St Francis Belmont church restored, people must be restored too

By Lara Pickford-Gordon

snrwriter.camsel@catholictt.org

The restoration of the “magnificent” ancient St Francis of Assisi RC Church, Belmont is completed but, quoting a line from Christopher ‘Tambu’ Herbert’s 1989 song ‘Journey’, Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon told the parishioners restoration was not done.

Presiding at the afternoon Mass of Dedication on Monday, September 23 before a packed congregation, he said, “isn’t this a beautiful church…just look at it: its proportions, its style, its elegance, its height, everything about this building as it has been restored takes the mind and heart up to God.”

Focusing on the worshipping community, he said: “As we were so meticulous with the restoration of this building, so we must be meticulous with the restoration of the people of God…We have to spend time, energy and detail for the people of God to be restored”.

The restored church should not stand like a museum, it must be a living house, “where each one comes here again in a community that is vibrant, in a community that is alive, in a community that engages in the synodal way, listening to each other along the journey as they make their way to Christ.”

The Archbishop’s statements evoked murmured responses of “Amen”. He directed the congregation that “rebuilding now begins again and again as it does in every generation, in every season and every time”.

Concelebrating the Mass were Apostolic Nuncio Santiago de Wit Gúzman, Vicar General Fr Martin Sirju, parish priest Fr Mikkel Trestrail and other clergy of the Archdiocese. In attendance was Canon Ronald Branche, parish priest of the St Margaret’s Anglican Church, Belmont, Speaker of the House of Representatives Bridgid Annisette-George, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Stuart Young and Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales. The church was tightly packed with attendees but open windows high up and ceiling fans kept the atmosphere cool.

Archbishop Gordon joked St Francis has a familiar façade. It was built in 1902, a year before Archbishop’s House, and he quipped that they tried St Francis first and “got it right” at Archbishop’s House. He called St Francis the “elder sister” of Archbishop’s House, one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ buildings.

Archbishop Gordon asked the congregation how many were baptised or married at the church, a few people raised their hands. “That means a lot of your children would have been baptised here and received the sacraments here and come into the faith here,” he responded.

Archbishop Gordon disclosed that his mother was baptised at St Francis and his parents were married there, “so the Church has a very special place in my own family and in my own heart”.

As the people gathered for the blessing of the magnificent building, they were reminded of its central purpose. “We remember that this building rests on a rock that is an ancient rock. Remember it was laid by Jesus Christ Himself and this ancient rock that holds this temple is also the foundation of our faith,” he said. Archbishop Patrick Flood blessed the church on May 25, 1902, but it was not consecrated. Archbishop Gordon said after “a few bishops later” he had the privilege to do this.

Parishioners express gratitude

Before the liturgy, Douglas James, a member of the building committee, gave a short report on the project. “We can enter, rejoice, and come home. The doors of St Francis of Assisi RC Church in Belmont are once again open,” James said. Though not “fully completed”, the church was “up and running”.

James stated prayer became the bedrock of the parish after closure. Former parish priest Fr Thomas Lawson OP encouraged parishioners to deepen their prayer life. James said a prayer to St Francis for completion of the church was composed and recited at every Mass. Major fundraising took place and James said people “started to believe in themselves once again”.

Gratitude was expressed for the many benefactors, donors and others who gave their time, energy, resources and Fides Ltd for executing Phases 1 and 2. Mentioned also were the consultants for their selfless service toward completing the project. James thanked God for answering all the prayers of the community.

Parish priest Fr Trestrail gave the thanks at the end of the Mass. Responding to Archbishop Gordon, he said the parishioners are committed to building up and restoring the Belmont community. Fr Trestrail announced there was a loan of $2.4 million to be repaid and joked that the fundraising committee would be given a couple months off, but their work was not done. He said the reopening of the church was “not a victory of a few”.

“I feel great coming back here today. Rain or shine or whatever could not keep me away” said Lloyd Gellineau, 71, who said he grew up in the church and made First Communion and Confirmation.

Sharon Mangroo of the Catholic Education Board of Management said she grew up in Belmont and was baptised, confirmed, and married at the church. “This is my church,” she said with joy.

There were different rituals for the Mass of Dedication. The recitation of a Prayer of Dedication, anointing of the altar with the oil of Chrism thereby it becomes a symbol of Christ; the anointing of the church walls indicating the building is a place of Christian worship.

The altar and church were incensed. Incense burning signifies Christ’s sacrifice and the rising of the prayers of the faithful to God. The congregation was incensed as they are the living temple and the nave, as a house of prayer. The altar was dressed and prepared for the celebration of the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ’s death and Resurrection. The lighting of the altar and church symbolised Christ as light and His light shines through Church and the people.