THE Roman Catholic clergy in St Lucia received a major boost in numbers last Sunday when 11 deacons were ordained in a historic ceremony at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
It was the first time in the history of the Church in St Lucia that so many candidates had been ordained to the permanent diaconate in one ceremony.
Archbishop Robert Rivas was the main celebrant at the three and a half hour ceremony which was also attended by Catholic clergy from the region.
The 11 deacons will augment the work of full-time priests in the various parishes of the Church. Archbishop Rivas pleaded with more men to come forward and join the Ministry both as priests and deacons, expressing the hope for a bigger ordination of the latter in 2020.
Archbishop Rivas also acknowledged the work of St. Lucian priest Fr. Raymond Laurent, 76, who was proceeding on retirement after serving in the ministry for more than 40 years, most of it in his homeland.
The 11 new deacons who were accepted after successfully completing a four-year part-time course of study will go work immediately. Ten of the group are married men with the eleventh a widower.
They are:
Jamaica-born Robert Harvey, a teacher by profession and graduate of the University of the West Indies, who taught History and Spanish and served for several years at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College’s Department of Continuing Education. Over the past 30 years he has been the Caribbean correspondent for the Catholic Chronicle, the newspaper of the Church in St Lucia.
John Laurence Douglas, born in Grenada, has been resident in St Lucia for the past 24 years. A self-employed businessman, he is responsible for managing three local companies. He qualified in Economics and Management at the University of the West Indies. He is responsible for the Altar servers Ministry
Vincent Norbert of Mon Repos was one of the leaders of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal rising to service at the national level in the renewal and membership on the archdiocesan Evangelization Commission.
Marcellus Serieuxof Micoudwas a teacher for 35 years starting his career at age 15 until his retirement in 2000. Attended the St Lucia Teachers College and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.
Anthony Pierre hails from Babonneau is a businessman involved in electronic security. He is an ardent promoter of the Men’s Fellowship and the Couples for Christ movements.
Harris Wilfred comes from Vieux Fort. A former employee of Barclays Bank, he first got involved in parish ministry as a musician but later began to assist with retreats and communion services.
David Popo was educated at the Regional Seminary in Trinidad and Tobago and the University of the West Indies. Currently, he is head of the Social Development Unit at the OECS Commission. Holds post graduate degrees from universities in Wales, Dublin and Florida. Has done pastoral work in the parish Monchy for the past 20 years.
Gerard Linus Calderon comes from Marchand. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies. A trained teacher he now works with the Ministry of Education as a District Counsellor. Involved with the youth ministry at the Sacred Heart Church in Marchand.
Anthony Louis comes from Gros Islet. A former civil servant who worked at the Government Printery and the Customs & Excise Department.Studied public administration with the Extra Mural Department of the University of the West Indies.A confirmation catechist.
Madison Stanislaus was born in Choiseul. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University where he studied Training Systems in Technical Education. Former lecturer at the Morne Technical College and deputy Principal and Coordinator of Continuing Education. A member of the St Joseph the Worker (Gros Islet) Parish Council and the Stewardship Committee.
Herald Wilson a graduate in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. Spent 48 years in civil aviation as Chief Air traffic Control Officer, Airport Manager, Deputy General Manager responsible for Airports, and Director General of Civil Aviation. Now retired, he still represents St Lucia, the OECS and CARICOM in civil aviation matters
“11 deacons were ordained in a historic ceremony at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.”
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Son-of-Man finally gave up that Muslim thing, and became a deacon. He is fifth in the above picture.