Rev. Neil S. R. Scantlebury was born to Keith and the late Myrna Scantlebury on October 1, 1965, on Barbados. He has two older brothers, Michael and Keith (a.k.a Joel). At the age of five years old, Fr. Neil had a desire to be a Priest but that quickly disappeared as he got involved in playing cricket and soccer and later girls.
Rev. Neil studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. In his last year of studies at the University, he discerned a strong sense that he was not being called to live out a vocation in engineering.
After receiving his B.Sc. degree in 1989, Fr. Neil came to the Virgin Islands with the help of Monsignor Michael Kosak to teach Religion and Math at Sts. Peter & Paul School and at the same time discern his vocation.
After a year of teaching and much prayer, Fr. Neil decided to pursue priesthood for the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Great peace of mind and heart came with the decision.
He entered the Mount St. Mary’s Seminary at Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he studied. On May 18, 1995, he was ordained a Priest.
In his years as a Priest he served as:
1. Associate Pastor at Holy Family Church, St. Thomas
2. Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. John
3. Pastor / Rector of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas
2009-Present Pastor of Holy Family Church, St. Thomas
Chancellor of the Diocese
Member of the Diocesan Consultors
Member of the Catholic Charities Board
Member of the Foundation Board
Member of the Finance Committee
Under the guidance of, and with the help of The Holy Spirit, he is looking forward to continuing serving and building the Kingdom of God.
Additional things:
1970-1976 Speightstown Boys’ School
1976-1985 Combermere Secondary School
1978 – Present Member of the Catholic Charismatic Movement
1981- Present Member of the Crusillo Movement
1985-1989 University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad
Member of UWI Prayer Group
1986-1989 Member of Men’s Household of UWI Prayer Group
1989 B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
1989 Taught Religion at Sts. Peter and Paul School, St. Thomas
1990-1995 Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmittsburg, Maryland
1995- Present (off and on) Teacher at Sts. Peter and Paul School
1995 Master’s of Divinity
1997 M.A. in Sacred Scripture
September 1, 2009 Myrna Scantlebury died
May 6, 2014 Deacon Keith Scantlebury died