THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON OCTOBER 14, St. Cecelia Prep School bestowed on Father Richard Ho Lung, head of the Missionaries of the Poor, the Order of St. Cecelia, at our Heritage Celebration for his work among the poor and destitute.
Today, we feel that our choice was indeed one of sound judgement as we are convinced that his glorious and invaluable contribution to our nation has become a powerful source of inspiration to many who have seen it fit to leave their homes and vow to live lives of selflessness, in service to the poor.
The death of the two brothers, I am sure, has really overwhelmed him as one could see the pain and disappointment in his eyes when he spoke of the young priests, who were killed, as his sons.
DEATHS SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED
I am still not sure if we have really tried to find the message in these killings or view the situation as a teachable moment, but I am one Jamaican who feels that we should not allow their deaths to go unnoticed without making sure we do something to applaud how they were taught to live their lives and how gracious and forgiving the Missionaries of the Poor is in the midst of injustice which was meted out to them in a most horrible way.
It is my belief that this is a golden opportunity for the entire country, especially our youth, to learn forgiveness and certain values that will make us take on more humane characteristics in dealing with our fellowmen, rather than taking the route of violence which has almost become second nature for many.
PALS Jamaica could certainly use the faces of the brothers as concrete symbols of peace, and the Government could contract some of the brothers to teach values and attitudes in the schools along with employing expatriates who have desperately tried but don't seem to be getting far-reaching results with respect to dealing with conflicts in schools.
Certainly, the St. Cecelia Prep School community has been humbled by the spirit of those brothers who are left behind and I would strongly recommend that the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, in conjunction with school boards, develop a volunteerism programme for students who can learn sound values from the Missionaries of the Poor. This, I think, will be a step in the right direction to pay tribute to our adopted/naturalised Jamaican sons.
I am, etc.,
CAROL BLANCHARD
St. Cecelia Prep School
