Almost 13 years after it was destroyed by an earthquake, the Portsmouth Catholic Church has been fully restored.
On Sunday, November 21, 2004, an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale destroyed the building and it took over $2 million to have it reconstructed.
The funds were raised by Catholic Church Organizations across the Caribbean and the world, the Government of Dominica, The National Bank of Dominica (NBD), Bishop of Roseau, His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire special appeal, the Parish, the many people who, according to Parish Priest Fr. Herman Sharplis, “worked hard.”
The church opened with a grand dedication on Friday, August 18th.
“We have no debts, so Bishop this is a debt-free church and we can speak of a debt-free church, because we still have money in the bank and we have paid our debts,” Parish Priest Herman Sharplis revealed while addressing the ceremony. “We are not owing anybody.”
Sharplis called on the church members to, “take care of your church.”
He admonished Catholics that it was important to understand that Rome does help the church, “because too often times people criticize the church and say Rome don’t give you anything.”
In a radio interview recently, Sharplis said that during reconstruction they were able to restore some of the things that were in the old church.
“We were able to restore some of the things that were in the church before,” he stated. “We restored and bring them back to the church……while we have the altar, the marble was from the old church we had that back; we were able to bring in the old into the present church.”
Work started on the church on September 3rd, 2011, “and it has been a very long journey,” the Portsmouth Parish Priest noted. “Many people come and go but we had to stick around.”
The new church was designed by Bernard Lauwyck and features a new design and layout including a Baptismal Font.
A number of persons were presented with special recognition awards at the dedication ceremony.
“Sharplis called on the church members to, “take care of your church.”
Herman; a bit of confusion here: When the Bible make mention of the Church, it is speaking about people, who make up the congregation.
The building which housed the people, is not the church! So from a linguistic point of view, you should have suggested the congregation take care of the building, for God takes care of his Church, and that is as long as they not hypocrites!
OVER 2 million dollars to renovate a church? Why? Although it looks beautiful– was it constructed/renovated out of GOLD?
By the way two million dollars is a very small amount of money you know!
In Dominica it seems plenty because Dominica is a very poor country, there are people in Dominica working for less than twelve thousand dollars per year.
That is less than a thousand dollars per month, some have no salary, no income whatsoever.
Assuming someone works for about four hundred dollars per month, their yearly earnings (pay over a twelve months period) will only amount to $4,800.00 dollars per year; that is equivalent to approximately US$1,777.80 per year. That person would be better off living on welfare
If you convert that peanut change to U. S. currency that $2 million might amount to about US$740,740.74, convert that to British pound sterling, or the Euro, it is even less. Seven hundred thousand dollars could not buy a single family home in some places in Los Angeles, and surrounding cities!
Finally! It shows patience is a virtue and nothing happens before its time. Those who contributed did their best.
Yes Fr. Sharplis, Rome, the Vatican helps. Too often some people, those who were also practicing Catholics, some who renounced their Catholicism, speak ill of the Church and of Rome. If they call themselves Christians they should know that making such comments is unbecoming of Christians and is a sin. God frowns on them. These people make comments which they know nothing about.
Rome helps in many ways and helps the Church worldwide. Among the Sunday collection which Catholics give especially in Canada, one of it is called “Share Life.” Some of that money goes to help the Third World countries and through Rome. It also assists immigrants in need of and refugees. We also give to the Mission, the Pope’s mission, the Shepherd’s Trust – for retired bishops/priests and their medical care. We also have a building fund for church repairs.
Fa Shaplis and community congratulations! !
Congratulation to the parish priest, Fr. Herman Sharplis and His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire. While we celebrate let me also remind you both of the following scripture verses:
1. Jn 8: 11 And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Sin is not just fornication or adultery but is also compromising ones faith for money, favor, or even power. Did any of you or both attended and performed an unholy wedding in the north? An unholy wedding is marrying a person that was once married and their spouse is still alive. Just asking ok DNO.
2. “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” (Matt. 5:32) I wonder if God does not also hold the person that performed the unholy marriage just as guilty? Just asking.
3. (James 2:1) “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons…
They do not need to be reminded about Scripture by you. They know it; we Catholics know it.
What is important is to practice it. Read about what Our Lord Jesus Christ said about: “Love for God and for one another.” It also means respect for one’s religion, their religious preference and devotions.
The saying: “Do not go where the paths lead. Go where there is no path and leave a trail.” If you are intelligent you will know what that means.
Go to the bi-ways and highways and teach it. There are many out there, where you reside who need to hear it and practice it. Some may be yearning to hear it, the Word of God, to change their ways, repent and follow Our Lord Jesus Christ that they might be saved.
The Catholic Church knows more about Scripture than you do. It had the Holy Bible long before your churches were formed and some of you got hold of it, dissected it and interpreted it according to your mentality; not always correct.
if a roof like this was constructed for the Roseau Cathedral it would have been completed too…….Now bishop wants to shayshay ppl dry with Sunday collection in aid of cathedral roof renovation…..
this is too funny-
You have erred. I can tell a faithful practicing Catholic by what they state. You gave yourself away as if you are It’s enemy. Your words project that you are not a genuine, faithful Catholic. If you were, you would not have made such a comment. It is like talking against friends behind their backs. That is marl parley. Some of you give others the wrong impression, making wrong comments. Someday some of you will pay for your words, exaggeration and lies.
I am a Christian Catholic. At no time the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church force any of its members to give and to give what they cannot afford to give. Catholics always give whatever they can; except God knows what they can give and what they cannot give. He will judge us on also this basis.
Let me further inform you. I discussed the Church renovation with others. Only yesterday I told someone if I were fortunate to win a few million dollars I would give some to the Bishop to complete the renovation.
Congratulations to the parish priest and the parishioners of the st John and St lewis parish on the hard work you all did in the rebuilding of our mother church. Special mention must be made of my friend Fr. Herman Sharplis who is a master organizer. Finally, to God be the glory.
Hope to attend mass there some day soon when I am home on vacation.