The stars were out in Coney Island these past two Friday evenings. Catholic Migration Services conducted its annual Shining Stars dinners honoring the heroes and heroines of the immigrant apostolates in Brooklyn and Queens.
There is so much demand to attend this dinner that two sessions have to be held each year. On Oct. 3, 11 immigrants were honored. On Oct. 10, 14 men and women were honored as Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Father Patrick Keating, director of Catholic Migration Services, made the presentations.
Many of the honorees came dressed in the colorful garb of their native lands. Each dinner drew more than 400 attendees. The recipients were chosen for the contributions they have made to the Church and their communities.
Like Ben Addison, the secretary of the Ghanaian Catholic Apostolate and a member of St. Catherine of Genoa parish in East Flatbush. He volunteers to drive the parish bus whenever parishioners want to attend activities outside the parish. He also is a frequent participant in prayer sessions and retreats conducted by the parish. An employee of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan, he twice was singled out as Employee of the Year.
Addison is married to Bridget Yeboah, and they have five children.
Then there were Abdelmalak and Nadia Abdo, who were chosen from the Arabic-speaking Apostolate. They migrated to America from Egypt in 1995 and are parishioners of Resurrection Coptic Catholic Church in Park Slope. Abdelmalak helps make the Communion bread for the parish, and Nadia does all the cooking for parish parties.
They have three daughters and are both enjoying retirement by staying active in the Church.
Miriam Busanic, who was born in Croatia, came to the U.S. in 1963, seeking a better quality of life. A member of Most Precious Blood parish, Astoria, she sings in the choir and uses her sewing talents to create linens for the altar. A widow, she credits the Church and her faith for helping her raise her two children.
She is proud of having been part of the international choir that sang at the 25th annual Migration Day Mass.
Father Jose Carlos da Silva has been working for 12 years at St. Rita’s parish, Long Island City, where he now serves as pastor. He also volunteers his services to the Brazilian Consulate in Manhattan and is the coordinator of the Brazilian Apostolate in the diocese.
In 2011, he received an award called “The Notables,” which honors Brazilians who have done remarkable deeds.
One of the more jubilant groups at the Oct. 3 dinner was the Nigerian Apostolate that came out to honor Ginny Mampouya, who was born in Nigeria and came to America in 1977 to join her husband, Dr. Dominique, who was working at the U.N.
A member of Incarnation parish, Queens Village, she is a founding member of the diocesan Nigerian Apostolate, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, a leader of song and a member of the Legion of Mary. She particularly enjoys evangelizing by handing out rosaries and religious objects.
These are just a few examples of the rich diversity of immigrants who are Catholic in Brooklyn and Queens. In this week’s centerfold, we list all the Shining Star recipients and some photos from the first of the two dinners.
