On September 6, 2013, the community filled the church to celebrate the parish’s 60th anniversary and to witness the blessing of the Father Joseph T. Carney Enrichment Center. The center houses the school’s newly-opened Pre-K2 and Pre-K3 classrooms as well as ministry meeting rooms.

“I am very happy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Blessed Trinity Parish with you and with your parish priests, Father Jose Alfaro and Father Isidro Perez,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski during the homily. “Sixty years might not seem like a long time for a Church that is almost 2,000 years old; but here in this still young archdiocese, an archdiocese that is only 55 years old, 60 years is certainly something to celebrate.”

Joined by priests and deacons who once served the parish, the archbishop celebrated Mass alongside the one priestly vocation that has come out of Blessed Trinity, Father David Smith.

“It’s been a very emotional evening, getting to come back here to my roots and be part of this celebration,” said Father Smith. “The dedication Mass of the church was my first Communion Mass. I went to school here. It’s also the place I celebrated my first Mass as a priest and where the funeral Mass was held for my parents and sister. It’s just home.”

As the Mass was ending, children of all ages exited the church and began the preparations for the blessing ceremony. Reminiscent of when the church was dedicated 60 years ago, children lit the path for the archbishop to bless the new building. With hundreds gathered before him, Archbishop Wenski sprinkled holy water on the walls of the building and blessed all those present.

Adorning the exterior wall of the Father Joseph T. Carney Enrichment Center is a 4 by 5 foot, 150-pound bronze cross created by former Blessed Trinity teacher and parent, Natalie Calvo. The cross took 10 months to make and has a double representation of the Blessed Trinity.

For the celebration, the second floor all-purpose room of the new enrichment center was converted into a parish museum chronicling every decade of its history. “I am very proud and honored to be here and overjoyed that we were able to honor a man that worked so hard for everything that we are enjoying today,” said Maria T. Perez, school principal. “We are blessed to welcome back so many faithful servants that have given so much of themselves to this parish and today we reap those benefits. We are sowing those seeds for the future.”

In 1982, Archbishop Edward McCarthy appointed Father Joseph T. Carney as Pastor. He spearheaded an era of change and growth and served the parish for three decades, until his unexpected death in January of 2013. By then, he had become an integral member of the parish community. In fact, many viewed him as a member of the family.

In 2000, the parish refurbished the church, completely overhauling the interior. It was rededicated September 16, 2001 by Archbishop John C. Favalora. Over the next few years, a residence for priests was built and the school expanded, adding a Pre-K3 class and thereafter a Pre-K2 class.

The new multi-purpose center had been Father Carney’s last project. It took nearly 10 years to complete and the community unanimously decided to name it in his honor. Today, we continue to use the Carney Center for our parish school and meetings. 

The parish continues to grow and welcome new families who have moved into Miami Springs and Virgina Gardens. Many of these new families are second or third generation parishioners who left for college, got married, and now have children in our school and Religious Ed program, and actively participate in the parish life.

We look forward to continuing welcoming new families, students, and creating memories to last a lifetime.