“We need to build ourselves into a beautiful people, not just raise up new church walls,” Bishop Vincent Darius OP told Beaulieu Catholics October 15 as he blessed a wall plaque for their church under construction.

Bishop Darius blesses the Beaulieu church wall plaque. Fr Sean Doggett is at left, and Chris Ann Phillips, who unveiled the plaque, is at right. In the background are Frs Jimmy McDonnell and Jim Regan. Photo Bernard Daly

The first church in the Beaulieu area of St George’s, Grenada, was completed when the parish priest was Fr Justin Field OP, later Grenada’s first bishop. Archbishop Finbar Ryan of Trinidad blessed its cornerstone on September 20, 1953.

Because of Hurricane Ivan on September 7, 2004 it had to be demolished, and is the first Grenadian church being rebuilt from the floor upwards.

 “I know funds are hard to come by,” Bishop Darius said, indicating the unfinished walls under a new roof, “but it is harder to rebuild ourselves, to adjust the attitudes that keep us from being more loving. We are called to help build God’s kingdom here on earth.

“So, to be a good Catholic, it is not enough to come to church on Sundays. You have to do something good.

“You become good by doing good. There is always one more thing you can do.”
Fr Sean Doggett, Beaulieu parish priest, explained the new layout of the unfinished church, cleaned up for the October 15 blessing but not to be open until completed. It is hoped the church can be used again for Christmas, with full completion foreseen for early next year.

Also present were two former Beaulieu pastors, Frs Jimmy McDonnell and Jim Regan, and representatives of A’M Track Construction Ltd, the company rebuilding the church.

Chris Ann Charles was asked to unveil the new plaque before Bishop Darius blessed it. It is set in the wall above the stone blessed by Archbishop Ryan. Glen Phillip, chair of the parish pastoral council, opened and closed the official proceedings.