November 9, 2024

Patriotic Prayer Service held for election

REGIONAL
By Nick Morganelli

(IObserve photo/Joe Austin)

SPRINGFIELD — The Office of Missionary Discipleship hosted a Patriotic Prayer service at Immaculate Conception Parish in Indian Orchard after the polls closed on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. The altar was decorated with red, white and blue candles and the American Flag.

The Holy Hour began with  the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Father David Aufiero, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in South Deerfield was grateful for the nearly 30 attendees.

“This is a timely event because Bishop Byrne had just posted a letter to the whole diocese indicating the importance of prayer in the often divisive political climate. It’s important to pray and make sure we’re addressing the hot topics and issues all the while maintaining a spirit of peace and respect that makes our nation so great,” said Father Aufiero.

Kevin Barrett of Westfield said it’s important to pray for all Americans and approach difficult issues with civility.

“When you say to someone, ‘you know what, I see what you’re saying here,’ and then you say it with love and understanding. That’s where essentially the Catholic faith comes in because we can agree to disagree, and still have that civil conversation,” Barret said.

There was also a patriotic rosary with each decade prayed for a specific branch of the government and each Hail Mary offered for the souls in each of the fifty states. Between decades, a brass trio, members of the Saloio family, provided patriotic music including “America the Beautiful”, and “God Bless America.”

The events calendar for Young and Catholic can be found here: Office of Missionary Discipleship – Diocese of Springfield – Springfield, MA

A video version of this story will run tomorrow morning on “Real to Reel” which temporarily airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.