“There are many good Catholic people who will not pray again till next Saturday or Sunday (at Mass),” the archbishop remarked during the homily at last Sunday's annual Apostleship of Prayer rally and Day of Prayer.

“It's not in their consciousness that prayer is an ongoing reality,” he commented, adding: “It doesn't occur to them that they should pray every day.” He encouraged members of the movement to remember such people in their prayer intentions.

“I want you in your ministry to reach out to them - to raise their consciousness,” he told the congregation of junior and senior “apostles” that comfortably packed into Curepe's Our Lady of Fatima church for the rally.

Fr Michael Makhan chats with members of the Tamana RC Young Apostles group at the rally. The group was started earlier this year by teacher Lorna Hanooman. Raymond Syms photo

Thanking the hundreds gathered for their special ministry, the archbishop invited them to encourage and teach others about the various forms of prayer available. He also stressed to all the need to be socially aware.

“Our responsibility as believers, as missionaries, is to also develop a social conscience. It's just not enough to sit, and pray, and be pious.” He urged all to become socially involved in the issues of the day, citing the ongoing work of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice, which held its AGM the day before at the same venue.

Archbishop Gilbert, who used the Sunday's readings to drive home his points, called on “apostles” to remain faithful as “your ministry is important because you can change lives.” He advised all to consider these words – “I pray, I give up sin; I sin, I give up prayer.” Persevere in your prayer life, he said.

Concelebrating the Mass with the archbishop was Apostleship of Prayer spiritual director, Fr Michael Makhan, who earlier in the day welcomed all to the rally.

Raynette Pierre, secretary of the executive committee of the Apostleship of Prayer addressed the gathering on the rally theme Our Life in the Eucharist. She urged members to maintain a strong commitment to the Eucharist in their prayer life.

After the lunch break, rally participants re-assembled to close the rally with Holy Hour and Benediction. - RS