The Stations of the Cross thru the mournful eyes of Mary, held at Mary, Mother of Our Savior church on Friday, March 25 was attended by over 150 people and also streamed online.
The service was in support of Ukraine. At each station, selected music from “Heavenstar”, a touring trio of Ukrainian family singers, the choir from St. Joseph’s-St. Patrick’s in Utica, and the choir from St. Joseph’s in Lee Center joined in accented the Passion of Christ while pastor of St. Joe’s St. Pat’s, Father Robert Kapral, led the prayers at the Stations of the Cross.
“This was a special evening for so many reasons” commented director Scott Rutledge. “To be able to contemplate and experience the Lord’s passion from Mary’s perspective is so powerful. To be able to do it on the feast of the Annunciation (The Angel Gabriel’s visitation to Mary) and to join Pope Francis and Christians worldwide in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the immaculate heart of Mary was a tremendous blessing and honor.”
The impressive choir was accompanied by local professionals Jennifer Evans Fitzgibbon on organ and Piano, Curtis Karwacki on cello, Darryl Slezinski on clarinet, and mezzo soprano Juliane Price on violin. The mezzo soprano also sang a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria.
A love offering was taken to help Ukrainian families displaced by Russia’s attack on the country. The Very Reverend Michael Bundz made remarks to the assembly.
The solemn evening culminated with local organ prodigy Dominic Fiacco playing an impressive postlude by J.S. Bach.
Event organizer and St. Joseph’s-St. Patrick’s director of music Andrew Siuta said “We hope to be able to hold the event at St. Joseph’s -St. Patrick’s next year after much needed repairs are made to our church’s ceiling. For this year though, we are grateful to Father Joseph Salerno and the good people at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Church for allowing us to hold the event here.”
