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Contents
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A Short History of Teams of Our Lady in Trinidad and Tobago
It was October 1983, Maldon and Allyson Pantin led a group of couples in a charasmatic prayer group. Their chaplain, Fr. Neil Rodriguez CSSp, had heard of Teams of Our Lady and was receiving newsletters from the combined English and Irish Region. Fr. Neil introduced the movement to Maldon and Allyson who then contacted Don and Sheila Gallagher. The Gallaghers passed them on to Jim and Theresa Pratt who became their pilot couple by mail. In 1984, Maldon and Allyson journeyed to London on holiday and met with Jim and Theresa, and many other Teams couples whose support encouraged the development of the spirituality of Teams in Trinidad. In 1986, Jim and Theresa made their first visit to Trinidad where they reinforced the spirituality among the many other couples who were joining Teams. In 1988, Maldon and Allyson, and Stephen and Wendy Johnston (who were also among the first team in Trinidad), and their chaplain, Fr. Neil, were fortunate to attend the International Session in Lourdes and the training session that followed. In 1991, the then Regional Couple, George and Theresa Smith visited Trinidad after Maldon and Allyson's plea that Trinidad's teams were feeling isolated from the Region. They were very encouraging and agreed to allow us to host the first International Holiday session in Trinidad in August 1993. The Session in 1993 was a success. There was a priest from Ireland, a french couple Jean-Jaques and Francoise Crepy, and eleven couples from England, including the then Regional couple Tom and Maureen Hoban. It was decided that Trinidad would host an International Holiday Session every four years. In 1994 Franklyn and Vicki Pollidore (also of the first Trinidad team) Michael and Jacinta Milne, Fr. Neil and Fr. Urban Hudlin OP, travelled to the International Session in Portugal. In 1995 the first team was started in Tobago, our sister island. In 1996, Maldon and Allyson, and David and Josieanne Bovel (the first Tobagonian team couple and Sector couple for Tobago) attended the Regional conference in Wimbledon. In 1997, the second International Holiday was held in Tobago with magnificent success. On October 11th, 1998, Maldon and Allyson gave up the post as Pre-Regional couple to Stphen and wendy Johnston. Fr. Neil also gave up his position as Pre-Regional chaplain to Abbot Francis Alleyne OSB. During the years 1997 to 1998, Maldon Pantin has travelled to other English-speaking countries to provide information on Teams of Our Lady. He has carried information to Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, and the Cayman Islands. Financial constraints has inhibited further spread. There are presently twenty-five teams in five sectors of the Pre-Region of Trinidad and Tobago.
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