Gratitude to God, family and Church was expressed by Fr Clyde Harvey, Msgr Christian Pereira and his brother Abbot John Pereira OSB at their anniversary celebration of priestly ordination last Tuesday at Santa Rosa church, Arima.

Msgr Pereira, Vicar General and Santa Rosa parish priest, and well-known theologian Fr Clyde Harvey celebrated their 30th anniversaries; Abbot Pereira celebrated his 13th. Overall theme of the Mass was Gratitude and Vocations and chief celebrant was Archbishop Edward Gilbert.

Eight priests concelebrated, including Fr Michel de Verteuil - rector at the Regional Seminary when Msgr Pereira and Fr Harvey were studying to be priests - and Msgr Alfred Culmer of Nassau, Bahamas, who was a fellow seminarian.

Close family and other relatives of the jubilarians were seated in reserved front pews. Among those present were the priests’ mothers, Rita Pereira and Beryl Harvey, who sat together.

Arima Mayor Eustace Nancis, members of the Carib community in Arima – in tribal dress – and faithful from parishes served by the jubilarians were also present in the large congregation. A joint parish choir, directed by Winston Garcia from People of Praise Community, led the singing. Fr Christian Chambers proclaimed the Gospel.

In his homily, the archbishop spoke on aspects of the priesthood in the context of the readings chosen. He told the jubilarians that the celebrations were a time for thanksgiving to God, for being “grateful for their ministry and witness” and for a recommitment to the priesthood.

He said priests were the link “between the people and God”. When that role was performed with “joy and energy, the priest is a powerful witness to the people”, but when it was not, the people would notice. Archbishop Gilbert said it was essential then that a priest understand his role, and that the people understand the priest’s role.

Every priest, he continued, must also appreciate that “he depends on the strength provided by God”, and said the jubilarians have been able to persevere with God’s help to continue the care, service and shepherding of the people. This, he noted, was the best advertisement for the priesthood.

The message is this: love of God, love of Church, a willingness to be a shepherd, is an invitation to other potential shepherds.

The Archbishop said prayer was important for priests and they must plan their day in such a way so as “to explicitly find time to pray”. A priest must be totally committed to the people and exhibit total fidelity to the call of priestly ministry, he added.

Archbishop Gilbert thanked the jubilarians for their ministry in the Archdiocese and at the Mt St Benedict monastery and invited them to continue feeding themselves spiritually. “Commit yourself to ongoing growth and if you live that way, you will find happiness, meaning and peace,” he ended.

The jubilarians said a few words before the end of Mass. Abbot Pereira expressed thanks to all, but made special mention of his parents, Albert and Rita. He sang an ole-time calypso by Mighty Composer on parents, which had a few people singing along and applauding.

Fr Harvey thanked his family for their “prayerful support over the years”, and also those from whom he had learnt much. He singled out Errol Cooper “who taught us a lot in Laventille”. He asked the congregation to remember an ailing Cooper in their prayers.

He said during his sabbatical, “his pilgrimage”, he became convinced that there would be difficulties for the nation and the Church in the future. Fr Harvey said while the nation was seeing prosperity through its abundant oil, energy and gas, it was creating the danger of materialism.

He said that in spite of the challenges to be faced, we must all recommit ourselves “to the work of the kingdom, to the Church” and “the best that we can be”.

Floral bouquets were presented to the priests' mothers, Beryl Harvey and Rita Pereira by Confirmation candidates.

Msgr Pereira also had words of thanks for family, the Carib community, the Dominican community at Holy Cross, the Santa Rosa parish community – Arima, Mausica, Tumpuna Road, Aripo, Pinto, and Santa Rosa Heights – former parishioners and close friends.

He made special mention of a few married couples who have journeyed with him over the years, saying priests and married couples “need each other to help enrich the Church”.

Floral bouquets were presented to the jubilarians’ mothers, and a gift of fruits to the Archbishop. The chasubles worn by the jubilarians were their anniversary gifts.

Emcee for the celebration, Dr Hilary Bernard reminded the congregation that the monetary gifts offered during the Mass or given to the jubilarians would be used to support one Trinidadian seminarian for a year.

The trio greeted the congregation at the church entrance after the Mass.