San Juan, Penal youth visit Scarborough

The San Juan RC Youth Choir, along with Penal Boys’ RC Music Ministry made a special journey to Tobago on August 24, where they participated in Mass at the St Joseph RC Church. This visit not only highlighted the musical talents of the youth but also fostered a meaningful cultural and spiritual exchange between the communities involved.

Choir mistress Melissa Brumant-Jules described the visit as an overwhelmingly pleasant experience, underscoring the warm and heartfelt welcome that the young group received from the local community. She emphasised that their mission extended beyond merely singing; it was about ministering through song and creating a connection with the congregation.

To prepare for their performance, they began each practice session with deep and reflective prayer, ensuring that their hearts and minds were aligned with their spiritual purpose. The only challenge they encountered during their trip was the difficulty in securing tickets for their journey to Tobago, as the music for the evening had already been carefully preselected with valuable assistance from the chief celebrant, Fr Mathias Mulumba, who played a crucial role in the planning process.

Vocalist Gabriela Chevalier echoed the sentiments of her fellow choir members. “I had a pleasant time last night at the St Joseph Church, Tobago. I’m amazed at the way their community has welcomed our community with open arms and support. The people were very kind and welcoming. Some even took the chance to speak with us after Mass to show their gratitude and thankfulness for our talents which I feel like has boosted our confidence even more as a team.”

Following Communion, the celebration continued as dancers joined the vocalists and musicians, performing in stunning gold and white attire while waving golden flags in a beautifully coordinated and spirit-filled choreography.

Ten-year-old dancer Asia Cyrus expressed her excitement about the experience. “I would say as a dancer, St Joseph Church was very marvellous, the atmosphere was very much spirit-filled. The parishioners were indeed welcoming towards our youth choir and dancers”.

Many parishioners expressed their eagerness for the group to return in the future, inspired by the passion and dedication of the young people who led worship that evening. The connection formed between the San Juan RC Youth Music Ministry and the St Joseph RC Community left a lasting impression, highlighting the power of music and faith to unite people across different backgrounds and cultures.

—Gabrielia Sooklal