St. Teresa's Church, Guyana

 History of the parish really begins from 1955 when Fr. Alfred Ellis SJ was appointed assistant parish priest at Holy Rosary parish in Kitty. Fr. Britt Compton SJ was the parish priest at Holy Rosary Church from 1954 to 1958. Fr. Ellis had been stationed in Mahaica but had been suffering blackouts so it was thought better not to leave him on his own. Fr. Britt adapted the presbytery at Kitty to accommodate a second priest and was glad to hand over to him the work of establishing a new parish in Campbellville.

During the time of Fr. Pearson, parish priest before Fr. Britt, between 1953-1954, a land had been acquired behind the site of a proposed new school. A ‘ready-made’ Church building had also been acquired from the American Air force who had donated their chapel from their base at Atkinson field. This had been dismantled and reconstructed on the new site and this stands sturdy to date.

While living in the presbytery at Kitty, Fr. Alfred Ellis spent most of his time in Campbellville, going off after breakfast on his motorcycle, returning for lunch and then going back in the afternoon after a short nap. Eventually he set up a partition behind the altar of the Church to create a room, which he could use for the siesta, and eventually take-up residence there. In this way the Church at Campbellville comes to existence under the leadership of Fr. Alfred Ellis making him the first parish priest from 1955 to 1960. This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the parish. As we remember this milestone, we would like to thank God for his blessings on the parish community at St. Teresa’s.

A number of priests have served in the parish either as Parish Priests or Assistant parish priest.

St. Teresa’s Catholic Church

Parish Priests

1. Fr. Alfred V. Ellis SJ                                                               1955-1960

2. Fr. Terence Petry SJ                                                              1960-1963

3. Fr. Michael Rose SJ                                                                1963-1966

4. Fr. Alfred V. Ellis SJ                                                               1966-1970

5. Fr. Aloysius Church SJ                                                         1970-1974

6. Fr. John Smith                                                                         1974-1976

7. Fr. Joseph Mahase                                                                 1976-1977

8. Fr. Michael Rose                                                                     1978-2006

9. Fr. Jerri Dias SJ                                                                        2015-

Auxiliary Priests

1. Fr. Bernard Gardner SJ                                                                         1970-1974

2. Fr. J. Hopkinson SJ                                                                 1970-1974

3. Fr. Keith Hardless                                                                 1970-1974

4. Fr. Jerome Kellawan                                                            1976-1977

5. Fr. H.A. Cromwell                                                                  1976-1977

6. Fr. Terrence Montrose                                                        1976-1977

The parishioners fondly remember Fr. Michael Rose as a priest of simplicity, humility and deeply prayerful person. His passing away in 2008 after a brief illness saddened the parishioners and in his memory a stone was erected in the Churchyard.

There are other priests who served this Parish as (acting) parish priests over the years who have not been mentioned above, especially during the years of Pastoral Area model was operating until July 10, 2015 when Fr. Jerri Dias SJ was appointed Parish Priest by His Lordship Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB.

The first recorded baptism took place 2 October 1955 of Rawle John Benn and was administered by Fr. Alfred Ellis SJ. The first recorded Sacrament of Marriage of Alfred Piggott and Caroline Weekes was performed on 24^th June 1956 at the then called the Catholic Church Campbellville, which was in the marriage district of Plaissance in the County of Demerara. Fr. Britt Compton SJ witnessed this marriage.

Ever since, the Church of St. Teresa’s has been growing leaps and bounds with the help of committed laity in the parish. There used to be three Masses on Sundays in the early 1960’s, namely, 6:30am, 8:00am and 6pm. Currently, the parish has two Masses on Sundays; 8am and 6pm. There are different ministries have been active since its inception, such as, Ladies of Charity, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Youth, Liturgy, Extraordinary Minsters of the Holy Communion, Choir, Decoration, and Catechism. This way the Church has been actively involved in promoting our faith in the area. In 1969, there was the Adoration Society in the parish. This was to encourage different persons and families to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. A small form this was reintroduced again in the parish when we have half hour adoration every Friday in the Church. The parish has been able to reach out to the people of Sophia especially Fr. Jerri Dais, along with a few parishioners have been celebrating Mass in the Sophia Housing Scheme every third Sunday of the Month. This is not enough because the needs in this area is mammoth since, Sophia contains juvenile detention centre and Sophia care home.

Presently, the Church of St. Teresa’s is known as ‘garden church’ because of its lush green garden and eye soothing flowers in the Churchyard. The parish has committed Parish Council. Mr Gavin Agard is the coordinator of the Council. We have about 97 children attending the Sunday school and are staffed by committed teachers.

Compiled by;

Fr. Jerri Dias SJ

St. Teresa’s Church

Source: Letter and Notices (Fr. Britt’s memoirs)

A brief History of the Church of the Holy Rosary

Baptism, marriage, and other records of the Parish

Holy Rosary Church, Guyana

 This year marks the 120 years of the Church of the Holy Rosary in Kitty. I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be the priest in charge of this Church. I am humbled to be part of this great catholic heritage. I would like to highlight a few milestones of this parish Church. I have taken the historical happenings from the “A brief History of Church of the Holy Rosary and St. Anthony”, compiled for the centenary of the parish.

The village, Kitty, was really the area from the Seawall to David Street. From David Street to Shell Road was known as Alexanderville. Kitty was named after the daughter of the then owner of La Penitence Estate Limited of which Kitty was a part. Kitty was surveyed in 1842 under the name Prince Edward Town and later declared a county in 1847. Alexanderville was originally a cotton plantation while Kitty was a sugar plantation. Our parish embraces areas North of the Old Railway Line on Station Street up to Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara and East of Vlissengen Road to the Seawall.

The Early Church: The Church of the Holy Rosary and St. Anthony was originally built and established in David Street, five lots West of Pere Street in 1897. Church records reveal that the first marriage, which was celebrated between Mathalia Azavado and Manuel Correia, took place on May 28, 1897. The first baptism was recorded on August 28, 1897, while the first death took place in March 1898; it was that of Mr Joseph Joaquim.

The Church in what was regarded as upper David Street, was removed some nine years later on what was described as ‘an unusually cool afternoon.’ Bishop Compton Galton blessed the lots at 13 and 14 David Street, Alexanderville and laid the cornerstone for the new building to be erected. A Rosary festival was planned for the occasion.

The contractor who had been given the job of shifting the Church was Mr James Carlisle. On the occasion of the laying of cornerstone, a bicycle was presented to the Church for the convenience of its Missioner by the Hon. J.J. Nunan.

New Location: December 8^th, saw the completion of Mr Carlisle Contracts and after settling his debts, Fr. Cooskey SJ was left with approximately $5 in hand. The gates were still to be painted along with sections of the new building.

Soon after the laying of the cornerstone of the new Church, with much more to be done in the line of painting, decoration and general furnishing tips to be added, Bishop Galton celebrated Pontifical High Mass at the new site. The date of this first Mass is given as January 2, 1907.

Second Church Building: It was from the notes made by Fr. Thomas Smith that it was easier to glean that it became necessary to construct another building after excessive damage was done to the original building by termites. Fr. Smith described the original building as ‘quaintly attractive, but too small.’ In order to solve the problem of the size, additions to the existing building were made. This began during the Lent of 1927 and was completed with twenty new benched by Whitsuntide in June of that year.

Catholic School in Kitty: The first official Catholic School in the Parish was opened on January 4, 1932 with fifteen pupils in attendance and two teachers. Prior to this, the school had been carried on by an 85-year-old school mistress at her home. St. Winefride’s School was written across the front of the building. In 1935 at the request of Fr. Payne, Sr. Mary Teresa Cummins R.S.M. and a companion took over St. Winefred’s private school in Kitty Village. One year later in 1936, Kitty Catholics had the privilege of owning a large school erected in Newtown, Kitty. His Lordship Bishop Weld wrote that he had just completed a shcol for 300 children. Currently, the school is owned and operated by Government but still remains in Newtown, Kitty.

Other Structures: The presbytery was built in 1939 and Fr. Shorrocks was the parish priest who organised the collection of funds for the building. The presbytery has been enlarged many times but still remains attractive with its wooden appearance. The Church Hall was originally constructed entirely from zinc except for its floor. As a result it is popularly referred to as the Zinc House.

The burial ground in Kitty was used for the Catholics and Hindus. Three-fourths was used for Hindus and the parish used one-fourth of the plot on Thomas Street, Kitty. Currently, the ground is unused and it’s taken over by bushes and water.

Seminary: Fr. Terrence Montrose moved in at Kitty to help out in December 1975. St. Paul’s Seminary had been closed down and the one seminarian, Vincent La Cruz came to live at the Presbytery at Kitty. Fr. Montrose was the rector of the seminary, which was housed here for four years. Fr. Montrose recalls Mr John Fernandes, Snr. attending daily Mass, sometimes serving and he was one of the first lay readers. After Kitty became centre for diocesan vocations, the presbytery was renovated to accommodate the parish needs and it was completed in 1976.

Current Church building: The building erected in 1927 was used until June 29, 1980 when His Lordship Bishop Benedict Singh blessed the cornerstone for the new building. The cornerstone was installed below the new one. The new Church building was designed by Mr John Lewis of the parish along with Fr. Keith Hardless and was completed in August 1980. Mr Bunny Fernandes undertook the supervision of this new Church.

Titbits of the Parish: In December 1974 the newly imported Baptism Font was received and former font was sold to St. Teresa’s Church, Campbellville for $80. The large Priest’s Chair was designed by Fr. Alan Fortune SJ at a cost of $300 and came to us through the agency of Mr Bunny Fernandes, free. During the “Holy Year” (1974) Nine Bishops of the Caribbean visited Guyana and concelebrated Mass at Kitty on November 25, 1974; the main celebrant was His Lordship Bishop Lester Guilly SJ. “There were 176 people present – a disappointing crowd”, wrote Fr. De Caires. 

The Church of the Holy Rosary has grown leaps and bounds. The parishioners keep the faith alive through their generous sharing of their faith and resources. The unity in diversity has been key to the success of this parish. The legacy of the Church has been handed down to the present generation who keep it alive and burning. Let us pray for the parish as it completed 120 years of its existence. 

Cafeteria Christianity

 The world witnessed a worse protest in Charlottesville when neo-Nazis marched in the streets with Nazi flags and torches. This not only stunned the world but also made everyone aware that the tendency to do is rampant in our society. A specific photograph of the protest that went viral intrigued me, the photo of a police officer, who seems, protecting the neo-Nazis. I was dazed when I blow the picture to read a few Biblical references in a placard hoisted by a protester. One of the references is from the Gospel of John 8:31-47. This protester obviously seems to have looked up on Google for an apt Biblical reference to match his ideology of anti-Semitism. He has not done an in-depth study of the scripture to deduct as to what Jesus is speaking.

In the above-mentioned Scripture, Jesus and Jews are having a heated discussion about Abraham and his descendants. Jews were aggravated to hear from Jesus that if they make Jesus’ word their home, they will be His disciples who will then learn the truth and the truth will make them free. Then the matter of freedom annoys the Jews even more because they were never slaves as the descendants of Abraham. What Jesus tries to explain is, if anyone commits sin is the slave of sin. Sin will bind us but Son will free us from sin.    

Let me now come to the real topic of my discussion. “Cafeteria Catholicism” is the term used by Michael Jone’s, Fidelity Magazine in 1986. Richard Holloway did another use in an interview in Third Way in 2001, “You get cafeteria Christianity, a kind of shopping for ideas you approve of. They turned out to be right for the wrong reasons, because I think that once you admit that there are in Scripture large sections that by our standards are not just inappropriate but scarcely moral – such as the justification of slavery.” 

The term, “Cafeteria Christianity” has taken root in the society today. I had written an article a while ago, in which, I had mentioned about Convenient Christianity or another term that I think of is, Bookshelf Christianity. In Cafeteria Christianity, one picks and chooses as if sliding our food tray along a cafeteria’s counter, referring to some Christians’ making a personal selection of Christian teaching. One picks and chooses the stuff that one wants and rest he discards it. The term implies that an individual’s professed religious belief is actually a proxy for their personal opinions rather than an acceptance of Christian doctrine. This is what happened when Charlottesville protester chose that the Scripture to match his ideology to distance the Jewish community. In his case, he chose to reject whole scripture and embrace only the parts that he liked. In this way, he would have left out the full Christian precept and tried to validate his advocacy of a different precept entirely.

In our post-modern times, the texts that we read have put ample emphasis on so called ‘cherry-picking theology’ where one chooses to propose an argument to sensationalize without adequate analysis although not all. Generally, cafeteria Catholicism is applied to Catholics who dissent from Roman Catholics moral teaching on issues such as abortion, birth control, premarital sex, masturbation or homosexuality. The term has been in use since the issuance of Humanae Vitae.

Cafeteria Christianity can also be applied to the people who choose religious duties as and when it pleases them, in other words, follow religious duties whenever it is convenient. Hence, making God and His teachings negotiable according to our whims and fancies. This way one limit God to only mere human faculties and do away with God’s incomprehensive power over humanity. It is significant to be aware of ourselves and our relationship with God, so that we may not be “Cafeteria Christians”, rather, we might truly be Christians make Christ as the focus of our lives both in times of challenges and joys.  

Being Priest: Who is he?

Last week, I had written about why do we need priests in the Church? This week, I would like to focus on who is a priest? It made me reflect, when an Anglican priest told me that he is doing a job; he has to apply seeing the classified on the newspaper for a vacancy in a parish. He is paid for his service in the parish by the diocese. This is not to compare Anglican and Catholic priesthood but just to reflect with you, what it means to be a priest? Most often, we come across priests as lecturers, professors, canons, doctors, singers, musicians, artists and so on. Is it important to have a profession or be man of God or may be both?

Not every professional can be a priest but every priest can be a professional. For instance, a physician cannot be a priest but a priest can be both priest and physician. That is called “being priest.” In other words, a priest is priest for every moment of his life. He is called to be priest every second of his life whereas a professional is not required to be in his profession whilst not on duty.

One of the persons told me that he does not want to see a priest who is less qualified than him to preach to him from the altar. The questions about qualification are an issue for some modern priests. It is significant to have qualified priests in our society today, in order to bring about the kingdom of God in an effective and a creative way. Our society needs priest of quality and all-rounders to an equitable dialogue with the most advanced world.

Pope Francis addressing the Catechists told that “catechist” is not a work but “be a catechist.” I think this suits my line of argument too, priesthood is not a job or a profession rather it is “being a priest.” Being a priest involves a deeper understanding of oneself and God. An inner depth of one’s knowledge about God and a deep experience of God through prayer and way of life will suffice my argument for pro priests. As St. Ignatius said, give me only your love and grace that is enough for me; true we have to grow in love and in grace of God and the rest will be given unto us.

Sometimes priest might have a temptation to think about their predecessors, that they have become popular, so I also must be popular. Thus follows every craze to be one. Why do I want to be popular? Pope Francis says, not to hail Pope’s name rather hail and recite Jesus’ name. This is the greatness of a person. One, who is last, will be first in the kingdom of God and one who is first, will be last. There will be a remote temptation and craving for titles, thus going to any extreme to get them. Priest’s life must not revolve around these worldly attraction and momentary greatness. Rather is in doing simple things like St. John Mary Vienne and St. Therese of Lisieux, we can glorify our God.

You are a priest forever, it is in ‘becoming priest’ we are accepted by the people of God. It requires a certain amount of dedication to prayer and a constant rapport with the people. A priest draws his inspiration from the Eucharist he celebrates and the church prayer that he recites every day. If this is true rest will fall in line; rest being a teacher, a professor, a physician, an artist and so on. A mediocre priest will find it hard in the long run to be able to work for the kingdom of God. A priest craving for attention and prestige sooner or later will drift along the current; however, there is always a temptation to be in the limelight. Soon people forget the sacraments and adore the priest because of his constant popularity and his work. This is exactly working against the will of God, where one seeks to be in the limelight whilst the centre-focus, Jesus and his church are side lined. This is just alarming and scandalous to the people of God.

Priests somehow have to watch and guard against this temptation of being workaholic to such an extent that one forgets he is priest forever. Craving for power, prestige and popularity can be an obstacle for the greater glory of God. Being a priest means, being a man of prayer and a man in constant touch with the people of God. 

Do you need Catholic Priests?

The one prayer that everyone can pray in this diocese is ‘Prayer for Vocations.’ This prayer has become very routine way of ending the Prayers of the Faithful. Has this prayer borne its fruits? Let us try to understand as to why we need priests in the Church? Can we manage without the priests? Why does the Church have priests?

Holy Orders is the Sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: Episcopate, Presbyterate, and Deaconate in other words, Bishop, Priest and Deacon.

Priest is a man of the Eucharist: The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and the celebration of the Eucharist is central for the Church. Priest celebrates the Eucharist in persona Christi. There is an unbreakable bond between the Eucharist and the priest. Priesthood becomes fulfilled when he celebrates the Eucharist.

Priest is a man of prayer: ‘I nourish you with what I myself live on,’ St. Anselm said. The proclaimed truths must be discovered and adopted in the intimacy of prayer and meditation. Our ministry of the word consists in expressing what was first prepared in prayer. Priest is the mediator between God and men; many turn to him asking for prayers. Thus prayer, in a certain sense, ‘creates’ the priest, especially as Pastor.

Identity as priest: Many priests wondered whether priest is necessary in the face of secularisation and the abandonment of religious practices. Therefore, priest wondered about the identity. From the start, as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews wrote, the priest was ‘taken from among men and made their representative before God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.’ This is the best definition of the priest’s identity. Every priest, according to the gifts bestowed upon him by the Creator, can serve God in various ways and with his priestly ministry, can reach various sectors of human life, and bring them closer to God.

Fidelity to Christ and the people of God: Priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Priests fulfil their vocation by trusting in God’s support and constantly striving for holiness. Through the deep friendship with Christ, a priest becomes a bridge between God and His people. Therefore, a priest seeks the flock of God with love and mercy by cultivating the tranquil conviction that the One who began the work will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

The priest has a specific role in the parish community as pastor and leader. His primary role would be to pastor the people of God through the celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacraments. Thence, the priest pastors the community on behalf of the Local Bishop, who appoints him as the parish priest. The Second Vatican Council recommends, "Parish priests ensure that the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice is the center and culmination of the entire life of the Christian community" (Decr. Christus Dominus, n. 30). Without Eucharistic worship as its beating heart, the parish dries up.

In conclusion, I would like to urge every Christian to offer up to the Lord our priests in this diocese, both local and foreign. It is a crucial moment for the Church as the world is gliding towards secularism, pluralism and non-religionism. The human society has reached a state of freedom, which is a good virtue but use of freedom to meet one’s venal motives can be detrimental to the entire human family. The religious sentiments have become weaker and Gospel values have become archaic and persons tend to depend on their own ability and reason. The honest priests and genuine religious-oriented persons must be able to guide our human family to God through one principle, love of God and love of neighbor. This would not be easy task since our world values collide with the values of the Gospel.  If we say, we don’t need priests or we can manage without them, then you can ignore my article because this article has come straight from my heart, because I do value the significance of honest and committed priests. 

Solar Eclipse, motivation to reflect and learn

Now that the Solar Eclipse has occurred on the face of the universe, I would like to make some observations even though I am not an astronomer and have not seen the eclipse either. My observations might have a touch of rational and religious facet, because, there is a thin line between reason and religion or science and spiritual. I would like to add a little flavour to the natural phenomena with super-natural phenomena without undermining the natural element.

Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, a planetary scientist and the director of the Vatican Observatory, and also an expert in asteroids and meteorites, made an interesting mention in the Time Magazine on Thursday, August 17. He says, “this phenomenon of the solar eclipse must remind us of the immense beauty of the universe, which occurs outside our small world of our occupations. It takes us away from our own world to remind us that we are part of a great, glorious and beautiful universe. The meaning of any phenomenon comes with enquiries and we can approach this phenomenon spiritually to bring meaning to our lives irrespective of our traditions. Ask yourself, what are the questions that rise in me? and answer these in your own heart first.”

Brother Guy reminds that Mother Mary pondered everything in her heart and she did not take on to write theology about what she pondered in her heart. She simply took time to reflect and meditate on realities of life and this way she understood the plan of God for her. We too need to spend time to reflect and mediate in our hearts and ponder and savour them in our hearts first before we make a public extravaganza.

Brother Guy remarked that the solar eclipse is not something to be worshipped or fear but it is something to enjoy and be able to ponder to wonder. I was pondering, how would it feel to be under the shadow of the moon but unfortunately I was not lucky as people in Kentucky to be under the shadow of the moon. I guess, it would not be extraordinary in the sense of the being under a shadow, but very fact that you are under the shadow of the moon, is something super extraordinary. I would have pondered and cherished those moments of shadow on me. My expression would have been more poetic if that happened to me or “to God be the Glory.”

My way of looking at this experience will be different than others, because I believe that God has a way to show his grandeur more concretely through the natural occurrence. God chose to make this rational universe so that we can predict this natural occurrence with great precision, although not every natural phenomenon can be predicted with precision. We, as humans grasp the natural phenomenon through our senses as much as we could but beyond our senses, the universe remains speculative reality. In other words, we see the universe and its contents differently, such as, poet might not look at the universe as a cosmologist would look at it. Therefore, it is important for us to reflect on natural phenomenon keeping supernatural reality on the hindsight. If we try to separate these two realities, we will ignore what is beyond our comprehension. We are fortunate to gaze the solar eclipse through our senses. This eclipse has to help to live in peace and harmony because we live under the same sun and its shadow. This also must motivate us to learn more through scientific and spiritual mind.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage us to be meditative and simply ponder the events that occur in the universe. Some events would be once-in-a-life time experience so savour those moments that nature show us. Nature is the best teacher and nature can teach us that God is ever present in us. Nature has its own rhythm, which must help us to respect nature and its ways of functioning. As Christians, we are privileged to have known and experienced God in our day-today lives, and more specifically in the day-today functioning of the universe.