Christmas Carol Service - Save the Date 19 December 2010

Save the date! Come and see the Cathedral and enjoy music of the season.

Christmas Carol Service

Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 4:00pm

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Join us on Thursday 25 November 10am, 2011

Dear Friend and Neighbor:

The Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street is an architectural and artistic marvel, and a historical and cultural treasure. Originally built in 1911, the Cathedral has, for the past four years, been undergoing a massive restoration process. The main feature of this restoration has been uncovering the stunning frescoes (artwork/murals) that had been covered over by grey paint since 1970. The restoration work also encompasses repairing the organ, one of the largest in the region, fixing the stained glass windows which have been in disrepair since Hurricane Charlie in 1951, refurbishing the termite-infested pews which date back to 1911, installing a new PA system, and rectifying the structural damage to the dome of the building.

As we get closer to the completion of this project, we are committed to keeping the community surrounding the Cathedral connected to this project. We envision utilizing the Cathedral as a catalyst for community development, building on the goodwill and interest developed over the past four years.

It is that aim in mind, why we are inviting you to a dialogue and visioning meeting at the Cathedral, on Thursday, November 25^th, at 10am. The agenda is simple, come and see the space, meet us and let us dream together of the possibilities for this space and this community.

This first round of meetings is targeted especially at members of the arts and cultural Community. We feel an engagement with your community is natural, and builds upon the raison d’être, for the past four years, the restoration of the beautiful artwork. We have observed how inspired the congregants, the community workers and all the visitors to the Cathedral have been by the sheer beauty of the space.

We should note that the restoration work has seen the training and involvement of 34 young people from the neighbouring community, and has been a source of economic and spiritual upliftment for the youth of the area. Those who participated received HEART NTA certification.

Once the restoration is complete, we envision the Cathedral becoming a landmark location for visitors to Kingston, whether from home or abroad. As the site develops and fulfills its potential as a central attraction in the city, it will have a beneficial impact on the neighbouring community, providing opportunities for complementary economic activities. Furthermore, the upliftment of the site and the community are in tandem with the overall revitalization of downtown Kingston.

We look forward to engaging you on this exciting and wonderful project.

May the Lord continue to bless your operations with success.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Kenneth D. Richards

Vicar General

Stand your ground in right living! Reflections on the End of Time from Monsignor Ken, Rector, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kingston, Jamaica

The end of the Liturgical year brings into focus the last things in relation to death, the second coming, judgment, and hell. The ending of time! Indeed, mankind lives in between the present reality and the anticipated end of the ages. This anticipation is marked either by anxiety and fear regarding our individual destiny while for others the anticipation is filled with hope regarding the fulfillment of God’s promise regarding the destiny of the righteous. Luke invites us to remain mindful of the end, but, in so doing, to avoid the fear and anxiety that is ultimately meaningless.

The Gospel of Luke, chapters 9- 20, had us journeying with Jesus as He resolutely proceeded toward Jerusalem. During this journey the Gospel writer had us listening to instructions from Jesus that informed us of the values, qualities and requirements of the true disciple who, as pilgrim, must resolutely proceed toward the heavenly Jerusalem.

The Gospel of Luke also relates the account of Jesus, who, having arrived in Jerusalem, enters a discussion by His disciples about the magnificence of the Temple. Jesus interjects that the destruction of the temple would take place in the not too distant future. However, Jesus went on to clarify that the destruction of the Temple would have nothing to do with prophesy about the end of the ages. This clarification is a corrective for the association persons, then and in future, make regarding various events and signs as indications that the end of time is near. The implication is that the end of time and these events, which are bound to happen, are basically unrelated and separate occurrences. Hence, any wish that there will be signs and portents to warn us of the end must be put aside. It is a wicked and faithless generation that is eager for a sign…, Jesus remarks in Mt. 12: 39 and Mt. 16:4. St. Augustine also suggests, it is the faithless person, the person who loves their sin more than the Lord who will live in fear and anxiety for portent to warn of the end.

Luke 21:5-19 says, "And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified, for this is something that must happen first, but the end will not come at once." Then he said to them, "Nations will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines in various places; there will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven." But he said, ‘Take care not to be deceived… Your perseverance will win you your lives.’

So what should Christians do awaiting the end of time? For sure, the fear and anxiety of the faithless cannot be a personal characteristic preoccupation of the faithful. For what sort of love of Christ is it to fear His coming says Augustine. Therefore, be vigilant, stand your ground so that your hearts will not be coarsened by debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life (Luke 21:34).

Faithful and active witness is the Christian’s obligation in every age and at every time. For the Jamaican context, the current requirement is for a dispassionate observation and response to current happenings in our country. It does not require prophetic prediction that our nation is on a morally destructive course. There is a prevalent looseness regarding sexual morality and the painful disrespect for life. One too many persons from every walk of life are pursuing self interest and apparent self deception bent on hopeless deception of the populace. In too many instances, truth and integrity are being sacrificed on the altar of expediency. In the legal realm, the value of procedure is being undermined as it is tossed about by proponents and defense not to seek justice and truth but used for power play and one-upmanship. In the wider society, personal loyalties unashamedly see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, by the deafening silence in some quarters, or ridiculous defensive arguments in other quarters.Mindful of the end of time, knowing that the Lord will come in glory, that He will judge the world with justice and his people with truth, that He will reward each according to his deeds... let persons of faith live not in fear and anxiety for a sign for how and when to exercise faith; but looking resolutely to the heavenly Jerusalem, embody the values and qualities of the true disciple, obedient to Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life, and stand your ground in right living! He who has ears to hear let them hear!

Saying thank you

The recent launch of the Friends of the Holy Trinity Cathedral was greatly assisted by the kind donations of the folders and the handouts/inserts.

NCB Foundation generously gave us the folders and did the invitations for us.

Mark Roberts of Hot off the Press printers kindly donated the printing of the handouts.

And Carolyn Terrier procured the services of the graphic artist Rachel Wade who graciously gave a discount on creating the beautiful handouts.

Thank you for your help and support!

Catholic Radio is on the air!

Catholic Radio will be on the airwaves at ROOTS 96.1FM every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday starting November 2, 2010 at 8:30pm - 9:00pm.

Some interesting topics for your listening pleasure will be Faith Journey with Ralston McKenzie, We Believe and Knowing the Faith with Angelique Reid and Noel Wilkins, A Byte of Catholic History with Michael Burke, Disciples in Action with Aloun Assamba, Theology of the body for Teens with Fr. John Sullivan, Justice Matters with Dr. Carolyn Pinnock and Cmdr. Hardley Lewin in addition to reflections on the Gospel.

Message from Monsignor Ken, Rector, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kingston, Jamaica -- Reflections on Mercy and God's Almighty Power

Mercy Flows From God’s Almighty Power

Synopsis of Sunday’s Homily (31 October 2010)

by Msgr. Kenneth D. Richards, Rector, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kingston, Jamaica

Who am I? I am created in the image and likeness of God. God is love. God created me with love. God created me, subject of His love. God created me to love… to love Him, to love self and to love others. When I fail to love God by my disobedience, a distortion (sin) arises in my relationship with God. This leads to a distortion of self love and a distortion in my love for my fellowman.

God, all powerful, seeks not to destroy me because of my distortion – sin. Rather, the Lord seeks to remove the distortion because He loves me.

In the book of Wisdom 11:23—12:2 we read: Yet you are merciful to all, because you are almighty, you overlook people’s sins, so that they can repent. Yes, you love everything that exists, and nothing that you have made disgusts you, since, if you had hated something, you would not have made it. And how could a thing subsist, had you not willed it? Or how be preserved, if not called forth by you? For your imperishable spirit is in everything! And thus, gradually, you correct those who offend; you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned, so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you. Lord.

When Zacchaeus repented because he experienced mercy, Jesus says: Today salvation has come to this house… for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost (Luke 19:9-10).

Like Zacchaeus, may each one make a favourable and practical response to the saving mercy of God who loves us!

Peace,

Msgr. Ken