The Solemnity of Our Lady Queen of Peace was far more than a patronal feast for Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Branchville, N.J. The celebration became a sign of unity, bringing the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities together to honor their patroness in a day of prayer, fellowship and joy.
Throughout the day, families from both communities took part in the various activities the parish organized: games for the children, Eucharistic adoration and an outdoor Mass celebrated by the pastor, Father Philip Tangorra, together with Father Dailon Lisabet, who provides pastoral care to the Hispanic community of Sussex County. The day closed with a parish picnic.
During the Mass, Father Lisabet reflected on the deep meaning of the celebration: “Although we speak different languages, we share the same faith, the same baptism, the same Eucharist, this samehurch and the same Mother, Mary.”
Father Lisabet thanked Father Philip Tangorra for his closeness, his openness and his constant desire that the Hispanic community take full part in parish life.
“Since I arrived at this parish, one of Father Philip’s great desires has been that the Hispanic community not feel like a separate group, but like a living part of this parish family. That has been my desire and my mission as well,” Father Lisabet said.
After the Eucharist, the two communities shared food, conversation and time together. The Hispanic community prepared tacos al pastor and shaved ice, which were welcomed enthusiastically by everyone present.
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The following Sunday, during the Spanish Mass, Mary Eileen B. Schoen publicly expressed her gratitude to the Hispanic community in a letter.
“Thank you for being such a special part of the solemnity and barbecue of Our Lady Queen of Peace. The tacos and shaved ice were a great success. Everyone in the parish is so grateful for your becoming part of our parish family. May we continue to grow together in the love of God and of one another,” Schoen wrote.
Susana Cabrera, who recently began taking part in the parish along with her husband, said she felt welcome from the very first moment.
“It was the first time I took part in an outdoor Mass. I was moved to see the two communities adoring the Blessed Sacrament together and sharing a meal as one community,” Cabrera said.
Stella Guevara said, “The unity we shared as two communities seemed wonderful to me. It was a beautiful tribute to Our Lady Queen of Peace, and I hope we can repeat moments like this.”
For Pablo Noche and his family, who were in charge of preparing the tacos al pastor, the gathering reflected the true spirit of the parish.
“It was an afternoon of fellowship and unity where we were able to get to know one another better and strengthen the bonds that unite us as one family in Christ,” Noche said.
Beyond the various activities, the message that stayed in many hearts was deeply significant: when Christ and the Eucharist are at the center of parish life, differences of language and culture cease to be barriers and become a richness for the whole Church. Everything experienced during this day in Branchville was a manifestation of the universality of the Church: one faith, one family and one shared desire to keep building community under the protection of Mary, Queen of Peace.
