St. John the Baptist celebrates Festival of Roses

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

Scores of people enjoy carnival rides, games, food, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, a spaghetti dinner, and a Sunday brunch at the 2008 Festival of the Roses May 16-18 at the Skaggs Catholic Center.IC photo by Christine Young

DRAPER — The grounds at the Skaggs Catholic Center were packed with people enjoying carnival rides, games, a pirate cove, a bounce house, food cooked by the Knights of Columbus, live music, and a live auction. In the commons area of Juan Diego Catholic High School, festival-goers could choose from a variety of crafts, jewelry, baked goods, and more food.

This was the ninth annual Festival of the Roses held at St. John the Baptist Parish. The festival was a three-day event May 16-18, with a 5K run and one mile walk held May 17 and a brunch held after Mass May 18.

This year's 5K run and one-mile walk were dedicated to Father Terence Moore, pastor of St. John the Baptist, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Parishioners cheered on each other and Fr. Moore as he participated for his ninth time in the race.

"I used to always run in the races when I was a younger man," said Fr. Moore. "For the 14 years I was pastor of Saint Thomas More, I always ran in their 5K. So when they started the festival here at Saint John the Baptist, I continued that tradition. But I think with my leukemia diagnosis this year, they are saying let's go out there and support Fr. Moore and at the same time encourage more children to participate for the good of their own health.

"It is interesting how sometimes an illness like this just makes you so aware of the precious gift of time," said Fr. Moore. "We do tend to take time for granted and have a sense that our days are unlimited. When you get a diagnosis like this, time becomes very precious and you want to live life in the best way possible and protect the health you have. We take our health for granted.

"There is an old Irish phrase, ?Your health is your wealth," said Fr. Moore, who was born in Ireland. "It truly is, especially when you get a diagnosis for a disease as serious as leukemia that you realize how precious your health is."

"I feel fine," said Fr. Moore. "I am very fortunate that what I have is chronic leukemia. It is called CML, or chronic myelogenous leukemia. I have had it my life long. I feel very well, and I just feel so wrapped around people's prayers. I have so many people praying for me, and people sending me cards, and checking in on me. I just feel so blessed and I really believe that has a great deal to do with how well I am doing.

"The Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, has been so thoughtful and so concerned with my health that it has been inspiring and to know he is there for us."

Fr. Moore said all of the proceeds from the festival will go toward paying off the mortgage on the church which was dedicated in 2003.

"We hope this year will be as successful as we have had in the past," said Fr. Moore. "If so, it will bring the mortgage on the church below $1 million, which will be a nice psychological boost. The church and the offices cost $6.5 million and the parishioners have been so generous in supporting us over the years. We had a very successful capital campaign and we have had very successful festivals."