Heritage

On December 31st 1930, in the small Caribbean island of Trinidad, this remarkable woman came into the world, on the eve of the new year. Gloria D’Ornellas, daughter of Albert and Vieira D’Ornellas, was one of four children, growing up amidst World War II and coming to maturity in the post-World War II era. She witnessed and participated in the forging of our nation from a British Colony into the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

As a former Education Minister, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh said in 2016, (she was) “one of our most inspiring and pioneering humanitarians and educators. Our post-Independence history was defined by women like Sr. Paul, a woman of uncanny and unwavering goodness who devoted her life to the care and progress of our nation’s children… unwittingly becoming one of the pioneers for women’s equality and progress in the process.

Sister

As a young woman Gloria D’Ornellas joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny, and took the name Sister Paul D’Ornellas. As a young Sister, she grappled with a tumult of indecision, but never lost sight of the phrase, “Love Serves”. She devoted her life to the service of others, as Teacher, Educator, School Principal, Visionary and Innovator.

Sr Paul often said that it was no accident that, as a fledgling nun, she chose the apostle Paul as her patron, hence her name. She was intrigued and inspired by his life story – from persecutor of the early Christians to champion of Jesus Christ. She said he gave her hope. He was so human, so contradictory, so aware of his limitations, and yet yearning for a larger vision and a greater life – a vision and life that he could find only in the living God.

Career

As Principal, in San Fernando, Sr Paul introduced the girls to the world of science, by expanding the curriculum, having science laboratories built, as well as the library. In Port of Spain, she built the library, audio-visual facilities, major science laboratories, modern gym and theatre for the arts. Sister supported her teachers, encouraging the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association. Working with Fr. Pantin, she pioneered the formation of the College of Applied Arts, Sciences and Technology of Trinidad and Tobago, only a few of her many achievements. In December 1990, after over 35 years of sterling dedication to the Education Service, Sr Paul prepared to retire. The following year in 1991, she was awarded the Trinidad and Tobago National Award of ‘Public Service Gold Medal of Merit’ for her work in education. In 2012, as our country celebrated 50 years of Independence, Sr Paul was chosen as one of the 50 Education Icons of the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Sr  Paul was also a trained counselor, who, after long hours at the School, would counsel individuals and couples, at no charge. 

The Foundation

Set to retire on her 60th birthday in 1990, it became apparent that Sr Paul was not retiring, but rather, reshaping her work. Sr Paul stated “it is my determination to devote the remainder of my life to the care and education of adults…. If we want to transform children, we have to transform the adults who care for and influence them.”  Discussion and discernment with friends led to the formation of the Foundation for Human Development,  to support Sister in her new career.

As the name of the Foundation prompts, Sr Paul reflected continuously on; What does it mean to be human, fully human, fully alive? What does human development mean?  How do we develop our humanity?” She went on to work for another twenty-five years, bringing that vision to life. It was an intensive labour of faith, love, and hope.

The first courses were delivered by a faculty of one, Sr Paul, in Journaling and Parenting.  The Foundation now has more than 15 facilitators and offers a wide variety of programs.  The Foundation reaches out to all, consciously embracing a diversity beyond gender, ethnicity or economic status.  The work we do seeks to better understand ourselves, our differences, inner conflicts, hurts and aspirations.  To improve relationships and bring about behavioural change through insight and critical reflection.  

Sister believed firmly in the development of self-knowledge, self-understanding and self-acceptance to enable people to discover who they truly are and live out of that truth and in so doing transform themselves into healthy human beings contributing meaningfully to their families and communities. 

Journey

At the start, out of her small office at St. Joseph’s Convent, in Port of Spain, Sister was a one woman show as the Foundation’s resources were slender. After she returned from further training in counseling at the Eckhart House Institute of Psychosynthesis and Transpersonal Theory in 1991, she began to conduct courses in Port of Spain, San Fernando and Diego Martin. While developing new courses, she kept a full diary of counseling clients

Apart from the provision of courses to the general public, Sr Paul, through the Foundation, also gave courses for employees of companies such as Royal Bank, National Petroleum and Neal and Massy and expanded the Foundation's reach. Some of those employees became frequent attendees at courses presented by the Foundation. She also conducted interventions and retreats with leadership teams from different firms. She was always trying to expand her audience to include people from all walks of life.

Sr Paul regarded any work concerning educational issues that she became involved in as Foundation work, so during the hijab issue in 1994 she had the full support of her Board and the membership. She was particularly gratified that she had the opportunity of working together with at least five different religious groups and that the Foundation supported, encouraged and prayed for her in the course of work of that nature.   Sister also served on the boards of the Royal Bank Foundation and on the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence Committee, along with other external committees and organizations.

Then came her practice and teaching of Centering Prayer, a contemplative silent meditation prayer practice.  She attended retreats and training sessions at the Colorado headquarters of Contemplative Outreach and developed a local Chapter of that organization which is listed on its website. By this time, Sr Paul was convinced that the work of the Foundation must be rooted in contemplation and that deep, silent prayer was critical as the Foundation reached out to offer service in the world. In 2002, Sister Paul arranged for Fr. Thomas Keating to visit Trinidad and Tobago as a guest of the Foundation, with the express approval of the then Archbishop.

Relationship with Contemplative Outreach continues and in 2009, its then President, Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler, came to Trinidad to train a small group to present workshops on "The Introduction to Centering Prayer". In 2016, the Foundation could boast of having ten Certified Presenters of Centering Prayer and fifteen Centering Prayer groups throughout Trinidad and Tobago.  These groups promote the growth of prayer communities and offer the support needed for the experience of contemplative living.

New Home

In 2013, Sister Paul identified the Foundation's current property at 36 Cascade Road, Cascade as being suitable for its needs and, after extensive renovations and improvements, it moved into this beautiful space in May, 2014. This was made possible through the generosity of the Foundation’s main benefactor who was a great supporter of Sister’s work.

Passing

In so many ways, Saint Paul’s life provided a template for Sr Paul’s own life. So much so that even at her end, in January of 2016, she could have said, as he did:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith … 2 Timothy 4:7

May the soul of Sister Paul rest in peace and rise in glory!