By Archbishop Emeritus Robert Rivas OP
The first hurricane to pass this season, Beryl the terrible, devastated some of the islands of the Southern Grenadines with its fury and terror. A Category four hurricane is a mighty force that brings destruction in its path.
The devastation caused by Beryl must certainly have had a dramatic economic impact on the places that faced her fury, but it also most certainly would have had a traumatic impact on people’s lives, and this is often what endures.
When I saw the rubble of what was once the beautiful, little cut-stone church of the Immaculate Conception on the island of Mayreau, one of the islands of the Southern Grenadines in the Diocese of Kingstown, my heart sank into a dark abyss of horror. I was traumatised by what I saw.
My little 94-year-old gem was annihilated. It was inconceivable and incomprehensible; difficult to describe. A fierce hurricane had robbed the people of Mayreau of their treasure. I have wept and felt the pain caused by the total destruction of this church to which I was specially attached, on an island of barely 250 people but a community of committed faith.
Perched on the very top of the island, the little stone church stood as a landmark and a beacon of hope for the people of Mayreau. This was their place of worship, their serenity centre and fountain of grace in their community. It was also their hurricane shelter!
They took pride in their church, which was also a tourist attraction. When I was appointed as the first Bishop of Kingstown in St Vincent and the Grenadines in October 1989, the Church of the Immaculate Conception on the island of Mayreau was the first place where I celebrated Mass in the Southern Grenadines.
From the hilltop, I had a vision of hope and new beginnings. It was there I met Sigbert and Anna Olivierre and their family who looked after the church in Mayreau. In their home, I experienced hospitality and shared in the faith of the people of the island.
As soon as I could lift my head from the abyss in which my soul had sunk, I knew it was time for action. Amidst all the destruction, I went where my heart led me and I decided to help with the rebuilding of the church on the island of Mayreau.
I realised that this was a daunting task but, in my vulnerability, I began to tap into resources that could make a difference. Out of this initial gesture of motivating family and friends to contribute was born the idea to Walk for Mayreau.
Once more, I wanted to offer my vulnerability in a tangible way to inspire others in a great work of mercy.
How far could I walk? Honestly, I didn’t know but on Saturday, August 3, my capacity to walk and my stamina were put to the test. I started out from St Finbar’s church grounds with a group of 35 other walkers. I walked two thirds of the way, took a short ride to facilitate our time of arrival and finished the walk with excess energy. I am glad I did it.
When we do a work of mercy, it’s important to put our hearts into it and to be motivated by a spirit of generosity and selflessness. I had set out to inspire others but in fact so many people who had come on board inspired me even more with the generosity of their time, talent, and treasure.
The spirituality of the Church in Trinidad and Tobago is a spirituality of generosity and solidarity, which are stewardship qualities. Our Walk for Mayreau Committee was small but dynamic and our Events Coordinator danced us through the maze of all that was necessary to make the event a success and success it was!
To walk for Mayreau involved a contribution from all those who decided to participate in this work of mercy. At 7 a.m. on Saturday, there were three starting points and each group ended up at the Church of the Nativity, Crystal Stream, Diego Martin.
Those who walked with me from St Finbar’s Church in Diego Martin contributed $300 and received a complimentary jersey. Those who walked with a deacon from St John the Evangelist Church in Diego Martin or St Anthony’s Church in Petit Valley contributed $100.
We walked together to help rebuild the church destroyed by Hurricane Beryl. Every footstep of charity we made echoed hope for Mayreau.
The sea of orange jerseys as we gathered for Praise and Worship and Benediction at the Church of the Nativity including the joyful spirit of all the participants made the Walk for Mayreau a very grace-filled experience. This was a concrete expression of solidarity with the Church in St Vincent and the Grenadines and, in a special way, with the people of Mayreau.
I wish to thank the media for its coverage, all our sponsors, Cluster support groups, the parish priests of St Finbar’s Church and the Diego Martin cluster and their office staff, Prayer Back-up Groups, all those who contributed financially towards the rebuilding of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mayreau and all those who walked the Walk for Mayreau. When communities are mobilised, we can work miracles. This is true synodality.
The target for the Walk was $50,000 but much more will be needed to rebuild the church. Together, we can continue to do a great work of mercy. Let us continue to give and support this project.
Cheques in the name of Archbishop Robert Rivas OP (include in the Memo–Mayreau Fund) or cash can be left at any of the parish offices in the Diego Martin cluster or at St Finbar’s Church. It is all God’s work.
