Tarentum church to celebrate Feast of Corpus Christi with sawdust carpets

A tradition that can be traced to the Black Forest of Germany will continue for nearly the 80th year at Holy Martyrs Church in Tarentum.

The Corpus Christi Celebration featuring sawdust carpets will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday, June 19, at the church, which is part of Guardian Angels Parish.

“We always want to be able to show our devotion to God,” said the Rev. Aaron Kriss, senior parochial vicar.

“In the Catholic Church, that’s the heart of our faith. This allows us to do something for our spiritual well-being and stay connected to the Lord, even for those who have been away because of covid or other reasons.”

Kriss said the event always has been a way to bring people together, and this year it’s especially the case after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic.

For anyone who has never seen the event in person, it’s an enormous undertaking in which loads of sawdust are tumbled with dye in cement mixers. Kriss said he likes to make sure every color of the rainbow — and then some — is offered for people to bring out the intricate details of their sketch.

The dyeing of the sawdust is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Holy Martyrs parking lot at 353 W. Ninth Ave.

It’s open to anyone interested in helping, and no registration is necessary.

“If people want to come out and observe, that’s fine, too,” Kriss said. “Just don’t come out in your best clothes.”

The production will result in about 80 burlap sacks of colored dust that will be used the following week.

Parishioner Elizabeth Novotny’s family has been crafting the carpets for generations. Even when the Tarentum native graduated from college and moved for her career to Orlando, Fla., Novotny made it a point to come home for the carpet celebration.

“I came home twice a year,” she said. “Once at Christmas and then for Corpus Christi. It’s very important to me.”

“Not only because we’re celebrating the blood and body of Christ by making beautiful carpets but also because it’s a family tradition. I’m the fifth generation to take part.”

Novotny, 35, has since moved to Ligonier, making her commute a little easier.

This year, her family plans a 12-foot by 15-foot rendition of “The Last Supper.” She’s eager for her 2-year-old son to take part for the first time.

“He hasn’t been able to do it the last two years because of covid,” she said. “I’m excited for him to get his hands dirty.”

People usually arrive at the church by about 8 a.m. to start sketching their scene.

Most are religious in nature, like a cross or rosary, and they range from simple to intricate.

“There have been many that have stood out,” Kriss said, recalling a “gigantic one” that depicted a chalice and the host and grapes all sitting before a stained-glass window.

“They even took the time to inscribe words on the windows.”

He said the event usually draws a nice crowd to watch the art unfold.

About 25 carpets are expected to be created.

A light lunch will be provided for the artists, and a closing prayer procession will begin at 4 p.m.

Kriss said that when the tradition was founded by the Holy Ghost Fathers in Germany, the carpets were made of flower petals.

“Not matter what we use, the idea is the same,” Kriss said. “To give honor to God.”

To register to make a carpet, call the parish at 724-226-4900.