‘Good calypso important’
February 3, 2018
The ‘Mother Teresa’ of Couva
February 3, 2018

Giving thanks

Fr Brancker John

“God always keeps His promises…”

“If today, you hear His voice, harden not your hearts…”

“Identifying God is merely the beginning…”

These were the words of Dominican priest, Fr Brancker John and would be the three mantras that would be forever etched in the hearts and minds of those who attended the 10 a.m. Mass at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando last Sunday.

Fr John, parish priest of St Patrick Parish, Grand Bay, Dominica, was the chief celebrant for three Masses in Trinidad in thanksgiving for the generous contributions and thoughtful support shown to his community and the people of Dominica by our country following the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria in September. Fellow Dominican Fr Cornelius Phillip FMI concelebrated while Deacon Harold Woodroffe assisted.

Mass commenced with the powerful and uplifting voices of the St Anthony’s Parish Music Ministry, Point Fortin, engaging the 525 members of the Southern Vicariate who were in attendance.

All were eager to finally see the man behind the morning messages and hear the familiar voice once more in real time. But, there were three particular messages from God that Fr John affirmed we should all keep close to our hearts.

The first, “God always keeps His promises”, challenges us to ask ourselves, Do we still believe that in the midst of crises, disaster or desperation, God keeps His promises to us?” Fr John alluded to Jesus’ words proclaimed in Matthew 6:25 “Do not worry about your life…” but continue to pray, hope and wait for the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm and Fr John’s second message, “If today, you hear His voice, harden not your hearts” calls us all to conversion: a call to change our mindsets that have often been hardened by sin. Therefore, we should strive to do as James advocates, “…be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger…” (James 1:19–22) and seek to be “doers” and not “hearers” of the word.

Fr John’s final message, Identifying God is merely the beginning…” for even “unclean spirits recognise Jesus Christ”, truly concretised the destination each our faith journeys should lead to: a deeper relationship with Christ. By giving God quality time in prayer and service and not only hearing but doing the will of the Father, we can one day enter God’s Kingdom.

Concluding the celebration of thanksgiving were Myrtle Spencer and Subert Gilbert, executive members of the ‘Prayer Group’, expressing their sincerest gratitude to all persons throughout Trinidad who assisted whether it was in time, talent or treasure. – Sarah Dwarika