HoSang family gives to 'God's kingdom'

Published: Sunday | November 15, 2009


Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter


The newly constructed Mt Beatitudes Chapel.

At first glance, the Mt Beatitudes Chapel in Iron River, Golden Spring, is a fine building.

But its wooden walls and neat architecture, however, don't even begin to tell the story of its genesis or its purpose. Look closely at the front door; there is a plaque dedicated to Brian HoSang. But he was not there (at least in the flesh) to see the opening last Sunday though.


Led by Father Richard Ho Lung (left) of Missionaries of the Poor, Vincent HoSang helps to invoke blessings on Mt Beatitudes Chapel at its opening on Sunday, November 8. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

That's because Brian, son of Vincent and Jeanette HoSang of Caribbean Food Delights, Royal Caribbean Bakery and JerkQ'zine Caribbean Grille, headquartered in New York, died tragically last year. But his father was determined to make something positive out of tragedy.

Father Ho Lung, leader of the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP), had lauded HoSang before for his funds to help build the hilly institutions. HoSang said he was given the choice to fund one of two buildings, a hospice or a chapel. The businessman chose the chapel. The chapel was officially opened and blessed with a mass to embrace the day of rejoicing. HoSang said funding the construction was just his way of giving back to the Caribbean people who had always supported him.

But Father Ho Lung said that it was more than just a chapel being built, it was God's kingdom. He also revealed that the chapel would be used as a school because many of the children in the Iron River/Mount Tabor lack bus fare, lunch money and even shoes to attend school. To underline the spirit of togetherness, the construction was done by the brothers of the MOP, as well as builders from Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States of America and residents of the adjoining communities.

 
 
 
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. The Gleaner reserves the right not to publish comments that may be deemed libelous, derogatory or indecent. To respond to The Gleaner please use the feedback form.