As seen in 2024
December 27, 2024
Renewing our world for Jubilee Year 2025
December 27, 2024

A look back at 2024

2024 was quite a dynamic year. The transition to a synodal Church progressed. Church T&T embarked on a Eucharistic journey and by year-end, Jubilee was in the air. It was a year when projects and plans came to fruition— migrant children entered schools, a vocational school opened in Sea Lots and a restored St Francis of Assisi RC Church in Belmont welcomed back parishioners.

There were many memorable moments. Here are a few highlights.

 Continued Covid vigilance

The Health, Safety and Environment Team advised parishes to “exercise preventive care” in response to a new Covid-19 variant circulating internationally. (CN, January 21-27, p 3)

 

Crime impact

“A larger, more complex problem” was how the National Parent Teacher Associations Inc (NPTA) commented following the shooting of Eastern Boys’ Government Primary pupil Ezekiel Yorke in a drive-by shooting on February 2 at Laventille Road. His father was seriously wounded. Two days earlier, pupils of Glosterlodge Moravian were traumatised by the shooting death of a man a short distance from the school. The Catholic Education Board of Management supported the NPTA call for community engagement to find solutions to the crime problem. (CN, March 3-9, p 3)

 

Tobago oil spill

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice said the oil spill on February 7 was not just a threat to the local ecosystem but heightened the need for greater environmental consciousness. (CN, March 3-9, p 3)

 

50 years of Living Water Community

The Living Water Community launched a year of celebration on March 13, leading up to their golden jubilee on March 13, 2025. “We want to share the blessings of God as we have done for 49 years, we want to do it in a special way this year”. (CN, March 24-30, p 6)

 

Migrant children enter schools

The Catholic Church has been on the forefront lobbying for Venezuelan migrant children meeting requirements to gain access to local schools from September 2024.

An Education Working Group comprising the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM), Living Water Community, and the Ministry of Education worked to prepare for the children’s entry. Sharon Mangroo, Chief Executive Officer of the CEBM stated guidelines were to be developed for the smooth operations of primary schools.

News came in April that the Ministry of National Security had given the greenlight for this to happen. A recommendation was made for 18 Catholic schools to be involved. (CN, April 14-20, p 3)

 

33-day Eucharistic journey

Using Matthew Kelly’s book 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory, the Archdiocese embarked on a journey, April 28, to Eucharistic consecration day on May 30. (CN, April 21-27, p 4)

 

People of Praise Founder injured

Winston Garcia, 65 years, was injured April 25 in a severe accident in Arima. He was hospitalised with broken ribs. (CN, May 5-11, p 3) He later spoke about his near-death experience.

 

Mass for Gonzales murder victims

The wanton murder of three and hospitalisation of three others shook the Gonzales community. A shooting began close to the St Jerome AC school and continued at the Port of Spain General Hospital where shooters had followed the ambulance. Among the victims were 21-year-old Jaden Reyes who was fatally shot, and his older brother who was hospitalised. Parish Priest Fr Matthew d’Hereaux, at a Mass for the victims, told family of the deceased and injured to “feel the feelings”. He however urged that revenge was the “logic” of the world but not of Christ. “There is always a different way and that is a power you have in your heart…” (CN, June 16-22, p 7)

 

Holy Name Convent gets new wing

It took 20 years but the dream of a new wing for the Sixth Form classes was realised in 2024. The opening ceremony for the four-storey building took place July 2. It is named after former principal, Sr Bernadette de la Bastide OP. The wing houses an auditorium named after former prioress, Sr Helen Gomes OP. (CN, July 14-20, p 12)

 

Jubilee

On Ascension Thursday, Pope Francis pronounced 2025 a Jubilee Year. The Archdiocese announced that it will be celebrated locally. Rest, Release and Renewal, three areas of the Jubilee, were discussed by Fr Martin Sirju, Vicar General, while preaching the homily at Living Water Community on July 14. Fr Sirju is head of the committee established to plan celebrations of the Jubilee; other members are Trevor Matthew, Stefan de Gale, Rhonda Maingot and Sr Patrice Forde OP. Jubilee doors will be ceremonially opened at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Pro-Cathedral Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando. (CN, July 21-27, p 3).

 

Hurricane Beryl leaves her mark

As a Caribbean family, we are responsible for showing compassion and mercy to each other in times of need. So said President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon in a message to faithful in the aftermath of the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl. He asked for generosity and kindness to support the Eastern Caribbean islands and Jamaica where significant damage occurred with the passage of the Category 4 hurricane on July 1-2. Collection centres were established in the Northern Vicariate. (CN, July 21-27, p 3)

There was damage on Grenada’s northern islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique and on several of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ southern islands of Union Island and Canouan. (CN, August 4-10, p 3)

 

Vocational school in Sea Lots

The new vocational school at Sea Lots was described as a beacon of hope. It is an initiative of the Eternal Light Community to provide educational opportunities and skills training to residents. Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon blessed the building at a ceremony attended by Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Sherwin Forte, Manager, Corporate Security, Republic Bank. The bank gave support through its ‘Power to Make a Difference’ Programme. (CN, August 25-31, p 3)

 

Olympic controversy

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon shared on the controversy at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in which drag queens were presented in a segment likened to The Last Supper. He said there is a disconnect from the thinking that humans are created in the image and likeness of God as a “heresy” of today and “how we understand humanity itself”. (CN, August 4-10, p 3)

 

Our Lady goes for restoration

The statue of Our Lady of Fatima at the Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Laventille, was taken down for repairs on Friday, July 19. It was damaged by lightning on September 9, 2020. Apart from the statue, other work had to be done including fixing leaks in the tower. The Laventille Morvant Pastoral Area began fundraising for the project estimated to cost TT$1.1 million. (CN, August 4-10, p 10)

 

Coat of Arms change

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, in an interview with The Trinidad Express, said historical facts can be acknowledged, even when they are uncomfortable. The inclusion of the steelpan represented what is truly unique about T&T. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had announced that Columbus’ three ships would be replaced by the steelpan. (CN, September 1-7, p 3)

 

Rosary Monastery

After the death of Sr Mary Ann Bradshaw OP on June 5, the Rosary Monastery went into a process of being “suppressed”. Fr Matthew Martinez OP explained this meant if “there are no more nuns in the monastery, there can’t be a monastery”. Plans for the site will be determined by the Master of the Dominican Order in Rome. (CN, September 16-21, p 3)

 

Abbot Pereira recovers

Abbot John Pereira OSB underwent surgery at the San Fernando General Hospital on September 9. It was a major procedure which curtailed his physical duties at the Abbey, Mt St Benedict for two months. (CN, September 15-21, p 3)

 

Archdiocese establishes trauma resource response

An announcement was made about a plan to establish a centralised resource for trauma healing and care. It is being spearheaded by a committee comprising international and local experts. (CN, June 2-8, p 5)

 

Catholic health hotline

A 24-hour hotline, 282-2480 was started in the Archdiocese to provide spiritual care in times of trial, whether sickness, death or struggles with emotional and spiritual distress. (CN, December 1-7, p 10)

 

Ordinations

Fr Maurice White was ordained March 19 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon presided. (CN, March 31 Easter, p14-15)

Fr Jonathan Steele O Carm was ordained May 25 at Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe Bourg Mulatresse, Santa Cruz. Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon said the priest’s role was not just to deliver a message but to live it. (CN, June 2-8, p 4)

 

Anniversaries

Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters Nyra Anne Pajotte, Geraldine George and Antoinette Fahey marked 50 years of dedicated service. A Mass was celebrated on April 13 at the St Michael RC Church, Maracas St Joseph where the Sisters renewed their vows. (CN, June 23-29, p 10)

Sr Magdalen Fields SJC celebrated 70 years of religious profession on August 28. A Mass was celebrated at Lourdes House, Arouca on June 1 with Fr Maurice White as the main celebrant and Frs George Lewis and Gregory Augustine CSSp concelebrating. (CN, July 21-27, p 11)

Sr Marie Therese Retout OP celebrated 75 years of religious profession Thursday August 1 at Holy Name Chapel Convent, Port of Spain; Archbishop Emeritus Robert Rivas OP was the celebrant. She was a gifted writer and a contributor to the Catholic News. (CN, August 11-17, p 10)

 

Gone but not forgotten

Fr Gervase Girod CSSp died on December 26 at the age of 89 years. He was a priest for 60 years. His funeral took place December 29 at St Theresa’s RC Woodbrook. (CN, January 7-13, p 4)

Educator and historian Dr Bernard Tappin died Ash Wednesday, February 14. (CN, February 18-24, p 3)

Fr Leo Donovan OP died in Ireland February 17. He served for 50 years in Trinidad. (CN, February 25-March 2, p 3)

Seminarian Michael Maillard died April 23 after a period of illness. His funeral Mass took place April 29 with Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon presiding. (CN, May 5-11, p 3)

The last cloistered contemplative nun at Rosary Monastery, Sr Mary Ann Bradshaw OP died June 5 at the age of 82. Last Rites took place June 14 presided by Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon. Her death marked the suspension of the monastery. (CN, June 23-29, p 11)