Wednesday, July 05, 2006
DIOCESAN FESTIVAL
A couple of Sundays ago a 19-year-old seminarian from the Cleveland Diocese came to my church to announce "theFEST," scheduled to take place in August. This sixth Diocesan-wide Catholic Family FESTival will be held on the grounds of Borromeo seminary according to the seminarian. Brochures were passed out after Mass which indicate that this event will include
- Day-long, live music performed by national and local Christian bands
- Assorted on-going crafts and activities for children and teens
- Good food with lots of easy access parking and shuttles
- Merchandise and product displays
- Peace and Justice Coffee House with local Christian bands
- Multiple opportunities for personal prayer and reflection [????-ct}
- Legacy of Hope in honor of Bishop Pilla
- Education Village courtesy of Central Purchasing Organization
- Little Tikes Fiesta area
- BMX show
- Meet Derick Polk of the Harlem Globetrotters
- "Zorbing" from New England
- Buy a "raffle" ticket to win one of seven cars from GANLEYautomall.com or over $67,000 in cash prizes
This event is being advertised as free. Sponsors include Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union, John Carroll University, Ganley Automall, Pepsi, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Browns, SoftRock 1021 WDOK, and Borromeo. It has its own website. Steven Curtis Chapman is on the program. There is a Mass scheduled, and a fireworks display.
Even though this is the sixth FEST, it is the first time I've heard about it.
What I'm wondering is whether this is happening in other dioceses? And if it is, what sparked this type of event?
And while I'm asking, is the phrase "time, talent, and treasure" popping up in your parish? I've been hearing it for a number of years.