It was bright Christmas morning and the Port Maria Infirmary, St Mary, was buzzing.
A regular Christmas visitor and his small team added to the activities at the facility, near the Port Maria Hospital.
Vincent Mason, owner of Mizpah Funeral Home was at the infirmary waiting to carry out an act of kindness in which he has been involved for 22 years.
He had brought Christmas lunch for the inmates.
The rice and peas and chicken were prepared away from the home and brought in large pots and containers. Vegetable was being prepared in the kitchen and staff members were making drinks and preparing the utensils.
A little after 1 p.m. it was all ready, and prayer was done by pastor of Valley Christian Church, Michael Beckford, in the kitchen where all the plastic bowls had been filled with food.
It was lunch time and male and female inmates were seated around tables in the large, clean, dining hall. New ‘Welcome’ mats were at some of the doors and the staff busied themselves helping out. Mr Mason moved around the room handing out bowls containing lunch. Also assisting were: his driver Michael Nicholson aka Chiney Man, Owen Henry and Cynthia Ferguson.
“I am happy to be part of the community by taking care of the less fortunate,” said Mr Mason, head of Mizpah. “Each year it has been a joy to be part of this giving. I never tire of it.”
Asked about the challenges at the home with just over 100 inmates and more than 30 staff, Tricia Ann McGlashan, assistant matron and nurse told The Times that she has been “loving it more everyday, sharing and working with the people here.” She said there had been other institutions that had come to be with and treat the inmates over the holidays. These included Mango Valley New Testament Church, Port Maria Gospel Chapel and Oracabessa Seventh Day as well as Couples Tower Isle. She said thanks to them all and the supporters of the home.
