Service set to close Sesquicentennial

A Closing Ritual at the Cathedral on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. will conclude 12 months of Sesquicentennial observances. Based on the outline of a vespers service, the event will reassemble many of the people who participated in the opening service, which was held in the same location one year earlier when the Sesquicentennial observance was inaugurated.

At that time, parish representatives lit candles from a common source to bring the light of the celebration back to their churches. On Dec. 7, they will return for shared prayer after 52 weeks of marking the anniversary.

The Diocese has celebrated the Sesquicentennial with a number of events during 1997, including a lecture on the history of American Catholicism, a youth rally, an exhibition of historic artifacts and photos, the publication of "Canals & Crossroads," and "How We Tell God's Story," (see ads on pages 4-5), a Sesquicentennial Mass, and Gathering '97.

In addition, groups of parishes held their own celebrations, ranging from special Masses and musical presentations to displays of historic memorabilia.

The Closing Ritual on Dec. 7 will formally end the Sesquicentennial year. Its focus, said Betsy Rowe, one of its planners, will be "discovering tomorrow" by sending forth the participants "to witness God's love and bring Christ's healing presence to the world."

The liturgy will include Psalms and others prayers of vespers, and a homily by Bishop Hubbard.

(All Catholics are welcome to attend the Closing Sesquicentennial Ritual. Tickets for non-reserved seating are available through parishes and at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany. For information, call 453-6678.)

(11-27-97) [[In-content Ad]]