Posted October 5, 2018

At one South Philadelphia church, a broken statue of the archangel Gabriel has become a parable in plaster, signaling healing for a church wounded by the ongoing clergy sexual abuse scandal.

St. Gabriel Parish, located in the city’s Grays Ferry section, celebrated its patronal feast with a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the archangels. A few months before the liturgy, a statue of St. Gabriel — once buried in the parish’s convent basement — was rediscovered by the pastor, Father Carl Braschoss, O. Praem., who arranged to have it repaired and installed in time for the parish’s feast day. (Read the full story here.)

More than 100 parishioners attended the Mass, where notes of thanksgiving for favors received were presented during the offertory rite. At a reception afterward, a number of parishioners expressed hope that the Catholic Church would emerge from the clerical abuse crisis with a deeper sense of mission and outreach. (Photos by Gina Christian)

  • A repaired statue of the archangel Gabriel welcomes visitors at St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia. Once discarded, the image became a parable in plaster at a Sept. 28 Mass, at which parishioners reflected on hope amidst the clerical abuse scandals. (Photo by Gina Christian)

  • A young member of St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia learns about the parish’s patron at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the archangels.

  • Rashidah Anderson kisses her son Aidan after a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the archangels at St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia. Anderson was inspired to join the church after witnessing her son’s passion for the Catholic faith.

  • A parishioner of St. Gabriel’s Parish in Philadelphia follows the example of the parish’s patron angel, announcing “good news” after a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the archangels. The liturgy, which marked the parish’s patronal feast, focused on discerning hope amidst the ongoing clerical abuse crisis.

  • Father Douglas McKay welcomes parishioners of St. Gabriel’s in Philadelphia at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass celebrating the feast of the archangels.

  • Sister Rose Marie Adams, I.H.M., joins parishioners in singing the opening hymn of a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the feast of the archangels at St. Gabriel’s Parish, Philadelphia.

  • Norbertine Father Carl Braschoss (center) and Sister Rose Marie Adams, I.H.M. (right), pose for pictures with parishioners after a Sept. 28 vigil Mass marking the feast of the archangels.

  • Members of St. Gabriel’s Parish choir chat with parishioners after a Sept. 28 vigil Mass in honor of the archangels. At the gathering, the Philadelphia parish celebrated signs of hope and renewal amidst the clerical sex abuse scandal.

  • Kathy Dearing, a member of St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia, greets attendees at a Sept. 28 Mass honoring the archangels. Dearing volunteers at Our House Ministries, a recovery outreach located adjacent to the parish that focuses on Catholic spirituality as a path to sobriety.

  • Father Carl Braschoss, O. Praem., pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia, gestures toward a statue of the archangel Gabriel at a Sept. 28 Mass. Once discarded in the convent basement, the statue was recently rediscovered by Father Braschoss and serves as a sign of welcome and hope at the church.

  • Parishioners at St. Gabriel’s in Philadelphia offer prayers for healing in the Catholic Church and in the city’s Grays Ferry neighborhood at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the archangels.

  • A woman meditates after Communion at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass celebrated at St. Gabriel’s Parish in Philadelphia.

  • A man reflects after Communion at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass celebrated at St. Gabriel’s Parish in Philadelphia. The liturgy honored the feast of the archangels, invoking their protection and guidance.

  • Norbertine Father Carl Braschoss, pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia, receives the offertory gifts at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass, assisted by Aidan Anderson-Frisario.

  • Young families joined longstanding parishioners of St. Gabriel’s in Philadelphia at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass marking the parish’s patronal feast.

  • Parishioners enjoy light refreshments after a Sept. 28 vigil Mass in honor of the archangels at St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia.

  • Children enjoy snacks after a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the feast of the archangels at St. Gabriel’s Parish in the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia.

  • Norbertine Father Carl Braschoss and Father Douglas McKay (right) prepare to celebrate a Sept. 28 Mass at St. Gabriel Church, Philadelphia, commemorating the feast of the archangels. The gathering encouraged attendees to discern signs of hope amidst the ongoing clerical abuse scandal and other challenges to faith.

  • Parishioners of St. Gabriel’s in the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia offered prayers of thanksgiving and petitions for spiritual renewal at a Sept. 28 vigil Mass honoring the archangels.

  • Rashidah Anderson, Roger Frisiano and their son, Aidan, relaxed at a reception following a Sept. 28 Mass at St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia. (Photo by Gina Christian)

  • Norbertine Father Carl Braschoss, left, pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Philadelphia, chats with parishioners after a Sept. 28 vigil Mass celebrating the feast of the archangels.