PROVIDENCE — Virginia Neves Goncalves remembers the day that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated almost 43 years ago as if it was yesterday.
Then a graduate student at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Goncalves recalled listening to the radio on April 4, 1968 and hearing a bulletin that the civil rights leader had been shot.
“I said a prayer ‘Lord, let there be peace,’ hoping there wouldn’t be rioting, Goncalves remembered. “He was a man of peace and I wanted everything to be peaceful.”
On Saturday night, Goncalves attended the St. Patrick’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration held at the church and co-sponsored by the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry.
The annual event was held at St. Patrick Church for the first time and was organized by Patty January, diocesan coordinator of the Office of Black Catholic Ministry, Joyce Braboys, director of the Holy Name of Jesus Gospel Choir, and Carol Brito, a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and the choir.
The event, themed “Walking in the Light of God’s Love,” featured music provided by the Holy Name of Jesus Gospel Choir, Scripture readings, prayer, excerpts from Dr. King’s speeches and a moving performance offered by the Signs of Prophecy, a liturgical dance ensemble.
“I feel very blessed to have the celebration at here at St. Patrick,” said Father James Ruggieri, pastor of the Smith Street church. “We stand today on the labor of Dr. King and all the people who like him labored for civil rights in a non-violent way. It’s important not to take what we have for granted.”
January told those gathered that the celebration fulfilled King’s dream that people of different races and creeds could come together as one body.
According to Brito, the goal of the annual celebration is not only to honor the late humanitarian but also to connect several generations who have benefitted from King’s lifelong struggle to improve the quality of life for all of God’s children. “I don’t want people to forget what others went through for them,” Brito emphasized.
She added that while society has advanced in the 43 years since King’s death, there is still need for additional positive change.
“We still have a way to go,” she acknowledged. “We still have things to work on and improve.”
Deacon Charles Andrade of St. Patrick Church reminded those gathered of the importance for individuals to continue to commit to the struggle against racism and to promote justice and harmony.
“Just as Rosa Parks was an inspiration to Dr. King, he continues to inspire us to live his dream,” the deacon said, noting that the late leader taught that “everyone can live together in peace, justice and freedom serving God and each other.”
Ndeye Chiam, 21, a member of Holy Name of Jesus Church and a native of Senegal, and one of the leaders of the liturgical dance group, said that while the performers represent several faith traditions they all have one goal: to grow in their love of God.
“We come together to perform for God,” Chiam said. “We want to bring the dancers closer to God and teach them about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” she said.
Albert Brown, 16, a freshman at Shea High School in Pawtucket, came to the celebration with his family to honor the contribution that the late civil rights leader continues to make to society.
“I learned from Dr. King that black people and white people can come together and acknowledge each other,” he said.
