AURORA—Another version of the traditional Sacred Heart Parish Festival of Music and Food was “a Catholic and social event” said Bishop David Malloy, June 18.
“It was an opportunity to honor fathers, something very important now-a-days that also helps us strengthen families, particularly Catholic Hispanic families, “ he said to the crowd at RiverEdge park here.
Bishop Malloy talked with volunteers and blessed those who approached him on his way to the festival stage. There, he greeted the crowd, prayed for families, and sliced the first piece of a giant cake from the La Chicanita bakery, made to serve 500 people.
This is the second year that La Chicanita presented a cake to Bishop Malloy.
Graciela Arrieta-Perez from the bakery, credited her daughter with the idea of baking a cake for the bishop.
“We already have 27 years in this family business,” she said, which includes her three daughters Laura, María Guadalupe and Nancy.
The Sacred Heart Parish festival “is a celebration of unity, happiness and family.,” said Msgr. Monsignor Arquimedes Vallejo, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and diocesan Vicar for Hispanic Ministry.
“We do not sell alcohol, so everybody enjoys (the day) — children, adults, and young people. It is also a very beautiful moment to share the culture, the faith, and the joy, to be all together,” he said.