A hope for better fruit
March 15, 2022
Wednesday March 16th: Service
March 16, 2022
Story and photos by Fr Martin Sirju, Cathedral administrator
It’s now close to four years since I moved to Port of Spain. I’ve grown to love the city and its people. Cathedral is not a rich parish; far from it, even though I have met many who are surprised by this – clergy and laity alike.
Income is good but expenses very high. One financial expert I brought in three years ago said we need to double our monthly income.
One of our nagging expenses is the Cathedral presbytery roof. It leaks on the northern fringe under which are the chapel and three rooms, one occupied by Fr Peter Aduaka, associate pastor.
It also leaks on the eastern fringe under which there are four rooms, one occupied by Fr Emmanuel Dafe who teaches at the seminary and the other by the beloved Fr Michael Cockburn.
We tried fixing the concrete roof on three occasions but to no avail. Like a cancer, you heal it in one spot, and it pops up another.
We are eternally grateful to those who helped us do a “patchwork” job on three occasions due to financial constraints. The old ten-year warranty has long worn out and the roof needs a complete re-sheeting. The resident clergy and I made a heartfelt plea to our Ash Wednesday congregations as we do to you.
The estimate given by two contractors are in the same range: $85,000. I am appealing to benefactors/friends/parishioners to donate toward the roof repair. We would like to solve this problem once and for all so that there will no longer be tiny floods in the priests’ rooms or chapel.
I believe in our natural generosity. It can be done. It will be done.
You may write cheques payable to:
RC Archbishop – Cathedral
Republic Bank Account Number: 150800207801
