In Orlando for summit, archbishop visits local Haitian community

By Tom Tracy - Florida Catholic

Photography: TOM TRACY | FC

ORLANDO | It was a kind of reunion of old friends July 2 at the downtown Catholic cathedral in Orlando.

And one marked by robust laughter as well as serious reflection on the meaning of true love and on the plight of Haiti.

In town to help lead the historic 2017 Convocation of Catholic Leaders gathered at the Orange County Convention Center -- now said to include some 3,500 participants -- Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski took time away from the event Sunday night to drop in on old friends.

The archbishop, along with Miami Auxiliary Bishop Peter Baldacchino, presided at the regular Sunday evening Mass in Haitian-Creole language at St. James Cathedral here, where Bishop Wenski had served as shepherd of the faith community of the Orlando Diocese when he was bishop from 2004 to 2010.

During that time he also helped build and nurture the burgeoning Haitian-American Catholic community that now has a presence at locations throughout the Central Florida area.

Some 200 or more Haitian-Americans attended the Mass, which was held in the church space that Bishop Wenski helped restore and renovate as part of an extensive building project during his time as bishop here.

“We knew [the archbishop] was coming for the week,” said Renold Noel, who sat in the front of church, noting that the community looked forward to the July 2 celebration. “There is a lot to say and a lot that I can recall about Bishop Wenski here; he cares about people.”

Working to film the occasion, as well as photograph and broadcast it live on social media, was Butreau Espiegle, who is associated with a Haitian TV production company here.

“The archbishop talked about his love for the Haitian community, and people enjoyed having him here today,” Espiegle said.

“He also told us he went to Haiti last week during the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (the national patroness of Haiti) and he told us that Haitians need to continue to pray for a better life for themselves and for a better Haiti.”

In his homily delivered in Creole, Archbishop Wenski had the congregation in laughter at times, and spontaneously led them in song and prayer at other times.

“He was talking about the need to love each other,” said Darling Senatus, a member of the local community.

“He said some nice things about Haiti and the Haitian people. I came by myself tonight, but we have so many Haitians now in Orlando,” Senatus added.

Father Jean Gaetan Louis Boursiquot, spiritual director of Haitian ministry for the Orlando Diocese, told The Florida Catholic that there are now at least 10 distinct Haitian-American communities throughout Central Florida.

“We are growing here every day, and every year,” he said.

The 2017 National Convocation for lay and religious leaders ends July 4. On hand are representatives from an estimated 160 dioceses and 185 national organizations, gathered to explore current challenges and strengths of the Church and its evangelization efforts.