Leela Ramdeen, chair of the CCSJ, will be one of the speakers at the Separated, Divorced and Widowed Convention which will be held next weekend, January 21-22, at Mount St Benedict.
She will be delivering a paper – “Revitalising Catholic Identity: Separated, Divorced & Widowed”. Can the Separated, Divorced and Widowed (SDW) Catholics find their Catholic identity when most of them feel ostracised and see themselves as outcast among their Catholic community? There must be room for our brothers and sisters in the Church’s pastoral care for SDW. This care must reach down to our parishes.
Hugh Clarke a prominent attorney-at-law will deal with the advantages of having a power of attorney and the preparation of wills.
There will be other dynamic speakers who will share their journey of being divorced and being widowed. The death of a spouse can have a devastating effect on the surviving spouse, it brings for many a period of loss, grief, isolation, loneliness and even anger with God.
One of our widows shared: “One day he was laughing and talking with everyone, the next moment he was lying in hospital under an oxygen mask as I sat there and waited in prayer. I wonder if he knew something I didn’t. I mean, why after all these years of refusing to make a will he suddenly wants to make one before this surgery.”
Many spouse share this very important aspects of life. How important it is to make a will. It is important that we make a will in good times rather than leave it until the last moment. Many die before completing this exercise. The consequence can be a period of confusion and uncertainly for the surviving spouse in administration of the estate. This is also true for the separated and divorced person.
This is one of the topics that will be discussed at the SWD Convention under the patronage of His Grace, Archbishop Joseph Harris on January 21- 22, at the Seminary, Mount St Benedict.
It is important to call and register now, as space is limited.
The convention fee of $200 includes meals. For those who would like to sleep in from Friday to Sunday the fee is $400 for accommodation and meals.
For further information please contact one of the following persons:
Lucille– 653-7487; Zena– 391-4352; Jennifer – 622-1139; Kay – 658-6648.
