PHOTOS: Biggest Croatian picnic on America’s east coast takes place again
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
A large number of Croatians gathered on Sunday, June 11 in New Jersey, for a picnic organized by the Croatian Land Committee with the help of parishioners from the Croatian parish of St. Cyril and Methodius and St. Raphael from New York.
This year’s solemn Mass celebration, commemorating the Feast of Corpus Christi (Tijelovo) and St. Anthony (Sveti Ante), was led by Fra Iko Skoko, a member of the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, who has been with the parish of St. Cyril and Methodius in New York for the past year.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
But this is not his first encounter with the community. As he mentioned in his introduction, 30 years ago Fra Iko led the Mass for the Feast of the Assumption in New York. The program for this year started with a solemn procession carrying the statue of Sveti Ante, led by parishioners, circling the lake while reciting the rosary.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
The Mass itself was enhanced by the beautiful singing of maestro, Augustin Šimat. In his sermon, Fra Iko reflected on the connection between the Tijelovo and Sveti Ante, highlighting how Sveti Ante, as a renowned theologian, managed to preserve the spirit of devotion and prayer, especially towards the Blessed Eucharist.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
He then drew several messages for all believers gathered, emphasizing that, inspired by the example of Sveti Ante, faith should be lived and witnessed in everyday lives, particularly by cherishing the spirit of prayer in personal and communal lives, and by fostering devotion to the Blessed Eucharist as the most perfect prayer.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
Alongside Fra Iko Skoko, Fra Lovro Šimić, the parish vicar of St. Cyril and Methodius, concelebrated the Mass, and among the altar servers was Fra Ante Vlašić, a seminarian from the Herzegovinian Franciscan Province, currently studying theology in Zagreb. Fra Ante was actually born and spent part of his life in our community in New York before his family moved to Croatia.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
The Croatian Land Committee and the Croatian Cultural Club “Cardinal Stepinac” were pleased with the large number of visitors, which was undoubtedly contributed to by the good weather. Last week they held their annual meeting, discussing future activities on the Croatian Land and the finalization of the “CLUB HOUSE” construction. There were many questions and suggestions on how to move forward into the future and how to attract younger generations.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
Through collaborative effort, everything can be achieved and all Club members are invited to join and participate in all Club activities, providing them with material, financial, professional, and spiritual support, as well as supporting all those who work and assist this Club in any way. Once again, they express their gratitude to everyone who has helped the Croatian Club and Croatian Land in any way, starting from the Club’s founding members, those who purchased the land and worked on its development so that all could enjoy it.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
They thank everyone who has worked throughout these 50 years and those who are currently working. They also express their gratitude in advance to our children and future generations who, God willing, will continue working for our Croatian Club and Croatian people. They thank everyone who helped with the preparations on Saturday and all those who came to work on Sunday, as well as everyone who came and celebrated this great feast of St. Anthony together with us.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
The Croatian Cultural Club “Cardinal Stepinac” Committee also announced the celebration of the Club’s 50th anniversary, which will take place in the fall.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
As in previous years, the diligent members of the Holy Rosary Society were present, selling homemade cakes for their charitable actions. Ivica Dubić, a representative of CroatianTV America, delighted many with beloved Croatian souvenirs, especially children who took a piece of their parents’ homeland home with them.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
Besides the abundance of Croatian specialties such as roasted lamb and pig, ćevapi and ražnjići , homemade sausages, beans, and čobanac, everyone sang, danced, and enjoyed themselves accompanied by the music of our tamburitza players and Viktor Šarić, until nightfall.
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
(Photo: Ane Stražičić Rodriguez)
Satisfied, they went home with beautiful memories of a pleasant gathering, with Croatia in their hearts, bidding farewell with the greeting “God and Croats.”
By Ane Stražičić Rodriguez
