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| Mr Lenny Willson, project manager, hands over the keys of the centre to the bishop |
The last three days had been very intense. I had arrived on Tuesday afternoon from Manzini (Swaziland) together with Fr George Massa IMC to give a hand in the final details before the opening. It was hard work for everyone but at the same time there was a very deep joy seeing how the whole place was being transformed by the day and getting it ready for Saturday.
"What happens if it rains?" someone asked me on Friday afternoon as the celebration would start outside. "Ask me tomorrow..." I said. I was asked the same question on Saturday morning as it was raining and drizzling. "Ask me later...". In fact I was just hoping we would be able to start outside as planned. So we did! The light rain of the morning was a guarantee of God's blessings upon the centre. "There will be no need to go around blessing the cottages and the hall... God is already doing it" said someone just before Mass.
Together with Bp Barry Wood OMI (auxiliary bishop of Durban), we had priests from Johannesburg, from Manzini and, of course, from our Vicariate. Delegates from our parish communities and friends from Australia, England and Swaziland were also present. They were, somehow, representing so many of you who have helped us make this centre possible. As promised, you are remember at the celebration of the Eucharist in the centre. Your names are written in the book next to the Easter candle.
The new church has a beautiful bell and, as it is seen in the photograph, Mr Rudi Redinger was in charge of ringing the bell during the singing of the Glory. We are told that it was heard all over St Lucia and beyond.
After Mass, everybody was invited to join us for a light meal.
If you have a chance... click HERE to have a look at lots of photographs of the day
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