The inside of St. James Church in Falls Church resembled the
United Nations — Albania, Ghana, Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, and many more —
as part of the Mass for Multicultural Communities June 21. The church was awash
in vibrant colors as many dressed in outfits indigenous to their countries of
origin or of their ancestors.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass with several
concelebrants, many reflecting different cultures. The petitions during Mass
were read in multiple languages.
The evening started with a musical prelude performed by the multicultural
choir directed by Que-Thanh Le. The music during Mass took on a more
multicultural flavor with only one song in English during communion.
“This year, Bishop Burbidge wanted more non-English music during
the Mass,” said Le. “My challenge was to teach the choir songs in Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese.”
During his homily, Bishop Burbidge said “It’s wonderful that
every year we have this event, a celebration of many cultures in our diocese.
And I’m particularly pleased that the event is not only a banquet or dinner or
a festival —although I’m looking forward to it — I am very happy to begin with
the holy sacrifice of the Mass,” he said. “Ever convinced that whatever
difficulties or chaos we are experiencing now in our world, in countries from
where so many of you hail, in our own nation and in our church, no matter what
they are, we have the strength we need in Christ Jesus, Our Lord.
“It is my hope and prayer that by celebrating this Mass tonight,
we all leave here stronger — stronger in our faith and in our conviction that
Christ alone can transform us and heal us and make us new.”
Bridget Wilson — the newest director of the diocesan Office of
Multicultural Ministries who took over for Corinne Monogue in June — said the
event was a way to introduce herself in her capacity.
“This event shows our unity in the Eucharist,” she said. “Despite
all the cultural differences, we can come together because we have the same
faith. It is a beautiful way for us to come together and worship and highlight
our cultural differences.”
After Mass, attendees moved to the parish hall for a reception
with performances by Mountain Kim martial arts, dancers from the Boyle School
of Irish Dance, and liturgical dancers from St. Anthony of Padua Church in
Falls Church. Attendees visited tables from multicultural communities to learn
more about their culture and sample foods.
Merita McCormack, a parishioner of St. John the Beloved Church in
McLean, represented the table from her home country of Albania. “It’s beautiful
because Albania has a history of religious persecution during communism,” she
said. “Albanians are turning back to their Christian roots. Being able to have a
table here shows we too exist because religion was banned when Albania was the
first country in the world to declare by constitution that the country was atheist.”
Len Sese, a Filipino parishioner of St. James, appreciated the
event being at his parish. “We are all different ethnicities and the culture we
all share is being Catholic,” he said. “It’s so nice to have a chance to get
together and be honored with the presence of Bishop Burbidge.”