The Catholic Hurricanes of the West Indies

Howstuffworks.com tells of how hurricanes used to be named:

While personifying a massive, destructive force certainly makes for a jazzier headline, the practice of naming hurricanes originated with meteorologists, not media outlets. Often more than one tropical storm is active at the same time, so what better way to tell them apart than by naming them?

For several hundred years, residents of the West Indies often named hurricanes after the Catholic saint's day on which the storm made landfall. If a storm arrived on the anniversary of a previous storm, a number was assigned. For example, Hurricane San Felipe struck Puerto Rico on Sept. 13, 1876. Another storm struck Puerto Rico on the same day in 1928, so this storm was named Hurricane San Felipe the Second.

During World War II, weather officials only gave hurricanes masculine names. These names closely followed radio code names for letters of the alphabet. This system, like the West Indian saints system, drew from a limited naming pool. In the early 1950s, weather services began naming storms alphabetically and with only feminine names. By the late 1970s, this practice was replaced with the equal opportunity system of alternating masculine and feminine names. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) continues this practice to this day.

It is well with my soul

When Peace like a river attendeth my soul;
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regardeth my helpless estate,
And shed His own Blood for my soul.


The song "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL" was written by a successful Christian lawyer.
He had two girls and a wife, and the family planned a summer trip to go
overseas. Since he had a lot of work to do, he sent his family and
decided to follow them later. He heard the news while on the following
ship that another ship has capsized and he knew that his family was there
since they mentioned the name of the ship. On His return home, his Law
firm was burned down and the insurance refused to pay, they said "ITS AN
ACT OF GOD". He had no money to pay for his house and no work, he also
Lost his house.

Then while sitting and thinking what's happening to him, being a spiritual person,
he wrote a song - whatever my Lot , you have taught me to say -
IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.

My dear friend, a good attitude will determine your altitude.
When you look at your life, career, job or family life, what do you say?
Do you praise God?
Do you blame the devil?
A heart towards God makes Him move on your behalf.

Just sit down & say, Today Father God , it is well with my soul.
I am thankful I had a peaceful sleep ,
I am thankful I am alive with possibilities ,
I am thankful I have a roof over my head,
I am thankful I have a job ,
I am so thankful that I have Family and Friends.
Above All, I am thankful that I have JESUS on my side.

Be blessed. And please don’t be envious or shocked when others are prospering,
because you don’t know what they have been through to get there (test, trials and tribulation) so thank God for what you have.

"Little is much when God is in it”
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL AND YOU?

200 million black catholics in the new world

The National Black Catholic Congress (USA)has advised through it's website that there are 200 million black Catholics in the new world. Why are they advising? Well, cause they have the information and wish to share it. What one does with the information is something else:

At the dawn of the Third Millennium, the year 2000 A. D., there will be 200 million Catholics of African descent throughout the world. The count is based on millions and fractions of a million. Though there are more Catholics of African descent than in the various nations listed, the number would be under a half million; that is 0.5 million.

*Research done by The Catholic African World Network. The sources used were: The World Christian Encyclopedia edited by 0. Barrett & The 1990 Catholic Almanac edited by F. Foy, OFM

Latin America 60.8 Million
Brazil - 40
Honduras - 0.2
Columbia - 15
Mexico - 0.6
Ecuador - 0.8
Venezuela - 2.0
Guatemala - 0.2
Panama - 2.0

Caribbean & North American 20 Million
Dominican Republic - 8.0
Haiti - 6.0
United States - 2.0
(Canada and the rest of the Caribbean were not listed)

So what is the National Black Catholic Congress. Well the group was founded by Daniel Rudd, who called the first congress in 1889. Today The National Black Catholic Congress, comprises of member organizations, representing African American Roman Catholics, working in collaboration with National Roman Catholic organizations. They commit themselves to establishing an agenda for the evangelization of African Americans; and to improve the spiritual, mental, and physical conditions of African Americans.

Roman Catholic body denounces Parliamentary sitting

This March 10th 2012 article appeared in the Kaieteur News (A newspaper from Guyana). Seems that the Catholics there are making sure they have a say - Right is Right. I think that is great.

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana wants a more disciplined and focused approach in Parliament.

“Our country held national elections on 28th November, 2011, the historic results of which have restored optimism in many that our parliamentary democracy can be further strengthened.”

“It was not until 16th February, 2012 (approximately 80 days after the elections) that the real serious business of the people commenced with the government presenting two financial papers in the form of an Appropriation Bill to the Legislature for approval and passage. “

The two financial papers presented by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh were for appropriations totaling approximately $5.7 billion of which discretionary contingency spending was $2.4 billion.

The body noted that some portions of the financial papers presented were heatedly debated and rejected by the combined opposition for lack of supporting documentation and greater transparency. “This unprecedented development signaled the dawn of a new era. The government, through Prime Minister Hinds and other Ministers, was quick to register publicly its anger, distress and disagreement with the opposition’s action in a tense press conference.

“For its part, the opposition remained unmoved, and through its comportment confirmed its determination to introduce a different modus operandi in the way that parliamentary business – particularly those of a financial nature – is conducted.”
The Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Roman Catholic Church of Guyana noted that since then there have been some irregularities. It noted the absence of the new Speaker of the House without due explanation; the combative, at times visceral, nature of the deliberations contrary to the norms of parliamentary conduct; the anger laced press conference of the Minister of Finance, and its uncontrolled aspects unbecoming of a minister of the Government.

The Justice and Peace Commission noted that the five-week adjournment requested by, and granted to, the Government for renewed discussions on the said financial papers without any objection by the opposition delays the other urgent business of parliament. “This is disrespectful to the nation.”

The JPC considers the conduct of that sitting of parliament detrimental to the functioning of effective governance and accountability in the affairs of our country and can undermine the national dream of a democratic society coming out of the 10th Parliament.

“It is expected that the tenth Parliament will meet consistently with shorter adjournments to conduct with decorum and civility the legislative business of the people.”

“The Commission will therefore be monitoring very carefully all matters of governance and parliamentary affairs and where necessary, will comment to further the growth of a better Guyana.” The body noted.

A Little Bit of Heaven fell from out the sky on day

Happy Saint Patrick's day (on Saturday) to all the Irish at heart.

Irish in Trinidad

My mothers mother always said she was Irish. Just as my fathers mother said she was Scottish. The MacMillans have a rich history from Loch Arbor in Scotland, but from where did my dear maternal grandmother's family originate. Well, She was born in Grenada. Her grandfather came from Barbados. The family were redlegs - The Barbados Irish.

Never mind which island they lived on, both my grandmother and mother used to say they were Irish. In fact mom says that there was a song that her mother loved to sing: A little piece of Heaven -


"A little bit of heaven fell
From out the sky one day;
And it nestled on the ocean
In a spot so far away."

"And when the angels found it
It looked so sweet and fair;
They said, "Suppose we leave it?
For it looks so peaceful there."

"So they sprinkled it with stardust
Just to make the shamrocks grow;
‘Tis the only place you'll find them
No matter where you go."

"And they dotted it with silver
To make the lakes so grand;
And when they had it finished,
They called it ... "IRELAND!"

CATHOLICS IN THE WORKPLACE

The Evangelisation Commission for the Archdiocese has launched a new website. It is called Catholics in the Workplace T&T. It is great. Checkit out HERE!

Joining is easy. I joined. You should too.

Many thanks to Bee from Bee's Blog, who put me on to it.