On Sunday, September 7, at St. Williams Catholic Church in Tortola, BVI, Bishop Robert Llanos will ordain Paul Hewlett to be a permanent deacon for the Diocese of St. Basseterre.

Hewlett’s ordination marks the continued growth of the permanent diaconate in the diocese, with the last one being December 2024.

Paul entered the diaconate formation program sponsored by the diocese in collaboration with Dayton College in the USA in 2001.

He points to his early years at St. Joseph’s Academy in Antigua as the moment when he discovered the call to serve the church.

His journey of service began when the family moved to Tortola, where he has fond memories of his parents’ close relationship with Father John Valentine and his own role as an altar server at St. William’s Catholic Church, which was then located on Main Street.

Paul notes that service runs deep in his family.

His brother Gath was among the first to train for the diaconate alongside Roberto Harrigan. His mother served as the organist at St. William’s, while his father was both a minister of the Eucharist and choirmaster.

He recounts that when invited by Father Paul Czoch to consider enrolling in the diaconate program, he accepted without hesitation.

He points to the overwhelming support of his wife of 44 years, Lornette Denis Hewlett, and their six children, and vows to remain committed in his service to God, the Holy Mother Church, and in particular, the St. William’s parish and the broader Diocese of St. John’s Basseterre.

His core message centers on the call to service that concludes every Mass: “Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.” He believes that through serving others, people experience God’s love for them.

He draws inspiration from Luke 12:47, which states that much will be required from those to whom much has been given, and even more will be demanded from those to whom much has been entrusted.