October 4th, 2009
Something to Celebrate
This year the Haitian community is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of being part of St. Brigid’s parish. It was a quarter of a century ago that a small group of Haitian immigrants began to arrange for a Kreyol-speaking priest to come to celebrate mass and other sacraments. Among the group were Marcel and Rose Marie Polycarpe.
So it was fitting that on September 18, Bishop William Murphy awarded the Polycarpes the St Agnes Medal. It certainly is a recognition of the Polycarpe’s hard work and dedication during these years as they helped to begin and sustain a variety of ministries within the Haitian community and the wider parish community. But it is also fitting that the Bishop awarded this honor to a Haitian couple during this special jubilee year for our community.
As pastor, I’m one of the beneficiaries of the decades of organization, care and enthusiasm -- not only from Marcel and Rose Marie and their children, but from the others who were founding mothers and fathers and all who have become involved in the inbetween years. So I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who have grown this community over the years. Certainly we have benefitted from the dedicated service of the Haitian priests and sisters who have served over this time, but it is the people of the community who especially deserve the honor and recognition for their service of God and our community.
