Evicted!!

With the last of the roof sheeting being removed today, we said goodbye to a number of church 'residents.' The Antillean Fruit-eating Bat (Brachyphylla cavernarum) have for years now (judging by the thick layer of guano they left in the ceiling) been living in the roof of our beloved Cathedral. 

Brachyphylla cavernarum in action

These creatures have on occaision intruded in services, especially night and early morning ones, and buzzed and dive bombed the congregation.  But these intrusions were rare and not the greater of their many sins.  Their greatest? They are not toilet trained!  And while we are sure that our Heavenly Father created them for a special and unique purpose, defecating in His holy house cannot be one of them.  Maybe He just likes to keep us on our toes or He has an incredible sense of humour.  Thank You God. 

So farewell winged creatures and please, .....please, ......please find lodging elsewhere.  We will be doing our best to ensure you cannot get back in. 

A face that God loves?

A joke that the contractor shared with me was that he had a dream that when we removed the first sheet from the roof a swarm of bats would exit through that hole and blot out the sky over St. John's.  We had a good laugh over it but I am sure both he and I were a little apprehensive today.

Bat swarm

View of St. John's harbour from the Cathedral

Whew! No swarm today.  Thank You God!