Worshipers from different cultures find common ground at St. Joseph Catholic Church: faith, food and fellowship.
By NATASHA DEL TORO
Published June 13, 2003
NORTHEAST MACFARLANE - At 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, latecomers find standing room only.
Word of a weekly Mass in Spanish at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Cherry Street has spread swiftly among Tampa's Latin American community, uniting Hispanics from different cultures and geographical locations.
Immigrants flock to the church for help finding jobs and support.
"Everyone is coming here," says Pastor Felix Sanchez. "We have over 19 nationalities represented including Thai, Vietnamese and Americans, though mostly we have Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Mexicans and Dominicans."
The choir breaks into rhythms with bongos and maracas, keeping the mood lively.
Sanchez, a Spaniard from Salamanca, came to the church four years ago from Dade City. Since then, he has witnessed a jump in attendance by Hispanics.
"Everyone expresses faith in their own way, but they're all here for the same goal," he says. "They feel the church is their home."
Each ethnic group celebrates the day of its own designated Catholic patron saint with a feast for the entire congregation to enjoy.
Preparations begin months in advance. The Cubans have already arranged to have lechon (pork) and moros y cristianos (black beans and rice) for their Sept. 8 Our Lady of Charity festival.
Parishioners suggested the idea of holding such celebrations many years ago, and the pastor agreed. Members learn something new about the other cultures at the church.
"It's a good way to keep traditions and pass them to the younger people," he says.
Denise Vargas, a Dominican who has been attending St. Joseph's for four years, enjoys learning about other cultures and sampling their foods.
"People pay for this out of their own pocket, so everyone else can eat for free," she marvels.
Elaborate effigies of patron saints adorn the chapel.
Sanchez explains the significance of each and the country of origin. The custom of worshiping patron saints was passed down to the various Latin American countries from the Catholic Church in Spain.
One prized piece is the radiant figure of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Mexicans, which hangs in the front of the chapel.
Other figures inside include Our Lady de la Rocca, protector of the Italians, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patron saint of American Catholics, Our Lady of Providence, the guardian of the Puerto Ricans, Our Lady of Charity, the patron saint of the Cubans, and Our Lady of Mercy, the keeper of the Dominicans. All have small benches located directly beneath them for parishioners to kneel and pray.
The congregation also holds multicultural picnics, with the foods, crafts and flag of each represented nation.
At the Hispanic Day festival, there was even a flag procession.
By now, such events have become standard fare for the church.
"In my community, people integrate without any problem," Sanchez says. "They're hard workers and they help each other out."
- St. Joseph Catholic Church is at 3012 W Cherry St. For more information, call 877-5729.
