PALM BEACH GARDENS - Transitional Deacon Alain Waterman expressed an overwhelming sense of joy and thanksgiving to God at his ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, May 1, 2021, presided by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito. Those present wore masks and remained socially distant, and the Mass was livestreamed for faithful watching at home.
The youngest of six children and raised by a devout Catholic family in his native Haiti, Father Waterman shared how meaningful it was to enter into the priesthood on the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, with which is ordination coincided.
“At a very young age, I was attracted to the life of St. Joseph,” he said. “My mom had a great devotion to St. Joseph, to whom I had been consecrated. The first prayer that I learned as a little boy was to St. Joseph. His example is a great source of motivation in my vocational journey as I said, ‘yes’ to the Lord.”
Father Waterman’s sister, Julie, said, “I am very happy my brother is going to be a priest. Our family is very proud of him.”
Bishop Barbarito welcomed and thanked everyone for their presence at the ordination Mass, especially the Waterman family saying, “We are grateful for the gift you have given us in Deacon Waterman as we ordain him as a priest today.”
The bishop also expressed his gratitude to Father Alfredo Hernández, rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, for “the wonderful formation” that has been given to the candidate over the years.
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