St. Joseph/Mt. D’or Roman Catholic Parish invites you for a…

Parish Picnic

on Sunday, 6^th of May, 2012

at the Parish Field by St. Joseph River

9.00 AM – Holy Mass

Followed by a lot of fun, games,

sports and liming till 3.00 PM

Join us by d’ Riverside!

We are a community and a God’s family, so it is a ‘bring and share’ event!

4^thSunday of Easter – April 29^th, 2012

1.  Wednesday 2^nd May is final lecture for The ‘Know Your Faith Series’ for this semester. The venue is Tunapuna Parish Hall @6.30pm. The topic: Scripture and Tradition. The presenters: Fr. Hasely King & Fr. Christian Pineau.

2.  Our Family Day-Picnic is next Sunday, May 6^th. The venue is the playing field along the river banks of St. Joseph. Many exciting activities are planned for the day. Bring the whole family with your cooler and picnic basket of eats and drinks.

3.  Please be reminded, the monthly meeting of our Social Justice Committee Sunday 13^th May @ 10am in the presbytery.

4.  We would like to remind you that last Sunday we inaugurated the program of recycling of the used goods. We think that there is no need to explain why it is so important. So … The Social Justice Team installed a big white box on our parish parking … and invites you to separte glass, plastic, metal – put these things into the separate bags and then put these bags to the box mentioned above. We would like to encourage you to participate in this program.

5.  The Cathedral’s Easter Dinner is on Sunday 29^th April at the Cathedral Car Park. Proceeds realized from this event will go towards the Cathedral Restoration. Tickets can be reserved or available at the door.

3^rd Sunday of Easter – April 22^nd, 2012

1.     The ‘Know Your Faith Series’ resumed last Wednesday (April 11) at the Tunapuna Parish Hall. The topic: Scripture and Tradition.

The presenters: Fr. Hasely King & Fr. Christian Pineau. This is an ideal opportunity to expand our knowledge of scripture and our church traditions. Sessions are on Wednesdays evenings @ 6.30pm and will run until 2^nd of May.

2.     We would like to invite all parents and guardians of candidates for Confirmaton for a meeting next Saturday at 11 AM in the church.

3.     We are in the planning stages of our Family Day-Picnic carded for May 6^th. The venue is the playing field just below the presbytery verandah. If you would like to participate in preparations, what would be very kind of you, please contact Deacon Jeffrey asking what you could do.

4.     People of Praise Community presents, “Lazarus Come Out” – A Gospel Musical Production, to be staged at the Daaga Hall Auditorium, UWI St. Augustine on May 5^th and 6^th at 6 pm. Ticket sare available from the Santa Rosa Bookshop, Arima, Sanctuary Bookshop, Diego Martin and any member of the People of Praise. “Like Lazarus, respond to the call and God’s miracle for you, come out!!”

5.     We would like to invite you once again to visit our parish blog (the adress is on the notice board). You can find there weekly notices, interesting articles and photos taken durig our various activities and celebrations.

6.     As Christians and parish community we try to serve one another and the world – we care about the common good. So today we would like to inaugurate the program of recycling of the used goods. We think that there is no need to explain why it is so important. So … The Social Justice Team installed a big white box on our parish parking … and invites you to separte glass, plastic, metal things, rubbish – put these things into the separate bags and then put these bags to the box/dustbin mentioned above. We would like to encourage you to participate in this program.

MEA CULPA: Reflections on Community Responsibility & Social Justice

The term "mea culpa" translates into an admission of guilt for a transgression by one's own fault (one that could have been avoided if the person had been more diligent). The origin of the expression is from a prayer of confession of sinfulness known as Confiteor (Latin for "I confess").The phrase “through my fault, through my own fault, through my own most grievous fault” has been reinstated in the new approved 2010 ICEL English translation of the prayer.

I recently had reason to meditate on the concepts of guilt and mercy when I heard of the death of Derek Permin Isaac. I questioned whether as a community we could have done anything to avoid his death:

-Did Social Services offer rehabilitation services to this disturbed man and his family?

-Did Police Services protect and serve the public from the danger he posed?

-Did City Council do all they could to address the environmental eye-sores he created?

Who was responsible for this man? Who knew him? Who cared? – I wanted to respond that we did try - We gave hand-outs! We called the authorities! We complained! Still deep down in my conscience I know that we operated on the surface. We did not want to get too involved. He was the cross that we would wear decoratively on our chests, but he was not the cross we would carry. He was too heavy.

I guess on the surface level where we chose to interact we are not responsible, but on the deeper level where justice and mercy dwell our consciences admit “mea culpa”. When we cross to the other side and avert our eyes “mea culpa”. When we give a dollar and hurry off to Church “mea culpa”. When in our community we know a man not by his name but by the animal we think him to be and the animal he had become “mea culpa”. When we are in positions of authority and refuse use that position to make life better for the least among us “mea culpa, mea maxima culpa”.

“No one may claim the name of Christian and be comfortable in the face of hunger, homelessness, insecurity, and injustice found in this country and the world.” (Economic Justice for All, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986).

Social Justice calls us from our complacency, inertia and indifference. It calls us to recognize the relationship between mercy and justice:

“When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice.” (Social Doctrine of the Church, 184).

As we embrace the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ in this Easter season we acknowledge the call to mission that transforms our indifference and the mercy that is available on those occasions when we abdicate our responsibility to action. Moreover, we recognize the Divine Mercy made available through the less fortunate in our society which provide us with the opportunity to show mercy and so participate in God’s plan of universal compassion and love. To show mercy is not a choice, it is divine grace.

                                                                                               

Erica Brereton

                                                                   CCSJ – St. Joseph / Mt. D’Or

few pictures from the Holy Week

Easter Vigil

EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 15^TH, 2012

1.    The ‘Know Your Faith Series’ resumed last Wednesday (April 11) at the Tunapuna Parish Hall. The topic: Scripture and Tradition.

The presenters: Fr. Hasely King & Fr. Christian Pineau. This is an ideal opportunity to expand our knowledge of scripture and our church traditions. Sessions are on Wednesdays evenings @ 6.30pm and will run until May 2^nd

2.    We are in the planning stages of our Family Day-Picnic carded for May 6^th. The venue is the playing field overlooking the presbytery.

3. People of Praise Community presents, “Lazarus Come Out” – A Gospel Musical Production, to be staged at the Daaga Hall Auditorium, UWI St. Augustine on May 5^th and 6^th at 6pm. Tickets : Adults $100. & children $50. areavailable from the Santa Rosa Bookshop, Sanctuary Bookshop, Diego Martin and any member of the People of Praise. “Like Lazarus, respond to the call and God’’s miracle for you, come out!!”

4. Today after 8.30 mass we will recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet with our children.

From our Social Justice Team

                                                          Connecting girls, inspiring future.

We,  the CCSJ: St. Joseph/Mt. D’or and the entire parish community,  join the Archdiocese, the UN and the national community in observing International Women’s Day (March 08, 2012).  The theme chosen by Trinidad & Tobago for this year’s observance is; “Connecting girls, inspiring future.” The CCJS upholds the contribution of every individual to building a free and just society for “We are heirs of the work of generations and at the same time shapers of the future of all who will live after us”  (Social Doctrine of the Church: 274). The role of young women as shapers of the future call for a commitment to action to:

●        Remain true and unwavering in the Catholic faith;

●        Remain fearless in the fight against social injustice;

●        Become an advocate for freedom from violence and crime against women/girls;

●        Uphold Christian moral values in everyday activities;

●        Respect the rights of others;

●        Exhibit self respect control and discipline;

●        Observe God’s command to “love one another as He has loved us”.

This is no easy task when our young women are bombarded with unwholesome images of glamour, sex and popularity at every turn [advertisements, internet and television]. Our young women need our support not our criticism and condemnation. We as adults can adopt the role of Leaders in our Parishes, Families and Communities. Together we can connect our Girls and Young Women with Good Examples, Advice, Counselling, Mentoring, Social Skills and above all our Time and Attention.

Our Girls and Young Women can initiate positive counteraction to teenage pregnancy, premarital sex, adultery,promiscuity, teen sex, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, incest, drug use and sexually transmitted disesases. You can do this by:

• Using your social networks to communicate positive Catholic positions on the challenges that plague teens
• Use Twitter and Facebook as platforms for revitalizing Catholic culture and identity among young people
• Blog about your spiritual triumphs & victories
• Invite friends on Skype for conversations about your faith life

We the CCSJ of St. Joseph/Mt. D’or will like to make the first move by connecting our Girls and Young Women with information, thoughts and an opportunity to be heard. We encourage you on this day dedicated to women to take you place in global network, enter the global dialogue and speak from the position of a Catholic Woman. Visit the web-sites below and participate in the concerns of women in your region and around the world. CONNECT WITH THE WORLD, INSPIRE THE FUTURE!

http://catholicbookgroup.blogspot.com/p/about.htmlcatholicbookgroup.blogspot.comcatholicbookgroup.blogspot.comcatholicbookgroup.blogspot.com

http://womenspeak.tumblr.com/

 http://www.worldpulse.com/

http://www.xt3.com/index.php 

Good Friday Pictures

Sorry for being so late but here are some pictures of our Good Friday Walk

Rejoice, Jesus Christ is risen, alleluja, alleluja!

May our Risen Lord bless you, and fill your hear with his peace and light!

 “You have been taught that when we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptized in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” Rom 6: 3 – 5

Once again we celebrate the Paschal Feast of our Saviour, brother, friend and Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate our journey from death to the fullness of life.  Our Saviour who is so kind to us is sprinkling us with the water flowing out from his pierced heart. If only the smile on our face lasts few minutes longer than usual, if only there is hope and peace in our hearts then – as much as we can, as much as our hearts are opened – we receive the first fruits of the resurrection.

Without the resurrection, our Christian faith would be just hopeful thinking, no better than secular philosophies and fanatical religious beliefs. Some of us would probably be very lost and confused about many things in our day- to -day life. The seventeenth-century philosopher John Locke, wrote, "Our Saviour's resurrection is truly of great importance in Christianity, so great that His being or not being the Messiah stands or falls with it." What a great responsibility we have!

Today I wish all of you a very happy and joy-filled Easter. I also thank you for your love, prayers and support.

Yours,

Karol Wielgosz, O.P.

An ancient homily for the Holy Saturday

Homily for Glorious Saturday 

"What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.

Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam's son.

The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: 'My Lord be with you all.' And Christ in reply says to Adam: ‘And with your spirit.’ And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

‘I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.

‘I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.

‘For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.

‘Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.

'See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.

‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.

"The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages."

Easter Triduum and Eastertide

Easter Triduum 2012

Holy Thursday (5^th of April): Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 6.30 PM in St. Joseph Church.

                                     

Good Friday (6^th of April): Stations of the Cross at 6.00 AM on the Calvary Hill (Procession begins from the Parish Church) Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3.00 PM in St. Joseph Church.

Gloria Saturday (7^th of April): Easter Vigil at 9.00 PM in St. Joseph Church.

Easter 2012

Easter Sunday (8^th of April): Masses at 7.00 AM in St. Jude Chapel and at 8.30 AM in St. Joseph Church.

Easter Octave (9^th to 14^th of April): Everyday Morning Masses at 7.00 AM in St. Joseph Church.

Palm Sunday – April 1, 2012

1.    The St. Vincent de Paul Society invites you to their annual Palm Sunday Walk   This begins at Cyril Ross Home, El Dorado Road, Tunapuna at 7.30 am and ends at Mt. Lambert Church with Mass.  If you wish to meet the Walk at Curepe/St. Joseph you may do so at 8.30 am.

2.    Please collect a copy of the Mass times schedule for the Easter Triduum

3.    The Last Supper Meal, Jesus broke bread and shared with his disciples. Our Holy Thursday tradition we are encouraged to bring a loaf of bread which we will distribute to the poor and needy.

4.    Twice yearly, the collection at Christmas and Easter Masses only throughout the Archdioceseare pooled. It is from this collection that the priests& administrators serving in our archdiocese receive their monthly income.  Please give generously