Once more the month of May brought me back to Tobago to be the guest of our dear Sisters of St Joseph, in Scarborough. My fond association with them goes back to 1975 when working for the Catholic News.

Their convent had been a place of refuge, year after year during my journalistic peregrination; for their kind hospitality and support I am most grateful to them.

It was in 1942 that the sisters of St Joseph of Cluny came to establish a school in Tobago. After humble beginnings, they launched themselves into the construction of a fine building on a hill above the RC church. It was blessed and inaugurated in 1967.

A succession of capable principals: Srs Annette, Myriam, Mary, Magdalen and Jean with the assistance of dedicated teachers contributed to the success of the St Joseph’s Convent Secondary School.

However, times changed for this private school, as well as for others in the same situation, when the Ministry of Education embarked in the construction of large school buildings in Tobago.

As time went on it became evident that, though the Government provided free school education for students their numbers in Tobago could never fill the classrooms of the new schools.

What could the private secondary schools do in such a situation if not to close down? This is what the Sisters of St Joseph did in 2005. What to do with the building? That remained the pending question.

Then a decision was taken by the Superiors of the Sisters to move out of the large school building and to build a house for themselves next to it.

The former St Joseph's Convent School in Bacolet, destined to become the Tobago Retreat/Pastoral Centre

The Scarborough harbour as seen from the top floor of the building. Photos by Tony Abraham

This major work was entrusted to Sr Anne Marie who had given proof of her capabilities in construction at the St Xavier’s Preparatory School in St Joseph, Trinidad. Once more she succeeded and the new convent was blessed and inaugurated in 2004.

Previous to this had been the 2003 Archdiocesan Synod. In the course of its sessions, the Tobago delegates made their voices heard loud and clear when they stated: “The Catholic Church in Tobago has no suitable venue for its pastoral programmes and retreats.

Catholics in Tobago have to journey to Trinidad to engage in such activities. So we want a Retreat/Pastoral Centre in Tobago”. Their voice was heard, indeed, at the Synod and a Resolution (No 17) was thus formulated; “Be it resolved that the Archdiocese establish a Retreat Centre in Tobago to cater for Catechetical Training, Bible Studies, Liturgical School of Evangelisation, Retreat Centre, Family Life, Regional and International Catholic Conferences and seminars.”

In Tobago, all Catholic eyes were turned to the former St Joseph’s Convent School. Could it become the Retreat Centre?

The writing of the recommendation had been easy enough, but its implementation was to be rather complex. The Archbishop said that the archdiocesan financial committee had no provision whatsoever for the heavy expenses of the transformation of the 40 year old school into a Retreat Centre. Therefore, if the Sisters were prepared to give the use of their school for the Retreat Centre, it would be up to them to find the funds to cover the expenses!

At the Superiors’ Conference in Tobago in 2006, the question of the Tobago Retreat Centre was debated. The Holy Spirit must have been much at work among them because the decision was taken in favour of the Tobago Retreat Centre in the former secondary school.

Catholics in Tobago were delighted and are doing all that they can to make this a reality. All that is left now is for the Sisters if to find the necessary funds to undertake the major works on the still solid school building. They are confident that the Holy Spirit will continue working for them.

The property of the Sisters of St Joseph consists of four acres of land in the Bacolet area. It overlooks the sea and the Scarborough harbour; just below is the St Joseph Roman Catholic Church and a main street of Scarborough.

When the grounds are adequately landscaped they will provide parking facilities and inspirational, scenic spots for contemplative prayer.

The structure of the building is still very strong. What will be needed will be the replacement of all windows and doors; the making of several sanitary blocks; checking on water and electrical systems; providing furniture like beds, tables and chairs, crockery and kitchenware; repainting the entire building in and out as well as repaving the yard and re-fencing of the entire property.

This will cost plenty money – money that cannot come from Tobago alone. Trinidad has to join and even countries from abroad in a spirit of Church solidarity.

Whoever is willing to contribute, even if it is only a widow’s mite, should contact Sr Regina Leiba, the present project coordinator, at St Joseph’s Convent, Cuyler Street, Scarborough, Tobago. Telephone 635-1925. Cheques should be made payable to St Joseph’s Convent (Retreat Centre) Tobago.

This Retreat/Pastoral Centre will be opened to all who desire to take time for making a spiritual retreat, for guidance, prayer and re-creation in an atmosphere of beauty, security and comfort. The Sisters of St Joseph are playing their part, let us support them for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the Catholic Church in Trinidad and Tobago.