Join The Catholic News Steps for Hope Activity Club

By Camille Ramdial-Cumberbatch

Business Manager, Camsel

The Catholic News’ Steps for Hope Activity Club was created following the success of The Steps for Hope 5K/1K Fun Run/Walk organised by The Catholic News, on May 11.

The overwhelming response to this race nationally highlighted the public’s interest in healthy yet fun activities and signalled to us that there is an opportunity for this to be ongoing, not just once a year.

The Catholic News also felt that starting this Steps for Hope Activity Club would help fulfil the synodal objectives in our Archdiocese, as we are committed to promoting healthy activities focused on building community and society, guided by our Catholic faith.

How do we aim to achieve this? Firstly, parishioners throughout the country can become members by simply buying a Steps for Hope jersey and wearing it when participating in any health-based (5K runs/walks), or volunteer activity (beach clean-up, hike etc.) of their choosing, or if planned by The Catholic News.

Becoming a member and being associated with the Club therefore creates a sense of community. Members can register as groups to benefit from group discounts, while also building camaraderie with other Club members, maybe previously unknown to them.

Wearing ‘The Steps for Hope’ jersey in national events all year round, could also have a positive impact on the national community and show we are proud to be Catholic! Involvement in various activities throughout the year in Trinidad and Tobago will also reinforce the importance of inclusion and diversity, as we encourage all parishioners/stakeholders in the Archdiocese to become members.

Our intention is to encourage involvement in diverse types of activities in as many vicariates as possible, so everyone feels included. Members are already experiencing this heightened sense of togetherness and joie de vivre, as a five-woman ‘Steps for Hope’ team comprising Catholic News staff and friends, participated in the July 6 Scavenger Hunt organised by the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC). Our team placed fifth overall and they proudly represented the Club while having fun along the way. We are proud of their success and congratulate them!

Another member, Roger Sant, who is one of our 5K planning committee members, also proudly wears his Steps for Hope jersey when he participates in 5K races nationally.

The Steps for Hope Activity Club aims as well to promote volunteerism focused on societal development, like environmental protection and other such activities. This reinforces the concept of ‘giving back’ to our society in a sustainable manner and highlights the importance of being of service to have a positive impact by helping others, and not only focusing on ourselves. To start promoting this objective, we hope to participate in the annual International Coastal Beach Clean-Up Activity, normally planned for the third Saturday in September.

Plans are currently being finalised and will be publicised soon for people interested in participating.

Another initiative that reinforces this intention of being of service to others is that we hope to organise a special reward for the member who participates in the most activities within a year. That person will win a sponsored prize to be presented to a charity of their choosing, on their behalf.

The Catholic News’ Steps for Hope Activity Club will be formally launched in September, but current members are already actively engaging in activities aimed at fulfilling its purpose of building community in a fun and healthy way. Let us take the first step to start this impactful journey together.

Anyone interested in becoming a member or any sponsors willing to support our intentions may send an email to business.camsel@catholictt.org or call/WhatsApp 688-9337.