St. Joseph's Parish Men's Ministry

"The Story of The Men's Group"

In the words of the late Joseph Symonette 

St. Joseph’s Men’s Group goes back to April 1974 when  Michael "Mike" Stubbs, called the men of the Parish together. A few turned out and he expressed the desire to form a Men’s Organization within the Parish. Not much happened after that initial meeting; however six months later Joseph Symonette called a second meeting on the 8th October, 1974 and the group came together, it was called St. Joseph Men’s Group. The Charter members were Michael "Mike" Stubbs, Joseph Symonette, Cecil Miller and Leroy Wallace-Rolle.  

Joseph Symonette was the coordinator for the group for six months, then an election was held to which Joseph Symonette was elected President. He remained President for a number of years, after which he determined to let others lead.  

It was under the Presidency of Dr. Samuel Bain that the Constitution was revised and the original name of St. Joseph's Men’s Group was changed to St. Joseph's Men’s Ministry. Successive Presidents were, Winston Davis, Timothy "Tim"  Dames, Dr. Samuel Bain, Michael Neely, and currently Jamian "Jamain" Carey. 

The Men’s Ministry Fostered a number of accomplishments as outlined below:  

Annual Good Friday Fish Fry:  The Fish Fry was started as a means to furnish a fraternal bond and to raise funds for the Ministry. Dedicated brothers like Winston Davis who made up the ticket chart and controlled it along with Brother Joe Roberts at the door. Brothers Preston Allen and Robert Kelly sold sodas. Brothers Anthony "Tony" Bastian, Lawrence Ferguson, Timothy "Tim"  Dames, Bernard Lundy and Vincent Williams served in the kitchen. Brother Leroy Wallace-Rolle cleaned fish for many Good Friday take-away and Brother Prince Adderley donated hot cross buns. Cooking the peas and rice were Mrs. Delfine Davis, Mrs. Pamrica Ferguson, Mrs. Olive Lundy, Mrs. Una Williams and Mrs. Vesey Ferguson together they cooked more than 80 pounds of peas and rice.  

Other members of the Group gave very generously, Brothers such as Timothy "Tim"  Dames, Noel Thompson, James Thompson and Stanley Walters. Larry Smith always helped with ssetting-up of the Parish Hall, he would be there from early that morning until everything came to a close cleaning the floor, the kitchen and the pots.  

That 2nd year of the Good Friday take-away dinner was the most memorable, we ran out of fish and we had told Father Michael Kelly, he offered us a pack of frozen fish, which we could not use. Our patrons wanted something to go with their meals, so we decided to serve Kentucky Fried Chicken on, Good Friday. “You can imagine what a feeling that must have been.” As the President I wrote a letter to the Pastor, and to the Parish Council telling them how sorry we were for serving chicken on Good Friday.  

Other Activities: At that time the Men’s Ministry hosted 2 fundraisers each year, the Good Friday fish fry which was the major fundraiser for the ministry and a Steak-out/Grill and Chill which brought the members together in fellowship and working together. Some members made a financial contribution if they were unable to participate.  

The Men’s Ministry hold the responsibility for the soft drinks at the Parish annual Bazaar. We have also taken on special projects such as painting the 3 buildings around the Parish grounds, manning the parking lot at all Masses, assisting with hurricane preparation around the rectory also attending and participating in the Mass in uniform the 2nd Sunday of each month. With a register of more than 50 members from all walks of life. 

40th Anniversary Celebrations: Under the Presidency of Michael Neely on October 2013 the Men’s Ministry celebrated their 40th Anniversary. A church service was organized for the event, many persons from the Parish and the Archdiocese were invited. The Men’s Ministry hosted a reception, this was also the year of St. Joseph’s Parish 80th Anniversary with a year of activities. This was also a momentous occasion as we are the oldest of the Men’s Associations in the Archdiocese. 

44th Anniversary Celebrations: Under the Presidency of Timothy "Tim" Dames in the year of our 45th Anniversary we celebrated our 44th Anniversary honoring all of our chartered members of the Men’s Group, including post-mortem members. To commemorate the occasion a Mass was held,  and a luncheon with a commemorative booklet. The event was successfully organized by Vice President and Committee Chairman Jamian "Jamain" Carey and other executive members; Treasurer Dwight Johnson, Assistant Secretary the late John “Tommy” Thompson, Chaplin Lawrence Ferguson, Secretary Lamarison Rolle and  Public Relations Godwin Taylor. 

50th Anniversary Celebration: Under the Presidency of Jamian "Jamain" Carey we celebrate our 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary on October 8th. 2023. This Golden Jubilee Anniversary year also mark the 50th Independence of The Bahamas. To date we have much to be thankful for as our ministry has grown gracefully. Our annual activities also now include; Family Movie Nights, Whist Tournaments, Father’s Day Retreat and Honorees, Live Super Bowl, Various Symposiums, Second Rebirth of our Parish and Community Band and Parish Garden Group. 

Current Executive Members;  

President - Jamian "Jamain" Carey 

Vice President - Godwin Taylor 

Treasurer - Tim Dames 

Assistant Treasurer - Francis Francis 

Secretary - Smith LaGuerre 

Assistant Secretary - Chris Francis 

Chaplin - Lawrence Ferguson 

Public Relations - Patrick Gardener  

Meeting and Membership: The Men’s Ministry is open to any catholic brother over the age of 18 years of age, we meet every month on the 1st Sunday of the month at 5pm in The Seton Room. The Ministry collects a small membership fee that allows it to provide financial assistance for the ministry itself.