“I feel free! I needed that! Thank you so much!” exclaimed one Venezuelan who have been living in Trinidad for more than 5 years, and hadn’t had confession in even more years than that. He also apologized for taking 30 minutes with the Priest. A bilingual parishioner assisting at the event shared “I haven’t had confession since my first communion! (14 years ago)”.
On April 11th, in celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Migrants & Refugees Ministry of the Santa Rosa & Malabar Parish Cluster in Arima, successfully hosted a ‘Refugee Day’. A community service mission outreach to our Spanish speaking brothers and sisters among us. Corporal and spiritual works of mercy took centre stage as participants were able to:
– Access various healthcare services through CCSJ/AMMR collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the T&T Medical Association and Cancer Society.
– Access and obtain religious articles of faith, and services such as the sacrament of confession in spanish, eucharistic adoration, and sign-up to receive Catholic spanish bibles along with the Christian sacraments.
– Become knowledgeable of help resources, and receive counselling.
– Receive basic food hampers for free, as well as access to educational and baby items at next to nothing prices.
The mission was well received and sincere gratitude was expressed by participating members of both the Venezuelan and the local communities. Very fortunate indeed were they who were able to receive this sacrament on the Feast of Mercy. Innumerable thanks to Fr. Mark Georges & Fr. Gutemberg Tosca Barahona who made themselves available for the mission, and all supporters of the Refugee Day activities.
