AURORA—Suffocating heat didn’t stop the fun or the spiritual experience at the Sacred Heart annual festival, here, Aug. 4. 

 

“It is impressive, all the people and the families who are here despite the warm temperatures,” said Bishop David Malloy after he prayed and toured the event grounds, blessing festival goers, artists and volunteers as he walked.

 

After Bishop Malloy finished his opening prayer, Msgr. Arquimedes Vallejo, pastor of Sacred Heart and diocesan Vicar for Hispanic Ministry, invited two college students to participate in a contest. 

 

Each participant answered a question  from the bishop about how they live their faith at home and at college. 

 

Both boys answered “with maturity,” the bishop said. “They were able to briefly integrate their faith and their Hispanic culture to describe how they can live in college, in university, very impressive.” 

 

The winner will receive a prize from St. Augustine College. 

 

“It is important that as part of our faith we support our families, so this is a good time for the party,” the bishop added.

 

For Msgr. Vallejo, the event was “excellent.” He was “very happy,” he said, because “three things made the difference: the presence of the bishop, the sacrifice of the people and a very nice thing is that the Rieleros del Norte are well known and were at one time praying with the bishop ... . It is also important that the Church is shown in that artistic field.”

 

Los Rieleros del Norte, a three time Grammy-nominated band was the main entertainment at the festival.

 

María Teresa and José Martinez were among couples at the festival. 

 

“It is beautiful each year. The best part is the presence of the bishop, the happiness of the party, the security, the music, everything,”  María said.