Diocese of Youngstown, OH – For over three decades, the celebration of Catholic Mass at county fairs within the Diocese of Youngstown has been a cherished tradition, rooted in the communities it serves. Beginning with the Canfield Fair in Mahoning County, the practice has since expanded to several other county fairs, including those in Portage, Stark, and Ashtabula. This year marks a significant milestone as the Diocese celebrated Mass for the first time at the Columbiana County Fair, with aspirations to extend this outreach to the Trumbull County Fair next year.
Individual parishes and pastors, committed to serving their rural congregations have driven the initiative to celebrate Mass at these fairs. For instance, Fr. John Sheridan began celebrating a Fair Mass at the St. Joseph parish in Jefferson years ago, at the church itself rather than on the fairgrounds. This year, under the leadership of Fr. John Ettinger, they brought the sacred celebration closer to the heart of the community by holding Mass on the fairgrounds.
Fr. Jim Lang, who has dedicated much of his priesthood to rural and farm ministry, has been a familiar presence at the Portage County Fair in Randolph and the Stark County Fair in Canton. Fr. Ed Noga, another pillar of this tradition, celebrated Mass at the Mahoning County Fair in Canfield for over thirty years, supported by the parishioners of St. Patrick Parish on Oak Hill in Youngstown.
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This year, under the guidance of the diocesan Office of Rural Life and Farm Ministry, parishes made a concerted effort to celebrate Mass at all six county fairs within the diocese. The initiative is still in its early stages, with careful consideration not to overshadow the long-standing efforts of local pastors and parishes. “The goal is to increase support for our Catholic farmers and rural families by bringing the celebration of the Eucharist into the fair environment,” said Fr. Kevin Peters, Diocese of Youngstown’s Director of Rural Life and Farm Ministry and Catholic Rural Life Chapter Leader.
The county fair, a vibrant hub of rural life, offers a perfect venue for building bridges between the rural and urban parts of our diocese. The Eucharistic celebration at the fairs is not only a testament to our shared faith but also a powerful symbol of our interconnectedness and mutual dependence. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves and others of our reliance on God, a truth that resonates with those who work the land.
“Celebrating Mass at the fairs, along with the entire rural ministry initiative, has helped me broaden my perspective regarding the Church, the People of God. It’s a big Church and it is humbling to come to realize what a small yet significant role we play whether urban or rural, and how we can bring our resources together to do the work of the Kingdom.”
– Fr. Kevin Peters
One of the most heartening aspects of this initiative has been the collaboration between different parishes within the same county. In Columbiana County, for example, parishes came together to plan the fair liturgy, fostering new relationships and strengthening old ones. This spirit of unity and cooperation is a testament to the power of faith to bring people together.
The turnout at these Masses has been encouraging. About 110 participants attended the Mass at the Columbiana County Fair, and the Canfield Fair has seen between 130 to 150 attendees each year. As the initiative grows, there are plans to not only celebrate Mass but also to establish an information tent at the fairs. This tent would provide resources for parish ministry, prayer services, faith formation, and other valuable materials from Catholic Rural Life’s “Thriving in Rural Ministry” program.
Besides the fair Masses, there has been interest from farmers in celebrating Mass or prayer services on their farms, further extending the reach of the Church into the rural community. The potential to expand this ministry is vast, with possibilities for more events like the regular cabin Mass at St. Philip Neri in Dungannon.
Celebrating Mass at the fairs is more than a tradition; it is a powerful form of evangelization. “Meeting the community where they are and walking with them on their faith journey is a great way to evangelize and to live the Gospel,” said Fr. Kevin Peters. While it does not replace the sacredness of our church buildings, it serves as a vital addition to our efforts to make God’s Kingdom known here on earth. As the Diocese of Youngstown looks to the future, their hope is to continue this important work, celebrating Mass at all six county fairs in the diocese and beyond, fostering a deeper connection between the rural and urban parts of our diocese, and supporting the faith of our Catholic farmers and rural families.
