2024 Diocese of Oakland Chautauqua

Chautauqua made a joyful return to the Diocese of Oakland for the first time in six years. The celebration took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland on Aug. 31.
Chautauqua, or “the gathering of peoples,” was born of the desire to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures among the ethnic groups who call the Diocese of Oakland home. The first celebration was held in 1992, marking the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’  arrival in North America.
 
While the history of this meeting of cultures is complex, the diocesan Chautauqua seeks to highlight the unifying presence of the Holy Spirit. “It’s with the grace of the Holy Spirit that all of our countries and nations and peoples have heard the Word of God that came from the mouth of Jesus to the 12 Apostles and traveled over the face of the earth and now keeps coming together again around the altar of the Lord to welcome Jesus again in the Holy Eucharist,” celebrant Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, said in his opening remarks at Mass.

Prior to Mass, a “parade of nations” entered the cathedral with people carrying signs identifying their communities and clad in traditional dress such as the bold, bright African prints; Korean hanboks and Aztec headdresses. The celebration of diversity continued throughout Mass with readings, songs and intentions offered in multiple languages.
In his homily, Bishop Barber thanked the congregation for their witness. “Here from your countries, your nations, your cultures, you are now instructing the rest of the Church in Europe and North America of the values of the Gospel that you have faithfully preserved,” he said.
 
He also offered guidance on how the laity can give further witness. First, the Church needs vocations, which come from faithful families. Second, the Church needs more saints. “Saints have come to our countries, now we need more saints from our countries,” he said, reminding people of the martyrs of Asia and Africa and saints from the Americas like St. Juan Diego, St. Martin de Porres, St. Rose of Lima and St. Kateri Tekakwitha, an Iroquois convert known as the Lily of the Mohawks.
 
The bishop shared the biography of Father Augustus Tolton, born into slavery in the United States and denied entry to American seminaries because of prejudices. Educated in Rome, he returned to the U.S. to establish the first parish for African Americans. His cause for canonization is active. “I believe he is a saint, but we need people to pray that miracles will be granted through prayers to him and the Church will recognize him” formally as a saint, Bishop Barber said.
 
As has been tradition in Chautauqua gatherings, Mary, who holds the titles of Mother of God and Mother of the Church, was given a place of honor. Almost every culture has a special title for her; participants placed their Marian images on an altar adorned with white roses inside the cathedral and carried them in a procession following Holy Communion during a beautiful performance of “Ave Maria.”
 
A festive celebration on the plaza followed Mass on a perfect late summer afternoon. The 
Marian images were moved to an outdoor altar decorated with succulents.  A sampling of world cuisines was available for purchase, with fragrant aromas wafting across the plaza from foods like chicken mole; Chinese noodles; Brazilian salgados, a savory deep fried snack; Korean bibimbap; Tongan laulau; and Laotian chicken and sticky rice were also available.
 
Groups eager to share their traditions offered entertainment. A dance troop from Jalisco, Mexico, performed ballet folklorico, flourishing their rainbow skirts to mariachi music. 
The African American community danced to a strong drumbeat. The Tongan dancer wore a handmade dress; the Khmu, the native people of Laos, offered a rice harvest dance.
 
Some groups introduced their songs and dances, using their performances as an opportunity to educate about their cultural heritages. The Asian Indian community shared that their dance to Dekki music was in a semi-classical style traditionally performed at occasions such as weddings and festivals. The Kenyan community sang a song of thanksgiving in Swahili, performed on similar happy occasions. The Korean children danced to a fun K-pop medley, and the adults encouraged audience participation during their modern take on “Magnificat.” The Aztec community rounded out the event with a dance honoring deer.
 
“Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents as a church,” said Hector Medina, the Latino Ministries coordinator for the Diocese of Oakland.

/ /