‘Mothers of our Fathers’

Happy Mother’s Day to all our readers! For everyone in Trinidad and Tobago, Mother’s Day is usually a time for family get togethers, love, laughter and plenty food! A few years ago Generation S coined a phrase: ‘Your Priest is someone’s son….your son can be someone’s Priest!’. So today we reached out to some priests to find out about their mothers!

Fr Stephan Damien Alexander

Mother’s name: Seraphin Deian Alexander

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from the village of Gasparillo in South/Central Trinidad. I attended the Sacred Heart RC church in Gasparillo in the Parish of Our Lady of Monsterrat, Tortuga.

Did your mother have a pet name for you?

My mother’s pet name was Stephy D which is a is a shortening of my first name together with the initial of my middle name ‘Damien’.

Are you a momma’s boy?

I love my mother but can’t be described as a momma’s boy. My mother raised me to be very independent from a young age.

Did you get licks as a child?

Yes, occasionally I got licks. My parents didn’t beat for every and anything so I really had to do something bad or dangerous etc to get licks. I didn’t do those things very often as I was a good boy lol.

What is your favourite childhood memory of your mother?

Mom would take us out and treat us to KFC or pizza on weekends, but my favourite memory with her was going to picnic at the San Fernando Hill on Sunday mornings after 9:00 a.m. Mass.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother?

My sense of duty and responsibility come from my mother. However, the greatest lesson she ever taught me was the value of honesty. From as long as I can remember she would say don’t lie and don’t steal.

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Fr Dexter Brereton

Mother’s name: Ursula Brereton

Where are you from originally?

We are from Siparia.

Did your mother have a pet name for you?

Mummy did not really have a pet name for me.

Are you a momma’s boy?

I don’t know about “momma’s boy” but I would say that I am close to mom.

Did you get licks as a child?

Mom and dad were stern disciplinarians but it is not something I like to talk about. What I experienced was quite normal for the time but “plenty licks” is not a style of child rearing I would endorse today.

What is your favourite childhood memory with your mother?

There are many favourite memories with my mom. She is a fabulous cook and Christmas baking and licking the bowl are among my favourite memories with her.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother?

Mom is a woman of great courage and resilience. I suppose that patient perseverance was something I learned from her and how to stay faithful through difficult times.

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Fr Gerard Tang Choon

Mother’s name: Marilyn (Araujo) Tang Choon

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Diamond Vale, Diego Martin.

Did your mother have a pet name for you?

‘Gerr’ is what the family called me growing up, and still do.

Did you get licks as a child?

I did get licks usually from my dad.

What is your favourite childhood memory with your mother?

Favourite childhood memories would be vacation in Tobago or Curacao.

What is the most important thing that you learnt from your mother?

My mom and dad raised five kids; I am the first. Both my parents worked but my dad was the one who usually cooked. I admire their faith, fidelity in marriage—this year they celebrated 49 years of marriage. I admire that some years ago she went back to school and got her degree in Education.

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Fr Mikhail Woodruffe, O Carm

Mother’s Name: Yvette Woodruffe

Where are you from originally?

Barataria.

Did your mother have a pet name for you?

Yes indeed she did… actually, she still has… It will spoil the special nature of it if I revealed it (more like I am too embarrassed to reveal it publicly, lol).

Are you a momma’s boy?

100%, absolutely and totally: yes. Not ashamed to admit it.

Did you get licks as a child?

Oh yes, I did. Many will be surprised to know that I was the worst-behaved among my siblings.

What is your favourite childhood memory with your mother?

Hmmmm… This will have to be carpool drives and attending St Vincent de Paul events with my sister and brother, cousins, other SVP-connected children. We all grew up like an extended family. We fit many children in Mummy’s station wagon!

What is the most important thing you learnt from your mother?

Self-sacrificing, concern for the most forgotten in society. My choice to study Social Work at university and later as a Carmelite religious always wanting to do ministry with the most marginalised in society, came from seeing my mother’s tireless commitment over the years. I still think back with amazement that she was able to make significant Catholic social service contributions to Trinidad and Tobago, while raising three children on her own. Always thankful Mummy. Happy Mother’s Day!