BY BRIAN J. LOWNEY, Assistant Editor
PROVIDENCE — While Arabelle LeBlanc Calixte works quietly, her daily efforts to improve the lives of those less fortunate have a tremendous impact on the community.
The St. Michael Church parishioner and Haitian immigrant reaches out to the sick and elderly as part of the pastoral ministry team at Rhode Island Hospital and she leads a prayer group, Cenacle de l’Amour Divine, in Providence.
Claixte was honored for her advocacy and outstanding example of Christian stewardship November 2 during the annual St. Martin de Porres and Sister Judy Soares R.S.M. Awards Luncheon, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry and held at the Providence Marriott Hotel.
During the celebration, themed “Proclaim the Good News,” three scholarship awards were presented to local youth pursuing higher education and special recognition was given to the Diocesan Gospel Choir, directed by Sereba Smith.
“I feel very proud,” said Calixte, as she was presented with the Sister Judy Soares R.S.M. Award. A certified nursing assistant at the Tockwotton Home, Providence, she spends much of her spare time performing the same volunteer work that she did in Haiti — caring for the indigent and those who have no families.
According to Virginia Neves Gonsalves, a member of the board of directors of the Office of Black Catholic Ministry, Sister Soares “was a very happy and joyful person” who worked tirelessly to help those who had no voice. The award given in her name honors an individual who reflects the late religious sister’s ideals and commitment to public service in the Catholic tradition.
Also honored at the luncheon were Michelle Fernandes, Danyelle Hemphill and Jerry Leger, who were presented with academic scholarships given by Sharon Simpson and Phyllis Araujo, both of whom are well-known for their volunteerism and sharing their Catholic faith with youth.
In her keynote address, Dr. Camille Louis Brown, assistant superintendent, diocesan Catholic School Office and author of African Saints, African Stories:?40 Holy Men and Women, encouraged the audience to “Proclaim the good news:?Life is good. I believe in the necessity to proclaim the good news as offered in the Old and New Testaments and to embrace the life-giving energy promised by our creator,” Brown said.
She emphasized that “since we are formed in God’s image, then we are called to act out this imagehood” by trying to see the face of God in our neighbors.
“Are we looking for this image in the people that we encounter?” she asked. “This is very difficult especially in our society where individual pursuits are the norm rather than this imagehood philosophy.
“Today we are here to remember St. Martin de Porres, the humble, gentle and loving lay Dominican brother from Lima, Peru,” Brown told the luncheon guests. “As a lay brother, St. Martin de Porres took on the humble tasks that one one wanted. Always working without complaint, Martin accepted the rebukes and name-calling of his fellow brothers by replying ‘You have only spoken the truth. Please forgive this miserable sinner.’
She continued, “This great saint serves as a model for our time as he provided an example of friendship, humility and service to a world that did not always appreciate his gifts. St. Martin’s manner and dedication can assist us, even in our 21st century world. He showed us how life can be good in spite of struggles, disappointments, heartaches, obstacles and even loneliness.
“Key to St. Martin’s life was his intimate relationship with God,” she emphasized.
The author and educator ended her presentation by mentioning George Dawson, grandson of slaves, who was born in Marshall, Texas in 1898. When someone knocked on his door in 1996 to inform him that literacy classes were being offered in the community, the 98-year-old rose to his feet and said, “Wait, I’ll get my coat.”
Five years later, at the age of 103, Dawson co-authored his first book, entitled “Life Is So Good,” which chronicled life in the United States from segregation to the civil rights movement, and highlighted other important events that helped shape life in America.
“Mr. Dawson’s description and assessment of history is an inspiration,” Brown concluded. “His message had sustained him: He said “Life is so good. I do believe it’s getting better.’”
Patty January is coordinator of the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry and Legionary of Christ. Father Andrew McNair serves as the ministry’s chaplain. Barbara Butler, a member of Holy Name of Jesus Church, Providence, is president of the Board of Directors.
