AUSTINTOWN — The scent of marigolds filled the air and bright bursts of color adorned the tables as more than 140 children from the St. Blaise Parish CCD program gathered at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center Nov. 9 for an art workshop that was also a joyful encounter of faith, culture and community.

Nick Moliterno, St. Blaise CCD co-coordinator, said the event, a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) workshop, brought together families from across the parish for a session that celebrated both Catholic tradition and Hispanic heritage. Moliterno said the event also reflected the Diocese of Youngstown’s ongoing mission — inspired by Bishop David Bonnar — to embrace and uplift the many cultural expressions that enrich Catholic life.

Leading the celebration were David Labra, musician with the Labra Brothers and coordinator of Youngstown’s popular Hola Fest, and Cheri Manners, Spanish teacher and club adviser at Hickory High School.

Together, they invited children into a space where faith was not only remembered but made vibrant and alive.

“Día de los Muertos is a celebration of sacred memory,” Manners said. “It teaches us that remembrance can be joyful, colorful and deeply reverent.”

Through stories, music, and hands-on activities, the children discovered how Día de los Muertos intertwines the Catholic observances of All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2 with ancient Indigenous traditions.

Moliterno said the children built a colorful ofrenda, which is a spiritual altar created for the Day of the Dead intended to welcome and honor the spirits of deceased loved ones. These altars are decorated with items such as photographs of the departed, their favorite foods and drinks, candles, marigold flowers and symbols representing the four elements. The ofrenda is not a place of sorrow, but a festive gathering place for joyous remembrance, where families celebrate the lives of those who have passed.

He said the afternoon came alive with Labra’s storytelling. His band,

The Labra Brothers — winners of “Best Latin” at the Cleveland Music Awards — blend Latin funk and soul into songs that celebrate heritage and hope.

Moliterno said their single “Be Cool,” filmed in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, embodies the same message of connection and identity that was evident in the Nov. 9 gathering.

Moliterno said the workshop’s timing couldn’t have been more fitting.

He said last year, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish celebrated its first-ever Quinceañera, marking another joyful step toward embracing the diverse traditions within a faith community.

Moliterno said the Día de los Muertos event continued that momentum — offering young learners a chance to see their faith reflected in meaningful, creative ways.

He said for St. Blaise CCD, which spans both parish campuses, the workshop was a living example of its mission: to nurture lifelong faith through shared learning, culture and community.

“As the children left carrying crayons and crosses, smiling beneath colorful paper flowers, one message echoed through the hall: Faith isn’t just something we teach — it’s something we celebrate and share,” Moliterno said.