Floral Tribute to Our Ancestors
The tribute to our ancestors was held at the Phillippo Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. The Reverend Jeffery McKenzie, Custos Rotulorum of St. Catherine and Pastor of the Phillippo Baptist Church brought greetings as well as His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Norman Scott.
The Mayor in his greetings spoke about the symbolic burial of the shackles of slavery which represented the ending of a dark era. He said that he honoured the memory of our ancestors who had sacrificed their lives so that we can be free.
In attendance were members of the Joint Civic Affairs Committee, members of the Phillippo Baptist church, students and teachers from basic, primary and high schools in St. Catherine.
The congregation was entertained by Miss Mekeda Henry, 2019 Festival Song Finalist. The Reverend Marvia Lawes, Pastor of the Sligoville Circuit of Baptist Church was the guest speaker at the function. She gave a captivating message about our rich heritage and great legacy. She also spoke about the shackles of slavery that were buried on the property of the Phillippo Baptist Church to remind us of a time in our past that we should never forget. She further mentioned the cultural things that have been left behind for us such as, our language, music and food upon which, so many Jamaicans stand proud and talk with confidence about how ‘proud they are to be a Jamaican’.
The recessional took the congregation outside, where everyone gathered for the laying of the floral tributes at the shackles inside the Church yard, customarily done by the Custos and Mayor. Immediately following was the reveille by buglers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force Band.
Mayor Norman Scott
Reverend Jeffery McKenzie - Custos Rotulorum of St Catherine
