Dame Sandra Mason was the toast of St Philip yesterday evening.
From Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and his Cabinet colleagues Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler and Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley to entertainer Mac Fingall and the little ones from St Catherine’s Primary School, residents from every corner of the eastern parish descended on the 96-year-old St Catherine’s Anglican Church for a thanksgiving service and community appreciation for the new Governor General.
Dame Sandra is daughter of the soil of Marley Vale.
And the Queen’s representative was moved.
“People of St Catherine, people who have come here today to wish me well in my journey as Governor General, I want to say thank you very much. I really do appreciate this very much. This gesture, it will live forever in my memory,” she declared.
“The way how I feel to see you all here, to see and experience what you have done on my behalf, and as Dame Selma [Jackman] said, it will live in my memory as long as I live. And I hope that it will be as long as some of the centenarians I interact with,”she noted to thunderous applause from the congregation.
Dame Sandra then greeted the congregation, saving a special moment and hugs for the tots of St Catherine’s Primary.
Reverend David Yarde, who delivered the sermon, said the elevation of Dame Sandra and the only other female Governor General, Dame Nita Barrow, both of whom he described as “eminent and trustworthy citizens”, to that high office, showed that men were becoming more aware of the intellectual capacity, potential and worth of women in Barbados.
“We thank Almighty God for the work he has done through her (Dame Sandra) in maintaining true justice in our society. And now that He has called her to the highest office in the island, we hope that He will continue to empower her with the fruits of the Spirit so that she will continue to be a beacon of light for all the world to see.”
Yarde challenged students to let Dame Sandra’s elevation be their source of inspiration.
He also had a word of advice for those who might be experiencing any manner of problems in their lives, including those who were “stigmatised as a result of HIV and AIDS”.
He said God offered peace which the world could not give. (HLE)
