The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE EXCITEMENT of the recent Patronal Festival of St Joseph’s Anglican Church in Thompson Bay, Long Island, will linger in the hearts and minds of many residents.

Church-goers sat in as Assistant Bishop Gilbert Thompson, who visited in an official capacity, administered the sacrament of confirmation to 24 youngsters.

Father Chester Burton, Rector of Anglican Churches in Long Island, said this was a grand event for many to witness.

As has been his belief since he accepted his call to serve as an ordained minister almost ten years ago in the Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, Father Burton said he Patronal Festivals and Feast of Titles are monumental and memorable occasions in the life of the parish, and be celebrated with the pageantry of any other secular event.

The task of preparing for the service was undertaken some weeks ago, with the extensive painting of the interior and exterior of the church, installation of new fans and the complete painting of the tombstones in the churchyard.

“All hands were on deck as the catechists and lay readers ensured that the work was finished for the projected deadline of March 23. After all the hard work, myself and members could breathe a sigh of relief and wait with bated breath for the arrival of our former rector, who groomed me for my priesthood. Bishop Thompson is no stranger to Long Island, as he served as priest in-charge from 1961 to 1968, and subsequently after his tenure in Long Island became the Rector of St Barnabas, Wulff and Baillou Roads,” said Father Burton.

After St Barnabas, Father Burton said Bishop Thompson became the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese in September 2000.

On Sunday, March 23, the third Sunday of Lent and within the octave of St Joseph’s Feast Day, Long Island Anglicans and well-wishers came together to attend the confirmation services of St Peter’s and St Paul’s.

St John’s Anglican Church in Buckley’s became a hub of activity starting at 9am for their confirmation service and later in the afternoon at 3pm.

“ This joint venture had never been done before in the history of these two parishes. Canon Harry Ward and myself, Rector’s of St Peter’s and St Paul’s parishes, respectively, orchestrated this grand undertaking. From one palatial edifice in South Long Island to another in North Long Island, the day would be anything but lackluster,” said Father Burton.

He said Bishop Thompson was blown away to see the scope of work done in such short a time frame. In his welcome remarks, Father Burton said Bishop Thompson quickly reminded the members that he expects nothing less from him.

“The 24 confirmands were drilled by Bishop Thompson after his warm and charming welcome remarks. As questions were asked, boys and girls answered precisely as they were taught from his in-depth literature, entitled ‘Instructions for Anglicans’. Bishop Thompson in his wisdom wrote this book so that Anglicans throughout our archipelagic Diocese would know what makes them Anglican and separates them from the Baptist, Pentecostal or even the Catholic faiths,” said Father Burton.

Knowing indiscriminately that the seven sacraments are a benchmark in the Anglican Church and that the Bible and Book of Common Prayer are essential for corporate worship, Father Burton told the Bishop that he wanted his youngsters to know the true importance of Anglicanism and that is why he delayed confirming anyone until they were observed, taught and scrutinised.

He said most times the rite of confirmation is seen as a form of graduation, and the young people who are confirmed are never seen again. However, this will not be the case in Long Island, he said, because all candidates are presently engaged in some form of ministry.

After the service, members and well-wishers retreated to the Sunday school room for refreshments before departing to their various destinations.