Park City parishioners celebrate Feast of the Assumption

Intermountain Catholic

Photo 1 of 2

The procession from the old St. Mary of the Assumption chapel in Park City to the new church covered about three miles, a symbol of the journey toward God, Bishop Wester said. IC photos/Christine Young

PARK CITY — Anglo and Hispanic parishioners from Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Park City processed from the old St. Mary chapel in Old Town to the new White Pine church to celebrate their patroness and the Feast of the Assumption Aug. 11.

About 200 parishioners prayed the rosary in English and Spanish and sang songs in Spanish as they walked the three-mile trek before attending the bilingual Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, who led the flock of worshipers.

The annual Marian procession began in 1997 when the White Pine church was built.

"It’s a beautiful historical moment because it is a continuation from the old town church to the new church," said Father Stan Herba, St. Mary of the Assumption and Saint Lawrence Mission pastor. "It is a passing from the old to the new location – we came from that historical church because it was too small, but they are connected through Our Lady, our patroness. It is like we are all making our journey through life and we will continue."

Bishop Wester agreed that the Marian procession symbolized that life is a journey, which has several layers and symbols to its meaning, he said.

"We journey toward God together by supporting and helping each other," Bishop Wester said. "Another layer of meaning would be for those who see the procession; it is a witness of faith. It could be a confirmation of faith or a challenge of faith and be uncomfortable for some. It could also be reassuring for others. So it does different things for different people, but God will work in it one way or the other."

Bishop Wester also said the procession was a way for the parishioners to "celebrate and to sing and pray together."

Augustine Alonso has been walking and praying in the procession for the past 16 years, he said. "The procession is for all people because Mary is for all people of the world, not just Catholics," he said. "We want to show the people in Park City that the Virgin Mary is for everyone."

The Sanchez family has been walking for the past two years and they "are walking for God," said Kevin Sanchez, speaking for his family.

The walk shows the religious side of, and is the soul of, Park City for Bill Humbert, a St. Mary of the Assumption parish council member.

"There are so many events going on in Park City, and the Catholic population represents about 10 percent," he said. "The members of the government here do a wonderful job in cooperating with us by giving us a police escort."