Gallery: 2023 (and earlier) African Festival at Holy Cross

A celebration of parishioners of African nationality and heritage

04.12.2023

The 2023 Event

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking Parish

Father Paul Inanoremhe was the presider at the African Festival Mass on Sept. 10, 2023

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishThe choir performed hymns in a variety of African languages as well as African-American spirituals.

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishThe choir at the 2023 service

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishSome of the dishes on offer at the after-Mass social at the 2023 festival

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishThe buffet table at the 2023 event

© Photo: B. Dimaunahan/International English-Speaking ParishThe choir at rest during the 2023 Mass

Click on the photo for a gallery of views from the Mass and the social afterwards.

2022's Community Celebration

Parishioners added drum beat accompaniment to the music during Mass at the 2022 festival

© Photo: B. Dimaunahan/International English-Speaking ParishFather Christian Enke baptized four children from the Sackey family, who are originally from Ghana, during the 2022 African Mass

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishThe family celebrates its four baptisms with a special hymn during the 2022 African Mass

© Photo: B. Dimaunahan/International English-Speaking ParishThe dessert table at the after-Mass social for the 2022 festival

Yearly festivals that were suspended or curtailed at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic resumed in 2022, with the community celebrating its annual African Mass on Sunday, Aug. 21, with special music from across the continent, a family having its four children baptized and, during the coffee social outside the church, a range of savory dishes and desserts on offer for a light snack. Click on the photos to see a gallery of pictures from the day.

The Sackey family, parishioners originally from Ghana, sings a hymn at the baptism of their four children during the 2022 Mass honoring the parish's African community. Double-click on the image to see the video.