St. Catherine Parish Independence Day Religious Service, Flag Raising and Civic Function
Emancipation Square was attractively adorned and came alive on Independence Day, Thursday, August 06, 2015 when the St. Catherine Parish Council in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and the St. Catherine Joint Civic Affairs Committee hosted its annual Religious Service, Flag Raising and Civic Function, under the theme ‘Proud and Free! Jamaica 53’.
Scores of persons were in attendance, young and old, Schools, Parish Councillors, Uniformed Groups, representatives from various Agencies, the Clergy, and the Lay Magistrates Association to name a few. Many were decked out in Jamaica colours or bandana and denim in anticipation of a beautiful commemoration.
Subsequent to the arrival of His Worship the Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott and the Custos of St. Catherine, Reverend the Honourable Jeffrey McKenzie, the function took its usual form with the assembly of the Uniformed Groups and Inspection Parade; following which, Reverend Junior Headlam, of the Minister’s Fraternal and Pastor of the Old Harbour Road Church of God of Prophecy moderated the Religious Service. Miss Kameika Coleman, Miss St. Catherine Festival Queen 2015, did the Scripture Reading and Major Vincent Davidson, Salvation Army, Spanish Town executed the Discourse. In his discourse, Major Davidson implored the congregation to “stay close to the mountain.” “The mountain he believed provided an escape from the noises, the business, the daily routines and distractions, to be in the presence of God. He said it also signifies closeness to God, the presence of God in each encounter and experience. It symbolizes the pivot or the highest point of the children of Israel’s expression of freedom”.
Chairman of the St. Catherine Joint Civic Affairs Committee Mr. Gosma Buddoo, led the civic segment. In this segment, Mayor Scott in his greetings said “We should demonstrate the pride we have in our country by preserving our natural resources and doing our part in creating a clean and healthy environment for ourselves and our children. Let us teach them how to take care of our land by not littering our streets and polluting our rivers. When we lead the way they will follow”.
Messages were read from His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, Governor General, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Andrew Holness, and Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, by Reverend the Honourable Jeffrey McKenzie, CD., JP., Councillor Owen Palmer and Councillor Patricia Harris, respectively.
The function came to an end with the Uniformed Groups March Past, where salutes were taken by the Custos and Mayor respectively.