DEAR EDITOR: Recently, Pope Benedict XVI preached at St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York during his purification journey of prayer and healing. One of his aims was to clean up the clergy, revising Church laws so predators could be more easily removed. It was visionary, soul-saving and humanely relevant.

The shortage of priests, where in some parishes resident priests are lacking, may be attributed to the scandalous wrongdoing of some priests. But the abuse scandal may be only one reason why not many are joining the priesthood.

However, contrary to this is the good news that the Catholic population is increasing. According to the Wanderer newspaper there were 1.3 billion Catholics in 2006, 1.15 billion in 2005. Religious and diocesan priests have improved from 406,411 in 2005 to 407,262 – figures in the Annuario Pontifico of February 2008.

In Asia priests are rising in numbers – 43,506 in 2000 to to 51,281 in 2006. 115480 Students in Philosophy and Theology (seminarians) have increased in numbers. And even though in America and Europe figures show a little decline, in Africa and Asia the trend is towards positive growth. 

Some believe that sermons are uninspiring, unprepared, repetitive and lacking in conviction. Others believe that the choruses in other Churches are more musical, the singing more joyous, the charismatic conviviality stronger.

In the Christ the Lord church, Marabella, the weekend Masses are crowded for more than one reason. Parishioners across the land should find out why.

Willi Chen, Marabella

DEAR EDITOR: I offer the words of these psalms as a consolation to the nation.

You show care for the land by sending rain; you make it rich and fertile.
The streams you have given never run dry; they provide the earth with crops – This is what you have done.
You send abundant rain on the ploughed fields and soak them with water. You soften the soil with showers and cause the young plants to grow.
What a rich harvest your goodness provides! Wherever you go there is plenty!
The pastures are filled with flocks;
The hillsides are full of joy.
The fields are covered with sheep;
The valleys are full of wheat;
They shout and sing for joy! (Psalm 65:9-13)

The Lord looks on those who revere him, on those who hope in his love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine. (Responsorial Psalm, Fifth Sunday of Easter)

These psalms can do wonders when we make them our prayer each day.

David Lynch, Port of Spain

We welcome all to the Apostleship of Prayer Rally at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Curepe on Sunday, June 8 at 10.00 a.m. with Holy Mass at 11.00 a.m. Archbishop Gilbert will preside and Fr Makhan our Spiritual Director will concelebrate. The rally will end with Holy Hour and Benediction beginning at 2.00 p.m. Bring your lunch.
Mulan Shim, coordinator

When your burden gets heavy don’t fear,
Just take it to the Lord in prayer.
Nothing lasts forever,
God knows best and acts in our favour.

Our Heavenly God is all powerful and protective
Have faith in Him and a peaceful life you’ll find.
Please remember you are never alone,
God is always with you, smile, don’t sulk or moan.

We all go through our trials, have courage and you’ll see,
It’s just to make us stronger and happy as can be.
That’s the work of God, to guide and direct,
Obey Him and we’ll be in heaven, a paradise so perfect.

Sue Jerome-Scott, Port of Spain