Opportunity in the crisis 

Dear Editor,

In Guyana, the nation is caught in a web with post elections results fiasco since it was held on March 2nd triggered by the touted occurance of fraud in the electoral process or because both major parties want to be in power. Faced with this situation of political quagmire the population is kept in suspense to know who their legally elected leader is.

Then came Covid-19 to make things worse with deaths, followed by curfews etc, which the Guyanese people have to put up with. These situations affect the Guyanese psyche particularly the divided politics that plagued the nation since independence. The people do not deserve this from our leaders.

With the impact of COVID-19 and its quarantine measures to keep people at home to control the spread of the virus, many are bored despite the good coming out of it such as the planting of gardens, praying etc.

There is also the issue of big families cramped up in small apartments or houses, making it impossible for social distancing, and the increased likelihood of the evil practice of domestic violence and child abuse occurring in our homes during this time. To make matters worse, due to the shutdown of most workplaces, people are out of jobs and there is no money to buy food for families. Many go starving without meals. Luckily, there are those generous persons rendering assistance to those in desperate need of food etc.

In such time of despair people usually turn to Church and the creator for comfort. But these days church buildings are closed to contain the spread of the virus. This made pastors switch to use the internet (those who are fortunate) to celebrate Masses or worship services with the faithful. A great initiative of virtual evangelization of the faithful locally and abroad.

However, more could be done besides the livestreaming of Masses, and prayers. For example bible study or bible sharing by Zoom with a group of lay persons and their priests or pastors. Same could be done for those who don’t have internet access to engage in bible study as a family and pray for Guyana during this time of quarantine and political crises.

I am fortunate at Ignatius House (Chicago) to have the opportunity to attend daily and Sunday Masses. However I think an opportunity is being missed to find creative ways to teach and preach the Gospel message. While it is good to live stream Masses it is important to find creative ways to teach the faith. Probably support groups could be formed; to explore the deeper meaning of our Catholic faith. Additionally, an environment can be created where persons can examine their faith journey in connection to COVID and the other impasse. How can I see the image and presence of God in other persons who hold differing views from mine.

Additionally during this lockdown, it is important to contemplate and empathise with those: in confinement sometimes for crimes they didn’t even commit, for the imprisoned refugees, the visually impaired, the physically disabled, the animals locked in zoos denied of their freedom in their habitats. Those shut-ins, those patients who are quarantined or isolated, those that suffer from domestic abuse, those stranded and unable to return home because the closure of borders and those materially poor without food for the good Lord to send generous people to assist.

Finally, Guyanese should contemplate on the negativities that divide us triggered by race-based politics, and think about inclusiveness to deal with the current COVID-19 pandemic. We can do this hoping that a post Coronavirus unity will prevail. We must think about working together towards nation building for ALL, because presently the nation´s soul is shattered a result of the pandemic and political crises. We need to seek God in this situation.

Marlon 

                      
 “What can I do for you?”asked Jesus – How would you answer?

   Photo: Vaughn Nicholas Duncan

By Vaughn Nicholas Duncan

Lent was a moment of reflection for many. In my time, I ponder many questions about life and purpose. Many of us have potential but what exactly is our purpose? As a young person, pondering about life and what direction to take, it makes room for doubts and regrets. The first and most obvious question was, “What is my purpose?”

Sometimes we sit back and ask God to guide us, or exclaim, “Jesus, take the wheel”. It is important to trust God and his plans. If you tell God your plans,  he will laugh at you? True story. Now what if you saw Jesus walking on the street and you shout out and call to him. He turns around to you and asks you this question, “What can I do for you?

How would you respond? The blind man said, “Jesus I want to see”.

Every day, we wake up and have to make decisions. Some tough, some simple, and decisions may not only affect you, but your friends, your Church and even your family. You may take a few moments to ponder your decisions because we worry about the implications. A friend once told me that she does not know what see wants in life. We wish the path ahead would be clear and easy to follow. We live in a system and our survival depends on that dollar. It may not be the dream job, but it pays the bills. And misery comes with the package. This may drive the young mind crazy. Add Murphy’s Law into the equation and you feel like you are drowning in the deep blue ocean with no life jacket in sight, or on an endless horrible bumpy savannah road. Almost every youth has their story to tell of their lack of sense of direction and vision. Then in the dark quiet moment, reflections come. Regrets and doubts with a bit of emotions can be quite paralyzing and counterproductive. So I had to ask myself this question, “Am I going crazy?” and “Depression?”

A good friend said to me, “It’s normal”.

As youths, it is normal to feel that way. (Not saying to ignore the signs of mental health issues) Do you remember when you were in school and even up to University, that everything seemed straightforward? Now, welcome to the real world, our older folks would greet us. You will be fouled and you will get tackled or get hit in ribs by the cork ball or even cleanly bowled between your legs.  

It is normal to feel weak, down and alone. Like everyone in the world has turned their backs on you. It’s normal to feel like you have to face it all alone. In his weakest moment, Jesus carried his friends to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. But his friends fell asleep and later ran away. He was betrayed. Nevertheless, Jesus prayed and persisted.

It is normal for young people to feel like we are falling in an endless dark pit. Maybe it is okay (NO, IT IS NOT OKAY) to turn to a bottle of rum, then pick a motorcycle and speed down the road, only to end up on a hospital bed the next morning. (Not Okay right?) It will be a big regret and you will beat yourself up for not considering other alternatives to escape your misery.

Sometimes, all you need is a friend to talk with. That one friend to ask you the right questions in the most confusing time of our young life. A friend who can help you to reflect. Reflections can also bring out a renewed and refreshed soul. And not necessarily on the first try. In a conversation with a friend, he pointed to Jesus’ question mentioned earlier.

And so to my fellow youths, I know that path is cloudy and the world is full of challenges, but time will clear it all. Giving up should not be an option. I found solace by not asking “What is my purpose?” but by thinking of how I would answer Jesus if he came up to me and asked, “What can I do for you?” 

  A good life a new way

   

Our world is going through a profound crisis due to globalization, neo-liberalism and the economic model of development that exploit natural resources. This system of development promotes a systematic way of living known as the throw-away culture; this perverse economic model also generates a violent social exclusion that impedes the access of millions of human beings to food and other basic necessities.

This conventional model of the “good life” concentrates wealth in the hands of a few and at the same time causes the death of the poor and marginalized. The obsession for wealth and the ideology of development of a nation promotes exaggerated fast profits, and consumerism. A cruel capitalist system that triggers environmental, ideological and economical crises.

This system that exploits the environment is taking the planet at risk of sustainability. To combat this, there is need to create awareness. There are huge investments in capital expenditure and others centered on human and social works, but none of them opts for nature as important to the integral part of all beings. In contrast, comes the other meaning of “good life”: living in communion with others: nature and mother earth, with animals, and indigenous peoples with their ancestors. Native peoples have a mystical aspect extremely strong that overwhelms the crave for consumerism.

To include the concept “good life” in development for indigenous peoples. They prefer to talk about a good life that means collective, in community, in communion and where human beings coexist with one other and with nature, not individualistic. For them, the good life is awareness not to destroy nature, but to care and live in harmony with it.

The meaning of the good life also signifies a world different from the way Jesus planned it. A place in which peace reigned, also solidarity, and fraternity. In this understanding, it is important to create only one project of good life or else we would be repeating the same thing that was invented which a determined culture or idea shaped us. We need to see diversity to understand the good life, but at the same time establish some common principles. There is a need to accept from every aspect and turn our dreams into a common one.

The good life is personal conversion, to consume less, promote less so-called ‘development’ that affects nature. Practice sharing, and not all for one-self, but for other persons to taste and have a part to play in the same thing. The good life is for all, not just for the privileged and elites. To live the good life is to live like the indigenous peoples where there are no abandoned children nor rich or poor in their villages (outsiders tell them that they are poor), to live happy with little. It also means to reach out to those who are different in religion, ideology etc. The good life is above all of this which calls for us to respect it. The good life also means dialogue because there is no dialogue without respect. We can´t say this or that is more important. It calls for profound love. This paradigm of the good life will not happen today or tomorrow. However, we can bring about this dream of the good life with little steps.

M. Abraham

First vows, First Communions at Santa Rosa 

Photo credit: Troy Abraham

By Candecy Burnett 

A daughter of Santa Rosa took her first vows as a Sister of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara (SSVM) and some 50 young people from the area made their First Communion on August 23rd when the community of Santa Rosa, Region 1, celebrated its feast day of Saint Rose of Lima.

The feast day celebrations included a procession from the miraculous medal Chapel, Kumaka-Moruca back to the church while praying the holy rosary and singing hymns.

During the Mass close to 50 young boys and girls received Jesus for the first time as they made their First Holy Communion. Many of them, along with well-wishers, had travelled from nearby communities with their families for this special moment.

Also during the Mass Sister Mary Innocent Virgin, of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara, who was born and raised in Santa Rosa, Moruca, professed her First Vows.

This is believed to be the first time a native of Santa Rosa has professed first vows as a Religious Sister in Santa Rosa.

Fr. Pedro Torrez, who was the main celebrant, spoke about the importance of following Christ and giving one's own self to him.

After his homily he blessed Sr. Innocent’s new veil, which she sewed herself.

Sr. Mary Innocent’s Superior, Sr. Maria de la Ascención de Jesús Maggiora, flew all the way from Ecuador for the special moment. After the blessing of the veil, she was the one to change Sr. Innocent's white veil - which meant she was a novice Sister - to the blue veil that symbolizes she is now a Professed Sister. The blue represents the Divinity of Christ.

Sr. Innocent, who came back to Guyana to spend some time with her family and make her first vows, returns to Ecuador soon to continue her studies.

After Mass there was a large reception held to celebrate Saint Rose of Lima on her feast day, the First Profession of vows of Sr. Innocent, and for the First Communion class of 2019.

There was much singing, snacks and sharing with parishioners.

                                     Photo credit: Joan Veira

                 Source: Catholic Standard 30th August, 2019.

 Indigenous heritage month needed theological aspect

Stabroek news 0ct. 3. 2019

Indigenous heritage month celebrations have gone and we are now in October. Most of the activities took place in Georgetown, besides those kept in different communities across the country. Kudos to the hardworking organizers: The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIP), the various teams and all those who supported and participated to make the month of celebrations a success. The various activities and events showcased the great skills, talents and gifts that our indigenous people possess. Congrats to all of them! 

The different cultural activities such as games, arts and music, religious ceremony (the alleluia group) and the beauty pageant reflected our diversity and richness being indigenous people in Guyana. However, too much of fun and less seriousness is not good because it can produce a people of mediocrity.

Editor, in this context I found that the entire month of activities were centred too much on extravaganza and there was limited scope for being reflective to make us be aware of our socioeconomic and political situations that keep most of us in poverty, even though we know that we are religious beings and also erudite people. 

In philosophy man by nature is a religious being. And so are we indigenous people. For we have a soul which needs to be nurtured from a spiritual source. Unfortunately this aspect of our nature became dormant and was not seen as important by organizers of the heritage celebrations to promote as part of our indigenous lifestyle. It´s a pity most didn´t see it as important because it doesn’t yield economic benefits, and political gains or material possessions.

This shouldn´t be so. Let´s be real. The majority of Indigenous people in Guyana are “Christians”, or most claim to be and belong to different Christian groups. Some are pastors, and other church leaders who studied theology and who are living the theological praxis reality with their people each day.

Thus, I believe there was need for Indigenous people to have a theological segment of the heritage celebrations in September. This is where the churches could participate. Where a group of elder pastors and church leaders could come together to share their knowledge about the experience of the creator, the wisdom of shamans, ancestral wisdom pertaining to lands, nature and other perspectives from the indigenous worldview in Guyana. Perhaps by doing so a group of pastors or theologians could develop an Indigenous theology from the people they work with to produce an intercultural and ecumenical evangelical approach that can be more meaningful to our people especially the young generation.

In concluding, if such a theological segment can be added to the heritage celebrations next year, it can offer a platform for ecumenical and social cohesion to work better with other Christian groups in the communities. Besides, it can help to address social ills occurring in indigenous communities. Because churches working among indigenous people have a role to play to help them promote a sober and conscious people, oriented on good values which Indigenous people also practise, but which most times is overshadowed by the extravaganza and cultural entertainment during heritage month that reflects a one-sided cultural aspect of indigenous peoples’ culture in Guyana.

Medino Abraham 

Reflections at Easter 2020 in Santa Rosa 

 Mrs. Florence Campbell and daughter. Photo: Sonia Campbell 

Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are all solemn days where Catholics go to pray and participate in ceremonies commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord. Catholics look forward to these solemn observations and celebrations during Holy Week and Easter, as they engage in them every year. At Santa Rosa like elsewhere in the world, Easter celebrations were different for all Morucans in 2020. The chapel was closed to avoid the faithful congregating and running the risk of contracting the coronavirus currently spreading across the world.

In Moruca, although there is access to the internet by using data plans, following Mass livestreamed from Georgetown or elsewhere is very expensive, as video uses considerable amounts of data.

I was in contact with a family in Moruca. The head of the household is Mrs. Florence Campbell, a widow. Her family is comprised of her sister, daughter and mother. They are traditional Catholics and regular churchgoers.

I asked Mrs. Campbell how she felt during Holy Week and Easter since she couldn´t attend church since it was closed. Her response was “I felt sad and I wanted to cry. I felt like something was missing from me. It was a feeling of grief. The feeling of sadness and grief was because we could not go and worship at the chapel at Santa Rosa. I believe since the church´s existence in Santa Rosa for 200 years, I never experienced the chapel closed for big religious seasons like Easter”.

Mrs. Campbell said “most Catholics in the interior considered chapels as their third home apart from the other two institutions, the home and the school in the community. We go to them to pray, listen to the world of God and to receive the Holy Eucharist etc. But, besides these activities of worshiping, socially, chapels also serve as a place to meet and mingle with neighbours and friends on Sunday and big feast days”.

However, for her and others, these activities came to a sudden pause this year in Moruca with the closure of the chapel as elsewhere. I asked again her, Since the chapel was closed what did you and your family do to celebrate Holy Week and Easter this year? Her responses were: “when I think it over, I realized the chapel is just the building. It´s we the people who are the Church. Christians were there before there were buildings. So we should be practicing the faith at home and the same time practice social distancing. For the Holy Week and Easter, we read the Bible and reflected on the death and resurrection of Our Lord. We prayed the rosary for the world. We prayed for the doctors and scientists; that God may soon give them the wisdom to discover the vaccine that cures the coronavirus. I also observed that during this time, praying at home provided a stronger family bonding and offered us the opportunity to re-cultivate the faith at home”.

Mrs Campbell also narrated that, “during this time the children are at home with their parents and they should be included in our prayers. This is also a good opportunity for parents to utilise this time with their children to educate them properly. Besides, the academic lessons they should be taught to be good Christians when they grow up. We also made intercessory prayers for those families that suffer from domestic violence during this time. For the conflicts to be resolved peacefully among husbands and wives and for the children not to suffer too much”. She continued. “I think most Catholics are doing this in Moruca these days, at least this what I heard people saying”.

Did you visit the chapel recently? “Yes, me and my sister passed by to pray a little in the chapel with the priests permission, couple days ago. We also took the opportunity to visit him but keeping social distance. I would like to say that even though the chapel is closed this time; it is good to hear the Angelus ringing at 6am and 6pm daily. Listening to the bell in the silence of the mornings would make me stop and pray, then remember that God is reminding us that even though there are no Masses at the chapel we have to remember him in daily prayers.”

Mrs. Campbell mentioned that a lot of prayers are needed in this time of the Coronavirus pandemic. “We must pray for divine intervention because I want to believe that it´s mankind who brought this virus on himself by over exploiting nature and replaced the creator with power and greed so it backfired, a sign of a wakeup call. As Catholics, we must pray harder to cast it away so that life can return to normal, including attending Holy Mass to worship as a big community”.