Bahamas News
Minister Dames Commends Catholic Church Men’s Prison Inmate Spiritual Mentoring
#Bahamas, September 25, 2017 – Nassau – Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames said, on September 21, 2017, that among the many important programmes geared towards the proper rehabilitation of prisoners is the aspect of the spiritual development of the prisoner.
“This most fundamental aspect cannot go unmentioned,” Minister Dames said, during an official launch of the Archdiocesan Catholic Church Men’s Association (ACCMA) Ministry of H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel), at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Remand Center Housing Unit.
The Catholic Church Men’s Ministry of H.O.P.E. will provide spiritual mentoring to further equip inmates in their rehabilitation and preparedness to re-enter society.
Among those present at the launch were Catholic Archbishop of Nassau the Most Rev. Patrick Pinder, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Security Carl Smith, Commissioner of Corrections Patrick Wright, Corrections Chaplin Rev. Leonard Clarke, members of the ACCMA and other members of the Clergy, and Correctional Officers.
Minister Dames said that because of the hard work of the Prison Chaplaincy, the nation was seeing that “hostile, hopeless inmates” were transformed into “decent productive members of society with the knowledge of religious and spiritual values.”
“The religious and spiritual values being instilled in the inmates give them hope and skills necessary to re-enter society as productive and responsible citizens,” he said.
Minister Dames noted: “Was it not King David, when he pleaded for forgiveness from God, he asked God ‘to create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me… and bring me back on to you as in the days of old’. This is the fundamental aspiration of any individual’s spiritual development and growth, to be accepted after repentance.”
Minister Dames commended the ACCMA for the innovative initiative that was being launched that day and said that it offered its participants the opportunity to be “mentored by men of God”.
“This program will have attached conditions that require each participants to be subject to ongoing monitoring and supervision through faith-based activities,” he pointed out.
“The success of the proposed spiritual rehabilitative programs rests heavily not only on the Chaplain and the Archdiocesan men’s ministry but on all inmates who enter the program,” Minister Dames said. “With the execution of this cooperative effort on the part of the Chaplain, the men’s group and inmates at Department of Correctional Services, the members of the public also play an extremely important role and its results will benefit the inmate, his family and the society at large.”
Minister Dames said that all of the activities associated with the program promoted change of character and behavior. He said that it was his belief that anyone who was given the right set of circumstances, could and would change.
“This is indeed an example of the co-operation of the various stakeholders in the society to assist in producing more tolerant and accepting community in which rehabilitated persons would be afforded the opportunity to co-exist in a non-judgmental environment,” he said.
Minister Davis said that the government supported the bold initiative, which was geared to assist young men through developing counseling and religious programs that provide mentoring.
“Reverend Clarke and staff, who have provided spiritual counseling and support for inmates, are now joined by this group of men who will play an important role in assisting with the reformation and rehabilitation of these young men for re-entry into society and reduce the levels of inmates’ recidivism, fights, staff assaults, drug consumption, illiteracy and idleness,” he said.
“On behalf of us all, let me once again thank the Archdiocesan Catholic Church Men’s Association for their commitment to assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.”
By: Eric Rose (BIS)
Photo Captions:
Header Photo: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames speaks with two inmates, September 21,2017, at the Official Launch Ceremony for the Archdiocesan Catholic Church Men’s Association (ACCMA) Ministry of H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel), at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Remand Center Housing Unit. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)
1st insert: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames addresses the Official Launch Ceremony of the Archdiocesan Catholic Church Men’s Association (ACCMA) Ministry of H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel), at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Remand Center Housing Unit, September 21, 2017. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)
2nd insert: Commissioner of Corrections Patrick Wright speaks at the ceremony. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)
3rd insert: Pictured from left: President of the Archdiocesan Catholic Church Men’s Association (ACCMA) Edwin Thompson, Catholic Archbishop of Nassau the Most Rev. Patrick Pinder, Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Security Carl Smith, and Commissioner of Corrections Patrick Wright, on September 21, 2017, at the official launch of ACCMA Ministry of H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel), at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Remand Center Housing Unit. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
