Hundreds turned out for the first large-scale Juneteenth celebration organized by the diocesan Office for Black Catholic Ministries. St. Adalbert/Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood hosted the June 19 celebration.
(See photo gallery above from the Mass and celebration.)
Father Tom Fanta, pastor of St. Dominic Parish in Shaker Heights, was the principal Mass celebrant. Concelebrants were Father Joe Hilinski, delegate for ecumenical and interfaith affairs and pastor of St. Barbara Parish in Cleveland; Father Damian Ference, vicar for evangelization; and Father Dismas Boeff, OSB. Deacon Hardin Martin of St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Cleveland assisted at the altar.
Faithful from across the area, many dressed in colorful clothing and others in special Juneteenth T-shirts, gathered in the church for Mass. The Diocesan Gospel Choir and musicians provided music and song for the liturgy.
Adult praise dancers blessed the sanctuary prior to the opening procession.
After the clergy processed in, Father Fanta welcomed the congregation noting, “Juneteenth is not just a day of celebration for African Americans. It’s also a day of celebration for me. If we are truly brothers and sisters, your story is my story. Your pain is my pain and your joy is my joy. Your freedom is my freedom, too. His love unites us all and binds us all as one family,” he said.
“Allow me to pray with you so I can better understand your story – my story,” Father Fanta added.
He said Juneteenth is something he was never taught about in school. It marked the day – June 19, 1865 -- that the slaves in Texas learned about the proclamation of freedom – years after the Emancipation Proclamation and passage of the 13th amendment.
“Why did it take so long? Why did I not learn about it in school?” Father Fanta asked. “Because of one thing – sin. Sin causes all evil. It’s the chain that shackles all of us, but sin never wins,” he said, pointing to the crucifix. “That’s why. As Jesus hung on that tree, he saw the whole world, the troubles of all and the good people who did beautiful things. And he loved them all,” Father Fanta said.
“Freedom always prevails. The freedom of our faith – God’s love – cannot be stopped. Say it with me,” he told the congregation as they repeated it and applauded.
At times, it may be difficult to see freedom, Father Fanta said. “The freest person in the universe became a captive for us. How do we see that freedom? Jesus sees all,” he said, mentioning examples of people doing good deeds that may go unnoticed. “But Jesus sees it. Where the spirit of the Lord is, that’s where freedom is. Juneteenth is an image of God’s freedom. Freedom doesn’t just prevail; it’s your story, it’s our story.
“The Holy Spirit lives in each of our hearts and that’s the reason we’re free,” Father Fanta said.
“God’s freedom cannot be stopped. Live in God’s spirit and then you will be truly free,” he added.
The youth praise dancers performed during the liturgy.
After Mass, Sister Jane Nesmith, SBS, director of the Office for Black Catholic Ministries, offered thanks to all who helped plan and implement the celebration, including the priests and deacon, the parishes of St. Adalbert/Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Aloysius/St. Agatha, St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima, St. Dominic, Our Lady of Peace, Cleveland and Holy Spirit, Garfield Heights; the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, Office of Black Catholic Ministries’ Advisory Board, Diocesan Gospel Choir, musicians, diocesan youth praise dancers, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, the Knights of Columbus, members of the diocesan Parish Life and Special Ministries Office and all who donated food, cooked and served the food and assisted with set-up and cleanup.
“None of us works alone,” she said. “And thank you, Father Tom, for reminding us that freedom cannot be stopped. All God’s children are gathered at the table today (for Mass) and that’s what Jesus wants for his children. This is for all of us. As Father Tom said, we must all come together and realize that if it’s about you, it’s about me,” Sister said.
“We say ‘amen’ today to a beautiful celebration that we can enjoy together,” she added.
The festivities continued with a picnic lunch, music, games and inflatables for children on the parish grounds.
Sister Nesmith said she hopes the Juneteenth celebration will be an annual event.