Franciscans in Jamaica Educate and Empower Young People

Andreada Cooley and Brother Joseph Schenk, OFM Conv.

In the years that the Conventual Franciscan friars and Franciscan sisters have been working at St. Mary’s, Above Rocks, and Missions in Jamaica they have strived (and continue to strive) to educate and empower as many children as they can. Their mission contains two schools – St. Mary’s College and St. Mary’s All-Age. Young people receive an excellent elementary and secondary education at these schools. They also graduate with values that propel them to use their God-given talents for the betterment of the world.

Recently students from the mission as well as an alumna proved this point. St. Mary’s College Choir, after all, has used its gift of music to make it to the top seven in Jamaica’s All Together Sing competition on television. People watching the show on TV vote for their favorite choir.

St. Mary's College Choir

The floor manager of All Together Sing, Ms. Andreada Cooley, it turns out, is a graduate of both St. Mary’s All-Age and the College. She works for TV J, the show’s broadcaster, and also produces a morning program called Smile Jamaica.

With examples such those of the choir, that of Ms. Andreada Cooley, and many others, it is evident that the friars and sisters’ hard work is really paying off.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: St Mary's, Above Rocks, and Missions.)