First pilgrimage between Steel City parishes recalls Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem
GARY – The Palm Sunday walk on April 10 from Ss. Monica and Luke to the Cathedral of the Holy Angels was calculated to be 1.3 miles, the same length of Jesus’ journey to his passion.
This comparative fact shared by Franciscan Father Michael Surufka, cathedral rector and Ss. Monica and Luke pastor, based on popular pilgrimages made from the Mount of Olives to the gates of Jerusalem, was not lost among the dozens of Gary faithful and visitors who walked a journey west along Seventh Avenue.
The pilgrims sang hymns and carried blessed palm leaves. Other symbolism was apparent to longtime Gary residents and the clergy and volunteers that helped coordinate the first such event.
“To see the sight of people walking was just a very holy experience,” said Charlotte Dorsey, a longtime parishioner of Ss. Monica and Luke and a graduate of the former St. Monica School and Andrean High School in Merrillville. “The events were very uplifting because I enjoyed the sharing between the two parishes.”
Dorsey, a senior citizen, drove behind the procession in her car.
Deacon Michael Cummings walked the journey, vested in a red and gold chasuble, after delivering a reading, which followed the blessing of palms by Bishop Robert J. McClory.
“It’s always important when the people of God come together and participate – it’s always a blessing,” said Deacon Cummings of Ss. Monica and Luke. “The collaboration is awesome.”
Deacon Martin Brown of the cathedral parish added, “When we go outside of the church the community can see what we do. We become visible; anytime we make God visible to people, that helps.”
Ss. Monica and Luke church was nearly filled but some of those in attendance were not able to walk and opted to drive in vehicles behind the phalanx of pilgrims. The group was led by private security guards and Gary Police Department officers, who helped stop motor traffic at intersections.
Interactions with the greater public along the route were characterized by friendly waves and “God bless you” greetings. A herd of small goats near the old Emerson School approached part of the walking contingent as a local urban farmer guided them across the street.
People in their 70s were among those walking with the younger set that was represented by several youths from Ss. Monica and Luke. The three Mosley brothers – Ryan, 11, Ronald, 13, and Matthew, 15, – sang, waved the symbolic red flags, and held a homemade sign showing the Steel City what church they belonged to.
“It’s a good experience, walking,” said Ronald Mosley, with his little brother Ryan Mosely adding, “We’re bringing up the religion of God.”
Bishop McClory and Deacon Cummings were joined by Father Surufka and Deacon Thomas Kubik of Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake, in the procession carrying large, braided palms, a Polish tradition.
In the ancient world, palm branches were often brought out to welcome kings; Romans honored victorious athletes or military conquerors by covering the ground with the foliage or waving the branches.
“And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!’ And Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple.” (Mark 11:8-11)
For others, the event that brought together Americans of African, Asian, European and Hispanic heritage, also showed solidarity among the seat of the diocese and other suburban parishes.
“There are different layers of witness involved here,” said Father Surufka, “One is the two congregations praying together during these holy days.
He continued, “Another layer of mission is to witness to this part of the city, which is kind of an abandoned place, but we still have people here … there are some nice homes and apartments, sometimes you have to walk slowly to see it.”
Many of the adults in the procession redirected the attention of some of the youngsters away from abandoned buildings, graffiti, and other evidence of the distressed urban core of the city and to the prayers and camaraderie of the group.
As the cathedral spire came into view over a line of homes and trees, the pilgrims turned into the south side of the cathedral grounds just past Tyler Street.
Bishop McClory, who appeared energized by the large turnout of Gary faithful and visitors, said in the walk between the Gary parishes, Jesus is praised and exalted on Palm Sunday. But he explained that the day is also called Passion Sunday because of the remembering of events leading to the Lord’s crucifixion, death, burial, and eventual resurrection.
His message to those anxious about personal matters or news headlines, pointed to the presence of Jesus in this most holy time of the year, where we see him clearly as “true God and true man.”
“When we look to God and say, ‘Where are you God? I’m hurting and I’m suffering, this is painful. I don’t understand it.’ Jesus is right there with us,” said Bishop McClory. “We exalt the cross of Christ because it reminds us of the humanity of Christ.”
Visitors from other parts of the Region talked about the “welcoming presence,” of the Palm Sunday walk and Mass.
“I think it’s a very cool public showing of how much our faith means to us, and we want to bring other people in. The best way to do that for strangers is to go out where they are,” said Scott Peters of Griffith.
Evelyn Martinez of LaPorte added, “For me personally, it was a time to set aside the rumors that you hear or the fear that you may have. Normally, people don’t say ‘we’re going to take a walk through Gary.’ It was a moment of treating people as who they are and showing your faith.”
Northwest Indiana Catholic