Let’s strengthen Catholic culture

The Archbishop delivered the homily at the Mass of the Eucharistic Congress Family Day held at the National Stadium.

Speaking on the theme "The Eucharist, Mystery of Faith — Mystery of Light," Gilbert also called on Catholics to strengthen the process to serve in the Catholic religion. Those two pleas brought lusty applause from the gathering of Catholics in the country.

On the issue of the violence which is plaguing the country today, Gilbert said that while we may be victims of violent crimes, violence has no place in our lives. Instead we must strive for justice, peace, love and holiness, and continue to strengthen our values.

The Archbishop also told the 20,000 persons who packed the Stadium that ‘‘we can be frustrated by life and become discouraged, give up and start to withdraw but just as Elijah obeyed God within his own struggles, so too should we Catholics do and not distance ourselves from God and the Church.’’

"Be fed with the Word and the Sacrament. Let us open ourselves to the Word and the Sacrament. Think about what you have to do, prepare for it, carry it out and say thank you. Be grateful for what we have to celebrate," preached the Archbishop. Throughout the day infectious gospel music by the Police Band and emotional singing from the Arch-diocesan Congress Choir had cheer etched on the thousands of faces around the Stadium prompting the Gilbert in his sermon to urge parishes and the dioceses to provide quality liturgies within their parishes to avert what some have termed boring and dull services.

However he warned that liturgy is not entertainment but we sought to open ourselves to the eucharistic faith.

He added that we must keep the faith strong and appreciate what "we have and cherish it."

Prior to the Mass there was a wonderful display of song and dance in what was termed "Youth Pageantry" led by Sr Kathy Joseph.

The youths performed for half an hour much to the delight of all, most fitting leading into the Mass.