BRICK – Those of Italian heritage – or simply those who love the food and fun – recently enjoyed the Epiphany Roman Catholic Church Italian Festival.
The four-day festival was located at the church grounds on Thiele Road in Brick and featured a wide variety of delicious food and treats, carnival midway with rides and games, entertainment, beer and wine garden, vendors, and fun for the entire family.
You couldn’t beat a sweet sausage, pepper and onion sandwich at the vendor stand nor a dessert of brownie waffles with cannoli cream on top. There was music to be heard featuring Italian favorites sung by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and more modern Italian entertainers.
The performers were seen on a large television screen along the game and vendor route that also included games of chance, children’s rides and various merchandise tables.
Attendees at the event had the opportunity to tour the church, buy a raffle ticket (daily and weekend ticket) browse through vendor tables or enjoy a variety of food, even non-Italian food like pierogies and tacos.
The Church of Epiphany has a long history, having been established in November 1973 by Bishop George W. Ahr in the Herbertsville Section of the township. Father Edward A. Reissner was the first pastor and the first Mass was celebrated on the evening of December 2, 1973 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
Masses were held at Lanes Mill School until Holy Week 1974 when the Parish House was purchased and used as a center for parish activities and a residence. Epiphany immediately became an active parish with a music ministry, youth activities, hospital visitations, their first “From Ashes to Easter” program.
The church’s first deacon, Tony Krisak, was assigned in the Spring of 1974 and he was later ordained a priest on May 17, 1975. Epiphany’s first Religious Sister was Anne Campanella who joined the parish staff in the Fall of 1974.
According to the church’s website, it has been a home for its members; ministering to their personal and spiritual lives. “A place where everyone embraced each other.”
