By Ana Rodriguez Soto - The Archdiocese of Miami
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO| FC
Archbishop Thomas Wenski addresses the congregation at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West. He spoke in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Polish and even a little Swahili. At left is Father John Baker, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea, and at right is his parochial vicar, Father Lesly Jean.
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO| FC
Doria Goodrich, a life-long member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, prays during the "welcome Mass" for Miami's fourth Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
“It’s many Polish people in Key West,” said Barbara Wolska, who along with Bozena Grodzicka, presented Archbishop Thomas Wenski with flowers and a greeting at the end of the welcome Mass he celebrated June 8 at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Key West.
Archbishop Wenski had spoken part of his greeting and said one of the prayers during Mass in Polish, his father’s tongue. It is a language he said he has tried to learn but not succeeded in mastering.
Father Bogdan Molenda, a member of the Society of Christ who is filling in for the pastor this summer at Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Mission in Pompano Beach, begged to differ.
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO| FC
Framed by the plumed hats of the Knights of Columbus, Archbishop Thomas Wenski addresses the congregation at St. Mary Star of the Sea.
He added that the Sunday before his installation as archbishop of Miami, Archbishop Wenski visited Our Lady of Czestochowa and celebrated the whole Mass in Polish.
“It’s a very big surprise for our community,” Father Molenda said. “All our community are very happy. Our shepherd is with us, Polish immigrants.”
Archbishop Wenski also spoke a few words of thanks in Swahili to the Holy Spirit sisters who sang one of the Communion songs at the Key West Mass. They teach at Mary Immaculate Star of the Sea School.
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC
Representing the military at the Mass were, from left, Commander Mike Giardino of Naval Air Station Key West, and Captain Matt Kohler of the Joint Interagency Task Force South, based in Key West.
“Part of the excitement is that he (the new archbishop) is native and rooted,” said Father John Baker, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea, the oldest parish in the archdiocese.
He noted how the parish, throughout its 150-plus year history, has tried to respond to the varying needs of the community — such as when the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary established the school in 1868 and when they shut it down and turned it into an infirmary during the Spanish American War.
St. Mary Star of the Sea today runs an outreach mission that helps to feed 20,000 people a year.
“This is a parish that has always responded to needs. I think the joy is that there is a bishop who also, like the others, responded to needs,” Father Baker said.
His community includes native “conchs”, Poles, Hispanics not just from Cuba but also now from Central America, members of the military and Haitians, some of whom also were present for Archbishop Wenski’s Mass.
Marie Francois, sitting in the back of the church, said in very halting English that she was not a member of the parish but had come to see Archbishop Wenski.
“The Catholic Church lost the Haitians in the Keys. They became Baptist,” Father Baker said.
But now he has an associate pastor, Father Lesly Jean, who speaks Creole, and his goal is “to help them join back with the Church in which they were baptized,” Father Baker said.
Doria Goodrich, who described herself as born and raised in Key West, and baptized and confirmed at St. Mary Star of the Sea, said she was happy to welcome Archbishop Wenski to the southernmost end of his archdiocese.
“I remember him from when I was a kid,” she said. “I remember that smile. It’s good to have him here."
Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO| FC
Archbishop Thomas Wenski poses for a photo with the Holy Spirit sisters from Tanzania who teach at Mary Immaculate Star of the Sea School in Key West.
