Dear Friends,
A wonder-filled “Thank you” to so many of you who responded to our request for used guitars some months ago. We collected 17 guitars and two cuatros and the music lessons are swinging along weekly with a great instructor.

The young people involved are able to play for youth Masses now. They were even ready to play for His Grace the Archbishop when he visited Rio Claro for the Parish Assembly in September.  Blessings on those who generously responded to make a difference.

Today we are reaching out to you again in two areas: used educational software and toys/foods for Christmas hampers.

Those who have educational software their children no longer use, please consider bringing some special cheer to a project the CCSJ parish link teams wants to launch for Christmas in collaboration with a corporate entity and St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph - to bring computer literacy to the children of the Cyril Ross home.

Our Justice Link teams held discussions with Robert Boopsingh, General Manager of InfoLink Services Limited and this led to employees of Trans Union Trinidad & Tobago coming forward to volunteer time and expertise to our effort. SJC, St Joseph, were immediately enthusiastic when we spoke to them and now all we need is software to make this all come true.

So we thought of you again ... and of any products that might not be in use any more at your homes. We welcome anything, but high on our list are fun software – computer programmes for learning to read and for Math ... but games are fine too. Materials for all ages are needed but especially software with an appeal to the 10 -16 age group. Gift a child with computer literacy for Christmas!

Our second appeal is for bringing Christmas cheer to rural areas. We are looking for toys for some children 6 – 8, but mostly 9 –12, and we want to prepare 35 hampers for families. Any non-perishable goods are welcome, from basics like corned beef, tuna etc to some more festive types of offerings like bottles of nuts or marshmallows. Chocolates would be a real hit. Or a cheque made out to St Theresa's RC Church, Rio Claro would be a blessing. Could you help?

Our Christmas event will take place on Dec 9, so contributions would be appreciated by Dec 7. Drop -offs can be at the Social Justice Office at Archbishop's House on the Savannah, or at the Catholic Chaplaincy in St Augustine.

As there are may projects going on at each location, please label your envelope, or package of software, or food items to “Maureen - Christmas project”.

Please receive our warmest wishes for a loving, peaceful Advent and a joyful Christmas - from your friends in the CCSJ Parish Link teams.. bringing the Good News...sharing the joy to all ... Our deepest thanks... You are so needed...
Maureen Arneaud, St Augustine

DEAR EDITOR: In Luke 12: 8-12, in preparing his disciples before sending them out on their mission, Jesus assures them not to worry.

This assurance applied even to what they should say if they were arrested and brought before the magistrates and judges while on their mission.
“Do not worry”, he said.

Maybe, on still seeing subtle insecurities in some of them, He went on to promise to actually put the correct words in their mouths, as to what to say if they were arrested.
While reading this, I thought to my self, “that is faith”.

These disciples had to actually BELIEVE in Him to be able to go out there among the “wolves” and actually depend on that “promise”.
I suppose they could have elected not to go or not to believe that He would take care of them.

If they did not believe it would not happen. It would have been chaos. And we would not have been hearing of this magnificent display of God’s power today.
Believing therefore seems to be dependent on a decision on our part. We can decide either to believe or not to believe.

There are so many factors out there that we can allow to hinder us from choosing what to believe. And therefore hold on to the less significant messages of lies, deception and mischief that are obviously designed to lead us astray and eventually to final damnation.
On the other hand, like the disciples, we can step out and believe in the Word.

During the passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Pharisees and the High Priests refused to believe that Jesus was in fact the Son of God. It was their decision not to believe, despite all of the things that He did that should have made believing so easy.

Yes, believing is a decision.
What do we have to do to be convinced of this truism?
How long do we have to wait?

We have all been listening to God’s word from time to time. Yet, we continue to straddle along and to hesitate.

Believing, in God, through His son Jesus, is our decision to make.
Let us, like his disciples, step out in faith and do it.
Doyle Hicks, Windermere, Florida (via email)