Cross removed from top of Mount Carmel

By Tanya Connor
The Catholic Free Press

    WORCESTER – Demolition of the outside of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church began Monday morning. Workers lifted the cross off the top within about a minute. Shortly thereafter they took off the base under it, and soon lowered both to the ground, where they were driven away in a truck. A few people watched, some taking photos.
    Asked where the cross was going, a worker said they didn’t know yet. F & D Truck Company Inc. is handling the demolition.
    “I was ready to go home this morning because they weren’t doing anything,” said John Gillio, who grew up at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and has been coming there to watch and pray.
    “I was here 10 past 7,” said Mr. Gillio, who now belongs to Immaculate Conception Parish. He said workers were “very tight-lipped,” and one was taking something out of the church.
    “I saw the big crane starting to go over to the tower, so I got suspicious,” he said. He saw the lift moving too. So he stayed, thanking God for keeping him there.
    “I didn’t actually see them taking the cross off; it was so quick,” he said. But he saw them put the cross in the box in which it was lowered to the ground.
    “So … they’re preserving the religious aspect that the cross has,” he said. “That’s why I came, to see what they were going to do around the tower.”

    “I’m looking at it, saying my prayers,” said Deacon Gerald M.  Montiverdi, as he stood outside the church. He said he was thanking God for all the memories made there.
    He was baptized at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and was there his whole life, including his 38 years as a permanent deacon, he said. He continues to serve, now at the merged parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish at Our Lady of Loreto Church. He said the Italian-American heritage is still present, even though this church building is going.

Photo Album: https://www.catholicfreepress.org/photoalbums/our-lady-of-mount-carmel-church