The African Catholic Thanksgiving Bazaar took place at SS. Columba Brigid Parish in Buffalo the weekend on Aug. 19. The bazaar was organized by the Diocesan African Commission of the Office of Cultural Diversity.  This was the Fifth Annual African Catholic Cultural Thanksgiving/Harvest Bazaar in the diocese.

In Africa people are asked to give a gift from the heart in thanksgiving to God for the blessing of the harvest. This gift is brought to the bazaar where they are blessed at the Liturgy and later auctioned off at the bazaar. Money collected from the auction is given toward a need in their village, community or church. This year’s proceeds will go toward the Response to Love Center in Buffalo, which assists the poor and needy in the community. Parishioners cheerfully made all the donations so that God will bless them in return.

The great Apostle St. Paul boasted about the power of generous gifts and cheerful giving in the second letter to Corinthians 9: 1-15: “Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sow bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

At the bazaar we also had a taste of Africa:  attendees were able to taste foods from Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan and Liberia. The Umuco Dance group provided entertainment by performing dances from Rwanda and Burundi. 
 
View photos of the bazaar, taken by Mike Gilhooly of the Response to Love Center.
 

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