The Laventille/Morvant Pastoral Area (LMPA) congratulates Fr Michael Cockburn on the 40^th anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood on July 13.

We thank him for the unwavering support in his priestly ministry throughout the many years and in particular the introduction of Stewardship spirituality. According to him, the idea of stewardship spirituality began in Trinidad in Advent 1995, when he served as Dean of the North West Deanery and parish priest of Carenage for six years. It was spawned by Ronald Pantin (deceased), younger brother of former Archbishop Anthony Pantin (deceased) who had migrated to Miami. While there he was able to lend his expertise in the area of accounting to the Church. He intended to give his services for free but the parish employed him to fill a fully paid position.

Fr Michael Cockburn

On the invitation of former Archbishop Pantin, he visited Trinidad, to introduce the idea of stewardship, which he had researched and found it to be very effective. Fr Cockburn immediately latched on to it. He understood it and knew that it would work. As with the introduction of most new ideas, it was met with some apprehension. However, the parish leaders showed interest as they too recognised that it was viable and thought that they should at least give it a try.

Stewardship is a spirituality that renews people. It is managing God’s work, not just responding to appeals. It enables people to live in the service of God, in a structured parish programme. Little by little, Stewardship spirituality was officially accepted as a Diocesan policy recognised by Synod 2006. It is meant to renew a parish and to co-ordinate and integrate ministries across the board as everything you do is in the service of God. People are invited to pledge their time, talent and treasure, symbolic of giving their all – “Putting God First”.

The LMPA has seen the fruits of this spirituality in many ways, especially with the transformation of our parishes in a short time-frame. We have a newly remodeled St Dominic’s Church (Morvant), a new parish hall and extensive renovations to the presbytery at Corpus Christi parish (Success), and the purchase of Fatima Villa, a property located just behind the church at theNational Shrine in Laventille. Accomplishing these major projects and several concurrent mini projects was no easy feat. It spelt living the stewardship spirituality.

We reiterate our heartfelt kudos to Fr Cockburn for enkindling in us this type of spirituality, which has caused a spring of pledges to come forth, for the building up of God’s kingdom here on earth. Thank you also for responding to God’s magnificent call 40 years ago by surrendering your life to His service. May God continue to shower you with His graces for His honour and glory. - Cheryl-Ann Mader