This year, Our Lady of the Assumption celebrates 120 years as a parish community. Here in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is found a church that had its beginnings along with the Diocese of Fall River (1905). It was the first parish church built for the spiritual needs of people from the Cape Verdean islands, which are located to the west of the African nation of Senegal. Those who have read the classic, Moby Dick, can be sure that some of Captain Ahab’s sailors had to be from Cape Verde, since whaling was a large part of the history of this city.
We wanted to find a number of ways of celebrating 120 years. In February, we took up a collection that was later turned into a scholarship for one of our students, given by the Cape Verdean Recognition Committee in a ceremony at the city’s Whaling Museum. In September, he will be attending Bridgewater State University.
This past Saturday was the second of our “OLOA @ 120” parish celebrations. It took the form of an art exhibit. The idea came to me some months ago that we should have an art show and make public the talents of our parishioners. It was a risk, and there wasn’t a lot of “yippie yahoo” coming from the pews in reply. The parish council wanted it to be a show where adults and young people could show their talents. A council member gathered a few other parishioners, and moved forward with the initiative.
The result this past Saturday was astounding! We received about 60 works to display! Most were paintings, in oil, acrylic, or watercolor. But there were quilts, pencil sketches, a sculpture, beadwork, and a fabric work as well. There were snacks to munch on, and a small band was there, playing island music. 
Many people left for home after the 4 pm Mass, thinning out the hoped-for crowd for the 5:30 pm event. But many others came—parishioners, non-parishioners, and parishioners from other parishes, to fill up the parish hall. I even put something together quickly, promising the parish some “stick figures from me”. When I saw what emerged, I wanted to hide my little self-portrait! I was floored! I wish Fr. Stan Kolasa could have been here. A few of his works were put on view.
I hope the rest of events this year turn out as well, especially next Sunday, August 17th, as we celebrate 120 years at Mass, praising God for his gifts to this little parish, and the unique ways they are coming to light.
article and photos by Fr. David Lupo, ss.ccc., pastor of Our Lady of Assumption Church, New Bedford, MA, USA
