The D’Abadie chapel will officially be dedicated to Our Lady of All Nations on Sunday, June 1 and it will be the only church in the western hemisphere to be so named.

Archbishop Gilbert will be the chief celebrant at the Mass which begins at 10 a.m. There will be one hour of Marian worship before Mass. All are invited.

The chapel is located at the corner of Winroy Drive and Mausica Road, two streets from the Priority Bus Route when heading north from the Churchill Rooseevelt Highway. The turnoff from the highway is before the new Pricemart building.

The only other place where the Lady of All Nations is highlighted is at the southern side of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway just east of the UWI intersection; there is a massive billboard that proclaims the prayer and image of the Lady of All Nations.

It has been a long road - a marvellous journey in faith - while we awaited official clearance, and we are thankful to Archbishop Gilbert for staying the course with us regarding the acceptance of the title.

The D’Abadie Catholic community, according to verbal records, first started services 36 years ago at the D’Abadie Government School. This location was used until 2002 when the new chapel was put to use after its blessing on October 18 that year by Vicar General Msgr Christian Pereira.

From the start, we were attached to the Church of the Holy Spirit, Malabar, which was the mother church. Mother she certainly has been, providing support in every aspect once it was required. We have established social and spiritual bonds over the years. We know these will last and will be of use in our future work for the Lord.

At present, with the reorganisation and regrouping of churches in the Eastern Vicariate, we are now linked with the Church of the Incarnation, Maloney, and Lady Seat of Wisdom, Mausica Village. It is a change we most welcome and to which we are still happily adapting.

Fr George Lewis, our current parish priest, always challenges us to become holy as our Heavenly Father is holy. Since he has assumed duties, we now have Holy Mass at 9.30 a.m. every Sunday.

Catholics in the area who would previously have gone to other nearby churches for weekly Mass are now coming to the Lady of All Nations for spiritual upliftment.

We need to acknowledge the unwavering support of our own renowned mariologist, Professor Courtenay Bartholomew, during the entire journey. He was always confident that the name was secure. He continues to be with us and spoke to our congregation on the Lady of All Nations on May 4.

One of the other activities held in preparation not only for the dedication but for Pentecost, was a May 5-9 crusade at Maloney Mall, starting each night at 7.00 and involving all the parish communities.

On behalf of the D’Abadie faithful we would like to thank the following priests who have served the community over the years: Fr David Oliverre (who started it all 36 years ago); Frs La Cruz, Cyril Ross (RIP), Allan Ventour, Michael Moses (RIP), Joseph Heffernan OP, Gregory Mc Lawrence,CSSp, and Dwight Black OP.

Special thanks also to Frs Lorcan Murray OP and Anthony Roddy OP (RIP) and Fr Pat Bascio CSSp who assisted over the years.

We thank the many priests and lay faithful who have visited us during the years for retreats and other activities.