A wonderful celebration of joy, praise and thanksgiving unfolded in Brickdam Cathedral on Wednesday, July 14 as Vicar General Fr John Persaud celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Fr John Persaud

Fr John’s mother and other relatives, many from overseas, joined the hundreds from across the pastoral area and further afield who filled the church for the occasion. Also crossing the ocean to be with Fr John was a number of former altar servers at the cathedral.

Fr John was the main celebrant; concelebrants included Bishop Francis Alleyne and a number of local priests. US-based deacon Joe Dass also made the trip back to his homeland for the Mass. Fr John's brother and nephew read the first reading and sang the responsorial psalm respectively.

Msgr Terrence Montrose (Fr Monty) began his homily: “Twenty-five years ago our country was in great turmoil. People were disillusioned and lost hope. On this 14th day of July a little over 25 years ago Fr Darke was murdered near to his work place on Brickdam. Our Church at that time was also in ferment. …. It was in this situation that a young man strode up these aisles, with signs of priestly office in hand dared to answer God’s call to serve. The bishop asked the congregation if he was worthy and it answered ‘Yes’. He asked John Derrick Persaud are you ready and willing. ‘Yes’ he replied. Twenty-five years have passed and he is still serving.”

Fr Monty reminded Fr John that the challenges persist in being great but encouraged him to continue to live and preach the gospel with the continued help of the parishioners, his friends, his family.

At the end of the Mass Fr John said that it was difficult for him to express how he felt. He acknowledged that without God’s grace he would not have been celebrating his 25th anniversary.

He also expressed his gratitude for what he called the “powerful support of (his) family right through to this moment,” and for the love and support of the faithful wherever he has been. He also recognised the assistance from Bishops Benedict Singh and Alleyne and from his brother priests.

Fr John was later presented with a silver plaque by the pastoral area, and a proclamation from the Westchester Board of Legislators, New York was read. It was piloted through by deputy chairman of the Board, legislator Lyndon Williams, who is a former altar server at Brickdam Cathedral.

-Edited from Catholic Standard