Jamaicans mark independence

By Jonathan Martinez - Florida Catholic

Photographer: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC

Hundreds of Jamaican-born Catholics from throughout Broward County gathered at Our Lady Queen Heaven Church in North Lauderdale to celebrate Jamaicans' emancipation and the country's independence Aug. 8.

Photographer: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC

Father Walter Dorsey has been coming to south Florida for the past 21 years to celebrate the emancipation and independence Mass with the Jamaican community here.

NORTH LAUDERDALE -- Singing songs and hymns of praise to God while embracing one another in fellowship, the Jamaican community of Broward County celebrated their freedom.

On Sunday, Aug. 8, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church hosted the annual observance not only of Jamaicans� emancipation, but also the anniversary of the country's sovereignty, when it gained its independence from the United Kingdom 48 years ago.

The annual Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by a visiting Jamaican priest, Father Walter Dorsey.

�We bring the Jamaican community together. We bring them together in Christ for this celebration and by doing so, we inspire our communities to give back to this country as well as to Jamaica,� said Father Dorsey, who has been traveling from Jamaica to south Florida to celebrate the annual Mass for the past 21 years.

According to the Broward County website, as of the 2000 census, five percent of the county�s population was of Jamaican descent: over 60,000 had been born there and migrated to various cities within Broward.

A large number of parishioners from San Isidro Church in Pompano Beach were among the many Broward parishes represented at the Mass, which nearly filled the church to capacity.

�It brings me true joy, to celebrate this great moment in our history and to do so as a family in this Mass. There are so many people you normally don't see that often, but every year you get a chance to connect with them here again,� said Sharon Tulloch, a parishioner from San Isidro who came with her family to Our Lady Queen of Heaven to participate in the festivities.

 

Photographer: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC

Broward County residents hailing from Jamaica exchange the sign of peace during the Mass.

�Eternal Father bless our land, guard us with thy mighty hand, keep us free from evil powers, be our light through countless hours,� sang an inspired chorus joined by an impassioned congregation as they played Jamaica�s national anthem toward the end of the service.

�This is such an important Mass for us. It connects us with our own emancipation in the exodus, as well as Jesus Christ who is the emancipator,� said Father Dorsey. �Jesus is our exodus, he protects us and brings us out of darkness, he brings us into the light. The emancipation of the slaves and the independence of our nation connect us with our basic Christian emancipation.�
 

Photographer: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC

Choir members sing songs and hymns commemorating the 48th anniversary of Jamaica's independence.