Longtime volunteers contribute to success of annual Carmelite Fair that benefits the nuns

Friday, Aug. 16, 2024

HOLLADAY— This year’s Carmelite Fair will take place on Sept. 15 at the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Holladay. The day draws Catholics and members of the wider community to the monastery for family fun that includes live entertainment, auctions, children’s games and food vendors. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be in the chapel from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fair, which is the main source of income for the Carmelite nuns, had its beginnings in 1952, when the cloistered Carmelite community was founded in Utah. It is made possible by the many volunteers who donate their time and talents to coordinate the events, sort donations for the live and silent auctions, set up for the day of the fair, sell tickets and otherwise ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Several of those who help with the fair also are involved with the monastery year round.  Among them is Bob Schovaers, who has done outdoor projects there for more than 20 years, though it has only been in the past eight years that he has been involved with the fair. He also coordinates the 5K Run for the Nuns on the day of the fair. 

“My involvement in both the fair and the projects came about because of an invite from individuals already helping the sisters,” said Schovaers, who initially accepted those invitations because he thought it was a nice thing to do, but has continued over the years because “there is something about the Carmelite nuns that just attracts you to being of some service to them.” 

That “something” is seen not only by Schovaers but also the other volunteers at the monastery and in the individuals who attend the fair, he said. “The Carmelite sisters are a wonderful group of women and their only form of payback to those helping support them is prayers for us and their gratitude – and their ‘thank yous’ are never-ending.”

Although many people who attend the fair have never met the sisters, “I think that attraction between the outside community and the sisters becomes a win-win for both,” he added.

Like Schovaers, Bob Long has been involved with the monastery for decades. Forty years ago, he met Sister Mary Joseph, who back then was the monastery prioress.

“She asked me to help with the computer, and I just got sucked into it,” Long said. Since then he has helped with tasks involving the monastery’s computers, internet, security cameras and other technology. In 2017 he also started helping the nuns with their community finances, he said.

Helping the nuns has changed his perspective of what it means to put one’s talents into action for the good of others, he said. “I see people that need help, and I am just willing to do it. … I don’t think I go out of my way to lend them a hand but over the years I have had time to do what they ask me to and it has been a real pleasure” even though he could have spent the time watching shows, fishing or taking a hike. “I could be doing all those things but I knew they needed the help, so I said to myself, ‘Why not?’” he said. “At some point in time we all need help.”

The Carmelites, as cloistered nuns, don’t have access to some of the resources available to others, “so why not help them?” asked Long, who is 81 years old. “All these years have been a pleasure.” 

“The Carmelite community is pretty much self-sufficient, but they don’t have all the resources they need for their lives, so people that can offer their skills to help should do that,” he said.

Attending the Carmelite fair is one way to assist the nuns, he said, because it is their primary fundraiser.

Carmelite Sister Therese Biu, who recently finished her term as prioress of the monastery, issued an invitation to all to attend the fair. “Knowing that it could have been a difficult year for you and your family, we ask our Lord to always provide you with what you need, and we hope you can continue to support us,” she said. 

A golf tournament fundraiser for the nuns is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 8. Contact Daniel, dvgarcia8@gmail.com for information.