Inmates and prison staff help get St Francis parish church ready for services tomorrow

The Seychelles Prison Service was pleased to answer the call and special request made by Father Yves, parish priest for St Francis at Baie Lazare, to help make the church ready for services which will pick up again as from tomorrow Sunday May 24, 2020.

“Our community support is starting to pick up again and we were very pleased to answer the call and help over the past few days, cutting grass, cleaning and installing wash basins so that parishioners can wash their hands prior to entering or leaving the church service,” said Donald Zialor, program 2 coordinator for Project Phoenix and rehabilitation officer at the Seychelles Prison Service.

Since Thursday May 21, 2020, a number of volunteer inmates accompanied by staff from the Seychelles Prison Service have been helping to make ready the church grounds and church for what can be considered a special return to church worship as a community following the 1^st COVID-19 event in Seychelles.

“Our inmates and staff alike welcomed the opportunity to give back to the community at this occasion and as a show solidarity, understanding the importance for family and friends to come together after some stressful times where for a number of weeks Seychellois were restricted to move as a result of this global pandemic,” added Mr Zialor.

It should be noted that Father Yves is as well the Roman Catholic chaplain for the Montagne Posée prison and actively supports the prison service’s Faith Based Programme under Project Phoenix.

During the COVID-19 event however and with restrictions, faith-based visits at the prison service facilities by chaplains, pastors, imams, other religious volunteers were temporarily suspended. However, the programme will as well re-start shortly with enhanced screening hygiene procedures to be observed at all facilities.