Posted July 21, 2016

St. John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford, Delaware County reflected and prayed on the theme of peace during the Community Mass for Peace celebrated Wednesday evening, July 20 with about 200 worshipers from the parish and surrounding communities, including both Catholics and non-Catholics.

Father John Hallinan, pastor of St. John’s, was the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass. He preached about the power of love and hope, and the need for non-violence in the community. He spoke about how the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in particular followed in Jesus’ footsteps by committing to peace even when the violence against him escalated and his supporters were urging him to fight back. “He never wavered,” Father Hallinan said.

The intercessory prayer petitions and selected scriptural readings for the Mass echoed the theme of peace, as did the sacred music ending with the recessional hymn, “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” (Photos by Ed Quinn)

  • Father John Hallinan, pastor of St. John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford, preaches the homily during the Community Mass for Peace celebrated July 20 at the parish church. (Ed Quinn)