July 6, 2023

St. Brigid’s monthly African Mass celebrates unity in diversity

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Rebecca Drake

AMHERST – Hymns were sung in Swahili. African congregants presented the readings and prayer intentions. And three African priests concelebrated the liturgy.

But the first monthly African Mass held July 2 at 4:30 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, here, was about unifying all Catholics in the Eucharist, said Father Valentine Nworah, parochial vicar at St. Brigid Parish and chaplain at the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts.

“It’s the joy that the Lord gives to us, that he called each and every one of us together to be brothers and sisters in him, irrespective of nationality, of origin, of tribe, race, of color,” Father Nworah told iObserve.

“But we are all called to be together and when we come to the Eucharist, those things do not matter anymore because we become one with Christ, who unites us in his Body and Blood,” he said. “So the idea is to have that diversity in the community, that we also come to realize that the church is not only about me or them, but this is about all of us.”

Father Nworah was joined on the altar by Father Maxwell Chukwudiebere, parochial vicar at St. Catherine Parish in Norwood, Mass., and Father Obinna Odinkalu, a student at Boston College.

The First and Second Readings, respectively, were presented by Ninette Irakoze, a doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts, and St. Brigid parishioner, Efosa Guobadia. Choir members were accompanied by Father Stanislaus Achu, parochial vicar at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Springfield, who played the keyboard. Fathers Achu and Nworah are both natives of Nigeria.

St. Brigid parishioner Christina Camara, who helped organize the Mass and sang in the choir, estimated there were about 70 people at the July 2 Mass, which was followed by a reception in the parish hall.

“We originally set up eight tables and then added two more, with approximately six to eight people per table,” Camara said.

Among those who attended the Mass and reception was Mary Jean Daly, a member of Holy Cross Parish in Springfield. Daly also is a member of the diocese’s Cursillo Movement, which is a sponsor of the monthly African Mass, which will be held every first Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at St. Brigid’s.

Daly said it was her first time attending an African Mass. “I thought the homily was wonderful (and) the community that was there, and I thought the music was just so moving,” she said.

“And it’s just so wonderful to see everyone coming together with peace, encouragement, and support for our world and our community,” Daly said.

Looking forward to future African Masses at St. Brigid’s, Father Nworah said, “What people get to take out of it is that whole sense of diversity and community, that Jesus unites all men and women to himself irrespective of origin or country and he unites us in the Eucharist.”

“And when we come, we celebrate his love, he fills us with his joy, together with our brothers and sisters,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Those who would like to help organize the monthly African Mass, and/or sing in the choir, can contact Christina Camara at christinacamara@gmail.com or (413)612-8589. The next African Mass will be held on Sunday, Aug. 6. People  of all faiths are welcome.