By Emily Drooby
Parishioners ‘let freedom ring’ while celebrating a special midday praise and prayer service for Dr. King, led by the Vicariate of Black Catholic Concerns in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.
Father Alonzo Cox, who is the coordinator, said, “We commemorate who he is, we commemorate his message of equality, and peace, and social justice, as we strive every single day to be good and to be holy and to look at each other as brothers and sisters.”
The homily was given by a special guest, Father Peter Damien Harris, of Houston’s Holy Rosary Church, invited because of his passionate speeches. Father Damien Harris reminded parishioners about the importance of love and respect, he said, “As Christians, as brothers, as one in Christ; be energized by God’s indiscriminate love for one another. Instead of pointing blame at each other.”
Held at Our Lady of Lourdes In Queens Village on the anniversary of Dr. King’s birth, the vigil was full of music, prayer, and messages of unity.
Attendees said they did so to honor Dr. King, and to celebrate all he did for the world. Including Karrina Brown from Brooklyn, who said, “Without people like Martin Luther King, I wouldn’t the responsibility or the opportunity to reach my highest potential, so I’m grateful for people like Martin Luther King and the predecessors before me, that allows me to be the best me I can be.”