Father Noel Clarke was ordained a priest at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Nassau, Bahamas, on Tuesday, July 25 (The Feast of St James the Apostle).

The ceremony was attended by a cross section of the membership of the Archdiocese as well as overseas guests and other well-wishers.

The Ordaining Prelate was His Grace, the Most Reverend Patrick C Pinder, Archbishop of Nassau; the concelebrants included the priests of the Archdiocese of Nassau and visiting priests

Fr Noel Clarke is a graduate of both the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs, in Tunapuna, as well as U WI, St Augustine, where he studied theology and philosophy.

Further to his graduation in 2002 he completed an internship programme on Clinical Pastoral Education in Evansville, Indiana, U.S.A.  Noel was ordained to the Order of Deacon on January 17, 2006 at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Nassau, Bahamas.

Laying on of hands by Msgr. Michael DeVerteuil. At right is Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder.

Fr. Clarke with Msgr. Culmer, fellow seminarians and Trinbagonian well wishers living in The Bahamas

Among the visiting priests who participated in the ceremony was Monsignor Michael de Verteuil, Rector of the Regional Seminary, who confirmed Fr Noel Clarke’s successful completion of his studies in Trinidad and his readiness to commit his life to God’s service.

On Sunday, July 30, Fr Clarke celebrated his first Sunday Mass at the St Cecilia’s parish church, where he grew up and received his spiritual grounding.

This Mass was concelebrated with Monsignor Alfred Culmer, a former graduate of the Seminary.

Among those in attendance were his fellow seminarians from Jamaica, Dominica, The Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago, as well as a number of Trinbagonians living in The Bahamas.

We all give thanks to Almighty God for Fr Noel Clarke as God continues to send labourers into His vineyard.