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WHITING, Ind. — The oldest Eastern Catholic parish in the state of Indiana celebrated the centennial of the laying of its cornerstone this summer. Civil authorities recognized the valuable contribution of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Parish, proclaiming Aug. 15 “St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Day.”
“The parish has contributed through Christian witness, charitable outreach and formation of members, both young and old, in service to the local community,” said Whiting Mayor Joseph M. Stahura in reading the official proclamation after the festal Vespers service, Aug. 14. More than 150 people attended, including past parishioners who returned to their home parish for the celebration.
“Today, we ... mark the parish’s vibrant past, so as to inspire a strong future as a cornerstone of faith and pride for the Whiting community and beyond,” he continued. “On behalf of the City of Whiting, I applaud the parish for (its) accomplishments, service and commitment to our city that (its) members have shown over the past 100 years of this building and look forward to its continued presence and service for many years to come.”
Retired Bishop John Kudrick of Parma celebrated Vespers. He was joined by Bishop David Zywiec, OFM Cap., of Siuna, Nicaragua, who is a native of Northwest Indiana and has Byzantine Catholic origins, as well as other area clergy.
The burial shroud of the Dormition of the Mother of God was processed from the church to the outdoor shrine altar. Vespers concluded with the traditional flower blessing for the feast day, and the partaking of the litija bread upon anointing. An ice cream social followed on the church grounds.
St. Mary Parish was founded in 1899. That same year, the parish purchased and worshipped in an old Lutheran church. The current church was built in 1918, and the church interior was renovated in 2013.
Caption: Betsy Moricz poses with her grandchildren in front of St. Mary church in Whiting, Indiana, Aug. 14. Moricz returned to her home parish for the centennial celebration of the laying of the church cornerstone. About 150 people attended. (Photo: Donna Tang)
As published in Horizons, Sept. 30, 2018.
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