St. John Neumann Hall was filled Saturday with families, laughter, conversations, and the smell of delicious ethnic foods. People were getting acquainted as they sat around tables eating and drinking Latino foods. Young dancers were performing their cultural dances, clothing representing each culture, and films of different cultures showing up on a wall.
This is what is missing in our society today. I remember when I was a kid in the 60's our families, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters would get together several times a year and have picnics, play games, and get to know each other. As we got older, moving further apart, married, having kids, older generations dying off, that all changed. I haven't seen cousins in 40 years. Extended family members are strangers in our culture.
Enter our new immigrants. Family is their life. They live, play and pray together. It is so refreshing to witness and be part of this lost custom.
The fiesta at St. John Neumann Hall came after each "Celebrating our Cultures Weekend" Mass in the church. Each Mass throughout the weekend had representation from parishioners from the different cultures who live in the area and attend St. John Neumann in Eagan. Spanish, European, Asian, Island and African cultures were all represented.
As an added bonus, Fr. Thomas Joseph from Divine Mercy in Faribault interpreted in Spanish for the third of the participants that were Spanish-speaking. Fr. Thomas also did a beautiful homily in English and Spanish for the large crowd. The mixed choir sang in Spanish and English, creating very moving music. The congregation sang with great gusto. The atmosphere in the church was very vibrant, relaxed and very welcoming.
My wish for our newcomers is that they don't lose their family ties and values the longer they live here and that we can all remember and learn from them.
Have a gentle day, Milo
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
