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October 8, 2018

Rosary Coast to Coast held in Franklin County

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

The Rosary Coast to Coast stepped off from Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Turners Falls, Sunday, Oct. 7, on the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary.

TURNERS FALLS – Close to 200 people from all across Franklin County gathered at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Turners Falls for the Rosary Coast to Coast, held Sunday, Oct. 7, on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Catholics united in prayer across the nation and in the Diocese of Springfield, offering petitions for life, peace, and healing. The event capped off the 54-day “Novena for Our Nation,” sponsored by the Holy League, a national parish-based group of men united in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

“It is very timely because as you know, we are at a time when we are dealing with a lot of tension, a lot of conflict, and polarization,” said Father Sean O’Mannion, the pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The event began with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a meditation, delivered by Father O’Mannion.

“I think that this is very important for us to participate in this public to witness, this act of public reparation to make a statement of love to our eucharistic Lord, make a statement of love for our Blessed Mother and to turn to her specifically seeking healing she gives us as our mother,” he told those gathered.

Following Father O’Mannion’s talk, the congregation joined in a eucharistic rosary procession through the streets of Turners Falls, praying both the Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries. The procession ended at Unity Park on the Connecticut River where the group prayed the Glorious Mysteries at 4 p.m., joining with Catholics nationwide, participating in the Rosary Coast to Coast, including a rosary rally held in Washington, D.C.

Yves Jacques, who helped organize the event, explained how Pope Pius V founded the Holy League in 1571, when outnumbered Christians in Europe were victorious in the Battle of Lepanto, defeating the Ottoman Turks.

“It was a victory of the rosary. Here, 500 years later, we’re in a battle today, but this battle is against the forces of evil. We want from coast to coast Our Lady to protect us and guide us into the future so we can truly live in peace and harmony,” said Jacques.

Parishes in the Franklin County Deanery participated in the rosary.

“With what’s happening in our culture now, not only the crisis in our church but the crisis in our culture with our youth and families, that’s really our inspiration for this,” said Joy Pelc, who helped organize the procession.

Pelc, also a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa, said they hope to make the Rosary Coast to Coast an annual event in the diocese.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of the Springfield Diocese’s weekly newsmagazine, “Real to Reel” at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.

 

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