On a grey day, which mirrored their mood, the people of San Fernando came out in their numbers on Tuesday, November 15, to bid farewell to Fr Clyde Harvey, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the “ Big Church ” of San Fernando .

Some 500 or more persons, including leaders of other religious denominations, specially invited guests, Fr Harvey's family, local ‘vagrants' and parishioners from the three communities of St Andrew Kaggwa (Vistabella), Christ the King (Les Efforts), and Our Lady of Perpetual Help gathered to honour this priest – a man tall of stature and big of heart, who in eight short years has woven himself into the fabric of our city and our lives.

Fr Clyde came to us reluctantly in 1997, but he soon responded to our southern hospitality and gradually recognised us for the “mosaic” (his word) that we are: people of many races, cultures and talents who worship and work together for the building up of the Church here in San Fernando.

One year, before he came to us as parish priest, Fr Harvey conducted our Lenten retreat. After speaking about the potter's clay, he ended the retreat by smashing a large clay pot at the entrance to the sanctuary.

He then invited us to take a piece home and reflect on it. Since then, I have seen him take us, those broken pieces, and re-mould us into vessels worthy to be used in the House of God.

Fr Harvey gives a hug to Carmen Magalhaes, parish finance officer

In gratitude for all that he has done for us, the parishioners of San Fernando decided that to celebrate Eucharist together would be the greatest form of thanksgiving.

And so it was that we came together on Tuesday, November 15 to do just that. Fr Matthew D'Hereaux and a pastoral team planned a liturgy that encompassed things dear to Fr Clyde's heart.

Mass began with the singing of the hymn Glory and Honour , and an impressive entrance of altar servers, ministers of the Eucharist, and thirteen priests including chief celebrant Monsignor Christian Pereira, a dear friend and colleague of Fr Harvey.

After a brief welcome by Msgr Christian, there was a special gathering rite ceremony during which prayers of thanksgiving were read and six candles were lit from the Paschal candle and taken to points in the Church where all persons received a light. These were raised aloft during the singing of Great is Thy Faithfulness and the Gloria.

Fr Harvey's sister Elffy Fritz read from the Lectionary after it had been brought through the congregation in dance.

The spirited singing of a combined choir from the three communities led us in worship. Joseann Walters sang the meditation Panis Angelicus , a favorite hymn of Fr Clyde, and so many others.

Before the recessional (aptly Tell of My Love to the Islands ) a number of tributes were paid to Fr Harvey. Linda Wyke spoke of how Father had grown during his tenure in the parish. Other persons who worked closely with Fr Clyde told of their experiences and the love and respect they came to have for him over time.

The students of St Gabriel's Girls RC School gave Fr Clyde a spiritual bouquet of 30,000 rosaries said on his behalf; and the various communities gave more tangible gifts.

After the very up-lifting liturgy, all present were invited to a sharing of refreshments on the Church grounds. The meeting and mingling of friends, old and new, spoke of the spirit of togetherness that Fr Harvey has managed to achieve in the parish.

And for one last time he was there amongst the people – his people, with whom he has shared his ups and downs, his wisdom and his love.

We in San Fernando will dearly miss our Father, our mentor, our friend. But as he goes on a well-earned break, we accompany him in spirit and prayer to that place of solitude where he can hear the voice of God and answer His call. We are proud to have been part of his life's journey.

By Linda Belmontes
Past Principal (Ag) St Gabriel's Girls' RC

Tall and stately and so very witty
None other than Reverend Father Harvey.
A man of integrity, purpose and dedication.
A man who is an asset to this nation.
Driven by a passion for helping de poor, and yuh know? How many does come knocking at he door?
When yuh want a job done in the wink of an eye
Man Father Harvey, is the man you bound to try,
He restore de church floor and de parish hall.
He even restore, we hearts and all.

People who long ago, to go to church used to grieve.
Now with the ambience and the décor, dey eh want to leave.
Father Harvey is a man who doh hide behind no pretext
Just ask his opinion and he go tell yuh it. Right in context.

Every year he does organise Heritage Festival
Because he very interested in all things cultural
And talking bout culture, yuh remember last Good Friday, on de hill

Well, Father Harvey didn't know he was in for such a thrill
A young man attacked him. He seemed to be crazy
Buh when he meet Father Harvey, he boil down like bhaji
Man, Father Harvey start to pray for him
And next thing you know he was confessing all he sin.

You know we must not forget how Father Harvey like to sing.
We praise you, we bless you
We give you thanks
O Lord, our God.

Through his voice he does give praise to Jesus the King
And we hear through de grapevine
Dat he's a very good cook
Next thing you know he will launch he own recipe book.
Well, leh we tell all yuh we tell all yuh well

He already launch he own Eucharistic cell
No doh get us wrong, not de one with bars
Dis cell have de members searching fuh de stars.

Through dis innovation de get so popular
Other parishes want to copy it from near and far
Well to tell yuh about Father Harvey is almost impossible
But ah sure all yuh know, he's a true Jesus disciple.

So Father Harvey, dis is not a farewell or goodbye
Because next ting yuh know we might start to cry
We just want to say good luck and God speed
And come back to us when yuh feel de need.