By Lara Pickford-Gordon Sunday, October 28 2012

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Birthday Boy: Fr David Olliviere is surrounded by well wishers following Mass at the Church of the Nativity, Crystal Stream, Diego Martin, yesterday t...

The people whom God has appointed to be healers in society should be cherished for the contribution they make to society.

Fr David Olliviere yesterday recognised the work of doctors and nurses, “healers of society” like Apostle Luke, who are committed to giving care to the wounded.

“I would like them to know we pray for them. We love them and thank them for the help they give so generously,” Olliviere said at a celebratory Mass for his 80th birthday at the Church of the Nativity in Diego Martin.

The priestly duties of the well loved priest have been curtailed due to a back ailment. Alluding to his physical ailment, he said suffering exposed the mystery in God and the life and love he needed for healing.

Olliviere joked with the congregation that he did not think that God would allow him to live so long and that he spent most of his years lying about his age.

“I am thankful to be able to come out today to say thanks.”

He was also touched by the attendance and the presence of fellow priests.

Vicar General Robert Llanos officiated at the Mass.

Olliviere said in the turbulent years people should take time to reflect on how steady, capable and present God is.

“Only God can save us and He is love.”

He said the Catholic Church cannot do without the aspect of femininity in the “tender touch” of almighty God.

“People are so nice. Thank you for showing me such a tender moment, a tender gesture. It will help me to continue in daily dying all of us who are called to be in the service of Jesus.”

Llanos said Olliviere has been a teacher and pastor to the people of God and thanked him for the witness he has been to younger persons like himself.

He recalled “one of the most powerful homilies and teachings” he has heard when Olliviere spoke at the Charismatic Rally at the Queen’s Park Savannah “many, many years ago”. It was a moving homily during the early days of drug addiction problem in TT and the thousands present were rivetted, Llanos said. He said a rehabilitation centre was later established at Mt St Benedict and it was “founded coming out of that experience.”

He said Olliviere’s service at various parishes over the years was done willingly, lovingly and with great compassion and sensitivity to the body of Christ.

“So the body will grow and be built up.”