Fr Alan Hall at Laventille devotions: Tear down walls of prejudice - Aug 21

Friday, 19 August 2011 13:07

We could be a much better nation if we tore down the walls of prejudice in our lives, and “those walls come tumbling down fast”. These were the sentiments expressed by San Fernando assistant parish priest Fr Alan Hall, main celebrant and homilist at last Sunday’s Laventille Devotions. Fr Hall (centre) is flanked by concelebrants Fr Harris and Msgr Urban Peschier during the Mass. Photo: Raymond Syms In his homily based on the Sunday’s Gospel, Fr Hall addressed the various prejudgments we make about other people who make us feel uncomfortable, where we “don’t know the person’s story, we don’t know their history [but] we use the little knowledge that we have of someone - of their tradition and culture - to cast judgement on them”. Citing Jesus’ initial response to the Canaanite woman whom he called a dog, which might be viewed as “derogatory and disheartening”, Fr Alan said we too were influenced by “the time, location, tradition and culture [that direct] what we say and the words that we use as well”. As a result we built up prejudicial walls that dictated our dismissive responses to our brothers and sisters who are not like us, he said. This is very much evident in the attitude of many Catholics when they are told by their fellow brethren about making the pilgrimage to Marian Devotions in Laventille. “Unfortunately,” Fr Hall lamented, “many of our brothers and sisters have put up these prejudicial walls and say ‘Allyuh going up in that place?’ ‘Allyuh want to risk yuh life?’ ‘Allyuh going up in gun city?’ ‘Yuh want to be murdered?’ ‘Yuh want to become another statistic?’ ‘Dem people on de hill?’ ‘Dem people on that side?’” “It is always ‘we and dem’. It is such a prejudicial statement...almost as if we are better than them.” But the Canaanite woman was resolute in the pursuit of her goal to have her daughter healed, he continued. “She remained firm, despite all that was hurled against her,” and thus she was “breaking down the walls of prejudice”, moving Jesus to see her from a different perspective. Fr Hall said the Lord is telling us to pull down those prejudicial walls and pull them down fast. “Pull them down and embrace a sister and a brother who is in need, who is crying out to you.” If we do so, only then we could be seen as true disciples of God, he concluded, and “Laventille would have no room because everyone would be coming to honour our Blessed Mother.” Vicar General Fr Joseph Harris, CSSp attended the devotions for the first time since his appointment as Archbishop-elect. He conducted the Benediction in the absence of Archbishop Edward Gilbert who is on vacation. The afternoon’s proceedings commenced with a Holy Hour led by members of Singles for Christ, an arm of the Couples for Christ movement. In keeping with the devotions’ 2011 theme, Nurturing Vocations, Peter Bernard presented a talk “Single life with its joys and challenges” accompanied by fellow member Francesca Monsegue, who led praise and worship. Carapichaima Men’s Ministry led the singing during Mass. Next Laventille Devotions is September 11. – CN reporter