Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 11 — The Southern Cross, May 22, 1986
ST. TERESA OF AVILA parish,
Augusta, celebrated Solemn
Reception of the Holy Eucharist
recently. Pictured with the 38
communicants are Father Walter
L. DiFrancesco, pastor, Ray and
Elaine Hoyt, coordinators, and
Kristen Loxley and Pam
Zgutowicz, 2nd grade teachers.
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of
St. Augustine’s Church,
Thomasville, was celebrated with
a float in the Rose Parade. The
float won First Place in the non
profit division. Young people from
the parish represented some of
the many cultures at St.
Augustine’s. Priest on float is
Father Fred Kirchner, O.F.M.
Mother's Day Mass -- Blessing Of The Fleet
BY TICKI LLOYD
This past Mother’s Day marked the 48th
year Portuguese communicants and
parishioners at large, of St. Francis
Xavier Church, Brunswick, set aside
Mother’s Day to pay homage to Our Lady
of Fatima, patron saint of Portugal.
The second Sunday in May is chosen, not
only in honor of Mother’s Day, but because
of its proximity to the apparition of Our
Lady of Fatima who appeared to three
shepherd children in Portugal in 1917.
The annual Mass in honor of Our Lady of
Fatima, followed by the Blessing of the
Fleet, was begun in 1938 when a statue of
Our Lady was brought from Portugal. The
statue, standing approximately five feet,
and carved from a solid block of dry
Brazilian cedar, was a gift to St. Francis
Church by Portuguese families.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPER —
On Sunday, April 20, the Council
of Catholic Women of St. Peter
Claver Church, Macon, hosted an
International Covered Dish Sup
per. Highlighting the event was
the guest speaker, Mr. Festus
Edoimioya from Benin City,
Nigeria. v""V vi
A delicate crown of silver adorns the
head of the statue, but on Mother’s Day, a
gold filigree crown studded with precious
stones is substituted. The crown was given
in memory of Manuel Manila, Eugene
Cuntinha and Louis Romeira, three young
Portuguese men who lost their lives in
World War II.
The day began with an 11 a.m. Mass con-
celebrated by Rev. Joseph McLaughlin,
S.M., pastor of St. Francis, and Rev. Paul
Hachey, S.M. Parochial Vicar. Assisting in
the celebration was Brother Robert
Sokolowski, S.M.
The statue of Our Lady of Fatima, nor
mally enthroned in a shrine in the church,
was carried on a platform gaily bedecked
with red and white flowers in the European
tradition. Men selected for this coveted
honor of carrying the statue in procession
where it was placed in the sanctuary until
after the Mass, were: Scott Newbern, Dick
Newbern Jr., Tony Rocha, Wesley Dickey
Sr., Wesley Dickey Jr., Frank Ferra,
George Ferra and Paul Ferra, led by
Manual Canas. Members of the Knights of
* Mary E. Williams - Albany, May
14.
* James B. McEllinn - Savannah -
May 15.
* Anna G. Sullivan - Savannah - May
17.
* Henrietta Fischer Russell - Savan
nah - May 17.
* Annie S. McGoldrick - Macon - May
17.
Necrology
* Reverend Patrick Cafferty, May
22, 1888.
* Reverend Henry Schonhardt, May
24, 1954.
* Reverend Brendan D. O’Sullivan,
May 26, 1913.
* Reverend William Quinlan, June 3,
1933.
* Reverend Ralph E. Seikel, June 4,
1980. ,
Columbus, dressed in full regalia, formed
an honor guard. The St. Francis choir,
under the diretion of Mrs. Marge Kelso,
presented a beautiful blend of Portugese
hymns and modern liturgy.
Immediately following the Mass, the
statue was borne in procession around the
outside of the church with parishioners
joining in singing Marian hymns.
The Blessing of the Fleet, a colorful
ceremony which annually attracts crowds
of visitors to the Brunswick waterfront,
began at 2 p.m. in East River with Rev.
Joseph McLaughlin of St. Francis and
Rev. Jesse Yarbrough, pastor of St.
Mark’s Episcopal Church, on hand to
bestow their blessing.
A bit of old world atmosphere prevailed
in this quiet coastal town as fishermen
plied the choppy waters in their colorfully
decorated boats in anticipation of receiv
ing a blessing from the clergymen on dock
at the foot of Mansfield Street.
While many rode on shrimp boats in the
procession, others gathered on dock wat
ching and applauding as numerous boats
moved slowly up and down the waterfront,
some with brightly colored pennants, flags
and pompoms; others with banners wav
ing excitedly in the breeze from booms.
At the conclusion of the blessing of boats,
Father McLaughlin and Father Yar
brough were carried by the Coast Guard
Cutter where they boarded The Morning
Star, lead boat, owned by Robert Earl
Knight.
Off St. Simons Island, a lovely wreath in
the shape of a anchor was tossed over
board as a tribute to those who have lost
their lives at sea.
Officers of The Sodality of Our Lady of
Fatima along with other members deserve
much credit for the annual event. Presi
dent of the Socality is Mary Santos;
Secretary, Natalie Newbern and
Treasurer, Mary Hautala.
Statue of
Our Lady of Fatima
* Tammy Jedlicka and Chuck
Busick, Holy Family Church, Col
umbus, May 3.
* Michele Ann Jobavy and Tony
LaDon Stephens, Main Post Chapel,
Ft. Benning, May 10.
* Virginia Phillips and William Dorn
at St. Joseph’s, Macon, May 17.
DORIS
jewelers
AUGUSTA.GA
In Every Town Or City
You Go To You Will Find
One Good Italian Restaurant.
In Savannah It's . .
Savannah’s
Full Service
Printer
IvyTAqli
I ■coNsrwxtioN
< OMpANV
233-2872
JlcttU
2301 Skidaway Rd.
At East 40th
Pr£tircf^3raphics
1201 Lincoln Street
P.O. Box 22221
Savannah, Ga-31403
5 ■ ★ ” -
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Phone (91 2) 232-6397
