History of the Hispanic Community
at St. Michael the Archangel

In 1990, the Hispanic population continued to grow in Georgetown. About 500 Spanish-speaking parishioners worshipped the Lord at St. Michaels


1990-1991 – In an effort to serve the rapidly growing Hispanic community, a Spanish-language Mass was established. The first Mass in Spanish at St. Michael the Archangel was said on January 14, 1990.


The Carmelite Sisters of Charity Bedrunas (Spain) committed themselves to serving the population. They established La Esperanza, a social service agency. Sister Maria Mairlot, now a Pastoral Associate, began working with parishioners, especially in faith formation and music. A religious community of Guatemalan men, The Fraternity of Mary, was contracted by the Diocese of Wilmington to serve the Hispanic population in the southern regions of the Diocese.


As a result of the contract, in 1999 Father Ruben Soto y Sto. was appointed associate pastor of San Miguel. Following his installation as Bishop of Wilmington, His Excellency Michael A. Saltarelli, who died in September 2009, formed the Diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, now led by Father Chris Posch, OFM.


On January 28, 2001, Rev. Edmund Coppinger and Father Cesar Gomez joined the parish as associate pastors. Fr. Ed, now retired and living in California, had been associate pastor of St. Peter and St. Paul, in Aston, MD. Father Cesar was a missionary priest whose previous assignment had been in Brooklyn, NY.


2005 – In October, Bishop Saltarelli introduced a new Order of Merit in the Diocese of Wilmington to honor parishioners who have helped their parish and the diocese in an outstanding way. Father Daniel McCloskey recommended Lucas Perez in 2005 and Andres Velasquez in 2006, both of whom won the award.


On October 30, a bilingual Liturgy of the Word was held to pray for the victims and victims of a hurricane in Guatemala. A collection of $7,300 was made to help the needs of the people affected by the natural disaster.


In 2009, the parish began offering a bilingual Mass, once a month, during the school year, for students in the Religious Education Program. Students participate in the ministries of welcoming, reading, and music.


On May 30, 2010, Sister Maria Mairlot received a Papal Honor, bestowed by Pope Benedict XVI, for her service to the church. Receipt of the Benemerenti Medal ("good of social interest") is a distinction awarded to a very select group of religious and laity of the diocese, selected by Bishop Saltarelli before his death.


Today, St. Michael the Archangel's Hispanic population is over 400 families, 1224 members.

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