Hundreds of parishioners gathered to celebrate a major milestone for St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Sunday, 11 Jan.
For 75 years, St. Ignatius has been part of the Cayman community with churches located in George Town, West Bay and Cayman Brac and the St. Ignatius Catholic School on Walkers Road.
Speaking to Compass TV, Archbishop of Detroit Edward Weisenburger, who has responsibility for the church in Cayman, said “When you stop to think that 75 years ago it started with 12 people having mass privately in a private home and today there are three worship sites … a large catholic school and wonderful catholic outreach, when you put all that together it’s phenomenal what the local faithful have accomplished in 75 years.”
Weisenburger added, “Even though I am many thousands of miles away in Detroit, I am always very impressed at the reports I receive regularly on how well things have gone here.”
Wil Pineau, chairman of the parish pastoral council said that 75 years is a significant achievement, noting several local families that have contributed to the church’s growth.
“I’d just like to thank everyone in the parish who has been supporting the church over the years,” Pineau said. “I would like to thank the archbishop for coming from Detroit to celebrate this incredible occasion with us and I’d just like to say that everyone is welcome to the Catholic church; our doors are always open.”
Weisenburger said he would love to celebrate the church’s next 75 years, but he added, “That would make me 140 [years old] so I don’t think I will be here for that, but I am going to shoot for the 100th anniversary.”
Related Videos
Congrats to the Catholic community in Cayman.
Perhaps the article could have been expanded by giving more details on the humble beginnings of a formal Catholic Church in Cayman, and a history in its growth. I think the Derek Wight family was fundamental in establishing St. Ignatius’ congregation here.