Delegates at the Second Session of the Synod of the Catholic Church passed a number of resolutions with a mandate to all parishes in Trinidad and Tobago to implement Synod decisions in the next three years. This came at the end of the second and final Synod working day, Saturday, January 15, at the JFK Lecture Theatre, University of the West Indies , St Augustine .

Members of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice are captured at the beginning of their commission's presentation.

The 62 parishes were mandated to meet in assembly at least once a year to implement Synod resolutions. Parishes were further mandated to meet in the five vicariates to present reports coming out of their annual meetings.

Synod delegates recognised that parishes would need technical help to bring about the required changes, so a resolution was passed authorising Archbishop Edward Gilbert to appoint an implementation team within the next four months to assist the parishes. The full Archdiocesan Synod will meet again in 2008, to assess the progress made by the parishes and vicariates.

The Synod opened with Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday (Jan 13) afternoon. Archbishop Gilbert presided and was assisted by Msgr Christian Pereira, chairman of the Synod 2003 committee, and Fr Allan Ventour, Head of the Synod 2005 committee. Other concelebrants included Msgr Eustace Thomas of Dominica , Msgr Peschier and some seven other priest of the archdiocese. Archbishop's homily

Friday 14, the first working day of the Synod began with registration at 8.00 a.m. Opening remarks by Fr Allan Ventour followed Morning Prayer. Fr Ventour said, "a synod is a process by which the Church dialogues", and encouraged delegates who represented all the parishes in Trinidad and Tobago , to participate fully in the proceedings to make the Synod a success. He welcomed and acknowledged the various groups: presenters, delegates, moderators and rapporteurs.

The some 800 delegates, including priests, religious, lay persons and members of various commissions, councils and secretariats were treated to a well-received, fun time on Friday at the JFK Lecture Theatre. It came in the form of a calypso sung by Gail Barnard of the Southern Vicariate, that was part of the Catechetical Commission's presentation.

Archbishop Gilbert incenses the Archdiocesan Synod symbol during the January 15 concelebrated closing Mass. Concelebrants were Msgr Peschier, Msgr Michael de Verteuil, Frs Llanos, Ventour and Paponette.

Valerie Bethel, principal of Holy Faith Convent, Penal also delivered the Commission's report in the rhythm and rhyme of a dialect poem. The use of these art forms provided some much-needed variety on a day when the local Church was looking at some very heavy issues.

After Archbishop Gilbert formally declared the Synod open, the presentation of reports by the councils, commissions and secretariats began. In the morning, issues of Catholic Identity, the Seminary, the Tobago Retreat Centre, Priesthood, Religious and Lay communities, and Catholic Life Centres were discussed. This was followed by presentations on Family Life, Catechesis, Stewardship and Education.

Schools offered another highpoint of the day when the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM Ltd) reported on their challenges. Delegates came to realise that in order to achieve their goals in Catholic Education creative approaches need to be devised.

It was evident that delegates took their role seriously. Presentations were evaluated, there were questions, clarifications and proposed amendments to Synod Resolutions. This sparked discussions in an effort to make the best decisions to meet the needs of the archdiocese. The result was a number of amendments and new resolutions being passed.

The day ended about 5:30 p.m. instead of 4.00 p.m. , but delegates were satisfied they had achieved some of their goals.

The final day of the Second Session of the Synod brought more creative presentations in the form of dance and song by the Evangelisation Commission, skits by the Youth Secretariat and a video by the Communications Commission.

The Social Justice Commission made its presentation after the morning break. This commission received approval, from the delegates in attendance, to release statements on crime in Trinidad and Tobago and on pro-life issues in the Caribbean region.

In his homily at the closing Mass, Archbishop Gilbert warned delegates not to expect everyone to be receptive to the changes that would need to be made. He pointed out that the commissions, councils and secretariats, which reported in the Second Session faced two years of obstacles but their achievements showed tremendous progress because they stood firm in their call to mission and allowed the Holy Spirit to do His work while they did theirs.

The entire Church is called to mission, he said, but not all Catholics were at the stage where they would actively respond to that call. He told delegates going back to their parishes to recognise the tremendous task that lay ahead of them.

Take what was learned at this sitting of the Synod back to the parishes and vicariates. He urged them to be faithful in selling the Synod resolutions and the experience of Church, love and truth to their parish communities.

Even if they have to suffer as the commission, councils and secretariats did over the past two years, he told them to come back in the next three years to celebrate the successes they will achieve.