Fr Taylor to focus on promoting family life at San Rafael’s Old Year’s night mass

Citizens, residents from communities like Talparo, Brazil, Mundo Nuevo and Arena, and well wishers from North America and Canada are expected to congregate at the landmark San Rafael RC Church for Old Year’s night mass.

They are expected to worship with songs and hymns at the church’s special mass which begins at 9.30 pm tomorrow. San Rafael parish priest Fr Ian Taylor says the Old Year’s night mass will focus on the theme of family. It is formally known as a celebration of Mary Mother of God. He also said celebrations began on Christmas Day and will continue until January 6 (which commemmorates the visit by the Magi).

Asked about his homily, Taylor said it would focus on promoting family life and the right for a child to have two parents. Taylor said, “The Pope has made a number of statements and he is saying family life is being threatened by the gender policy that is being promoted. It is really the brainchild of the United Nations to redefine family and marriage. The gender policy seeks to redefine family, marriage and gender. And the church is against the gender policy.”

Taylor added, “The gender policy is saying gender is a mere social construct. Included in it is lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. For them male and female is not a given. Now you can choose your gender. We say that is absurd. Two men cannot complement each other. Nature itself tells us the gender policy is absurd. Two men cannot produce children. Two women cannot have children. The gender policy is on the table. That is what the church will have to face.”

Citing the example of the Nativity story, he said, “Jesus had Mary and Joseph taking care of him. If you tamper with the family, then you can expect society to be dysfunctional.” Asked about his wish for 2013, Taylor said, “We are looking forward to a year of peace because Trinidad is in turmoil. You can’t have peace without the Prince of Peace.” 

Fireworks, tolling of bells
Taylor said the service would culminate about 15 minutes before midnight so parishioners can enjoy the fireworks which will ring out in the night. A stones’ throw from the statue of St Rafael, a creche was mounted outside the church. Another creche is inside. Decorations, a second creche and lights twinkling along the church’s tower enhanced the natural scenery.  

He said, “We would have the tolling of bells and everyone would witness the fireworks in the community. People would greet each other and wish each other New Year greetings in the spirit of fellowship. The San Rafael community would celebrate the birth of Christ. It is a season of joy, family life and peace. It revolves around Jesus coming into the world. You can’t have love without God who is love.” 

To date, Taylor said they celebrated the Feast of the Holy Family and the Feast of  the Innocents—which marks the day tyrant Herod attempted to kill precious children.

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