Sights & Sounds: Witnessing to hope in Kenilworth, New Jersey
Every year, the Parish of St. Theresa in Kenilworth, NJ hosts a public Stations of the Cross. The procession begins at the church and circles through downtown Kenilworth.
Father Giovanni Rizzo, the pastor of St. Theresa’s, told Jersey Catholic that he likes having public events like the parish’s Good Friday pilgrimage. “I think we need to bring Christianity into the streets,” he said. “There are many people who, even just by seeing us walking today, will have questions raised inside. We had many young people show up today, as well as older people. Young people who see other young people participating in the life of the Church will say to themselves, ‘They must find something there, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing this.’”
He also believes bearing public witness to the faith is especially important during the Jubilee Year, which bears the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“Hope is a fundamental virtue,” Father Giovanni said. “In a society that is losing hope in everything — in the possibility of keeping peace, the possibility to love each other — it’s very important that we make ourselves the bearers of the message of hope. The suffering of our society horrifies us, but if we contemplate these things with the eyes of Jesus Christ, who conquered death and opened up a way from death into life, then there is hope for all of us.”
You can watch a video of the parish’s public Stations of the Cross below:
Each week, Jersey Catholic features the rich and inspiring “Sights & Sounds” of the Archdiocese of Newark. Visit us regularly to explore our vibrant parishes, sacred artworks, historic landmarks, and the faithful men, women and youth who bring our Catholic community to life.
Featured image: The Parish of Saint Teresa goes on procession through the streets of Kenilworth, New Jersey in their annual public Stations of the Cross. (Photo by John Touhey, Archdiocese of Newark)
