Posted March 13, 2019

Parishioners at the Chester County parish gathered Sunday, March 3 for Mass with their pastor, Father Gerald Carey. The Italian national parish welcomes faithful from all walks, and is located at 35 Old Eagle School Road, Strafford — learn more at OLAStrafford.org. During Lent this year, the church will display a life-size statue of the scourged Christ. It vividly depicts the wounds Jesus suffered during his passion and death on the cross and serves as a reflection on the saving mysteries leading to Easter. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Debbie, Alex, Dan and Eli McKetta pray the prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption before Mass.

  • Trish Taylor prays the rosary before Mass.

  • Maryann Lutz leads the congregation in praying the rosary, typically on the first Sunday of every month. At right, shrouded in a purple cloth, is the statue of the scourged Christ that will be displayed in the church throughout Lent.

  • Lector Cindy Irrerra-Mauriello

  • Marge Seedor and Sister Kathleen Fitzpatrick lead the youngsters during the children’s liturgy of the Word.

  • The parish community encourages the young children who will soon be making their first penance and receiving holy Communion.

  • Matt Flynn and his father Michael server as ushers for the Mass.

  • Altar servers Mary and Julia Sareen

  • Parishioners pray during Mass during Lent 2019 at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Strafford. (Sarah Webb)

  • Father Gerald Carey consecrates the Eucharist at Mass.

  • T.J. Geckle distributes holy Communion.

  • Matt Flynn hands out prayer books for Lent after Mass.

  • Father Gerald Carey offers a blessing to Luca Trupkovich after Mass.

  • Sophie Kunsch chats with Father Carey after Mass.

  • Information on the statue of the scourged Christ, displayed at Our Lady of the Assumption Church through Lent, is from the website passionofjesus.com