The Grenada Chapter of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul will join Vincentians worldwide to celebrate the life and work of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, as his 200^th birthday is commemorated during April. He was an outstanding individual who made an indelible contribution to improving the life of the poor and suffering of the world.

Blessed Frederic Ozanam lived a relatively short life. The fifth of 14 children, he was born in Milan, to ardent French Catholic middle class parents. He, along with two other siblings, were the only ones to live beyond childhood. He died in 1853 at the age of 40. In his short time on earth his accomplishments both academically and socially were outstanding.  He was a French Scholar, who received Doctorates both in Law and in Literature. He was a Professor of Foreign Literature at Sorbonne University and a distinguished author with numerous publications to his credit.

During his lifetime, the socio economic condition in France was marked by a sharp division between the rich and the poor. The poor population was rapidly increasing and by 1829 one out of every 12 persons in Paris was regarded as indigent. The living conditions of these people were affected by low wages, lack of the basic necessities, high levels of violence and disease. The plight of the poor was worsened by the greed and indifference of the upper class who did not regard poverty as an issue of concern.  Society on the whole viewed the poor with hostility. It was in this environment that Blessed Frederick Ozanam laid the foundation for a systematic and organized approach to helping the less fortunate.

Blessed Frederick Ozanam was a strong believer and defender of Christianity and the Catholic Faith and was keenly interested in restoring Catholicism to France.  He organized a discussion forum called ‘Society of Good Studies” in which lively debates and discussions on the relevance and role of the church and Christianity flourished.  It was in one of those sessions when he was expressing his commitment to the faith that he was challenged by a colleague who asked “"Let us be frank, Mr. Ozanam; let us also be very particular. What do you do besides talk to prove the faith you claim is in you?" This question marked the turning point in his life. He saw the need to support his words with actions and thus began his movement to assist the poor and suffering.

 In May 1833, Frederick and a group of young men formed the "Conference of Charity” which was eventually renamed the “Conference of St Vincent De Paul”, the main objective of which was to engage in practical works of charity by giving support to and drawing attention to the needs of the poor. They began visiting those living in dire poverty, bringing with them food, clothing and other comforts.  Frederick’s work was so well respected in France that his organization was appointed to supervise aid to the poor. He also started a newspaper called “The New Era” which was dedicated to securing justice for the poor and working class. He was referred to as the “Nations Priest.”  His movement expanded rapidly over France and around the world. By the time of his death there were 15,000 members.

He was beatified in 1997 by Blessed John Paul 11 who noted that Frederick Ozanam “observed the real situation of the poor and sought to be more and more effective in helping them in their human development. He understood that charity must lead to efforts to remedy injustice. Charity and justice go together."

The Grenada Chapter of the Society of St Vincent De Paul continues the work and mission of Blessed Frederick Ozanam. The Society is headed by the president Mrs. Margaret Wilson and has over twenty five (25) conferences spread throughout all parishes of the tri-island State.  The Society takes a holistic approach to serving others, providing not only for material needs but for spiritual, emotional and psychological support as necessary. In this regard the Society carries out a number of key functions including, but not limited to, the following:

ü  Providing Material Assistance to Individuals and Families - food, clothing, shelter.

ü  Providing Spiritual Support to Families- visitation and prayers, assisting with First Communion and Confirmation.

ü  Enhancing Education Opportunities- After school programme, meeting transportation and lunch cost for students, providing school uniforms and other accessories as required.

ü  Providing Training Opportunities- Training in Food Preparation, sewing.

ü  Supporting Public Institutions- Richmond Home, St Martin’s Home for the Aged, Calliste Home.

ü  Supporting Senior Citizens- Granny Scheme.

As the society marks the 200^th birthday of Blessed Frederick Ozanam, it is an opportunity for reflection and recommitment to the ideals which he strove for in his short life.

We  thank all members of the public who have supported and continue to support the work of the Society. We urge you to continue helping us to help others, cognizant of the fact that every act of kindness and generosity connects us to each other in this intricate web of humanity and follows the lessons of Jesus Christ  who said “whatsoever  you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”

Generally, the word faith means belief and trust in, and reliance on someone, whoever he or she is, and whatever he or she says and does.  Faith also means the acceptance of the words of others, knowing and trusting that what others are saying or have said is truthful and honest.  The basic motive of all faith is the authority or right of someone who is speaking or acting.  These may be some of the aspects of “human faith”.  Human beings can have faith in one another.  However, it is not possible or right to believe and accept everything that some people say or do, because some human beings may not say what is truthful or do what is right and good.

The meaning and significance of “Christian Faith” has to do with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – the Holy Trinity, three Persons in One God.  Faith in God is called “Divine Faith”.  This is human belief and trust in God, and acceptance of everything that God has revealed.  It is also reliance on everything that God says and does as good, honest, and truthful.  It also means absolute obedience to everything that God says to us, and asks or demands of us.

Faith in God is one of the most significant and important aspects of human Life and Living, especially Christian Living; because without faith in God no one can be part of God or close to God.  Faith in God, therefore, has to do with a personal relationship with God.  Faith in God also has to do with eternal Life; for example, as Jesus says, and as recorded in the Gospel of John 5:24: “I tell you most solemnly, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the One who sent Me, has eternal life.”  Faith is also one of the significant and important gifts of God which should always be expressed in thoughts, words, and deeds.

Finally, whenever we pray we express faith and trust in God, because every genuine or sincere prayer is an act of faith in God.  And one of the many definitions of prayer is: “Prayer is an indication of a personal relationship with God.”  This is why we must always pray in faith.  And as Jesus says: “Everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).  Thank God for the gift of FAITH.

My role as Jesus at the Stations of the Cross on the Carenage was a wonderful experience. At first, I was a little scared when I was called upon to perform the role. I was trying to get someone else to take my place but the director insisted that I make an effort. At the end of my first practice she said "I am using you as my Jesus." Then, a question came to me, as if Jesus was asking me: 'Why am I so scared to stand up for him?' It was then that I made up my mind to embrace the call to play the role.
 
I had one more day to practise so I decided to give my all to this production. The day before the actual stations, we were on the Carenage preparing to begin the practice when a tourist came up to me and asked if we are about to do the Stations of the Cross and I answered 'yes but it is just a practice session.' The tourist responded 'I wish I could be present but I am leaving the country tonight.'  After this encounter, I realised that people were interested in experiencing such a production and it helped to boost my self confidence.
 
On the Friday morning, I left Victoria pretty early to go to the youth office to help with the final preparations. The other actors joined me later in the day. There was a lot of movement and chatting in the youth office and I was part of that, but deep down there was fear. "Am I going to make a mistake" was the thought racing through my mind. I could hardly remain still. Then, it was time to leave the office and proceed down to the Carenage. My heart began beating harder and faster. My cousin, who played the role of Simon of Cyrene, approached me and said 'there is a lot of people gathered for the stations' and this increased my fears.
 
My fears and restlessness lingered on as the sound system was being prepared and so delayed the start of the stations. Finally, it was time to start and as we went on to the second station I became more comfortable in my role. When the whipping started, I heard a by-stander shouted "Oh God! Well he dead now." I realised then that the onlookers were affected. Again, I became even more comfortable in my role. I could sense that I was receiving a lot of attention due to the constant flashes from cameras. So, I had to keep my eyes closed for most of the time and this helped me to concentrate and engage my role even deeper. I felt the whips close to my body and this had me frightened. I thought I was going to be actually whipped. After a few stations, I gained confidence in the whippers, knowing they were professionals who knew what they were doing.
 
The cross was a bit heavy but it helped me to play the role as close as possible, to how it was on that Good Friday. I enjoyed the production but my greatest joy was at the end when I got up and looked at the faces of the people and saw them smiling joyfully, and I said to myself "I guess it was a good production."

Youth Assembly 2013 was a 'bomb.'  The setting, energy and attendance surpassed other such youth events in a long time. The sun came out blazing hot that day as if to say something about what was to come - excitement! excitement! excitement! 
 
The day's activity began with a witness march from River Sallee to Alston George Park, Victoria. The young people were on fire for the Lord - singing, chanting and dancing. Villagers came out on the street, in their yard and some on their verandah to spectate as the youth passed by.
 
The march was welcomed at the park with songs of praise and worship by the newly formed youth band directed by Brothers Sheldon Bubb and Algernon Belfon. Then it was time for each of the thirty plus groups in attendance to parade before the judges and dramatise their presentations on the 'Year of Faith.'
 
Fr. Dwight Lewis was the guest speaker for the day. In his usual dynamic delivery, he had the youth chanting ever so often the theme for the assembly: 'Open Wide the Door of Faith.' He challenged the youth to be proud Catholics and to take up their rightful places in the church.
 
It was then time for learning through fun,  led by Br. Robert Fanovich. The young people had to unscamble the letters of the words in a phrase in order to identify which book of the Bible it was.  Br. Robert had the youth sprinting to the stage in the hope of answering correctly and winning attractive prizes.
 
Accompanying the beautiful sunset was the announcement of the winners in the various competitions held that day. The best banner went to the Our Lady Help of Christians Youth Ministry, Beaulieu; Soldiers for Christ Youth Ministry, Duquesne, St. Mark took the first prize for both the witness march and dramatic presentation on faith and was declared overall winner. Other groups who won prizes were the Victoria, Pomme Rose and Gouyave Youth Ministries.
 
To end, Brother Sheldon Bubb took the stage and had the youth and all present singing, waving, jumping and dancing for Jesus in a carnival like atmosphere. 'You tired?' was the call and the response was 'No!'; 'You want to go home?' and again the response was 'No!'
 
We all look forward to the next diocesan youth activity in July - the Rio-Grenada experience.
 
Fr. Hugh Logan