Parishioners came to the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 3 to worship God in the sacred liturgy at St. Bartholomew Church in Philadelphia. Father John LaRosa, pastor, also had the pleasure of giving holy Communion for the first time to four children of the parish. St. Bartholomew is located at 5600 Jackson Street in Northeast Philadelphia. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

Ronald Coach

Ronald Coach carries the processional cross.

Eduardo and Jean Mercato with their son's friend Chris Lennon and their twins JC and JP

Worshiping (from left) are Eduardo and Jean Mercato with their son’s friend Chris Lennon and their twins J.C. and J.P.

St Bart Choir

The St. Bartholomew Parish Choir leads the congregation in song.

Pastor John LaRosa with the PREP first communicants after mass

Father John LaRosa, pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, poses after Mass with the PREP children who made their first holy communion. 

Irene Aleszczyk

Irene Aleszczyk

Ann Hanger-Enders

Ann Hanger-Enders

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Teresa Carmichael

Teresa Carmichael

Makenzie Huggard attends mass with her mother Aimee Huggard

Makenzie Huggard attends Mass with her mother, Aimee Huggard.

Fr John LaRosa

Father John LaRosa

cantor Barbara Pippet

Cantor Barbara Pippet leads the congregation.

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Jerry Daski

Jerry Daski

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friends Ethan Walker and Stephen Zusin pray together

Friends Ethan Walker (left) and Stephen Zusin pray together.

lector Keith Monteiro

Lector Keith Monteiro proclaims a reading at Mass.

a family prays the WMoF prayer together

A family prays the World Meeting of Families prayer together before Mass.

Students from the PREP program serve as ushers

Students from the PREP program serve as ushers.

Fr John LaRosa

Father LaRosa consecrates the Eucharist.

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Roberteliane Seant receives communion for the first time from Fr John LaRosa

Roberteliane Seant receives Communion for the first time from Father LaRosa.

Fr John LaRosa gives communion to Robert Gallant for the first time

Father LaRosa gives Communion to Robert Gallant for the first time.

PREP first communicants Robert Gallant, Shawn Leach and Nicholas Baab

PREP first communicants (from left) Robert Gallant, Shawn Leach and Nicholas Baab.

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First communicant parents stand and pray for their children

The first communicants’ parents stand and pray for their children.