The first in this year's programme of devotions in honour of La Divina Pastora was held on Sunday, November 11.

Fr David Khan officiated over by and it was also the first of the devotions organised under the tenure of Fr Martin Sirju as parish priest of La Divina Pastora, Siparia.

Fr David Khan

Fr Martin Sirju

We did not know it at the time, but this was also the day on which former parish priest, Fr Stephen Doyle, returned to Trinidad after an absence of 16 months receiving medical treatment in Ireland. Welcome, Fr Martin, and welcome back to Trinidad, Fr Stephen!

The Rosary was led by a number of young people who are preparing to be confirmed, while the Senior choir led the singing at Mass. It was the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, and in the first reading, there was the situation where a devout mother was made to look on as her equally devout sons were tortured and killed by the pagan king's agents, because they refused to go against their faith.

Fr David used this situation to launch his teaching on the theme: "Images of Mary in the Bible - Mary as Mother." He presented us with a series of snapshots of Mary as Mother.

(1) She gave birth to Jesus in a dark, smelly and uncomfortable stable, but she remained full of trust in God.

(2) She brought Him to the temple to be presented to God and named, and there encountered two prophets who both recognised Him, but whose prophecies for both mother and Child were dire - the Child "destined to be a sign for the rise and fall of many....", and for herself ".... a sword will pierce your heart...." And Mary stood her ground, trusting, and cherishing in her heart all the occurrences surrounding the birth of her child.

(3) At the wedding feast at Cana, she saw the power and potential of Jesus, even when He himself was not quite ready. But she knew what He could do, and practically launched His public ministry. Father asked the question “Do we see the potential in our children, and give them loving encouragement and support?”

(4) She saw her sinless Son condemned to death against the backdrop of a hostile crowd demanding His blood, His death. Yet she remained steadfast and loving.

(5) Standing at the foot of the cross, she listened as Jesus said to the beloved disciple "Behold your Mother", and to her, "behold your Son" (the disciple).

She listened, and allowed herself to be taken into the home of that disciple from that day on. Father asked, “Do we listen to our children? Are we open to their ideas?”

(6) When Jesus went missing at the age of twelve, she and Joseph, in distress, were looking for Him, eventually finding Him in the Temple where they probably went to pray to find Him.

“When things get rough,” Father asked, “do we turn to the Lord? And are we bringing our children to faith by passing ours on to them at every opportunity?”

Father's teaching continued as he pointing out that Mary is the perfect mother who seeks God in good and bad times, and in the in-between times. She sacrifices, she suffers, but her trust in God never falters. We, both men and women, need to pattern our lives on her.

Having been so faithful to God all her life, Mary was rewarded by being given the privilege of being present at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost, experiencing that ecstasy and powerful spiritual strengthening. At the end of her earthly life, she was assumed, body and soul, into heaven.

We are called, like Mary, to be good mothers, even the males, seeking God in good times, in bad times and in ordinary times. Then, like her, we will be rewarded by Him.

Fr David, the people of Siparia and the pilgrims thank you for the spiritual upliftment you have given to us, and we look forward to more of your ministering in the future.

The next in the series of devotions will take place on Sunday, December 9, at 3.00 p.m., and will continue on the second Sunday of each month until March, the feast day being in April.

We are inviting all Catholics to come and honour Our Lady, La Divina Pastora. Attendance at these devotions is dwindling. Loving, grateful children never forget, or become too busy to honour their mother. So, organise your maxi-taxis and come!