A spiritual leader here is laying blame at the door of the media in Dominica for the shift in the spiritual aspect of Christmas.
According to Father Herman Sharplis, the ‘new crop’ of media workers as he refers to them, maybe one of the reasons, since they have no sense of Christmas.
Fr. Sharplis told DNO in an interview, “The new crop of media people today they have no sense of Christmas and maybe that could be one of the reasons…….or maybe those things don’t exist anymore at the radio stations, but I can tell you this has impacted very, very heavily on Christmas.”
“Even for me as I grew up as a child,” the Catholic priest continued, “one of the things that also helped to stir a profound, deep sense of Christmas, was the role that the media play or the radio station plays in the carols. What has happened especially now, you don’t hear that; you just don’t hear any carols and you must be very lucky enough to hear a carol”.
Father Sharplis said he has tried to listen to the radio for carols and moved from station to station, without hearing any.
He said in the past, carols used to play over and over and over “People listen to them, and that in itself brought a deep sense of the spirit of Christmas, but today it’s not there”.
For the Dominica priest who was born and raised in village of Vieille Case, this situation is very disheartening. “The role that the media plays then, if it would have played this role now, we would not see the spiritual aspect of Christmas drifting away, as is the case today,” he pointed out.
Sharplis said he believes that the use of language when referring to Christmas, has changed over the years. “People say happy holidays, and all kinds of other things and people hardly want to say happy Christmas or merry Christmas,” he lamented. “And this happy holiday thing for me is a travesty of the whole Christmas thing and the reason for the season; it’s not a happy holiday. If people say happy holiday during Christmas, why don’t people say happy holiday during August? Or during the carnival holidays, which is absolutely stupid and makes no sense!,” an obviously dissatisfied Sharplis explained.
He contended there is no spiritual base, only a negative influence that is creeping in from the USA. “We have to be clear about our terms. We have to be clear about what we have to say and what we mean by what we say,” the Catholic clergyman advised.
I dont know but after the reading all the comments im of the opinion Justice and Peace is Father Sharplis himself.I know the guy he responds to every opinion that isn’t his own. Father if ur memory is good u will know who i am. lol
I do not believe that Jesus was born in December for there is no biblical support for this. However, I do believe in the incarnation; that God became flesh for the purpose of saving mankind from the penalty of sin.Those of us who know our Bibles and believe it know that the birth of Jesus Christ is irrefutable. The idea to celebrate the birth of the Saviour is commendable but the problem is the way it is done.The commercializing of the event has caused it to lose it’s meaning. I think that has been the biggest problem. Growing up in D/A, the atmosphere during the Christmas season was great. Every radio station played Christmas carols and hymns many time in a day. Reading what the priest said must not be misconstrued. He is not saying that the media is the sole purpose for the spiritual decline of Christmas but it is a cause.The media has a powerful influence on society, and if there is lack of air play of Christmas songs during the season, people would be less stimulated. Culture is the way of life of a people and it is dynamic. It is not static so people change either for the better or for the worse.We must guard against foreign cultures or we’ll become appendages of their culture while losing our own. In a sense we’ll cease being who we are.Of course that is not to say we should not adopt the good things from other cultures but we should preserve what is ours. Of course if that aspect of our culture is healthy. I wish each person reading my comments a prosperous New Year.
If the media is responsible, then I applaud them! Mr. Priest, why not tell the nation the TRUE meaning of Christmas – that is has nothing to do with Jesus the Christ. People the world over are being enlightened and you blame the media, really? Christmas is one of those pagan holidays aimed at keeping indigenous people in perpetual slavery, never to find their true calling and purpose in life. Good job Media persons!
All that good man. Time for Dominicans to come out under that mental slavery, the old way of thinking is dying out. the youngsters are smart nowdays.. we got alot of socialmedia and info to oepn up our minds. Church? STUPES, church is the biggest and one of the nastiest business around. I think that it`s goin to take a few more decades for my people to be free from that strong hold on domicans minds and hearts. The saddest thing is that most peole believe bindly dont even realize that.
This fella not easy, eh! Blaming the media for the change in the tradition of Christmas? I Think he spends too much time in the Sunday Missal……he should spend more time reading the clear words of God. If he does, he will surely understand why “every plant that my heavenly father hath not planted, will be uprooted (and burnt). Matt 15”
Nowhere in Scripture are humans counselled to celebrate the birth of Christ. As a matter of fact, his birth date is lost in history. There is no account of the Apostolic Fathers celebrating Christmas. Christ’s death and resurrection, we are asked to commemorate! Quite frankly, the timing of Christmas is all about the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time considered to be “a new year or the beginning of a new time” and celebrated with gluttony. “Santa Claus” is Latin for Saint Nicholas, the Catholic patron saint of alms. To celebrate Christmas is to venerate Saint Nicholas, a man made “Saint” by the church of Rome. So, as we saw in Matthew 15, any religious feast that God did not establish, will be destroyed. Christmas is one of them. What I do know, however, is that God asked humanity to “remember the Sabbath Day……………”, a commandment the church of Rome seek to change.
Amen brother. Its so much about the media but folks forgetting the togetherness we shared as a community during the season. Christmas is man made.
While it may be true that the media can do more in terms of playing more Christmas music during the season, I think it is unfair to blame them entirely. for the lack of Christmas spirit. Christmas for one has become over the years, more commercial than anything and since it is so; most people who are now struggling economically because of the current economic situation in Dominica,will find it hard to get into any sort of Christmas spirit and the media can’t be blamed for that. Looking at it from another perspective and according to a story re the same on another news site; in defense of the media Angelo Alleyne said and I quote
“no media house or journalist has the power to neutralize the spirit of Christmas. Alleyne suggests to Fr. Sharplis that his blame should not be directed toward media workers, but rather Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. He says the true feeling of Christmas was lost in 2009, when Prime Minister Skerrit announced that elections would be held just 5 days ahead of Christmas day. I will to some extent agree with that thought from Angelo because Herman Sharplis never commented then nor did he condemn the calling of elections during the Christmas season which was supposed to be a season of peace, togetherness and family but instead was made to be a season of mapuis, slander and divisiveness through political campaigning. Further to that one (1) year later on Christmas day at that, there was the firebombing of G.O.N Emmanuel and his wife two elderly citizens and we heard nothing from Herman Sharplis either. This to has caused ongoing bitterness among sections of the public. Reverend Sharplis who is supposed to be a minister of God’s word and a servant of God, cannot be selective about what he chooses to speak against, out of fear of offending the status quo. Ministers of God should have no fear of man because their obligation is to God and not man.
Father Herman Sharplis,you should blame the present government for that. Skerrit called election 7 daya b4 christmas in 2009 and since then he has made people poorer. so when people have no money what do you expect.
If blame is to be passed, it should be passed on media and technology internationally. More and more the eyes of modern day man are being opened. The lies told by Rome in their pursuit to control modern man of their time and man as they invaded the natives are now being proven to me LIES.
Now most of the world knows that December 25th celebrations existed long before Christ and had the same story line as written in the bible. The world is now like a kid who just found out the Santa Claus is not real.
Right ArAb, winter solstice on the 21st of December has been celebrated for thousends of years, or since the stone age, by tribes and people in the Northern hemisphere. After that the day starts to grow longer and spring is approaching. Christians conveniently celebrate at the same time and you can say that the church hijacked the season.
With increased education and better enlightenment, believes in invisible friends and spirits has decreased everywhere in the world. The more you learn, lesser is the faith. Merry christmas to all of you.
yeahhhhhh Dasheen is a wise person.
So true.even when paying the media to do an advertising for a christmas fund raising for the church in Calibishie, they did not make an extra effort to promote the event.
Even money could not buy the spirit of christmas with the media
Papa god never changed his mind from old to new testerment.man did and lanced the birth of the birth of d anticrist with the new testament.thats christmas.is why we party drink rum,die drunk and do everything contrary to religion and spiritualness.all devil ways we indulge in sayin is for the birth of gods son.we stoppin with that celebration of d birth of d antichrist,so its HAPPYHOLIDAYS now and no more merryantichristmas
What is the difference between ” SEASON GRETINGS” and “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”. ever since Iwas a little kid I’ve been hearing the people say ” Season Greetindgs or complimentsof the season. Well the Americans instead of saying season greetings say Happy holidays – meme biten la.
We never had a problem with ” season greetings huh.
La tere eclawais and now we know that the season is not just about Christmas, it is about Hanukkah, Kwanza, Yule. As for happy kwanza to all who are conscience of the kwanza. Happy holidays to the Jewish people, happy Christmas, to all shoppers and receivers of gifts happy boxing day; to the merchants happy merchants day . Did I cover all the celebrations – hope I did.
Many comments on the subject t so let me throw in my 2 cents.Fr. Sharplis You are making a sincere observation but who more than that wealthy Pope could help the Christmas spirit in your parish? He could start by sending a financial gift to cover the reconstruction of the Portsmouth Catholic Church that fell due to an earthquake instead of the congregation having to brown nose to a politician to give them taxes of an impoverished nation and then maybe an example of the Christmas spirit would fill the airwaves and get the media talking about the Holy Father.Example set example followed!
The message Father Sharplis is seeking to convey on this story to the media is one of respect for institutions and traditions. And DNO by referring to Father Sharplis as Sharplis in the story DNO is reinforcing the observation which the priest is seeking to make. When a doctor has completed his studies, and receives his certificate, his name is changed to Doctor John, or Doctor James or whatever, in much the same way when a priest has finished his studies and is ordained , his name is changed to Father John, or Father James or whatever. And when a citizen is knighted his name is changed to Sir John, or Sir James or whatever. And it is impolite or an assumption of familiarity not to refer to him by his title. DNO refers to Father Sharplis as “Sharplis” at least twice in the story, incidentally notwithstanding the comments, most of which seek to attack the priest either because of religious or political hostility, his comments to DNO are factual.
Very cunning. No wonder the word said, “Call no man your fATHER” Reel again.
The church is failing it self. The leaders are wrapped up in all sorts of things and not paying attention to growing the religion.
You know what has failed Christmas father? When Leaders like you said nothing when your friend the PM announced election date to be Dec 18th and you said nothing. father you and the other leaders answer this question, what does election do to people and the community and what does Christmas do to people and the community?
Hope you reconsider you statement, you must do an analysis and stop just saying what come to your mind ok father.
I am fully in support of your observation..i live in the usa and listen to DBS almost everyday even on my phone on the job. i been trying to listen to christmas somgs and all i was getting was the garbage coming from jamaica. Jamaicans dont play calypso or candence music in their country. with the happy happy holidays stuff i am in agreement with you.it is an american thing..people have lost their forcus and the true meaning of christmas.someone from dominica message me,happy holidays i told them its merry christmas and get out of this american thing.
I would like to know what is all the fuss and fight about. Can something that has never been holy be made holy by putting Christ our Savior in it? No one can that say that my Lord wasn’t born, but as to when He was born no one knows. The only thing I can see is that Satan and world love to major in minor. The things of God that are of ought most importance are cast down under our feet. People Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords and is no longer in a manger. While here on earth He never asked His followers to remember His birthday. I know He said before His death to this in memory of Me (the communion). And many other things He has asked us to do as His followers.
Check it out the great part of the greek gods and other pagan form of worship their gods were born on the 25th of December. The early introduction of christ mas as celebrated in Rome and other European countries had nothing to do with My Lord but instead with the gods of fertility. So my people stop saying we must put back Christ in our christ mas because to tell you the Truth my Lord and Savior of this world was never part of christ mas.
Please have blessed day in the soon coming King. Let us all prepare our heart by His Grace to meet Him when He puts forth His appearing.
Christmas, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated by a majority of Christians on December 25 on the Gregorian calendar. But early Christians did not celebrate his birth.
The origins of the holiday and its December date lie in the ancient Greco-Roman world, as commemorations probably began sometime in the 2nd century. There are at least three possible origins for the December date. The Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus’ conception to March 25 (the same date upon which he held that the world was created), which, after nine months in his mother’s womb, would result in a December 25 birth.
In the 3rd century, the Roman Empire, which at the time had not adopted Christianity, celebrated the rebirth of the Unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus) on December 25th—this holiday not only marked the return of longer days after the winter solstice but also followed the popular Roman festival called the Saturnalia (during which people feasted and exchanged gifts). It was also the birthday of the Indo-European deity Mithra, a god of light and loyalty whose cult was at the time growing popular among Roman soldiers.
http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2011/12/origin-christmas-december/
The decline of the celebration of Christmas will continue to diminish as people come to the conclusion that we do not need a “supreme being” to guide our every move – including our thoughts. We are quite capable of deciding our futures without divine intervention and do not see the need to be at servitude to anyone. The Europeans who introduced Christianity to us are abandoning this religion in droves especially the people of Northern Europe. By some estimates it is as high as eighty percent. It is just a matter of time people of African descent realize we do not need it.
The Lord Most High rebuke you satan.
Instead of calling the writer the horrible name you indicated, I think you should have said I will pray for you. We are too quick to attack and forget the love associated with God.
I feel sorry for you my friend. You see what happen on the eve of Christmas – is for people like you to take time to reflect. That was God sending a very strong message to us. We are so busy living our own lives that we never stop to think for a minute and thank God for the blessing he has bestowed upon us but instead complain and criticize when we don’t get what we ask for. My fellow people please lets make time to say take you to the Almighty, if not for anything else but for life.
Thank you Rasben, finally there are some real educated and real people around here. Soon they will open their eyes to their true origins and stop sucking up that trash these europeans forced on their ancestors after all their brutality and rape and enslavement.
Less people attend church the more the collection goes down. Now the people who remain faithful to this congregation thing are the ones who are retired. The young people are unemployed – oh jah the collection is in trouble.
Well Sharpo do like BJ – $50K for 50 th birthday.
I am born and raised catholic and i think Father sharplis is wrongly passing blame. Media houses are not responsible for peoples spiritual life. Hence if people are turning away from the true meaning of christmas it means only one thing. THE CHURCH HAS FAILED IN DELIVERING ITS MESSAGE TO MEMBERS. So Mr Sharplis if you notice people going astray it is your vocation as a priest to bring them back. So instead of passing blame double up your efforts to bring back christ in Christmas.
Father Chaplis is correct. Let us face the facts. We seem to take all the negatives from the USA. However, there are some places in the USA where I reside, are very traditional. Christmas carols were being played at the major departmental stores, but not on the commercial radio stations.
It is not a matter of bashing the radio stattions. It is ironic that the some radio presenters want us to speak up and not be afraid of anyone. Yet when one attempts to poltiely raise questions about the media’s behaviour, the very people who wish for us to speak have problems.
True, Christmas is a spiriual matter and I hear persons saying I have not seen Christmas because they have no money. I do not need cash or gifts to celebrate Christmas. Our emphasis on most matters are all messed up. Remember we walked from home to home on Christmas day (after mass). We did not have much, we understood Christmas and the spirit of Christmas – we had fun. But now, we stay home like selfish people and care less for our family, friends and neighbours – Christmas is about making a renewed effort to be kind to others.
Do not bash the priest – he is correct , regardless of your religion or non religion.
“Mas” means to celebrate; hence, Christmas means to celebrate Christ. I have yet to see how the adoration of santa and a tree celebrates Christ. Also, if Christians wish to celebrate Christ the best way would be to follow His commandment which is to love others as He loved us.
How can you possibly celebrate Christ and fail to do His will? When we do what is pleasing to God, then we will have celebrated Him, not lighting up a tree and having a big fat man in a red suit as the central figure. Christians, celebrating Christmas without fulfilling the true purpose of Christ on this earth is pointless!
The time and money you spend idolizing a christmas tree and santa, use it to demonstrate the love of Jesus to those who do not have. Be good stewards of the Kingdom of heaven and stop being wasteful in the name of “christmas”. Celebrate Christ everyday as Christians, not just in one day.
Sharplis, the Christmas spirit begins ‘AT HOME’…so check yourself.
Let’s stop being negative and personalizing things.
It will be a cold day in hell for you to hear at the wedding bias sharplis blame skerro for our problems
Sorry sir. Xmas is not in the Bible, it’s A pagan Ritual , if it’s the Bible I want it , it have to be thus,,
,/b
I do so agree with you father, but we are leaving in new times and Christianity has lost it’s true sense, the enemy is on the rampage to remove Christ in Christmas and the world. and it’s sad enough the we Christians don’t see that.
do some research and then comment on the relevance of Christmas. here are a few pointers to consider.
1) why do we celebrate Christ birth.
2) why do we celebrate Christ birth with Christmas tree, elf, lights, gifts, parties, drinking of alcohol and over eating, listening to songs with santa traveling on a sledge with deers down a chimney.
3)do you believe that the three wise men traveled across a dessert full of snow, cause in December is harsh snow in the desert…
just a hint, in no part of the bible you will find to celebrate his birth. the celebrations of christmas and easter will show similar pagan celebrations in past history, and as to how it find its way to Christianity, YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK THE MOST POWERFULL CHURCH….
don’t be fooled read your bible and history of the roman empire
When I was young Happy Holidays referred to all the holidays together, such as Christmas and New Years. We always said Merry Christmas when referring to Christmas alone. It is only in recent years that people have become dumb and trying to belittle the meaning of Christmas. Without Christmas (the birth of Christ) we would not have everlasting life and that should be remembered. Christ is Christmas, which is a holiday we should not take for granted. Christmas is not what I see in Dominica, which is a whole lot of drinking alcohol and a bunch of drunks running around in the streets. Instead (my belief) we should celebrate the birth of Christ with some respect and dignity. Go to the church of YOUR choosing, spend the day with your loved ones and family. This is my opinion and don’t expect anyone else to share it. Thanks
DBS 104.7 – Carols and Christmas music all month long, 24/7. Come again priest.
Hi Father. I totally agree that there was not much contribution from the media with regards to Christmas. I always look forward to the songs and Christmas stories in the radio. However I clearly do not remember you making such statements a few years ago when the elections were called on December 18th. There was total hate and division during the Christmas season! Were you here. We’re you aware? I love when people are unbiased especially men of the cloth. I guess it was your PM doing the bid so it was ok to have division and politics in the air
During Christmas.
AMEN TO U WHOEVER YOU ARE. I LOVE MY CHURCH AND THE TEACHINGS IT OFFERS BUT LATELY THERE HAS BEEN A HIGH LEVEL OF DOUBLE STANDARDS AND HYPOCRISY REIGNING AMOUNGST THE CHURCH LEADERS AND IT IS SICKENING. HERE IT IS ELECTIONS WERE CALLED DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON WHICH IVE REALISED SINCE THEN HAS CURSED THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS IN DOMNINICA AND FR YOU WERE NEVER HEARD. ON PALM SUNDAY IN 2005 ELECTION CAMPAIGNS ONE OF THE GREATEST CELEBRATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH AT A LABOUR PARTY CONVENTION MATTHEW WALTERS REFERED TO EDDISON JAMES AS BARNABAS AND SKERRIT,JESUS WHICH IS BLASPHEMY YOU NEVER OBJECTED. COME ON FR SHARPLIS DO WHAT ALL GREAT LEADERS DO. OBJECT TO WRONG WHEN ITS WRONG AND EMBRACE RIGHT WHEN ITS RIGHT. WE HAVE A SLEEPING BISHOP FR THOMAS CALLING FOR ‘CHANGE IN ATTITUDE’WHEN HE HAS THE BIGGEST ATTITUDE PROBLEM USING THE PULPIT AS AN AVENUE TO THROW IN A WORD ON BEHALF OF HIS PARTY> YOU GUYS ARE DESTROYING THE CHURCH
WHERE IS IT WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE THAT CHRIST WAS BORN ON THE 25TH OF DECEMBER?
ask pastor rodney and joseph,\. they were there.
EXODUS 32:5-7
I agree fully especially q95 always negative vibes all now Angelo created a big thing where he actually made people call , and it’s like to he’ll with Christmas , to he’ll with church
I. Agrre with you for the most part fa S
Father ypu are so, so correct!!! Society has moved away from the meaning of Christmas completey!! Even us Dominicans waiting for “Black Friday” to shop!! LOL. That day stands for what the Americans call the biggest shoppuing day of the year, and the start of the Christmas shopping season. A shopping season!! Imagine that. This is what the Christmas season has become, a shopping and money spending affair, instaead of spreading joy, love etc. No more caroling can be seen in the evenings, advent masses are almost empty, no carols are played on the radio stations, people don’t sat Merry Christmas any more. Its a joke!!! Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS Father and to all other folks. SMH….at the state of this country…….
The cause seems to me to be more a lack of trust in religious leaders in Dominica than the Media not playing carols.
How do you expect to sit idly by, even support in some cases, the wrongdoings going on in Dominica and expect Dominicans to sing to your tune?
The religious leaders, in my view, with few exceptions, have failed the christian population in Dominica
The churches have lost all credibility in Dominica now….and guess what…it is the media that speaks out on our behalf… people have lost respect and confidence in church leaders now…why doesn’t Mr. Sharplis talk about the burning issues in DA such as corruption…what about the travesty that took place on Christmas Morning to Mr. and Mrs Emmanuel….Sir have you ever condemned such a wicked act of violence against two elderly persons and asked for justice to be served…When you church leaders stop playing politics and condemn wrong whoever does it…people will return to religion and the church…
It is shameful that Sharplis is blaming the media for the reduction in the spiritua aspect of Xmas celebration. This is the biggest box of crap for 2013. The spiritual upkeep of Xmas is the church’s responsibility; the media is primarily commercial. If Sharpls wants to shoot straight then he should call out the Religous radio stations.
If Sharplis wants to talk about carrols as critucally significant to the spiritual element of Xmas then it is aso fair t say that the Xmas lights, massive shopping, toys, gifts etc are all very important too. But Sharplis would rather not say that because it would bring light to the sate of the economy; why it is that fr 12 years he can’t raise enough money in his Parish to rebuild the house of worship. So what mst he do? Cherry pick. Well Sharplis what about the carol singing at nights by choirs – we don’t see that anymore; we don’t see generosity by merchants; the sharing the giving. These things do add to the entire Xmas celebration.
By nw the regular bloggers wil knw that I am non Religous and so I am totally ok with ” happy holidays”. Things change and adaptation becomes necessary. Christ is not the only reason for the season when the Jews celebrate their own Holiday ; it s the time Qwanza begins etc. After all the reason for the date chosen for Xmas was really not about the truth but about convenience.
Mr. Sharplis,
If there was a God, religion would be a bigger insult to it than Atheism.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHA well said Sir… what a load of jargon they spill out. if i was a god and had these constructs teaching my people. i would smite all of them to ashes. yes i would.
@JUSTICE AND TRUTH
STOP passing your judjements on blogger here. who do you think you are by the words comming out of that so called christian mouth of yours? de problem is that people like you like it when we listen to you but when we come to voice our opinions and beliefs it HITS YOU HARD. POW POW POW YOU DONT LIKE IT. THATS y religeon is the worlds no 2 devider after politics
justice and truth, the only person with a brain.HEHE
Father Sharplis:
Jesus is the reason for this season! You are correct and for standing up for Christmas. Those who stand up for Christmas, its devotion and other godly practice are pleasing to the Lord.
Yes! These days Christmas is under attack. Our Lord Jesus Christ is under attack. His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church/Faith is under attack including all faithful members of the Catholic Church. It is a form of persecution.
As it is written in Holy Scriptures and which Our Lord himself spoke of: “My Lord said to my lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” To those who comprehend it, we know this is on Judgment Day when God will judge all nations and people and mete out his just recompense as each one deserves. God is patient.
I detest anyone wishing me happy holidays. I do not hesitate to give them a godly lecture about Christmas and why we celebrate Christmas. This does not exclude non-Christians.
For instance, the War Amps – War Amputees office sends me some address labels. In turn I send a donation. Last year, I got fed-up of receiving Christmas address labels which showed a hockey stick and other non-Christmas labels. There were few labels I could have used. I telephoned the office and informed the customer service rep. about my displeasure in receiving them. As usual, it was mentioned that some people do not celebrate Christmas. I replied, “I am a Catholic Christian and I celebrate Christmas.” Furthermore, many of those who support your good charitable work must be Christians. I further stated that if this is all you have do not send me any.
To my surprise, this year I received different types of labels with wreaths and other relevant labels. They made note of my comments. I did not notice them until I took them out and commenced writing my Christmas cards. For a non-profit organization, this was the best they could do and I accepted it. I plan to telephone that office and inform them of my satisfaction and then send a donation.
I also plan to inform some stores, their head office about the types of Christmas cards they purchase and sell to customers which do not depict Christmas cards. Christians are complaining about the lack of Christmas cards and lack of relevant words about Christmas.
If Christians in general speak out, something could be done. I have informed my MP and MPP about sending out Christmas greetings and not holiday greetings. I am on their backs alright. Where I am concerned, they will not get away with it.
The Dominica Radio Stations should be notified about their lack of playing Christmas songs/ hymns. If all Christians in Dominica, the listeners, played their part, there could be a turnaround next year. Some people like to listen to calypsos but there is a time and place for everything. It is the Christmas Season and the Radio Stations should be playing them. After all those who own and operate those Stations are baptized Christians. They should know better. Fellow Dominican Christians please cooperate and stand up for God, for Christmas and to keep the Christmas spirit alive in Dominica in the hearts of all. There is a saying, “If you do not use it, you lose it.” If they do not hear those songs, they could very well forget about Christmas.
The Radio Stations are in a position to encourage nationals about Christmas. After all, they speak on every topic. They should also have a program about Christmas and invite some people to discuss Christmas and its meaning.
Some people need to reminded about the importance of Christmas and why we celebrate it, in case they have lapsed from this important event when Our Lord Jesus Christ was born for mankind (humankind). They will receive God’s abundant blessings.
God bless you Father!
To you, other confreres and fellow Dominicans in general, A Happy New Year to you! God’s blessing and peace!
the media that making the pm do all thos things he does be doing with all you sorport band de hypocrites
I wonder if he is referring to all the media when he complains that people have no sense of Christmas, esp. that part of the media that reports on the behaviour of the church and the scandals that have plagued them for many years.
Guess you cannot control what people here and see anymore, right Father?
who said that dominicans in their vast majority have any spirituality or moral values? thirst of money and readyness to do everything in the name of money is astonishing…xmas for dominicans is just a time to get money from abroad, buy stuff and have a lot of drinks and dishes..nothing more.
i like your name… where’d you get it? interesting… seriously… my eyes opened wide.
Sharplis u is a joker man… how you can blame the media and low Christmas spirit… why not blame the churches and start with the roman catholic church for all their travesty and hypocricy why people not going to church or trusting them any more… man lay the blame where the blame is to be layed and stop blaming the blasted media…
laffing stock
yes there is some merit in what you say, the churches are quickly loosing it but who is the church? are we all not professing Christians, do not we all belong to one church or another, why do we always see blame on he other side and no see it within us?
Father Sharplis is very very right, i am asking the same question because we hear some kind of ragar music, calypso and the planning of carnival during Christmas time and i have always been concerned, the media people thinks that they are tuning in to the masses but fail to see that they have a role and responsibility towards shaping and educating the masses. Father Sharplis i am proud of your courage to stand up.
Mr. Priest, Herman Sharplis, may I ask you what is the spirit of Christmas that should not be all year round in the heart of the people?
We claim to be Christians and Christianity demands that we maintain a contemplative relationship with God Almighty, by faith in His Person of Love, the Son who is Jesus Christ.
In other words we are called to walk in the Spirit doing the things of Love, which are the ways of Life–the Ways of God, the Christ who wants to be Life in us.
This call and practice–to walk in the Spirit of Love–is for every minute of the day, every day of our existence until we go to our grave to rest in peace.
Until we can acknowledge this truth about Life, which is from God alone, we are still a walking coffin with a dead soul within–Jesus and Salvation, and the practice of Life is every minute of the day; not just a few days of the year.
“Father,” you may have a point bashing the media, but the real causes of the damped Christmas spirit has more to do with us as individual. We would rather buy CDs, cassettes, iPods with songs from all these contemporary singers with all sorts of songs except Christmas Carol songs. We rely on the “media” to create a for us such atmosphere. I now have a deeper sense of Christmas so I don’t allow the media change, the commercialization of Christmas to weaken my spirit. I spent the time with family exchanging a few gifts and a big dinner around the table with a thankful heart. We as “Christian” cannot wait or rely on the world to be God honoring people, when their main objective is making money. My advice to the priest and all those who miss the carol songs on the radio – would be to buy some Christmas Carol records and play them during the Christmas season. Times have changed. We need to be family minded rather than media minded. Save your house. Noah and his family were the only people saved during the flood. Let’s look up to God for our help, instead of looking down to man who is unable to help. But truly speaking, the Christmas spirit now is nothing compare to when we were growing up in the 60s and 70s. Those days and culture are gone forever.
I agree with Father Sharplis. Not so long ago we listened to Christmas Carol and sang alone the whole of December and attended staged Christmas Plays especially if you gad children at school.
I heard some Christmas Carols but not enough, so I played my tapes and CD and listened to the as much Christmas Carols as I could.
I recall people going from home to home was also something to look forward too, that was the best feeling ever.
It is time to get back to to true meaning of Christmas, that is Church & Family as together we remember and celebrate the Birth of our Lord.
That is the reason we have Christmas holidays anyway.
We wish you A Merry, Merry Christmas.
Don’t blame McCathy Marie for DJs not playing XMAS Songs on the radio. All radio stations in DOMINICA has copyright licenses to broadcast secular music on their radio stations. That’s why they do it EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR! What is so different with the xmas season? As to the origin of christmas, i will keep quiet on that one. But i will say this. Everybody has their own concept of what xmas is. Whether or not it is biblical, which we all know that it’s not, I say live and let live. To whomever wants to celebrate the thing, let them. If it makes you feel good, go ahead.
Listen up you atheist!
Who are you referring to who do not believe in Christmas and do not believe it to be true? Speak for yourself and not for the general population who are baptized Christians and who were brought up as Christians.
Christmas and the spirit of Christmas is not a thing. He is a Person! His Holy Name is Our Lord Jesus Christ! He was born that we might live forever in His Our) Heavenly Father’s Blissful, Glorious Kingdom, if we obey Him! Christians are celebrating his Birth! They have a right to do so. As Father Sharplis, they are asking what went wrong that the Dominican Media do not play Christmas songs/hymns? Have they also become atheists as you? Where did all of you go wrong? What happened to cause you to have such an adverse mind and ideology? Were you not a baptized Christian? Woe to you!
Where did you personally go wrong? Performing the devil’s work? Good job for you when you end up in Satan’s cauldron of everlasting fire. Take a back step. Consider what it may be like for you as you age to eternity.
People as you with your evil ideologies cause the world including your environment to experience disasters and ever-increasing ones. God will hold you accountable for this.
The day will come when you will meet the same Jesus Christ whom you reject and denounce including his Birth who will judge you for all eternity. You will not escape. May you not regret it to your eternal detriment. Many as you have already arrived there. They are waiting for people as you, not to welcome you but to torment you for being so foolish and wicked as they were. God gives you an opportunity to turn to him and you utilize it against him? Repent you atheist before it is too late for you!
Utter nonsense
First of all, Mr or Mrs Justice, whatever gender you are, i have NEVER read anything that you have posted on DNO because you are always long winded. Too much reading to do! But i decided to browse thru what you posted here just because it was in direct response to my post. Secondly, keep your woe and your doom and gloom to yourself boss! Lemme say this to you. I have been to mostly all of the different denominations here in Dominica including catholic and i know what they all believe. Dude, you’re trying to tell me that all these well educated people that have gone thru many MANY years of university, who has Bachelor, Master degrees and OR Doctorates, who go to church every sunday and other days in the week, and who READ that book called the bible, the one from GOD himself, Cannot put one and one together to make two to know that Jesus was NOT born in DEC 25th? Boss it has nothing to do with being an Atheist, which i am not. How old was JESUS when he died? 33.5 Right? Bon. When Jesus was born, where was the shepherds? With their sheep!! OUTSIDE! What were the sheep doing? Grazing ofcourse! Eating Grass! I see one problem with that. Either these shepherds were extremely foolish back then and allowed their sheep to go out in the cold, in the SNOW and hoof their hooves in the snow to look for grass under the snow OR that was the CUSTOM! Either way it’s FOOLISH! So obviously, when JESUS was born, it was at a reasonable temperature that those animals could graze outside where grass could still be found. Now! Going back to the date Jesus DIED. When did Jesus die? Well your guess would be as good as mine. At Easter right? Cas that’s when all churches celebrate PASSOVER…..Drink wine and Bread etc. Nice. So let’s say Jesus died on the 10th of April. Remember he was 33.5 when he died. Count another 6 months to make him 34. And where does that put you? Around the 10th of OCTOBER Right? That’s Fall isn’t it?? So how in the world could the man be born in DECEMBER? Cas if he WAS in fact born in DECEMBER then easter would be in summer/june right? And not spring! Now why don’t you go read up on the whole Christmas thing? The Changing of the SUN to SON? The internet is there. Make use of it. Read up on what the scholars have said about Christmas. Most people celebrate Christmas now because it has been their culture and custom all their life. Now the truth is revealed, it’s embedded in their system and they just can’t live without it. It’s a time of giving caring and sharing everyone says. Right?? – Justice and Truth, you are a FOOL to go around targeting everyone and answering every post you don’t feel comfortable with or don’t agree with. Furthermore bashing everyone with your tongue interpreted thru your finger tips! Why don’t you Just leave everyone voice their opinions rather than being like King Know All! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! – Thank you for posting my comment DNO!
NO WORK,
NO MONEY
NO CHRISTMAS.
Because you do not have money as you stated and no work, is this a reason to turn against Christmas? Where is your faith, hope and trust in God? You are not the only one in the world. Many are in the identical situation as you.
Those who are older than you, others who lived before you did not turn against Christmas because they were poor and unemployed. They went to Church, celebrated Christmas and had a blessed, joyful one with family and friends. They made the best of the opportunity and their situation.
Let me ask you. What went wrong in your life that you are not working? How did you apply yourself in school and after you left school? You are blaming God for that? Examine your conscience.
When you turn against God what do you have left? Now is the time to give him due thanks and praise for all He has done for you. Are you healthy? Do you have family and friends? At this stage in your life, what more do you want?
Worship and pray fervently to God that your situation might change. Do you not know what Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing?” It appears you are another one who should change your overall attitude. Only then God can help you.
St. Paul said, “When we are weak, it is then we are strong.” Strong in God. Turn to him and see what He can do for you. If you reject him you will only remain in your misery as you consider yourself and will never get out of it. You only have yourself to blame.
I think a lot of people have gotten smart on church priests, pastors, bishops and so forth, and their trivial rituals. Plus, why pay to be part of a temple, when God’s love is free? I am so happy people are turning away from these pagan religions!! Because of religion, brothers and sisters hate one another! I do hope that those who have turned away from religious temples will instead turn their attention to God’s messages; many times his messages are as abstract as an artwork, but it is worth paying attention to his ways.
You are another one who depends on your own gullible understanding. This is the work and influence of Satan. You are under his yoke. Be happy but consider “Who laughs last gets the last laugh.”
You will be happy until you get sick and terminally so and when you die and are faced with your eternal judgment. Then, you will no longer be happy but will deeply regret your satanic words. You are not a smart person whatsoever. Another atheist who is in dire need of repentance lest you perish.
Get to Church. Worship God. Pray for yourself, your family, friends, nationals in general and Dominica. There is work to do for the Lord and for your eternal salvation that you might please God and appease his wrath.
Leave the judgment to God for you are not God and never will. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Judge not that you may not be judged accordingly and two-fold.” He knows that you are no perfect person and far from it and that you require God’s cleansing and healing. This is your severe mortal and spiritual problem which will not merit you eternal life. When will people as you learn this?
Your comment is neither just nor true. You quote Matthew 7:1 yet pass judgement on this commenter and elsewhere across the thread like some demented parasite. When religions including the Roman Catholic Church open up themselves to criticism by questionable doctrine on one hand and deplorable child protection practices on the other is it a surprise when some folks reject the idea of collective worship. When some congregations seem overly concerned with the collection of money .. why would you be shocked at the rejection of their ilk?
Sir the true spirit of christmas,is the action of Mrs.Solomon Charles and thoes who help the needy,not what you would like to hear to satisfy your ego while you in you wherever doing whatever,christmas is just another day to the hungry.
I hate to call you a fool and senseless but this is exactly what you are. You do not think beyond. Even though some people assist the poor, does it mean they are perfect? How well do they treat their very own in their own home and their coworkers and others in society? Some of them are observed only on the surface.
There are people who help the needy who do not recognize God and will not worship him. Some are devils in disguise. God knows their hearts, what you cannot see and know. This is just an example to get you to think.
The Catholic Church helps and worldwide. Prior to making such a statement and judging and condemning It, you should first find out about their charitable work. Too many of you blab your mouths and put your fingers to the keyboard and write whatever is on the surface of your mind without thinking. This is food for thought.
To justic and truth: Not b cus you call your self;justic and truth;means you are talking the truth;you are one catholic who are blind to the truth and wraped up in your likeness of the things you get to getaway with,you sound like one who dressed up like santa and go around fooling kids while you (i’ll bleep that}then you want to call people names.
You are the one who love to hide behind keys and finger it like you always do.The catholic church have done more harm than good to the human race,and the world have now begin to show them they are just another agent of their selfish agender.babylon your kindom is falling.You guys twist God’s teachings to fool us,with your dortrins and images,you find away to put your boy in your celebration;you call him santa,by replacing the position of the ‘n’ from the end to the center.dribble on that.
I would be ashamed to make such a public statement. When the world has overshadow the church and the things of the church, it is time for the church to check themselves. The world will always do what the world does best. IF the works of the church is not visible it is because they are not doing enough. Maybe the church is caught up in the wrong things and it is time to get back to the things of God and start letting your light shine. So is that we going to tell God that the Media is the one to blame. hahaha.. this is so laughable. Merry Christmas and let;s get back to doing God’s work and concentrating on what he wants his church todo. Come out from among them and let your light shine, otherwise the world and the media light will shine brighter than yours.
Here is another judgmental person.
You will pay for this one day. How good are you? What have you done for God and what are you doing for him, for Dominica and to assist the poor? Look to yourself and your conscience. This should be sufficient for you to contemplate on. 
Those are silly questions because you have no idea who is posting. I am a born again believer and is ashamed of the Stance of our spiritual leaders who believe that they are the ones who God speaks too. The only thing I can do for for Dominica is help bring about the change that is a must. Other than that, it is a lost cause. Unless people turn from their wicked ways and repent. God will NOT heal the land. We can’t blame the media for this. The hearts of many are too wicked especially those who have power over others.
Well said
There is absolutely nothing spirtual about christmas, it is a pagan holiday with no link to Jesus Christ, but those false religions keep spreading those false teaching. You don’t have to believe me, you can do your own research and prove me wrong. If we are suppose to use and teach the bible, where is it in there? But they like and continue to teach doctrines and not the bible. So when you say and describe how people celebrate christmas, they are being true to what that celebration and holiday is about.
Forget December 25th for argument sake. But do you also deny the birth of Jesus Christ? Man is often offended whenever the name “Jesus” is mentioned. They profess to be wise. Such people should check and see where they stand spiritually.
I challenge you to do your own research on the birth of Jesus Christ christ and the connection to christmas. No where did you see I am denying jesus christ, on the contrary I certainly believe in him, but just not in christmas, it took me while, but better late than never. When you and the others that are associating christmas with jesus christ do that, then you can comment. I will give you a hint, check the christmas encyclopedia or just ask your pastor or priest where it is written and tell me what they say, but knowing them, they will just ask you where is your faith. Happy research and again show me christmas in the bible.
Listening to the pagans again and as usual? I will not doubt that you are a pagan and belong to them.
Otherwise you would not make this statement, denying the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ and criticizing this day and faithful Christians for celebrating it.
It is not surprising that people as you do not think and wisely so because you lack godly spirituality and inspiration. You are playing God. You are not even a little god.
Since the ancient day that Christians have been celebrating Christmas, beginning with the Catholic Church, if God did not approve of it, believe me, we would have been told a long time ago. He would have made it known.
Our Lord Jesus Christ himself would have informed the holy and prayerful visionaries to relay it to us. We would not have continued to celebrate His Birth on December 25th down through the ages to today until the end of time. Therefore, put on your thinking cap and pray to God for this intelligence and enlightenment.
Would love to tell you more. Nevertheless, God has heard and read what you stated. He knows your mind and Satan’s filth of your words that is imbedded in it causing you this impediment of mind. I feel sorry for you.
…Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day.
Hark now hear the angels singing, a new King born today
That man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day.
Thanks be to God!
To deny this is to deny Holy Scriptures. St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of God.”
Go and study the Holy Bible. Pray to the Holy Spirit to reveal all these godly matters to you which you are in dire need of.
where is Christmas mentioned in the bible. It is wrong to add or take out readings from the bible you follow man but not god.
With that “copy right or wright”(what ever the case might be)thing, people are afraid to play people’s songs. They do not want to be sued. People might be even facing court action if they are playing songs when hosting a house party or playing songs on the beach on holiday eason
B e b u make no damn sense explain your self
This person, BEB is a character who does not utilize his/her common sense. I would not expect someone to make such a statement.
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!!! Happy New Year!!!
You really make no sense. It does not apply to those Christmas songs/hymns which we have been singing from time immemorial. They are still beautiful to hear; music to our ears.
Those who made up those songs have since long died. Furthermore, they did not think as people do today, some godless and money-grabbing ones. Everyone sings them in their church as well. The Canadian and hopefully the US Media play them on the airwaves. Your common sense needs to be revamped to know these simple matters.
The priest should not blame the media, he should instead blame his friend and compatriot Skeritt. Their is no spending money in the country, the business community is suffering, the Chinese are in control, the economy gone crazy and Skeritt has been happy in the United States wining and dining. The poor people received a little favor with their barrels, but the major assistance should have been given to the local business men in terms of a reduction of vat on all commodities by eight percent, at least for the month of December. The man has been gallivanting all over the United States during the Christmas Season and this darm priest wants to blame the media.
Doc Love, I feel sorry for you! You are a Christmas Scrooge
If you and Skeritt cannot stand the truth, it is time to pack up. I have said it before and I will say it again, Mr. Lennox Linton and the UWP A team are ready to govern.
Well Mr. Sharplis my Friend, the people and radio stations are right that whole Christ-mas story is just a fake because none of all you Priest, Preaches, Pastors or no body at all can prove to the world that Jesus Christ was born on that day that is just a fet just like Carnival, Easter, or any other party, that’s why they say happy holiday. I ask a Hindu in Trinidad last week who was playing a Christmas cd in his store, what is Christ mas he responded is a fellar they call Jesus birthday, I ask him do you know Jesus he said he was a prophet long ago, but I just like thee fet since I was small. So Christmas or Xmas have nothing to do with the birth of the real Jesus. No born-again believer should celebrate that Santa claws fet.
Yoland garçon you turning on your fello groveler for religion. You suppose to agree with Wat Sharplis say cause Sharplis has a hidden agenda
it was never said that Christ was born on that day.. it is just a normal day set aside to celebrate his birth
In my opinion, where there`s no vision” the people will perish. I agree with the spiritual leader Father, Sharplis 100% in our world there is too much so called “Political Correctness”. We follow others and copy their style to fit in, and feel like We in that too, as long as it makes us feel good .Everybody doing it so why not us”. That sets a dangerous precedent to the weaker minded persons in our mist, there in lies our problems. Certain countries Christmas is all about commercial, and gift buying, and we want it Now’ syndrome” is killing us. Our morals and dignity is thrown out of the window when it comes to the question of ME! MYSELF! and I! unless we re set our agenda and practice the right things and not follow tom Dick, or Harry, the writing is on the wall. The train has left the Station, heading for a crash landing and there is going to be several victims. So fathers pray, and pray, for us.
since 2000 that so called christmas thing dying. i dont believe in that cause no where in the bible the word christmas or anything about christmas is said. i believe in the breaking of bread and wine but i must say that not in the way and manner how the catholic church observes it. at funerals,every sunday church, baptism, first communion, confirmation and other stupid church doctrines. so father or how u call yourself it would be better if the world does away with that so called CHRISTMAS CRAP.
Mere words of warped minds cannot change or sever Christmas. It is shocking that baptized Christians, people who once practiced the faith, would make such a statement. You have swayed far from the truth. You are another one who is going down slippery slopes, fast enough and probably will arrive there soon.
You will die before Christmas ends, who knows when and how soon for Christmas is here to stay until the end of time as God ordained it will be.
Its so true last week was at work tellin my coworkers the same ,christmas week and so called dj playing ck and kkk its no longer about the season but play what they like
I agree with u 1oooo% even. Me who live out of dominica was trying to listen to the christmas songs, on of a particular station one person would play a fee until this young kids would come on and play these stupid song
I am fortunate. I get the US Catholic Radio Station which transmits via Buffalo, NY. I heard a lot of the Christmas hymns/songs and relevant programs.
They did not make me shop any more for I make a note of what I wish to purchase, probably a little deviation, but not much. I will agree it made shopping more pleasant.
Right now, World Over Live on EWTN – TV and EWTN Global Catholic Radio is playing, “Have yourself a Merry Christmas.” Catholics are aware that Advent in the Catholic Church officially ends on January 6th on the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord.
I cannot complain about the Toronto Radio Stations, especially the FM Stations consistently played Christmas songs. I also heard them while shopping.
It was stated that the stores play those songs to encourage shoppers to shop more.
Those secular radio stations cease playing Christmas songs after the day is over. I am happy I can still hear them until January 6th on EWTN. We also continue to sing them at Church until that day.
I have some Christmas CD’s and also tapes and did not even have time to play them because of the Christmas programs and songs on Eternal Word Television and Radio – EWTN. Thank God!
Yeah, and Satan Clause comes down the chimney and all of that. Oh please!
Maybe the Marc Marie effect could of prevented the stations from playing those songs father