Love and goodwill out-poured at Mary Charles Programme

Basseterre, St. Kitts (SKNIS): Love and caring for one’s neighbour were central themes at the Mary Charles Hospital’s annual Christmas Programme which was held December 17, 2013.

Chairperson Dr. Garfield Alexander set the ball rolling by reminding that “we need to refocus and get back into what makes us a community” particularly at this time of the year.

Honourable Marcella Liburd, Minister responsible for Health, followed through with the theme of love noting that it was not necessary to be rich to give at this time of the year.

“Some of us many not have it materially to give, but we can give love, which is extremely important,” Minister Liburd stressed. “And children, elderly people, everyone understands love, it’s important to say it but it’s more important to show it. And so this is the message I would like to leave with you for Christmas. Look out for each other within the family, outside the family – look out for your neighbours, look out for those we come into contact with, share some love. And those of us who have it materially, share some of what we have.”

The Christmas Message was delivered by Dr. Bassey Udo who encouraged persons to think differently about gift-giving. Basing his thought-provoking presentation on the Three Wise Men, who he noted went out of their way to give gifts to baby Jesus, he advised that while it was easy to give presents to friends and family, it was more challenging yet rewarding to give to those who are not that close to us.

“I want you to move out of the spheres of the financial, as the Minister has ably put it,” Dr. Udo declared. “I want your gift to have emotional components to it. I want you to feel it not just in your pocket but also in your heart when you are giving the gift this season.”

During his Feature Address, Prime Minister the Right Honourable Denzil Douglas reminded that Christmas was a time of reflection and invited those gathered to make the link between Christmas and caring.

“Indeed this brings me to the direct connection between the teachings of the Christ-child, who became a man and what happens at Mary Charles every day,” Prime Minister Douglas noted. “Many people in many walks of life care about their fellow man, mainly at Christmas. Here at Mary Charles you care about your fellow man every single day; every single hour. Every single minute on the hour you care for your fellow man.”

Patients and Staff of the Pogson Medical Centre will also experience tidings of peace, love and goodwill to all men when their annual Christmas Programme takes place Thursday, December 19 while that at the Joseph N. France General Hospital takes place Friday, December 20.