The village church in St John village, St Augustine created history recently when it held its first Annual Jordan Awards ceremony in the small Roman Catholic church on St John Road.

As part of the celebrations to mark its patronal feast – St John the Baptist - on June 24, the awards ceremony represented the social element of a week of observances, which featured a strong spiritual dimension.

For five straight evenings, the congregation heard from some very powerful preachers including, Msgr Esau Joseph, Fr. Steve Duncan, Fr. Matthew D'Hereaux and Fr David Khan, climaxing on the last evening with the awards and a sharing.

Brainchild of Carmelite parish priest Fr Gerard Tang Choon, the awards, titled the JORDAN AWARDS signifiy the most profound work of the parish's patron – St John the Baptist, who baptised Our Lord Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River.

Fr Tang Choon firmly believes the church has to give back to its parishioners and thought that as the Roman Catholic community was observing the “Year of the Eucharist,” this would be an appropriate time to inaugurate the awards.

Abbot John Pereira (right) accepts a special award to the Monastery from Msgr Esau Joseph. Dianne Holdip photo

The St John Parish, the smallest in the archdiocese, has been in existence for 43 years.

During the ceremony, MC Vernon Khelawan paid glowing tribute to the monks of Mount St Benedict, whose monastery sits above the village and who, for more than 50 years adopted the small village and provided not only most of its spiritual needs, but also played a social role by providing employment to the villagers and sporting activities for the youth.

Three monks, all Dutch and now all deceased, stand out. They were Fr. Bede Theunissen, who built the present church, Fr Peter Canisius and the first parish priest, Fr Gregory Kloegg.

St John, for many years, like so many other parishes in the Archdiocese, suffered for lack of a parish priest and it was through the dedication and commitment of parishioners that the church's survival and growth was assured.

There were awards in 11 categories, including Parishioner of Year, which was won by Brenda Castillo. The Lord Abbott of Mount St Benedict, Fr John Perreira accepted a special plaque for the work the monks - living and dead - had done for the parish.

Awards were handed out for male and female youth, catechists, liturgical work, social services, community service, works of mercy, devotion and benefactors.

The complete list of awardees is -: Rosie Venus – Community Service; Lawrence Castillo and Vernon Mitchell – Liturgy; Felix Kelly (posthumously) and Delly Marin – Social services; Audrina Roberts and Arthur Julien – catechists; Works of Mercy – Paulina Rivers and Felix Kelly (posthumously;) and Devotion – A Gomez and Delly Marin.

Individual winners were – Kendall Khelawan and Leroy Herbert (Male Youth); Nicole Rivers and Leah McDonald (Female Youth;) Learie Bruce and E. Beharry – Benefactors; Arthur and Julie Julien and Vernon and Joan Khelawan (Couple.) Two former parish priests were also honoured and given plaques – Fr Stephen Geoffroy and Fr Christopher Theunissen.

The winners were chosen by the parishioners themselves, who filled out nomination forms selecting their individual choices for the various categories.