Every year, my church community (St. Mary Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church) in Queens, NY, comes together for a special international mass event. This year marked the 23rd anniversary of this beautiful tradition, and it was another heartwarming experience.
The event celebrates the diverse cultures within our community. People from all over the world come together to share their heritage through food, music, and dance.
One of the most touching parts of the event is the flag ceremony during the mass. Each participating country has a designated flag bearer who marches with the flag during the mass and later displays it proudly outside the church.
This year, I had the honor of choosing my mother, who lives in the Bronx, as our flag bearer. It was a special moment for both of us, and she was happy to be a part of the celebration.
After the mass, the festivities truly begin! There's delicious food from various cultures, lively music that gets everyone moving, and booths where you can learn about different traditions. It's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our shared humanity and appreciate the beauty of diversity.
I hope this blog post inspires you to seek out similar events in your community. They're a wonderful way to connect with people from different backgrounds and learn about new cultures.
See you next year at this event!