Members of the Haitian community celebrated the new year and their independence Tuesday at Saint Jerome's Church.

The event included a two-hour Mass celebrated in French and French Creole. There was also a special Latin hymn at the end.

An uprising in Haiti helped the country to gain its independence from France 215 years ago.

Although the country has been free for more than two centuries, the bishop the church says Haiti still has its economic troubles. Following the Mass was a celebration where congregants enjoyed a special dish, soup Joumou, as a way to recognize freedom from slavery since slaves were not allowed to eat the pumpkin soup.