At diocesan parishes, late summer and early fall festivals have arisen to meet the needs of fellowship and fundraising. A common thread of some recent celebrations is a connection to Hispanic heritage.
Individual guests and large families were welcomed at the gates of the St. Mary church parking lot where a kermes, or church fair and fundraiser, lasted much of the day on Sept. 18 in East Chicago.
On a stage near the rear of the church, Grupo Talos entertained with their Latin vocals, percussion, and synthesizer sounds, while youngsters took turns climbing atop a horse for a ride.
Whether playing table games for novelty prizes or sitting down to enjoy tacos and rice, festival goers had placed the date on their calendars knowing they could have an enjoyable time while supporting their home parish.
"We always come to church as a family all together, and this year we just came to this parking lot to have a get-together with everybody, all the families that we know,” said Juan Anthony Huizar, a longtime St. Mary parishioner, who brought his wife and seven children to the event.
The Huizars recalled that St. Mary had previously hosted a three-day festival, which this year morphed into a single-day kermes. The event is family-friendly and prohibits alcohol sales.
Two of the Huizar children, Veronica, 14, and Juan Pablo, 9, play in the parish’s mariachi band – violin and guitar, respectively. The children, students at Aquinas School at Holy Martyrs in Merrillville, were winding down that Sunday evening at kermes, thinking ahead to school the next morning.
“We try to invite everybody to come out to St. Mary Church – it's a little different; we have a little bit of everything,” Juan Anthony Huizar said.
Relaxing after a performance, Javier Miranda III, set down his guitarrón. The 22-year-old alumni of the St. Mary mariachi group took in the ambiance of the kermes on the late summer evening.
“I actually grew up playing at this church, and now you see our (touring) group,” Miranda said, explaining that he believes some with Mexican heritage are quite used to hearing those sounds and are sometimes less excitable than those younger or less familiar with the music that traces its cross cultural origins to the 1700s.
“To be able to play up there along with kids and see the smiles, is an excitement. Now we’re passing the music (along),” Miranda said.
Association of the Immaculate Conception Father Nestor Varon, St. Mary pastor, said the priorities of the festivities are two-fold.
“The goal of the festival is to be united in our community. For me, I am excited for the people who are working together,” said Father Varon. “The second goal is helping our parish. Sometimes we need help reaching our financial goals."
On stage Fatima Rivera, 9, of South Holland, Ill. was crowned the princess of the kermes festival. Surpassing two other young candidates, she swept into the arms of her parents, Esmeralda and Rafael Rivera, Jr.
Fatima’s sister Catherine Rivera, 7, acted as her maid of honor, ensuring her cape did not touch the ground. Her brother Rafael Rivera III, 6 months, looked on with fascination.
“I feel happy. Thanks for helping me,” the princess told her family.
The timing of the event as well as similar gatherings such as Noche Mexicana, which was hosted by the St. Joselito Society at St. Francis Xavier in Lake Station on Sept. 10, are close to the date of the Mexican Independence Day. Our neighbor to the south marks its freedom from colonial governments on Sept. 16. Other Latin American countries have similar holidays.
For some, like the Huizars, the holidays are observed in the U.S. as an ode to their heritage, as well as the freedoms cherished in this country. Some kermeses, however, took on a more personal focus, such as St. Joseph the Worker parish’s Aug. 21 festivities, which followed their Sunday morning Masses.
The sounds of music and games filled the churchyard at the Gary parish. There parishioners took the opportunity to speak with retiring church secretary Rosa Jimenez, who dedicated more than 20 years of service to the parish.
Jimenez, who moved to her family’s second home in Mexico, served the parish as an irreplaceable and energetic “ideas person,” according to St. Joseph Director of Religious Education Mildred Santos.
“You can’t find another Rosa, that’s for sure,” said Santos. “She did everything for this parish; she got people together to work.”
Sylvia Galvan is secretary at St. Patrick church in East Chicago. Besides helping to get word out about the parish’s kermes, held on Sept. 24, she volunteered to collect ticket fees and other donations from the parish’s “hardworking,” and “helpful” members.
“Fundraising is important; that’s what we’re trying to do,” explained Galvan. “I feel very happy, it’s amazing to see the people here."
Someone else who could not escape Galvan’s praise – or the public declaration of a 40th birthday – was Association of the Immaculate Conception Father Diego Flores, St. Patrick administrator. He stopped to taste a cake prepared by parishioners for his birthday, officially celebrated a few days earlier.
Children and teen boys and girls from Danza Liturgica y Foclorica performers of St. Mary, entertained those gathered in a large tent pitched on the St. Patrick parking lot. They applauded the coordinated bows and spins of the dancers dressed in colorful attire.
Volunteer Dimas Corral helped serve fresh fruit, swatting bees and hornets away from fruit cups. He joined St. Patrick a few years ago said he hopes events like kermes help keep a family feel at the parish and offer the hope of sustainability.
“There is a lot of necessity for this parish,” said Corral, looking around at those gathered. “I want to show my support … and for some reason this church is still open.”