Fr Joseph Harris – a priest of love and compassion; of deep social conscious; of hard work. He is a priest for the family, and a tremendous inspiration to anyone contemplating the priesthood. He is, to many here and overseas, a good priest.

These were the words used to characterise the St Ann’s parish priest and Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal as he celebrated the 40th anniversary of his priestly ordination last Sunday, July 13. “Fr Joe”, as he is affectionately called, was ordained priest of the Congregation of Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) July 14, 1968.

Archbishop Gilbert, Fr Simon Sanchez, secretary at the Apostolic Nunciature, and some 10 other priests concelebrated the jubilee Mass. Seated in the congregation were Fr Harris’ immediate family, several Religious – Cluny, Dominicans, Carmelites – relatives, friends, co-workers, current and former parishioners of St Ann’s, Petit Valley and Arouca, and members of the Hispanic community resident in Trinidad. Many aspects of the liturgy were translated into Spanish.

In his homily, the archbishop praised Fr Harris for being flexible in his ministry at a time when priests were not prepared for change. Archbishop Gilbert remarked that Fr Harris was one of those who made adjustments to a post Vatican II Church, and in so doing “he touched the lives of others as he adjusted through study, prayer, reflection, listening and collaboration”.

He said the world today is far different to the one when Fr Harris was ordained. The world is more secularised, and in the Church itself, the people are more educated and have higher expectations of involvement in Church, he said. He urged the congregation to “remain alert to the world’s value system”. “Modern culture can’t be allowed to change the teachings of the Church… We have to be strong in our convictions.”

Fr Harris looks at his commemorative plaque presented by permanent diaconate candidate, Lennox Toussaint. Raymond Syms photo

He said after first arriving in the Caribbean, he had heard from others that Fr Harris was a good priest before meeting him. During the ensuing years, getting to know him as rector of the Regional Seminary, and on other occasions, he too had come to the conclusion: “Fr Joe Harris - he is a good priest”.

As he ended the sermon, Archbishop Gilbert invited the congregation to applaud the jubilarian, thanking him on behalf of the archdiocese for his 40 years of fidelity to the priesthood.

Following the meditation hymn, tributes were paid to Fr Harris by parishioner Donna Miles; Venezuelan Bertha Marcano-Sun Kow, who helped start Masses for the Hispanic community at Fatima College, celebrated by Fr Harris; and Fr Harris’ cousin, Gerry Richards, who spoke on his commitment to family life.

The most entertaining tribute though, capturing a bit of his biography and life interests, came from confirmation candidates Wendy Thomas, Blair Thompson, Tonnya Beddoe and Quinn Lougheide.

After being presented with a commemorative plaque, Fr Harris thanked his formators – including Fr Michel de Verteuil who sat in the sanctuary - and brother priests for their love and support. “They had a big hand in making me the person I am today.”

He considered Paraguay, where he served as a missionary from 1969 to 1982, as his “second home”. He had one request: “Pray for me. Support me with your prayers.”

Tassa drums rolled and refreshments were served as long lines formed to greet Fr Harris at the church entrance after the Mass. Many took the opportunity to write their greetings on a poster bearing images of Fr Harris as a young priest mounted near the church door. - RS