“We are thankful to God for the richness of cultures and traditions — represented here today — in our diocese over the past 100 years,” said Bishop Leonard P. Blair at the beginning of Mass.

Those cultures and traditions were reflected throughout the Mass. The first reading was proclaimed in Spanish, the Gospel acclamation was sung in a Native American language and the “Lamb of God” was sung in a Filipino language. General intercessions were presented in English, Spanish, Polish, Arabic-Maronite, Tagalog-Filipino, German and American Sign Language. The recessional hymn, “Siyahamba / We Are Marching” is South African.

Those who are differently-abled were also represented and celebrated as the entire liturgy was sign language interpreted for the deaf and the second reading was read from Braille.

In his homily, Bishop Blair said that even though our lives have changed so much in the past 100 years, being hospitable to strangers is a trait that is universal and transcends both time and cultures.

For the ancient Greeks, he said, being hospitable toward strangers was a sign of being civilized, for the Egyptians it was a way of securing favorable existence in the afterlife, for the Romans it was a strict duty and for the Israelites it was especially sacred, he said. Bishop Blair further pointed out the call to hospitality in the Bible, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and even in the vows bishops take when they are ordained.

“If this is part of who we are and if this is so dear to almighty God, then no matter how different life may be in 2010 from life in 1910 or even 1910 B.C, you and I are obliged to practice hospitality toward strangers,” Bishop Blair said.

This hospitality to strangers applies to our own homes, our parishes and our communities, he said. Being hospitable is not charity at arms’ length, but it is deeply personal, he added, offering Blessed Teresa of Calcutta as an example. Hospitable parishes are known for drawing new members and giving parishes new life, the bishop added.

And amid the present controversy over how to handle immigration in our country, it is important to continue to be hospitable to people entering our country, Bishop Blair said.

“People can disagree, even strongly, about how to remedy this situation,” he said. “But as people of faith, we can never forget the fundamental moral principles that flow from both the Bible of our faith and from reason.”

First, it should be possible for people to have a decent life in their own homeland, but they also have the right to emigrate when that is not possible, he said. Sovereign nations also have the right to control their borders, Bishop Blair said, adding that citizens also have the “sacred duty to respect basic dignity and rights of everyone. We all need to work and pray for a just solution to this national crisis.”

While the Mass and celebration recognizes our diversity, Bishop Blair said “we also celebrate a higher unity around the altar of the Lord. In Christ, you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens of the holy ones and members of the household of God.”

Following the Mass, the celebration of cultures continued as a number of ethnic groups performed dances and sang songs native to their ancestry.

The beats of an African drummer greeted parishioners as they exited church. In the Shrine Cafeteria, ethnic foods were served while many groups provided entertainment. Traditional cultural dances were performed by El Corazon de Mexico, Echoes of Poland and Ardan Academy of Irish Dance. Other performances included song and dance by Eduardo Bautista of the Philippine-American Catholic Council, the Toledo St. Martin de Porres Women of Grace Praise Dancers and Miguel Saucedo. Jenny Asmar offered a reflection on the Lebanese and Maronite Catholic community in the diocese.