‘We need real shepherds’ says Monsignor Pereira

We  need more of our children to rise up as leaders  and so help lead our people to a new way of life. This was the message delivered yesterday by Monsignor Christian Pereira at yesterday’s rainy but well attended  La Divina Pastora (The Divine Shepherdess) celebrations at the Roman Catholic church in Siparia. In the celebration honouring the Divine Shepherdess Monsignor Pereira also addressed the significance of mothers in the blossoming of children and advised that they pattern themselves after the way the Virgin Mary facilitated the maturity of the Christ.  Speaking to hundreds of faithfuls yesterday the Monsignor said, “ What we need is real men, real shepherds with the heart and attributes of the Good Shepherd to guide our people on a new way of life.”

He added, “We need more priests, we need more to be raised up as leaders, The world is plagued with shepherds who are false and our children are led down the wrong path.” In a special reminder to mothers he added, “She (Virgin Mary) was not just the mother who  doted on her children,  she  allowed her son (Christ) to grow in  wisdom and maturity. She shepherded and nurtured the Good Shepherd.” Concluding his message to the crowd he said,  “ We must ask God to bless our women in a special way, to allow women to be true shepherdesses and give self to the good vocation, to see the blossoming of men and women  who will give of themselves generously to the service of God.” Even as rain fell heavily on the roof tops worshippers were not in any way deterred. They came from as far as Arima, Diego Martin, Port-of-Spain and Pointe-a-Pierre to pay tribute and be part of the traditional La Divina Pastora celebrations, which take place on the third Sunday after Easter.