Christmas weekend, 2004, a Tsunami devastated the coastlands of Asia, leaving over 21,000 dead, in 14 countries.
Christmas Sunday, 9 am a tidal wave, of grief, sorrow, and tears, engulfed the Guyanese Diaspora, from Toronto to Tumatumari when our Holy Shrine – the Sacred Heart RC Church, Main St, Georgetown was completely destroyed by fire.
The news spread as the natives in the mud land, and the exiles abroad embraced the Christmas spirit with their traditions of worship and fellowship with families gathered for indigenous feasts, of garlic pork, pepperpot, sorrel and ginger-beer. My Christmas Day was an outpouring of shock and sadness, that I immediately sought to nostalgise on the significant role that sacred shrine played not only in our lives – but for generations of devout Catholics.
I attended Smith’s Church – my sisters went to Main Street, as it was familiarly called. My father’s last rites were held in the cathedral, and my mother taught sewing classes there.
Thank Heavens – she was safely evacuated from the Nazareth Home, on Carmichael Street, when the conflagration threatened. And the least I can do in the bereavement of our loss, is share my memories of this holy shrine!
Dr Vibert Cambridge shared a very early image (from 1911) that was circulated by Ian Glasford (July 27, 2003) with a contribution from Sister Mary Noel Menezes, RSM. In her book The Portuguese of Guyana: A Study in Culture and Conflict (1992) she wrote:
“Bishop Etheridge gauged the mood of the Portuguese correctly, – in April 1860, land was bought in Main Street, for $1,000, and a new church at the cost of $1,200, was begun under the direction of Fr Schembri. By completion, the cost amounted to $1800. The Church of the Sacred Heart, Main Street, was blessed at Midnight Mass, in December 1861, by Fr Schembri, Bishop Etheridge being out of the country at that time for reasons of health. The Church later received its Episcopal Blessing, on 22 June 1862. Sacred Heart Church, became the centre of Portuguese celebrations. Fr Schembri introduced the ceremonies dear to the Madeirans – the processions, the establishment of Guilds, Confraternities and Societies, and above all the Christmas Novena.” (from the chapter “Growth of the Catholic Church in Guyana,” especially pp. 96- 98)
The spirit of Catholic community, as prevailed in the next 163 years, was one of dedication, loyalty and sacrifice, which touched the souls and spirits of thousands of Guyana’s sons and daughters. In the fifties, the Clergy – Sister Consalata Head Mistress, and Sisters Theresa, Joseph, Brian, Amata with the priests Fathers Goodwin, Campayne, Ben Parrott and Sequiero instilled the disciplines of faith, to future outstanding citizens, and icons. Teachers Stella Archer, Ms Devonish, Mrs Lynch, Mr Arokium, and CC Lewis herded the flock of boys and girls – segregated in those days – but all working yeomanly at the school’s annual fairs and pageants.
But what was most outstanding was the Spirit of Koinonia – volunteerism and community to benefit the members, the parish and the public – all who would come, when beckoned! Compton Young, Marlene Woon-A-Tai, Mary Richards, Yvonne Gouveia, Bernice Chin, Gloria Duarte headed a team of volunteers, that spent endless hours and gave and raised cash donations, so that worship was a divine experience. There were five altars: the Main High Altar, St Ann’s, Calvary, St Joseph’s, Our Lady, and each altar had it’s own volunteer caretaker.
I remember my mother crocheting elaborate altar cloths, and garments for the priests. Dolly Fernandes collecting flowers from the Middle Street household flower gardens and fetching buckets of ice to keep the flowers fresh. Compton Young and Gloria Duarte decorating weekly and on every festive occasion. The father of the Harris sisters – former table tennis queens – making the kneelers for the entire church. The Parish Council member were dedicated Christian servants.
Carmelite Sister Rose Magdalene introduced the Live Nativity Scene, in 1977 and that has been a Christmas tradition since. My sister, Bernice, recalls in 1978, Marlene and Charlie Woon-a -Tai, with their four-week-old Osric portraying the Baby Jesus. Three Kings: Compton Young, Kenrick Jabour and Vincent Fernandes. Fourteen angels appearing at the altar, while students, dressed as shepherds bearing gifts responded to the choral “Come, Come, Come, to the Manger” and the grand finale “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” – to be followed by the chimes and organs proclaiming Joy to the World!
My favorite pageant was May 13, when the celebration was the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to the three children at Lourdes on that day. As the procession, moved down the main aisle – rose petals were thrown in a rich fragrant aroma, while we sang, “Bring flowers of the rarest//Bring blossoms the fairest//From woodlands and gardens//From hillsides and dale – Oh Mary, we crown thee, with blossoms today// Queen of the angels, and Queen of the May”.
Arthur Veerasammy has shared his birth certificate and fourth standard report card. The school produced ‘outstanding citizens, including Dave Martins, Ken Corsbie, Pancho Carew, to name a few – and if you were part of the Sacred Heart community, please share with me, your experiences.
For Easter Celebration the Stations of the Cross were all hand carved and Main Street had the best ‘Chimes in the City’. The daily 6 am, noon and 6 pm Angelus will no longer herald the natives on Main Street but the Holy Spirit dwells, forever in our hearts – until soon, like the Phoenix out of the ashes – The Spirit will again manifest itself, to us believers.
Until then God Bless and Season’s Greetings from the congregation – He has a purpose and reason for everything.
(This is a reprint from ‘Godfrey’s Nostalgias, de Book’, recently launched in Guyana, and available at all leading bookstores)
