PASTORALS AND LECTURES
Pastorals
“This YEAR marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication by Pope Paul VI of the encyclical The Development of Peoples (Populorum Progressio). This document remains important for our understanding of the social reality in Jamaica today because it addressed the problem of underdevelopment in the light of the scriptures, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the church and made explicit the commitment of the Church to the poor…” (Click to download entire publication
“1. HURRICANE Gilbert raised for most people the question of God’s presence, role and responsibility in the midst of natural disaster. Put simply, if God is all good, why would He allow such destruction? If He is all powerful, could He not have intervened to prevent the tremendous hardship which so many innocent people suffered? If God could have stopped the Hurricane, why did He not do so?…”
“1. The poor, the majority of our people, are getting poorer. Prices of food, medicines and housing are increasing rapidly. While wages have increased, the increase for most people has been much less than the increase in prices, leaving them less well-off. At the same time, social services are deteriorating rapidly - our health care system unequipped to provide decent service, our educational system falling below previously attained standards. More and more people are unable to afford basic necessities…”
“TO CELEBRATE the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s Labour Movement, 1988 has been designated, by proclamation of the Governor General, the Year of the Worker. It is an occasion to remember the charism[a] and vision of our National Heroes Marcus Garvey, Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley, and the thousands who rallied with them to demand for workers their legitimate rights. They initiated a struggle that would eventually lead Jamaica out of colonialism. It is an occasion to look honestly at the current situation of workers in Jamaica and their hopes for the future, rekindling anew the conviction and dedication that characterized he earlier struggles of our people for the dignity of all who work to build this nation…”
“Truly, truly, we can say: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it," as we come together with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts, to join our beloved jubilarians in this Eucharistic celebration as they offer praise and thanks to God for their years of dedicated and devoted service following in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi. This morning the prayer on their lips, I am sure, is this: "Bless the Lord, O my soul and let all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul and do not forget all his wonderful gifts," The song in their hearts is none other than the words of Mary…”
Lectures
“Your Grace Archbishop Emeritus Donald Reece and members of the clergy, Mr. Anton Thompson chairman of the Board of Campion College and members of the Board, Mrs. Grace Baston principal, and members of staff, Professor Trevor Munroe past presenter of this lecture, Drs. Wilson and former and present members of the Faculty of Humanities and Education of the University of the West Indies, Dr. the Hon Lloyd Barnett, Head-boy and students of Campion College, and distinguished ladies, gentlemen all, it is a signal honour to be asked to deliver the Archbishop Samuel Carter Distinguished Lecture…”
Chairman Anton, Archbishop Reece, Head boy Jabari may I first of all express appreciation for your kind words of introduction. At the same time I wish to sincerely thank the Campion family and the Archbishop Samuel Carter Foundation for inviting me to deliver this lecture on “Character Formation in 21st Century Education”. I note that I follow my classmate Minister Thwaites who delivered last year’s lecture. In a manner of speaking, through us, as George’s Old Boys, St. George’s is giving back to Campion in return for Campion contributing so much to our school’s development, as, in the broad sweep of history, Campion was a key feeder preparatory school to St. Georges before you graduated to secondary status fifty five years ago
Archbishop Samuel Emmanuel Carter "The Man, the Mission, and the Message" As we gather to observe Founders’ Day at this illustrious institution of learning with a Jesuit bias which champions the holistic formation of young men and women, it may be wise to give a very brief snapshot of the life of this indomitable Churchman, the Most Rev., the Honourable Samuel Emmanuel Carter, the first local Archbishop of Kingston who was also the First Headmaster of the then fledgling Campion College
“SALUTATIONS. It is an honor for me to be asked to inaugurate this lecture series for many reasons: First, warm congratulations to Campion College on the occasion of your 55th Anniversary. From weak beginnings when only those who wished to or had to evade the Common Entrance Examination would enroll to your present status as the most acclaimed academic performer among High Schools, has been an Odyssey which has earned this College great admiration, the position of most preferred school of choice then by parents nationwide and quite frequently, sheer “red-eye” from jealous onlookers!…”
“That All May Be One!”