Last Liturgy in Williamstown, NJ

Last Liturgy in Williamstown, NJ

On Sunday, June 29, 2014, Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Williamstown, NJ, held its' final Liturgy.  Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka was the main celebrant and homilist at the Closing Divine Liturgy.  Msgr. Peter Waslo concelebrated the Liturgy and proclaimed the Gospel.

Over 30 faithful attended the final Liturgy in Williamstown. Some of the faithful explained how they traveled great distances to witness the closing Liturgy. One of the faithful explained  how she used to have family in the area who she would visit and she described she felt as though the Closing Divine Liturgy was an end of a complete cycle.  She was present on the happy occasion when the parish first opened, and explained how she wanted to come back and witness the end of the parish, a day filled with much sadness.

During the homily, Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka spoke about Saints Peter and Paul whose Feast Day it was that day.   Metropolitan Stefan explained that the parish was closing due to lack of attendance and much needed repairs of the building.  Metropolitan-Archbishop encouraged the parishioners to attend St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in Cherry Hill, NJ or other Ukrainian Catholic Churches.  Metropolitan Stefan also explained how the various icons in the church will live on in other Ukrainian Catholic parishes such as the church being built in Toms River, NJ.  Other items from the church will be put on display at the Treasury of Faith Museum in Philadelphia as well.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy a special Closing Prayer Service was offered by Metropolitan Stefan followed by an anointing of the faithful with myrovania oil.  The last hymn sung by the parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church was "O Spomahay Nas."


-Teresa Siwak


Video http://youtu.be/GWP_j10kmo0

Pictures

Icon of Saints Peter and Paul on the Tetrapod.

The last bulletin in Williamstown.

Msgr Peter Waslo proclaimed the Gospel.

Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka's homily.

The Closing Prayer Service.

The final prayers.

After the Liturgy, a few climbed up in the choir loft and rang the bell of the church.  They are posing with the string that is connected to the bell in the bell tower.