To develop men, strengthen family life, the community and the wider society - that is the goal of St Joseph Covenant Keepers (SJCK), a ministry for men.

The Trinidad & Tobago arm was officially launched May 6 at Malabar church at a day of ministry, praise, sharing and testimony under the themes Raising the Standard and Fix the Men, Fix the World!

Christo Gouveia, one of the local coordinators, told Catholic News during a break that SJCK is not an organisation but a Catholic Christian movement based upon eight commitments which must be individually adopted: affirm Christ's lordship over our families; follow St Joseph – the loving leader and head of the Holy Family; love our wives all our lives; turn our hearts toward our children; educate our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord; protect our families; provide for our families; and build our marriages and families on the Rock (Church).

He said “members” will be encouraged to meet in small area groups “to support each other, as men, in living out the principles.” “The objection is to help men understand their role as servant leaders, to lay down their lives for their wives and children.” Single men are not excluded as they are encouraged to “lay down their lives for their families and the community”.

SJCK will temporarily operate out of the People of Praise Community offices in Arima until its secretariat is set up before year-end, Gouveia said. The secretariat will have SJCK reading, audio and video material available for use. Plans are also in train for SJCK to host a monthly television programme on Trinity Communications Network.

Guest speaker Charlie Osburn at the May 6 national launch of St Joseph Covenant Keepers. Raymond Syms photo

Giving his testimony during the morning session was invited Catholic lay evangelist, Charlie Osburn from Florida, USA.

During his animated and humourous hour-long talk that dealt with his spiritual growth, the former mayor and restaurateur challenged his all male audience to read the Scriptures, recognise their worth as “masterpieces” of God, persevere through life's “trials and tribulations” and build their relationships with their wives and children.

The day ended with a concelebrated Mass with chief celebrant Fr Robert Llanos, Episcopal Vicar for Family Life, Sangre Grande parish priest Fr Ian Taylor, and Samoan priest Fr Muliau Stowers.

For more information on SJCK, contact People of Praise at 667-1544, email popraise@carib-link.net or visit www.dads.org

- RS