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Seminar on “Building a Just Society: Living our Faith in the Market place”

Msgr Michael de Verteuil delivers the feature address.
Msgr Michael de Verteuil delivers the feature address.

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice, in collaboration with the Parish of Sts. Philip and James Chaguanas, hosted a seminar entitled “Building a Just Society: Living our Faith in the Market place” on Sunday 15th July 2012, at the Max Murphy Centre in Chaguanas.

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The seminar aimed “to motivate and encourage parishioners to live by the tenets of our Faith 24/7.” It began with opening prayer and welcome by Vicar (Central Vicariate) and Parish Priest Fr. Christopher Lumsden, and introductions by Gary Tagallie who facilitated the seminar. The seminar overview was givenby CCSJ Chair Ms. Leela Ramdeen, followed by the feature address which was effectively delivered by Msgr. Michael de Verteuil.

In his lively and animated address Msgr. Michael de Verteuil made the point that we cannot live our faith life and our prayer life in different compartments. As Catholic Christians we are told at the end of Mass to “go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your lives.” We therefore must ask ourselves: “How do I live out there, what I do in here in Church?” He noted that faith is not privatized and the “marketplace” is anywhere outside the celebration of faith. The goal is to live the faith outside the church walls. He stressed that we can serve God anywhere and we must serve God everywhere.He read Amos 5: 21-24 and Amos 8 to illustrate thatthe separation of our faith from the rest of our lives is an age old problem.

We therefore must ask ourselves two critical questions:

  • Who am I?
  • What is the purpose of my life?

When we answer these questions, and know our identities then we will know how to live. We are children of God, called and chosen by God. We are called to love and serve God in every aspect of our lives. We are called to be “salt of the earth and light of the world.” If we are fully Christian and know who we are, we have to continue to be salt and light. As Christians, we receive love and we give love. We love, that is why we exist. As we live out our faith, respect for the dignity of others and looking out for the common good are primary. We have to live out our faith wherever we are, and we have to help others to live out their faith in the marketplace as well. To do so we have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus; we have to be true to the faith, the Sacraments and the Scripture; we have to draw strength from one another.

The feature address was followed by plenary questions and small group discussions. Very intense discussions ensued on three related questions, and very useful and practical recommendations were made for us as Catholics to live our faith in the market place as individuals, parishes and a vicariate.

 

GROUP RESPONSES – RECOMMENDATIONS

 

INDIVIDUAL PARISH VICARIATE
Witnessing by life– Individual can be witnesses of the faith Establish Support Groups/“healing ministries” for people who are hurting in the parish – psychological, bereavement etc. Catholic Business Forum.Ongoing dialogue/sessions on “Catholics in business”
Participating in ongoing formation sessions Develop strategies for building communities and community spirit Develop  social media network in the vicariate to promote the Gospel values
Practising simple old fashioned courtesies and acts of generosity Need to be more welcoming,  accommodating and hospitable to others Vicariate planning – e.g. scheduling of Harvests
Not gossiping in the workplace Encourage youth involvement. Youth activities should be planned mainly for weekends. Workshops on parenting and conscience formation at the vicariate level
Encouraging and being consistent about family prayer Forum for addressing pressing issues –  Q & A about faith formation Greater sharing of information/ideas among parishes
Teaching our children good values in the home for living Values education programme
Encouraging participation in families, groups, workplace Strategic Pastoral Planning sessions in each parish of the vicariate
Being an advocate for the poor and disadvantaged Ongoing formation sessions on faith development  
Avoiding compromising situations Targeted seminars/ workshops with various professionals / or business people in the community.  

 

The vote of thanks by Ms. Ramdeen brought the curtain down on what can be described as a very interesting and thought-provoking seminar.  After the closing prayer which was led by Deacon Dennis Bryan, all participants had an opportunity to socialize while refreshments were enjoyed.

Report by Marilyn Pierre
Planning Committee for the Seminar: Fr Christopher Lumsden (Parish Priest of St Philip and St James, Chaguanas) Gary Tagallie, Marilyn Tagallie, Deacon Dennis Bryan, Jo Anne Lodge, Christine Walcott, Gail Jagroop, Richard Smith and Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

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