A joyful day was April 23 for the community of Brothers Road . The people of this small village were excited, but more so the members of the Brothers Road Roman Catholic community. The reason for the happiness and excitement was that the Archbishop of Port of Spain was coming to Brothers Road to bless the Chapel of St Joseph.

That Saturday, the sun shone brightly and so members of the RC community busied themselves finalising preparations for the 3 p.m. blessing of the chapel. We had occupied various premises for the celebration of Holy Mass during the last 33 years. Therefore, having our own chapel was a great achievement indeed.

Around 2 p.m. people began arriving and soon both tents and the chapel were filled. Promptly at 3 p.m. , the procession wended its way towards the chapel. To the joyful strains of “Glory and Honour” being sung by the combined New Grant choir, Archbishop Edward Gilbert, Monsignor Urban Peschier and our dear Fr Vincent Compton entered the chapel and gave us a greeting.

Water was blessed and the blessing of the chapel commenced. No one could claim to not understand what was taking place as the archbishop explained it all during the blessing. The congregation consisted of every denomination in Brothers Road .

Parishioners outside the chapel

The liturgy of the word followed, then the homily. But the most anticipated events came next – the blessing and incensing of the altar, the recitation of the Creed and the blessing of the statue of St Joseph , as a song in honour of St Joseph was sung. The excitement remained at fever pitch as the altar was dressed, and the liturgy of the Eucharist, Holy Communion and meditation followed.

We were in awe of what had finally been achieved in our community.

There is a saying that the best comes last, so let me tell you of our Administrator, Sr Genevieve Baptiste SJSC, without whose administrative qualities this project may not have been successful. We are proud to have been associated with her and the other sisters of her order. God's richest blessings to you sister.

I gave a short history of the Brothers Road community and this was followed by a vote of thanks from George Shim.

Before the final blessing, Sr Genevieve thanked the archbishop and invited all to fellowship. Thus ended a historical day in the life of the Brothers Road community. We say again, “To God be the glory, great things he has done.”

Since the blessing we have had a few firsts, including the baptism of an eight-year-old before receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion. On April 30, one child made her First Holy Communion, and on May 21 the sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion were given to another.

The community continues to bask in the love of God and to give thanks for all he is doing in our community.