From six in the morning, immediate preparations for the annual festival took place at St. Augustine Parish in Union City, following months and weeks of organization, with the help of many diligent volunteers who prepared everything necessary for the liturgical feast and subsequent civil celebration.
At 9 a.m., the first and most solemn act took place: the Eucharist in honor of the saint with the entire community. Brian Stack, the mayor of this city located across the Hudson River from Manhattan, was present.
During the Eucharist there was a special thanksgiving for the 139 years of existence of the Parish, which has welcomed so many Catholic faithful, especially migrants, who have gathered during these almost fourteen decades in community and fraternity to pray and to support each other in their difficult and strenuous lives, being an active part of the construction of the city and the country.
After the Eucharist, there was a procession through the adjacent streets with Saint Augustine on the shoulders of the members of the Brotherhood of the Lord of Miracles, preceded by the altar boys and followed by representatives of the parish ministries with their identifying banners.
There followed faithful and visitors, in good numbers, who sang enthusiastically to the sound of the music, encouraged by the choir to celebrate the holy bishop of Hippo through the streets of Union City.
The procession ended at the same location where the parish festival platform was located. After days of uncertainty over the weather forecast, the day finally brought bright sunshine, to the delight of the faithful and visitors, who enjoyed music, dancing, food, and people greeting each other, sharing friendship, and fellowship.
At seven in the evening the festival culminated with the drawing of the raffle numbers, followed by much excitement because the winning ticket was awarded a generous prize of just over $28,000, which finally went to a female visitor from Harlem.
Augustinian Recollect religious community and the parish community, especially those who had worked hard and lovingly for the success of the feast, were very happy when evaluating this feast of St. Augustine 2025.
It was, in short, a true moment of unity, commitment and joy for all those who participated, given the resounding success of participation.
