“[Part of Catholic culture and identity] is to remind us that we always sin. We are always going against what God wants. It reminds us that we need to turn to God over and over seeking forgiveness and seeking His help so we could do better”.
These words from Arima parish priest Msgr Allan Ventour, echoed across the hills of Laventille during the annual Fatima Devotions at the Marian Shrine last Sunday.
Msgr Ventour centered his homily on the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He said, “In looking at Catholic culture and identity there are certain things that are unique to our church. There are certain practices that we have to do and we have to do them properly. Having them is one thing- practising them effectively is another.”
He said the Catholic Church has been accused of “over-emphasising sin”. However, we cannot over-emphasise sin because “we [are] always sinning. When we live in a world where the level of morality is dropping, it becomes easier to sin.”
However, our Catholic culture helps us to not get accustomed to sin. The Church helps us to call to mind our sins in the Penitential Rite and admonishes us to go to confession at least once a year.
Msgr Ventour urged the faithful to go beyond that by making a careful examination of our conscience. “Our Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful gift that God has given to us to help bring us back in line with God and each other. But we have to use it properly. We jus’ cyah go through de motions and we done wit’ dat”, he said. Therefore, “We must take the time to examine our conscience and pray and ask the Lord to help us”.
Before the Benediction and Mass, the congregation prayed the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet with the St John the Baptist Church (San Juan) Men’s prayer group, which led the afternoon’s devotions, while the pupils of St Charles Tunapuna RC School led the music ministry.
The next Fatima devotions are carded for Sunday July 15.