RIVIERA BEACH | At the start of the 35th annual Black Cultural Awareness Mass Feb. 22, 2025, Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito expressed gratitude for Black History Month and St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s celebration. “We give thanks to God, and we ask God to continue to pour out his blessings upon us, we who are one family. No matter what our background is, no matter where we come from, no matter what we do, no matter what our age is, we are one family made in the image and likeness of God,” he said.
Those words were echoed later in the homily by Father Cyril Imohiosen, a Nigerian priest who has served in the Diocese of Palm Beach for several years and is currently in training as a hospital chaplain in Lakeland. Referring to the day’s first reading (1 Sam 26:2, 7-9,12-13, 22-23), in which David shows mercy to his enemy Saul, Father Imohiosen said, “David had every justification to strike Saul, but he chose to be the promoter of life instead. David knew exactly who he was. Dear friends in Christ, do we know who we are? When it comes to enhancing and promoting life, do we know who we are?
“We are who we are because we are made in the image and likeness of God. The character of God is in us. The mark of God is in us. That mark of God is what makes us who we are, and the theme of our celebration today is ‘You will be called the children of the most high God, who is merciful and kind.’ That is who we are,” he said.
Expanding his message, Father Imohiosen touched on the Gospel reading (Lk 6:27-38) in which Jesus teaches his disciples to love their enemies and “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
“Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we’re less prone to hate our enemies.’ But who is this enemy that Martin Luther King is talking about? This enemy is a beloved son or daughter of someone else. What are we planning against our enemies?” he asked. “Dear friends in Christ, Jesus challenges each of us today to be merciful. He challenges us to practice forgiveness, to practice love.”
Before the Mass, a gospel music concert was presented featuring choirs from local Christian congregations, including St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Bible Teachers International, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches and St. Francis of Assisi Parish. There were also performances by liturgical dancers, a young orator named Jaxson Barnes and a short play by Chichi Ma Productions on “Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
Following the Mass, Father Peter Truong, pastor of St. Francis Parish, thanked them all for bringing their talents to the church. He also expressed gratitude to Bishop Barbarito and Father Imohiosen for their joyful participation.
“We are the people of God, who are called to journey with faith, be moved by love and encouraged by hope to walk before the Lord as his children,” Father Truong said.
Afterward, the parish continued the celebration with a soul food dinner. For more information on St. Francis of Assisi Parish, call 561-863-2985, visit www.stfrancisofassisi1948.org or connect on Facebook.
