It may have been just another cool evening for the residents of San Fernando but it was a special evening for Wilfred and Kay Holder. At a Mass held on Monday, February 6, the couple received a papal award for their 30 years of spearheading the Family Life Commission. Although scheduled to celebrate the Mass, news of his mother's death prevented the Archbishop from attending the ceremony.

Fr Stephen Doyle OP, Vicar General of the Southern Vicariate, presided with concelebrants Frs Peter de la Bastide, Robert Llanos, Wilfred John, and George Pritchett. In his brief homily Fr Doyle highlighted the difficulties for couples to make time to both cement their bonds and engage in family life in today's busy world.

He said that throughout his ministry, Jesus' central focus had always been preaching and healing the sick and that through their involvement in the Family Life Commission's Retrouvaille and Engaged Encounter programmes, the Holders have “participated in that central focus of Jesus” through their outreach to others.

Feelings of genuine happiness and community spirit flowed through parishioners, friends and family as they witnessed the presentation by Fr Doyle to the Holders of their framed papal award and medals, the highest honour the Church can bestow on lay people.

In their address, the Holders expressed their condolences to the Archbishop. They spoke of their migration from Guyana and said they were made to feel welcomed in a new country by members of the Church.

They thanked friends and family for their support throughout the years and their encouragement in the Family Life ministry. They expressed happiness that so many people from all over Trinidad had come out to celebrate with them on this singular occasion and wished God's blessings on all.