29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

OCTOBER 16, 2022

ST. BENEDICT’S, LA ROMAINE HOLY INNOCENTS’, PICTON

YO UR FE EDBACK IS I MPORTANT!
• Parishioners are asked to take some time to reflect on one ONE of the seven (7) themes which
will be the focus of our Archdiocese in 2023. The copy of the themes is enclosed as a
separate insert in the newsletter. Persons on the mailing database would have received an
attachment via email. Your responses can be submitted at the Weekend Masses
(29th & 30th October).

• Persons who did not previously participate in the Parish Synod process or those who did but
would like to make any additions can collect a copy of questions at the next weekend Mass.

• Those who are unable to submit responses to these questions can drop them off at the Box at
the main door or also forward the responses to via email to laromaine@catholictt.org
by Friday 11th November .

St Benedict’s RC Church and Holy Innocent’s Chapel

La Romaine/Picton Parish Community
Final Synod Report/Synthesis
The Church of God is convoked in Synod. The Synod conversations at parish level are part of a
worldwide process by which the universal Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, is reaching out to the
Church community and other interested members of the national community, to solicit their views
on our Church as it exists today. The conversations focus on the activities and behaviours that
strengthen or weaken the Church and ask respondents to indicate their thoughts on the preferred
direction for a healthy Church of the future.

The purpose of this synthesis is to gather and express the fruits of the synodal process, indicating
how the Holy Spirit is directing the church in the local context.

The synodal process was interesting, time-consuming but necessary. It fostered new interactions
and relationships and it broke down barriers to communication among some of the parishioners
within the community. A review of the statistics in the Appendix will show that participation in our
Synodal process was less than stellar. However, due to the Covid-19 restrictions and the limited
time frame to plan and execute the consultations, the amount of responses received were minimal.
There was a general lack of engagement by parishioners which is the main reason for the average
performance of the Parish’s Synodal consultations. Nonetheless, the responses received were
substantial; they were honest, open and frank in their assessment of “journeying together” as a
Church/Parish and Community. Actual responses given by participants in their questionnaires are
shared for consideration.
Listening and Discernment
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION 1:
How is this “journeying together” happening today in your Church/Parish/Community?
Inclusivity
Exclusion of and/or insufficient involvement of young people
Lack of connectedness – to Priest, to Lay and Eucharistic Ministers
Parish’s mission unclear, unknown, unstated

Difficulties/Obstacles/Wounds
Lack of warmth; unwelcoming to parishioners at Mass
A closed society (vis-a-vis other religions)
Exclusion of separated and divorced persons from Eucharist
Lack of compassion, patience, simple courtesies to fellow parishioners
Areas for improvement
Ongoing teaching of the faith; gaps in spiritual journey between First Communion and
Confirmation and from Confirmation through adulthood
Hospitality to everyone attending Mass/events (not just to friends)
Reaching out to non-practicing Catholics, to the elderly, infirmed, disabled and house bound
More accountability and transparency in financial matters
Appropriate behaviour/dress and more reverence in Church; respecting the sanctity of the Church
Active participation in the Mass
Established lines of trust are needed between laity and clergy to facilitate open, honest and willing
participation in the synodal process

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION 2:
What steps does the Spirit invite us to take for us to grow in our “journeying together”?
Involvement
More volunteering and involvement by laity
More family type activities, social gatherings; opportunities for parishioners to get to know each
other, to become a true community
Celebrating Feast days, particularly patronal feasts

Guidance of the Holy Spirit

Be kinder, be a Christian, reach out to your neighbour in and out of Church
Catechists/Teachers/Ministers – engage more, dominate less
Learn the faith, teach the faith; on-going instruction in Catholicism is needed
Support group(s) for those in need – Separated, Divorced, Widowed, the Elderly, Infirm.
Life in the Spirit seminars for teenagers
Youth masses with testimonials
Parish Monthly intentions
Improvement in the Music Ministry
Conclusion
At the next Parish Meeting scheduled for May 16, 2022, the final report of the Synodal journey
may be presented. A condensed version may also be included in our weekly newsletter with the
approval of the Parish Priest. Some of the recommendations and suggestions by the Synodal
participants are practical and reasonable and showed a genuine interest in growing the church, in
the need for healing and helping, learning and becoming involved. With the help of our Parish
Priest, we can now discuss and formulate plans to address the issues raised and take remedial
action as needed.

Word of Gratitude
Abundant blessings on all the members of our Parish who attended the online Parish Meetings and
special thanks to those who contributed in any way. To the participants who made time to
complete the questionnaires and to return them on time, we are truly grateful for your commitment
and your interest in improving and growing our Parish. A special thanks to Raysha Purcell who
made time to attend Synodal activities; the opening Mass and the Synod Youth Representative
Meet-Up Session. Her contribution was invaluable during this journey. Many thanks to Marsha
and Stacey at the Parish office for bringing the team’s attention to all synod related
correspondence shared via email. God’s richest blessings on our Parish Priest, Monsignor
Christian Pereira, whose support and interest in this process underscored the Good Shepherd that
he is to this Parish community.

Appendix
Synodal team consisted of the following persons:

Raysha Purcell, Lead Coordinator

Amy Henderson
Alexa Lee, Youth Representative

Method/Format:

Three (3) online Synod/Parish Meetings (Jan 24, 2022 - 36 attendees; Feb 21, 2022 - 34 attendees;
April 4, 2022 - 22 attendees)
Online questionnaires by email to Parish community

Item Amount
Number of questionnaires returned 30
Participants with positive feedback/responses 19
Participants with negative feedback/ experiences 1
Participants with varied experiences (both positive and negative) 10
Practicing Catholics 30
Non-practicing Catholics 0
Telephone consultation 1
Online questionnaires emailed to parish community (database) over 250
 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH - 5:00 P.M. MASS
Birthday Blessings A.M. County (1Yr.); Janessa Mendes; Patricia Aguillera
Healing Dante & Isaiah Grimshaw; Daphne Fruitrell
Special Intentions Shaun & Steph; Aldwin & Victoria Chee Mook
Thanksgiving Cristiano Allum; Claudette Gentle; Billy & Mary Comach
Rest in Peace Hildegard Mac Quan; Betty Magalhaes (40 dys.);
Frank Andre Snr. (29 Yrs.); Audrey Patterson; Dayne Malsing;
Michael “Mikey” Malsingh; Jackie & Veronica Samuel;
Anthony & Petra Mendes; Maria Mendes-Auguste;
Antoinette Mendes Hamid; Clive Chen

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH - 8:00 A.M. MASS

Birthday Blessings Chikania Mousie; Kathleen O’Connor; Billy Comach;
A.M. County (1Yr.)
Special Intentions Weatherhead Family; Genevieve Williams-Carroll
Thanksgiving Davis Family; Billy & Mary Comach; Krystal Miller-Sanowar
Rest in Peace Radha Boodram; Clive Chen; Karyn Seenath; Alma Bruce;
Estephanie Joseph (40 dys.); Catherine Jackson; Nicey Dwarika;
Louise Edwards
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH - 10:00 A.M. MASS – PICTON
Special Intentions Aldwin, Victoria, Sherese Chee Mook; Dianne Wright & Family
Rest in Peace Napthali Regis

CONFIRMAION SESSIONS
ST. BENEDICT’S, LA ROMAINE

Please be informed that our Confirmation

Catechists are in need of a laptop for class
sessions and assignments You can contact
the Confirmation lead Mrs. Kavita Ragbir
if you are able to provide any assistance or SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER 9:00 A.M. - 6:30 P.M.
SUNDAY 30TH OCTOBER 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
require further details. ST. BENEDICT’S R. C. CHURCH., LA ROMAINE
- Gift Items - Rosaries - Scapulars - Crucifixes - Statues
Her contact number is - Protection Hangers - Travel Clips - Home Décor
334-5454 - Crosses - Jewelry
WHATSAPP: 493-6370 INSTAGRAM: Chapelgiftshop
FACEBOOK: The Chapel Gift Shop Ltd.