Carmelite Fair continues in memory of Sister Mary Joseph

IC photo by Marie Mischel

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Saint Vincent de Paul parishioners Ed Junkins and his sons examine the doll house that was one of the raffle prizes for the Carmelite Fair.

HOLLADAY — From competition to contemplation, the Carmelite Fair had a little something for everyone this year.

The inaugural Run for the Nuns 5K race kicked off at 9 a.m. Sunday, giving those who walked the course plenty of time to complete it before the fair itself started at 11 a.m. The event was in memory of Sister Mary Joseph, the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery extern sister who died in July.

“She was a great addition to the Holladay community,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, who was the race starter. “She helped bring the community together. I think the fair was one of the ways to do that, and I think she would be thrilled to see the run today to help support the Carmelite monastery and also support the community.”

The 166 entrants were more than expected, said race organizer Helen Langan. “We were told the first year that 100 is doing really good.”

The race brought in more than $4,100, which was donated to the Carmelite monastery, “and the great thing is that besides the money that was raised we have all these new people that are coming to experience the fair and hopefully support in other ways as well,” Langan said. “And become healthier, which was of course what Sister Mary Joseph wanted us all to do.”

Many of the racers participated in the event as a way to support the monastery. “It was great exercise and a great cause,” said E.J. McQuade, who ran the course while pushing a stroller holding his 9-month-old daughter, Margaret. His wife, Leanne McQuade, crossed the line earlier with the family’s dog, Smokey. They are parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes in Salt Lake.

The race also was a family affair for 8-year-old Delaney Flores, a Blessed Sacrament School student who chose the event as her first 5K; she ran it with her mother, grandmother and cousin.

For Morgan Daily, the second-place female runner, the event was practice for her cross-country running program at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, and “I wanted to do it for the nuns,” she said.

The first-place female runner, Amber Ryckaert, said she knew that Sister Mary Joseph had recently passed away and “I thought it was a really good way to honor her memory. Plus, I like to run.”

Sister Mary Joseph’s memory was ubiquitous at the fair. ‘Hola, Sister Mary Joseph!” was written at the bottom of the menu at the booth selling Mexican food, and the master of ceremonies began the music lineup with “Just a Closer Walk With Thee,” because Sister Mary Joseph started the festival and she loved jazz.

“It’s a traditional Dixieland piece to recognize a person’s passing,” said Rich Laniewski, the MC. “It starts off slowly and sadly and then picks up later to celebrate their life.”

During the festival, the Carmelites opened their chapel for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, offering a cool respite from the heat and crowds. The children’s area offered various games, cultural groups performed music and dances, and of course there was plenty of shopping. Proceeds from the annual event support the Carmelite monastery.