By Dani Elle Brissette

PAWTUCKET — Faith, tribute, and celebration were the central themes Sunday evening as parishioners, activists, and clergy united at The Church of St. Leo the Great on Central Street for a special tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of Providence, the celebration had always been held at Holy Name of Jesus Church but St. Leo the Great opted to sponsor the tribute this year.
“Today we come to the house of the Lord to honor the dream that God inspired in the heart and the mind of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Today we sing a hymn of praise to almighty God for that dream, that our savior, our Lord in Jesus Christ inspired the soul of Reverend King,” said the Rev. Andrew McNair, a columnist for the National Catholic Register and Professor of Theology at Mater Ecclesiae College of Greenville.
In addition to McNair, other guests were invited to join in the evening’s festivities. The St. Michael’s Haitian Choir offered a French rendition of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and performances from St. Leo the Great Choirs peppered the program.
“Martin Luther King Jr. was a visionary, not for African-Americans, but for everybody and tonight we want to focus on the fruit of his dream,” said Patty January of the Celebration Committee, offering her viewpoint that those present should contemplate the visions that Dr. King had and understand the impact he had in the rights of African-Americans.
While American history was a prominent factor in the speeches delivered, faith was the primary message conveyed as all speakers stressed the importance that Dr. King be celebrated not for his political works but for the faith he possessed and applied toward his efforts.
“Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream and in order for us to live that dream, we need to have a correct understanding of our history from God’s perspective,” said McNair. “Rev. King was much more than a social activist. He was above all a man of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ, an ordained minister, a pastor of church. American history often overlooks these extremely important facts.”
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Aptly titled “Fruits of a Dream,” the celebration aimed to encompass how the importance of Dr. Kings’ faith, and the dreams that stemmed from that faith, helped the black community develop, triumph, and persevere.
 “Men and women of the Civil Rights movement were men and women of faith that believed in God,” McNair said. “We honor the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King and all those participating in the Civil Rights movement by being faithful to God in Christ Jesus.”