Prayers for slain RC school teacher

The St Francis RC School, Sangre Grande has “lost a family member” with the tragic death of teacher and mother of five, Margaret Guevarra. She was killed at home last Monday by a male relative who subsequently attempted suicide.

As the news reached the school, Brierley Street, Sangre Grande, the school supervisor was notified and a team from the Student Support Services Division of the education ministry was sent to the school.

An officer from the employee assistance programme visited, and moderator of the Sangre Grande/Coryal/Toco/Matelot Cluster, Msgr Michael de Verteuil was at the school. The school’s guidance counsellor and social worker interacted with children when they received the news from their teachers.

The Catholic News was informed that pupils of Gueverra’s Standard Four class were “distraught” and her colleagues on staff “very traumatised” and experiencing a “gamut of emotions” as they tried to cope while continuing to teach their classes. Gueverra’s sister is a member of staff and nephews of another sister attend the school.

Guevarra, 42, had been a teacher at the school since 2002 and over time taught First Year, and Standards Three, Four and Five. The Catholic News learned she was “multi-talented”, creating sets for the school’s dramatic productions and charts for classes, involved in arts and crafts—a mural on the wall of the infant’s class was done last August—and a good singer. She was committed to her pupils and loved working with children experiencing challenges.

The Eastern Vicariate Managers I and II went to St Francis to offer condolences and comfort staff on behalf of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM). Teachers and the managers visited the home of her parents.

A short praise and worship took place at the school on Tuesday morning as the community turned to prayer to support each other during this time of grief.

The Board of Directors and staff of the CEBM are “deeply saddened by the death of Mrs Margaret Guevarra”.  They extended deepest sympathies to her family, the staff and pupils of St Francis RC Primary. “We pray that God who knows their sorrow, will bring peace, comfort and healing to their souls”.

Last rites for Guevarra took place last Thursday at the Kingdom People International Pentecostal Church, Ramnath Trace, Sangre Grande. – LPG