Pastor Peter de Jong.
ST. EUSTATIUS--Priest of the Roman Catholic parish in St. Eustatius Peter de Jong is leaving the flock he attended to for a year and a half to become visiting priest in Kingston, Jamaica. This Sunday he celebrated his last Holy Mass.
Pastor De Jong said he was “grateful” for his experience on Statia and said he learnt a lot about the ways of the island. “I had some very good encounters. People see you as someone to confide in and I thank them for that trust in me.”
He stated that he was happy with the new Parish Council. “They are competent and of good character,” he said of the council members.
De Jong is “glad” that the restoration of the church, which was built in 1910, will “finally” take place, “And the parsonage will also get a much-needed facelift,” he added.
Until the new priest arrives on Statia, Valentine Fortin will conduct services of prayer and communion. “I have the fullest confidence he will do a good job to serve the parish,” assured De Jong.
