It was day filled with love and appreciation for the Rev. Jose F. Rocha, former interim pastor at St. Elizabeth’s Church, who was graciously thanked for all of his hard work and support during the 19 months he served the parish before and after the tragic death of the late Marinaldo A. Batista.

Father Batista died from the COVID-19 virus in his native Brazil on April 1, 2021.

“Father Rocha should be applauded for everything thing he did for this church during his time here,” said John Medeiros, St. Elizabeth’s Church coordinator of facilities and grounds management. “He’s a remarkable man who was always there when we needed him.”

This past Sunday morning, parishioners and friends gathered inside the St. Elizabeth’s Church Auditorium for a light reception in Father Rocha’s honor following the 10:30 Mass. Besides members of the Santo Cristo Feast Committee, friends of the church’s Holy Rosary Sodality, United Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost and Holy Trinity Committee, among others, were also present to pay tribute to Father Rocha.

Longtime parishioner Naomi Carpenter ordered a special cake to mark this auspicious occasion.

“Father Rocha was special in every way,” she said. “We can’t thank him enough for all the months he spent here during Father Batista’s absence. We were so fortunate to have him.”

Said John Cordeiro, longtime parishioner and Santo Cristo Feast Committee member, “Father Rocha was a very special man. He put in so much time for this parish. We can’t thank him enough.”

In addition, the Rev. Henry P. Zinno Jr., pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, who was called upon to handle the finances of St. Elizabeth’s Church during Father Batista’s absence, was also thanked for his efforts during that same time span.

Fernando Brum, president of the United Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost and Holy Trinity Committee, also spoke briefly to thank Father Rocha for his support and dedication to St. Elizabeth’s Church.

As Father Rocha embraced his parishioners one by one during the reception, he did mention that he would be still be available to help out any way he could for the recently-arrived new pastor, Rev. Vander S. Martins.

“I am hopeful that you all will make Father Martins’ transition here as smooth as possible,” he said. “And, I will be available if he needs me.”