THE EDITOR: I was present at Queen’s Hall to witness the opening night of the recent production of Love Movement A Legacy of Love. I was accompanied by a Trinidadian friend who has lived in the United States for a number of years.

The interesting thing is that a number of things that I have taken for granted with Love Movement productions were for him new and quite heart-warming.

The first thing that struck him was the very great talent of our people, especially our young people. He kept asking me if all this was real. I informed him that this was normal for Love Movement: great talent is taken for granted.

The other thing that warmed his heart greatly was the fact that Love Movement could have such a high level production with no nakedness.

He comes from the United States where productions like this would be characterised by much nakedness and exposure; that the performance could be so stirring without the need for exposing their bodies was a real surprise to him.

He was very happy that in Trinidad a group like Love Movement was making a statement that they did not to have to follow the world. He said the only way to describe the show is “WOW”.

It seems to me that the only word to describe the choreography was superb. I kept looking and almost not believing my eyes. The creativity was breathtaking.

I was particularly touched by the episode with the Hunch Back. It was also obvious that this was quite special to the children. When I saw the performance of the children I knew what it must have cost to produce a show like this with children.

In my own experience with children I know that I cannot keep their focus for more than about five seconds. That a production could have young children so disciplined and focussed during the performance was nothing short of a miracle to me.

Every now and then when a child got out of line the audience was amused because that is what we expect with children. Children do not keep quiet and orderly for long. Their occasional slips only added to the humanity of the show.

Any human show would have imperfections. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and any imperfection that there might have been became irrelevant in the general excellence of the show.

When I sat next to my friend who lives in a foreign land I was proud that we in Trinidad could offer an audience a production like this.
Thank you Love Movement for doing it again.
Fr John Theodore, CSSp, Port of Spain

THE EDITOR: The Love Movement’s concert recently held was truly a concert filled with love through and through.

I enjoyed the harmony of voices and saw tremendous talent, energy and love emanating from the very young, teens, young adults and the mature singers, as the various choirs when through their excellent performances. I saw tremendous enjoyment and appreciation from the audience as well.

For me it was a very warm touch to hear Bernadette Scott share her life (challenges and fortitude) and achieving a mission that began 35 years ago. How many others like her can relate such a story!!

I saw a story depicting a labour of love throughout the entire show. The love of Bernadette giving of her talent and treasure and positively impacting on the lives of so many individuals from as early as age four.

The choirs enjoyed their performances and I also felt their love and energy for their very own, Bernadette Scott. 

At the end of the show, one of the teachings of Jesus Christ stuck in my mind – ”There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another”. I saw Bernadette in this powerful message. 
Supporter of the Arts, Port of Spain

THE EDITOR: It is not often that one is moved to share with fellow readers the personal sense of joy and exhilaration experienced at a spiritual event.

It is spurred by the hope that its telling may enable others to relate in some degree to the depth of its spiritual dimension; it may also stir or, heighten an appreciation of its historical significance.

It was my privilege and pleasure to attend the Holy Mass celebrated to close the Bicentennial Year of the founding of the Order of Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny at the Cathedral on November 10, with His Grace the Archbishop as Chief Celebrant.

From the thrill of the pealing organ tones before Mass began, through the impressive and emotive entrance procession of a retinue of priests, all the way into the heart of the Mass with the beautiful choir’s rendition of the Meditation and commemorative hymns, it was a memory-evoking and emotional experience to relish for a long time.

Surrounded by schoolmates, (though, unfortunately, not classmates), some recognised and others not, it was a time to remember so much of the past - long past - these fifty-odd years in my case!

It was a time to be thankful for so many positive influences on our lives in our youth – the nurturing of our spiritual senses and the essence of our Catholic faith - ethical   principles and even practical applications of civility in everyday life from many a “politeness lesson”.

A time to remember and give thanks for those who taught us and became our role models in so many ways – recalling the stately elegance of a Mother Francis Xavier, the chuckling light-heartedness of a Madre Luisa and the gentle suavity of a Mother Anna, and more…

A time to offer a prayer not only for the few we recognise among those still with us, but for all the members – living and deceased - of this noble band who have walked in the footsteps of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey, the foundress of the Order.

The fond memories underlying the lifting up of mind and heart to God provided the right spiritual uplift and sense of well-being. It was indeed a happy time.

But alas, it was also a time to recall that most tragic event in1944 when a disastrous fire destroyed a large part of the Convent, including the old chapel. Memories of that overnight fire surfaced particularly in conversation afterwards.

 Its intensity still comes vividly to mind, (as if I had actually experienced it) when I think of the three fused copper coins I was able to retain as a grim reminder of a time of shock, horror and distress at the four nuns who perished in that night’s blaze.

Today we have a splendid (and still new-looking) chapel replacing the old, which only old-timers can barely remember. Was it Father Mackin who made it into the blaze to rescue the Blessed Sacrament, we were asking?

As it is with the Mass itself this was indeed a time of praise, thanksgiving and petition. We praise and thank God for all that He has done for us through the Sisters and pray for their continued well-being, and success of their on-going work in our country.
An Old Girl, Valsayn