by Marietha Góngora V.
SUNSET PARK — On Oct. 19, the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish community gathered to honor the life and legacy of Father Ruskin Piedra, who was a steadfast champion for immigrants in more than six decades as a priest.
Father Piedra, who died in December at the age of 90, came to the Diocese of Brooklyn, specifically the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in the late 1990s to provide pastoral care to Hispanic parishioners. In 2003, he established the Juan Neumann Immigration Center, which continues to serve immigrants in need to this day.
The basilica’s pews were full for a Mass to honor the late priest. Afterwards, everyone gathered at the corner of 60th Street and 5th Avenue to witness 60th Street be officially renamed “Padre Ruskin Piedra Way.”
Amid music and gestures of celebration, those present, including Father Piedra’s family members, commemorated his life of pastoral service, which is remembered in large part through the Juan Neumann Immigration Center.
Throughout the day, Father John Collins, provincial superior of the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province, and other Redemptorist priests who shared in Father Piedra’s mission of serving those in need, accompanied the parish community in this heartfelt commemoration.
The event was also attended by local authorities, community leaders, representatives of the parish council, and parish leaders.
Councilwoman Alexa Avilés, whose support helped make the street renaming possible, told The Tablet that she hopes “every time people see his name there, they will remember his legacy, the values he lived by, and how, in these difficult times for the immigrant community in this country, it is increasingly important.”
Rosemarie Vaquero said Father Piedra will be missed.
“Everything he has done and everything he has always fought for will always be in our memory,” said Vaquero, who knew Father Piedra since 2004.
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Anabelquis Díaz, a parishioner at the basilica who is working towards citizenship, said she remembers Father Piedra as “a very humble, very human person.”
“I came looking for help to take citizenship classes a year and six months ago,” Díaz said. “I am preparing myself and, thank God, I have an interview with immigration soon, with the help of Father Ruskin and Professor Maribel.”
Ana Victoria Landigua said she will remember Father Piedra for his joy and dedication to his community, noting that “helping migrants was his number one purpose.”
Father Manuel Rodríguez-Delgado, a priest in residence at the basilica, said that Father Piedra “left a very deep legacy of charity, care for the poor, solidarity, help, and compassion.”
Milagros Almonte, an assistant at the Juan Neumann Immigration Center, highlighted Father Piedra’s commitment to each immigration case.
“He always took on the cases and never rested,” Almonte said. “He touched many lives, truly. Everyone who knew him will tell you something funny or tell you how much they miss him because he was an incredible person, and I am happy to have known him and worked with him.”