For those of us who are churchgoers, we find peace and joy in worshipping together and participating in church activities. For us, we have seen our children grow up in the Stella Maris Catholic Church, priests and fellow church members participating in nurturing our faith.

Last week, Stella Maris had a series of activities leading up to our 50th Anniversary Mass yesterday, a celebration led by Archbishop Kenneth Richards. Our pastor, Father Richard Brown, is supercharged in his tireless engagement with parishioners of all ages, creating with them a memorable week.

Our senior members of the congregation shared our church’s history, its beginnings, at a Mass held at New Day School in Grant’s Pen. Members of the Holy Cross parish, who lived in the Norbrook area, such as Dotty Phillibert, her family, and the Delvailles began worshipping there. As attendance grew, they moved to the Chapel of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters on Shortwood Road and finally in 1974, the beautiful building on a plot of land owned by the Sisters, led by Mother Mary Stephanie. This was the initiative of Archbishop Samuel Carter, Herbert Lewis, Neville Bacquie, and WD Roberts.

According to the church’s history, “ ‘Herbie’ [Lewis] was very instrumental in getting the work done at a reasonable cost… covered from the combination of parishioners’ contributions, particularly the Abrahams family as well as Wilfred and Norma Chang and a few others, together with some fund-raising efforts.” Gerald Strudwick arranged a kind donation from BH Paints.

The first pastor, Father Glavin, and parishioners joined in expanding the church’s outreach activities. Wilfred and Norma Chang started a branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society and other ministries were the Sunday school, Ushers’ Association, and Daughters of Stella Maris.

The history reminds us, “In 1985, Monsignor Stanley Shearer [brother of the late Prime Minister Hugh Shearer] became the first Archdiocesan Priest to come to Stella Maris and contributed greatly to the growth of the church. He went through the constitution and changed the name of the Daughters of Stella Maris Ministry to The Catholic Women’s League… Msgr Shearer oversaw not only the St Vincent De Paul Society but two other outreach programmes, namely, Family outreach and the Homework School in Grants Pen.”

Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 did extensive damage to the church and Monsignor Shearer led the renovation and expansion. Deacon Vincent Hemming and Anne Marie Tulloch Thomas were in charge of a “vibrant Youth Group who did corporal works of mercy, visiting the Maxfield Park Children’s Home and other places.”

It was during Monsignor Richard Albert’s leadership, beginning in 1991, that our family became members of the church. This dynamo led the building of the beautiful church hall, chapel, offices and meeting rooms around a grassy quadrangle. The history notes, “It was during his tenure that the Catholic Women’s League refurbished a wing at the Ozanam Home for the Aged.” Our fund-raising dinners were started then, under the chairmanship of the dedicated Eddie Shoucair.

It was monsignor’s creation of the St Patrick’s Foundation in the Bay Farm area which inspired attorney-at-law Peter Mais to start the Stella Maris Foundation in Grants Pen. As a member of that board and later chair, I saw the transformation of the area. I remember going to Morin Seymour when he was head of Kingston Restoration Company for guidance, and he linked me to the HEART/NSTA Trust, which established training programmes at the foundation.

We created a daycare centre named for Norma Chang, who continued to serve the Grants Pen Community as both a board member and a St Vincent de Paul worker. When the foundation building went up for sale it was foundation Director Dahpne Hewett who loaned us the downpayment so we could sign the sale agreement. Then the Digicel Foundation came on as major sponsors and Treasurer Ann Marie Thomas joined in the fund-raising effort. The generous Daphne Hewett later forgave the loan. Michael Chuck is ever faithful in serving both the foundation and the church. The current chair is Lynda Mair.

Monsignor Richard Albert was succeeded by Monsignor Michael Lewis, who led our youth to Papal World Youth Day conferences in Canada, Germany, Australia, and Brazil. The loving ‘mother’ of the youth, Jean Brown, assisted in guiding and chaperoning. Our son Noel enjoyed the conference in Australia where his group built a chapel in the Outback.

Monsignor Lewis was succeeded by Father Howard Thompson who holds a PhD in theology. He was known for his enriching homilies. The history notes his “energetic and spiritually fulfilling Crusades”, his launch of the Pilgrim’s Way Bible Study, his weekly prayer meetings in Grants Pen at the foundation, and his use of drama to share God’s word.

Now under the pastoral care of Father Richard Brown, we at Stella Maris admire his direct approach to every aspect of the church and its ministries. He is assisted by Deacon Mark Hitchener, also an excellent homilist. They addressed the dearth of altar servers, bringing the numbers to 30. This past week of celebrations introduced a Sports Day and a complimentary ‘Family Dinner’.

Our amazing Stella Maris Steel Band has toured France and Scotland, raising funds for the church. I would not have space to call all the names, but kudos to octogenarian Sister Mary Andrew, a talented member and we remember fondly Dr Annette Alexis who was also a dedicated board member of the Foundation. Our beautiful choir is led by Nicole Farmer and supported by Sonia Wilmot, Alva Sweetland, and Ria-Elena Williams. The outstanding Horace Romero ensures that all goes well for our services. Our ushers are exemplary, and we dearly miss former President Jeff Schwab who was a great mentor.

Our Sunday school teachers are exceptional, including the brilliant Rosemarie Bitter and Anne Marie Grant. Our ministers of the Eucharist, including Hermine Metcalfe, Barbara Clarke, and Chris Cargill not only assist at Mass but also do regular visits to our shut-ins. Father Brown’s promotion of social media keeps us informed and he continues to carry the 9:00 am Mass online on Sundays, which was started by Father Thompson during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is good to go to a church where one does not commandeer a pew or pressured to give large offerings. Yet we have a generous congregation who keeps the church on budget. Stella Maris is Latin for ‘star of the sea’, one of the titles given to Mary, mother of Jesus. May our church continue to live up to its name for many more years to come.

Deaf Awareness Month Expo

The Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) held a successful Deaf Awareness Month Expo last Friday to promote understanding and inclusivity for the deaf community. Staged on the grounds of the Kingston Campus of the CCCD at Cassia Park Road, the expo featured educational workshops, interactive demonstrations, and highlighted deaf culture and achievements.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author, communications expert, and seniors’ advocate. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.

Young members of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church promote the 50th Anniversary Sports Day at Mass.