St. Polycarp Catholic Church in Stanton held a three-day Fiesta Carnival over the weekend with games, rides and lots of food booths, along with various entertainment on stage for families.
Fr. Michael St. Paul, administrator of the church's school, said the event was a fundraiser for the church, "With all cultures, English, Spanish and Vietnamese coming together to serve the Lord by serving others."
St. Polycarp Catholic Church in Stanton held a three-day Fiesta Carnival over the weekend with games, rides and lots of food booths, along with various entertainment on stage for families.
Fr. Michael St. Paul, administrator of the church's school, said the event was a fundraiser for the church, "With all cultures, English, Spanish and Vietnamese coming together to serve the Lord by serving others."
Many volunteers made it happen at the event and while folks attending the event could purchase foods from the different cultures out front. Behind the scenes were various groups cooking food for the volunteers to enjoy after hours of volunteering their time.
Stanton Councilman David Shawver and Jennifer Shawver were some of the "chiefs" for the volunteers; the Shawver's provided free hot dogs for volunteers from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
"We will have thousands of people attend the three-day event," said Shawver.
The "Sacred Hearts" from the church were also some of those cooking behind the scenes for their volunteers, barbecuing chicken on skewers.
"We are cooking for our volunteers and then we will cook for the guests," said Duong Lich.
Culinary favorites included Vietnamese, Mexican, American, Filipino and Italian food, along with fresh coconut juice, aquas frescos (Spanish "cool waters" —
a combination of fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water to make light non-alcoholic beverage), beer, wine and sodas.
On Sunday only, three special items were served; they included PHO (a type of Vietnamese soup), meatballs and menudo (a spicy Mexican soup made from tripe).
St. Polycarp was built in the 1960s and has been in the city for more than 50 years; The church fundraises in two manners, with its Fiesta Carnival for more than 40 years and also through its Mardi Gras, which honors the Patron Saint Polycarp.
The church has 5,000 families who total 1,400 individuals per week who attend masses and celebrations, "Bringing all together for the common good."
St. Polycarp holds masses in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Filipino languages.
Fr. Michael and Fr. Joseph are celebrating 10 years of priesthood. Sunday June 14, both will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving; Fr. Michael at 11 a.m. and Fr. Joseph at 4 p.m.