Posted May 27, 2020

The church continues to grow even in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite restrictions on public gatherings, St. John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford welcomed into the Catholic Church a new member, Eric Germiller, during a private Christian initiation ceremony and Mass May 23 led by the parish’s pastor, Father Edward Hallinan, and Deacon John Bowie. It was the first of three initiations at private Masses on consecutive Saturdays at the Delaware County church.

Germiller and his fiancée Lisa Limmina, who was also his RCIA sponsor, plan to marry at the church in June.

Also attending the Mass were three of the couple’s family members; Mary Claire Bowie, wife of Deacon Bowie who served as lector; and Mary Chollet, director of parish ministry and communications.

  • Father Edward Hallinan (right), assisted by Deacon John Bowie, prays during the Rite of Christian Initiation with catechumen Eric Germiller.

  • Attending the Mass and keeping social distance at St. John Chrysostom Church are Eric Germiller and his fiancee and sponsor Lisa Limmina (front row) and members of their family.

  • Eric Germiller receives holy Communion for the first time.

  • Posing for a photo after the ceremony are, from left, Deacon John Bowie, Eric Germiller, Lisa Limmina and Father Edward Hallinan.

  • In lieu of a handshake, Father Edward Hallinan congratulates Eric Germiller with a new sign of the times: an elbow bump.