The second IggyFest was held on the Feast of St. Ignatius, July 31, 2019, at St. Michael’s Place in Downtown Buffalo. The event began with a 5:15 mass for alumni and friends. It was celebrated by the local Jesuit community, with music provided by the Voices of Mercy from St. Luke’s Mission.
At 6 pm the street fest began with live music by Wilmah (they won the Battle for Bands and performed at Loyolapolooza at Loyola Baltimore) with a cameo appearance by the popular Broadway to Buffalo. More than 700 people from all over Western New York and from every part of the country attended the Mass and Street festival. A special banner and buttons were created in honor of the Jesuit alumni in Puerto Rico who are now starting a One Jesuit Puerto Rico.
During IggyFest, Nancy Langer (pictured right with John Tomczak, director of One Jesuit Buffalo) received the OJB Alumni Arrupe award, celebrating Men and Women for others. Nancy Langer has served as president of Nativity Miguel School in Buffalo for the past 11 years. Nancy, a product of and longtime supporter of Catholic education, made the switch from a law career to gain a deeper connection to education. “I got to a point where I felt I should be doing something different,” she said. “I’d been active [as a lay leader and board member] in Catholic education, and I wanted the opportunity to do more. I was aware of the struggles of trying to provide a solid Catholic education in Buffalo’s central city.”
In preparation for Iggy Fest, Courtney Corbetta of WKBW AM BUFFALO interviewed Fr. Fred Betti, SJ, and Sarah Warner, a leader at St. Michael’s Parish as well as a committee member for the festival.