Way of the Cross Tradition Continues

Courtesy photo/Don Drake

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With social distancing required because of the pandemic, organizers went online to continue a Holy Week tradition in St. George. The 15th annual ecumenical Way of the Cross was held on Good Friday at St. George Catholic Church and shared with the public through electronic media. In past years, people of faith from many denominations and beliefs gathered at Sand Town Park, then processed along Diagonal Street to the Catholic church parking lot, narrating the Stations of the Cross and singing during the one-mile walk. This year, Fr. David Bittmenn hosted the event at St. George Catholic Church. Participating were Michael Stephenson, chaplain of Zion’s Way Home Health & Hospice; Sister Ariana Martinez, missionary with Servants of the Word; Very Rev. Steven Brehe of Grace Episcopal Church; George Whitehead of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Carmella Fitzpatrick of the Unity Center of Positive Living; Rev. Michael Chamness of Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church; Deacon Carlos Mendez of St. George Parish; Alex Wilkie, retired, of American Baptist Church; Pastor Joe Doherty of New Promise Lutheran Church; Lt. Saul Smoak of the Salvation Army; Rev. Jimi Kestin of  Solomon’s Porch Foursquare Fellowship; Rev. Dr. Ralph Clingan of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church; and Pastor Arthur Drehman of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The hymn “Lord, Let Me Walk,” with guitar accompaniment, was provided by Mary Helen Stricklin, Koni Ritch, Ruth Ann Pilney and Carole Drake.