By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
(Basseterre, St. Kitts) – One Hundred and fifty years ago, the canonical parish of Immaculate Conception was established, with Fr. Phillip Lynch appointed as the first parish priest in 1858. Roman Catholicism’s birth on St. Kitts is due to the influence of the Europeans who brought their religion with them. The French, Spanish, and Portuguese were mainly responsible for the growth of Roman Catholicism, while the British were responsible for the spread of Anglo-Catholicism (Anglicanism). Over time, the Church has evolved from a Pre-Vatican II modus operandi, where the Mass was said in Latin, with a heavy focus on a hierarchical model of church, to a Post-Vatican II model, where the Mass is said in the vernacular, and the communitarian dimension of Church is emphasized. At present, the parish has two schools, St. Theresa’s Convent School and St. Joseph’s Elementary School. What used to be a House of Formation for young men interested in the priesthood, has been turned into a Parish Centre with a catechetical office, St. Jerome’s Biblical Studies Institute and a furnished retreat centre. Administrator of the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral Parish, Fr. Bernard Latus, along with members of the parish have organized an awards dinner on Dec. 6 at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel and Casino, where 70 parishioners will be awarded for their contribution to the parish over the years and where several others will receive Certificates of Appreciation for their current services to the Parish; a Jubilee Eucharist is also planned for December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at 7:00pm; and Sunday, Dec. 7, during the regular Sunday Mass, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered by Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre, the Most. Rev. Gabriel Malzaire. Special epitaphs to the late organist Mr. Vincent Prince and sacristan, Mr. Basil Henderson will be unveiled in the back of the Co-Cathedral by Bishop Malzaire.
