Belmont church nears completion, but still needs support
March 13, 2024
Thursday March 14th: Sanctioned by the Father
March 14, 2024
A few weeks ago, Gemma Jones, Sunday Choir organist/director was celebrated for her 50-plus years of mentoring, moulding, and musically managing the Sunday morning choristers. Her dedication extends to young students at our primary schools in Curepe/Tunapuna, and she has generously extended her efforts throughout the Suburban Vicariate.
On March 2, Joan Pantin was a happily tearful recipient of an Apostolic Blessing certificate for 51 years of Music Ministry with the Saturday Choir, formerly known as the Folk Choir.
On March 3, Muriel Hazzard joyfully accepted her Apostolic Blessing from our parish priest, Fr Arnold Francis. Muriel, as she’s familiarly addressed, invited her family, friends and supporters to Sunday Mass at 7.30 a.m. to witness the short presentation ceremony and demonstrated her appreciation by offering breakfast boxes after Holy Mass.
Fr Francis’ tribute at the lectern glowingly summarised Muriel’s 68 years of service to and in the parish, in particular, helping the priests, making sacrifices to care for them, “making market” for fresh food, even after their reassignment. One example was her regular trips to Diego Martin to prepare breakfast for recently deceased Fr Leo Donovan OP and take care of housekeeping needs. Priests were regularly led to homes where sick persons were anointed with the sacrament and received consolation, while Muriel helped to tidy up the living spaces.
Muriel has also distinguished herself over 61 years of selling The Catholic News at the church door. She was a regular stallholder at parish harvests over many years, selling at the Market Stall.
Her valuable Harvest contribution included donation list fundraising via which she mobilised her extensive network of persons at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, other academic, professional, and business contacts, and persons who hold her in high regard. Totals of $40,000 were regular achievements!
She has “a heart of gold”, Fr Francis beamed, a loving and caring person, dispositions about which he bared his heart having benefitted from her ministrations!
— Story and photo by Our Lady of Fatima Communications Ministry
