GreatNews.Life Student Voices: The heartbeat of Michiana

What’s happened recently?

The Mishawaka community is brought together every summer Sunday to support local farmers, vendors, and artisans at the Mishawaka Market at Ironworks Plaza. The marketplace is bustling with vendors offering fresh produce, handmade items, baked goods, and more. The corners of the plaza house food trucks, live music, kid’s activities, and community organizations, cultivating a lively atmosphere beside the riverwalk.

The market kicked off its season on May 31, and will be held every Sunday through the early fall until September 27. This is the eighth year of the market, which has continued to grow rapidly. Organizers have noticed that vendors have even begun to sell out early.

“What makes the market truly special is its ability to be a place for residents to come together and experience unique parts of our community that they may not always have the chance to encounter,” said Ironworks Program and Events Director Kaylan Chaput.

The market provides small businesses a place to grow and connect to customers. It also encourages citizens to shop locally and spend time together outside. It is one of Mishawaka’s signature summer events alongside concerts and riverwalk festivals, and shouldn’t be missed.

What’s coming up?

Who says you have to wait until December to celebrate Christmas? In Mishawaka, Christmas is right around the corner. The Mishawaka Parks and Rec department will host Christmas in July on July 11 at the Ironworks Plaza from 6-9 p.m.

This event fundraises for local schools, and simultaneously is an opportunity to have fun in the sun. The entrance fee is $5, or, alternatively, attendees can bring a back to school item.

Santa and his helpers will be making a special appearance, and guests can stop by a Santa photo booth. Families can enjoy a bike parade, ride bumper cars, chow down at food trucks, and take part in more activities for children.

Christmas in July is a unique blend of holiday spirit and summer fun. It’s a perfect event for families, and a welcome opportunity to support local schools.

Community spotlight:

Caitie Cataldo lives in Michiana with her family, but she carries a deep longing in her heart for her homeland, Ireland, which she zealously shares with others. Cataldo has been leading trips to Ireland for years and has been involved in youth and women’s ministry for most of her life.

Cataldo is a very passionate person; her Catholic faith drives her, and her hobbies include playing music, gardening, going for walks, or anything that takes her outdoors.

Both sets of Cataldo’s grandparents immigrated to America and set up a beautiful life. One of her grandfather’s set up what became at one point the largest Irish-American festival, which is still run in the family today.

Her mother grew up in Irish-American Cleveland, Ohio and then moved back to Ireland with Cataldo’s father. The family came back to the States for a two week visit when Cataldo was young and never left.

“The longing for Ireland is very prevalent in my family’s experience. That longing was there in my heart as well. The Irish music, the culture, it permeated more than just my senses, it was in my heart and soul.” said Cataldo, “I found that I was not the only one. Even if someone had never been to Ireland, there was something deeper in the experience of Irish heritage.”

Cataldo believes our first moments on Earth set a tone for the rest of our lives. So, in that way, while she does not have specific memories of her early childhood in Ireland, she feels like she is home whenever she travels back. Cataldo loves the Irish people, humor, unmatched hospitality, quaint towns, her family farm, and the spiritual encounter Ireland brings her. For her, all of the culture and experience points to something greater: God.

“The veil between us and Heaven is a bit thinner in Ireland,” said Cataldo, “Being there feels like getting back to something true.”

Cataldo has been giving tours to her homeland since she was 20 years old. What began as a college roommate trip became her very own LLC tour travel small business. Cataldo describes that her work is beyond her best dreams and just fell into place.

“It’s very important to me that each person on my trips is taken care of and seen. I think that’s something I bring that not every tour company does. I do every bit of the work myself. I know each traveler by heart, by name, and by face.” said Cataldo.

Cataldo’s trips are unique because she does not do the tourist-trap trips. She shares the “off the beat gems” with her fellow travelers and hopes that she allows people to encounter Ireland and fall in love.

The most rewarding part of leading these trips for Cataldo is sharing the experience with others and getting to know new people and their stories. Cataldo loves when travelers want to come back within a year, and she loves providing a safe, friendly space for people who want to travel solo but are unsure.

“My heart has hurt in my life. I don’t think I’m alone, and so giving people some respite and relief and joy and reminders in ministry, both in my youth ministry, and in my ministry to all who are willing to go with me to Ireland, is why I do what I do,” said Cataldo.

Cataldo is looking forward to announcing a family trip in June 2027. She hopes to provide an experience for families to take a trip where everything is taken care of, and they can relax without worrying about the details.

Cataldo’s experience of being on Earth, longing for her home, both in Heaven and in Ireland, is what has driven her ministry. Whether she is leading young people in the faith, giving talks on retreats, leading worship music, or taking groups to her favorite Ireland spots, Cataldo hopes to be in solidarity with those around her, and to ultimately lead them closer to home.