LITHONIA--Christ Our Hope Church held its fifth annual International Day Sept. 14 as parishioners representing over 30 cultures united to worship God in an outdoor Mass and to celebrate the regional and ethnic diversity of their congregation.

The celebration marked the 13th anniversary of the parish of 435 families. It attracted approximately 500 people and was held on church grounds from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Countries including Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria and Panama and regions of the U.S. were represented through native costumes, dances, music and food.

The day began with an outdoor Mass celebrated by Father Paul Flood, the Irish-born pastor. A procession brought gifts to the altar as the congregation sang "My Lord, What A Morning." The Mass was celebrated in English while the worship music included a Peruvian version of the "Gloria," the "Song of the Body of Christ" in Spanish and English and a tape of Jamaican music by Father Richard HoLung for the Lord's Prayer.

In his homily Father Flood noted the Catholic unity amidst the cultural diversity of the parish and urged parishioners to spread the light of Christ into the community.

International food made and served by parishioners from Africa, the Caribbean and South American countries were complemented by American foods including hot dogs and hamburgers, Texas corn chowder, Philadelphia cheese steaks and chicken and gumbo from New Orleans.

Other festivities included the limbo, the electric slide line dance, Irish dancing, water guns and balloons for youth and a candy-filled pony piñata.

"Many people got to taste foods that they've never tasted before. It was an education as well as a fun day," said Cass Catroppa, the church administrator. "The ethnic groups didn't just stick together, you saw many people sitting together. There were many people who sat in and played the different games. There was interaction the entire day."

The event was coordinated by Lorna Robinson of Jamaica and Melida Hall of Panama who began planning in March with the assistance of the liturgical music minister, the youth minister, the director of religious education, Father Flood and parishioners. The coordinators agreed that the celebration provided parishioners the opportunity to learn more about other ethnic groups in the parish.

Marcel Odimgbe of Nigeria, who has been coming to the church for two months, said, "For me it was a good way to get to know the people and make friends. This is a well-organized parish. Everybody behaves like one big, happy family."