Most Rev. Burchell A. McPherson, D.D. Bishop of Montego Bay My Dear Teachers, - Sisters and Brothers In Christ, Greetings from the Diocese of Montego Bay. It is my distinct pleasure to bring you greetings on the occasion of your Caribbean con- ference. Teaching is a most noble profession. I can recall a time when teachers held such pride of place and great respect was accorded the position and responsibility of a teacher. Things might have changed somewhat but each of us who achieved anything today owes a debt of gratitude to the influence and nurturing of a teacher. As Pope John Paul 11, now St. John Paul so aptly expressed: “Teachers provide instruction in the original sense of the term, that is, they make a substantial contribution to build- ing the personality; they educate in the sense of the ancient Socratic image, helping students to discover and to make use of the skills and gifts of each one… You have been called to teach. This is a vocation, a Christian vocation...There, at your teacher’s chair and desk, God has called you by name to an indispensable service to the truth.” This year’s theme “Catholic Educators as Agents of Change in the Caribbean”, then is so well and appropri- ately chosen. As Caribbean people we face common issues and challenges. You teachers with your mandate for the mission entrusted to you by God our Father, can make a difference. May you have a very successful conference. May God send His Holy Spirit to guide and direct your delibera- tions. May He continue to strengthen you in zeal and Purpose. God’s richest Blessings on you all. The Holy Father Benedict XVI on November 19, 2011 appointed Rev. Monsignor Kenneth David Oswin Richards of Kingston in Jamaica as Bishop of the Diocese of Saint John's-Basseterre. Born in Linstead, St. Catherine, in the Spanish Town area, in Jamaica, on August 16, 1958. He was ordained priest on 29 September 1985. After ordi- nation, he has held the following positions in the Archdiocese of Kingston in Jamaica: 1985-1989: Assistant priest at Holy Cross, 1989-1995: Pastor of St. Benedict and the African martyrs, 1995-2003: Pastor of two parishes St. Jude and St. Patrick, 2002-2005: Archdiocesan Director of Vocations, 2004-2008: President of the Priests' Council and President of the Priests of the Archdiocese; since 2004: Member of the School Council of St. George's College and Holy Trinity High School, and Director of the Cathedral. 2008-2011: Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kingston in Jamaica. His Episcopal Ordination was February 8th, 2012 in Antigua. Know our Bishops! JUNE, 2014 CACT News The Organ of the Caribbean Associaon of Catholic Teachers Bishops Message Born—May 7, 1951 Converted—1976 Ordained Deacon—1986 Ordained priest—June 23, 1991 Ordained Bishop—June 8, 2013
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Most Rev. Burchell A. McPherson, D.D.
Bishop of Montego Bay
My Dear Teachers, - Sisters and Brothers In Christ,
Greetings from the Diocese of Montego Bay.
It is my distinct pleasure to bring you greetings on the occasion of your Caribbean con-
ference. Teaching is a most noble profession. I can recall a time when teachers held
such pride of place and great respect was accorded the position and responsibility of a
teacher. Things might have changed somewhat but each of us who achieved anything today owes a debt of
gratitude to the influence and nurturing of a teacher.
As Pope John Paul 11, now St. John Paul so aptly expressed:
“Teachers provide instruction in the original sense of the term, that is, they make a substantial contribution to build-ing the personality; they educate in the sense of the ancient Socratic image, helping students to discover and to make
use of the skills and gifts of each one…
You have been called to teach. This is a vocation, a Christian vocation...There, at your teacher’s chair and desk, God
has called you by name to an indispensable service to the truth.”
This year’s theme “Catholic Educators as Agents of Change in the Caribbean”, then is so well and appropri-
ately chosen. As Caribbean people we face common issues and challenges. You teachers with your mandate
for the mission entrusted to you by God our Father, can make a difference.
May you have a very successful conference. May God send His Holy Spirit to guide and direct your delibera-
tions. May He continue to strengthen you in zeal and Purpose.
God’s richest Blessings on you all.
The Holy Father Benedict XVI on November 19, 2011 appointed Rev. Monsignor
Kenneth David Oswin Richards of Kingston in Jamaica as Bishop of the Diocese of
Saint John's-Basseterre. Born in Linstead, St. Catherine, in the Spanish Town area, in
Jamaica, on August 16, 1958. He was ordained priest on 29 September 1985. After ordi-
nation, he has held the following positions in the Archdiocese of Kingston in Jamaica:
1985-1989: Assistant priest at Holy Cross,
1989-1995: Pastor of St. Benedict and the African martyrs,
1995-2003: Pastor of two parishes St. Jude and St. Patrick,
2002-2005: Archdiocesan Director of Vocations,
2004-2008: President of the Priests' Council and President of the Priests of the
Archdiocese; since 2004: Member of the School Council of St. George's College and Holy Trinity High
School, and Director of the Cathedral.
2008-2011: Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kingston in Jamaica.
His Episcopal Ordination was February 8th, 2012 in Antigua. Know our Bishops!
JUNE, 2014
CACT News
The Organ of the Caribbean Association of Catholic Teachers
Submitted by Millicent Gray—Assistant Secretary—CACT
CACT DELAGATES and OBSERVERS 2012
A King who did not believe in the
goodness of God, had a slave who, in
all circumstances would always say
“my king, do not be discouraged, be-
cause everything God does is perfect.
He makes no mistakes!” One day they
went hunting and along the way a wild
animal attacked the king. His slave
managed to kill the animal, but could
not prevent his majesty from losing a
finger.
Furious and without showing his grati-
tude for being saved, the nobleman
asked, “Is God good? If He was good, I
would not have been attacked and lost
my finger.” The slave replied: “My king,
despite all these things, I can only tell
you that God is good, and He knows
why these things happened. What God
does is perfect. He is never wrong!”
Outraged by the response, the king
ordered the arrest of his slave. Later,
the King left for another hunt, this
time alone. He was captured by savag-
es who engaged in human sacrifices.
On the altar and ready to sacrifice the
nobleman, the savages discovered that
their victim did not have one of his
fingers. According to them, only a
whole person with all his/her parts
intact could be offered to the gods.
The King without a finger was deemed
an abominable sacrifice for their gods.
So they released the king. Upon his
return to the palace, the King author-
ized the release of his slave. He re-
ceived the slave affectionately. God
was really good to me! I was almost
killed by the wild men, but for lack of a
single finger, I was let go! But I have a
question: if God is so good, why did he
allow me to put you in jail?” the slave
answered, “my King, if I had gone with
you on this hunt, I would have been
sacrificed instead because I have no
missing finger. Remember everything
God does is perfect. He is never
wrong. He made you keep me in jail so
I would not be with you on the hunt.”
Often we complain about life, and neg-
ative things that happen to us, forget-
ting that nothing is random and that
everything has a purpose. Every morn-
ing, offer your day to God, don’t be in
a rush. Ask God to inspire your
thoughts, guide your actions, and ease
your feelings. And do not be afraid.
The Caribbean Association of Catholic Teachers (CACT) 23rd Biennial Regional Conference Will be hosted by the Guyana Association of Catholic Teachers (GACT) at St. Paul’s Retreat Center,
Vryheid’s Lust, E.C.D., Guyana, S.A. Theme: “Catholic Educators as Agent of Change in the Caribbean”
Something to laugh about!!!! HOLY HUMOR!!!
Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the
world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say,
“Good morning Lord” and there are those who wake up in
