Festival of Peoples celebrates diversity, oneness with the Lord
By Tim Bullard
CONWAY — The Festival of Peoples at St. James Church on Jan. 30
drew many people who joined hands and enjoyed the cultures of other
lands.
“It’s the second time we’ve had it at St. James,” said Father Rick
LaBrecque. “I think it’s a wonderful way for us to become more aware of
how many paths we follow to end up being a community, the many origins
of our people, and to learn a lot about the backgrounds of people who
we might not be aware of.
“It just gives a great sense of being one in the Lord, I think,” he
said.
Booths and kiosks had ethnic foods, crafts, musical instruments and
information from various countries, including Jamaica, the Ukraine,
Puerto Rico, Mexico, Lithuania, Italy, Ireland, Guatemala, Venezuela
and Colombia.
Deacon Jeff Mevissen was pleased with the turnout.
“The Festival of Peoples is a very special event to celebrate our
multicultural heritage,” he said. “And it is to celebrate the special
gift God has given to each of the peoples of the world.”
During the homily earlier in the morning he had spoken of the spiritual
aspect of the event.
“... The point I tried to make this morning is that grace is universal.
All people are welcome to the kingdom of God, and how do we stretch to
accommodate people who we don’t usually rub shoulders with?”
Published Feb. 10, 2005
The Catholic Miscellany