DEAR EDITOR: Season’s Greetings!
Please refer to the letter from Fr Enel Almeus dated November 7, 2007 and later kindly published by you.

On behalf of Fr Enel Almeus CSSp and his hometown Irois-Haiti, the Spiritan House Community would like to sincerely thank you for assisting these Haitian people in their time of need after the disastrous tropical storm Noel occurred in November 2007.

We are very pleased with the response we have received in money, foodstuff and clothing, namely $TT23,520.88 (US$3, 714.37), foodstuff – 40 hampers and clothing.

All that we received has been sent to the Holy Ghost Fathers in Haiti who will channel it through a small group of three persons who will do the actual distribution to the people of Irois, who will be very grateful indeed.

Dear friends, we have a duty to help and assist each other especially the needy and the less fortunate in our region. Do not be afraid to share with those who are really in need. In doing so, you lose nothing; on the contrary, you gain one hundredfold of what you gave. Indeed, you are encouraging Social Justice in our society which is a value the Roman Catholic Church urges every individual to practise according to his or her capacity.

In this season of Christmas, which is a time of sharing and joy, we implore God’s blessings upon every citizen in our country to do better in fighting poverty, crime, and famine that threaten our society.

Let us hope that 2008 will make T&T and the rest of the Caribbean countries a better place where everyone will live a decent life with joy and prosperity, and indeed we will live in a poverty free zone.

This reflects the Kingdom of God that Jesus came to announce. Doesn’t it?

We wish you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God bless you.
Fr Gerard E. Farfan, CSSp
Bursar, Spiritan House Community

THE EDITOR:
I wonder if this letter may be the way to return a lost item to its owner.
On Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007), I went shopping at Allum's Supermarket in Cross Crossing Shopping Centre. On he way to my car with the groceries purchased, I saw a blue plastic rosary resting on the wall in the rain. I picked up the rosary and now have it in my possession, as I did not want to run the risk of a blessed object being discarded in the dust.

I am sure that it belongs to a person who has a devotion to the Holy Rosary and who must have accidentally dropped it in the rush/confusion of shopping and crowds.

It is possible and maybe likely that the owner also reads the Catholic News. Could you please publish my contact number (Pat at 471-2058) so that the rosary can be returned to them?

I would appreciate it if you did not print my complete name.
Thank you very much and God bless,
PM, San Fernando.

THE EDITOR: I see the need to share this with the readers. I learned a lesson this Christmas season which will remain in my memory for a long time. Ironically Father's sermon emphasised this at our Midnight Mass.

My aunt needed someone to spruce up her environs for Christmas. I sent someone whom I had met just once, but had learnt from friends that he is a good worker.

My aunt is old and ailing and naturally feels paranoid about everybody these days. The guy worked just one day, he did not complete the task and promised to return the next day to finish the job. 

She complained of an uneasy feeling and thought it best that he not return, as she felt his intentions were not good.

I felt compelled to offer an explanation to the gentleman so I told him that we had got someone else to complete the job. I inquired how much was owed for the job he had completed to which he replied, "Tants, that lady suffering more than me, I cannot charge her for anything. 

But I want you and your aunt to know something, I have no criminal ideas in my head, I just want to eat when the day comes. I am not out to cheat anybody as long as what I do is honest".

Talk about preach! I felt like a cent. So many of us see the criminal side of our brothers and sisters rather than their honesty and integrity. May this Christmas season open our eyes to the "Jesus" in all of us.
Gisele W Durham, Champs Fleurs/St Joseph Parish