Andrew Calhoun, a chief musician with the U.S. Navy, transferred from Virginia to Highland Park last spring with his wife and four daughters.
The timing was fortuitous, he said, as Immaculate Conception Parish was hosting its first-ever Paddy-Joe Fest, a celebration of the faith community’s shared Irish and Italian heritages.
“We attended last year because we were brand new in town,” Calhoun recalled. “The parishioners were all very friendly and inclusive.”
Immaculate Conception will stage its second annual Paddy-Joe Fest on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the church, 770 Deerfield Road.
The event is open to the public. This year, Calhoun, a guitarist since age 10, will be playing Irish folks songs as part of the festivities.
“Stewardship and sharing your time and talents for your community are a major part of IC’s mission,” Calhoun said. “At last year’s fest, I noticed that they were lacking Irish music, so I volunteered.”
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The inaugural Paddy-Joe Fest attracted some 400 visitors, a testament to what Parish Manager Drew Patterson sees as a need for outreach in the faith community and the community at large.
“Everybody really enjoyed the event and it’s something they want more of,” Patterson said.
The fest will feature a bounty of traditional and Irish food served at the Blessings of St. Joseph’s Table, organizers said. There will also be a Paddy’s Pub & Irish Coffee cash bar, Irish dancers, a raffle, a cake walk and children’s activities, including an inflatable bouncy house.
Advanced registration will run through March 10. Admission is $20 for adults, $5 for children and $50 for families of any size. Walk-ins will be charged $5 extra.
Celebrating the church’s Italian and Irish heritages was the foundation on which to build Paddy-Joe Fest, organizers said, and it was also a way to ring in the spring season.
But more, Patterson said, it promotes “being a good neighbor.” People of all denominations are welcome to attend, he emphasizes.
Beyond that, Patterson said the fest aims “to raise awareness of IC and let people know we’re here. As do all parishes, we are seeking to engage the public and help them to share the value of faith in a way that is applicable to their daily lives. The parish includes several interfaith families, and we want to create more synergy with the Jewish community. “
Now settled in to Highland Park and the parish, Calhoun said he is looking forward to his second Paddy-Joe Fest. Besides attracting possible new members, he said “it opens up the church to everybody in the community who is just curious (about the church and the Catholic faith) or who just wants a fun family night out.”
For more information, contact Julie Harrigan at [email protected].
Donald Liebenson is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press