BOONE — The Knights of Columbus of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Council at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone recently hosted the traveling icon Mary Help of Persecuted Christians as part of the 18th edition of the Knights of Columbus Marian Prayer Program.
The icon, written by Fabrizio Diomedi and blessed by Pope Francis, depicts the Blessed Mother sheltering representatives of persecuted Christian communities in the world under her protection. The icon traveled among Knights of Columbus councils within North Carolina to promote personal and communal Marian prayer and especially to pray for the intercession of the Blessed Mother for the protection of Christians persecuted around the world. The icon also traveled to St. Aloysius Church in Hickory.
— Amber Mellon, correspondent
GASTONIA — More than 400 cars drove through St. Michael Church’s "Parade-a-Palms" April 5, stretching all the way down to Jackson Street from the church parking lot.
Each car received blessed palms and a St. Joseph Prayer Book created by TAN Books for the Year of St. Joseph.
Father Lucas Rossi, pastor, encouraged the faithful to wear red and bring items to be donated to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers from the parish and the Knights of Columbus collected the items from the trunks of parishioners’ cars as they drove up.
As the cars departed the parade, Father Rossi blessed each one.
The parish collected an abundance of food donations for people in need during the unique and fun Palm Sunday event.
The Palm Sunday event was preceded by a special livestreamed Mass by Father Rossi. The parish has begin livestreaming its Masses thanks to an "Angel Cam" recently installed inside the church.
— Photos provided by Reine Smirz and Patrick Sery
