Easter Monday treat for Psychiatric Hospital’s patients

It was an Easter holiday with a difference for residents and patients of the Psychiatric Hospital who were treated to a short concert by the St. Thomas Community Choir.

This was the first time that the Choir has performed for the group. Monday’s event was well received by attendees who clapped and sang along during renditions of hymns like “Christ Arose”, “My Saviour’s Love”, “He Lives” and “This Joyful Eastertide”.

The 28 member Choir was ably led by Director, Sylvester Niles while the organists were Joy Ann Toppin and Dr. Sylvan Catwell. Each selection was introduced by Reverend Fequel LaPlante, who kept proceedings lively, while reminding those in attendance of God’s love for them.

Organiser, Dr. Cheriann Catwell told the press that an invitation was extended to the Choir to come to the Hospital to perform because “a lot of the patients were singing a lot of the Easter songs and they had
mentioned that they wish that they could be out at church during this Easter period, but obviously because of the limited staff here, I thought it would be best for the church to come here and be able to minister to them in song and in celebration during this Easter period.”

Dr. Catwell added she would encourage the Choir to come another time to minister in song because those present “really enjoyed it and they had been asking for opportunities like this.”

The St. Thomas Community Choir “has been around for more than 40 years” and as pointed out by the Choir’s Director they annually visit district hospitals and some nursing homes to perform during the Christmas and Easter holidays. Niles stated this is something the group has been doing from its inception.

“We have never missed a single year. So our Easter and Christmas bank holidays are taken up with this kind of work; A mission to bring joy to the residents of these hospitals.”