Msgr Christian Pereira

Tomorrow, Monday, December 3, the first Monday of the Advent, all interested persons are welcome to the opening of the Santa Rosa Advent into Christmas season.

Parishioners, families and communities within the parish, as well as corporate citizens, were invited to assist us with the preparation of the park, the lighting of the trees and the erection of a special crèche to mark the seasons we are entering. The theme for the last few years has been Light a Tree – heal our land.

 This year we have maintained the same theme, with the hope that as we continue this family tradition we will create an environment and provide the images (of the lights and crèche) to help us focus on the things that bring us healing as a borough, and as a people. The sense that we need deep healing in our land and among our people, because of all that continues to disturb our harmony is a very real experience.

We are grateful to the team of persons from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission under the guidance of Harry Rampersad for facilitating this and to Mr Noel and his team for the infrastructure. Edmond Charles continues to be the designer for the crèche and this year the frame for the crèche was done by Ossie Neptune.

 The park was cleaned by the CEPEP group under the leadership of Adrian Beckles. George Gill and his team will provide security throughout the season. Among the many persons who sponsored this project were individual parishioners, families and communities, the list is given below.

The actual opening ceremony will be hosted by Winston Garcia, leader of the People of Praise Community and will begin with the praying of the Angelus by led by Juliana Charles. Dale White family and friends ensemble, Los Amigos Cantrodores, Los Parandores de UWI, the St Jude Celestial Singers and others will perform.

After Msgr Christian offers the opening prayer and the blessing the Confirmation candidates will release the “confetti”. The grandchildren of one of our gens d’Arime will switch on the lights while everyone sings the carol Angels We have Heard on High. Refreshments will be on sale and will include specially prepared Arima pastelles, hops and ham, soft drinks etc.

The evening promises to be a truly blessed occasion and everyone is welcome to share the joy of this occasion with your friends at Santa Rosa and the wider community of Arima.

In attendance we expect the Mayor, Adrian Cabralis and the Member of Parliament, Pennelope Beckles, the president of the Arima Business Community and one of the sponsors, Raj Jadoo, members of the various satellite, religious and prayer communities as well as friends from other religions.

Let us rejoice in the coming of the Saviour and celebrate the great season of Advent leading into the joy of Christmas.
The following is a partial list of the sponsors who made the lighting of the park possible for Christmas 2007.

Our parish is deeply appreciative of all who continue to be true benefactors of our church. All of you help in one way or another to make Family Santa Rosa blossom and shine to the glory of God and the uplifting of the human spirit. Thank you very much.

Families
Leo and Yasmin Soo Tim & family
The Brooks Family
Constantine, Manette and Taylor families
The Joachim Family
Lucita Cross
Scott and Mark Olton
Theresa Phillips
Rita Nurse
Joel, Janelle and Shelly Khan
Emmanuel Koon Koon
Selwyn and Joan Bharath
Alan Garcia
The Baptiste Family
Jacqueline Bagoo
Anne Springer
Many other parishioners

Parish Groups
Christ the King Choir
People of Praise Community
Precious Blood Community
Cluny sisters at Emmaus
Arima Boys’ RC School

Corporate Citizens
Jadoo’s Trading
Bhopa’s Holdings
VG’s Bakery
Rodney’s Supermarket
Automotive Components
Balroop’s Sound System
National Lotteries
Wise Count Carpets
Crofton Homes
Gulf Insurance
General Finance Corporation
Universal Structures