A Night Around the World at St. Mary

Parishioners gathered at round table in the front courtyard outside our church and school.

On Saturday evening, St. Mary felt a little like the whole world had gathered in one place.

The International Celebration brought parishioners together for an evening of food, music, dancing, and fellowship. Tables were filled with dishes from countries around the world, and the courtyard was full of people sharing food and stories.

One of the most beautiful parts of the evening was seeing so many people dressed in traditional clothing from their home countries and cultures. Everywhere you looked, there was something new to discover.

And there was plenty of food to discover, too. So much was shared that we had plenty of leftovers at the end of the night!

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Inside the Commons, people took to the floor for square dancing. Families and friends stayed for hours, visiting, laughing, eating, and enjoying one another's company.

Fr. Denis especially enjoyed getting to sample some treats from Uganda. For many people, sharing a favorite food or tradition was a simple way to share a little piece of home with the St. Mary community.

By the end of the evening, one thing was clear: this was more than a dinner. It was a chance to learn about one another, celebrate the many cultures represented at St. Mary, and enjoy the gift of being together.

We have already been hearing from parishioners who hope the International Celebration becomes an annual tradition.

After a night like this, we can certainly understand why.

(Photos courtesy of Dean Tremblay)