More than 700 Haitians gathered for a Mass of thanksgiving at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights, on Jan. 1 to celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, and to mark Haiti’s 211th anniversary of independence from France. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was the main celebrant of the liturgy that was offered in Haitian-Creole. The homily was preached by Father Dmitry Demesmin, administrator of St. Therese of the Child Jesus parish in Derriere-Fort Cayes, Haiti. The Haitian Apostolate in Brooklyn and Queens is directed by Father Jean Delva, parochial vicar at St. Therese of Lisieux, East Flatbush.