By Maria Paz Duarte |Correspondent
and Alexis Arias | Associate Director of Communications

The Diocese of Trenton marked National Hispanic Heritage Month with celebrations focusing on faith, fun and Latin flavor. Parishes held festivals and Masses to commemorate the month-long recognition of the influence and contributions of Latin Americans to the United States culture.

Begun in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson as a week-long recognition, the National Hispanic Heritage celebration was expanded in 1988 to cover the period from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

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St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, held a Mass and Latin festival Oct. 16 which attracted more than 300 congregants. Flags from numerous Latin American nations were carried into the sanctuary, and principal celebrant and cathedral rector, Father Joseph L. Roldan encouraged the congregation of more than Latinos to applaud for their native lands and for the Lord who allowed such a gathering in his name in their adopted land of the United States.

In his homily, Father Roldan discussed the duties each has as a Christian and a United States citizen of Latino heritage. He urged the group to enrich the faith with their cultural differences, but to unite through the Mass to bring all cultures together without social distinction to prepare for the day all the faithful, regardless of their heritage, will be residents of heaven.

An outdoor Hispanic festival followed the Mass. Children played games and guests sampled cuisine from various Latin American nations as rhythmic Latino music played. The song “Latin America” struck a chord with Patricia Herrera, a Cathedral parishioner for more than a decade. “I’m from Guatemala, and I would like that my country would not have more poverty,” she asserted. “This song made me believe that there is hope in the future.”

Ana Rodas, who had prepared Mexican food for the festival, added, “I love the atmosphere of unity that you can see here, where we can all share our culture and Latin flavor. All Latinos are different, but we all share our passion to continue our roots here in the U.S.”

Christ the Redeemer Parish, Mount Holly, marked its own love of Latino culture Oct. 9 in and around the Burlington County church. The Mass began with the reading of the Proclamation of Hispanic Heritage month. Father Rene Pulgarin, pastor, expressed admiration for his parishioners’ embrace of their heritage and urged them to foster it wherever possible.

“Sometimes you have to set aside where you came from,” Father Pulgarin admitted, “but always return home. It’s there when we return to our roots, our Hispanic heritage.”

After Mass, the parish continued their cultural celebration outdoors. Gaily decorated kiosks offered Latino food and drink and attendees rejoiced in their shared heritage. Parishioner Adriana Martinez said that although they now live in a country with many new opportunities, “We must not forget our roots.”