Neighbors

Not your average fair at St. James Church

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The St. James Carnival Fair in north Seaford, held this year from July 21-25, featured family-friendly rides, booths of chance, food and raffles. But the fair also celebrates the life of the church community and coincides with its celebration of its feast day.

It’s an opportunity to “build community,” Deacon Chris Daniello, fair chairman, explained. “People that might not always come to mass show up to help us at the fair,” he said. “It’s a chance to come together, reconnect with others and help us raise money.”

Deacon Jim Beirne agrees. “I’ve been working this fair forever and I think the best part are the people,” he said. “There is great camaraderie and you get to talk to people outside of church, but it’s still a part of the church community.”

One of those parishioners, Diane Sabino, has worked at the fair for 15 years. She is chairwoman of personnel and is responsible for organizing and overseeing the 90 volunteers who work at the fair. “The traffic has been very good this year and the weather is beautiful,” she said. “That helps, too.”

Local businesses also assisted St. James Church. O’Shea Funeral Home and Chappy Funeral Home donated money to help the church purchase raffle prizes including a TV, a sound system and other electronic goodies. “The raffles are very good this year,” Sabino said. “It’s been a big draw for us.”

The fair has been going on for almost 30 years. Rev. John Derasmo, pastor of St. James, said there are approximately 5,000 families in the parish. “The fair is part of our celebration of the feast of the parish,” he said. “And the nice summer weather helps.”

St. James Church, named after St. James the Greater, celebrates its feast day on July 25. St. James the Greater, not to be confused with the Apostle James, was the brother of St. John and a member of Jesus Christ’s inner circle. According to the church’s website, St. James the Greater was witness to some of Christ’s miracles including the raising of the daughter of Jairus and was executed by King Herod Agrippa, about a dozen years after Christ’s death.

Some might conclude that St. James himself had a hand in the building of this parish. While the parish is celebrating its 64th anniversary this year, the church that stands at Seaford’s northern tip is a mere 20 years old. “The roof collapsed on the old church on feast day,” Derasmo explained. “I guess he wanted a new church.”

Meanwhile, 13-year-old Zach Zarra and 12-year-old Anthony Labito were unaware of the role serendipity played in the history of St. James Church. They were first-time volunteers, there to clean up after fair-goers and fulfill their obligation for community service prior to making Confirmation.

“It’s not bad,” Zarra said. “We walk around and sweep stuff.”

“And we get to see our friends,” added Labito.