“It far surpassed all expectations”. This was the comment of Fr Reginald Hezekiah, parish priest at St Charles Borromeo in Tunapuna, when asked how he felt about the Ministries Mini Expo hosted by his parish. Comments from visitors included “outstanding”, “impressive” and “fantastic”.

Ministries/booth presenters were ecstatic about the opportunity to educate the parish about what they did and who they were as well as to showcase their talents. Most of all they appreciated the possibilities offered to acquire new membership which was the main goal of the expo.

After two months of planning, the Expo took place at the newly renovated parish centre, before the Saturday and Sunday evening Mass, and after every Mass on the weekend of September 22-23, as well as after the blessing of the newly renovated church on the morning of Monday, September 24.

The week before the Expo, the parish buzzed with preparatory activity and there was an air of excitement pervading the entire parish, as every ministry active in the parish got ready.

Communications booth

Credit union booth

CCFC booth

Tunapuna FLU

Some ministries which were too small to carry a booth, combined to do so. For example, Men’s Ministry, Vocations and Home Visits by the parish priest presented together, displaying pictures of Fr Reggie and his team on a home visit as well as distributing prayers and literature on vocations.

The three choirs combined their presentation and so did all the catechetical departments. The Eternal Light Community presented all their various ministries in one large booth.

Most booths however, consisted on one table and the wall behind it. It was really amazing how innovative people were and what could be done with that little space.

Of course there were some slightly larger booths such as Stewardship with their computer display of “St Charles on the move” and Children’s Liturgy – story telling booth.

The youths occupied two tents in the yard where they showed movies, offered face painting among other things and generally enjoyed themselves.

Some really serious booths were the Legion of Mary complete with altar, the altar ladies displaying their mops and brooms and the Lay Tertiaries giving their history.

The Communications team took a page from the Caribbean School of Catholic Communications programme this year and used the movie “Happy Feet” as a teaching tool.

A lovely poster from the movie was on display and they pinned a paper disc carrying a lesson from the movie on everyone they could. One disc read, “I’m different. God has a special plan for me.” Another, “Sacrificial Love” and yet another “Community, Commitment, Solidarity.”

Many who had not seen the movie and could not appreciate the lesson have vowed to do so. Of course others were able to share other lessons which were not depicted, the most outstanding being perseverance.

On the last day of the Expo – Monday, September 24, after the blessing of the premises, every person who attended the Mass and/or Expo was treated to a hearty snack box and drink.

Various members of the parish community generously donated the ingredients and the 55plus and Hospitality teams lovingly put everything together and served it.

They are to be commended since everything tasted so well and the service was excellent. People have actually commented on how well they were treated.

The Expo organising team is gratified by the response to their initiative, from the ministries as well as the hundreds of visitors. Every booth carried a commitment form for those interested in joining up.

Whereas every booth got some volunteers, the 55plus team filled four sheets. Theirs was a back-in-times booth showing the old way of life; dirt oven, flat iron, chulha, belna, tawa, etc.

They also served boiled corn. Many are billing this, “The first St Charles Expo” and are hoping for a follow up. Thumbs up to Fr Reggie and his Expo team.