Annual Carmelite Fair caters to everyone

Friday, Sep. 02, 2016

HOLLADAY— For more than 30 years the annual Carmelite Fair has served as the main financial support for the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Holladay, which is more commonly called the Carmelite monastery.

The Carmelite Fair grew out of a fundraising tea; these days, the annual event draws hundreds of people from throughout the Salt Lake Valley. This year the celebration will start with the 5th annual Sister Mary Joseph Golf Tournament, to be held Sept. 17 at the Homestead Resort golf course. 

The fair itself will be Sept. 18 on the monastery grounds. It will be preceded by the annual Run for the Nuns 5K. 

A fellow parishioner’s suggestion led Joe Orifici to organize a golf tournament to help the nuns.

“I go to Mass to the chapel all the time and I am golfer and a lawyer and I know a lot of people in the community, so I said, ‘Let’s do it,’” said Orifici.

What started as a 36-participant golf tournament has grown to almost 100 participants.

Orifici has a special place in his heart for the Carmelite nuns.

“I think that the nuns have had three weddings in the history of their chapel and one of them was ours,” he said.

Also, he and his wife have been the legal guardians of a little girl since she was 1 year old, and she was baptized at the Carmelite chapel.

“I love the nuns. I am very grateful to have that chapel here,” said Orifici, adding that the Carmelite monastery is the last monastery for women religious in Utah. The Benedictine monastery in Ogden closed in 2013.

A lifelong Catholic, Orifici said that his faith is one of the most important things in his life.

“There is more than one way to see at the church, and I like the simple message that is at the Carmelite’s chapel. I go to Mass there every day,” he said.

The Carmelite order was founded in 1222. Saint Theresa of Avila reformed the first female monastery in Spain in 1562; a group came to the United States of America in 1790. Then, in 1952, five sisters from California arrived in Utah to found the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

The Carmelite monastery is cloistered, which means the nuns’ primary vocation is prayer and enclosure, allowing them to devote themselves to the worship, contemplation and love of God. They pray for the people of Utah and for the whole world.

The Carmelite Fair remains the main source of income for the sisters. 

“With very limited means of sustenance, we depend on the fair as our main source of income for the year,” states the letter from the monastery sent out giving information about the fair and asking for contributions for auction items.

On the day of the fair there will be live entertainment, including various dance groups and musicians, children’s games and live and silent auctions.

The 5th annual golf tournament will take place on Sept. 17 starting at 8 a.m. at the Crater Spring Golf Course. The cost is $100 per player or $400 per team. Donations are tax deductible. Donations for prizes are welcome. For information or to register, contact Joe Orifici, 801-414-8911 or at 801-272-2373. 

On Sept. 18 the Carmelite Fair will kick off at 8 a.m. with the 7th annual Run for the Nuns 5K run/walk. The registration fee is $25; register by calling 801-809-7995 or visit https:/raceentry.com/races/run-for-the-nuns/2016/register.

The Carmelite Fair itself starts at 11 a.m. at the monastery, 5714 Holladay Blvd. Free shuttle service is available from various locations. For information, visit http://www.carmelslc.org/carmelpg4.htm.

WHAT: Golf tournament

WHEN: Sept. 17, starting at 8 a.m. 

WHERE: Crater Spring Golf Course

COST: $100 per player /$400 per team. Hole sponsorship available for $150

REGISTRATION: Joe Orifici, 801-414-8911 or at 801-272-2373 

 

WHAT: Run for the Nuns 5K

WHEN: Sept. 18, 8 a.m. 

WHERE: Carmelite monastery, 5714 Holladay Blvd.

REGISTRATION: $25; call 801-809-7995 or visit https:/raceentry.com/races/run-for-the-nuns/2016/register 

 

WHAT: Carmelite Fair

WHEN: Sept. 18, starting at 11 a.m. 

WHERE: Carmelite monastery, 5714 Holladay Blvd.

For information, visit http://www.carmelslc.org/carmelpg4.htm.