Holley-Kendall Catholics make public processional of faith
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – About of 100 Catholics in the St. Mary and St. Mark Parish carried a statue of Mary through the Holley downtown and back to St. Mary’s Church in a public processional this evening.
In the photo above, Penny Cole, right, helps carry the statue. Della Morales, left, also joins the effort.
“It’s an honor,” Morales said. “It has a lot of meaning. It’s reaffirming our faith.”
Church members say it is the first time the church has done such a processional in the parish’s 149 years. Richard J. Malone, bishop of the Western New York Diocese, has encouraged churches to do the processionals to make a public display of their faith.
Father Mark Noonan, pastor of the parish in Holley and Kendall, welcomed the processional. The processional was timed with the Feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which Catholics celebrate every Aug. 15.
The Knights of Columbus – Mike Fuller at left and Alan Worgo – are part of the processional through the Public Square.
The parish will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year.
