June 4

Presider: Rev. Fr. Bernard Younas OFM  - Pastor of St. Julie Billiart – Orange Hill

Theme: “Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God”

June 5

Presider: Rev. Fr. Samuel Alloggia - St. Anthony's Church -  Port Antonio

Theme: “Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity"

June 6

Presenter: Sisters Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - Maggotty

Theme: “Heart of Jesus in my family"

January 9, 2011 was one that our church community will always remember.  This was the day that The Rev Father Marek Kolbuch was installed as Pastor of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Reading, Montego Bay, St, James.

Father Marek hails from Sanok in Poland. He entered the seminary immediately after secondary school and after six years he graduated with a degree in theology. He spent two years at the Shrine of Our Lady in Hyzne,  Poland before  answering  the call from his Bishop to go to a mission 5000 miles away from Poland …in Jamaica. When Father Marek accepted this call, he knew absolutely nothing about Jamaica nor did he know what our Bishop had in store for him, but Father Marek was ready and willing to face any challenge.

It was the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Most Reverend Charles H. Dufour, Bishop of Montego Bay was the chief celebrant at Mass that morning. There were several guest priests concelebrating with Bishop DuFour around the altar; the Reverend Fathers Herbert Panton (himself a retired Sacred Heart, Reading priest), Leo Shea, Robert Brocato, Rohan Tulloch SJ and travelling all the way from Kingston, the Reverend Father Burchell McPherson. Also present around the altar were our Deacons, the Reverend Winston Stuart, Baldwin Powell, Francis Tulloch and too many altar servers to name. Bishop Dufour delivered an inspiring homily on the importance of Baptism. Immediately after the homily, there was a short installation ceremony and the newly installed priest was presented to the Sacred Heart Church Advisory Council, chaired by Mr. Jerry Giarla.

Father Marek is really at home away from home. This was obvious from the outpouring of love from the huge congregation that came out to witness his installation. This was truly a gathering of family members. The members of the sister (mission) Churches, St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in Chester Castle and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Cambridge. The Polish community too showed their love and support, headed by the Polish Consul, Mrs. Irena Cousins. Mrs. Cousins spoke of the long relationship between Poland and Jamaica. Father Burchell (“Daddy Burchell” to Father Marek) spoke lovingly of the relationship he formed with Father Marek as he introduced him to our colourful Jamaican language and culture when he first came to Jamaica. Mr. Henry Mc Curdy and his family gave political support. Greetings came from Father Carl Clarke, rector at the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and from the Franciscan Priests at Mary Gate of Heaven in Negril.

It was time for Father Marek to reply. He spoke about leaving his parish and his family in Poland to come to Jamaica. He thought that God had a cruel sense of humour. He remarked that he had been asked to do things that he never wanted to do, but he did them none the less, and indeed, he enjoyed doing them.  Father Marek is now the “father of the Sacred Heart family” and the truth is that he is highly respected and loved by his congregation.

But there is no real celebration in Jamaica without lots of good food. Our guests enjoyed food from our Polish, Filipino and Jamaican menu. They were served at beautifully decorated tables under large white tents as they dined under the salubrious skies of Montego Bay. A fitting celebration for a young, vibrant priest who would probably prefer to carry out his mission unnoticed.