Long Prairie community celebrates ‘unity in diversity’

Jan. 22 was a typical Tuesday night Mass at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Long Prairie. As usual, about 40 to 50 people attended, praying the rosary together before Mass began. What marked the occasion as special was the celebration that followed.

Just days before the Mass, parishioner Margarita Cervantes and her husband, Marco, were visiting with St. Mary’s pastor, Father Omar Guanchez. Margarita noted how the community has changed over the last 20 years.

“I see so much more unity,” Margarita said. “I see more Anglo people coming to the Spanish Mass, and I see more Hispanic people coming to the English Mass on the weekends. People are more welcoming, greeting one another.”

Margarita wanted to do something special to celebrate and honor those who have made the community one.

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