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January 30, 2020A series of cultural festivals this past year at Saint John Nepomuk in Yukon highlighted the universal outreach of the Church.
Among the cultures honored and celebrated were American Indian, Vietnamese, Czech and Hispanic.
Father Rex Arnold, pastor of Saint John Nepomuk, said the festivities helped to mark the parish's 130 th anniversary year.
"This lets people know that we are open to other cultures," Father Arnold said. "We should have done this before."
It began almost a year ago with the Vietnamese celebration of Tet, or lunar new year. Celebrating Mass in February for the event was Father Francis Nguyen. The event introduced people from outside of the culture to new customs and food.
"Father Francis told me he was surprised at the number of non-Vietnamese who attended," said Reyne Vanderburg, communications director for Saint John.
The parish is planning another Tet Festival on Feb. 9.
In the spring, the parish marked the Czech Festival. The City of Yukon and the parish have a long association and heritage with Czech immigrants who helped settle Yukon in the late 19 th century.
In May, the parish, now numbering some 1,300 families, held its own Czech Festival. Vanderburg said the event, complete with a potluck dinner, was held at the nearby and larger Yukon Czech Hall.
During the summer, the church drew statewide attention when it hosted the first-ever archdiocesan Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Honor Dance, which was sponsored by the American Indian Catholic Outreach office. Saint Kateri is the first American Indian saint in the Church.
Before the honor dance, which featured a powwow, Archbishop Coakley celebrated Mass and invited attendees to venerate the relic of Saint Kateri, which was provided by Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen and Saint Gregory’s Abbey.
Finally, in December, the Hispanic community marked the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patron Saint of the Americas. In 1531, she appeared to Saint Juan Diego and asked for a church to be built in the Mexico City area in her honor. The bishop asked for a sign from Juan Diego. From his tilma or cloak, he brought out-of-season roses to the bishop. Appearing on the tilma was the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image is iconic and still revered and honored to this day.
The feast day celebration was held Dec. 12, drawing hundreds of participants.
"I've noticed more people from the various groups attending Mass," Father Rex said. "Our festivals send a message that they are welcomed here."
He also credited parish staff and volunteers for their effort to organize the successful events.
"I believe this shows that we are a vibrant parish, ready to get involved and willing to help out," Vanderburg said.
Steve Gust is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: Fr. Rex Arnold (right) and Fr. Michael Wheelahan participate in the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Honor Dance in July 2019 at St. John Nepomuk in Yukon. Photo Chris Porter/ Sooner Catholic.
