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Blessing of the Placencia Lagoon
A multicultural service of celebration and blessing of the Placencia Lagoon was held on Friday 27th November at the Serenity Resort on the Placencia Peninsula. Over 200 people from the Placencia Peninsula attended the Service, including honoured guests British High Commissioner Mr. Patrick Ashworth and his wife, Mrs. Pauline Ashworth.
The event was held to ask God’s blessing on the Lagoon, and for wisdom and fairness in the use of its natural resources.
The ceremony, which was compered by Mr. Rene Villanueva of Love FM, began with Garifuna drumming and singing from Mr. Bobby Sanchez and his singers. Rev. Lorna Sampson prayed the Lord’s Prayer in Garifuna, and the 23rd Psalm was read in Spanish by Pastor Rutillo de Jesus Ardon, of Iglesia de Dios of Seine Bight. Pastor Jim Mensie and his wife led the congregation in singing “Lord I lift your name on high” and “Amazing Grace”, and Pastor Mensie read from the Old Testament and gave a brief address on the importance of stewardship of the earth.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Philip S Wright, Anglican Bishop of Belize gave the homily and the blessing. In his homily, the Bishop reminded the congregation that God is our creator, and that He created for need, not greed. God gave sufficient resources for all His children; mankind is the steward of the earth, and we should take care of the earth and share it with each other. He said that when we look out on to the Lagoon, we should be reminded of what God has given us.
As the bishop spoke, a beautiful flight of parrots passed overhead, reminding the congregation poignantly of the natural wonders of Belize.
After two Seine Bight Village children drew water from the Lagoon in a calabash, the Bishop added holy water and holy oil to the Lagoon water, and with the children, poured the blessed water back to mingle with the waters of the Lagoon. He reminded the congregation “Take what you need from the Lagoon, and then give back – do not be greedy.”
Pastor Byron Boch of Seine Bight then led the congregation in prayer in Spanish. Miss Dora Williams and her women's’ group from Seine Bight sang the hymn “Abba” and gave some short Bible readings. Next, Rev. Hardie Gordon of Placencia read Psalm 150 in Kriol; with the final blessing bestowed by Bishop Philip Wright. Light refreshments donated by local businesses followed.
Co-Chairman of Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Development, Mr. Victor Lopez, commented “It was a wonderful day, and we are very grateful to everybody who took part and attended. There is so much development going on around the Lagoon that we are in danger of losing the very thing that people come to the Peninsula for – its beauty and tranquility - because of the many serious issues of pollution and general degradation of the area confront us. We want a good future for our people, especially our children, but that doesn’t mean just building whatever you think will make the most money.”
For further information, contact Mary Toy on 523 4018 or info@saveourpeninsula.org
