Around One Table: Celebrating the Universal Church at St. Mary

What does the Catholic Church look like?

It looks like neighbors sharing a meal.

It looks like children laughing together on a dance floor.

It looks like parishioners from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds discovering that, despite speaking different first languages or growing up with different traditions, they share the same faith in Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, August 29, St. Mary Catholic Church will celebrate that beautiful reality during our first International Celebration, an evening of food, fellowship, dancing, and community following the 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass.

The Catholic Church is universal. Every Sunday, millions of people around the world gather to celebrate the same Eucharist. Here at St. Mary, we are blessed to experience that universality in our own parish family.

As we've prepared for this celebration, we've discovered something remarkable. Our parish family includes connections to at least 35 different countries spanning five continents. From Cameroon to Colombia, Ireland to India, Brazil to Belarus, and Mexico to the Philippines, the people of St. Mary reflect the beauty and diversity of the worldwide Church.

35

Countries represented in our parish family.

Across 5 continents. United by one faith.

The International Celebration is an opportunity to experience that richness firsthand.

Families are encouraged to bring a favorite dish to share, whether it's a treasured family recipe passed down through generations or a meal that reflects their cultural heritage. Together, those dishes will create a buffet that tells the story of our parish, one plate at a time.

Birthplaces Across our Parish Family

Africa (6) Cameroon Ghana Nigeria Rwanda Sierra Leone Togo	Asia (8) China (including Hong Kong) India Iraq Israel Japan Philippines United Arab Emirates Vietnam	Europe (9) Austria Belarus England (United Kingdom) Germany Ireland Italy Poland Russia Ukraine
North America & Caribbean (6) Canada Cuba El Salvador Guatemala Haiti Mexico United States Also represented: Puerto Rico (U.S. Territory)	South America (5) Brazil Colombia Ecuador Peru Venezuela	Total 35 sovereign countries 5 continents Plus Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory

Did we miss your country? Please let us know by emailing Kristin at kstory@delawarestmary.org

The evening will also include a few brief personal testimonies from parishioners, offering a glimpse into the many ways God has worked in the lives of members of our community.

After dinner, everyone is invited to join in one of the evening's highlights: square dancing.

Never tried it before? That's perfectly fine.

Our caller will teach every dance, and no experience is necessary. In fact, our favorite way to describe it is this: If you know your left from your right and can count to seven, you can square dance. It's a fun, lighthearted way to laugh together, meet someone new, and enjoy the evening.

Children are especially welcome. This is a celebration for the entire parish family, with activities for all ages and plenty of opportunities to make new friends.

Even if you don't have a dish to bring, we hope you'll come. While we encourage every family who is able to contribute to the potluck so there is plenty to share, what matters most is your presence. Every person who walks through the door helps make our parish family more complete.

In a world that often emphasizes our differences, the Church reminds us of something greater: we are One Body in Christ.

Around the table, sharing a meal, we'll celebrate the many cultures that make up St. Mary while remembering the faith that unites us all.

We hope you'll join us on August 29 as we celebrate the beauty of the Universal Church—right here at home.

International Celebration

Saturday, August 29

Following the 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass

Front Courtyard

Please register in advance to help us plan for food and seating. Families are encouraged to bring a dish to share that reflects their culture or a favorite family tradition.