‘A Tapestry of Unity’ celebrated at diocesan multicultural Mass

“Where I work, diversity is a big part of our philosophy at the hospital. We try to be as inclusive as we possibly can. And it’ll be an interesting celebration for the first time. So I ask all of you, are you ready to rock and roll?”

That question was posed by Father Francis “Butch” Mazur, who works his ministry at Erie County Medical Center, in remarks prior to the start of a special Multicultural Mass held Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood.

The music that followed his remarks wasn’t rock and roll, but rather a robust beat put on by Congolese drummers, leading a procession of worshippers carrying an assortment of banners and images, followed by Bishop Michael W. Fisher and concelebrants.

The Mass, formally titled “All God’s People: A Tapestry of Unity,” was attended by nearly 200 faithful and was organized by the Diocese of Buffalo’s Office of Cultural Diversity, and those carrying the banners represented the office’s African, African-American, Asian and Hispanic-Latino Commissions. 

The music ministry was as diverse as the congregation. In addition to the Congolese drummers, hymns were led by Glen Hufnagel and members of St. Martin de Porres and Assumption Churches. Several African choirs also participated – Congolese, Rwandan, Sudanese and Swahili.

“We all know that to be Catholic is to belong to a universal church, a church of many languages, diverse cultures, and a myriad of traditions. And yet, to be united in a single purpose, the worship of God in and through the sacrifice of Jesus, present in word and sacrament, as we assemble all over the world in His name,” said Father Ronald Sajdak, vicar forane for the diocese’s Buffalo Vicariate.

In his homily, Bishop Fisher stated that as the Gospel has been brought to each new place and population over the centuries, the various cultures in which it has been accepted are a sign of the rich creativity and fruitfulness of the Spirit of God. 

But he also warned of the evil of prejudice, lamenting that while the Church’s “rich tapestry of cultures and traditions” are a sign of the mysterious greatness of God, that same diversity is often a source of tension over harmony, of hatred rather than love, and violence rather than peace.

“One of the important aspects of today’s celebration is the witness it gives that in our Catholic community, particularly here in our local Church in Buffalo, that we want our diversity to be something we celebrate, something we acknowledge is a wonderful gift from God, rather than something about which we should be nervous or afraid, rather than something that separates us,” Bishop Fisher said.

The bishop noted that as this Mass was being celebrated, Pope Francis was continuing his 12-day mission to nations in Southeast Asia and Asian Pacific. Speaking of the cultural diversity of Catholics worldwide, Bishop Fisher told the congregation that by uniting ourselves in Christ, we unite ourselves with the Holy Father.

“By uniting ourselves to the Holy Father, we unite ourselves to St. Peter, to the apostles and all the saints who are living and in heaven,” the bishop said. “We are not only a Church Militant here in this world, but we are also part of a church suffering and a church triumphant. We become mystically united with Christians throughout the world, and our prayer and adoration of God becomes one song of praise to the glory of Heaven. And as we unite ourselves through our unity with Christ, we receive that overabundance of mercy from God, making us one.”