Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez presided at the 31st anniversary Mass for Notre Dame Mission in Fort Pierce Aug. 16 in honor of its patroness, Our Lady of the Assumption, in thanksgiving for its years of serving the community and ministering to Haitians in the area. The celebration included a children’s procession, liturgical dance and song.
The mission choir sang songs of praise that filled the church with an air of reverence and joy. “I would like to welcome Most Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez as the shepherd of the Diocese of Palm Beach, his first time coming to Notre Dame,” said Father Yves Geffrard, the mission administrator.
Bishop Rodríguez responded by saying, “I am very, very much blessed for the opportunity of being here for the first time in your beautiful, amazing church on the 31st anniversary of your dedication, the dedication of your church, that we once more, once again, place at the feet of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
The Gospel was proclaimed in Creole and English by Father Geffrard. Bishop Rodríguez gave advice to the faithful during his homily on what to do in times of struggle. “Trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary at all times; keep praying the rosary; keep coming here; come for the holy Mass, for the moments of prayer; keep trusting her and she will be your way to overcome all issues, from all difficulties,” he said. “She is your mother, and she will never leave you without the help that you need.”
The bishop also urged the faithful to share hope with others. “We live in a world that needs hope because there are so many reasons out there for many people to be pessimistic and to be also doubtful and completely unaware and unable to hope for the better.” He added that “our duty and our invitation is to bring about hope, the hope that we find in our faith, the hope that we find in our friendship with the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Before the final blessing, there were a few sentimental moments. The first was when pastoral council chairwoman Pauline Jean Simon presented Bishop Rodríguez with an icon of Our Lady of Sorrows since he was the former pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Queens, New York, and since many in the Haitian community are experiencing sorrows.
“Bishop Manuel, we thank you for being with us today and for coming among us as our shepherd,” Simon said. “Your presence is a blessing to our Haitian community and to all the faithful of Notre Dame.”
The bishop blessed two longtime Notre Dame members: Joseph Kelly, who turned 103 years old on Aug. 11, and Marie Rosa Guerrier, who will turn 103 in December. He joyfully said, “You both were born in 1923, amazing.” Asking Kelly what was “his recipe” for a long life, he said, “Jesus.” Then Bishop Rodríguez asked everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” to the two centenarians.
Father Richard George, St. Anastasia’s pastor and newly appointed dean of the Northern Deanery, said, “Coming from St. Anastasia and coming to this beautiful culture, all I can say is what is powerful is the joy in this room.”
At the conclusion of the Mass, parishioners and guests gathered in the parish hall for a reception. The celebration provided an opportunity for the community to give thanks for its 31 years of ministry and to look with hope toward the years ahead.
For information about the mission, call 772-466-9617, email info@NotreDameCatholicMission.com or visit www.NotreDameCatholicMission.org.
