The Bishop's Mardi Gras
We are grateful for your presence at the Bishop's Mardi Gras! Your camaraderie, benevolence, and warmth are deeply valued.
Please Join Bishop James S. Wall and the Catholic Peoples Foundation for an evening of dinner, dancing, and celebration with special guest speaker Fr. Aaron Alford and live music by country music star, Dzaki Sukarno!
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Red Rock Park in Church Rock, NM
All proceeds from this year's gala benefit the Catholic Peoples Foundation in support of the Diocese of Gallup. CPF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the specific mission to "raise and administer funds to support the religious, educational, and charitable works of the Catholic Church within the Diocese of Gallup.
Our Speaker - Father Aaron Alford
Father Aaron Alford is originally from Ontario, Canada. Along with a small group of close friends, he helped to begin a ministry to the street community of Modesto, California in 2003. A convert to the Catholic Faith, he was confirmed in 2005 and felt an immediate inkling toward the priesthood. When he encountered the Diocese of Gallup on a visit in 2016, he knew the time and place in which to pursue priesthood had come. He began seminary training in 2017, and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Gallup in 2025, on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart. He currently serves as a parochial vicar in Grants, New Mexico.
Live Music - Dzaki Surkarno
Country music star, Dzaki Sukarno captures the heart of authentic country, seamlessly blending the classic twang of tradition with a fresh, modern twist. With nearly half a million followers across social media, Dzaki draws deeply from his Southern New Mexico roots to breathe new life into the genre. His music revives the timeless soul of country, resonating with the rich sounds of steel guitars and fiddles, echoing through the hollers and hills.
Growing up near the rugged Organ Mountains and the vibrant green chile fields of New Mexico, Dzaki’s connection to the land shaped his artistry. Summers on the farm under the blazing sun were filled with hard work and the solace of music. It was during one of these sun-soaked days that Dzaki first heard the haunting cry of a steel guitar in an old George Jones track. That moment ignited his lifelong passion for country music, setting him on a path to create songs that honor its storied past while inspiring its future.
