MONSIGNOR RICHARD Albert preached his last sermon at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, a service that drew hundreds of parishioners, ranging from residents of the low income Grants Pen and other communities to the diplomatic community.
Father Albert, 57, will be taking up a new assignment.
"After seven years of constructing building and peoples' lives in the community, the visionary has been reassigned, and will be heading to St. Catherine where he intends to blaze a new trail," said a news release.
"We at Stella Maris know we have not lost a pastor but we are gaining the entire parish of St. Catherine where he goes to build six new churches," it said, quoting a parishioner.
Following the mass, a reception was held in the church hall - part of the extensive Pastoral Centre, and a symbol of the Monsignor's hard work at Stella Maris, as it was he who spearheaded fund-raising and supervised its construction.
Not only is Monsignor Albert regarded as a great preacher, but he encourages his congregation to become leaders of various outreach programmes for the poor and needy. Some of these include a Street People Ministry that involves feeding more than 300 indigents in downtown Kingston every Sunday. There is also the Prison Ministry and the St. Monica's Home for the Aged.
One of Monsignor's greatest achievement is the Stella Maris Foundation which was modelled after the St. Patrick's Foundation, also his brainchild.
The Stella Maris Foundation is situated on Grant's Pen Avenue and its facilities are open to persons in and around the community.
During his seven years at Stella Maris, Monsignor Albert was also a supporter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, another outreach movement for the very poor in the community.
The Stella Maris Steel Orchestra, which he founded last year, along with the St. Patrick's Marching Band, which he also founded, gave stellar performances at the farewell function.
