What an Explosive weekend it was for the local Catholic
Church! The 11th Annual Jesus Explosion took place last weekend at
its usual venue, the Preysal High School, in Couva and it was headlined by Fr.
Ian Taylor (The Spiritual Director) and Janet Chinnia (The Director). The
weekend-long retreat featured appearances by Fr. Cornelius Phillip, Fr. David
Khan, Fr. Godfrey Stout and Fr. Neil Scantlebury of the British Virgin Islands
to name a few and the music ministry was directed by the JE’s favourite,
G.R.A.C.E. Music Ministry who always complements the weekend with soulful and spirit-filled
singing.
In keeping with the Mother Church’s Year of Faith theme,
this year’s Explosion theme was quite appropriate. Taken from the Gospel of Luke 18:8, “But when the son of man comes, will he find faith on Earth”, many
of the speakers touched on the parent theme in addition to putting their own
unique twist to their presentations. Jesus Explosion’s Spiritual Director, Fr.
Ian Taylor opened the festivities with the very first talk which focused on the
parent theme which then followed a talk led by British Virgin Islands’ Fr. Neil
Scantlebury who preached on “Whatever you
ask for in prayer, with faith, you will receive”, Matthew 21:22. In his opening talk, Fr. Taylor reminded us that “Without Faith, it is impossible to please
God”. He also paid particular
attention to the rising legalization of abortion, same-sex marriages and even noted
that the British society has intention to legalize Sodomy but in the name of
faith of Jesus he reminded us that “Faith
stands on the side of God no matter what the world does”. Fr. Neil of the
BVI, who preached from the verse from Matthew’s Gospel, incorporated the
concept of Faith and professed that “The Faith we are called to profess must
not be separated from Church and daily living”. He explained that our lives
must be lives of Faith in Jesus Christ and bring our families up in a life of
Faith as well.
On Saturday, Holy Mass kicked off the day’s proceedings led
by Fr. Godfrey Stout (Chaguanas) who ended the Liturgy with his powerful
Praises that got the crowd pumped for the day. Following Holy Mass was an
official address by His Grace, Archbishop Joseph Harris where he urged other churches
of the Archdiocese to be on ‘fire’ like what is being executed at this event. A
Special Appearance by Fr. Robert Cristo was made where he too lead the crowd in
pleasing praises. The third talk was done by Fr. Cornelius Phillip who began
his segment with HIS usual Praise and Worship and his rap. He focused on the biblical theme
from James 1:3, “Testing our faith gives us endurance”.
In a similar point he made at the CCR National Rally back in May, he reiterated
that God is bigger than our problems and we have to say and know that God is in
control and that every day, his mercy is fresh upon us. “The God I serve is
always on time. You may have lost everything, but you still got Jesus”, said
the dynamic preacher where he ended his powerful talk. Fr. David Khan who gracefully filled in for Fr. Trevor
Nathasingh then preached on the note of Repentance. Fr. Khan acknowledged that “God always remembers the goodness that you
do and forgets the repentant sins”. He also noted that “Our beginning was with God and our ending is
either heaven or hell”. What is our choice?
Following the Lunch break, the afternoon was solely
dedicated for Ministry with the Holy Spirit. Praise and Worship led by the San
Raphael Youths opened the afternoon session and a multitude of young adults
(including the ushers that put their duties on halt) swarmed the stage to join
in on the electric and spirit-filled Praises, which set tone for the second
half of the day. Sr. Janet Chinnia preached on “Did you receive the Spirit
from works of the law or from faith in what you heard”, taken from Galatians 3:2. Sr. Janet challenged us that
“We cannot be like the world but be like
the Word”. Her talk went straight into the Holy Spirit Invocation which was
led by Fr. Taylor, the San Raphael Youths and the JE Team. Members of the
congregation were invited to be prayed with for God’s anointing. Fr. Ian Taylor
later presented a talk based on the Eucharist (Luke 24:35) which set the tone
for what is considered to be the climax of the weekend; The Adoration,
Procession and Ministry with the Blessed Sacrament. At this point, the
available priests process through the crowd (who are in circles) with Jesus,
present in the Blessed Sacrament and it is an individual’s personal time with
the Lord and word of knowledge was brought forth by Sr. Janet. This culminated
the second day.
Sunday Morning kicked off with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and a powerful Praise &
Worship session led by the San Raphael Youths. Following that were the workshops
which focused on various topics including Defence of the Catholic Faith,
Dangers of Modern Music, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Spiritual Warfare and
Pro-Life to name a few. In addition to gaining spiritual food from the talks
throughout the weekend, these workshops aim to also sensitize individuals about
other angles of the Catholic Faith. The San Raphael Youths were up next where
they presented a skit with a message about Evangelization and Faith.
After the Lunch hour, the San Raphael Youths led the praises
with G.R.A.C.E. once more and the final talk of the weekend was delivered by special
guest speaker, Ms. Leela Ramdeen on Social Justice.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, who was
adorned by last year’s opening night crowd, returned to close the weekend where
he was the Chief Celebrant of the closing Mass and once more, left many with
ample food for thought. “
Remain like Mary at the foot of the cross”, said the
Apostolic Nuncio stating that we must never give up on prayer and detachment from Jesus.
Wrapping up his homily, he also noted that Faith comes only by working
together. Celebrating his Birthday that day, the JE team presented him with a
new vestment that imprinted the Cross with Local Steel-Pans as his Birthday
Gift.
Another amazing Jesus Explosion Weekend in the bag, but if
you missed the Jesus Explosion Weekend, you can look forward to the Jesus
Explosion: Revival which takes place on Sunday September 22nd at
Preysal High School, Couva. More info will be released in the coming months
about the One Day Revival for the sake of those who may have missed the 3-day
event!
men and women of their own day
in the most fruitful way. The General Chapter, which brings together the
representatives responsible for the entire Order, is the best way to reflect in
a community way in the apostolic ministry of the friar preacher in the social
reality in which he lives.
men and women of their own day
in the most fruitful way. The General Chapter, which brings together the
representatives responsible for the entire Order, is the best way to reflect in
a community way in the apostolic ministry of the friar preacher in the social
reality in which he lives.
