Disbelief seemed to be the reaction of passersby at Sacred Heart Church as the congregation formed an outdoor procession. There was, however, no sign of disbelief on the part of the congregation.

It was the feast of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba. Father Raimundo Solano, O.F.M. was the principle concelebrant at the Spanish mass and the homily was preached by Father Mauro Mourlot.

This feast is a liturgical high point for Cuban Catholics, and Sacred Heart Church was filled to capacity. They came from throughout the archdiocese.

The local celebration of the feast has been sponsored since 1960 by Accion Catolica Hispano-Americana. The activities included Mass at St. Anthony’s Church and at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary on Saturday, and the Mass and procession at Sacred Heart on Sunday. This was followed by a social gathering at St. Joseph High School.

The purpose of Accion Catholica is to use social activities to bring people into Church activities. Angel A. Seone is president of the group.

Music for the Mass was provided by a Spanish choir under the direction of Jose Montero.

Mass is celebrated in Spanish each Sunday in several parishes, but this annual feast is the biggest Spanish celebration of the year. “It’s just about the largest ethnic celebration ever,” said Father Michael A. Morris, Pastor of the Sacred Heart Church, “we are happy to support it any way we can.”

Juan Perez, a student at Belmont Abbey College and Sacred Heart parishioner, was lector for the Mass. Mrs. Maria C. Seoane was in charge of the decoration of the statue.