By Linda Reeves - The Florida Catholic Palm Beach
Photographer: LINDA REEVES | FC
Our Lady Queen of Heaven is a beacon of faith in the north western end of the Archdiocese of Miami for the past 50 years. The parish is on a mission to strengthen faith, grow ministries and members and develop new initiatives during Our Lady Queen of Heaven's anniversary year.
NORTH LAUDERDALE | Our Lady Queen of Heaven didn’t have a church when it was established, but Catholics welcomed the idea of having a spiritual home in their neighborhood in northwestern Broward. Many of the people in the neighborhood remained in the parish flock through the decades and are now commemorating the parish’s 50th anniversary year.
“I have been here 40 years,” Rita Barnes told the Florida Catholic. “I was married in the church. I raised my son here. I know so many people in the parish from the neighborhood. We are happy to have our church here, and we are blessed that God sent Msgr. Jeanty to us. We love him.”
Msgr. Chanel Jeanty, interim pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven since early October, stepped in to help after the parish’s pastor, Father Kidney St. Jean, suffered a massive heart attack, leaving the flock shaken.
In a whirlwind, the parish is trying to make sense of it all while moving forward as it celebrates its milestone anniversary this year. Msgr. Jeanty is working with the staff and focused on continuing the work of the pastor, who remains in critical condition.
“Our anniversary theme is renewal,” said Msgr. Jeanty. “We are working towards rebuilding and reshaping and focusing on areas that need attention. It’s time to galvanize and enliven the parish.”
Photographer: LINDA REEVES | FC
A painting of Our Lady Queen of Heaven's patron is displayed in a special area of the church. The parish is marking 50 years of faith and ministry in northwestern Broward County.
“Renewing Our Connection to Christ” is the title of Our Lady Queen of Heaven’s golden anniversary year with revitalizing initiatives kicking off Oct. 22, 2024, with a 50th Anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
He spoke in Creole, English and Spanish during the trilingual celebration that began with a welcome and recognition. “Peace be with you,” said Archbishop Wenski as he greeted participants filling the pews. “Fifty years. That’s a long time. Let’s give yourself a big hand.” The sound of claps went up.
“Who was here 50 years ago when this church was first started? Raise your hand. There’s one. There’s another one. Give them another hand too,” he said.
“How many were here 30 years ago? There’s one. There’s another one, and there’s Father Morris.”
“He was here 30 years ago,” said Archbishop Wenski, acknowledging Father Gerald Morris, beloved pastor of the parish from 1983 to 1994, sitting in a front pew and appearing happy to be back with his flock.
The archbishop also remembered Father St. Jean, missed by all at the celebration. “We continue to pray for Father Kidney St. Jean, who remains in a coma,” he said.
The church was filled for the evening Mass with parishioners, guests and visiting clergy from the region. The parish’s multi-cultural choirs provided music and songs, and a reception with food closed the evening to commemorate the parish’s milestone.
Photographer: LINDA REEVES | FC
Laura Santos (left) helps members of Our Lady Queen of Heaven's Legion of Mary set up a table to solicit new members after Mass Nov. 3. The parish is focused on growing ministries during the parishes anniversary year celebrating five decades. "We are working together to help people strengthen their faith," she said.
During his homily, Archbishop Wenski reminded all about the heart of Our Lady Queen of Heaven from the very beginning of its establishment in 1974.
“The mission of this parish and of every Catholic community is to bear witness in a world of fragile peace and broken promises to what a reconciled world looks like. You are called to be a reconciled and a reconciling community.
“In this way, you can be community, a community of faith, hope and love, a community where Christ is known, adored and encountered in the Most Blessed Sacrament,” he said.
In closing, Archbishop Wenski said, “As we celebrate this golden jubilee today, may we remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”
LOOKING BACK
Over its five decades, Our Lady Queen of Heaven has been led by seven shepherds steadfast in the mission of faith, hope and love and growing Catholicism in the area.
First there was Father John Vereb, the founding pastor, who was at the helm during the parish journey’s humble start. The inaugural Mass was celebrated Oct. 19, 1974 at the North Lauderdale Senior Center.
Sandy Stein, longtime parishioners and staff member, remembers the parish’s start. “In the beginning, there were a couple of Anglo-American families, who were looking for a parish in the area. The closest Catholic churches were in Tamarac and Margate. We had Mass anyplace that would have us.”
Stein remembers worshiping at a fire station, a Baptist church and a school before a church was built and dedicated in 1979. Father John McGrath was there at the time.
Father McGrath created a vision and mission and raised money for the construction of facilities. Today, the parish property that fronts Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery features gardens, offices, religious education space, gathering facilities, chapel and a thrift and gift store.
Photographer: LINDA REEVES | FC
Long-time parishioners Sisa Louidor (left) and pioneer parishioner Marsha Gill visit before Mass Nov. 3. Both women take on various roles at the parish and are participating with other parishioners this year to grow faith, ministries and parishioners as part of the parish's 50 year anniversary year mission.
PARISH SHEPHERDS OVER THE DECADES
The parish has framed photos of former pastors scattered throughout the church's entrance walls. After Father McGrath, Father Gerald Morris served Our Lady Queen of Heaven for more than a decade.
Then came Father Eugene Quinlan, Father Joseph Hulk and Father Julio Solano. Father St. Jean, the second Haitian man ordained a priest to serve the Archdiocese of Miami in 1992, came to the parish in 2006, providing spiritual guidance for the past 18 years.
“I have been with the parish since the 1980s,” said Marsha Gill, 82. “I love the parish because it is so diverse. The people have a special bond. The priests have been wonderful. “We have a vibrant community. Everyone is welcomed here.”
AN EVER-CHANGING PARISH FAMILY
According to Stein, the parish has 2,000 registered parishioners, but also hundreds of non-registered worshipers who regularly attend the English, Creole and Spanish Masses.
“The first 20 years, we were a parish of Anglo-Americans,” she recalled. “During the next 20 years, people of the Spanish community joined us, and then, people of the Haitian community came,” she said. “Our parish is special.”
Over time, the neighborhoods changed, and continue to transform, as the population of North Lauderdale grows more diverse. Today, Our Lady Queen of Heaven's family is made up of people from various cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds.
Photographer: LINDA REEVES | FC
Msgr. Chanel Jeanty, interim pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven, gathers with the Roman Romero family after Mass Nov. 3. He has been with the parish since early October, stepping in to help after the parish’s pastor, Father Kidney St. Jean became ill.
The people joining the parish, young and old alike, bring their own traditions, groups, music and devotions, making the faith community a wonderful mix that blends well together, uniting in faith and inspiring each other.
“I have been with the parish for nine years,” said Luciano Diaz involved in the parish’s weekly bible studies for men and women and also devotionals to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas.
“We will have the parish’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration Dec. 8,” he said. “Everyone will process around the area carrying candles and praying and singing. We will have a Mass, food and a Mexican group will sing and dance. The celebration honors Mary.”
THE ANNIVERSARY YEAR MOVING FORWARD
Msgr. Jeanty says small committees have been formed as part of the anniversary year’s mission and drive to move the parish forward towards its centennial year. He is working to get everyone involved and excited.
Sisa Louidor, an enthusiastic parishioner for 26 years, is on a parish membership-drive committee. “I am calling people and inviting them to come to church,” she said. “We lost a lot of people during the COVID pandemic. We are hoping to get people back.”
The parish is planning events throughout the year, inviting everyone in hopes to build community, grow faith and promote the parish. “We want to plan social events, a gala and a festival,” said Msgr. Jeanty. “We hope to have a large gathering at the end,” he shared about the grand finale joining everyone in celebration as the parish turns a page in history.
The parish continues to encourage all to pray for Father St. Jean. “We feel very blessed to have Msgr. Jeanty,” said Stein.
Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish
Our Lady Queen of Heaven
1400 S. State Road 7, North Lauderdale.
Website: www.olqhcc.org
Daily English Masses:Weekend Masses:
- Mon.- Saturday 8 a.m.
- English: Saturday 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 8 and 10 a.m.
- Spanish: Sunday noon
The Adoration chapel is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- French/Creole: Sunday 5:30 p.m.
For information: 954-971-5400.
Photographer: LINDA REEVES | FC
Our Lady Queen of Heaven parishioners worship the Lord during Mass Nov. 3. The parish's families are diverse in cultures, backgrounds and situations but united in faith and community as part of parish life.
