Q: Archbishop J, how do we celebrate Christmas in this guava season? âAnd the Word became flesh and dwelt among usâ (Jn 1:14) It is a question I have heard often this yearâsometimes spoken aloud, sometimes asked silently in worried hearts. At Christmas, we proclaim something so familiar that we risk no longer hearing how radical it truly is: God…
âBlessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comfortedâ – Matthew 5:4 On Monday, December 8th, 2025, the Archdiocesan Family life Commission gathered via Zoom to embrace a special segment of our community, those who have lost a loved one by suicide. Facilitated by the compassionate hands of Alicia Hoyte and Georgiana Fletcher, this segment offered a beacon of hope to those walking through their…
When my daughter suddenly moved out to live with her Same Sex Attracted girlfriend, the pain was crushing. I had gone from being someone that she would tell everything, to not being able to see her, or even talk to her on the phone. Equally crushing was my self condemnation. Didn’t I see the signs? Shouldnât I have taken her…
When someone builds a house, they know that construction and furnishing are not the end. Over time, there will be upgrades, repainting, and replacementsâcontinuous care to keep the home strong and beautiful. Marriage is no different. After the lights, camera, action of the wedding and honeymoon, couples must remember that sustaining a healthy, loving relationship requires ongoing effort. Daily greetings…
On Monday, September 29, 2025, the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) hosted another session in its ongoing grief support series, When a Loved One Dies by Suicide. The evening focused on the video What the Church Teaches, which explores the Catholic Churchâs evolving understanding of suicide, mental health, and Godâs boundless mercy. Facilitated by members of the AFLCâs grief support…
Q: Archbishop J, how do we hold on to Hope in a guava season? In Trinidad and Tobago, we know what a âguava seasonâ means. It is that time when the tree bears little fruit, when the cupboard is light, when ends refuse to meetâno matter how you stretch them. In our local speech, a âguava seasonâ is a time…
Q: Archbishop J, itâs so hard to wait through Advent for Christmas. Why bother? Thatâs an honest questionâand one that echoes deep within many of us. We live in a world that does not like to wait. We fast-forward through commercials, swipe past slow content, and expect results in seconds. So, when the Church asks us to pause, to be…
In response to the rising number of suicides in Trinidad and Tobago, the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) continues to provide compassionate spaces for those affected by suicide loss through its grief support series, When a Loved One Dies by Suicide. The initiative offers hope and healing to individuals and families navigating the deep pain of loss, grounding their journey…
EnCourage is a spiritual accompaniment group for parents, family members, and friends of persons who experience same-sex attraction. This confidential support ministry, sponsored by the Archdiocese, offers a safe space for those seeking to navigate their faith while maintaining loving relationships with family members. At the recent October meeting, Sr. Gilmary, RSM, a member of the Courage Office who serves…
By Manuelita Gomez Thomas Losing a loved one to suicide brings grief that is often more intense and prolonged than other forms of loss. The abruptness and trauma of suicide can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, a reality affirmed by many who have walked this difficult path. In the aftermath, the bereaved may find themselves replaying events…
