By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 21, 2024 — Alicia Oxley posted an excellent collection of photos on the IM 242 Catholic Facebook page today and for more reasons than one, I absolutely had to share some of them with readers of my online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
Aside from being a devout Roman Catholic, Father Devereaux King’s mother, Leonardette Ross King, is the daughter of the late Sylvia Elliott-Ross, who was the eldest of seven grandchildren, including myself, who grew up at Stanyard Creek, Andros, with our grandparents, Benjamin and Mabel Elliott
Although Sylvia Elliott Ross was my first cousin, I grew up calling her Aunt Sylvia because she and Papa and Mama’s youngest daughter, Maria Elliott Forbes, were around the same age and they grew up like sisters. Both were very instrumental in steering my life in the right direction during those formative years when young minds are so impressionable and vulnerable to inculcating life-long bad habits.
I still hope that I can get down to Nassau later this year to attend Mass at the church where Devereaux was assigned, which is one of my top priorities because I would really like to go to Mass at his church and receive his blessing.
Alicia Oxley posted the photos with the following narrative:
Just sharing a few photos from Fr. Devereaux King’s last official Mass as Jr. Priest that was held at 7.00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral on Friday, July 19th 2024.
The St. Francis Xavier Cathedral parishioners wish Fr. King prayerful success as he continues his work in the Lord’s Vineyard.
We as an Archdiocese must continue to prayer that more Young Men consider the Priesthood as a Life’s Vocation.
Here’s a General Prayer we can say FOR VOCATIONS
“God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons.
Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call.
May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen”
Fr. Devereaux King’s message as the new parish priest of Sacred Heart
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1017529936109552
