Valley Stream church celebrates Corpus Christi

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Twenty-eight years ago, Valley Stream resident, Ketlie Fredericks, became homeless after her son and husband died unexpectedly within ten months of each other. She said after losing her loved ones, she could no longer stand to live in her home with her other nine-month-old son because of all the painful grief she would experience while living in her home. The longer she stayed in her home, the more she said she was flooded with memories of her deceased husband and son.

In addition to being grief-stricken, Fredericks said she did not know how she would afford to continue living in her home, as a newly single mom. Within months, she was homeless with her baby. 

Without any support from her extended family members, Fredericks said she had no other choice but to return back to what she described as the main glimmer of hope which always kept her sane: her Catholic faith and her belief in Jesus Christ. 

After rededicating herself to the Catholic faith through prayer, Fredericks said, she believes God answered her cry for help. Within months, she began to work a job again, and she was no longer homeless. A few years later, she moved into her own house in Valley Stream, where she raised her son. 

Now nearly three decades later, Fredericks, 71, who has attended The Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Valley Stream for 11 years, said she does not know how she would have survived without her faith and without Jesus Christ. 

Recently on June 6, Fredericks attended The Church of the Blessed Sacrament for a church service and holy walk throughout the Valley Stream community with other congregants to celebrate the Catholic holiday Corpus Christi — a day celebrated sixty days after Easter, which involves celebratory festivities to recognize the Eucharist as the body of Christ.    

“I thought I was losing it when I was on the streets after I lost my husband and son, but when I started talking to Jesus, He gave me strength to pick myself up and start working again, so I could take care of my baby,” Fredericks said, adding how she was happy to celebrate Jesus for Corpus Christi because she credits Jesus with saving her life. “I am grateful for the holiday Corpus Christi because it allows me to celebrate the holy bread served at church, as not just plain old bread eaten in symbolic remembrance of Jesus Christ, but the holiday reminds Catholics that the bread that we eat in Church is the actual body of Christ.” 

In the same way celebrating Corpus Christi brought back memories to Fredericks about a time in her life when she felt she had no other choice but to rely on her Catholic faith for hope, many other congregants who were celebrating Corpus Christi at The Church of the Blessed Sacrament said they found themselves recalling moments in their lives when they relied on their faith to help them through adversity.  

“I really enjoyed the Corpus Christi mass and walking with the congregants for a holy celebration to Jesus because this reminded me that whatever I am dealing with and whatever is bothering me, I should lay it out before Christ,” said Valley Stream resident, Elivire Naar, who has been attending The Church of the Blessed Sacrament for 15 years. “When I deal with tough things, I know that God might not always take away my hardships, but I can ask for God’s help and God will give me strength and courage to endure and persevere through the difficult trials and tribulations that I face in life.” 

“My faith helps me through difficult times and Jesus is the reason I’ve been a Catholic for so many years,” said Elmont resident and 23-year Blessed Sacrament church member, Florence Webster. “Holidays like today remind people of the importance of desiring to attend church and following through with that desire in obedience to God.”

Ten-year Church of the Blessed Sacrament congregant, Pamela Okoli, said she also found the Corpus Christi event reminded her of the importance of attending church and why Catholics should keep attending church.

“Going to church is not about the priest, but it’s about a personal relationship and a personal journey and connection with Jesus Christ,” she said. “When you have a personal relationship with Jesus, it gives peace during the hard times and helps you through what you are dealing with.”

During the holiday mass, Rev. Lawrence Onyegu, the pastor of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament delivered a homily to remind congregants of the meaning of Corpus Christi. 

“Corpus Christi is a holiday that celebrates Jesus’ body in the eucharist and God’s love reminds us that we have eternal life,” said Onyegu during the homily. “We are reminded on this day that God does not give up on us and Jesus wants to be with us until the end of time.”