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| Diocesan Pilgrimage Planned |
Bishop Bransfield Invites the Faithful to Gather with Him at the National Shrine in Washington in Prayer for Peace, Reconciliation in the World By Colleen Rowan/The Catholic Spirit WEST VIRGINIA—The focus of the 2010 diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington will be prayers for peace and reconciliation in the world, said Father Brian Shoda, pilgrimage director. The pilgrimage will be held Sept. 11 and will be a chance for the people of the diocese to come together as one with Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, priests of the diocese and with one another in unity and prayer, said Father Shoda, who is pastor of St. Leo Parish in Inwood. “The tradition of a pilgrimage,” Father Shoda said, “goes back for centuries with people going to a beautiful church and taking time to honor the Lord, and in this case the Blessed Virgin. We’re really happy to have a pilgrimage to the national shrine in Washington, D.C., which is a shrine in honor of the Blessed Mother (and) we are looking forward to joining with our bishop.” The pilgrimage will begin at 10 a.m. with arrival of participants, followed by a carillon concert at 10:30 a.m. A morning presentation will be held at 11 a.m. The presenter has not yet been announced. This will be followed by guided tours of the shrine at 11:30 a.m. and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation at 11:30 a.m. Lunch and free time will begin at noon. The diocesan choir prelude will be at 1:30 p.m., followed by recitation of the rosary at 2 p.m. The pilgrimage will conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop Bransfield at 2:30 p.m. Those interested will also have the opportunity to join the diocesan choir. Bernadette McMasters, director of the diocesan Office of Worship and Sacraments who is helping with the planning of the pilgrimage, said that more information about joining the choir will be given to parishes. “I am looking forward to this pilgrimage, because not only is it an opportunity for people of all ages throughout the diocese to come together to pray and worship God in such a beautiful place, but it is also a time that our talented musicians and choir members from parishes across the state can come together as well to use their gifts and talents,” McMasters said. Father Shoda and McMasters said that the pilgrimage will also be significant as it falls on Sept. 11. “The fact that this pilgrimage falls on Sept. 11,” McMasters said, “provides the perfect occasion to join our hearts and voices with Mary to pray for peace, reconciliation, healing and hope to our nation and our world.” Buses will be chartered in different areas for those who would like to attend the pilgrimage, and information about bus service will be released to parishes. For more information about the pilgrimage, contact Father Shoda at (304) 229-8945 or by e-mail to FrBrian@stleo.com; or Father Chapin Engler, associate director of the pilgrimage, at (304) 536-1813 or by e-mail to fatherchapin@yahoo.com Click Here for the current Bus Schedule |
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Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston · 1300 Byron Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 · Phone (304) 233-0880