I always have been a bookworm who preferred to have his head in books than other activities. In 2005 I added to my knowledge the expertise of creating a Catholic Liturgical space based on recent guidelines by attending a seminar in Grenada and reading virtually any book that was available on the subject. I came to realise that this was my mission and ministry and the results can be observed in the chapels I designed and built.  I have been writing the articles for three reasons:

1. The need to keep the Cathedral renovation project in the public domain so that desperately needed fundraising does not falter.

2. The realisation that I have a great story to tell and that I have knowledge which should be shared with the general public.

3. The local lack of knowledge of and appreciation for the local Dominican history, heritage and the meaning of religious architecture and symbols. Coming from a country steeped in history I could not understand this.

I wish to thank many people and want to name a few contributors to this venture: Ms Carnette Pemberton, Mrs. Dorothy Leevy, Dr. Lennox Honychurch, Brother Henry French, Monsignor William John Lewis, editor Gwen Evelyn of the chronicle and all those who encouraged and inspired me to keep writing. A special thanks to Wendy Walsh from Delphis, who, as her contribution to the Cathedral project, offered to place the articles on her website.

Bernard Lauwyck

PS. For people who are not familiar with the recent history of Dominica, The Commonwealth of Dominica gained its independence from Britain on November 3, 1978. Less than a year later a devastating hurricane named David hit the unsuspecting island and the devastation was catastrophic. The island was never the same as large ancient trees and abundant flowing rivers never recovered to their pre-David condition.