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| Giving the glory due to God | ||
DEAR EDITOR: We write and speak so much about the Eucharist! Millions of pages are written and as many words are spoken about it. We even have a Year of the Eucharist! Why, then, do we show scant respect for the Body of Christ in the Tabernacle and at the distribution of the Body and Blood? Why do we rush through this ceremony so that it appears to be just a hand out of a piece of bread and a sip of wine? It is unfortunate that some priests and Eucharistic Ministers appear to shove God into our hands with little reverence and ceremony, as if to get it over with quickly. Why do some of us show so little reverence and respect for the God Who is in front of us? Who is in our own hands? May I suggest that distributors of Holy Communion take a little more time in holding up the host to each communicant, whilst saying, with meaning, the words “Body of Christ”, and similarly with the chalice, whilst saying, with meaning, “Blood of Christ”. Likewise, communicants should show reverence to the God in their presence by bowing or genuflecting, whilst saying “Amen”. “Amen” means “So be it”, whereby we confirm our belief that we are eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ. When passing in front the tabernacle, we should acknowledge the presence of Christ. and show Him respect, by a bow or genuflection. Would we pass a friend or acquaintance without saying “hello”? These observations have been made at several parishes and in particular at special services with large numbers of worshippers. There will be thousands of communicants at the stadium next week and I trust we will share the Body and Blood of Christ with due reverence and respect, regardless of time constraints. Time is not essential. Giving the glory due to God is. Rex Escalante, Vistabella, San Fernando |
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| Catechists and 'delinquent parents' | ||
DEAR EDITOR: On reading the article “With Moms and Dads in the Picture” – Catechetical Page (Sept 18), I felt it was spirit-filled, giving clear and simple guidelines to parents on the important role and responsibility they have to their children, in relation to their Catholic education. But my concern is that, this will again only reach those who read the Catholic News , or those who take an interest in their children and set aside time to teach and guide them. Thank God there are many who do. But again, what about those out there, who do not read the Catholic News, or are too busy, or unconcerned. It is quite possible that they themselves never experienced that kind of environment, and so it is difficult for them to cope with something new, and alien to them. How will they receive the message? How will they be encouraged to return to the spiritual fold? I read the Lives of the Saints daily , and their commitment to God, and the genuine, hard difficult sacrifices, even giving up their lives so that they could “bring in” souls to God. Is there now a genuine challenge for the catechist, given today's environment, and peoples attitudes to religion, to actually live the life of a saint in order to reach, and I quote from the article, “parents who are delinquent in this area,” in order that they will see the benefits of a coalition between parent/catechist/ parent/teacher? Will the catechist, come what may, now have to put the words of Jesus into true daily practice, applying these words, in order to reach these parents who are out there, and may be just waiting for a helping hand? Jesus' words “ Ask and it shall be given to you ” Is there someone waiting out there to be approached to ask them about their faith, their beliefs, what importance they attach to the Catholic Church and its education? Do they ask their children what they have learnt? It is possible that they are scared to, because they would not be able to answer their question. “ Seek and you shall find .” Does it actually mean going into people's homes? Maybe this is already done. If so, maybe a more direct concerted effort should be made to draw them into faith. “ Knock and it shall be opened unto you .” To go in and talk, and explain about our Catholic education in the form of a dialogue, in an effort to remove any feeling of embarrassment by the parent or the child. If these words can be the cornerstone for the catechist/teacher, they would become the stepping stones, in encouraging persons to want to be close to Jesus and what he teaches, and with the Holy Spirit as the “Driver” only good things for God can materialise. Lord Jesus make me brave and strong enough to do all the good that I am called upon to do for you. Amen Susan Greer, Church Street , St James |
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| Mr PM, students home for past month | ||
DEAR EDITOR: We would like you to print the following as it impacts on the country as a whole. At present Daniell Educational Community School , Pembroke Street , Port of Spain remains closed due to non-payment of school fees by the Government. This means that students are home for the past month. Many pleas have been made to the Ministry of Education about the urgency of resolving this matter, but to no avail. Parents are furious to hear the Prime Minister state in his Budget Speech that tertiary education will be free for the year 2006. That is ironical as currently there are no funds to pay for secondary education. Didn't the Prime Minister state that he is the father of the nation? Then what about the education of his children? Does this not matter? Did he not help Grenada in their crisis and the tsunami victims? What about our children? Does a disaster have to happen before they get help? What about Vision 20/20? Isn't the education of our children part of that vision? Daniell Educational Community School is well disciplined and success-focussed with Vision 20/20 as part of its vision. Children educated in this environment have proven to succeed and have gone on to benefit this society. We am pleading urgently that the Minister of Education or the Prime Minister intervenes in this matter. If this situation is not resolved it would be a great loss for the education system of this country. Concerned parents of Danielle Educational Community School |
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FROM THE EDITORS | |
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