Members of the Carib Santa Rosa community stand in the Square before Benediction after leading the procession through the streets of Arima. At right is Carib Queen Valentina Medina.

Arima's large Catholic community has been challenged to reach out to their fellow Arimians who do not know Christ. "As faithful members of God's Church, we must share Jesus' life, His example, His word and all of Him," said recently appointed parish priest Fr Christian Pereira, preaching the homily at his first Festival in honour of Santa Rosa.

Fr Christian, who is also Vicar General of the Archdiocese, told the large congregation that Jesus does not belongs in the church only. Each member of the parish community must make his presence felt "in the streets of our borough and in all Arima homes."

Procession through the streets of Arima.

Fr Pereira thanked God for the example of St Rose of Lima, who he said was faithful to the Gospel and Christ. He noted however that what was important for the gathering was "not just to leave here, but what we leave here to do."

"It is not enough to build your personal relationship with Christ," we must also share His life with those who know Him only as "a man in the bible who lived 2,000 years ago", he remarked.

Remembering that St Rose was a Dominican nun, he acknowledged the presence of members of the Order in the parish, a community of sisters and one of priests, both situated on Calvary Hill. One of the priests, Holy Cross Prior Fr Urban Hudlin concelebrated the Mass. Fr Pereira prayed that the Dominicans would continue to grow and assume "their rightful place" in the parish community.

Fr Pereira said that while the procession with the statue could not cover all the streets of the borough, he hoped it would bring the good news to all. "May Santa Rosa continue to guide us", he concluded.

Fr Pereira took the opportunity of the Mass to launch the synod process in the parish. He hoped that members of the Carib community would be among those making their commitment.

The Mass was celebrated in the courtyard of Arima Boys' RC School and attracted members of the various parish communities, as well as the Anglican community of Santa Rosa Heights, which jointly shares the Church of the Annunciation with Catholics. Members of the La Divina Pastora parish of Siparia, and the Cathedral parish were also present.

The Carib community, led by Queen Valentina Medina, stood near the statue, many of them wearing coloured beaded necklaces. Community president Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez sat in the front row. Near him were Arima Mayor Elvin Edwards, parliamentary representative Penelope Beckles and former Mayor Rose Janniere. Jesuit priest, Fr Malcolm Rodrigues of Guyana, who works closely with the indigenous people of his country, was also present. Bidding prayers were offered in English, Spanish and Arawak.

Benediction at Santa Rosa Park

The statue was carried through the main streets of the borough followed by the altar servers, the Carib community, dignitaries, parish communities, organisations and groups with banners.

At the start, problems were encountered as police did not direct traffic flow, but all worked well once the procession neared the landmark Arima Dial. The only other hitch was that the road leading to the church was hampered by an overgrown branch which had to be bent to allow the statue to pass.