Earthquake Prophecy for Trinidad... sigh!

So I heard that Benny Hinn said that there was going to be a great earthquake in Trinidad on February 24th 2011. Well, the 24th has come and gone and there's been no earthquake. But wait. Was it really Benny Hinn?

It would seem that there was another guy in the mix. A guy who calls himself DR LESLIE ROGERS.

One of his fans posted a note on a blog which has been circulating the Trini blog scene. Here it is:

There's a POWERFUL prophet in our country named Dr. Leslie Rogers...he's one of the most renowned and accurate prophets. He held an annual prophetic conference to which I went to the Friday that Rick gave his testimony in the Reinzi Complex, it was HUGE. All of his prophecies he has ever gave came to past. And he has the track record and testimonies from others to prove it. Predictions about disasters, government...not only in our country but in other countries as well, he made and they ALL came to past (he has them on tape from when he made them too so he also got the evidence.)

Anyway, he made a prophecy about Trinidad . Hurricanes and earthquakes were always targeted by Trinidad (which is true) but he said that God has been merciful and long-suffering with us and He keeps sparing our land.

But Trinidad in the year 2011 will be hit by an earthquake...even WORSE than Haiti . Many will PERISH. This earthquake will happen North, South and West of this country (amazingly it's where all the major clubs and crimes are). He said that only Trinidad will be hit, not Tobago and it will occur early in the morning before 6:00AM. Signs will occur he said, Barbados and Grenada will begin to show signs of tremors, fishermen will begin to come from the seas and talk about how the fishes are acting weird and strange (According to the book of Job animals and fishes can predict these impending disasters and proof of this is that they begin to act weird). Also, its INEVITABLE. This is not demonic but divine. God is sending judgment to the land and especially to the church. He included also that there are wicked people in the church and God is fed up of them.

He placed his entire reputation on the line (as usual) with this prophetic word. And there is no doubt in my heart that this will happen. Stuff that I have never seen before in my country, I see them happening now and its so disturbing. No wonder God is going to do this.

A counter note on godlikeproductions.com from a user called "The enlightened77" seems to portray the "The Prophet" as a fake.

I was tickled when I read about this "Dr"Leslie Rogers predictions about the so called massive earthquake to imminently hit Trinidad that would be worse than that of Haiti. Fact is this guy is a fraud and a liar. He does not have an accredited doctorate degree from any bona fide University. He even conferred upon his young son, the bogus title of "Dr." Many of his predictions fail but he continues to spout out a lot of hot air to frighten the gullible and fleece his flock.

He humiliated his wife in front of his congregation and left her for a young girl in his church. Shameless adultery is by no means new to this con man. He bears no fruit of the Spirit as portrayed in Galatians 5:22 i.e. Love, joy, peace, long suffering gentleness, goodness, faith and self-control.

He claims to be "born again" but the evidence shows it is not "from above." He is a showman who decks himself in the finery of gold at the expense of the gullible. He is a fraud and a "profit" but not a prophet of God. He aspires to attain the status of a prophet, but he is NOT chosen by God (2 Peter1:21). Those who have ears to hear let them know that his predictions concerning Trinidad will fall flat at the first hurdle.

Jeremiah 23:14 tells us: "I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness. v.16, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken NOT unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, [and] not out of the mouth of the LORD."

A true prophet will not deceive the people as leslie Rogers does.

Jeremiah 28:9 reminds us: "The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, [then] shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him."

A true prophet's predictions must come to pass, ALL of them.

Matthew. 7:15 warns us: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. ... Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ...Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

In closing let me leave the readers with words of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:21, 22 - " And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? when a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt NOT be afraid of him."

Mercy!

In my job I cannot show prejudice. If those who work with me or under me dislike me, or even hate me, I must be fair to them. It’s not because of workers rights, or peoples rights, it’s not because of unions or fear of intimidation, it is because I am a Catholic. It is because the bible says that I must be so.

We all know the person who says “ If that’s the game she want to play, I go do for she.” Or the man who says “Move from me! I is not yuh friend.” Even people who consider themselves Christian say hurtful things to other Christians just because they do not belong to their denomination.

What Jesus is saying is that he wants Mercy. So we beg for his mercy, but do we ourselves give mercy, even in circumstances where rules and policies demand action to be taken. One day I was stopped by a policeman. Neither myself nor my passenger had our seat belts on. My passenger would have received a ticket valued at $1000 and I would have received two tickets each valued at $1000. That is not a little bit of money, so I did what many men would do in such a circumstance. I begged for Mercy. We were let off with a caution and a speech about road safety. He got nothing in return, but I now make sure I put on my seat belt.

This mercy that God is asking for, this perfection that Jesus is propagating, cannot be had without the grace of God and the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our lives. So today and everyday pray to be a good witness for God’s love.

No Mary King - NO!

A recent article in the trinidad Express newspaper made me aware that there is a Gay group in Trinidad trying to promote gay rights. It is called "Caiso" not to be mistaken for the slang version of the musical artform of Calypso called "Kaiso".

A man called Colin Robinson has asked for several things to support gays in Trinidad. They are

to prevent discrimination and violence,
for attention to homelessness,
to make schools safe for young people,
to train police.
We've repeatedly asked them to listen and consult,
and offered our help with building a nation for everyone

Now the minister for gender affairs, Dr Mary King, has decided that Trinidad and Tobago should have an open discussion and consultation on GAY MARRAIGE.

I see nothing unreasonable in what Robinson is asking for. No one should be a victim of hate. I think that the Minister went a bit too far though. Let's do away with prejudice. However, I will never support Gay marraige in Trinidad and Tobago.

Robinson even made issue with the religious leaders, who make a big deal about the Gay lifestyle but have little to say about the vulgarity of Carnival.

Mr Robinson, you are not listening. You're accusing people of not listening, but neither are you. Perhaps when you watch a religious person on TV it is a foreigner, because the local religious leaders always talk about the vulgarity of Carnival.

I love what Leela Ramdeen of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice had to say:

(The Catholic Commission for Social Justice) support CAISO's call for freedom against discrimination and violence, but noted they do not support people acting on their homosexuality and any law that will allow that.

"So in my opinion, I don't think any debate will be helpful now. The majority of people in this country believe in one faith, and most other religions will not agree to that," she said.

Ramdeen said, according to the Roman Catholic Church, a man was meant to be with a woman.

The President of the Inter-Religious Organisation, Haji Abzal Mohammed, said that he would support national debate for Homosexual Marraige. Still,even though everyone has a right to an opinion, the IRO's views will remain. (No to Gay Marriage!)

"If something like this is coming up, we will have to look at it ... but if God almighty made something unlawful, how can a human make it lawful?" he said.

Asked about the IRO's role in Carnival and claims by Robinson that religious leaders do not complain, Mohammed said "people just don't listen to them".

"Every year we send out statements about the activities surrounding Carnival, about the alcohol consumption, but people don't take us on,"

I do not know if Mary King is for or against Gay Marraige. She has called for a discussion, but as far as i am concerned, I am against it.

John 3:16 Superbowl ad shelved

Superbowl Sunday really means nothing to West Indians in their native land, however, I wanted to see the ads and so I had to TV on while I scanned the internet for interesting topics to include in the Cathedral Newsletter. I can't say I was impressed by any.

There was one ad that should have been there, that was not. That was an ad that was put out by an Alabama based evangelical group called "Fixed Point." They wanted to promote John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Their ad was refused because it was a religious ad. Last year there was an ad featuring a College Football star whose mom spoke about her issues and encouraged viewers to "CELEBRATE LIFE". The Pro-Life ad caused "big bacchanal" (controversy) as we like to say here in Trinidad.

It is a shame. As Christians, we should make a big issue about that. If we are paying for a service and we are being prejudiced because of our religion. Then we need to make noise. I am watching the news carefully to see how this turns out.

Congratulations to St Joseph Cluny Sisters 175 years in Trinidad

On January 29, 1836 the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny came to Trinidad. Congratulations on 175 years of service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, The caribbean and the World.

On November 10, 1779, in the little village of Jallanges, Burgundy, France, a little girl was born to Balthasar Javouhey, a well-to-do farmer, and his wife, Claudine Parizot. Anne, baptised the next day, November 11, was the fifth child in a family of nine. Of these nine children, three died in infancy and so Nanette, as she was familiarly called by family and friends, became the oldest sister in the family.

The French Revolution broke out in 1789. It aimed at the complete extinction of the Catholic Church and the complete dechristianisation of France. It was in the midst of these religious and political upheavals that Nanette, the intrepid teenager, in defiance of the anti-Catholic and anti-Christian laws, collected the children of the village of Chamblanc, where the family now lived, and of neighbouring villages, to teach them the catechism and prepare them for the reception of the sacraments.

She organised the celebration of Mass by non-juror priests (those who refused to take the oath of allegiance to the anti-Christian dictates of the revolutionary state), in secret in her home and the homes of faithful Catholics, at great risk to herself.

If she had been caught, the least she could expect was imprisonment, the worst, the guillotine. Yet, when soldiers entered her home one night looking for a priest, Fr Ballanche, who happened to be in the house, she calmly outwitted them and sent them away empty-handed, after having served them her father’s wine in a show of hospitality.

Though all convents and monasteries were closed down, Nanette still hoped to be a Religious Sister and to this end she privately made vows on November 11, 1798 at the age of 19.

After the coup d’état of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799, gradually convents and monasteries were re-opened and Nanette entered with the Daughters of Charity at Besançon, but realised that that was not what God wanted of her. In that convent, however, she had a vision one night of children of all different races, whom she did not even know existed, and of the Spanish nun, St Teresa of Avila, who assured her that God wished her to form a new congregation.

Later she entered the Trappistine Convent called the “Monastery of the Holy Will of God” in Val Sainte in Riedra, Switzerland, but again this was not God’s will for her. These two trials in Besançon and La Trappe were not wasted. From the Daughters of Charity, she experienced the direct apostolate, from the Trappistines she received a solid spiritual formation.

On returning home, Nanette began to establish schools and orphanages. Her three sisters, Pierette, Marie Francoise and Claudine eventually joined her, as well as three other young girls. In 1806 Anne added “Marie” to her baptismal name.

On May 12, 1807 in the church of St Peter in Chalon, Ann Marie and her companions were clothed in a religious habit and publicly pronounced vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and a fourth vow to devote themselves to the Christian education of youth. They also took new names. Ann Marie retained her name, while Pierette became Marie Therese, Marie Francoise became Marie Joseph and Claudine became Rosalie.

The Congregation was dedicated to Saint Joseph and in June 1810, Mother Javouhey established the Mother House of the Congregation and the Novitiate in an abandoned Franciscan monastery in Cluny, famous for the Benedictine Abbey founded by Berno in 910. Thus the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny was born.

The Cluny Sisters came to Trinidad in 1836, at the request of Msgr Mac Donnell, Bishop of Port of Spain, for Sisters to start a school in Trinidad for the daughters of the French planters from Grenada.

When Trinidad was a Spanish colony, the Spanish government invited these French planters to develop agriculture in Trinidad. The Sisters established what is now St Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain as a fee-paying school for the daughters of the French planters.

Side by side with this school, they started a free school for the daughters of mulatto and negro parents. Mother Javouhey’s sister, Mother Rosalie Javouhey, is credited with having been responsible for this establishment from Bourbon, while Anne Marie was in Mana overseeing the emancipation of the slaves.

Ann Marie had at the time wisely handed over the reigns of government of the Congregation to her sister, Mother Rosalie, who commissioned her other sister, Mother Marie Therese, then Superior in Martinique, to investigate the possibilities of establishing a foundation in Trinidad. Mother Marie Therese came to Trinidad to survey the situation, on which she reported favourably.

During the ensuing years the Sisters opened other schools in Trinidad, both secondary and primary in Port of Spain, St Joseph, Arouca, Arima and San Fernando.

Most of the primary schools eventually had to be handed over to lay personnel and today the Sisters still have vested interests in the St Joseph’s Convents in Port of Spain, St Joseph, San Fernando and Providence Convent, Belmont, as well as private grade schools – Maria Regina (Port of Spain) and St Xavier’s (St Joseph).

The Sisters have also branched out into nursing, pastoral work (home visitation of the sick and the elderly), parish ministry (animating the liturgy and being ministers of the Eucharist), catechetics, retreat work, youth ministry, counselling, healing prayer ministry, care of the poor, visitation of prisons, rehabilitation of substance abuse victims, Servol, and the Foundation for Human Development Institute.

A Cluny Sister is also Chancellor in the Archdiocese, the first woman to be appointed to this office in Trinidad.

The Cluny Sisters did not remain only in Trinidad, but over the past 168 years have been instrumental in establishing schools and other apostolic works in St Lucia (1854), St Vincent (1856), Grenada (1875), Tobago and Dominica (1993).

At present the Sisters have 14 convents in the English-speaking Caribbean. Most of these Sisters are now elderly, some of them having devoted 60+ years to serving their fellowmen in imitation of their foundress and in the service of their Lord.

Sisters from France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, USA, England, Fiji, Réunion, Alsace, Italy, English-speaking West Indies, Martinique and Guadeloupe have over the years worked in the Province of the West Indies.

It is now time for more Caribbean Sisters to listen and respond to the invitation that God is constantly issuing to generous girls and women to work in this section of His Vineyard. May His call be heeded and responded to.

If you sense you have a vocation to the religious life in the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, please contact:
Sr Claire Joseph
Mistress of Novices,
St Joseph’s Convent,
Eastern Main Road, Arouca.
Phone: 642-4881 or any Cluny sister
Fax: 646-9080

(taken from the Website rcpos.org)

Feast of the Presentation

Today is the feast of the Presentation of our Lord. Around 2000 years ago simeon utters these words:


Master,
now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.