DEAR EDITOR: Seasons Greetings! The season of Advent is upon us, and the preparations for the feast day of Christmas has begun.

Advent is a time we as Catholic Christians prepare for Christ’s coming into the world in human flesh.

The Christmas story, which has been, told for more than 2000 years remains the same, but each passing year gives us an opportunity to welcome the Baby Jesus into our hearts in a more meaningful way.

Yes, there are general preparations that must take place for this welcoming – the advent candle, the advent wreath, depictions of crèche scenes throughout our churches, at times a Christmas tree, the various readings and responses at Masses, the hymns we sing leading up to Christmas Day are all external signs of our faith.

In the secular world preparations are also made – extravagant shopping, decorating, sprucing up our homes, painting, buying new furniture/appliances, indulging in the variety of food and drink which we in the West Indies are famous for, the ham, the turkey, the pork, pastelle, sorrel, ginger beer.

Yet the true welcoming of the Baby Jesus into our hearts as neglected, lost to the consumerism, commercialisation, and materialism of the secular world.

This Christmas season let us for one day stop and spare a thought and reflect on the “reason for the season,” the true meaning of Christmas. Take some time from the busyness and pray, then the true meaning of Christmas will penetrate our hearts, causing us to be more humane in our actions.

As citizens we can help curb the negative behaviour in our society by the example of the message of Bethlehem, “Let there be peace on earth!”

A happy, peaceful and holy Christmas season.
Ken Smith, Woodbrook

DEAR EDITOR: I love going to church on Sunday. There is warmth and peace and internal joy I experience in the company of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Mark you we are all sinners. I am a sinner and many of my fellow parishioners are sinners. Nevertheless we are comforted to know that God’s mercy and forgiveness can engulf this shame and make us new again.

I attend the Holy Cross Churrch, Princes Town. I feel comfortable here and there were a number of positive changes instituted by our new parish priest Fr Kumar from India. The Mass still has its appeal.

On Sunday, November 4. I was invited to attend a celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation at St Theresa’s RC Church in Rio Claro. I thoroughly enjoyed the Mass. There were many slight differences, which caught my attention.

For example during the collection, all the participants formed a line and deposited their “treasures” at the altar. This was interesting to me. I began to think of all the other variations practiced. This led me to make a vow to visit as many RC churches as I can on Sundays.

On Sunday, November 11, I went to the St Madeleine RC Church. It is a small, intimate and warm church. After the homily on resurrection, a parishioner interrupted and asked a pertinent question on the journey of the soul.

Father answered the question at length and even asked if anyone else had questions. This was a very special experience for me.

On November 17, I attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Harris Promenade. The grandness of this church stood out. All the pews were filled and there were people even standing in the aisles. There was a sort of patience about the Mass.

All the songs were sung in a sort of opera style and the organ helped bring about a solemn European flavour. When the time for intentions came a cordless mike was passed around and everyone who had their hand up shared their intention.

My point is the Mass is rich and varied. Those critics of the Mass need to visit all the churches and then say it is irrelevant. I go to Mon Repos next week and who knows what will be my special moment. God bless you and attend your Mass no matter what.
Gregory Quan Kep, Princes Town