Posted 6/4/2003 1:55:49 PM by Editor
News from Bro. J. Francis Dolphin, M.M. viewed 12899 times
Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - Maryknoll, New York
300,000 people in circus, carnival industries migrate in the U.S. annually
By Brother J. Francis Dolphin, M.M.
My parents got engaged in 1934 while watching the Ringling Brothers Circus in Worcester, Mass. My father used to walk a slack wire and I had two uncles who were jugglers, so “sawdust” is very much in my veins.
I’m a Maryknoll Brother who is involved in circus ministry. I enjoy bringing the Good News of the risen Lord to all people, but especially to artists and performers in the circus and carnival industries who enjoy entertaining children of all ages here in Denver and in other parts of the United States and the world.
I attended the El Jebel Shrine Circus, which played at the National Western Complex in Denver in February, and visited with ringmaster Richard Curtis. In January, I visited with the Flying Cavallinis, a flying return act that is one of the feature attractions of the Carson and Barnes Circus, which will be coming to Denver soon. I am one of the few religious involved in circus ministry, which is sponsored by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in Washington, D.C. The ministry operates under the guidance of Sister Charlotte Hobelman, S.S.N.D., who is coordinator of Migrant Ministries.
Every January, there is a circus ministry meeting in Sarasota, Fla., the “circus capital of the world.” This year the meeting began with a retreat for a couple of days at the Diocese of Venice Retreat Center. The retreat was presented by a Franciscan priest, Father Gavin Griffith. Subsequent meetings were held at St. Martha Church, also in Sarasota. This church was built by the circus people who live in the area during the off season. Present at the meeting were priests, sisters, brothers and seminarians who discussed issues and concerns of the Circus and Travelling Show Apostolate.
There are 50-60 circuses and between 300-400 carnivals in the United States each year, which accounts for nearly 300,000 people on the move in America. Catholics constitute about 40 percent of this population. Circus performers represent, among others, the countries of Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In the carnivals are found people with backgrounds in academia, politics, law, journalism, retailing, farming, music and sports.
The community life is organized around the show, and the basis for community life is the family. By history and tradition, circuses and traveling shows have functioned as family institutions. The family is the vital social group that teaches and imbues family members with the values of the community. Everything must work in harmony, with everyone performing their assigned tasks.
In the world of circus and traveling show people, the fullness of Christian life may be constrained by time and circumstances, the lack of religious education and the unavailability of clergy and religious personnel. Christian values evident in the family and community need to be given expression in the day-to-day reality of the show. For Catholic show people, their faith is a stable element and a comfort. Frequently, show people are not able to be in touch with the local church of the community they are visiting because of their lifestyle and work obligations.
The increase of pastoral awareness of the Circus and Traveling Show Apostolate is a serious concern of the Catholic Church in the United States. There is a very small group of clergy, religious sisters and brothers, and lay people who regularly minister to show people. They provide religious education, Mass and the sacraments. Of vital importance is that they present a living image of Christ to show people. Members of circus ministry provide support and concern for the social and physical needs of these “people on the move.” We are welcomed by both Catholic and non-Catholic show people, with whom an ecumenical attitude of openness and cooperation is shared.
I follow in the footsteps of Father Ed Sullivan who lived in the Star of the Sea Parish in Squantum, which was less than a mile from my home in North Quincy, Mass. Father Sullivan was always proud to show me his vast collection of circus paraphernalia and autographed photos of clowns and circus performers. It was during a Ringling Brothers Circus engagement at Boston Garden when I was a young boy that I was inspired by the ministry of this circus chaplain -- the first chaplain of the circus.
Editor's note: This was published recently in the Catholic Denver Register in Denver, Colorado and is reprinted here with the express permission of the author.
Maryknoll Brother J. Francis Dolphin is the former director of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers House in Denver. He was recently assigned to Latin America. Contact him at jfrancisdolphin@yahoo.com. Bro. J. Francis Dolphin, M.M.; Maryknoll Missioners; Maryknoll, New York 10545
He will be going to Cochabamba, Bolivia this coming Thursday, June 5, 2003
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