Posted March 13, 2014

St. Norbert Parish in Paoli held its evening Festival of Praise service March 7 and welcomed Archbishop Charles Chaput as a guest.

The roughly two-hour service begins with praise and worship music led by parish youth minister and pianist Mark Griswold, plus five to seven musicians and singers.
Begun as an outgrowth from Charismatic prayer group worship by the parish’s former pastor, Norbertine Father Dominic Rossi, the liturgy also includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a short homily, culminating with benediction.

Father Rossi led the adoration and benediction last Friday night, which welcomed about 200 people into a small chapel at St. Norbert’s. The service is celebrated on the first Friday of each month and normally draws about 100 to 150 people.

See the parish website for more information on St. Norbert’s activities. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Norbertine Father Dominic Rossi, the former pastor of St. Norbert’s who began the Festival of Praise, preaches a short homily as part of the program.

  • Worshipers didn’t need to know the lyrics to the songs, which were projected onto the chapel ceiling.

  • Norbertine Father Carl W. Braschoss, associate pastor of St. Norbert Parish, leads benediction.