Faith, family, food highlights of OLMC Feast

By Manuel C. "Manny" Correira
Posted 7/18/16

Starting with Father Henry P. Zinno’s sold-out lasagna on Thursday night, and continuing through a weekend filled with more great food, entertainment and reverence to the Blessed Mother, the 118th …

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Faith, family, food highlights of OLMC Feast

Posted

Starting with Father Henry P. Zinno’s sold-out lasagna on Thursday night, and continuing through a weekend filled with more great food, entertainment and reverence to the Blessed Mother, the 118th annual Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast was described as an overwhelming success.

“I have to thank every single member of the feast committee for making this year’s celebration another successful event,” said chairman Paul Viveiros. “Every one of them play an important role each year. These people are very special.”

The OLMC Feast is the oldest, continuous religious celebration of its kind in the Diocese of Providence, having been established in 1899. Each year, the feast seems to attract larger and larger crowds of all ages.

Father Zinno, pastor at OLMC, said he was astounded by the large number of people which turned out this year.

“The crowds were so huge, it was difficult to keep up with the food orders, but our workers with an ever smile on their face, made sure everything ran smoothly,” he noted. “The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Our chief marshals, Pat and Nina McCarthy, were so gracious in all they did to lead our feast this year."

And next year’s event promises to be even more noteworthy.

“This 118th feast was most wonderful,” Father Zinno said, “as it connected us with our ancestors of old and it pointed us to the future as we prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our parish, which the feast itself founded.”

Following Thursday’s “Early Bird” Special under the Big Top on the Bristol Town Common, the celebration swung into high gear Friday night. Again, sumptuous Italian and American food punctuated the evening, along with a vibrant musical performance by local entertainer Doug Botelho.

“This is really one of the highlights for me, playing at this feast,” said Mr. Botelho, who performs weekly during the summer months at the Bristol the Sip n’ Dip Car Cruise. “The people from Mt. Carmel parish have always been very receptive and gracious when I’ve performed here.”

On Saturday night, Bristol teen heart-throbs, Tyler and Ryan Falcoa, got their first chance to perform at the Mt. Carmel Feast and didn’t disappoint. They were loudly applauded for their musical performance, especially by the younger crowd in attendance.

The feast reached its climax on Sunday afternoon, starting with the Living Rosary inside Mt. Carmel Church, followed by a solemn procession, led by Chief Marshals Pat and Nina McCarthy and Thomas Vendituoli “Faith in Action” Award winners, Zachary and Elise Augustine, around the Town Common. Benediction followed inside the church.

Once the feast grounds opened up again mid-afternoon, it was more of the same great food and entertainment, this time by the group, Kings Row.

The wide variety of food available has always been the big selling point at the feast. From popular sandwiches such as meatball, sausage and peppers, and eggplant, to pulled pork, fish and chips, and its trademark doughboys, the OLMC Feast had something for everyone.

One of the oldest feast workers is longtime parishioner Sylvia De Pasquale, who has been manning the doughboy booth for many years. Now 91 years old, Sylvia, who was born in Naples, Italy, has been able to overcome a series of illnesses, thanks to someone very dear to her heart.

“I do this for the Blessed Mother,” said Syliva, as she was about to roll out another freshly wrapped piece of dough. “I’ve been working here at the feast for many, many years.”

For parishioner Eleanor (Coccio) Silva, the Mt. Carmel Church Feast has been a rite of passage.

“I was baptized, confirmed and married in this church,” she said proudly. “This feast has meant so much to me and my family. I love to participate every year. And, the food is always great. Everyone works so hard.”

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