Much loved “Fr Tom” retires

Parishioners and well-wishers hosted a farewell dinner for much-loved priest Fr Thomas Lawson OP who reached retirement age, 75 years, on January 11. He was the Parish Priest of St Francis of Assisi, Belmont and served in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain for 41 years.

‘Fr Tom’ as he is fondly called was celebrated at a luncheon January 21 at St Mary’s College, Port of Spain at which various presentations and tributes were given including a video showing him in service.

He told the Catholic News he will spend his retirement in Trinidad, based at the House of Immaculate Conception, St Finbar’s Church, Morne Coco Road, Diego Martin. He said now he has more time for prayer and contemplation.

Fr Lawson will also “help out a bit” where he can in the Diego Martin/Petit Valley/Crystal Stream cluster. He will celebrate 50 years in the priesthood this year, July 2.

Fun Fact:

Fr Tom was in the 8th year of his priesthood when he volunteered to come to Trinidad from Ireland. He arrived on October 15th, 1981, and was installed in St Anthony’s Petit Valley on January 11th, 1982, as Parish Priest with Fr. Canice O’ Riordan OP. He shared with the Catholic News, “This was my first experience as a Parish Priest, and up until that time I was a chaplain and teacher in a technical school in Sligo, Ireland and, was very happy to be here.”