The Aug 12 issue of the Catholic News carried a picture of Victor and Anastasia Phipps, joyfully dispensing advice on how to create and maintain a good marriage at the St Charles parish Family Life Unit’s celebration of the feast of SS Joachim and Anne.

That very weekend following the feast day celebration (July 26), at 1.00 a.m. on Sunday morning, the marriage of their 32- year-old daughter Wanda, was brought to a cruel and screechingly abrupt end by a would-be bandit’s bullet. Her husband was 36 years old.

Victor and Anastasia both grew up in Tunapuna, got married there, baptised their children there, and those children in turn got married there.

In fact, Wanda and her husband Ricardo Carmona were married at St Charles church just three years ago. Both Victor and Anastasia belong to various ministries in the parish. It is only natural therefore that the parish mourns with them and for them.

Every night since Sunday 12, various groups from various ministries have been visiting the home to give prayer support and stand in solidarity with the family. At the funeral on Thursday, August 9, the large church at St Charles was filled to capacity.

Parish priest, Fr Reginald Hezekiah who conducted the service himself, encouraged forgiveness rather than anger and hatred. He eased the embarrassment of many young footballers – Ricardo’s peers who wept openly – by reminding us that Jesus wept at the death of his friend.

He alleviated the pain of the many friends, relatives and parishioners by reminding us that those who die in Christ will rise again and he prayed that God would comfort the relatives, especially Wanda.

The people of St Charles parish recognise that this could have been any one of us. Our prayer intercessors, both parish and Social Justice are lifting up the family in prayer, while the parish mourns and begs the Father to heal our sadly twisted land.

The Phipps and Carmona families have asked that their deep and sincere appreciation be conveyed to all those who supported them in any way.

To the people of the parish, they would like to say that they have experienced the Father’s loving touch through the hands of his people in Tunapuna.

They say thanks and pray that God may bless you all and keep you safe.