St Paul urges us to “live in a manner worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together…” (Ephesians 4: 1-3).
Let us pray for our clergy and religious in particular. We congratulate Bishop Robert Llanos who was recently installed as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of St John’s-Basseterre. Here is an extract from my tribute to him at a luncheon at Archbishop’s House:
“There are two characteristics of the ‘witnessing bishop’ that Pope Francis mentioned in July 2015: that he ‘knows how to make everything that happened to Jesus contemporary’; and that he ‘does not stand alone as a witness but stands together with the Church’.
“We live in a world that is becoming more and more secular; a world that is deeply in need of Christian spirituality. Let us celebrate and practise our Christianity with pride, while at the same time praying for those Christians who are being persecuted in many parts of the world. I know that you will use your God-given gifts and talents in the service of others, to transform communities in your new Diocese, and to build the civilisation of love there also. We honour you and thank you for your ministry in our Archdiocese. Be assured of our prayers. May you be a pastor with the smell of your sheep.”
Let us celebrate fidelity to priestly and religious vocations and congratulate all those who are celebrating their anniversaries. For example:
– Our Shepherd, Archbishop Joseph Harris celebrated 44 years of priestly ordination on July 14;
– Bishop Emeritus Malcolm Galt recently celebrated 61 years of priestly ordination;
– Fr David Oliveire recently celebrated 58 years of priestly ordination;
– Msgr Christian Pereira and Fr Clyde Harvey each celebrated 40 years of priestly ordination recently;
– Bishop Llanos and Fr Martin Sirju each celebrated 25 years of priestly ordination recently.
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– Fr Harold Imamshah celebrated 26 years of priestly ordination recently;
– During my recent visit to Guyana, Melinda Janki, Executive Director of the Justice Institute, and I had lunch with Trinidadian-born Bishop Francis Alleyne on the day that he celebrated 31 years of his priestly ordination;
– We welcome Fr Matthew Ragbir and Fr Raymond Francis who were ordained to the priesthood on January 30 and July 2, respectively.
I returned to Trinidad in time to join Srs Roberta O’Flaherty and Marie Young at a celebration of the Eucharist at St Theresa’s, Woodbrook to mark their golden jubilee as Holy Faith Sisters. I am a recipient of the education provided by the HF Sisters. Here is an extract of my tribute to them:
“Your 50 years (each) of dedicated service to God and His people have been a joyful witness to all. . .You continue to inspire many in a world that often undervalues the gifts of women. Pope Francis constantly asks us all to recognise and celebrate ‘feminine genius’. He has said that ‘the feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society. . . and in the Church’. Indeed, we need to identify, value and promote the gifts that each person brings to the table of life – including the gifts of women religious. . .
“In his encyclical, Spe Salvi (On Christian Hope) (2007), Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reminded us that the Christian message is not only ‘informative’ but also ‘performative’. That means: the gospel is not merely a communication of things that can be known – it is one that make things happen and is life-changing.’ Sisters, we thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you as you live the gospel and ‘make things happen’ in T&T. . .Your hands are among the many that have helped to build T&T and to strengthen our Faith. . .
“I am honoured to be a board member of CREDO Foundation for Justice – an NGO run by HF Sisters – seeking to bring relief to socially displaced youths in our society. We owe a debt of gratitude to those HF Sisters who responded positively to the invitation by the late Archbishop Finbar Ryan to assist with our education work in this Archdiocese. Your ministry in the field of education across the country since your arrival in T&T in 1947 is much appreciated.
“Mother Teresa said: ‘We must convert our love for Christ into deeds. We must express Christian love in concrete, living ways.’ Sisters, you have certainly done so. May God continue to richly bless you and your work in His vineyard.”
Each of us has a vocation to be all that we can be and to use our particular charisms to contribute to the sanctification of the world. Let us strive to do so joyfully.
