AKOBEN (War horn) Symbol of a SUMMON TO ACTION or A CALL TO ARMS, READINESS & VOLUNTEERING

Mission Jamaica

I had the pleasure and opportunity to participate in Mission
Jamaica 08’    November 13 – 17, 2008 in Kingston, Jamaica
along with Fr. Chester Smith, Executive Director of the Bowman
Francis Ministry Project located in Indianapolis, IN, and Christ
Our King Parish Youth Group from Lithonia, GA. The purpose
of Mission Jamaica is to show our love and give service to those
in need.











As we traveled through the streets of Kingston, I observed  
dilapidated conditions which were heart wrenching to me.  It
was very difficult to get to our destination due to the lack of
adequate roadways.   I have traveled to foreign  countries in the
past but as tourists you don’t get to see the inner parts of these
areas.
On Friday, I had the pleasure of having the unique traditional
breakfast of Ackee and Salt Fish with bread fruit.  We visited St.
Peter and Paul Church and also the Elementary school which
had 941 students enrolled as we waited for the arrival of the
youth group.  Upon the arrival of 17 youth, chaperones, and Fr.
Guyma Noel, Pastor of Christ Our Hope Parish, we were taken
back to St. Peter and Paul Church for lunch where another
traditional food called “patties” was served.
Later that day we were taken to Immaculate Conception
Convent.  We got settled in and had Mass that evening with
retired Archbishop Clark. This location    included an
Elementary and High School where they taught extra curricular
activities such as swimming and golf.  
The next morning was our big service day.  We attended Mass
at 7:30 a.m. with Fr. Guyma.  His homily was very moving.  He
spoke on how we were here to give love and to give back. He
stated what an important role we were playing to help those
who are in need.  He challenged each one  of us to continue to
love and to give back and we are  called  to  serve  even  after  
we leave  from   this  mission. As we traveled through the inner
areas of Kingston it was hard to believe the poor living
conditions of the people who lived there.  When we arrived at
St. Peter Claver Parish, we met Sister Lupe Vea, originally from
Tonga.  She was the Pastoral Administrator and a sister of the
Marist Missionary Order. She was so pleased to have us there
to assist her.  The Parish was preparing for their annual
Deanery.  






























After  the  long  day  we  went back to our living quarters,
rested and prepared for dinner.  I reflected on the number of
young children that were hanging around  us.  We received
such warm  hospitality  upon our arrival. Several of the children
stayed close to us and even assisted in sprucing up the
grounds by cleaning and painting.
The next morning we attended Mass at St. Peter and Paul
Church where    Fr. Chester Smith was the guest Celebrant.  
Fr. Chester’s homily made us think and reflect on getting the
“stress and mess” out of our lives.  An interpretive dance was
performed by Joann Perou following the homily. At that time, I
felt relaxed and stress free of all the stressors that I
encountered previously.  Fr. Chester then advised us to read
Proverbs 1:23, “Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you
good advice and share my knowledge with you.” Also stated
the biblical message of Thessalonians 5, we need to be ready
for the Lord’s coming.
We then traveled to St. Peter Claver Parish for the Deanery
Celebration where we had dinner and the parish youth
performed several songs for us.  As we  departed in  the bus
from St. Peter Claver Parish,  several of us became filled with
the Holy Spirit and our eyes filled with tears of spiritual joy,
peace, and  fulfillment as we reflected on what we had
experienced over the weekend.  
Often God has to shut a door in our face so that He can
subsequently open the door through which He wants us to go.  
This was a door that the Lord Jesus Christ  opened and
provided for me.  It opened my mind, heart, and soul to the
goodness that the Lord has to offer.
I wish to thank the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw,
MI, for their generosity, many donations collected, and shipped
to Kingston.  Also, the Diocese of Saginaw for their support
during this spiritual journey.

Yours In Christ,

Patricia Snow
St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw, MI

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Mission Jamaica 08’  
Stewardship -  Living life as God intended.
Photos and Article by Patricia Snow, St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw, MI
It was one of the most spiritually
uplifting and motivational weekends
I have ever experienced. This mis-
sion was  sponsored by the Bow-
man Francis Ministry Project.  
As I arrived in Kingston I did not
know what to expect.  I met Fr.
Burchell McPherson, Pastor of St.
Peter and Paul Parish, and Joann
Perou, Coordinator for Mission
Jamaica 08’.
We spent the whole day cleaning,
painting in and outside of the church
also setting up for dinner the
following day.  On one of the outside
walls youth painted “Hope is Here”
and left their hand prints and the
date.  The touching gesture of
leaving their mark on something that
will be remembered for a long time
touched me as well.  My heart was
filled with joy knowing the
stewardship we were doing for this
parish community.         
mission jamaica 2010
kingston, jamaica
november 11-14, 2010

Be sure to mark your calendars and visit the
website in the near future for further details.