FORT PIERCE | “Bonjour!” was Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito’s friendly greeting to the faithful of Notre Dame Catholic Mission who gathered Aug. 10 to mark the 30th anniversary as a community of faith mostly populated by people of Haitian background. The Mass was celebrated in English and Creole as the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mission parish’s patronal feast.
Joined by Father Yves Geffrard, mission administrator, Father Rick George, pastor of St. Anastasia Parish, and Father Roustaveg Gerome, who is visiting from Haiti, the bishop said how pleased he was to commemorate Notre Dame’s legacy of ministry.
“You are a true example of what our faith is all about, and in those 30 years this parish has been brought even stronger into a visible sign of what Mary lived in her life,” the bishop said at the start of his homily.
Speaking of the Year of Hope jubilee being more than halfway completed and drawing on his “Living the Truth in Love” column for the Florida Catholic, he said, “Time moves slowly, but time moves surely. And this is a sign of hope, a great sign of hope for us here at Notre Dame as we celebrate this jubilee year filled with hope, the hope that Mary possessed so clearly in her life and shows forth so wonderfully. It is so fitting that you celebrate your anniversary on the solemnity of the Assumption as it reminds us of our journey through life.”
Mary’s life and her Assumption remind us of the hope of heaven, Bishop Barbarito said, noting that, in his message for the Assumption in 2024, Pope Francis called Mary a woman constantly on the move.
“The importance of hope, as lived by Mary, is well summed up in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who says, ‘They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.’ These words of Isaiah make clear that God gives strength to those who hope and trust in him. Mary is truly the embodiment of hope,” he said.
The bishop added that life has a purpose only in God. With all of the suffering that is seen and experienced, “it is only our hope in the Lord that will give us the strength not to grow weary, to move forward as Mary did, always on the move, knowing that it is Christ, it is God who is the source of what the meaning of life is all about. He will never abandon us.”
Throughout the Mass, a choir and musicians contributed to the celebration with spirited songs featuring rhythms born in the Caribbean. Smarlensly Alténor, who served as cantor at the Mass, spoke to the Florida Catholic about what draws her to Notre Dame. A recent graduate of Louisiana State University with degrees in music and science, she is a lifelong member of the parish who has led summer camps, been involved in youth group and whose mother got her started in the choir. Active participation has left a lasting impression, said Alténor, who attended St. Anastasia School and John Carroll High School.
“I feel like, when I think about this community, it’s like home. It’s where I started,” she said. “I know that wherever I’m going or what I do with my future, I’ll always have this place and know this is where I began. This is where I was able to discover my talents and abilities and make lifelong friendships.”
Toward the conclusion of the liturgy, Father Geffrard thanked God and Mary for keeping the community alive despite numerous challenges through the years.
“Our church has been shaken by hurricanes, but with the courage of the faithful and the leadership of the priests, it always rises from its ashes and becomes ever more beautiful,” he said. “With faith and humility, we ask our mother to continue to bless us and protect us, cover us with her immaculate mantel of grace. Yes, Mary, she will help us to keep from us the selfishness that kills and the hatred that paralyses. Keep us in unity, charity and fidelity. May Our Lady of the Assumption help us and protect us always.”
In thanking Bishop Barbarito for his attendance and steadfast support, Father Geffrard presented him with an icon of St. Michael the archangel, noting that the bishop’s middle name is Michael. Father Geffrard also expressed appreciation for the concelebrating priests, Father Brian King, the altar servers, pastoral and finance councils, parish staff, liturgy committee, lectors, ushers, singers and musicians, dancers, benefactors, Knights of Columbus and many others. He invited everyone to a reception afterward in the social hall.
Bishop Barbarito responded by thanking him for the artwork and the beautiful liturgy. “The wonderful spirit that you put into it, through the music, through the dancing, through the faith that is present. It’s an inspiration to experience people praying together, especially the Eucharist,” the bishop said. “When I come to Notre Dame that’s always been a great blessing and a gift and an inspiration for me, and I thank you for that. May Our Lady continue to be with all of you.”
Talking with parishioners, the Florida Catholic gained perspective on what has kept the mission going for 30 years. Colleen Drulard, who has been a member since 2015 and served as a lector during the liturgy, credits Father Geffrard with helping rebuild her relationship with God after being injured in a shooting, calling him “an amazing priest.”
“The Haitian community is just so loving. I just love this church. It’s the first time I have ever really felt like a member and part of a church in my lifetime,” she said.
Jean Dossous, a retired local physician and Knights of Columbus leader, said members of the community don’t give up. The Sunday church bulletin mentioned that the Notre Dame soup kitchen served 275 hot meals on a recent Friday, thanks to volunteer assistance.
“What is special is that we have to fight a lot in order to sustain and to stay alive because it is mostly migrant people, and they don’t speak English very well,” he said. “But they try. It is migrant, but a very hard worker community to sustain their families to stay together. It’s not easy.”
They continue to move forward through difficulties and obstacles, Dossous said. “This church has been destroyed about two times by hurricanes, but every time we stay together. We build and we build because we want the church. We want to be Christians. We have faith. That’s the most important thing.”
For more information about Notre Dame Catholic Mission, call 772-466-9617, email NotreDameCatholicMission@hotmail.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram. Sunday Masses, including the Aug. 10 celebration, can be viewed on Facebook.
