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A review of newsworthy events from across the archdiocese.
JANUARY - CREDI launches MA degree in Educational Leadership Jan 9.
- The Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs celebrate its 65th anniversary with a concelebrated Mass on Jan 15 at the Cathedral with bishops and clergy from around the Caribbean. Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, a graduate, preaches the homily.
- The Touch of Christ Deaf Community celebrates 25 years of Deaf Catechesis at the Mt Lambert parish hall on Jan 20.
- Couples For Christ marks its 10th anniversary.
FEBRUARY - An Archdiocesan Day of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving is held Feb 29. The theme: Repentance, Reconciliation and Solidarity.
- Dominican Sisters Bernadette de la Bastide and Rose de Verteuil celebrate their 60th anniversary of religious profession on February 23.
MARCH - Archbishop Gilbert releases a second pastoral letter on crime and violence on the weekend of March 16. Among the activities Catholics are called to get involved in: Vicariates to celebrate a Mass for victims every quarter, families encouraged to recite the rosary for the special intention of Respect for Life.
- At the March 17 annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral, Archbishop Gilbert praises the clergy for their work and ministry but reiterates that the archdiocese needs more priests to fulfill its ministry. “We need to work for vocations… It is the nature of the Church to be priestly, and we can’t be priestly if we don’t have priests”.
- Regional Seminary lecturer and theologian Sr Diane Jagdeo OP passes away March 18. Fr Clyde Harvey preaches the homily at her funeral Mass on March 26, held at a packed Holy Name Convent chapel, Port of Spain. Vicar General Msgr Christian Pereira is the chief celebrant, while Archbishop Emeritus Kelvin Felix represents the bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference.
- The Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny hold their first Provincial Assembly from March 23-28 at Emmaus Centre, Arima. Two hundred persons from around the region participate in the event. Feature speaker: Sr Clare Stanley of Sierra Leone. At the closing Mass four Sisters are honoured: Srs Mary Margaret and Aloysius Ashby (diamond jubilee); and Srs Enda MacNamara and Jacinta Rigsby (long and devoted service).
APRIL - The annual Seminary Fundraising Dinner and Dance is held April 6 and once again is well supported.
MAY - The annual Marian devotions at the national shrine in Laventille begin May 11. The focus in 2008 was Social Justice.
- Catholic media in the archdiocese change direction with the formation of CAMSEL – Catholic Media Services Limited. Catholic News celebrates its 116th anniversary with a May 4 Mass at the Cathedral. CAMSEL is launched during the Mass, which coincides with World Communications Day.
- The post-SEA Values to Virtues Programme runs from April to July.
- More than 60 priests and religious and lay parish administrators go on retreat for three days (May 12-14) in Mayaro to discuss the mission of the local Church and other issues.
- Leslie Tang Kai is ordained deacon May 17 at the Cathedral. Two hours after his Mass and sharing, a shoot out between police and a bandit takes place in the Catholic Centre car park. A bullet shatters a framed portrait of the pope inside the building.
JUNE - Church psychologist Sr Julie Peters, conducting a June 14 workshop, urges parents to talk to their children about sex and sexuality to reduce the possibility of them becoming victims of sexual abuse. The workshop, “Helping children recognise and protect themselves from sex harrassment and abuse”, comes about because of recent child sexual abuse cases.
- The T&T contingent for World Youth Day celebrations in Australia is commissioned by Archbishop Gilbert on June 22. The commissioning takes places at “Solidarity – A Positive Revolution – Standing Up For Christ”, at the San Fernando Hill. Hundreds of Catholic youth attend.
- Twenty-three laymen are installed as lectors June 21 at the Cathedral. The new lectors are candidates in the three-year permanent diaconate programme. Archbishop Gilbert describes the occasion as “a sign of hope” for the local Church that would help address the priest shortage.
- The Pauline Year is launched in the Church worldwide on June 29 and parishes named after Ss Peter and Paul celebrate their feast day.
- Following meetings with parish priests and coordinators on June 24, and the Synod Committee on June 28, Archbishop Gilbert decides to delay the start of Synod 2008, carded for October. In his letter of explanation, the archbishop says the decision was taken as substantial work remained to be completed.
JULY - The first CAMSEL/MATT Media Awards is held July 6 at Assumption Centre. Theme of awards: Protecting Children’s Basic Rights. Feature speaker, lawyer Deborah Jean-Baptiste-Samuel, challenges journalists to continue highlighting child rights and protection.
- The Missionaries of Charity open their new home in South Oropouche on July 6, 19 years after opening their first. The southern residence, donated by Myrtle Partap, will welcome underprivileged young women.
- A 42-member contingent from Trinidad & Tobago attends the 23rd World Youth Day celebrations in Australia in July.
- Fr Gerard Pantin CSSp celebrates the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 20. Fr David Oliveire celebrates his 50th anniversary on July 12, while former Seminary rector Fr Joe Harris CSSp celebrates 40 years on July 14.
- Fr Hasely King O Carm is ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Gilbert on July 19 at St Michael’s church, Maracas Valley. Archbishop Gilbert urges Fr King, originally from Rio Claro, to work for unity through collaboration and communication.
- On July 20, seminarians Allan Hall and Steve Ransome are conferred with the Ministry of Lector, while Jason Boatswain is conferred with the Ministry of Acolyte. In an effort to educate the faithful, the rite is performed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, San Fernando.
AUGUST - STEEP-ed in Liturgy (Sacramental, Trinitarian, Ecclesial, Eschatological, Paschal) in Liturgy was the theme of Liturgy School, held August 4 – 9 at St Joseph’s College, St Joseph.
- A week later, from August 10 – 16, the annual Caribbean School for Catholic Communications is held at Emmaus Centre, Arima. This year’s theme: Creating a Cutlure of Dialogue through Film and Related Media.
- Sangre-Grande born Lystra Long, a former Seminary library assistant, makes her religious vows at the Queen of the Rosary chapel, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, USA August 10, becoming a Sinsinawa Dominican sister.
- Sr Petronilla Joseph O Carm is elected prioress general of the Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters during their August 11-25 XV General Chapter, held at St Paul’s Retreat Centre, Vryheid’s Lust, Guyana. Sr Petronilla takes over from Sr Antoinette Dickie, who served as prioress for the past 12 years. Sr Katrina Charles is assistant prioress general.
SEPTEMBER - The St Vincent de Paul-run Home for the Aged in San Fernando is blessed and formally opened September 6. The rebuilt home cost around seven million dollars, with Republic footing most of the costs. It is dedicated to former managing director of the bank, Cyril Devaux, who was also a member of the Society.
- Chair of the Synod Process Team, Fr Allan Ventour, announces January 23, 24, 30 and 31 as the new dates for the Archdiocesan Synod 2009. Venue will be the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.
- The 2008-2009 Academic Year at the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Ugandan Marytrs is formally opened with a concelebrated Mass in the seminary chapel. Chief celebrant is AEC president Archbishop Donald Reece of Kingston, Jamaica, while Archbishop Robert Rivas of Castries, St Lucia, is the homilist. New rector Msgr Michael Stewart reads a profession of faith.
- The Trinidad and Tobago Association for Retarded Children marks its 50th year of existence with a series of activities including Masses and services at various venues.
· OCTOBER - The centenary year celebrations of the Corpus Christi Carmelites comes to a close October 1 at Mount St Benedict. Former prioress Sr Antoinette Dickie unveils a bust of the Congregation’s foundress, Mother Mary Ellerker.
- Local celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother takes place October 4, feast of St Francis of Assisi, at the Max Murphy Centre, Chaguanas.
- Diamond Jubilee of religious profession of Sr Mary Gabriel OP of Rosary Monastery – Oct 14
- Teams of Our Lady celebrates its 25th anniversary on October 26 with Holy Mass. Vicar for Family Life, Fr Robert Llanos presides.
NOVEMBER
- November 2 marks the 25th anniversary of the T&T Southern Centre of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Coordinators Cuthbert and Daphne Meijas are lauded for their years of commitment.
- Sr Monique Moniquette OP, long-standing chaplain at the UWI, St Augustine campus, celebrates her golden jubilee of profession on November 1.
- The Marriage Encounter movement celebrates its 30th anniversary with a Mass and dinner at Fatima College.
- Cherish your life, God loves you is the theme of the November 15-16 conference organised by the Separated, Divorced and Widowed Ministry of the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission. Among the speakers are Judicial Vicar Fr Joe Harris, CSSp and retired judge Monica Barnes.
- Attorney-at-law Leela Ramdeen is appointed Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice, effective December 1. This is her second stint as chair; she held the post from March 2003 to March 2006.
DECEMBER - Positive reviews for the “Created and Redeemed – Theology of the Body” conference featuring Christopher West. The December 6-7 event at the Chaguaramas Hotel and Convention Centre was organised by the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission.
- Four members of the Living Water household – Helen Agostini, Rosemary Scott, Suzanne Dowdy and Lilias Milne - celebrate 25 years of consecrated life.
- Archdiocesan history is created as the Hispanic Pastoral is inaugurated during a December 12 Mass at the Cathedral. Main celebrant, Vicar General Msgr Christian Pereira: “This is a sign of hope and growth.” A suitable host parish is being sought to locate the Hispanic Pastoral Office.
- Seminarian Jason Boatswain is ordained deacon December 13 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. A week later at the same venue, Rev Leslie Tang Kai is ordained to the priesthood. Archbishop Gilbert describes the ordinations as hope and new life for the Church.
IN MEMORIAM Priests & Religious
FEB 25 – Sr Mary Bernard Louis O Carm MAR 12 – Fr Michael Moses MAR 18 – Sr Diane Jagdeo OP JUL 19 – Fr Stephen Doyle OP in Ireland JUL 14 – Bro John Cassian D’Arceuil JUL 26 – Sr Anne Abrams SJC Lay Faithful FEB 18 – Michael Clarke of Catholic News MAR. 3 – Cecil Sanchez of Curepe parish JUN 5 – Isabella D’Arceuil, former secretary at the Regional Seminary JUN 24 – Phillip Chin-Albert, lay minister at Fishing Pond and devotee of the annual Divine Mercy Pilgrimage AUG 31 – Augustine “Chessie” Theroulde, grounds-man at the Seminary for over 40 years SEPT 19 – Janett James, co-founder of the Zion RC Community DEC 25 – John Ramtahal, longstanding member of the Corpus Christi Organising Committee of the Cathedral Parish, St Finbar’s parishioner and member of the Knights of St John
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