“Study the Word to build your relationship with Christ,” was the message Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) spiritual moderator Fr Wilfred John had for this year’s graduates of the Catholic Bible Institute (CBI). “Study the bible every day. You can’t afford to slack off.”

In his homily, the Cedros parish priest urged graduates to see their graduation not only as a personal achievement, but use their knowledge to spread God’s Word. “The world needs to hear about love, about Jesus Christ. Go out and convince the world”.

Linda Maria Greaves

CBI graduating class 2008

Fr John invited them to read the bible – the Good News - at the start of the day, then use it as reassurance against “the bad news” recorded daily in the newspapers.

“Don’t allow your bible to gather dust…help your families to be readers, livers of the Word. Listen, hear and share the Word of God”.

The July 5 graduation was held at the Community’s Vocational School in Tunapuna as the usual venue, the Bible Institute in Caroni, has not had a water supply for two months.

Family and friends of the graduates comprised the congregation, along with members of the Eternal Light Community, and the CCR National Service Team, headed by chair Sr Debbie de Rosia.

After Mass, the graduation function began with brief addresses by co-valedictorians Eurico Jardim and Jacqueline Gaspard. Gaspard’s sister and fellow graduate, Linda Maria Greaves, also shared – she is the second Pentecostal to graduate in the history of the CBI.

Greaves, a Pentecostal for 35 years and a returned citizen (she resided in the United States for 40 years), had words of praise for the CBI. She told those gathered that she felt welcomed and had good experiences. “…I found the Lord again, and I found myself”. Greaves encouraged all to promote the CBI, describing it as the best kept secret in the local Church.

Certificates of participation were then distributed to graduates, with diplomas to be sent at a later date.

Sr Debbie spoke on behalf of CBI principal Wendy Ann Jones, who was unavoidably absent. She said Jones wanted graduates to continue pondering the Word of God everyday and “take the Word everywhere, as it gives Life”. Allow the Word to be like a pillar of fire, “leading people out of darkness across to a place of hope and joy”, Sr Debbie said.

Presentations were made to teachers by graduates, before all were invited to the nearby hall for a luncheon.

The graduating class: Yolande Arneaud, Michael Awang, Malcolm and Joan Browne, Elizabeth Clarke, Maudelin Roma Coppin, Alison Creque, Maria Davis, Patricia Davis-Nymn, Yvonne Faustin;

Jacqueline Gaspard, Linda Maria Greaves, Anthony Holder, Eurico Jardim, Betty Ann La Caille, Ann Lett, Vlein Vilma Marcano, Phyllis Marchan, Mona Maxine, Joan McLeod-Simon;

Jacqueline Mootoo, Merle Moreno, Carolyn O’Connor, Frederica Peters, Randolph Phillips, Phyllis Raghunanan, Veda Ramdin, Grace Richards, Daurn Seaton Smith, Irma Stanford and Joan Valentine. - RS