Hundreds of the Catholic faithful gathered at the Tsuut’ina Nations Rodeo and Powwow Centre over the weekend to engage in two days of fun, relaxation and spiritual enrichment.
This is the seventh year for the One Rock Festival of Faith and the third year it has been held in Tsuut’ina.
Started by Father Krystian Golisz, then pastor at St. Rita’s in Rockyford, the festival is an opportunity for Catholics to escape the daily grind of secular society and immerse themselves in faith, according to Raluca Ungureanu, festival co-ordinator.
“(Father Golisz) was close to the youth and he felt we should have kind of a Woodstock for Catholic youth,” she said.
Over the past seven years the festival has changed locations three times. Starting in Rockyford it was held there for three years, but after complaints it was too far away it bounced to Cochrane for a year. It then moved to Tsuut’ina and Ungureanu said the location has been ideal for the event.
Not only is it easily accessible, it also gives the festival room to grow and with past attendances soaring into the 4,500 range that is an important consideration, she added.
This year’s theme focused on the Year of Mercy and as part of that a special truth and reconciliation panel was held between Tsuut’ina band councillor Regina Crowchild and Archbishop Gerard Pettipas
“It is important to talk about the Catholic Community and our relationship with First Nations people,” said Ungureanu, adding that truth and reconciliation in the Catholic faith extends beyond those relationships and into everyday living.
Ultimately organizers hope the festival will serve as a bridge between the youth who attended and their communities.
“We want them to maintain that relationship and get involved in their parishes,” said Ungureanu.
