Our Lady of Divine Providence Catholic Parish
The history of our Parish begins on June 14, 1973 when Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll DESIGNATED the founding of a Parish, to be called “Our Lady of Divine Providence.” In July of that year, Father Neil McGrath was named founder and administrator of the Church.
Two years later, in June 1975, Reverend Ernesto Garcia-Rubio replaced Father McGrath. In April 1978, the Archdiocesan Building Commission approved the final plans for the construction of the first buildings. To make our dream of being able to have our Church come true, Mr. Pedro Muiña spoke with Mr. Casicedo who donated a house on Fountainebleu Boulevard to raise funds. This party was on April 22, 1978 at the “Club de las Américas” in 8th Street and 86th Ave, whose house was taken by a Mrs. from Pompano and she in turn donated it to the Church and Mr. Casicedo, donor of the same, gave the value of this property to Father Ernesto Garcia-Rubio , that day they also raffled off a car, a cruise, a television and $1,000.00 for three days in a Hotel in Orlando, all for $2.00 each.
All the land in our parish belonged to the Ferrer Family of Puerto Rico. It was a farm that they later sold to those who developed FB Trafalgar, a Cuban company, leaving out the land where the Women's Park is today. That space was donated to the County, leaving only the land where our Church is today.
This is how the manufacturing of the Church began, as masses were celebrated in a warehouse behind where the Winn-Dixie is today in Flagler. The first building of the Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence was dedicated on December 16, 1979. As a result of the need caused by the Mariel exodus in Cuba in 1980, Ministries emerged, providing Psychological Counseling to the new arrivals; The unemployed were helped with a job placement program and the refugees received help, English classes and shelter in the Parish for more than four months.
In 1981, the construction of the Parish School began, with Sister Maria Cartaya being its first Director. At the end of 1986 there were more than 200 students from Pre-kindergarten to Third grade, and since 1987, each year, a school grade was added, until reaching the Eighth grade in 1991.
On April 25, 1988, Reverend Francisco Santana was appointed Temporary administrator of the Parish and was confirmed in that position on October 10 of that same year. Father Santana celebrated a Mass for the sick which was recorded and broadcast on a Hispanic channel every Sunday. Always sensitive to the social vicissitudes of the exiled groups of the community, he promoted a deepening of the life of prayer and intercession with events such as the Jericho Wall in favor of the freedom of Cuba and also campaigns for a normalization of the immigration status of Nicaraguans. .
On February 24, 1992, the Archdiocese of Miami appointed Rev. Oscar Brantome, a native of Nicaragua, as Administrator, and on September 6 he was installed as Parish Priest. The community continued to grow, as evidenced by the attendance at Sunday Masses, so parking had to be expanded. By August 1995, the construction of the San Rafael Cafeteria, Gazebo and Parish Hall was completed, and he continued to advocate for protection campaigns for the naturalization of Nicaraguan and Salvadoran people, which led to the birth of the Nacara Law.
With great evangelizing zeal, Father Brantome directed several Parish Missions, Retreats for the young people of the neighborhood with very enjoyable meetings. During Lent, a group of catechists performed Para-Liturgies for infants, while their parents participated in Sunday Mass, and Life in the Spirit Seminars were held regularly for young adults.
Father Brantome was also a promoter of prayer for the increase in vocations. Divine Providence has given the Church three priestly vocations: Father Pedro Corces, Father Marcos Somarriba and Father Elvis González.
On June 14, 1996, Rev. Luis Ramón Rivera was appointed Administrator of the Parish and on November 17 of that same year, Archbishop John Clement Favalora installed him as Parish Priest.
Father Rivera revived the old through a restoration program with a new parish temple. The new Church was dedicated on November 19, 2004, the feast of Divine Providence. Father Rivera also created different ministries and parish services aimed at the own and cultural needs of the Parish of Divine Providence.
On February 17, 2010, Father Manuel Alejandro Soler was named administrator of the parish and was installed as parish priest on April 18, 2010. Father Soler, prominent in the ministry of Radio Paz, brought the Emmaus retreats to the parish. for men and women who have brought many people back to church.
On November 5, 2012, Father Manuel Francisco Alvarez was appointed by Archbishop Thomas Wenski administrator of La Divina Providencia; historical fact because Father Alvarez made his First Communion here in this church. Father Alvarez has the help of Father Fermín Roberto Solana who has served as parochial vicar since 1996 and has the distinction of being the priest who has served this community for the longest time. Under the leadership of Father Alvarez and Father Solana, the parish dedicated itself to following the directions of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis for the Year of Faith by offering retreats, nights of praise, talks about our faith, and an emphasis on Adoration. Eucharistic and the celebration of the Holy Mass as the source of all parish activity.
