Bishop Persaud visits St Mary’s, Mucurapo

What a surprise to have Bishop John Persaud of Mandeville, Jamaica celebrating Holy Mass on Sunday, May 15, at St Mary’s RC Church, Mucurapo during his short visit to our shores. Bishop Persaud was conducting a conference in our country (see page 16) and took the opportunity to request from the parish priest of St Mary’s, Fr Emmanuel H Pierre to officiate at the Sunday Masses.

Those who attended the Sunday 7.30 a.m., or 9.30 a.m. Masses were pleasantly surprised. Parishioners never got the opportunity to thank him for the integral part he played in closing St Mary’s Church in 2014 as soon as the Easter weekend celebrations ended. That really began the action of getting the building restored.

How can we forget the occasion when he stood at the entrance of the church and encouraged the congregation to take an active part in the restoration by purchasing tickets to an event to help with the funding of the project?

Unfortunately, he was unable to attend the rededication of the church on October 20, 2019, as he had to leave to start a new appointment in Guyana.

A no-nonsense man, he is so full of integrity and power in his words that every sermon hit the core of one’s soul.

We thank you Bishop Persaud from the bottom of our hearts, wishing you God’s providence and may Our Blessed Mother continue to shower you with her grace and blessings.

Hoping to see you again when you do visit our beloved country.

—Story and photo by Anthony Aqui