Ceremonial locking of doors at St. Mark’s Church

Pittston Dispatch // News

July 5

At 10 o’clock last Sunday morning Father Michael Kirwin, Father Ed Masakowski, Msgr. Donald McAndrews and Father Paul McDonald led a prayer service at St. Mark’s Church, Inkerman, that marked the official end for the church. Kirwin is the pastor of St. Maria Goretti’s into which St. Mark’s was combined. Masakowski and McAndrews are former St. Mark’s pastors and McDonald is Provincial Superior of the Oblates of St. Joseph Order. The last mass at the 108-year-old parish was celebrated on January 3.

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Parishioners listen to the scripture readings presented during the prayer service at St. Mark’s Church which officially closed last Sunday.

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Rev. Michael Kirwin, Pastor of St. Maria Goretti Church.

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Following the prayer service last Sunday Peggy Gallagher, the parish’s oldest member who was 90 on June 16, ceremonially locked the church doors.

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St. Mark’s oldest parishioner Peggy Gallagher, 90, center, locks the doors to the church for the final time and hands over the keys to the Rev. Michael Kirwin, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Church in Laflin, as altar server Michael Conlon, 12, assists Very Rev. Paul McDonnell as he holds the Blessed Sacrament

Photos by Bill Tarutis