Welcome Prince Edward (Earl and Countess of Wessex) to Trinidad

The Son on Queen Elizabeth will be visiting Trinidad today Tuesday, with his wife Sofie. The Caribbean Catholic would like to welcome this royal couple onto our beautiful isle. The following is the newspaper article on the subject:

Arriving on board the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Rosalie on Tuesday 28 February, Their Royal Highnesses the Earl & Countess of Wessex will begin a 2 day tour of Trinidad & Tobago. The visit celebrates Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and 50 years of Trinidad & Tobago’s Independence.

After a formal arrival ceremony, Their Royal Highnesses will call on President George Maxwell Richards at Knowsley. 25 Gold Award winners will receive their medals and certificates from the Prince and the President at a special presentation of The President’s Award, part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

The Honourable Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar will then host the Royal couple for a lunch, attended by members of the government, parliamentarians and the diplomatic corps.

After meeting members of the British High Commission, the British High Commissioner will host Their Royal Highnesses at a reception to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

On Wednesday 29 February, Prince Edward will visit Belmont Boys’ School to learn how the London 2012 Olympic Legacy will benefit Trinidad & Tobago. The International Inspirations programme teaches young people all around the world the inspiration of the Games and the transformational power of sport.

Princess Sophie will visit the Princess Elizabeth Centre which has dramatically improved the quality of life of thousands of disabled children over the past 60 years. HRH will unveil a plaque commemorating the visit and recognising the close links between the Centre and the Royal Family – the Centre was built on land paid for by a gift from Her Majesty the Queen and opened by the Princess Royal in 1953. Since that time, the centre has welcomed Her Majesty the Queen, Princess Alexandra and Prince Andrew as visitors.

The Royal couple will jointly visit the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force Headquarters to observe a military parade. The visit comes at a time when a new generation of TTDF officers have enlisted for training at prestigious military schools in the UK, which will further strengthen the bond between the UK armed forces and TT Defence Force.

Later that afternoon, TRH the Earl & Countess of Wessex will visit the St John’s Ambulance headquarters where St John’s volunteers, TTCF and MILAT will all give demonstrations. The visit will incorporate the work of the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO) in Trinidad & Tobago and their partnerships with St John’s Ambulance, TT Cadet Force and MILAT.

The visit will conclude with a dinner attended by members of the British Business community and the The Hon Minister for Trade & Industry Mr Stephen Cadiz, before their return to RFA Fort Rosalie. Further information: Matt Nottingham, British High Commission 350 0410 *All press accreditation to be obtained through Rodelle Phillips, GISL 638 3883

John Barrymore and Anthony Quinn: Quoting the Bible

I came across a website called "famous Catholics". Very interesting site. Below is an excerpt from the John Barrymore page and comes from Anthony Quinn biography: "The Original Sin: A Self-Portrait", pages 207-208:

[John Barrymore asked Anthony Quinn:] "Have you read the Bible?"

"Yes, sir."

"Holy Christ, you're kidding! I guess it's just you and me, and the Pope, who ever read the Bible anymore. Do you know the Song of Songs?"

"Yes, sir."

"'There be fore things I know now of--'"

He stopped in midair, waiting for me to finish the quotation. I continued the rest timidly: "'--the way of the eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock--'" But he finished the last two lines. "'--the way of a ship upon the sea and the way of a man with a maid.'" For at that moment he was Solomon.

We need more famous Catholics.

A chance to help Catholic Communications in Trinidad - Buy the Catholiuc News and win a trip

JOIN ARCHBISHOP HARRIS ON A PILGRIMAGE TO ROME:

There was an article in the Catholic newspaper for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain that has me hopeful and excited yet, I need to know more. I suspect it was rushed in to press and maybe later a more detailed document will be released. I yearn for that.

Vernon Khelawan writes:

In the month of March, readers of the Catholic News will have a chance to support Catholic communications in our Archdiocese and win a trip to Rome.

How many people? One? Two? How long will that trip be for? Does it include meals and accommodations? Is there going to be a guided tour? Can one leave the city to venture to see the Pieta- The one piece of religious art outside of Rome that I long to see. tell me tell me tell me.

Catholic Media Services Ltd (Camsel) is collaborating with the organisers of the Pallium Pilgrimage during which Archbishop Joseph Harris will receive his pallium from Pope Benedict XVI at a special ceremony at St Peter’s. (The pallium is a woolen band worn on the shoulders over the vestments of a metropolitan archbishop, as a sign of his jurisdiction in his ecclesiastical province. The Pope usually confers the pallium on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul - June 29 - in Rome.)

So of course I want to see my Archbishop receive his Pallium.

For three Sundays – March 11, 18 and 25 – a coupon will be published in the Catholic News, which will serve as a raffle ticket. Participants will be required to fill out the coupon and drop it either in a special box at parish churches or at the Camsel office at 31 Independence Square, Port of Spain. Deadline for entries to reach Camsel’s office is March 30, with the drawing carded for Sunday, April 10.

I was thinking that raffle tickets need to be numbered.... but not really. Obviously, this is also a free raffle. I have four children in four schools, and almost everyone wants money for different activities. It is refreshing to see that you can have a free raffle - God's blessings are abound with Camsel and the good Monsignor Alexander.

To assist Camsel directly in its vital work of Catholic communications, the cover price of the Catholic News for the three Sundays will be increased to $5.00. From April 1, the price reverts to the normal $3.00.

Ahhh. There it is. The cost. Hidden but in plain site. I will buy four Catholic news on those weeks. Just to support this worthy cause. Because having thought it out.... I couldn't go on the pilgrimage if I wanted to. Well, God Bless their work anyway.

Following Synod 2005 Archbishop Edward Gilbert gave his blessings to have a communications arm set up in the Archdiocese. That decision saw the birth of Camsel, which began operations on July 1, 2008. Since that time Camsel has been involved in a wide range of communication projects all aimed at profiling in a positive way the work of the Church in the Archdiocese. Catholic News remains the major income earner for Camsel and the work of Catholic communications in general.

We are sure that Catholics all want to see continuing improvement in Archdiocesan communications and will therefore support this venture wholeheartedly.

Absolutely.
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The Death Penalty: my beleif, and the churchs teaching

I am against the death Penalty. I know that the last few Popes have been too. However, according to the Catechism of the Catholic church the death penalty is still acceptable:

2267 Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

However in 2267 it speaks about means of protection of a people without death to the aggressor.... in other words incarceration with dignity.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.

2268 and 2269 speaks some more on murder.

2268 The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance.

Infanticide, fratricide, parricide, and the murder of a spouse are especially grave crimes by reason of the natural bonds which they break. Concern for eugenics or public health cannot justify any murder, even if commanded by public authority.

2269 The fifth commandment forbids doing anything with the intention of indirectly bringing about a person's death. The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason, as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger.

The acceptance by human society of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense. Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them.

Unintentional killing is not morally imputable. But one is not exonerated from grave offense if, without proportionate reasons, he has acted in a way that brings about someone's death, even without the intention to do so.

ANGEL IN THE ARCH - Trini artist at Horizons Art Gallary

ANGEL IN ARCH is a beautiful Collage by the artist Lisa Leid. It is a 9x12 inch piece... and only costs US$250.




It is available at

HORIZONS ART GALLERY
37 Mucurapo Road
St. James
Trinidad, WI
Phone: 868-628-9769
Email: info@horizonsartgallery.com

Catholic Band 2012 : Exodus - images of costumes

Well they have won their category- that is medium mass band. I checked the internet for pictures of the band and what I got is below:

AN OVERVIEW - THE COSTUMES (from the Guardian Newspaper)


ELDERS (from Trinidad Carnival Diary blog)


ELDERS - Carnival Day (from the Guardian Newspaper)


JEWISH SLAVES (from Trinidad Carnival Diary blog)


JEWISH SLAVES - Carnival Day (from Whats the idea Blog)


LAND OF MILK AND HONEY (From Trinidad Carnival Diary Blog)


LAND OF MILK AND HONEY (From Carnival Day - Catholic news)


EGYPTIANS (From Trinidad Carnival Diary Blog)


BURNING BUSH (from Trinidad Carnival Diary Blog)


RED SEA (from Trinidad Carnival Diary Blog)


Whats the idea Blog has this image up relating to the Catholic Band.... I can't figure out what this costume is other than MOSES... so Maybe it's Moses.

Catholic band wins Medium Band of Year crown 2012

SASHA HARRINANAN has a very interesting article on the Newsday of Thursday, February 23 2012 entitled Catholic band cops medium band of the year crown.

AFTER only its second year in existence, The Word and Associates — commonly referred to as the Catholic band — copped the 2012 Carnival Medium Band of the Year title for its portrayal

Exodus - the Second Book of the Bible.

Committee member and well-known Carnival Pierrot Grenade character Felix Edinborough, shared his joy with Newsday yesterday, saying, “We were hoping to place in the top five but as the results were called out, we didn’t hear our name and felt so disappointed. Then they said Exodus had won medium band of the year and I was pleasantly surprised. That was such great news,” Ediborough said.

Edinborough added that the $175,000 first prize would help the band pay off debts owing from its 2011 debut, when only 150 people registered to play. The presentation Genesis 1 — Creation copped seventh place in the Medium Band category last year. “We were in serious debt last year because bringing out a band costs lots of money and we didn’t get the numbers we were expecting. The recognition that comes from winning our category is also an incentive for us to keep bringing out creative costumes designed and manufactured right here in Trinidad,” Edinborough said.

Carnival 2012 was also better for “The Word and Associates” in terms of masqueraders the band went from about 150 revellers last year to over 300 this year. Edinborough said he is looking forward to even more people crossing the stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah next year but said the band does not want to grow to an unmanageable size.

“We are enjoying being a medium sized-band and hope to see our numbers grow for Carnival 2013, but we don’t want to get too big. I hope our win will encourage more young people to play with us, once they realise you can have fun while wearing more than the usual bikini and beads costumes. Our win shows you can celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s culture and creativity in a wholesome way, without the use of alcohol or drugs,” Edinborough declared.

The Catholic band committee member also expressed hope that winning senior medium band of the year 2012 would serve as an incentive to potential masqueraders to register with the band in the future. “Although we doubled our numbers this year, we were hoping for at least 300 people in one section but we ended up with about 100. So hopefully our win will earn the band more recognition and in turn, earlier registration.”

Edinborough added that the band started working on its Carnival 2012 presentation last September with the launch in November, during the limited state of emergency. Not so this time around, as “The Word and Associates” intends to begin work on Leviticus, its 2013 presentation, sometime after Easter.