Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

  • Hundreds of people braved the August heat to sample dishes from Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe and South America, play games and try their hand at karaoke during the Taste of St. John Vianney Church in Lithia Springs. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Newly ordained Father Gerardo Ceballos makes empanadas under the South American tent with Martha Garcia, a native of Colombia. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • (L-r) Marie Metellus, Mary Jo Israel and Carline Alphonse find a shady spot to converse after enjoying cuisine from other cultures. All three women hail from Haiti. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Members of St. John Vianney Church, Lithia Springs, stand under the Africa tent during the parish’s Taste of St. John Vianney Church. Those in the photograph are of Nigerian or Cameroonian descent. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Parishioners like Rosemary York made donations of $10 so they could throw a cream pie at the pastor, Father Ignacio Morales, Zach Schlag, Deacon Frank Przybylek or Deacon Johnny Rentas. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Rosemary York makes it a point to get her money's worth as she rubs the cream pie in the face and over the head of pastor Father Ignacio Morales
  • Parishioners made donations of $10 so they could throw a cream pie at (foreground to background) the pastor, Father Ignacio Morales, Zach Schlag, Deacon Frank Przybylek or Deacon Johnny Rentas. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Deacon Johnny Rentas, a native of Puerto Rico, also took a cream pie in the face for a good cause. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Taste of St. John Vianney Church
  • The cake walk was one of the most competitive games conducted during that day. (Counter-clockwise, from left) Father Ignacio Morales, pastor of St. John Vianney Church, Lithia Springs, the Deacon Frank Przybylek , Christine Butler, Zach Schlag, Scott Evans, David Metellus and Frances Rentas try to secure a chair as the music comes to a stop. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • The cake walk was one of the most competitive games conducted that day. (Counter-clockwise, third from left) Deacon Frank Przybylek (on ground) is unable to beat Christine Butler, the eventual overall winner, to a chair as the music stops. Zach Schlag, Scott Evans, David Metellus, Frances Rentas and Father Ignacio Morales, pastor of St. John Vianney Church, Lithia Springs, were the other participants. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • The Big Kahuna water slide was the biggest attraction among the parish children on a day that topped out around 95 degrees. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Kids with muddy feet, wet legs and soaked apparel wait for another turn to go down the Big Kahuna water slide. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • The Big Kahuna water slide was a cool diversion for the youngsters on a hot day with temperatures in the mid 90s. Photo By Michael Alexander

Hundreds of people braved the August heat to sample dishes from Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe and South America, play games and try their hand at karaoke during the Taste of St. John Vianney Church in Lithia Springs on Aug. 6. Photo By Michael Alexander

Lithia Springs

St. John Vianney holds a Taste Fest

By Michael Alexander, Staff Photographer | Published August 18, 2016

LITHIA SPRINGS—Hundreds of parishioners attended the Taste of St. John Vianney Church in Lithia Springs on Saturday, Aug. 6. Under various tents cuisine from Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe and South America was served to eager patrons.

(L-r) Eleven-year-old Rachel Allen, her 2-year-old cousin Cyanna, and her stepmother Pita pose for a photo during the Taste of St. John Vianney Church Aug. 6. On her face’s left side, Rachel had the Italian flag painted to represent her father’s heritage and on the opposite side she had the flag of the Philippines painted to represent her stepmother’s heritage. Photo By Michael Alexander

(L-r) Eleven-year-old Rachel Allen, her 2-year-old cousin Cyanna, and her stepmother Pita pose for a photo during the Taste of St. John Vianney Church Aug. 6. On her face’s left side, Rachel had the Italian flag painted to represent her father’s heritage and on the opposite side she had the flag of the Philippines painted to represent her stepmother’s heritage. Photo By Michael Alexander

In addition to the food, the festival included games, face painting, music and a large water slide for the children. For a small donation one could throw a cream pie at the pastor, Father Ignacio Morales, and other parish leaders. There was also an opportunity to try your hand at karaoke.

It had been five years since the parish had put on an international festival, so they changed the name to the Taste of St. John Vianney Church and had its timing coincide with the Aug. 4 feast day of the parish patron saint. The proceeds are going toward repair work on the church and it is hoped enough money will be raised so the Taste becomes self-funding.

A number of parish members chipped in to pull the event together. Scott Evans was responsible for the entertainment; Frank Moran was in charge of logistics; Josephine Sabillo, Carmen Diaz and Trina Burke solicited food; and Deacon Frank Przybylek was the chairperson, who also handled advertising and marketing.

Photographs by Michael Alexander available for purchase