By Josip Bogovic
Every year in January, the Croatian Community of the Most Precious Church, The Croatian Catholic Mission, Blessed Ivan Merz, celebrates life, faith, and community in Astoria, New York. Every year, the day of celebrating the annual family gathering starts with a celebratory Mass.
It continued with performances from the young attendees of the Croatian School as well as the folklore group Croatian rose. The occasion is a festive dinner dance with lots of food, homemade pastry, and Croatian music played by the Dalmatia band.
Volunteers serve food with a smile as guests dance to their favorite songs. It is also a time to converse, catch up, network with familiar and not-so-familiar friends. Don Saša Ilijić, the head pastor of the church and our Croatian-speaking priest, put together this event with numerous volunteers.
It was nice to see families who have been part of this community for over 50 years at the celebration.
This Croatian community also has an active Croatian language school for the youth and the Round group Croatian Rose, which just celebrated its 30-year anniversary.
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