Catholics mobilize to help evacuees from Caribbean volcano
Ash and smoke billow as the La Soufrière volcano erupts as seen from Kingstown April 9, 2021, on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (CNS photo/Robertson S. Henry, Reuters)
By Laura Ann Phillips • Catholic News Service • Posted April 13, 2021
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CNS) Despite COVID-19 restrictions and various challenges posed by continuous volcanic eruptions and ashfall on St. Vincent and the Grenadines and neighboring islands, dioceses in the West Indies have rallied to the aid of those affected by La Soufrière volcano.
“There is an immediate response with the things they need most,” said Archbishop Jason Gordon of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 10. “Once we get that done, then we start working with them to consider the scale of the problem and what kind of response will be needed.”
The transforming power of the Resurrection Published by
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ showed that death and darkness have no power.
As the Triduum reached its climax at the Easter Vigil on Gloria Saturday, Archbishop Jason Gordon asked Catholics to allow the transforming power of the Resurrection to give them hearts of flesh to be people of love.
Presiding at the Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, he cited the Gospel of Mark 16:1–7, as the women went to the tomb “early in the morning on the first day of the week”, and a parallel with the First Reading Genesis 1:1–2:2, when God said, “Let there be light”.
5 Hrs Ago
Archbishop Jason Gordon prays during Mass on Easter Sunday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain. PHOTO BY VIDYA THURAB -
LAST year, Easter Sunday saw five people in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain with Archbishop Jason Gordon being one of them.
This year, instead of preaching to a camera, two musicians and one deacon, Gordon was able to speak to an almost full, yet socially-distanced cathedral. And his joy was palpable. Hallelujah, hallelujah, that s why it s so joyful. When you think back to last year and how it was, this year really having the congregation is amazing, he told reporters after his Easter Sunday service.
Archbishop laments darkness of violence in Easter sermon cnc3.co.tt - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cnc3.co.tt Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Covid19 hits Catholic churches, Archbishop says services will go on
Saturday 3 April 2021
A sign on the gates of St Francis RC Church, Belmont says the church is closed until further notice. It also wishes all a Happy Easter. The parish says two covid19 cases led to the closure. - Photo by Vidya Thurab
Covid19 protocols at Roman Catholic parishes are already strict so Archbishop Jason Gordon is not considering stopping in-person services or rolling back on restrictions for the church.
In a previous statement containing guidelines for the upcoming Easter weekend, he said all churches would be open but encouraged people not to flout the covid19 protocols. He noted the upsurge in the daily numbers and called for even stricter protocols during this Easter week, urging members of the clergy to “do their part” to ensure that everyone strictly adhered to the guidelines.