By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Councilmember and borough
president candidate Dr. Mathieu
Eugene on April 25 partnered with
the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and
Queens to co-name Church Avenue in
Brooklyn Pierre Toussaint Boulevard in
honor of the renowned Haitian philanthropist
and founder of Catholic Charities.
In 2019, Dr. Eugene, the first Haitian
to be elected to New York City Council,
sponsored legislation in the Council,
Intro 1631, to co-name Church Avenue
as Pierre Toussaint Boulevard.
On Sunday, Eugene was joined by
Catholic clergy, elected officials, immigration
advocates and other officials at
the co-naming ceremony.
Among those in attendance were Rev.
Neil Edward Tiedemann, director of
Diocese of Brooklyn Ministry to Caribbean
and Black Catholics; Rev. Monsignor
Joseph P. Malagreca, pastor of
Holy Cross; Rev. Fr. Hilaire Belizaire,
coordinator of Ministry to Haitian
Immigrants, Diocese of Brooklyn;
Rev. Fr. Rony Mendez, coordinator of
Caribbean L 20 ife, APR. 30-MAY 6, 2021
The Brooklyn Chapter for the Cause of
Pierre Toussaint; Rev. Jean J. Rameau,
Catholic Charities Office of Missions,
Vincentian Outreach Coordinator; Most
Rev. Guy Sansaricq, director of National
Haitian Apostolate; and Monsignor
Alfred P. LoPinto V.E. Vicar of Catholic
Charities.
Prior to unveiling the sign, church
leaders led prayers outside Holy Cross
Roman Catholic Church on Church Avenue
and Veronica Place. Distinguished
guests included Senate Majority Leader
Chuck Schumer; Assemblymember
David Weprin; Magalie Austin, senior
advisor to the mayor and director of the
mayor’s Office of Minority and Women
Business Enterprise; Kings County Civil
Court Haitian American Judge Dweynie
Esther Paul; and Taekwondo Grandmaster
Y. H. Park.
“Pierre Toussaint was a renowned
Haitian philanthropist, humanitarian,
and founder of Catholic Charities in
New York City,” Eugene said. “His dedication
to humanity and his ability to
help those in need was a cornerstone
of our city’s history, and his legacy is a
Guests at the unveiling of Pierre Toussaint Boulevard.
testament to the historical significance
that our immigrant community has
served in the founding of the United
States.
“Today is a momentous occasion;
it is a great event,” he added. “We are
all here to pay tribute to a wonderful
human being.”
The councilman said that when he
looks at the life of Pierre Toussaint, he
feels “empowered and inspired, because
he was enslaved and came to this country
as an immigrant like myself.
“When you are an immigrant, you
come to the United States because it is
a great country, a country of opportunities,”
he said, adding: “But people will
face a lot of challenges when you are an
immigrant.”
As a slave, Eugene said Pierre Toussaint
didn’t give up, becoming “a venerable
person because of what he has done
as a human being for New York City and
for immigrants.
“For those who were poor and for
those who needed shelter, and for those
who needed food, he did exactly what
Jesus said to do – to be your brothers’
keeper,” he said.
“Pierre Toussaint opened his door for
those who needed shelter,” Eugene added.
“When you see that someone who was a
slave bought the freedom of other people,
this is something remarkable.”
Eugene, Diocese co-name
Church Ave ‘Pierre
Toussaint Boulevard’
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