CCSJ asks you all to pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Hezekiah who died April 20, 2016. God called him home in his 83rd year. We will all remember his faithful service as a priest. We share with you Angela Pidduck’s Newsday article about him when he celebrated 50 years of priestly vocation in 2010:
“Father “Reggie”, the “People’s Priest who has always placed service to others before self”, celebrated his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination on September 25, 2010.
Clyde Reginald Hezekiah, the fourth of five children – Stanley, Angela, Jocelyn, and Oswald – was born on January 10, 1934 to Archibald (a faithful Anglican) and Vio (a devout Roman Catholic), and always wished to be a priest.
“From the time I was a student at Rosary Boys I would go to the church next door and help the organist pump the organ. I was enthralled by the services, funerals, etc. Then I went to St Mary’s College in the times of the Holy Ghost priests and prefects.”
His father and mother regularly attended their respective churches but would both participate in any special events at either of the churches. The very loving family unit said the rosary and the litany together every night, and Clyde, as he is called by family and close friends, from his early teen years always attended daily mass at the archbishop’s chapel. The seed was truly planted when the archbishop gave him a rosary, told him that the Blessed Virgin saw his regular attendance, and asked if he had thought about the priesthood.
And so Clyde’s life as a seminarian began as he entered the seminary of St John Vianney at Mount St Benedict.
After seven years, Father Hezekiah was ordained by Archbishop Count Finbar Ryan at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. However, back then, the seminary was not yet affiliated to the University of the West Indies, and, says Father Reggie with his trademark smile, “I am not like so many of the others who have the Bachelor’s or Master’s in Theology. The only initials after my name are ‘C.O.G’ Child of God. Although we did the degree programme it was not yet formalised.”
Having served in parishes across the country, from La Brea, Chaguanas, Pointe-a-Pierre, Princes Town, Kelly Village, Diego Martin, Curepe, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Assumption, and finally St Charles de Borromeo in Tunapuna for the past ten years, this “Child of God’s” golden jubilee was very prayerfully observed in various parishes. A bouquet of Masses was offered at St Patrick’s in Newtown, Sacred Heart on Richmond Street, St Anthony’s in Point Fortin, St Francis in Sangre Grande, Church of the Resurrection at La Horquette and St John’s in St Augustine.
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Several of the parishes served by Father Reggie came together on September 20 at the Assumption Parish in Maraval, where he had served for ten years, and recognised “the untold contribution that Fr Hezekiah has made to our church here in Trinidad and Tobago. “He has and continues, to touch and inspire, to heal and move many, many people very much closer to their faith and religion.”
The main event which took place on September 24 at St Charles with Archbishop Edward J Gilbert present, ended with tributes from Assumption, Towers of Strength, Cathedral Prayer Group, Emmanuel Community and St Charles, and the presentation of the Papal Blessing.
From his family at St Charles Father Reggie was presented with a golden purse “in recognition of, and appreciation for, 50 years of priestly ministry…. Your heart has spoken to us for the past ten years and to this archdiocese for the past 50 years, of the deep and abiding love of God which has been the hallmark of your beautiful gift of ministry and which has brought us closer to God and God closer to us.”
Fr Reggie also finds the time and strength to be also involved as Spiritual Director of prayer groups at the Cathedral, Emmanuel Community, Towers of Strength and Assumption; to frequently say midday mass at Living Water Community on Frederick Street; and conduct healing services in different parts of the country. “In August,” says Father Reggie, “at Paramin there was a tremendous turn out, and at the Nativity, to my surprise, a fortnight ago there was standing room only.”
Through this healing ministry he has set about celebrating healing masses throughout the country for those needing the comfort and peace of being freed from their bonds, and has helped hundreds, perhaps thousands, in coming to terms with their troubles, and in no small way helps them bear their burdens and enriches their faith.
Said the homilist at St Charles: “You have healed us spiritually through the mercy of God, from various afflictions, by your frequent healing masses, or, as you would put it, your “spiritual hospital” and anyone attending these masses cannot fail to be touched in mind and heart as you walk through the church holding the monstrance so that we may experience the solace of being in the presence of our saviour.”
Father Reggie has also been instrumental in renovating, rebuilding and constructing new houses of worship, not only in the parishes where he has worked, but also through contributions from fundraisers, in the smaller parishes in rural Trinidad and Tobago.
Father Reggie became a little emotional as he said: “I am really overwhelmed at the tremendous response for my golden jubilee. Friends in that area used the Assumption Church where I had been for ten years and offered congratulations, good wishes, gifts and all the various things. At St Charles there was a big luncheon with about 1,200 people, under tents with an outdoor screen showing the mass.
The Archbishop came to St Charles which was really the parish celebration.
The others were organised by friends. Both Assumption and St Charles presented purses. I told the Lord I am sending the golden purse up to you, whatever you don’t want send back, and threw it up in the air. It has been a beautiful 50 years.”
