Haitian Catholics find a home at St. John's

by Jack Murphy

The Haitian Catholic community of the left Our Lady of Pity Church when the it was shuttered in 2003. Their next home was Immaculate Conception Church at 45 Matignon Road, until that church was shuttered in 2005.

Now, they have settled in at St. John the Evangelist at 2254 Massachusetts Avenue. Every Sunday, the community celebrates Mass at 4:30 p.m. in the Haitian Creole, said Father George Roy, a parochial vicar at St. John’s, who for seven years has had a special responsibility for the Haitian apostolate.

Father George Roy

“I like Father Roy because I have known him for years and since I am originally from Haiti I like the mass because it is in either French or French-Creole,” said Marquile Mureete from Medford.

Mureete said she has been has been active in the Haitian community for years and has followed Father Roy through several churches.  Despite the change of locations, there has not been a drop-off in attendance, she said. Fifteen to 20 congregants come to the church early to say the Rosary and by the time the service begins the pews are full.

“I was trying to find parking so by the time I parked most of the seats were taken,” said Lozama Thiogene from Malden.