Interview with a fun fair pastor Like a preacher in a traveling show

Beuel · Sascha Ellinghaus is fun fair pastor and travels the length and breadth of Germany, approximately 60,000 kilometers a year. At the moment he is at the Pützchens Markt in Bonn.

The difference between Sascha Ellinghaus and his colleagues? He says Mass in marquees and caravans. He is the head of the catholic circus and fun fair pastoral care. He travels approximately 60,000 kilometers in his mini bus per year, to fairs and circus locations. Plus several thousand kilometers by plane and train. He absolves, preaches, christens. He is at the Pützchens Markt at the moment, preparing the anniversary Mass for Sunday in the Bavaria tent, which will be celebrated by archbishop cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.

Your flock are circus artistes and fun fair staff. Why do they need their own pastor?

Sascha Ellinghaus: The catholic circus and fun fair pastoral care accommodates people who work on fairs as staff, sellers, animal tamer or artistes, traveling constantly. Their centre of life is a caravan. In Germany, that’s approximately 5,000 circus people, 38,000 fun fair staff and also many employees in amusement parks.

Is there a biographical connection to traveling people?

Ellinghaus: Not at all. I am from a family of merchants. Fun fairs and circus events are typical childhood memories, at the most. Actually, I imagined a life as a priest with a fixed residence. After I made the first contact by chance - also with the former fun fair pastor -, everything fell into place. Now it is my world.

Was priesthood your first job choice?

Ellinghaus: Yes. A close second would have been to work in an advertising agency. But I have that now too. I am writing and designing the parish bulletin for my traveling community. During the theology studies, I asked God for a sign in time if he has other plans for me. The right woman did not appear, so that was that.

As opposed to your colleagues, you travel to the believers. What are you bringing with you?

Ellinghaus: I am ususally arriving in my mini bus. I pack everything I need for Mass in there. A small altar, a self playing organ, loudspeakers, candle holders, Easter candle, the sacraments and the vestments. And a suitcase full of rosaries.

Your work probably has very touching moments?

Ellinghaus: I christened the child of artiste Natalya and marquee master Michele Ross from the Circus Roncalli. Both are from legendary circus families. They wore their gala attire. Altar boy was the clown Gensi also known as Fulgenci Mesmers Betran. He played the Ave Maria on the metal saw. Sometimes there are animals in the group picture too.

What keeps fun fair and circus people together?

Ellinghaus: Exactly that. They hold together. Family and community is important to them. Like in a small village. The caravans are all in very close proximity. There is no division between job and private life. The people are open minded, always helpful and roll up their sleeves if there are problems.

What’s typical about the Pützchens Markt?

Ellinghaus: The original connection between fun fair and church is still very much alive here. I notice that many visitors know what role Saint Adelheid plays and have a sincere relationship with their faith. The general public loves the fair and accepts many drawbacks during it.

Cardinal Woelki is coming on Sunday for the anniversary Mass…

Ellinghaus: The Sunday Mass in the marquee, which we celebrate with the Pützchen parish and several music groups, has a long tradition. That the cardinal agreed to come for the 10am Mass, makes us all very happy. It is also a sign of appreciation for the 650th anniversary.

These rides are not to be missed on the Pützchens Markt. Original text: Jutta Specht Translation: Mareike Graepel

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