24702: Hermantin (News) Gala to help build church

[sak-pase@bimini.ws]

leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Posted on Fri, Apr. 08, 2005
LITTLE HAITI
Gala to help build church
A night of dinner and dancing on behalf of Little Haiti's Notre Dame d'Haiti 
Catholic Church will feature a keynote address by Miami Archbishop John 
Favalora and a preliminary look at the planned $4 million church.
BY JACQUELINE CHARLES
jcharles@herald.com

South Florida's Haitian community will get its first glimpse of the future 
Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church this Saturday when the Little Haiti 
church sponsors its fundraising gala.

The event will feature performances by Haitian performers Farah Juste and 
Magnum Band, as well as a keynote address by Miami Archbishop John Favalora.

''He's quite excited about it and he realizes the importance of having a 
permanent church for the Haitian community because our population is 
increasing,'' said Mary Ross Agosta, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of 
Miami. ``He knows it's a question of stewardship not only for the church, 
but for the Haitian Catholics.''

So far 1,100 people have bought tickets -- and seats are still available, 
said the Rev. Reginald Jean-Mary, pastor of the 4,000-member church located 
in the heart of Miami's Haitian community.

Jean-Mary has been spearheading the fundraising drive to raise $3 million 
toward the construction of a new $4 million church yards away from the 
current building at 130 NE 62nd St. The current structure is a 24-year-old 
converted high school cafeteria.

Parishioners and the community have contributed nearly $300,000 toward the 
goal so far, Jean-Mary said. Among the donors: North Miami Councilman 
Jacques Despinosse. The Haitian American, who isn't Roman Catholic, promised 
earlier this year to help raise $10,000. He plans to present the check 
Saturday night, Despinosse said.

In the midst of the dinner and dancing, parishioners and community folk will 
get a glimpse of what a new Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church could look 
like.

Fort Lauderdale architect Franz Shropa, who designed St. Thomas the Apostle 
Church in South Miami, will unveil preliminary sketches of the building, 
incorporating elements of Caribbean and Haitian architecture in a 1,200-seat 
building with a black Madonna, circular pews and stained-glass windows 
paying homage to Haiti's revolutionary heroes.

The new church also will feature a 220-seat chapel and a memorial garden 
dedicated to the thousands of Haitians who have died at sea while attempting 
to make it to U.S. soil.