Ethnic communities converge for Cultural Diversity Mass

By Janice L. Semmel | Nov. 18, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

If you want to get an idea of the multicultural aspects of the Diocese of Phoenix, look no further than the choirs that sang prior to the Nov. 7 Cultural Diversity Mass at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish.

Choir members came from eight ethnic groups — Tongan, Polish, Korean, Indonesian, Hispanic, Filipino, Eritrean and Native American. An estimated 800 Catholics from throughout the diocese filled the church, spilling into extra chairs in the narthex.

“Our participants tonight sing God’s praise and thanks from all land masses on earth — Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific,” said Ignacio Rodriguez, associate director of the Office of Ethnic Ministries. 

“All are welcome here,” he added. “Our diocese is growing and becoming a major crossing for the Americas and the world. We celebrate this night, all of God’s people in God’s plan.”

The first two readings were in Polish and Italian. The faithful spoke their native languages and wore their native dress. 

Fr. David Sanfilippo, vicar general and executive director of the ethnic ministries office, concelebrated the Mass with other priests — including Fr. Pawel Stawrczyk, parochial vicar from Immaculate Conception in Cottonwood, who gave the homily. 

The prayers of the faithful were read in Spanish, Japanese, Eritrean, Chinese, English, Vietnamese and Pima.

After Mass, the congregation was invited to sample foods from the different cultures.

“I love it,” said Jean Baran, a proud member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish choir since 1986. “We sing at the beginning of the Polish Masses, and we continue to sing.”

Baran brought her authentic Polish outfit with her when she immigrated in 1965. She said that all of the choir outfits are authentic and represent different regions of Poland. 

Reyna Solis, a 16-year-old student and choir member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, said she sings in the choir for the community.

“I thought it was interesting and loved a lot of things like the different languages,” Solis said. “I met new people and sat next to Polish people. It gave me an opportunity to talk with other cultures.”