Friday, July 31, 2009

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Faith of our fathers By STAFF WRITER ~ Nassau Guardian: The faith of our fathers is what led Abraham to be the father of faith in the Old Testament a quality which is still evident today in some of the world's fathers, according to Father Chester Burton priest in charge of St. Saviour's Parish, Cat Island as he honored sick and shut in fathers of the Anglican Church in Cat Island. And he boasted to his congregation that Cat Island was the only island in the country that could of so many retired Catechists (unordained men who stood in the gap for Anglican priests, before Anglican priests were able to staff the far-flung islands of the island chain. Catechists William Farrington, Rueben Stubbs, Clarence Thurston, Hartman Moncur, Lorenzo Johnson did what they had to do for their faith. "It would have been these men who delivered yeomen service to St. Saviour's Parish that some of the 11 church doors on the island would have been able to stay open," said Fr. Burton. "It was no small effort on their part because many would have braved long distances on bicycle or horse back, unpaved road, mosquito bites, criticisms from pregnant mothers and crying babies just to make the gospel heard and received on any given Sunday morning." Burton further said that their presence, prayers and sacrifices have left an indelible mark on the Anglican Churches of the Cat Island, and in old age their efforts would not be forgotten or overlooked. As with Mother's Day the vestry and people of St. Saviour's took the initiative to purchase fruit baskets for the sick and shut in fathers. In addition to receiving their communion within the confines of their homes, the Sunday school students would accompany Father Burton to serenade the men in traditional biblical songs. Burton said it is paramount of all human beings to show appreciation and love for the great treasures they have received and that the sick and shut in Catechists are treasures. Thursday, July 2, 2009