A Beacon of Light

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  • My name is Kevin Carroll. I was born and raised in San Francisco, California, where I attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory. I am a graduate of both Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco. Following a 40-year career in teaching and pastoral ministry, I launched a new career as a writer and speaker.

    I live in San José, California. My wife, Kathy, and I have three adult sons and five precious grandchildren. I have much for which to be grateful.

    I can be reached via email at kmc43sjc@gmail.com

    My books are available for purchase online from Amazon. I also have copies of some of these titles at my home for those who would like to buy them directly from me.

    A Moment’s Pause for Gratitude  (2017)

    Cherries in the Summer  (2021)

    The Ambassador of 38th Avenue  (2022)

    Dad: 12 Questions…  (2023)

    A Focus on Gratitude  (2024)

    Through the Lens of Gratitude  (2024)

    A Bahamian Odyssey (2026)

  • Small World

    “Life is beautiful  
    because of the  
    people we meet.”       
    Simon Sinek

    Another Sunday in Nassau. I attended the 11:00 a.m. Mass at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral this morning. I’m glad I did. At the conclusion of the liturgy, a woman made an announcement thanking the volunteers who were outside the church to provide complimentary snacks for churchgoers. She thanked them by name, reading off a list of about a dozen women. One name caught my attention.

    Myra Mitchell is one of the students I taught at Saint Augustine’s College fifty-one years ago. When I heard the name mentioned, I wondered if it might be the same Myra. When I exited the church, I approached the woman who had made the announcement and asked her if she would point out Myra. She led me to a table on the other side of the plaza and called her by name, telling her someone wanted to see her. Myra looked at me and her face lit up. She ran around the end of the table and gave me a long hug. We had not seen each other since June 1975. 

    Myra then surprised me by introducing me to eight other former students who had attended the Mass. 

    “Mr. Carroll, do you remember me?” another woman asked. “I’m Leonardette.”

    “Ross?” I replied. 

    “YES!” she shouted enthusiastically. Another long, tight hug. Like Myra, I had not seen Leonardette in more than fifty years. 

    In my book, A Bahamian Odyssey, I mentioned Cedrick Poitier, nephew of renowned actor Sidney Poitier. This morning, I met his cousin, Bruno. I didn’t teach Bruno, but he remembered me, as he was a SAC student at that time, as well.

    This is how my day got started. After Mass, I walked down to the British Colonial Hotel to enjoy lunch at their poolside restaurant, which offers a view of Nassau harbor. While there, I met people from a variety of places, including David, who told me he was from Kingston, Jamaica. He was a bit surprised when I asked him where he attended high school. He replied, “Campion.”

    “I’ve been there!” I told him. “It’s a Jesuit school.”

    David was shocked. “Yes, it is. How do you know about Campion?”

    I explained that in the summer of 1971, I had visited Jamaica for six weeks with one of my Jesuit teachers from San Francisco and one of my high school classmates. On July 31, 1971, the feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order, we attended a celebration of the feast at the Jesuit residence at Campion College. I explained that we were in Jamaica to teach and learn contemporary music for youth liturgies. I told him that a young Jesuit priest, Father Richard Ho Lung, who had been ordained one month prior to our arrival, had written a number of liturgical songs for youth liturgies. 

    “I knew Father Richard!” David replied. 

    Yet another “small world” experience. This is why I enjoy striking up conversations with people I meet. We just never know when we’ll find ourselves sitting next to someone with whom we have a mutual acquaintance.   

  • All Grown Up

    7th Grade Students
    in 1975

    “No distance of place 
    or lapse of time can 
    lessen the friendships 
    of those who are 
    thoroughly persuaded 
    of each other’s worth.”
    Robert Southey

    Yes, it’s been 51 years since I taught at Saint Augustine’s College (grades 7 through 12) in Nassau. Despite this passage of time, I feel blessed to still be in contact with many of my former students. Sadly, a number of them have passed, including three from the photo above, but most of those I taught are alive and well, ranging in age from 62 to 70. Many no longer live in Nassau. Some have moved to the family islands, while others settled in the United States or other parts of the world. 

    Visiting Nassau provides an opportunity for me to connect with some of these individuals. I’m hoping to see many of them at the book signing event in the school library on the 29th.

    It’s humbling, and affirming, to meet up with former students and have them tell me that I made a difference in their life. American historian Henry Brooks Adams wrote, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” While I certainly agree with this claim, Adams’ words apply to more than just teachers. One of the great challenges of life is to acknowledge that each one of us, regardless of our career path, has the potential to influence others, for good or for bad. 

    One of my favorite human beings is Jimmy Carter. He may best be known as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, but he inspired more people in his years after leaving the White House. He committed himself to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization committed to building more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. His commitment to the program was more than just a post-presidential photo-op.

    As a skilled carpenter, Carter was a hands-on builder who, with a tool belt and hard hat, worked on-site, bringing national attention to the need for decent housing. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in part due to his commitment to social welfare. 

    In a memorable statement, Carter said, “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something… My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.”  

    It is encouraging to see many of my former SAC students doing just that — making a positive contribution to the community by sharing their gifts to make a positive difference in the world.

  • Inconceivable!

    “Life is like 
    the weather… 
    unpredictable.”      
    Joe Garcia

    Having watched The Princess Bride with my boys, more times than I’d like to admit, when they were little kids, I’m quite familiar with the word inconceivable. Rarely, however, do I have reason to use the word in conversation. This week, it’s the first word that comes to mind as I ponder the weather differences between the San Francisco Bay Area and Nassau, in The Bahamas.

    At this time of year, a good number of visitors to Nassau are here to escape the bitter cold of their hometowns. What a tremendous opportunity to trade the cold and snow for the warm Caribbean sunshine and beautiful white sand beaches here in Nassau. How ironic that such is not the case for me this year.

    The San Francisco Bay Area has been experiencing a heat wave for the past several days. With temperatures in the upper 80s to mid-90s in San José, it seems odd that I am here in The Bahamas where the high temperature today will be 73º again today. The thought that one would travel to Nassau to escape the heat in San Francisco is, well,… inconceivable.

    I’m not complaining. It’s actually quite comfortable here. The sun is hot, but wind in excess of 20 miles per hour has been preventing the temperature from climbing into a more seasonable range. It’s been ideal conditions for walking.

    As Joe Garcia points out in the quote above, life can be like this, too. Just when we think we’ve got it all figured out, just when we believe that everything is under control, we are reminded that life is unpredictable. We can make all the plans we want, but life will always play out as it will.  

  • The Fish Fry

    “It’s a great place 
    to get a taste of 
    all the islands.” 
    Kevin Archer 
    Ministry of Agriculture

    The condominium I’m renting for these three weeks is located a short 15-minute walk from Arawak Cay, home of the Nassau Fish Fry. This unique Bahamian experience is a lively waterfront area known for its array of restaurants and food stalls. Locals tell me it’s the place to go to enjoy authentic Bahamian cuisine, especially seafood dishes like fried fish and conch fritters.

    The concept of a fish fry became popular during a time when many Catholic communities observed meatless Fridays. Back in the 1980s, local Bahamian fishermen were looking to acquire a stretch of land to sell their fish and conch. Having leased a portion of Arawak Cay from the government, the fish market began to draw locals and tourists alike. What began as a couple of seaside stalls has grown into a collection of more than thirty stalls, stands, and brick-and-mortar restaurants. 

    In most countries, a fish fry is exactly what it sounds like — a fried fish, usually served with a side order of French fries. In the Bahamas, however, it’s much more than that. The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay has become a culinary gathering place that features some of the freshest and most authentic Bahamian food.

    Generally speaking, the hours of operation for the Nassau Fish Fry are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with Friday nights being the most popular. That’s when live Junkanoo bands often provide entertainment. I stopped by for lunch the other day. Sitting at a table with an unobstructed view of five cruise ships docked at Nassau harbor, I enjoyed a plate of jerk chicken. It was served with sides of peas ’n rice and cole slaw. 

    While I’m eating most of my meals here in the condo, it nice to have the option to get an authentic Bahamian meal nearby.

  • Making a Difference

    “We never know which 
    lives we influence, 
    or when, or why.” 
    Stephen King

    In the past ten years, the term “social media influencer” has gained popularity. The label applies to those whose engaging social media content, such as photos, videos, and updates, has a profound influence on their followers. These individuals have the potential to influence others in either positive or negative ways.

    The concept of an “influencer” is not something new. Certainly throughout history, writers, speakers, teachers, preachers, parents, coaches, and any other number of people have exerted influence, one way or another, on the lives of those with whom they interacted. Making a positive difference in the lives of others is a task to which we are all called.

    American novelist, Leo Rosten, wrote, “The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to matter — to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.”

    Each of us, in our own way, has the opportunity to do this. William Paul Young, author of The Shack, tells us that “every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes.” We may not notice the change right away, and we may never see evidence of the change in our lifetime, but how we interact with the people we encounter in our life journey will most definitely leave an impression.

    Sister Mary Rose McGeady, the former director of Covenant House in New York, pointed out, “There is no greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.”

    I think it’s healthy for each of us to pause and consider how we have influenced others in our lifetime. Perhaps our influence was on a large group of people. Quite possibly, it might be just one person who benefitted from coming into contact with us. Each day, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s healthy to be aware of this, and to be conscious of how we are influencing those around us.

    American author, Colin Beaven, wrote, “Believe with all your heart that how you live your life makes a difference.”

    It does!

  • St. Patrick’s Day

    “Nassau’s bars and 
    restaurants offer a 
    taste of local cuisine, 
    with a festive twist to
    honor Saint Patrick’s Day.”
    Dante Escobar

    It’s been said that there’s an Irish pub in pretty much every city in the world. My sister, Cathy, and I found an Irish pub in Kyoto, Japan in July 2001. When we walked inside, it looked and felt like any other Irish pub we’d been in. The major difference was that all the bartenders, and many of the customers, were Japanese.

    On this Saint Patrick’s Day, I find myself in Nassau, and yes, there is an authentic Irish pub on Bay Street. I’m sure Shenanigan’s will be busy with tourists and locals celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2026. I will not be one of them. The one day of the year when it’s least likely to find me in an Irish pub is St. Patrick’s Day. Too crowded.

    I have not had an alcoholic beverage of any kind since I’ve been here this year. That may change at some point, but I doubt it. When I attend the evening socials here at the community where I’m staying, I get one Bahamian rum punch, without the rum, each night. I don’t need alcohol to thoroughly enjoy myself. And when I wake up each morning, I do so without the after-effects of having consumed liquor. 

    No doubt, there will be a fair amount of drinking in and around Nassau tonight. The spring break crowd has arrived. All the hotels and resorts are fully occupied, many with young, college-age kids. Even without St. Patrick’s Day, consuming large quantities of alcoholic beverages seems to be the thing to do on spring break. Add St. Patrick’s Day to the mix and conditions for over-imbibing are like the perfect storm. For some, it’s just part of the tradition of spring break. For others, the alcohol provides the liquid courage they need to have their experience of “a good time.”

    Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!

  • Bahamians

    “If you want to
    understand  the place
    you are traveling in,  
    simply get to know  
    the people who live there.”
    Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

    One might wonder why I have such an affinity for The Bahamas. Sure, I spent a year teaching here, but that was 51 years ago. How could something that happened that long ago still have such an effect on me? 

    The answer to this question is clear to me. It’s not about The Bahamas. It’s about the Bahamian people, some who I got to know 51 years ago, and with whom I have maintained contact through the years, and others I met in my multiple visits to the island since that time. They are the reason I enjoy returning to Nassau when the opportunity presents itself.

    Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas. It’s located on the island of New Providence. It’s a small town. When I meet a Bahamian I do not know, it’s not unusual for us to realize, in the course of our conversation, that we have mutual friends or acquaintances. Just this afternoon, as I was returning to my rented condo, I met a man who was digging a hole in front of his home to install a light post. We spoke briefly about his reason for wanting to improve the lighting in that location. Before moving on, I introduced myself. The gentleman then did the same. His family name is Poitier, and he acknowledged that Sidney Poitier, the actor, is his cousin. I told him that when I taught at Saint Augustine’s College 51 years ago, one of my students was Cedrick Poitier, Sidney’s nephew. The man smiled and told me that “Ceddy” had been at his home yesterday. Small world. That’s island life.

    Walking through some of the neighborhoods here which tourists rarely visit affords me the opportunity to meet many other local residents. Many conversations reveal that we know people in common, which forms a connection between us. I thoroughly enjoy meeting people as I walk the neighborhoods, and, more often than not, people seem genuinely happy to engage in conversation with me. This, too, is island life.

    In the past few days, walking down Bay Street, the main thoroughfare through downtown Nassau, I’ve run into to more than a dozen people I’d met on previous visits to the island. It’s a wonderful feeling to walk through a town in a foreign country and be warmly greeted by people who remember me. 

    I would say that I have a good understanding of The Bahamas, because I’ve made the effort to get to know the people who live here. Through them, I have come to a better understanding of the joys and struggles of Bahamian life. 

    I definitely don’t feel like a tourist in Nassau. 

  • Church Day

    St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
    (New and old)

    “They dress up every 
    Sunday and go to church,
    and the pastors
    make them feel loved.”
    The Nassau Tribune

    While this could be an accurate statement of a Catholic parish in the Santa Clara Valley, I can think of very few to which it would apply. Pastors make them feel loved? Generally speaking, this has not been my experience of most parishes in the Diocese of San José. Here in The Bahamas, however, going to church is a totally different experience.

    Sunday mornings in Nassau are for going to church. There are countless places of worship for a variety of denominations on this island. These services tend to be well attended, and the level of active participation by churchgoers, especially when it comes to singing, is unparalleled in my experience. 

    I attended the 8:30 Mass at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral this morning. The energy level in the worship space was electric, as the assembly joined their voices with the choir of approximately forty men and women. They don’t just sing. They celebrate these songs. For those of us who have grown accustomed to two music ministers and a guitar, with minimal participation from the assembly, the large choir accompanied by both piano and organ was powerful.

    Prior to the conclusion of the liturgy, the presider invited anyone visiting from another country to stand and be recognized. We were warmly greeted by the parish community. As he walked down the center aisle to exit the worship space, the priest stopped and greeted many of us who were visiting. It was a class act.

    I had the opportunity to chat with a number of the visitors after Mass. They came to The Bahamas from Ireland, Vietnam, Columbia, the U.K., and a variety of locations across the United States. I also ran into to a few graduates of St. Augustine’s College, including two I taught — Philip Davis and Sharon Simms. In yet another example of the “small world” reality, one gentleman I met from Colorado had attended Santa Clara University, graduating a year before I did. Not surprisingly, we knew more than just a few people in common. In fact, his uncle was a Jesuit priest from whom I took a course in “The Theology of Marriage.”

    After Mass, I walked down to the British Colonial Hotel, where I enjoyed lunch at the poolside bar overlooking Nassau harbor. Then I made my way back to the condo I’m renting. I’m writing this blog post sitting at a table in the shade by the pool, enjoying a comfortable afternoon breeze. I’m doing my best to make this Sunday, like every Sunday, a sacred time.

  • Public Safety

    “Life is either a 
    daring adventure 
    or nothing at all.” 
    Helen Keller

    Prior to my visit to Nassau in March 2025, a friend warned me that the United States had issued a travel advisory for The Bahamas, stating that Americans were at risk of becoming victims of violence and crime. I considered that advisory… for about three seconds. Yes, there is a chance that American visitors to The Bahamas may find themselves victims of violence or crime. The same can be said about San Francisco, San José, Los Angeles, or just about anywhere else in the world. The potential for danger is always present. So should we all cancel our travel plans?

    Any time any one of us walks out our front door, we put ourselves at risk. Despite this, we go about our days doing the things we need and want to do without obsessing about the possible dangers of the world. We do so with an awareness of the possibility, so we act accordingly.

    To avoid becoming a victim of crime, it’s best not to flash the cash we are carrying. Be discrete, and keep the bulk of the cash you carry out of sight. This is common sense.

    Do your homework. Know where you want to go and how to get there. If in unfamiliar territory, ask those who would know whether or not walking, or even driving, a certain route is generally a safe thing to do.

    For young adult travelers, alcohol often plays a role in their becoming a victim. One of the stories that accompanied the advisory to avoid The Bahamas described two young women who had been raped by a jet ski operator. Both had been drinking excessively. In no way does this justify what happened to them, but their decision to forfeit their good judgment may have played a significant role in the incident.

    My experience in Nassau over the past fifty years has led me to feel quite safe here. I’ve stayed in different parts of town. On this trip, for example, my condominium is a 10-minute walk from West Bay Street. The road is well-traveled and anyone I have encountered has been more than hospitable. When I get to West Bay Street, it’s a 20-minute walk to downtown Nassau. Again, the road is a busy one and others walking this route are inevitably polite and friendly. For a number of reasons, I choose not to walk these roads, or any other roads, at night. Sidewalks, if they exist at all, are most often not well-paved, and street lighting can be unpredictable, so it’s essential that I be able to see where I’m stepping. 

    Nassau does have a police force. Especially in the downtown district, they are a visible presence throughout the day. I have never seen them called into action to deal with anything more serious than a minor traffic violation. More often than not, they are providing assistance to visitors trying to find their way around town. The women and men who wear the uniform of the Royal Bahamas Police Force do so with a tremendous sense of pride. They are goodwill ambassadors for this island nation.

    The rules of safely traveling in The Bahamas, or anywhere else, are quite simple: (1) be observant of who and what is around you; (2) if something looks suspicious, step into one of the shops as though you were shopping there; (3) don’t fear people just because they look or sound different than you — rather, look them in the eye and acknowledge them as you pass by; (4) try not to draw undue attention to yourself; and (5) know where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. These same rules apply wherever you are. 

  • Bay Street

    “Bay Street is emblematic 
    of Nassau as a whole.”  
    Bahamas Air Tours

    Bay Street is downtown Nassau. Lined on both sides of the street with a few large stores, many small shops, and a few places to grab a bite to eat, it is ground zero for Bahamian culture. It wakes up in the morning when the cruise ships arrive. By 5:00 in the afternoon, as the last of the ships is pulling out of Nassau harbor, Bay Street, for the most part, shuts down. This schedule repeats itself seven days a week.

    During the summer, however, local Bahamians gather in the evening hours to celebrate Goombay Summer. With colorful costumes, agile dancers, and the beat of drums, whistles, and cow bells filling the night air, Goombay is a celebration for all to enjoy. Food vendors set up pop-ups along both sides of the street enabling party goers to enjoy a variety of local Bahamian fare such as conch fritters, conch salad, peas ’n rice, jerk chicken, mac & cheese, and an assortment of dessert items.

    During the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Bahamians again gather to celebrate a cultural festival — Junkanoo. The costumes are more elaborate and colorful, music includes marching bands of local musicians playing various brass instruments, accompanied by the ever-present drumming, and there are lively competitions between various groups participating in the parade. While I’ve experienced Goombay Summer festivities on several occasions, I’ve never been on the island around the holidays to participate in Junkanoo.

    Today I took a walk along West Bay Street from my condo to downtown Nassau, which took about 45 minutes. I made one stop along the way — a quick visit to the Courtyard Junkanoo Beach Hotel, where I’ve stayed during my last three visits to Nassau. I had included a word of gratitude to the staff of the hotel in my latest book, A Bahamian Odyssey. In doing so, I mentioned five of the hotel staff by name. Today I dropped off books for four of them. Mico, the bartender, received his copy last night. I am always appreciative of the hospitality offered to me at the Courtyard.

    Once on Bay Street, I strolled casually along, greeting several people I’ve gotten to know over the past three years. One gentleman, Bradley Ellis, a security guard outside a jewelry store, lit up when he saw me. He said, “I was jus talkin’ ‘bout you wit my friends yesterday, tellin’ ‘em about dis man who make it a point to visit me any time he in Nassau.” Yes, that would be me. We had a nice visit.

    I then stopped in to the Sue-Nan Shoppe to have lunch with my friend, Christine, who is sort of my Bahamian business manager. She sells two of my books at her shop and assisted with getting the new book into the Logos Book Store a few miles down the road on East Bay Street. We dropped off 25 copies of Odyssey at Logos today. I’ll do a book signing event there on the 28th.

    Of course, one of the most popular shopping venues for tourists is the Straw Market on Bay Street, just one block from the harbor where the cruise ships dock. Local artisans sell a variety of traditional Bahamian items, along with the usual shirts, hats, bags, and homemade jewelry. It’s difficult, at times, to see the merchants trying to make a living selling their goods, while many tourists consider it a game to attempt to bargain for a lower price. This happens every day. The vendors will be there again tomorrow, awaiting the arrival of four cruise ships of new customers looking for a great deal.

    Chester Cooper, the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas pointed out, “The Straw Market is as much a part of the fabric of downtown Nassau as downtown Nassau is part of the fabric of The Bahamas.”