3 and 4 emphasise the con­ was beginning its final, defini­ tion from God. It is a pre-condi­ the Messiah and the Servant oftrast between the real “chosen God, which fusion will hence­one” and others who might tive phase (1:2-3), and multi­ tion of the coming of the Spirit forth determine the messianiccompete for the title. He will identity and originality ofnot threaten nor condemn as tudes were coming from all and is found in ancient Jesus and give an unmistak­powerful rulers of the world do; able stamp to his every wordinstead he will work patiently over the land to receive John’s accounts of theophanies. (See Is Bibleand quietly to bring about inte­ and action.” quizrior transformation. baptism of repentance (1:4-5). 64: 1-2 where the prophet In both Mark and Luke V 3 - “He does not break the “Jesus...was baptised in the entreats God for the dawn of (3:22), Jesus is addressedcrushed reed, nor quench the directly by the Father. In Mtwavering flame”. As a true dis­ Jordan by John”. There is no the eschatological age.) 3:17 he is referred to in thepenser o f God’s justice, theServant’s actions contradict the embarrassment here, as in For over 200 years God had third person, “This is my Son.”harsh law of the world accord­ John omits the baptism scene,ing to which what is broken Matthew 3:14-15, about Jesus spoken no word of prophecy to but records John the Baptistand burns dimly, inevitably giving witness of having submitting to John’s “baptism the people of Israel. They received a heavenly message atperishes. Jesus’ baptism. (John 1:32-34). V 4 - “For the islands are o f repentance for the forgiveness believed that God sat in his “My favour rests on you”.awaiting his law”. The word o f sins”; no apology or explana­ highest heavens where no one These words echo those of the“wait” suggests energetic striv­ Lord concerning his Servant,ing for life (Job 6:11 & 13:15). tion is given. Mark’s focus could approach; when he did “... I have endowed him with my The Gentiles look to him throughout the Gospel is the speak he was so far away that spirit.” (Is 42:1b). Jesus is to A SIG N U N T O YO Ufor deliverance. This will alludeto the preaching of the Good revelation of Jesus’ true identi­ all that could reach them was fulfill the Father’s messianic 1. What was given as a signNews of Jesus Christ to the message of salvation. that the shepherds hadends of the world. ty. the echo of his voice. Rabbinic found the baby Jesus? V 10 - “He saw\". In Mark, literature speaks of this as “bat 2. What was given as a sign Part 2 ( w 5-9) is intro­ that God would not floodduced by an oracle formula, no one but Jesus witnesses the qol” or “daughter o f the voice”. the earth again?“Thus says the Lord” (v 5). God 3. What gift was given tocontinues to speak to the end, tearing open of the heavens Now at his baptism the voice Christians as a sign of God’sHe utters a call (v 6) and states power to unbelievers?what is to be achieved by the and the descent of the dove; no from heaven comes directly to 4. What day was a sign ofone called (v 7). completion and rest? one else hears the “voice from Jesus. Communication is 5. According to Jesus, what V 6 - “Called”. Israel (41:9; prophet’s sign would be43:1; 54:6), the Servant (49:1), heaven” (v 11). It is he who is restored between heaven and given to the unbelieving and Cyrus, the Persian king Jews?who brought about the freedom being identified, assured, earth. 6. Who received a wet fleece of the Jews from Babylonian as a sign of God’s approval? captivity (45:3f; 46:2; 48:15), equipped. All three elements, the 7. Who prophesied a virgin are all said to be called. conceiving a child as a sign “The Spirit” is the power of rending of the heavens, the of God’s presence? Unlike 42:1 where God 8. Who saw a “slow” sundial calls an individual explicitly, God coming upon Jesus, the dove-like Spirit and the voice as a sign of Hezekiah's here the reference might be to recovery from illness? the nation of Israel and her Son, and consecrating him for from heaven, prepare for the 9. Who set up twelve stones first election (6a). God gives as a sign of God’s parting of her additional functions, “I his messianic mission. identification of Jesus which have appointed you as covenant the Jordan?o f the people and light of the “Like a dove” This phrase follows. 10. What nation suffered nations.” (6 b ), The covenant ten plagues that were signs encompasses all peoples and appears in all three synoptic V 11 - “You are my Son, the of God’s power? nations. 11. What food was a sign of accounts. The Spirit descending Beloved”. This is a combination God’s deliverance from V 7 - To “open the eyes of Egypt? The spirit of Moses’ law 12. What king saw an altarthe blind” and “free captives broken as a sign that Godfrom prison” symbolises the • From centre pages there was no need for rabbinic V 23. An “unclean spirit” was speaking through a removal of all suffering, not “ordination” in Jesus’ day. (akathanton pneuma) is so prophet? merely physical disabilities. a) the presence of a person (or 13. What prophet advisedThe verse may also refer to the representative of that person) V 22. With a handful of called because of the demon’s building a signal fire as aremoval of spiritual darkness in need of healing or exorcism picked disciples around him, (daimonion), resistance to the sign of the coming invasion (9:1-2) from Israel (42:18-20), (1:23: cf. 1:29-30,40; 2:3-4; 3:1; Jesus who has been preaching of Babylon? 5:1-2, 22-23, 27; 7:25; 8:22; the Kingdom, now begins to holiness of God.the nations and their rulers 9:14-18, 10:46-49; “teach”. There is a slight differ­ V 24. “What do you want ( 1:9) qeiujajaf ■£| ence in meaning between the ( s=ei(52:15). b) the powerful words or two words, the first emphasis­ with us?” - literally- “what is actions of the healer which ing the announcement of an there common to us and to s3ui)| |) ujeoqojaf | G O S P E L Mark 1:7-11 effect the healing or exorcism event (cf 1:14-15), the second a you?” (1:25, 41; 2:11; 5:13, 41; 9:25); lengthier and more relaxed ib-L-Z I snpoxg) Today’s reading occurs unfolding of a discourse. Vv 24-25. “Jesus o f peajq pau3AS3|Uf) ||within the prologue to Mark’s c) the announcement of Nazareth? ... the Holy One of (Z-OI snpoxa) jdXSg •()|Gospel which introduces John the miraculous sudden healing The surprise created by God”. Not a confession but an or exorcism (5:34; 7:29; 10:52); Jesus’ teaching is its “authori­ attempt to ward off Jesus’ (9 * ) EnHsoi -6the Baptist briefly. He prepares ty” (Greek exousia - means lit­ power, reflecting the notion (I 1-8=01 s3u!X Z) ME'.bsi 8the way for the coming of Jesus d) some indication that a erally “out of one’s being”). that use of the precise name of(1:4-8), who will baptise with cure has actually taken place an opposing spirit guarantees (H=l)the Holy Spirit. Because Mark contrasts Jesus’ mastery over him. (8E‘9£:9 sa3pnf) uoapijj 9 (1:26,31b, 42; 2:12a; 3:5b; 5:15, teaching with that of the (fr=91 Maqwew) s.qeuof -5 Vv 7-8 -”Someone is follow­ 29, 42; 8:25b; 9:26-27; 10:52b), V 25 - “Jesus rebukeding me, someone who is more and finally Scribes, some commentators him....” (Revised English (E L IE snpoxg) ipeqqes »>U > e) a reaction usually of think Mark is referring to Bible). The verb epitiman tech­ amazement, from those who Jesus’ speaking the Word of (Zî=frl have witnessed the healing nically also means, “exorcise”. sueiq)uuo3 |) sanSuoj/f (1:27; 2:12b; 5:15-17,42b). God directly (e.g. in the In the LXX (Greek Septuagint Sermon on the Mount, “Moses (Z I-E L 6 V 21. Capernaum said ... But 1 say ...” Mt 5:21 ff), Bible), it translates the sisauajj) Moquiej y j {Capharnaum). One of the few whereas the Scribes were Hebrew g ’r, meaning, “rebuke” places identified by Mark as accustomed to cite a genealogy (see Zech 3:3). (ZI=Z associated with Jesus’ min­ ajjn-j) uaSueui aqj pue istry; it is identified with the of rabbinic interpretations V 25 - “Be silent and come saip op 3ui|ppe/As aqj.'| site of Tel Hum on the North when they taught. out o f him” (New RSV). Here Western shore of Lake Galilee SM3MSNV (cf 2:1; 9:33; 5:21 ff). Also, when the Markan as elsewhere in Mark (cf 1:34; Jesus teaches, things happen! 3:11-12; 5:7), Jesus’ true iden­ On the Sabbath, the ser­ Whereas in Matthew the vice in the synagogue would tity is a secret kept from the feature prayers, Scripture astonishment of the crowds is crowds but known to the readings, and teaching. The primarily at the content of the Christian reader and attested readers were well-instructed members of the assembly or teaching. In Mark Jesus’ by the demons. visitors known to be experts in teaching is not just wisdom In 1:34 Jesus forbids the Scripture. Hence, Jesus would but power. have been eligible to preach demons to speak “because they The crowd calls the exor­ knew who he was”. This is the the homily (cf Lk 4:16-21); cism a teaching: “What is this? first instance of what scholars A new teaching - with authori­ call the “messianic secret”, ty! He commands even the whereby Jesus seems to hide unclean spirits, and they obey His identity as the Son of God Him”. V 27. (New RSV) until it is made apparent after the death on the cross (cf Mk 15:39). V____________________________* . E3J33 73}> I r rr h \" ! f r y- - n 1 » >C Cf 11 ... ..... ........................... - 1 » • ))).51 î . )<! / 337 f r T Ü 'ît !'l Jfl

'IV O V » rslry*M s . , H|'f5 J* C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9,2000 Page I I Fr Campoli returns for rally in Gran Couva FR JOHN CAMPOLI will be vis­ “Love Ministries” and therefore iting Trinidad from January 14 we have organised, in addition to until January 25, 2000 and will his regular schedule, a day’s rally be conducting his Healing Masses in the heart of Trinidad at La at various churches as adver­ Vega Estate in Gran Couva on tised. Sunday, January 23. Admission is free, but as usual a love offering In the past, we have realised will be taken up during the Mass. that many outlying areas of our country have not experienced his The Renew 2000 Rally will focus on the Jubilee theme of Christian Council Feasting, Freedom and candlelight procession Forgiveness. The day will begin with praise and worship followed AN G LIC AN Bishop Rawle Douglin and by three talks on the Trinity. The Archbishop Pantin lead the New Year’s Day candlelight procession organised Sacrament of Reconciliation will by the T&T Christian Council. be available and the day will con­ clude with the Holy Sacrifice of Behind them are Baldwin Clovis of the Mass. the Knights of St John and Corpus Christi Carmelite S r Adriana Noel. We the organisers, extend a warm invitation to all. Bring your Raymond Syms photo family and friends to celebrate a day of healing and an outpouring of God’s love. Please refer to the advertisement on page 6 in this paper.MEN ON THE MOVE IN 2000 should be shared with larger by Robert Hicks. Catholic Men’s Day this year. Trinidad and Tobago.by FR D W I G H T M E R R IC K groups if possible at future In November at Emmaus 11. Establish an office, 12. We should try to haveT HE steering committee of men’s meetings. Retreat Centre, we held our last library and service team for general meetings like those at the Catholic Men’s Sept 25-27 saw the conver­ meeting for 1999. Here we Catholic Men’s Movement in Tunapuna every other month. Movement thus far com­ focussed our attention onprises S Rostant, P Bousignac, gence of several activities for “Parenting” generally and March for JesusC Gouveia, L Birmingham and Catholic men including ACI and “Fathering” in particular.Fr Dwight. Better World retreats and S U N D A Y , J A N U A R Y 9, 2000 In addition some work with August 2, 1999 at St CCR’S National Men’s Day on small groups of young men on Under the patronage of His Grace the Archbishop of Port ofCharles Church, Tunapuna, Sunday, Sept 27. It was indeed “Fathering Styles” have proved Spain, Most Rev. Anthony Pantinmarked the first meeting of our joy to be able to supportCatholic men organised by our very helpful and again were TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTSsmall team of interested men both Simon with his retreat and well-received. This outreach toand supported by the Paul Bousignac with his gather­ Parking will be available for vehicles at the Fernandes ComplexFraternity of Priests. ing. The men’s group at young men is certainly one we Laventille, Republic Bank, Royal Bank and Scotia Bank, San would want to pursue. Juan carparks; Peake’s at Cocorite and the Jean Pierre Complex. The celebration of the Blanchisseuse felt particularly A shuttle service will be provided for transporting persons fromEucharist by His Grace and his blessed by that weekend since Our experience thus far sug­ these locations to the two assembly points - the Croisée, Sanunqualified support certainly at least one man returned to gests that the best day for hold­ Juan and West Mall.gave us the best possible start. ing these Men’s Days would beOur registration showed an the practice of the faith because on public holidays and probably P TS C buses will be providing transport from 7.00 a.m. at theattendance of at least 250 men of these efforts. Sundays with Sunday eveningsrepresenting 26 parishes. for shorter sessions. In addition, following prices: In October at St Charles’ we At La Romaine RC Church hosted our second major Men’s we intend to move the meetings Arima to Croisée $4.00and at Algico Plaza, POS in the Day. Seeking to broaden our around the country as far asmonths of August, September practical and possible, to reach Savannah to Arima $6.00and October, a brief study of the core of presenters and encour­book Fathering the Next age more ownership of this out to men who have not been San Fernando to Croisée $6.00Generation was well-received with us thus far. Our first meet­by small but very appreciative “movement” by existing men’s ing for the new year is scheduled Savannah to San Fernando $8.00groups of men. The depth of the groups, we challenged members for January 30 at Presentationsharing and the general feeling of several different men’s groups College, Chaguanas. Chaguanas to Croisée $4.00 (Buses parked at K F C outlet)suggested that this material to jointly take us through our day’s programme. Again, those The following are the sug­ Savannah to Chaguanas $6.00 attending (about 65 men), were gestions made by those present both enthusiastic and encourag­ at St Charles’ on October 23, ing. Our topic here was about how we might proceed in the future. “Masculinity” (A Biblical Study) 1. Introduce the concept ofOCTOBER MISSIONARY “ mentoring” to our Catholic Buses will be located at the following venues to transport marchers back to their original points of boarding:CHILDHOOD COLLECTION ’99 boys’ schools 2. Suppor Catholic youth Charlotte Street San FernandoTHE Chancery wishes to Maryland/Belmont, Mucurapo Dundonald Street Arimaacknowledge receipt o f Girls’, Newtown Girls’, ministry Victoria Avenue Chaguanasmonies from the following Laventille, Ortoire, Princes 3. Try to have young men Town, Paramin, St Dominic’s, Shuttle buses for Westmoorings, City Gate and Croisée will beCatholic schools: Penal, Penal Rock, Petit join us parked in front of the Grand Stand, Savannah. Prices as follows: Arima Boys’, Bourg Valley Boys’, Point Fortin, ECCE Nursery, Point Fortin, 4. Provide counselling help Westmoorings $2.00Mulâtresse, Boissierre, Rose Hill, Rio Claro, Siparia for those desiring this kind of City Gate $2.00Bethlehem Boys’, Bethlehem Boys’, Sacred Heart Boys’, St helpGirls’, Carapo, Caigual, Ann’s, St Dominic’s, Morvant, Croisee $3.00 St Xavier’s Prep, St Joseph’s 5. A day of reconciliation forCurepe/Fatima, Delaford, Girls’, St Joseph’s Boys’, St men P T S C booths will be located at the Savannah entrance toDiego Martin Girls’, Flanagin Monica’s Prep, Siparia/St Brigid’s, San Fernando Boys’, 6. Strengthen existing facilitate purchase of tickets back to points of origin, however, it isTown, Granville, Success Village men’s groups recommended that return tickets be bought at the origin of jour­Guayaguayare, Holy Name ney, in order to avoid purchase again at the end of the event.Prep, La Veronica, Lopinot, Collected to date: $12,000 7. A regular column in theLochmaben/Fullerton, La Catholic News Additional P T S C charter services are available to groupsFillette, Mt Lambert, Maria upon request. 8. Work to establish a men’sRegina Prep, Mamoral, group in each parishMayaro/St Thomas, Mayo, 9. Support the efforts of other groups serving Catholic men 11. Look toward a Regional

Page 1.2 C A TH O LIC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000 nt v iew P ONew year resolution:A vocation in the SVP National President, SVPM ANY of us tend to pon­ was formed one hundred and tionship” to develop. “What the ministry of the mercy of God which is especial­ der when the new year forty-one years ago in France by It is also about providing an ly necessary today is the sign of dawns, on what we a 21-year old and his friends Society embraces as its charity, which opens our eyes to and has been established in opportunity for those in our the needs of those who are poorwould like to achieve for the Trinidad and Tobago since communities who are less fortu­ primary concept is the and excluded”. This profoundgiven year. I suppose, many of 1857. nate: an opportunity, which statement, one of many, exem­us have lofty ideas of undertak­ may enable them to restore visitation of the poor in plifies Christian awareness ofing something major or contem­ It is a charitable organisa­ their dignity and realise their the common origin and commonplating on another stage in our tion comprising the lay faithful potential. Hence, the Society their homes so that it destiny of humanity. welcomes any and everylives. But, have we stopped to and we recognise this as a min­ Catholic who has a talent, who allows for a one-on-one Having taken the time tomake our first important deci­ istry where young and old, vol­ is committed and who is pre­ read this message from the unteer their time and resources pared to heed the Pope’s call. relationship to develop” Society of St Vincent de Paul, Ision for 2000? to help the less fortunate and challenge you the reader to The year 2000 presents us the sick. Consider for example, the point is, the Society is attempt­ start afresh for 2000. I invite joy which would appear on a ing to engage members of ourwith that golden opportunity of It does not mean simply child’s face after learning he Catholic faith to show solidarity you to become a part of thecelebrating two thousand years dropping off lunches on Sunday has passed his exams because with those who are suffering, so Society by either contacting an for the poor or the donation of a of the help you have provided. that those “have nots” can in existing member of theof the reign of Jesus Christ and dollar! What the ministry of the Or, consider how you can assist some way realise their true Conference in your parish orfor this historic time, we are Society embraces as its primary the members of a family in potential. any other known member, as to concept is, the visitation of the improving on their family life. how you think you can help. Ifasked to first, deepen our com­ poor in their homes so that it For many people, the you are unable to do this, you allows for a “one-on-one rela­ T HE activities of the thought of getting involved in may call us at the Society’smitment to Christ and secondly, Society are therefore of a charitable work may be con­ Secretariat on Duncan Street,to reach out to those Catholics dynamic nature and it strued as being burdensome. Port of Spain for any furtherwho seem to be at a distance goes beyond satisfying the basic Some may even question the needs, that is, of providing food, reasons about helping those information. Our telephonefrom the Church. clothing and shelter. Indeed, the who, continue to seemingly do number is 625-3562. As we participate in the approach of the Society today nothing for themselves. requires that a greater amount It is quite possible, thatactivities to celebrate the of dedication be placed on Let us just consider for a now is the most opportune occa­ moment a statement by the sion for you to see what is yourJubilee over the coming weeks, human development. Pope about the Thirdwe bear in mind that Pope John In many parishes there Millennium, which states “the role in the Church, as you makePaul II has insisted that this this year’s resolutions. The may be teachers, there may be most important question how­year is a time when we must electricians, there may be nurs­look objectively at the social es, plumbers and a host of other ever, that I leave you with is: skilled individuals. The simple Have you made your firstissues and devise ways of com­ing to terms with them. We important decision for 2000must also discover ways to dealwith them. yet? This brings us then to theimportance of vocation, in thiscase, that of the Society of StVincent de Paul. This SocietyKESW ICK C O N V E N T IO N 200017^ ESWICK is the name of One of the outstanding features A deeper Life-in-the-Spirit The 9-fold fruit of the Spirit and a town in the Lake of the convention has been this a right understanding of the A . District of Northern laying aside of denominational learning experience several gifts of the Spirit allEngland. Over the years the differences to unite for the com­name has become synonymous mon purpose of a deepening \"Port of Spain Keswick” and in of the Scriptures is focused on find their place in the Keswickwith a convention whose origi­nal aim was “the promotion of knowledge of God’s Word. 1975 with the consent of Rev heart and conscience till we meetings.personal, practical and spiritual From Kerala in India to Cliff Dietrick, they held their learn to hate what God hates 5. The healthy exercise ofholiness”. Hokkaido in Japan, to Canada, first noonday Keswick meeting and to be rid of it. Christian service. The pursuit of Today there are many the USA, Australia, New practical holiness is the pre­“Keswicks” worldwide and for Zealand, Africa, South America at Greyfriars Church. The 2. The indwelling o f Christ requisite of effective ministry.the second year running the and the Caribbean, all have All who will pursue it on theirSan Fernando Keswick will be hosted annual K esw icks and Keswicks grew from San is the answer. The Convention knees and before the openheld from January 31 to Fernando to Port of Spain, to moves to the perfect cleansing Scriptures will find that theirFebruary 4, 2000, at the have found favour with believ­ Point Fortin and to available in the Blood of Christ lives flow out in sacrifice toSusamachar Presbyterian ers of all denominations.Church, Coffee Street, Scarborough with notable and the assurance of pardon meet the needs of the world. In early 1972 a small group speakers like Dr Stephen and the rest of faith. The hope and prayer of The Midday Meetings will of believers from six differentbe from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. denominations had a desire for Olford, Dr Burchell Taylor, Rev 3. Obedience to Christ as Keswick 2000 is that it will offerand the Evening Meetings willbe from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. greater unity and a deeper com­ Stuart Briscoe. Rev Ian Barclay Lord. Keswick is a wonderful people victory in their personalMembers of all Churches are mitment among God’s People. lives so that they can maximisewarmly invited. It’s free! and Dr Roger W illm ore minis­ place of learning to submit all to They met together for prayer in their full potential in Him andT H E O R IG IN a Manse in Marabella for over a tering over the years. Jesus, life, possessions, ambi­ serve Him effectively. Indeed, God has a plan for each life. The first Keswick year, persevering until the first tions, time, treasure and talentsConvention was in June. 1875. Keswick Committee was estab­ Plan to attend KeswickA Quaker squire, Robert lished towards the end of 1973. T H E M IN IST R Y etc. and to walk by the light of 2000 at the SusamacharWilson, proposed the motto”,“All one in Christ Jesus” and A Dr Stephen Olford was select­ the revealed Word of God. Presbyterian Church. Let noth­this has remained the theme of ed as the Speaker for the first ing or no one hinder you!all the Conventions to this day. The conventions have 4. The presence and power convention and this was held at Telephone contacts: majored on certain biblical o f the Holy Spirit. The conven­ President: Harry Dowlat - Naparima Bowl in January, 677-6649/662-5669. 1974. truths directly related to prob­ tion ministry is based on what Secretary: Ms Edith As plans were made for fur­ lems in the life of believers. the Lord himself taught in John Johnson —658-3259. ther conventions in the South, 14 - 16, where he promised the Publications and Publicity: believers in the North Norman O Imambaksh - 652- expressed their desire to have a 1. Sin. Keswick faces realmi­inistry of the Spirit in terms 2939/681-3405 ty in daily life. Tenderly but of companionship, teaching, without reserve the searchlight witnessing and moral power.

,C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9 2000 Page l’î‘See Christ in every individual’ CondolencesReligious events Sr Ann Marie Gomez of the forWorld Corpus Christi Carmelites died on Monday, January 3. Day of Peace She was 80 and had been ailing for some time. She PEN your hearts to was a member of the L’Hospice Community on Christ and others this Observatory Street, Port of Spain. Jubilee Year 2000. Sr Ann Marie was bornThat was the challenge in Venezuela but brought up in Trinidad. She enteredmade by main speakers at two Carmel in December, 1942 and served in severalreligious events on New Year’s Caribbean territories, including Guyana,Day, World Day of Peace. Grenada, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Her“If all Christians recognised funeral Mass was due to be celebrated on Thursdaythey are always on mission, it morning at the Carmelite Novitiate, Mt St Benedict.would change this world,” stated The Catholic Newscurrent T&T Christian Council extends sympathy to the Carmelite Sisters on thepresident, Anglican Bishop loss of this devoted and well-loved member of theirRawle Douglin, at a short ecu­ community.menical service outside the May she rest in peace.Cathedral of the Immaculate South WesternConception. DeaneryBefore the service, Bishop er who curses”. Michael Cockburn were the cel­ understand the crosses we have ThanksgivingDouglin and other council leaders Christ is in that person as ebrants; Defense Force PRO and to bear, he added. “Mary did not Mass in Siparia- including Archbishop Pantin, well, said the bishop, and we chaplain Major Kennedy understand the journey she was • From page 3Moravian Superintendent Rev have to help such a person “shed Swaratsingh contributed to the on, but that did not deter her Rodd. Kerry Francis of theCicely Athill-Horsford, Rev all that is unworthy of Christ”, liturgy in song. from continuing that journey.” Sacred Heart Parish, LaSheldon Dewsbury of the he said. “As we greet another year, Brea, then spoke on behalf of the other. She sharedMethodist Church, and Council Earlier that day, there was P REACHING a homily let us open our hearts and arms with the congregation, allvice-president, St Vincent de a good turnout of Catholics at laced with bits of humour to receive Jesus, saying “Yes, that the leadership train­Paul Society executive secretary The Hollows, Queen’s Park and bible quotes, Fr Master, stay with me, stay with ing meant to them - lots of hard work, but great fun,Steve Solomon - led the 100-odd Savannah, to commemorate the Julien said as we enter a new my family, stay with us all” this resulting in firm bonds of friendship being formed,attendants in a candle-light pro­ Feast of the Mother of God. year we should, like Mary, pon­ Jubilee Year, he ended. and the knowledge that they can count on eachcession along the Brian Lara The annual celebration der and treasure the words of Prayer intentions were for other for support and encouragement.Promenade. began a little after 11 a.m. with God. He said that for many ’99 David Phillip, who was respon­ The group then pre­The event was organised to recitation of the 15 Mysteries of may have been a difficult year; sible for the lighting at previous sented the co-ordinators of the region, Marlenethank God for the New Year, and the Holy Rosary. he challenged all to continue celebrations and who passed Emanis and Claude Honoré (Point Fortin)pray for peace and an end to vio­ A member of the organising taking up the various crosses in away Old Year’s morning; and Bryan Williams (Erin) Simon Gowrie (Penal) andlence. committee explained that their life. for an ailing Bishop Mendes and Juliana Valdez (La Brea) with tokens of apprecia­Standing in front the whenever New Year’s Day falls “During the year you may Archbishop Pantin. The arch­ tion.Council’s crèche mounted in the on a Saturday, the celebration is lose heart, or there may be a fall bishop is expected to undergo Tokens were also pre­ sented to Fr Peter de lacathedral’s forecourt, Bishop held earlier to allow partici­ in your level of faith.” These are surgery soon. Bastide, Sr Rosemary Carvalho, and the work­Douglin urged the crowd of pants to fulfill weekend Mass the times when we must turn to A number of priests were shop facilitators who all gave of their time and sup­Christian faithful to see Christ obligations. God as Mary did, Fr Julien said. present to hear confessions. ported the project through­ out the two years.in every individual, “even in Frs Gabriel Julien and It is not our duty to try and - RS These young peoplethose who oppress our society — have been given a man­ date to be lights in theirthe bandit, the rapist, the broth- BIG WEEKEND FOR CHARISMATICS various parishes. We pray that they may truly shine Congrats to • From page one brant and Bishop Donald Reece tion and registration and Louis as they continue on this Bishop Mendes the Catholic News journey, for as Kerry of St John’s in Antigua as Belgrave who was seeing to Francis stated, “the train­ ing may be over, but the on homilist. transportation for the overseas journey has just begun\".CONGRATULATIONS to Wednesday that the organisers Main speaker for the delegates. “We have been work­ We wish them God’s richest blessings.Bishop John Mendes on were still not sure of exact num­ Conference is Fr Raniero ing together for many years now bers coming from overseas but Cantalamessa, a world famous so we know what we are capable V_________ _________Jthe 11th anniversary of thought it would be over 600. Italian Franciscan of thehis episcopal ordination Capuchin order. For the past 16 of,” she said.(Jan 6). The largest group of 130 was years Fr Cantalamessa has Sr Debbie said she was spe­ expected from Suriname on the preached to Pope John Paul and We thank God for his his household on the Fridays of cially looking forward to the South American mainland. Pageant on Friday eveningdedicated service to the The Conference was due to Advent and Lent. He also leadspeople o f Trinidad and which was being directed by a open at 8 a.m. on Friday morn­ small committee under theTobago and continue to ing at Constantine Park near numerous formation sessions direction of well-known folk­pray for his health to the Centre of Excellence. Holy and retreats in various parts of lorist Felix Edinborough.improve. Mass will be celebrated with the world. “Each territory will be pre­ Archbishop Pantin as chief cele- Fr Cantalamessa has been senting one aspect of the Life of involved in charismatic renewal Christ\" she explained, “and thisCaribbean Theology Conference since 1977 when he attended a means that the committee will conference in Kansas City in the only see some of the presenta­ USA. tions on the Thursday evening.” • From page one The Pastoral Challenge of Among the other speakers She added, “I feel confident that Suffering in the Caribbean. due to address the Conference it will go very well.”presented for discussion. Monsignor Patrick Anthony of were Fr Michael Stewart of St This is the third time theThe conferences are organ­ St Lucia will present a paper Vincent and Fr Herbert Panton March for Jesus is being held,ised by a committee comprising entitled “Towards a Kweyol of Montego Bay in Jamaica and the organisation for that tooFrs Jason Gordon, Clyde Theology”. replacing his Bishop Charles has been carefully planned.Harvey and Stephen Geofroy The opening presentation Dufbur who is not well. Marchers will be assembling atand Ms Cheryl Herrera who on Monday evening will be by Sr Debbie said the various two points, West Mall and theserves as secretary. Professor Rex Nettleford, Vice Croisée in San Juan and will be chancellor of the University of committees had been working accompanied by live music as The conference is held in a the West Indies. He will speak very hard with the organising.different territory each year. well as prayer. The march endsAmong the topics to be dis­ on “The Caribbean: She mentioned specially Sr at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Jude Marie the Conference sec­cussed this year are “Gender Land/Sea/People”. retary, Kimoy Mansingh who not Woodford Square as on theIssues in the Caribbean” and was responsible for accommoda- previous occasions.

Page 14 C A TH O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000Myprayerfor the newmillennium£O( UA UA \A/ nmeillwennium, jubnileewe I refused to accept that I was At the beginning of this “Our responsibility to raise their standard of living. expected to accept anything new era I am somewhat anx­ Our responsibility to pro­year, 2000 years since the birth that I believed needed to be ious and predictably excited to provide the changed. about the changes I have to vide the most needy with oppor­of Christ, and we are alive! make and the changes we will most needy with tunities for improvement of So what if my computer is Have I matured in this make as Church. their lifestyle has not been area? Sometimes I am not so opportunities for given the priority it deserves.not Y2K compliant (it reverted sure. However, sometimes shy, Peace continues to over­to date of programming, but never timid I was certain I shadow all other societal needs improvement of As Church, how much havereminding me that I need to get did not need courage to go after at this time in history - peace we done to provide needy fami­what my children call - justifi­ change ... until adulthood. between nations, peace within their lifestyle has lies with the information andably - “a good computer”). nations, people in the home. support they need? To reach outHowever, I am not going to let Making personal changes I not been given the to those who cannot reach outthat get me down. It is enough have come to realise is as diffi­ It is important that all of us to us? And in this area, many ofto hope that I am (Y2K compli­ cult as, and at times, even more who seek after this elusive priority it deserves” us are more needy than per­ant, that is). But only time will difficult than, trying to make peace come to the realisation haps we are ready to acknowl­ changes to our environment. that it will not be achieved persons and nations who see edge.tell. without our collective accep­ but cannot touch or experience• Most of us born over 40 Courage, it does demand. tance of our responsibility to the benefits that move further While the poor continue toyears ago have been looking for­ So as my reflection on being seek for and achieve the well­ and further beyond their reach.ward to the new century for Y2k compliant leads me to being of all people, young and need assistance of material recognise that I need to make old, people of every race, colour, It is true that Christ is things - food, shelter, clothing,most of our lives. Will it ever changes in my own life, I finally creed and nationality. “There quoted in the scriptures as say­ as well as job skills, the needyhappen? Will I live to see it? It will be peace only to the extent ing that “the poor will always be in our society have not only must accept that I am not as that humanity as a whole redis­ with us”. We perhaps need to grown in numbers but ourseemed so very far away in a courageous as I once believed. covers its fundamental calling remember that He also says needs have taken on newvery distant and unreal future. that we will do “even greater dimensions.But here we are. We have made A teenager in the seventies, to be one family”. (Pope John things” than He has done; thatit. Our only concern now is to I rejoiced in being young “in the Paul II on World Day of Peace). “they (the unbelievers) will The unrelenting growth ofensure that we are able to meet season o f plenty when the fields know that you are my disciples violent crimes, includingthe demands of this new era. To white for harvest are urging me The race to acquire for our­ by the way you love one anoth­be sure, it will be a challenging on\". I rejoiced in being “close to selves and our families has er”. domestic violence and childtask. the Church and to be by her side taken on new dimensions. The abuse, as well as the abandon­ at her constant rebirth”. And as The reality that the gap is ment of rules governing behav­ Once the initial excitement I recall that joy in the first blos­ technological advances, avail­ widening between rich and poor iour of adults and childrenof welcoming this new century som of my faith I know that I able to only a portion of the should not be justified among alike, all testify to the need forand for the layperson, this new cannot turn away from the chal­ world’s population, allow them us. In our own country there is a change of approach to familymillennium, had passed, I lenge that faces all of us to be a widening gap between the life issues.found myself in a reflective the Body of Christ in this rapid­ to speed ahead in all fields of standard of education availablemood. A prayer that I had pre­ ly changing world. human endeavour - for exam­ to the rich and that available to With so much preoccupa­viously glossed over, took on ple, education, commerce, food the poor - a situation that we tion with global issues, macro- once promised to eradicatenew meaning for me: production, health care - leav­ since education was recognised economic and socio-political Lord, grant me the serenity ing behind larger portions of as a means available to the poor problems and technological advancement, it might haveto accept the things I cannot escaped many of us that it all begins with the family.change, The courage to change the My prayer for this new mil­ lennium is that our faith inthings I can Jesus, the Saviour sent to And the wisdom to know the redeem us, Emmanuel, will leaddifference. us to work for the treasures I never thought that Iwould have to pray for the that will benefit us today,courage to “change the things I tomorrow and for many genera­can”. The serenity to accept the tions to come. It is my beliefthings I cannot change, yes.That has always been a real that at any stage of this work,challenge to me simply because His Coming will not meet us unprepared. God bless.Last IOOO years of Catholic h isto ry• From page 7 1 8 4 8 -7 0 Loss of Papal council since Trent, it affirms com m unism . Religious perse­ contemporary world and to States. Nationalist movements and formally defines the full, cution that started with renew liturgy, Scripture studychief Roman model of restora­ in Italy diminish Papal States, ordinary, immediate jurisdic­ and virtually every other aspect culminating in 1870 with cap­ tion of the pope over the whole Russian Revolution in 1917 of Catholic life, including bettertion of Church unity with the ture of Rome as Italian capital Church and the infallibility of reaches its zenith following appreciation of other ChristiansOrthodox for nearly 400 years. and restriction of papacy to the the pope when he solemnly and other religions; reformu­ tiny enclave in Rome known as defines Catholic teaching on World War II as communist lates traditional teachings on 1 6 3 3 Galileo con­ the Vatican. faith or morals. hegemony spreads across religious freedom and the Eastern Europe and into China, state’s role in religious matters.demned. Vatican declaration 1 8 5 0 s -1 9 6 0 s Marian 1 8 7 8 -1 9 0 3 Pope Leo North Korea and Norththat the heliocentric teaching of dogmas and devotion. Papal XIII. He launches Catholic Vietnam, creating a new age of 1978 P op e J oh n Paul II,Copernican astronomy contra­ definitions of Mary’s intellectual revival in 1879 by first non-Italian pope since Immaculate Conception (1854) ordering teaching of the theolo­ martyrs. Communism’s collapse 1523, sets implementation ofdicts Scripture sets a frame­ and Assumption (1950) and gy of St Thomas Aquinas in all in Eastern Europe and former Vatican II and new evangelisa­work of tension and antagonism new Marian apparitions seminaries; his 1891 encyclical, Soviet Union restores religious tion for third millennium asbetween Church and modern (Lourdes 1858, Knock 1879, Rerum Novarum (on the condi­ freedom to millions of believers. agenda of his pontificate, over­science lasting into 20th centu­ Fatima 1917) fuel intense tion of labour), marks start of sees new codes of Church law, Catholic devotion to Mary. modern Catholic social teach­ 1960 Catholic ecu­ new universal catechism,ry. Marian devotions spread, new ing. menism. Catholic Church’s Catholic-Lutheran declaration religious orders are named for of agreement on justification.1789-1801 French her, lay sodalities and Legion of 1 9 3 9 -4 5 Holocaust. entry into 20th-century ecu­ He travels over 700,000 miles, Mary are popular, Marian con­ Hitler’s World War II extermi­ menical movement transforms more than all previous popesRevolution, Concordat of gresses are held. Other nation of six million Jews pro­ Catholicism and the whole combined. Christians consider new dog­ vokes profound rethinking, in1801. Monarchy is overthrown, mas and Catholic Marian piety postwar decades, of Catholic Christian unity movement. Contributing to this report ecumenical obstacles. and Christian attitudes Collaboration, shared prayer, was Lou Panarale inChurch disestablished and sec­ towards Jews and Judaism. Washington and John Thavis, 18 69 -7 0 First Vatican dialogue and joint declarations Cindy Wooden and John Nortonular government formed in for­ C ouncil. The first ecumenical 1945-90 R ise and fall o f of common faith replace sepa­ in Rome. (CNS) ratism, apologetics and empha­merly Catholic state; concordat sis on what divides.guaranteeing freedom of wor­ship and letting Church namebishops ends wars betweenanti-Christian and Catholic 1962-65 Secondforces, but papacy continues to Vatican Council. Reform coun­condemn principles of the revo­ cil seeks to re-engage Church inlution for more than a century.

C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000 Page 15we. have plans to take you furtherO u a u t y S o l u t io n s f o r C o m m u n it y Ljv in g ■of*»CLPNANCIALGROUP

16 C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000PageACTION PLAN FOR 2000 A day of reflection encourage that person?with catechists of the In response to a) proper Holy Trinity parish planning would be appropriate and a syllabus of the term’sby M A R G U E R IT E C H A N G finishes and does not satisfy. To activities is available. TeachingO N Sunday, December 5, work for God is to believe in the at all levels is also done accord a group of 27 catechists ing to the Liturgical Cycle. from the communities in one he has sent. Obviously thisthe parish - Arouca, Tacarigua, In response to b) we means Jesus, the Son of God on encourage and provide trainingSurrey, Lopinot and La Pastora for potential young catechists.registered at the Emmaus whom we ought to depend.Retreat Centre in Arima from In the third segment for the Although we use the same day, we listened to a tape by Sr8.30 in the morning. The parishpriest, Fr Herbert Charles, had vocabulary, the language is not Patrice Simmonds who gave thefixed this date after our earlier feature address at the launch of the same. The understanding of “Shaping Lives” Fund atmeeting in January. Queen’s Hall on July 16,1999. Esme Raphael was called true work means to trust God. Her message was very power­ ful.upon to say the opening prayer. We should not try to be self-suf­She invited us to free ourselves As catechists, we areand join hands, as we were one ficient and run the risk ofteam. After offering up our­ encouraged to have a dream “burnout”. Instead we shouldselves to God our Father, Maria and continue to keep the dreamSamad formally welcomed the become partners with the Lord. alive. Sister made reference to aparticipants to our retreat. We popular commercial that car­were given the programme for Fr Charles advised against ries the message to “make itthe day. happen” Sister said that relying on our own ability to dreams are the origins and gen­ Our feature speaker - FrHerbert Charles - began his work ourselves into wholeness. esis of all great events. Shepresentation with a display of cited the examples of Martinfour words: Focus, Burnout, We are not authors but facilita­ Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi,Food, Work. tors. We get discouraged if we Nelson Mandela and Mother This diagram was dis­ Teresa.cussed in conjunction with ref­ do things our way instead of Fr Herbert Charles, parish priest of Aroucaerence to John 6:24-43. God’s way. Work also means We learnt that we sufferfrom burnout when our focus is having faith in Jesus. good team. Altogether, we had Religious Education Workshop O F primary importance,not on the one who gives food Sr Patrice pointed outthat lasts forever. Archibald (Archie) five groups who excelled in (REW). that Jesus had a dream to unite us all. In order that cat­ In verse 27 we were Thompson commented that he their presentations. It was announced that a echists can become one, wereminded that we ought “notwork for food that cannot last, was told that Father would be Maria continued to sum­ training team would be set up must be “other” centred. Thisbut work for food that endures could be quite costly to theto eternal life, the kind o f food providing food. He did not marise our findings and it was and Edna Borde-Williams, for­the Son o f Man is offering you, point of losing our lives. Jesusfor on him, the Father, God him­ expect to get so much “food” for obvious that the attendees were mer principal of a secondaryself, has set his seal.” was criticised and we too would thought. quite knowledgeable on the school was invited to be part of be criticised. A dream is other- We were guided throughthe selected scripture readings topic of Team Building. What that team. Another parishioner, centred and in order to lovein order to recognise that the God, we should observe themeaning of “food” and “work” as I MMEDIATELY after our was now needed was an Action Anna-Maria Mora, a psycholo­ words of the prophet “Act justly,Jesus used it was different to break Archie distributedour interpretation. To Jesus, Scavenger Hunt Bingo Plan. After lunch we moved into gist was also mentioned as a love tenderly and walk humbly“food” was something that lastsforever unlike food we eat, that sheets. No instructions were our planning segment. consultant who already gives of with God.” given and the participants, We should also challenge including Fr Charles, had fun The explanations for the her service. need to plan, its purpose and ourselves by asking, “Am I my seeking out persons to sign Marguerite used the same brother’s keeper?” Being a good their bingo sheets. Jacqueline catechist is costly as we risk Bute called out BINGO after a the elements of true planning guidelines for team building to time and money. However, we hectic ten-minute period. Although it was not a “good” were clearly defined by Maria. identify each person present. cannot give what we don’t have bingo as one person had signed Archie went on to advise of the and as stated in Proverbs 2:1-9, more than twice, the game An organisation chart was we should seek wisdom from came to an end. archdiocese’s vision and drawn up and we were able to God to enable us to understand Maria Samad then Mission Statement. We were view the parish in relation to what virtue is, justice, and fair dealing, all paths that lead to reviewed the strategies used to challenged to develop separate the archbishop, the parish happiness. achieve the objective of the statements applicable to each priest, the five communities, game. The atmosphere was area of catechetics. Thus we current centers of religious edu­ What greater motivation do cation and the catechists. we need! We could add nothing more relaxed, smiles were made a decision that the co­ more to what Sister covered aplenty and the energy level ordinators of each group would except that we need to go out to had risen. The group was ready meet by January 30, 2000 with R e f e r e n c e was made the parishes and seek their to move into smaller groups to their action plan and calendar to the mission given to assistance to build the work on the characteristics of a of events for the next year. The “Shaping Lives Fund”. The par­ the disciples after the ticipants were therefore plan also had to include a bud­ get. resurrection. According to encouraged to support this Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus said, cause, as it would help cate­ In keeping with the needs “All authority in heaven and on chists to improve and update their skills in building God’s of the parish, Marguerite earth has been given to me. Go Kingdom. Chang was called upon to share therefore, make disciples o f all The day ended on a high note with the celebration of the on her role as parish co-ordi- nations; baptise them in the Eucharist with Fr Herbert nator. After consultation name o f the Father and o f the Charles as celebrant. We left filled with “food” and “work”. IDN Headstones M illennium Offer with Fr Herbert it was felt Son and o f the Holy Spirit; and am quite certain that many had FOR ONLY $300. il» that there should be a team teach them to observe all the the experience of Cleopas on G et a 1 2\" x 1 8\" engraved headstone of co-ordinators. Effective commands I give you. And know the road to Emmaus. (Lukefro m the finest quality imported marble 24:13-35) immediately the team is as that I am with you, always; yes Impeccable polish follows: to the end o f time.” Parish Co-ordinator - Some concerns of the par­ Marguerite Chang. ticipants included: Community Co-ordina­ a) In the primary schools, tor - Maria Samad. the time is insufficient for Assistant Co-ordinator — organising the class and there Archibald Thompson. is competition from other All the team members faiths. How does one handle have participated in some this?Call now to order at 662-6896 modules of the “Shaping b) When a young person is Lives” programme organised identified as a potential cate­ by the Archdiocesan chist, what can be done tot n .. : ti e i ...................... J

..... > <» </« v.<-i3' •f-'.Vifl«’ ? ?W ^M *v ’i 1■ C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9, 2000 P a g e 17r Childrens(page by Nelson Street Girls’ RCDEAR BOYS AND GIRLS,A very happy New Yearto all!/-| 4 H ENEVER we |/ f hear the word r Baptism wethink of the Holy Spirit,of cleansing, forgivenessand becom ing a membero f G od’s sp ecia l fam ily. Jesus Christ was bap­tised by his cousin Johnthe Baptist at the riverJordan. Jesus’ baptism was anexam ple for us to under­stand the im portance ofbeing baptised. When hew as baptised, the HolySp irit descended on himin the form o f a doveand this is exactly w hathappens to us when weare bap tised . We receivethe H oly Spirit and mostof all we are made spe­c ia l m em bers o f G od ’sfam ily. We hope you areenjoying the new termand have been w orkinghard from the very firstday o f school. :ki W h e n Jesus grew to be U se this c h a rt to decode the follow ing m essage a man, he said: “I m ust be baptised because it AB CD E ŸG H Ij KL N is G o d ’s plan.” 24 26 4 10 15 18 5 11 1 20 9 3 8 After John baptised him, the heavens N0 P 0 R S T 0 V W XTZ opened and the spirit 22 6 13 16 o f G o d in the fo rm of a 23 25 21 19 7 2 14 17 12 dove came down upon Jesus. M T o 21 I \" TT T~ 3~ 5~ 6“ T ' T~ 9 A voice from heaven 19 4“ T o T i said... TT 6~ 22 T o 22 2 ~ T ~ 6 ~ 8~ To TT 8~ • 23 ~ ~ TT TT T \" 9~ 2 ~ 3~ 5~ 5~

Page 18 . C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday,January 9,2000 exquisite melody, as is so much ofHeralding the Tchaikovsky’s music. It was obvious that The PBS millennium thing the instrumentalists of this steel orches­ tra led by their conductor had entered into a deep union with the music and were playing with their hearts.new year with At times however, I would have £~^| O we made it past Y2K without Next we were taken to midnight in u any major problems, thank God! Moscow (5 p.m. over here) with someLydians, Exodus liked the melody on the tenors, to sing L—* In case you hadn’t noticed this fireworks that were nearly as bad as out more, particularly in the two open­ column took a (well-deserved?) break those Independence ones Clico perpe­by Jean Devenish-Huggins last week and I enjoyed watching some trates on us every year. ing selections of the evening. The inter­ TV without making any notes.-m- -jr ES, I went to Together to 2000, weaving of the harmony in the lower All these changes from one country Y a concert of classical and season- instruments sounded secure and strong, I’m on the side of those who know to another were smoothly linked by that the new millennium doesn’t really moving the ending pictures of the JL al music, presented by the but that top line escaped me for a while. begin until 2001 so I’ll wish you a Happy departing country up in the air and Fleeting through my mind during the New Year but wait another year for mil­ around to the left of a .simulated globeLydians and the Exodus Steel playing of the Tchaikovsky selections lennium greetings. But after all the seen from outer space while the begin­Orchestra. was the contradictory situation, that hype and the 41 million dollars for the ning pictures from the ensuing country It was the third time for the season such beautiful music was the patrimonythat I was present at performances of of a country that at present is being tom Ringbang contribution I just had to would similarly appear from the right ofthe Lydian Singers, so I hadalready heard some of the by war and internal strife. check out what was billed as the great­ the globe. It had to be simulated becausemusic. Other performances of the Exodus est television event ever. all those pinpoints of light purporting to Yet the words, ever old, ever players of the evening were the Fourthnew, refer to much classical Movement from Symphony No 8 in G by It was scheduled to kick off at 2.00 be the night glow of cities around themusic and the freshness and the Czech composer Dvorak andvibrancy of the singing of this Pelham's Christmas Medley conducted p.m. Old Year’s Day, according to the world could not all have been on simul­prestigious choir always wins by Pelham Goddard himself.an audience. Express TV listing. Some time after that taneously. I then set the VCR to tape One of the longer parts of the pro­ It was good to hear Germaine gramme was Mozart’s Piano concerto I took a look and found it boring with from 5.30 to 7.30 as I had to go out.Wilson sing Glitter and Be Gay from theopera Candide by Bernstein and of with Lindy Ann Bodden-Ritch. poor pictures ____________________ When I watchedcourse Edward Cumberbatch with the This was played in its entiretybeautiful Nessun Dornia from Puccini’s and Ms Bishop informed us that and no coraraen it later the TobagoTurandot. the eight young players who tary. Somewhat Television contribution was on Let me then zero in on the steel formed part of the orchestra later I checked and the commentatororchestra. Exodus is already one of the were making this part of theleading orchestras of T&T and a concert School Based Assessment for again and got described Kitchenerof this class and quality must have CXC Music. Well, they certainlytaken much time in planning and merit success. Views andthe tail-end of a as the grandmaster.rehearsals. The programme concluded with the He had obviously Hallelujah Chorus sung by the choir contribution It is interesting that the Musical and accompanied by the Steel OrchestraDirector Desmond Waithe would have and tassa drums. I can’t imagine a more from Venezuela, been well “prepped”chosen three pieces by the Russian com­ dynamic presentation of this chorus, it’sposer Tchaikovsky Andante Cantabile a made-to-order thing. Commentsfollowed by one as he could say “if youfrom the Sixth Symphony, Capricio So there we have it, a mixture of know calypso musicItalien and Marche Slave, pieces of cultures, the young laying new founda­ from the Czech tions, the steel orchestra, polishing and renewing its brass, voices giving glory to Republic. Then it ___B__y__'_E__U___R__I_C__O_ _J__A__R__D___I_M____ I’m sure you know God, all led by people of the soil, Hope! was on to a Boogsie Sharpe.” Vision! Together to 2000. We’re there dance from Rudolph Walker already! The enduring nature of music, a Australia followed by a son et lumière then walked out to introduce Kitchener place of no barriers, with its transcen­ concert involving Jean Michel Jarre at but it was Boogsie who proceeded to dence and ethereal quality, striking out beyond the bare necessities of existence sunset at the base of the pyramids in ramajay for a few minutes. I never did into the realms of spirit and soul, speak­ Egypt. Plenty of son but not much of the get to see Kitchener. ing to us of a world way past 2000 and bringing us to the threshold of lumière. I found it interesting that the As I would be in church for the “big God. drummer wore ear muffs - and it wasn’t moment” I set the VCR again (a differ­ for the cold! How long will it take for our ent tape: I had not yet watched the ear­ steelbandsmen to learn that hearing lier one!) Watching it later, Ringbang in loss is irreversible and that they should Tobago was followed by a dance from wear some form of ear-protection? Easter Island then some form of Incan Then it was on to South Africa, with celebration from Peru. This featured a a dance on Robbin Island, the place chariot with flaming wheels. Then it was where Nelson Mandela spent some of over to Miami Beach with a Bob Marley his 27 years in prison. He was in the song done in alternating verses of audience, we were told. Then it was off Spanish and English, testifying to the to Brazil with another dance, (called the bilingual nature of much of Florida now. capwria I think) which looks like a com­ The much-hyped Times Square bination of martial arts and aerobics. moment could not be missed. The huge ball (made of Waterford crystal we were informed by the commentary!) pulsated with light at every second of its count­ down until a huge 2000 blazed in lights. When I returned from our vigil fol­ lowed by Mass (which turned out to be aN E X T M E E T IN G : SUNDAY, JANUARY 9 SUNDAY,JANUARY 9 Catholic bit of a marathon: I never got back until 8.00 a.m. Highlights t r i n i u y 5.00 a.m . - Radio Trinidad of the Catholic 730 AM: Celebrating G od's Communications 1.40!) I again checked out P B S Charismatic Renewal's \" |r*'*on \"«*<** Love -Today's Mass. Millennium as it had been billed. Studios Caribbean Conference TIC was showing Ringbang liveJa n u a ry 30, 2 0 0 0 from the Centre of Excellence, 6.15 a.m. - N 8 N Radio 610 AM: from Tobago while TTT had CNN cover­ Macoya. age from Mexico City with several con­ “N Catholic Forum - Fr Peter de la Bastide, CSSp certs going on at different points on the O u r programming can be viewed main boulevard. I don’t remember whichTheme: on Rainbow (Channel 41) from 6.30 a.m. - TV6 channel it was that took us to Greece 10.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m. on all I 1.00 a.m./1.00 p.m. - TCN featuring a massed choir singing a cap- other cable stations N o w onR econciliation Faith Alive - Sr Diane Jagdeo and Gloria pella from the Acropolis. Channel 48 By this time I was suffering from R A D IO 94.1 FM - L O V E 94 - Bertrand/Faith Insight - An Artist's View ( I) M O N D A Y, JA N U A R Y 10 overkill and started reading the papersBegins with 8.30 a.m. Mass 4.30 a.m. - Radio Trinidad Morning Devotionsat Chaguanas RC Church Midday Mass - Monday to Friday W E D N E S D A Y , J A N U A R Y 12 (my delivery man must be the most effi­ cient in Trinidad: the papers were on my Saturday at 8.45 a.m. and Sunday at 4.45 a.m. - N 6 N Radio 610 and 91.1 FMEnding at 2.00 p.m. 8.00 a.m. M orning Devotions - Leslie Tang Kai porch when I got back from church!) The T H U R SD A Y , J A N U A R Y 13 last thing I remember watching was “the Inspirational Radio - 730 AM on the dial — Saturdays - 5.00 to 4.45 a.m. - N B N Radio 610 and 91.1 FM last 1999 sunset on Earth” which was 6.00 a.m. Moments ofMusic and Morning Devotions - John Johnson and viewed from Samoa.For further information call Prayer Sheldon Haynes I have also been watching the CBS /Mr Simon Rostant ST.VINCENT DE PAUL R A D IO Time collaboration on People o f the Century. TV6 has been very cavalier62-BEEPS/665-5752 DAILY: Awake with G od - between 4.30 and 5.30 a.m. - Inspirational Radio 730 AM with this series: I missed much of the Fr Dwight S U N D A Y S : The Voice of the Poor - 1.00 - 2.00 p.m. - Inspirational Radio 730 AM Heroes and Icons installment shown on 625-LISA New Year’s Day as it had not been listed. T U E S D A Y S : The Church Today - 8.00 - 8.30 p.m. - Love Radio 94.1 FM But that will have to wait until next Presenters: Fr Rudy Mohammed, W in ston Mathura and Steve Solom on week.

C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday,'Jahuary 9, 2000 Page 19Wishing our players more ‘ups’ Classifiedsthan ‘downs’ in the new year FOR SA L E - Blue NEED a Geriatricf HE 1999 football season is now Sunday, December 19, and especially to Bird PAO, $13.000. Nurse? 674-2946. Good condition. NEED a licenced 667-3208 electrician? Call 642-6382. JUST ARRIVED: something of the past. be among a distinguished bunch of for­ Unique religious ROSARIES &J L Presentation functions in the mer players and officials to have articles, statues and pictures from C R O S S E S formajor leagues have already been held, received special awards. Europe and Holy Land.-627-8132. Confirmation &the biggest being the Professional Arnold Dwarika was voted theFootball League, who had a big bash at Most Valuable Player, a reward richly 9 CHURCHES PIL­ First Communion.the Hobday Inn on December 19. GRIMAGE. deserved for his goal scoring during the January 30. For Also decorative It is now time for reflection and I course of the year. I have spoken before reservations, Mrsguess the administrators of the various about his disciplinary problems and H a rris-627-2616. wall Rosaries & FRUITCAKES - Crosses. Call $45; sweetbread -leagues will soon be putting their heads hope that this is something of the past. $12; pastelles - Ricardo at 642-together to ensure that the football sea­ It was good seeing Len Leggard, $5; pone, etc. Bson of 2000 is much better than last NEWALLO. 622- 8855. * former Colts and Trinidad forward once 0656, 622-3533. VISIT “The Well”year’s. again. So too Robbie Greenidge former DRIVER WANTED upstairs Eastside Having already given my opinion of Malvern stalwart and coach. There to assist physical­ Plaza (old market), were also some former top referees like ly disabled per­ 32 Charlotte St. atthe standard of football in the son. Transport - Booth 423 for Len Jardine, Tommy Nathaniel (now Mon, Wed, Frl. rosaries, medals,Secondary Schools League in an earlier very little opposition for the top four confined to a wheelchair), Dr Horace Pick up at 8.45 candles, biblesarticle, I will just reiterate what I teams. Two of these teams. Point Fortin Henderson. It was certainly a morning a.m and 3.00 p.m. and many morethought was sadly lacking in 1999 in Civic Centre and Futgof have already Must have own items.the League. fallen by the wayside. Let’s hope their well-spent with fond memories of days vehicle. Call replacements Fire Services and in front of the Grand Stand, Queen’s Roger 622-3727. NEED a profes­ It was patently obvious to me, with Park Savannah being recounted. sional and reliable Caledonia ALA prove worthy replace­ SPANISH CXC & A mechanic? Calla few exceptions, that the coaches of the ments. Caledonia are accustomed to There were certainly ups and Level. -642-1633. Junior at 624-6635.schools in this league do not spend playing in the top rung of football in the downs in 1999. Let’s hope that thereenough time teaching the basics of the country, so they should have few prob­ are more ups than downs this year, the BMX bicycle for SA M A R O O ’Sgame. I have said over and over again lems adjusting to this level o f football. year of the Gold Cup and World Cup sale - $350. Call TAILORING.that if a footballer cannot collect the qualifiers. I would like to wish every­ 662-4789. Custom madeball properly, pass it efficiently and The top four teams — Defence suits for all occa­shoot and head the ball effectively he one, particularly those who have ROAST KIBBI/ sions. 12 Force, Joe Public, CL Financial San encouraged me in this new venture of Pastelles. Call 628- Frederick Street,would have serious problems when Juan Jabloteh and WW Connection lit­ writing articles for the Catholic News, a 5533.engaged in a game, where there are erally separated themselves from the healthy and productive 2000. Port of Spain. 624-members of the opposing team vying 2677.for the ball. other four teams and eventually At the youth level, the stress has to won the four trophies played for Add a new book to yourbe on the basic aspects of the game, or among themselves. The gameselse the youngsters will grow up with played among these teams collection for the Jubilee Year:bad habits, where serious problems will proved to be quite entertainingoccur at the higher level for coaches at at times, with some talent being exposed, but still the big crowds • S IN G A N E W S O N G C L A S S IF IE D Sthat stage. RATES:Strong national team at games were few and far The Christian Vocation $1.00 PER WORD between. (Timothy Radcliffe OP) Deadline for copy: 3.00 p.m. Monday To have a strong national before Naparima College emerged as the team you have to ensure that publicationtop team in the Secondary Schools the League is of a high standard • MARY MOTHER OF ALL NATIONSLeague and I must add that there are a and the administrators must (Prof Courtenay Bartholomew)few talented players in their team. ensure that there are eight goodThey however, were not consistent and teams involved in the or a new Subscription: DEPOSITthis could partly be attributed to the Professional League.bad fields on which some games were I was privileged to be invit­ • SPIRITUALITY (Fr Thomas Jordan OP - editor)played. I liked what I saw of El Dorado, ed to the PFL’s presentation onparticularly youngWiltshire, who I think In memory of (every two months) 2 Years 10.50% • L IV IN G FAITH - Jan-March 2000has far to go if he keeps C Y R IL W A R D 1 Year 10.00%his head on his shoul­ N.B Deposits under $20,000.00ders. - 1/2% less than quoted rates. It was a joy to see Born: Died: The Word Among Us Monthly payments tothis youngster on a bad 23.4.1913 6 .1 .1 9 9 7 Sourcebooks Sen. Citizens & Widows.Skinner Park field, col­ To New: Jubilee Rosaries, T-Shirts, (N o monthly payments permittedlecting the ball and on two year rates).making his passes with bags, key-rings, pins, 191TOTAL FINANCE LIMITED crucifixes, notepads 7 - 9 W RIGHTSON ROADprecision, with opposing CALL 625— 6267players all around him. Hrectors: K.P. Narwani. T.A. Cross. EdwardCollier. MartinDaigldiäThis is the hallmark of W. Hoyte. G. Montrichard - all of 7-9Wrightson Road, P.O.S.^la good player, the likes everything m ere is a season O PEN IN G H O U R S Member of Deposit Insurance Fundof Russel Latapy. and a tim e to every purpose under 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon - Fri) Bankers: Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago limited the heaven 9 a.m. - 12 noon (Sat) The ProfessionalFootball League had tim e to be born and a tim e Sunshine, in your fteart this Jubilee •year and through you to otherstheir problems with B to die. (Ecc 3:1-2) from the Staff atsome of the teams giv­ing below par perfor­ Missed by his wife Elsie, DOMINICAN BOOK CENTRE LTDmances in some S tep ch ild ren Wilma Byam, Tel/Fax 633-6564instances. Turning up Tony, Franklyn Garcia &for games short and Warren, friends Danglades,even when playing at Brathwaites and Chapman.full strength, providing-fNTERSERV A ll the goodies from the Internet you expect....and m ore!! or contact ui @ T d 637-68*2 Join In te n se rv and read the Catholic News wherever yon are at www.trinidad.net/Catholicnews $100.00 for 100 hrs. __r « i H7-K671 _______ E-maiL, Mews, Websites, Netscape Navigator, Business Solutions______

P age 2 0 C A T H O L IC N E W S Sunday, January 9,2000Don’t takehoroscopesseriouslyQ Is it right for me as a Ask me another that the Father expresses Himself com­ C hristian to believe in pletely and that is why the Son is called horoscopes? by ARCHBISHOP the Word (note the capital W!). ANTHONY PANTINA The word “horoscope” comes “In the beginning was the Word, the from two words, one Latin hora= hardly anything about the Latin lan­ ets, etc. Word was with God and the Word was time and the other Greek sko- guage know their sign of the zodiac and God” (Jn 1:1). \"This Word was madepos= watcher and it means the relative are able to pronounce it properly too! This tells us not HOW God created flesh” (Jn 1:14) and \"to all who didposition of the planets at a particular everything but THAT He created every­ accept Him He gave power to becometime, especially at the hour of a person’s W HAT THE BIBLE SAYS thing. God is the beginning and the end children o f God” (Jn 1:12).birth, regarded as influencing his life. of all things. He is the creator of the In the wonderful opening chapter of zodiac and of everything else. Jesus taught us to call God our The zodiac, as it is called, is the the Book of Genesis, we read: “In the Father and to pray to Him under thatimaginary circle in the heavens contain­ beginning God created the heavens and This same all-creating God has title: “Our Father who art in heaven...”ing the twelve signs: Aries, Taurus, the earth” (1:1). Then follows the revealed Himself to us human beings as (Mt 6:10).Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, detailed account of the creation: Light, our Father. ''No one has ever seen God; itScorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, water, dry land, sun, moon, stars, plan- is the only Son, who is nearest to the God is then our Father and we areAquarius, Pisces, through which the sun Father's heart, who has made him His children. He is the same God whopasses in its annual course. known” (Jn 1:18). It is through this Son created the unbelievably wonderful and mighty universe with all its wheeling From very ancient times, people only be known from the inside, and is as long as we live at a distance from constellations, planets and stars.have watched the heavens at the time of not to be dallied with. God, so to speak, as long as his pres­ Nothing happens except He allows it toa person’s birth and drawn certain con­ ence or his image is dimmed in ourclusions. Coming nearer to God is always a thoughts and in our perceptions; but happen. discovery both of the beauty of God the nearer we come to God, the sharp­ “Can you not buy five sparrows for All the names of the twelve signs are and of the distance there is between er the contrast appears.in Latin and very many people who know two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten him and us. “Distance” is an inade­ It is not the constant thought of in God’s sight” (Lk 12:6). Incidentally, by Archbishop Anthony Bloom quate word, because it is not deter­ their sins, but the vision of the holi­ Luke’s version of this saying of Jesus is mined by the fact that God is holy and ness of God that makes the saints very interesting because Matthew hasT HE Gospel of St Matthew con­ aware of their own sinfulness. When \"Can you not buy two sparrows for one fronts us almost from the that we are sinful. we consider ourselves without the fra­ penny?” (Mt 10:29). So that Luke’s ver­ beginning with the very Distance is determined by the grant background of God’s presence, sion \"five for two pennies” shows that an essence of prayer. The Magi saw the sins and virtues become small and extra sparrow was given as a lagniappe. long-expected star; they set out with­ attitudeiof the sinner to God. We can somewhat irrelevant matters; it is This shows how little sparrows were out delay to find the king; they approach God only if we do so with a against the background of the divine worth and yet \"not one is forgotten in arrived at the manger, they knelt, sense of coming to judgement. God’s sight”.' they worshipped and they presented presence that they stand out in full their gifts: they expressed prayer in If we come having condemned relief and acquire their depth and This clearly indicates that God its perfection, which is contemplation ourselves; if we come because we love tragedy. knows every single detail of everything and adoration. that is happening in the world, even the him in spite of the fact that we are Every time we come near God, it falling to the ground o f a sparrow! Often, in more or less popular lit­ unfaithful, if we come to him, loving is either life or death we are confront­ erature about prayer. We are told that him more than a godless security, then ed with. It is life if we come to him in W E M U ST N O T BELIEVE prayer is an enthralling adventure. It the right spirit, and are renewed by IN H O R O SC O P E S is commonplace to hear: “Come on. we are open to him and he is open to learn to pray; prayer is so interesting, us, and there is no distance; the Lord him. In face of the clear testimony of Holy so thrilling, it is the discovery of a comes close to us in an act of compas­ Scripture, we just have to conclude that new world; you will meet God. you sionate love. It is death if we come to him with­ we are quite wrong to believe in horo­ will find the way to a spiritual life.” out the spirit of worship and a con­ scopes or to think that we are or can be But if we stand before God the victims of blind forces over which In a sense of course this is true; trite heart; it is death if we bring God has no control. but something very much more far- wrapped in our pride, in our assertive­ pride or arrogance. Therefore before reaching is being forgotten when such ness, if we stand before him as though we set out on the so-called thrilling Every single detail of our lives is statements are made: it is that prayer subject to God’s divine providence. is a dangerous adventure and that we we had a right to stand there, if we adventure of prayer, it cannot be too cannot enter upon it without risk. stand and question him, the distance strongly stated that nothing more sig­ Sometimes we hear people say: “I that separates the creature and the. ' nificant, more awe-inspiring, can occur really don’t believe in horoscopes you As St Paul says, it is a fearful know but I listen to them or read about thing to fall into the hands of the liv­ creator becomes infinite. than meeting the God we set out to them, just in case they may be right”. ing God (Heb 10:31). Therefore to set There is a passage in the_/ meet. out deliberately to confront the living If we use our common sense (which, God is a dread adventure: every meet­ Screivtape Letters in which C£TLewis It is essential to realise that we unfortunately, is not as common as it ing with God is, in a certain sense, a will lose our life in the process: the old should be) we would see that what is last judgement. suggests that distance, in tms sense, Adam we are must die. We are said or written as a horoscope is so gen­ is a relative thing: when the great intensely attached to the old man, eral that it is bound to fit some circum­ Whenever we come into the pres­ afraid for him, and it is very difficult, stances. For example: “Aries - be careful ence of God, whether in the sacra­ archangel came before God to ques­ not only at the outset but years after today with your business transactions” ments or in prayer, we are doing tion him, the moment he asked his we have begun, to feel that we are as if there was ever a time when you something which is full of danger should not be careful about your busi­ because, according to the words of question, not in order to understand completely on the side of Christ, ness transactions! scripture, God is a fire. Unless we are in humility but in order to compel God against the old Adam. ready to surrender ourselves without to give account, he found himself at an So, you may listen to or read about reservation to the divine fire and to Archbishop Bloom belongs to the your horoscope or know the sign under become that burning bush of the infinite distance from God. Eastern Orthodox Church. He is recog­ which you are bom, provided you do not desert, which burned but was never God had not moved, nor had really believe. If ever you see yourself consumed, we shall be scorched, nised as an authority on contemplative starting to believe in these things, then because the experience of prayer can Satan, and yet without any motion, prayer. stop it at once. they were infinitely far apart (Letter C O N C L U SIO N XIX). Whenever we approach God the No one can be a true follower of Christ or a true child of God if he really contrast that exists between what he believes in horoscopes or in the influ­ ence that his zodiac sign has on his life is and what we are becomes dreadful­ without any reference to God. God is all- ly clear. We may not be aware of this powerful, all-merciful, all-loving and \"He's got the whole world in His hand”. And while I am about it, what goes for horoscopes goes equally for fortune­ telling and other similar activities. They may be tolerated in a spirit of fun but they must never be taken seriously.P R IN T E D B Y T R IN ID A D EXPR ESS N E W S P A P E R S LTD . FO R P R IN T IN G SER V IC ES LTD ., 3 I IN D E P E N D E N C E S Q „ P.O.S .T R IN ID A D .T E L : 623-6093, F A X : 623-9468