Mon | Dec 29, 2025

40 years in His service!

Published:Sunday | August 29, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Pause
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (left), member of parliament for East Central St James, holds hands with Henry McCurdy, the People's National Party caretaker for North West St James. At right is Italy-born businessman Pino Maffessanti.
Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay, Charles Dufour (left) about to share the sign of peace with Plaulette Chang, wife of Water and Housing Minister, Dr. Horace Chang (right) - Photos by Noel Thompson
Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay, Charles Dufour, blesses Cynthia McDonald during the service.
Franciscan missionary, Sister Mary Olive Brooks, cuts the anniversary cake with Bishop Charles Dufour.
Desmond Shakes (left) is about to receive communion from Monsignor Eremodo Muavesi (right) during a Eucharistic service at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Montego Bay on august 14. The service was held in celebration of Bishop Charles Dufour's 40th anniversary of priestly ordination.
1
2
3
4
5

Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Dedicating 40 years of one's life to anything is no mean achievement, and it is for that reason well over 1,000 people turned out to show appreciation for Roman Catholic Bishop of Montego Bay, Charles Dufour, last weekend.

Dufour, 70, is celebrating his 40th anniversary of priestly ordination. Monsignor Kenneth Mock Yen was also being honoured, but was unavoidably absent.

Relatives, close friends, politicians and Catholic worshippers travelled from all across the island, the United States, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom to share in the occasion. Marguerite Trotman and husband Milton, who have been close friends of Dufour for decades and who reside in Hertfordshire, England, were among the guests.

In his message, Father Carl Clarke reminded the congregation that the priest was someone called by God and ordained by the church to strengthen the body of Christ, which is part of his responsibilities.

"In order to effectively carry out the ministry, the priest must enter into a profound rapport with Christ, who, alone, remains the principal person in any pastoral action," Clarke said.

He called on all persons who knew Dufour over the last 40 years to think about the people he has baptised and influenced to respond to God's call over that period.

"On behalf of all the lives you have touched in a profound way, I want to say a big thank you for being our priest and the chief servant," said Clarke.

Channels of God's grace

Vicar general of the Diocese of Montego Bay, Monsignor Eremodo Muavesi, said Dufour continued to respond to the spiritual, educational and health needs of many across Jamaica, particularly through his charitable organisations.

In his response, Dufour thanked God for giving him good health and strength to serve for 40 years.

"I believe every good and perfect gift is from above. We are just merely channels of God's grace," said Dufour, expressing gratitude to all who made the celebration possible.

Following the service, guests feasted inside the auditorium of the Mount Alvernia High School, where Dufour was joined by Franciscan sister Mary Olive Brooks in cutting his anniversary cake.