Published On:Thursday, September 02, 2010

As school bells rang all over the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for the start of the new school semester, Anglicans in St Andrew's, Whymms, St Peter's, Simms and St Mary Magdalene and Glinton's gathered for corporate Eucharistic celebrations at 7am- 9am and 11 am respectively.

Summer vacation has now come to an abrupt end. Most youngsters assembled with their parents and guardians to invoke God's blessings on this new academic year. Fr Chester Burton took his sermon from Luke's gospel where Jesus tells a group of bystanders "Those who humble themselves will be exalted, and those who exalt themselves will be humbled."

Fr Burton admonished his young parishioners to be humble in season and out of season. "Humility is a gift from God and scripture reminds us that a humble child will taste the grace of God."

He continued saying teachers nowadays have not changed in that they still prefer respectful, well disciplined and mannerly students over those who go around creating mischief and confusion. He told the students to be humble and respectful to the administrative staff and teachers who are set in authority over them. He concurred with the Minister of Education Desmond Bannister, that it should be a tripartite approach to education-parents, teachers and students.

He also told them that the future success of Long Island and the Bahamas lies in the hands of the young people so this time should be used wisely. Fr Burton strongly warned his listeners to pick up their text-books and stop texting with their cell phones, sign off Face book and start doing their homework on time and not in the morning before school commences.

He further commented that he obtained 100 per cent passes from the graduating class of the 2010 Arthur's Town High School because his Religious Studies students listened and heeded his advice.

Students received exercise books donated by members from St Anne's Parish in Fox Hill in an effort established and undertaken by Fr Crosley Walkine, Rector of St Anne's. That parish had worked closely with Fr Burton who was recently transfered to Long Island and Fr Jonathan Archer, Rector of St Paul's, South Long Island. They are products of St Anne's Church in Fox Hill where both served as curates under the auspices of Fr Walkine. Fr Burton publicly thanked St Anne's for their generous donation and looks forward to continued parochial bonds between St Anne's and St Peter's, North Long Island.