The Regional Seminary School of Continuing Studies celebrated its graduation with a Mass and luncheon at the Seminary chapel at Mount St Benedict on Friday, July 28.

Chief celebrant at the Mass was Msgr Michael de Verteuil, Seminary rector, with Fathers Robert Llanos and Ferdinand Warner OP concelebrating.

Photos by Kelene Blake and Irtha Daniel

Msgr de Verteuil, in his homily, stressed the importance of building one’s spiritual knowledge to the graduates, so that they could be better able to minister to and share with fellow Catholics, and all children of God.

Sr Kathy Joseph OP and Mervin Alexander provided the music at the Mass.

There was the “Passing of the light” ceremony carried out by Mary Marcano, and participating were both first and second year students. After communion, Ms Marcano gave the vote of thanks, and Dr Everard Johnston and Msgr De Verteuil handed out graduation certificates.

This year’s graduates were Sister Joanne Brown, Ian Camacho, Rhoda Guerra, Merle John, Judith Lee, Mary Marcano, Sr Allison Mitchell, O Carm, Sister Carmen Ollivierre, O Carm and June Ann Pinkerton.

Catholic News spoke with some of this year’s graduates about their plans and goals for the future:
Rhoda Guerra, who is a teacher, said she would use what she learnt to help people understand and realise that they have a “very rich inheritance” as God’s children. She also stated that this course had helped her to deepen her  “knowledge base of God”.

Ms Marcano plans to incorporate what she learnt into Confirmation classes, where she ministers.

Ian Camacho stated that he learnt some very important things about youth psychology, which he plans to use for his active ministry. Mr Camacho also said he learnt a lot of the history of the Catholic Church, which helped him to better understand its teachings.

After Mass there was a special luncheon and gift-giving ceremony to officially end the graduation celebration.