Over 300 people joined the Catholic Brazilian Community in Waterford for a national holiday celebration. The event took place in the Mount Sion GAA Club on Ozanam Street on Saturday afternoon.
The event started with prayer led by Fr Michael, known among the community as ‘Padre Miguel’, who lived in Brazil for many years and was the responsible for the Mass in Portuguese in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore before the Brazilian Chaplain moved to Ireland.
A spokesperson for the Católicos em Waterford (Catholics in Waterford in Portuguese) said this is the third year of the event, and the second Bishop Phonsie Cullinan attends, which is “a blessing.”
“We advertised the event a lot, I think that was the main reason why so many people attended. This year we had a bigger space, with a better structure to support the event,” he said. “Some people came, collected take away food and left, some came just to eat, and others stayed the whole afternoon.”
He said the event was a great opportunity to share a moment with other faithful Brazilians “in fraternity, and soothe a bit that homesick feeling.”
All Brazilian traditional food was donated by the community or made by members of the Brazilian Ministry. The dishes had suggested donation prices, and all proceeds will be used to meet the daily needs of the community. “It will be used to buy liturgical supplies, sound equipment, pay for pilgrimages and for priests transport,” and other materials needed to keep the Brazilian Catholic community in Waterford running.
