OLV celebrates Father Baker Day with Mass, pennies, and carnival
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The celebration of the 88th anniversary of Venerable Nelson H. Baker’s passing would make the Lackawanna legend proud. Children laughed, families prayed together, and the clergy sacrificed their dignity for others.
Kids enjoy bouncing in the bounce House. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Passersby donate their spare change to Father Baker’s Pennies to Heaven penny drop. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
The little things really add up. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Brooke Grabowski from Sun Drop Crafts creates a balloon animal for guests of OLV’s Father Baker Day celebration on July 28. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Brooke Martin gets her hair braided by Amanda Miles from Braid Babes. Hair braiding was just one of the fun activities at Father Baker Day. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Dominic Irizarry take a crack at dunking Deacon Mark Bialkowski at OLV’s Farther Baker Day celebration. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Dominic Irizarry causes the first dunking of the day as Deacon Mark Bialkowski drops into a refreshing tank of water. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Kayden and Jameson Ward go fishing at OLV National Shrine & Basilica fon July 28. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Saxman Slim was just one of the musician playing at OLV National Shrine & Basilica for Father Baker Day. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Many gift baskets were included in the Father Baker Day raffle. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
A poster autographed by Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Steve Walsh and Vinnie Testaverdei was on the raffle block on Father Baker Day. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Msgr. David LiPuma, pastor/rector of OLV National Shrine & Basilica, sits at the dunk tank and waits. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi) 
Msgr. David LiPuma didn’t have to wait long to be dunked and sunk, all for a good cause. (Photo By Patrick J. Buechi)
Things kicked off at 8 a.m. with the tradition of the Pennies to Heaven penny drop, where passersby can leave their change on the sidewalk of OLV National Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna. The collected coins go to help fund OLV Charities.
Msgr. David LiPuma, pastor/rector of OLV, welcomed guests from throughout the Diocese of Buffalo. Highlights include music from Cami Clune from “The Voice,” John Risen from “America’s Got Talent,” and local musician Saxman Slim.
Guests took turns trying to sink Msgr. LiPuma, Father Robert Contarin, and Deacon Mark Bialkowski in a dunk tank.
“It was my own kids who talked me into doing this,” Deacon Bialkowski explained. “They said, ‘Let’s have a dunk tank.’ And I said, ‘Oh, really. And who’s going to be dunked?’ The kids said, ‘Well, Daddy deacon of course.’ I’m happy to do anything to make this event successful and fun. Father Baker loved kids, so anything to do to make the kids smile I’m happy to do.”
He said being dunked during the 90-degree day was quite refreshing.
Dominic Irizarry did the first dunking.
“It feels pretty good and pretty rewarding,” the 11 year old said.
He came with his parents from Marilla to take part in the festivities.
“I think Father Baker is so important to the fabric of this community. So, we came to support his memory and support the idea that he could become a saint and everything,” said Laura Irizarry.
A bounce house, balloon animals, hair braiding, Kan Jam, Cornhole, raffles and a chicken barbeque rounded out the day’s events.
