125 years of welcoming at St. Peter’s
‘Many People, One Family in Christ’
By Michael O’Connell
CFP Correspondent
WORCESTER – St. Peter Parish’s 125th Anniversary Mass Sunday provided a musical showcase for the cultural melting pot St. Peter’s has worked hard to create.
In the back of the church, the traditional English choir sang with lush harmonies, accompanied at times by an organ or a trumpet. To the left of the altar, a Spanish group sang hymns in their native language backed by maracas and Spanish guitars. And to the front and left of the altar an African group, some members dressed in colorful native outfits, delivered more of a gospel sound, with an occasional drum setting the beat.
These three groups play at different Masses during the week. But on this sunny Sunday afternoon they came together and took turns serenading the 450 or so parishioners who turned out to celebrate the parish’s 125th anniversary theme – “Many People, One Family in Christ.” full story...
Coming together, staying together
Lithuanian community gathers in parish church for final time
By Tanya Connor
WORCESTER – St. Casimir’s Lithuanians expressed grief, resignation, determination and hope at the last regularly scheduled Mass at their church Sunday.
Bishop McManus merged St. Casimir and Ascension parishes with St. John Parish July 1, 2008, but allowed St. Casimir’s to hold Sunday Masses in Lithuanian for another year.
“Why, God, did you let them close our church?” Irene Markevicius, executive councillor of the Lithuanian Girl Scouts in Worcester, asked in her talk at the end of Mass. full story...
See the photo album!
Hoping to keep flame alive
By Tanya Connor
WORCESTER – “They say it’s just a building, but it isn’t. It’s the family that comes with the building.”
Vivian Rodgers was describing a common sentiment about St. Casimir’s. The Lithuanian parish was merged with St. John Parish last year, but had its last regularly scheduled Mass Sunday.
“We worship as family and then we go down and break bread together as families,” socializing for an hour or two, Anna Leseman said of a St. Casimir’s weekend tradition she’ll miss. She called Sunday’s Mass “fantastic” and asked, in reference to the full church, “Isn’t it beautiful the turnout we had?” full story...
