RC priest warns mothers: Never say or do things to lead your children astray

Never say or do things that could lead your children astray.

That was the advice Fr Jayson Grell gave to mothers on Friday at Holy Mass at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church at Harris Promenade in San Fernando.

The priest warned that negative comments had far-reaching consequences on children. Calling children ugly or not right, for instance, are not nice, he said.

"These comments stay in the mind of the child. Be very careful what you say to a child. Prayers are powerful, and your curse is also powerful and will remain on the child for very long," Grell told the congregation.

"The curse of the mother can lead them astray. Never say or do things that will lead your children astray. One curse could shatter their life."

The church on New Year’s Day celebrated the Solemnly of Mary, Mother of God.

The priest reminded mothers that a mother’s nurturing was very important. Referring to Catholic teachings, Grell said not only did Virgin Mary give birth to Jesus Christ, but she nurtured him and fulfilled her role.

"We must never forget the role Mary played towards our salvation," Grell said.

This year offers new opportunities, he said, and it is a sign of regeneration and hope.

"One of the things we must do is strengthen our relationship with God. We must commit to the Lord. God is everywhere and ready to walk with us. May the Lord be gracious to you. We are born of the same spirit," Grell said.

"There is so much to be grateful for. God has allowed us to be here (alive on earth). Let us continue the work of evangelicalism. Let us serve God more this year, love more and forgive more."

Earlier in the morning, Fr David Khan, officiated at the church.

Like Grell, he said January 1 is also the World Day of Peace as declared 54-years-ago by the pope of the day.

Saying 2020 has been a difficult year worldwide, Khan said things previously considered essentials became non-essentials.

"But it was a year we could have received the blessing of Almighty God," Khan said.

He told the congregation that people now have an opportunity to be new creations knowing God blesses them.

"We are supposed to continue to do what God has done. He has been gracious to his people. Therefore, we are called to bless others and be gracious to them, the priest said.

"The Blessed Virgin Mary became a great blessing of all of humanity simply because she said yes to the Lord. If we begin this year saying yes, we will be a blessing, and we will become a blessing to others."

He encouraged people not to become preoccupied with the future.

"Do not think about what is to come. I know many people are thinking futuristic and that is ok. But do not too far ahead," Khan said.

"Yes, make your goals and set standards for yourself. We need to see at this moment that God wants to bless us."

He read Pope Francis’ New Year Day’s and World Day of Peace message. The Pope called for people to create a culture of care.

Many people in TT, Khan said, failed to look after those who are genuinely in need.

"From a scale of one to ten, if you have to rate yourself as a caring person, where do you fit yourself? Khan questioned.

"We do not live in a culture of care in TT. In this culture of ours, we show care in a very funny way. I am not speaking about laughing, but in a strange and difficult way."

He said that instead of people expressing love to their loved ones, they insult them. Sometimes it is in the form of picong or creating a nickname and making fun of it.

Covid19 should have taught people to become more caring. Khan urged people to become more loving.

"2020 was a year we were called to be a caring people, and many failed. Some were par excellent because they did the best they could have done."

He recalled that two years ago, the Catholic church celebrated a year of mercy.

"Yet still, many of us do not do the corporal and spiritual works of mercy," Khan said.