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Adoration brings parish unity in Falls Church

Connor Bergeron | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Hispanic and English-speaking parishioners walk in a joint Eucharist procession after Holy Thursday Mass.

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Parishioners from the Hispanic and English-speaking communities march together in a joint Eucharistic procession after Holy Thursday Mass.

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Fr. Patrick L. Posey, pastor of St. James Church in Falls Church, carries the Eucharist in a procession after Holy Thursday Mass guided by Hispanic parishioners April 13.

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Hispanic parishioners light the way for the Eucharistic procession after Holy Thursday Mass.

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Tiki torches, candles, flashlights and cellphones held by the
Hispanic community guided English-speaking parishioners of St. James Church in Falls
Church from Holy Thursday Mass to adoration April 13.

Holy Week puts a logistical strain on parishes, especially those serving
both English and Spanish-speaking communities. The Arlington Diocese offers
Mass in Spanish in 36 parishes. At St. James, Holy Thursday Mass is celebrated
in English in the church, and in Spanish in the school gym. For nearly a
decade, the two communities have joined for adoration following their Masses
without much interaction, but that’s changing.

Previously, the Hispanic community had waited in the church
parking lot until the English-speaking Mass concluded and the Eucharist was
brought to Heller Hall. 

According to Kelvin Saravia, administrative assistant of the
diocesan Spanish Apostolate and a parishioner of St. James, the Hispanic community
organized a path for the Eucharistic procession in 2013, under the direction
of Father José E. Hoyos, director of the Spanish Apostolate, who wanted to surprise Father Patrick L. Posey, pastor of St.
James.

When Father Posey and the parishioners exited the church to begin
the Eucharistic procession, they were greeted by Hispanic parishioners, who
stood in two lines to create an aisle for the parishioners to walk through. The
response was so positive that it became a tradition.

“Then the next time, we did it with the lights,” said Teresa
Matos, Hispanic coordinator at St. James.
In the second year, parishioners lit the path of the procession with candles, but
flashlights and cellphones are encouraged now. This year, Tiki torches were
included at the request of Father Posey.

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“It’s dark and all I see while carrying Our Lord in the procession
is one group of people, united for the sole purpose of welcoming Jesus into
their midst,” said Father Posey. 

Both Masses are packed each year with an estimated 1,000 in attendance.
Father Posey said he’s made it a priority to involve Hispanic parishioners in
the parish, and attendance and participation has grown.

“We get 20 new (registered parishioners) a month,” he said. “I’m noticing distinctly that our Hispanic community is joining for those
Masses. Now I’m seeing a mixture of the community during the weekday.”

Father Posey said the Hispanic community brings a “great joy of
life” to the parish. “With this hectic and fast-paced life, I love that the
community celebrates together,” he said. 

 

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