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Sunday August 21, 2005

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Prayer for Frs Graham and Woods

DEAR EDITOR: It is sorrowful news to read in your columns of the death of both Fr John Woods and Fr Colm Graham, both of the Dominican order.

The tributes paid to both priests, so eloquently by other writers in your widely read columns, remains a testimony to the work and missionary zeal and outreach that both men achieved in the vineyard of the Lord.

It is easy for some of your readers to say what they like or dislike about a particular priest. Be that as it may, both Frs Wood and Graham never faltered in their priestly duties, their role was always to keep focus on their priestly life.

Fr Graham told the story of how, before he boarded the boat to come to Trinidad , he saw his father waving and wiping tears from his eyes. When he was visited by some of his former parishioners of Bourg Mulatresse, at St Saviour's he made one request, that the late Archbishop should be requested to bring him back to Trinidad. Some persons found him too strict, but in the work of the Lord can a priest be too strict?

Fr John Woods had a different personality, yet though he was full of warmth and friendliness his parishioners were made to understand his priestly zeal. His parishioners, no matter where, loved this priest. Memory of him could easily bring tears to flow, if only to say we did not cherish his prayerful life for so many of us.

Sometime ago, when he was recalled to Ireland on a pressing matter, he too was yearning to come back to Trinidad . He told the late Archbishop Pantin, he would accept without hesitation to serve in any parish.

Many parishioners will attest that where these priests served, the parishes were not lukewarm.

When Fr Woods served at San Rafael , he had several out parishes to administer. He never cut short the services. Indeed it was an achievement to observe the effort he made to be on time at all his services. The parishioners of St Jude, St Paul and James Smart will testify.

The history of the local Church is written with the names of many good priests and nuns, and lay people too. Let's say a prayer for them all.

In the case of Frs Graham and Woods, the prayer to St Dominic could be said:

Sound the mighty champion praises

Raise the sound for him who came

Charged to spread the gospel tidings

Charged to spread the gospel fame!

Dear reader, the time has come for us to pray for and support our priests more fervently. Don't you think so?

Edward Persad, Santa Cruz

A great pastoral leader

DEAR EDITOR: Life and society are about relating to people. It is gratifying when our leaders political and pastoral take the interests of the anawim (poor) to heart, hearing every person's story with dignity and respect.

Though he was diminutive in size, the late Fr Johnny Woods, OP was a giant of a pastoral leader. This he proved during his ten-month stint in the Holy Cross parish, Santa Cruz .

During that short period his name became a household word. The people just loved him, and he too, loved them. They were sad when he had to leave.

It was not uncommon for him to delay weekday evening Mass by an hour on account of the large number of sick he attended to in the parish.

We will never forget his thorough preparation of the parish for the Antilles Eucharistic Congress, a remote preparation for the Year of the Eucharist.

His emphasis on living out the Eucharist and its social dimensions made a deep impression on our minds.

For him “Jesus made himself the Bread of Life, that we may be able to eat and live and to be able to see Him in the distressing disguise of the poor” (Sr Teresa of Calcutta ).

He realised too to be humble is to be wise for “if you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.” (Blessed Teresa of Calcutta ).

“ Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Master .” (Mt 25:21).

Paul Cherrie, Santa Cruz

Farewell to two wonderful priests

DEAR EDITOR: We thank God for blessing our lives with the friendship of two wonderful priests: Fr CC Graham OP and Fr J Woods OP - They lived the words “ Good and faithful servant ” - Farewell dear friends, thanks for everything, until we meet again.

The Joseph and Robinson families, Santa Cruz

The following poem was written by Fr Graham in his latter days.

ST COLUMBA'S – MY CRADLE OF FAITH

I heard a church-bell ringing as it echoed far and wide,

Calling us to Holy Mass, put other things aside;

'twas the vocal sound of music from Columba's Church nearby

A sombre tone of holiness as it wavered through the sky.

Our church this year has reached a hundred years and more,

Looking young and elegant as it did in days of yore.

The beauty of its sacredness is there for all to see,

With columns of nobility and spans of artistry.

The altar is imposing, majestic, dignified,

As it glorifies the little home with Jesus Christ inside.

And the windows high above, seven sacraments portray

As they gleam and glint in the sunlight day by day.

God bless this noble church of prayer and sacrifice,

And may the soul of Fr Byrne, the builder, rest in peace.

And I thank God, enabling me this birthday not to pass,

'twas here I was baptised, confirmed, and offered my first Mass

FROM THE EDITORS

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