For those of us who are not aware, the Church at St Mary’s Junction in Carapichaima has a lot of history and stories behind it - 100 years of experience and history.

April 2007 marked the start of celebrations for the parishioners of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish under the theme of 100 years of Faith, Fellowship and Service, as One Community, One Family and One Body.

It is often said that we must know whom we are and where we came from in order to know where we are going. Allow us to take you on a journey of the faith, fellowship and service in the Parish of Carapichaima.

Our history

Fr Timothy L Bresnan laid the foundation stone of the church Our Lady of Mount Carmel Carapichaima on July 31, 1906. The new church was solemnly blessed on July 23, 1907. During this time the parish priest of Couva administered the Carapichaima community.

In those days, Mass was celebrated on the first and third Sundays at 7:00 a.m. and the second and fourth Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Fr Bresnan established a “Catholic Mutual Friendly Society” as well as a “Society of the Children of Mary” in 1903. Fr Bresnan died in 1909 and his tomb lies under the present sanctuary.

Fr J Busert was appointed parish priest of Couva in October 1912. In 1914, the primary school had an enrolment of 105 students and was administered by head teacher Jobity C Paul.

On March 6, 1960 the Church administration changed with the appointment of the first parish priest of the newly established Carapichaima Parish: Father Sydney Charles, who is no stranger to us and is now Bishop Emeritus of St George’s-in-Grenada. All who knew him in the parish still fondly remember him.

The new parish comprised the communities of Carapichaima, Todd’s Road, Caparo and Mamoral. Some time later the community of Mamoral became part of the Gran Couva parish and Chickland became part of Carapichaima.

There was no presbytery at the church so Fr Charles initially resided in a home opposite the Police Station. The parish has been quite fortunate as it was exposed to various forms of spirituality in the persons of Diocesan, Benedictine, Jesuit and Dominican priests.

Some significant milestones:

1960 – 1969 – Fr Sydney Charles – Built the first presbytery and the Mamoral School/Chapel
1969-1971 – Fr Ignatius Oudshoorn, OSB – Built the Caparo Primary School, which also served as the Chapel.
1971 – January 1972 – Fr. Christopher Theunissen, OSB – Responsible for the construction of the present church building at St Mary’s Junction after the 67-year-old church was severely damaged by tropical storm Alma in 1974.
1982 – June 1987 – Fr AJ Lawrence, SJ, a native of India - Introduced the Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague as well as cricket matches between fathers and youths on Father’s Day.
July 1987 – August 1989 – Fr Michael Hayden, OP – Instrumental in locating the parish office in its present location (downstairs the presbytery) to facilitate those who had difficulty in manoeuvring the stairs. He also introduced the Divine Office and started the Novena to St. Martin de Porres.
September 1989 – December 1994 – Fr AJ Fardy, OP – Introduced the Novena to St Jude and was instrumental in the building the church at Caparo.
April 1995 – May 1996 – Fr Allan Ventour – served as a weekend priest from April 1995 to May 1996, during which time eight seminarians spent two months working in the community as part of their Pastoral Ministry training.
June 1996 – June 2000 -Fr Joseph Jubrajsingh – Introduced the steelband to the parish, and organised several tours to parishes within Trinidad and St Lucia where the band played at several Masses and Christmas celebrations. Fr “Joobs”, as he was fondly known, also built the Church in Todd’s Road and was known for his delicious preserved fruits and vegetables, which he sold to supplement parish income.
November 2000 – July 2001 – Fr Michael Makhan – Served at weekend Masses during this period as well as at different times afterwards, during the absence of a priest. He introduced the Legion of Mary as well as the Prayer for vocations and he reintroduced the Good Friday Penitential walk in the parish.
August 2001 – September 2002 – Fr Emmanuel Pierre  - Introduced the parish newsletter.
September 2002 – December 2003 – Fr Paul Jesuraja, SJ, another native of India, reintroduced the Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague as well as a Eucharistic Holy Hour before First Friday Evening Mass.
2004 – Establishment of the Pre-Seminary Facility under the patronage of St Kizito – the youngest of the Uganda Martyrs.
January 2004 – Present – Fr Derek Anton  - With Fr Anton, First Friday Devotions were increased from one hour to two hours of Eucharistic Adoration, and later Adoration was also added to third Fridays. Initiatives were established for more involvement and participation from the communities of Caparo, Todd’s Road and Chickland. One-Hour Devotion was also introduced to pray for vocations after Mass every Tuesday evening.

In addition to the contributions made by the priests over the years lay persons have also played and still play a significant role in the pastoral care and development of the parish.

With the construction and relocation of the new RC primary school in 1999, the former Infant Department of the school became the Parish Hall - the place where parish group meetings and other Church events take place.

100th anniversary events

Following the theme, a committee was convened to plan programmes and events centred around our Blessed Mother, Mary, as well as to celebrate the gift of life within the Church in both its past and present members, and looking towards the future.

Celebrations kicked off on Sunday, April 22 with a presentation on Marian Cenacles by Sr Enda Mc Namara. During the month of May all enjoyed “Marian Activities”, which included talks, video presentations by the Carmelite Sisters and Fr John Theodore, and a Mothers’ Day breakfast. The Parish Family Fun Day took place on June 3,while the Fathers vs Youth Cricket Match took place on Fathers’ Day.

On Sunday July 22, which fell between the date of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel (July16) and the date of the 100th Anniversary of the blessing of the church (July 23), we highlighted our centennial celebrations with a Thanksgiving Mass with Archbishop Edward J Gilbert as the chief celebrant.

Bishop Sydney Charles concelebrated the Mass as well as priests who had served within the parish, and as those from within the Central Vicariate. A mini concert and awards function followed and commemorative items, such as mugs and T-shirts were on sale. Feast Day bookmarks were given out to all who attended the event.

Still to come are activities which include a Parish Cookout for ”Parishioners who can Cook”, which is carded for October, as well as the launch of an Art and Craft Competition, a “Know your Faith” quiz, and the publication of a Parish Cookbook.

During this month the Quiz and Art Competitions will take place, followed by an exhibition and prize-giving ceremony. Holy Mass for parishioners who passed away over the last 100 years will take place during the month of November.

Photos of deceased members are being requested for a photo mount. The Closing Mass for the year’s Anniversary celebrations and the Parish Annual Christmas Dinner will take place on Friday, December 28, 2007.

As we celebrate this year, and we look over the past, we are reminded of the giftedness and strength with which Almighty God has endowed us.

In faith we renew our resolve, and ask God’s guidance as we look towards the future, with renewed hope, seeking to build a community that is rooted in faith and prayer, a community that is at one in its objective of becoming more and more a united Body of Christ.