BY MARY LOU STEARNS

STONE MOUNTAIN--Rainbow colors of flags and native costumes brightened the white, under-renovation sanctuary at Corpus Christi Church as the parish celebrated its fourth international festival Sunday, June 9.

Led by a bagpiper the children of the parish in native costume processed to the altar bearing flags representative of the various nationalities in the parish. The singing children circled behind and passed in front of the altar, then each displayed his country's flag and announced the country's name before placing the flag in a brass container. The congregation responded, "God reigns."

The Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi was concelebrated by Father Greg Kenny, CMF, pastor, Father Severino Lopez, CMF, parochial vicar, and visiting priests Father Elias Sarkis, chaplain at Manor Care, Decatur, and Father Joseph Mullakkara, MSFS, parochial vicar at St. Patrick's Church, Norcross.

The first and second readings were done in the Hungarian and East Indian languages respectively. Lisa Wright and Tito Espina led the congregation in English renderings of the Gloria, responsorial psalm and Alleluia. The members of the congregation recited the Creed and the Our Father in their native tongue.

In his homily Father Kenny stressed that differences in age, religion, race and nationality make closeness and caring among members of any group difficult. But the Eucharist brings people with differences together as they share the richness of family and answer Christ's call to solidarity, caring and love of neighbor that they find in the breaking of the bread.

Before the offertory procession Deacons Ben Gross and Will MacDonald lighted the decorated pillar candles of representatives of community arts in worship who were seated in the first row. Then an altar cloth, the gift of bread in a large decorated basket and the wine in a covered decorated container were held aloft by costumed parishioners and brought to the altar. The lighted pillar candles were placed in front of the altar on the tile floor.

During the eucharistic prayer Father Sarkis recited the words of consecration in Aramaic. The song "Pan de Vida" was sung in Spanish by the Hispanic choir after the English Communion hymn "Take and Eat" was sung by the congregation.

During the recessional singing children took flags from the container before the altar and led priests and people into the gymnasium where Father Kenny blessed the international festival's selection of native foods.

Coordinated by Lori McTaggart and Beth Villanueva the countries represented in the international festival included: Cuba, Chile, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Gambia, Nigeria, Uganda, Haiti, Hungary, Ireland, India, Italy, Philippines, Barbados, Vietnam and South Korea.

Dancers in lovely native costumes representing the cultures of Mexico, Philippines, India, Africa and Ireland entertained the crowd who flocked to the gym. Filipino men and women also provided a fashion show of native costume before the festivities concluded.

Mary Lou Stearns is a Corpus Christi parishioner.