Bristol church kicks off three-day feast on Friday

Historic Portuguese feast taking place Friday to Sunday

By Manuel C. "Manny" Correira
Posted 6/21/19

On the heels of the successful United Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit Feast, comes the time-honored St. Elizabeth’s Church Senhor Santo Cristo Feast this weekend, June 21 to …

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Bristol church kicks off three-day feast on Friday

Historic Portuguese feast taking place Friday to Sunday

Posted

On the heels of the successful United Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit Feast, comes the time-honored St. Elizabeth’s Church Senhor Santo Cristo Feast this weekend, June 21 to 23.

As is the case for these many years, the Santo Cristo Feast will afford parishioners and friends the opportunity to take part in a variety of religious events, while enjoying some sumptuous Portuguese/American food and live entertainment.

The event began this week with the Triduum with the Rev. Marinaldo A. Bastista, pastor of St. Elizabeth’s Church.

On Friday, June 21, the celebration kicks off with auctions, food and entertainment featuring Brother 2 Brother. On Saturday, June 22, following 5 p.m. Mass, the movement of the image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres will take place with the St. Elizabeth Philharmonic Band of Bristol. Then, from 8 to 11 p.m., auctions, entertainment and food will be on the schedule.

Entertainment that evening will feature David DeMelo e Banda, and a livestock auction at 8:30 p.m.

More of the religious aspect of this feast takes place on Sunday, June 23, starting at 1:30 p.m., with a Mass and homily by Father Batista. That will be followed at 3 p.m. by the annual procession featuring the St. Elizabeth Philharmonic Band of Bristol, Our Lady of Angels Philharmonic Band of New Bedford and Senhor da Pedra Band of New Bedford.

Highlighting the evening will be music by DJ Jose Mauricio and Josefina Couto, both of whom have added to the enjoyment of this celebration in the past.

Later that evening, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., there will be a concert by the St. Elizabeth Philharmonic Band, followed by the raffle drawing at 9:45 p.m. The feast will come to a close at 10 p.m.

The Santo Cristo Committee consists of President João Medeiros, Vice President John Cordeiro, first secretary Debbie Reilly, second secretary Joseph Tavares, first treasurer Maria Ursini, second treasurer Rosemary Oliveira, and golf tournament Chairman Joseph Martins. Procession and lighting coordinator is Kevin Cabral.

“It has been the great devotion to Santo Cristo and the great group of people that form this committee that makes me enjoy working for our annual great feast of Saint Elizabeth Parish,” Joe Martins said. “No matter what committee I have been involved with, their leadership has been always great because our community rallies together to celebrate their devotion and culture of Santo Cristo … a tradition that is engraved in our hearts forever. It's not an easy task to get everything ready for the three days of celebration, but the hard work of the committee and the great parishioners that volunteer seems to pay off year in and year out to make this an enjoyable celebration in a smaller scale from the one that is celebrated in the island of Sao Miguel.”

Mr. Martins, like so many of his fellow committee workers, goes the extra mile to make this event the success that it’s been for more than 100 years.

“I have been running the golf tournament now for eight years, creating this subcommittee as a way to raise funds for this event due to the great expenses that it takes to run this three-day feast,” he said. “We all enjoy what we do for our wonderful parish of St. Elizabeth Church.”

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