First Baptist Church Halifax extends sincere sympathy to Rev. Joesph Manchester in the loss of his sister, Cynthia Anelta Herbert, an aunt to Alan Manchester, on March 22, 2009. A Thanksgiving Mass was offered at the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral in Basseterre, St. Kitts on March 31, 2009. Below is a tribute by Most Rev. Donald J. Reece, Archbishop of Kingston.

Tribute to a

Faithful Matriarch

"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine" are words that were forever on Mother Herbert's lips, words that brought solace to her during her years when she was no longer actively involved in ministry in her Church. At every home Mass or Communion Service her theme song had to be sung; it's as if she was truly having "a foretaste of glory divine" while still in the flesh. That was truly her "story.. .her song, praising her Saviour all the day long!"

Matriarch that she was, she managed to inculcate in her large well-knit family, the beauty of family life and loyalty among friends. Her faith spoke of "perfect submission" to her Saviour, deep concern for good moral values both at home and in the society—which made her deeply committed to good, moral, civic order. It was as if her children drank such values and concern from her breast! She was alive, even when she was devoid of her hearing and vision-impaired. She was ready to "shake a leg," even at her age, especially with her second "son!"

May her passion for stability and solidarity among her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren not be lost on the family, for this is the secret ingredient for the growth of God's family, the Church, and for a healthy, just and peaceful society. Would that we would all learn that lesson from Mother Herbert! I pray that the family will take consolation from the fact that for those who die in Christ "life is changed, not ended." Now, "visions of rapture" has burst on her sight because of her perfect submission to her Jesus. May she rest in peace!