TimesLeader.com

July 2
Reflections on a world traveler

Aleksandra Djordjevic Abington Journal Correspondent

CLARKS SUMMIT - Portugal may seem distant to many, but for some local residents, a statue of Our Lady of Fatima brings the country closer.

At New Seasons with the Our Lady of Fatima statue are, from left: Frances Slavinskas, Tom Geffert, George Sailus, Wilhelmina Geffert and Dorothy Frolich.

Abington Journal Photo/Aleksandra Djordjevic

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The New Seasons Assisted Living Center, 950 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, will host services with the statue through Saturday, July 5, for those who would like to offer prayers. The services will be held nightly from 7 to 8 p.m. in the meeting room of the center. Included in the services are a litany and rosary, and for Director George Sailus, it is, “One of those times where the hour flys by.”

The history of the statue is unique. Sailus said, “Our Lady appeared in Portugal to three kids, one of which is a saint, and two others who will be. Fatima became a religious location. Since 1917, she’s been going along. There was a priest in Pittston at the church of St. John the Baptist who was from Czechoslovakia, and when he came here, he knew a great deal about the statue. The statue goes from Williamsport to Hazleton up through the New York territory.” Sailus said the statue has traveled more than 300,000 miles.

The Our Lady of Fatima statue, according to Sailus, was appointed to the Diocese in 1955 by the then-current Bishop. In addition to this statue, he said there is an International Fatima statue, which is currently in New Jersey.

Sailus said, “The statue’s in a new home every week. Every week, she’s in the Scranton Catholic Light. She’s in marches. But for 22 years, she was at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, and she used to get 600 to 700 people to pray.”

Sailus said this is the second time the statue will be featured at New Seasons. He said past response from those at New Seasons was wonderful. He said, “We get all denominations, not just Catholics. The older people at New Seasons were thrilled–it’s kind of ecumenical.”

For more information about the Our Lady of Fatima statue or to learn more about the nightly services, contact New Seasons at 586-8080.