Amarillo—The Faith Community at St. Joseph’s Church celebrated its diversity and unity during its fifth Unity Mass Nov. 4.
Bishop Patrick J. Zurek presided at the 11:00am Mass, which was followed by a celebration in the school gym that included free food, Sudanese dances, a game of Loteria, several rounds of Bingo and piñatas for the children.
The Mass also included the introduction of three Saints that have special significance to some of the different cultural groups within St. Joseph’s Church. They are:
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680), Virgin, Penitent, Religious Lay Woman, who was canonized on Oct. 21 by Pope Benedict XVI. Her feast day is noted on July 14 in the United States;
Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita (1869-1947), Canossian Daughter of Charity, who was canonized on Oct. 1, 2000 by Blessed John Paul II. Her feast day is Feb. 8; and,
Saint Toribio Romo (1900-1928), Patron Saint of Immigrants, who was canonized on May 21, 2000 by Blessed John Paul II. His feast day is May 21.
This was the first time the Unity Mass had been celebrated at St. Joseph’s since 2010.
“We celebrate a Unity Mass to bring our parish together and to maintain our unity as one parish family,” said Father Hector J. Madrigal, who has served as pastor at St. Joseph’s since 2007.