The Tribune

PARISHIONERS in Long Island have recognised that September is like no other month on the calendar because it signifies patronal festival fever.

On Sunday, September 28, St Michaels and All Angels in Roses will honour the legacy of St Michael the Archangel and all angels.

But last Sunday, Anglican members from St Peter’s in the north and St Paul’s in the south came together at Holy Cross in Hamiltons to celebrate their red letter day and venerate the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.

The church was decorated and members wore red, as this is the appropriate colour for the Feast of Title.

Father Chester Burton, rector of St Peter’s, and Canon Harry Ward, former canon missioner and now priest-in-charge of St Paul’s, welcomed Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, who is responsible for the southern islands, including Turks and Caicos, to the special event. The feast saw an overflowing crowd who came on the invitation of Father Ward.

Archdeacon Cartwright in his sermon preached about the simple yet profound challenge that Jesus threw out to his disciples in which he stated, “If anyone would want to become my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”

Firstly, the archdeacon admonished the congregation to commit themselves to God because we belong to Him. Continuing, he said denying oneself is a critical component of any Christian’s life. Self-denial, Archdeacon Cartwright posits, means thinking less about ourselves and more about other people. This principle should be evident in the lives of all baptised Christians, he said.

Secondly, he reminded the congregation that everybody has a cross to carry, no matter how big or small.

The act of rejoicing should always be an integral part of a Christian life that they be considered worthy to carry a cross for Jesus.

He said Christians are happy people who share their joy with their family, friends and neighbours and proclaim how God has touched their lives.

Finally, Archedeacon Cartwright stated that Jesus says, ‘follow me’ – these two pivotal words are shared by Jesus at the beginning of his earthly ministry, calling his disciples to follow him to become fishers of men, and at the climax of his earthly ministry to follow him to a place where mansions have been prepared for those who follow his teachings and tenets.

Archdeacon Cartwright also touched on the gaming legislation. He said many Bahamians would be familiar with numbers houses, but not too many would be interested in following in Jesus’ footsteps to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

He pointed out that there are 15 web shops but only 13 Anglican churches in Long Island, and one of which is closed, St Mary the Virgin in The Bight. Archdeacon Cartwright reminded the congregation that Jesus’ death on the cross was a Herculean feat, and instead of following the careless whims and fancies of the day we should all be following in the pathway of Jesus that he has defined for all Christians to emulate.

After the eucharistic celebration, members marched over to the parish hall to share in table fellowship at the Francis Darville Memorial Parish Hall.

Long Islanders are now looking forward to celebrating St Michael’s Patronal Festival on last Sunday of September. The preacher for this event will be Archdeacon James Palacious.