Schools to benefit from legacy project

JAMAICA

It took one announcement after Sunday Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Montego Bay, about the launch of the Centennial celebrations of three Catholic schools: Chetwood Memorial, Mt Alvernia Prep and High schools, for Joanne Robertson to be inspired to perpetuate the memory of a much beloved young man who transitioned from this life five years ago. His name is Lucas Therian, the son of Ray and Ann Therian, the Chief Executive Officers of Fontana Pharmacy Ltd.

“As Joanne reflected on the sterling contributions of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in establishing these schools and other Roman Catholic clergy who positively impacted her own family, she proposed the idea to the Therian family to honour Luke’s memory of kindness and benevolence into a tangible way, by raising one million Jamaican dollars towards these three outstanding institutions,” said an Online Catholic Opinion report.

It reported that the idea was received favourably and, within a few months, the response from friends of the family was “so overwhelming” that Jam$5 million was raised and handed over to the Centennial committee on July 29, 2025.

Among the legacy projects identified for the three schools is a much-needed sports pavilion for Chetwood Memorial Primary, an upgraded library and bathrooms for Mt Alvernia Prep and a renovated school auditorium for Mt Alvernia High School.

As Chairman of the Centennial Committee Marline Stepheson- Dally expressed, “this is certainly ‘a spark that has set the fire glowing’ for an overall target of $100 million in order to complete all these projects…. To God be the glory.”