The lesson in the parable of the Prodigal Son is relevant for each one of us today but especially for fathers and their sons, says Fr Ashton Pierre, CSSp.

Students of St Dominic’s RC, Morvant lead the singing at last Sunday’s Laventille Devotions.

Fr Ashton Pierre celebrates Mass at Laventille Devotions last Sunday. In the background are members of Marriage Encounter movement who led the devotions.

Preaching the homily at this month’s Marian Devotions at Laventille last Sunday afternoon, Fr Pierre stressed that the lesson in the Sunday’s gospel gives fathers and sons an opportunity to forgive each other for the wrongs done to each other.

Fr Pierre’s sermon focussed on the Holy Family and family relationships in the context of the Sunday’s readings.

He said the Holy Family remains a model of “what family should be”. He said in the family, both parents were important for the development of a child.

He said he was saddened that in today’s world, a child is often times seen as a burden as many are not willing to forego their current lifestyle. He said abortion was no alternative, as “it destroys two lives – the child’s (foetus) and the conscience of the mother.”

He said every child is destined for greatness and homes must “be places of love, prayer and hope…Children must be allowed to dream dreams”.

Fr Pierre, who said positive values like fidelity and selflessness need to first be nurtured in the home, also spoke of “the brokenness, anger and resentment” in many relationships, single mothers and absentee fathers, and the socialisation of males.

Team couples of the Marriage Encounter movement, including current national coordinators Yvette and Douglas James and predecessors Dexter and Freida Shim, led the devotions; students of St Dominic’s RC School, Morvant, admirably led the singing and also did the Mass readings. Archbishop Gilbert presided, conducting the Benediction before Mass, while a number of priests were available for confession.

The series of monthly devotions for 2007 concludes next month on October 14.
- RS