October 27, 2020

St. Francis of Assisi Parish hosts ‘Mobile Eucharistic Processions’

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

BELCHERTOWN – St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown will be hosting “Mobile Eucharistic Processions” each Monday and Wednesday through Nov. 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Father David Darcy, pastor of St. Francis, is leading the processions throughout each neighborhood in the 54-square-mile town.

“During COVID times that we’ve been living in, with so many people struggling to feel connected to God, not being able to come to church because of their concerns for the virus, so many people have been feeling hopeless and lost,” said Father Darcy. “The opportunity to bring Jesus in the Eucharist to our neighborhoods and to have the opportunity to feel connected again to our church and certainly our Lord, has been an incredible opportunity,” he said.

Each procession has been following a specific route which can be found on the parish website at stfrancisbelchertown.com.

Last March, the pandemic forced the closure of churches for months. Even though churches are now reopened at reduced capacity, many people are remaining home because of their health conditions.

“I wanted to see the eucharistic procession, Jesus in the monstrance,” said Amy Moran, who was waiting in her driveway for the procession to pass. “Because of my medical condition and age I don’t actually go to church. I watch it on TV, so I was really glad,” she said.

Kathy Kervick, a mom of four who coordinated the processions, said the idea had been on her heart, knowing that so many in the parish missed being at church.

“Yes, we’re all called to do our part and be Christ in the world but sometimes we just need to get out of the way and let Jesus do his thing,” said Kervick. “So we’ll take him to the streets and what he’s doing, he’ll do. All we need to do is be the instrument to get him there.”

The Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the faith. In the Eucharist, Catholics believe in the true presence of Christ: body, blood, soul, and divinity.

Other priests across the country have led similar processions during the pandemic. Father Darcy said it’s an opportunity to evangelize. He said the visible presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the visible presence of love.

“Especially as we approach the election with COVID, there are so many things right now… There’s a lack of respect and simple lack of love. As we know, that is who God is: love,” said Father Darcy.

“And the presence of God in the world is the presence of love in this world,” he said. “So, in the midst of people fighting over issues, fighting about so many things and losing a sense of respect for each other, the presence of love can be so powerful.”

A video version of this story will be featured on THE Oct. 31 edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.