Living Stations of the Cross is meaningful experience for youth
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Chandler Nichols is not about to let a broken foot stop him from portraying Jesus when his parish youth group presents the Living Stations of the Cross tableau on Good Friday in St. Gabriel Church, Marlboro.
As a matter of fact, the way the 17-year-old Nichols sees it, the injury he endured while playing lacrosse, could serve as a pertinent prop to his role as he re-enacts Jesus’ agonizing journey to Calvary.
“I could easily do every station, but I have to be careful in how I position my foot,” Nichols said, noting that he is well on his way to recovery and fully expecting to be off crutches in time for the performance which begins at 8 p.m.
But the lingering discomfort that Nichols may continue to experience in his foot in weeks to come “is nothing at all like what Jesus experienced,” he said.
Nichols, who is now a senior in Marlboro High School and has been involved in the youth group since his freshman year, said participating in Living Stations of the Cross is his “most favorite part” youth group activity. While he has portrayed the a Roman soldier and Simon in past years, this year, he said, it is a privilege for him to portray Jesus.
Marie Masiello, youth minister in St. Gabriel Parish, said that the Living Stations of the Cross has been part of the parish’s Good Friday observance for 26 years.
Masiello commended this year’s cast, which includes some 28 high-school-aged young people, and their willingness to carry on what has become a treasured parish Good Friday tradition. She praised the young people for their commitment of time to attend two two-hour rehearsals each week during Lent and lending their talents in helping to coordinate props, assemble costumes and set up the stage in church where the performance is held.
“The kids take it very seriously,” said Masiello, noting that event always draws a large crowd. “They feel that journey of love with him every step of the way.”
St. Gabriel Parish is all but one of many parishes around the diocese which have their young people from youth groups or students in religious education programs participating in Living Stations of the Cross performances.
In St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, the Living Stations has been a tradition that spans close to 20 years, according to Kathy McBurnie, parish pastoral associate and youth minister.
McBurnie said this year there are 30 high-school aged youth group members who will participate either in the presentation itself or helping out behind-the-scenes with lighting, props and greeting parishioners as they enter into the church. The parish music ministry also assists in the presentation by providing organ and guitar music as well as a cantor. The Living Stations is directed by two adult advisors, Audrey Krastins and Mary Critelli.
Other parishes around the diocese to present Living Stations of the Cross i are:
March 30, 7:30 p.m., St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 31 Asbury Rd., Farmingdale. Each station will include a reflection given by a teenager’s point of view.
March 30, 7:30 p.m., St. Rose of Lima Parish 16 McClean St., Freehold. Contact [email protected]
March 30, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Parish, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River. Contact 732-349-0018, ext. 2204.
March 30, 7 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton. The presentation will take place in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3816 E. State Street Ext. Mercerville. Contact: [email protected].
March 30, 7 p.m., Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, 137 W. Upper Ferry Rd., West Trenton. Contact: [email protected]
March 30 and April 6, 7:30 p.m. St. Catharine Parish,108 Middleton Rd., Holmdel.
March 31 and April 1, 7:30 p.m., St. Mary Parish, 1 Phalanx Rd., Colts Neck. Contact 908-902-4250.
April 6 – Good Friday
St. David the King Parish, 1 New Village Rd., West Windsor, 7:30 p.m. Contact [email protected]
St. Gabriel Parish, 100 North Main Street, Marlboro, 8 p.m.
St. Mark Parish, 215 Crescent Parkway, Sea Girt, 7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish, 376 Maple Place, Keyport, 7:30 p.m.
St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold, 7 p.m. A “soup supper” will follow the presentation.
Nativity Parish, 180 Ridge Rd., Fair Haven, 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary Parish Youth Group, Barnegat. The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary of the Pines Church, Manahawkin. Contact 609-597-1071.
St. James Parish, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington, 7:30 p.m. A music program will precede the Stations beginning at 7:15. Contact 609-737-0122.
St. Theresa Parish, 450 Radio Rd., Little Egg Harbor, 8 p.m. This year, the Stations will be interpreted for the members of the parish community who are hearing impaired. A free-will offering will be collected for the Senior Scholarship Fund. Contact: [email protected]
St. Barnabas Parish, 33 Woodland Rd., Bayville, 8 p.m.
On Palm Sunday, April 1, the youth group in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, 42 West Main Street, Moorestown, will present The Seven Last Words of Christ at 7 p.m. Contact: [email protected]
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Chandler Nichols is not about to let a broken foot stop him from portraying Jesus when his parish youth group presents the Living Stations of the Cross tableau on Good Friday in St. Gabriel Church, Marlboro.
As a matter of fact, the way the 17-year-old Nichols sees it, the injury he endured while playing lacrosse, could serve as a pertinent prop to his role as he re-enacts Jesus’ agonizing journey to Calvary.
“I could easily do every station, but I have to be careful in how I position my foot,” Nichols said, noting that he is well on his way to recovery and fully expecting to be off crutches in time for the performance which begins at 8 p.m.
But the lingering discomfort that Nichols may continue to experience in his foot in weeks to come “is nothing at all like what Jesus experienced,” he said.
Nichols, who is now a senior in Marlboro High School and has been involved in the youth group since his freshman year, said participating in Living Stations of the Cross is his “most favorite part” youth group activity. While he has portrayed the a Roman soldier and Simon in past years, this year, he said, it is a privilege for him to portray Jesus.
Marie Masiello, youth minister in St. Gabriel Parish, said that the Living Stations of the Cross has been part of the parish’s Good Friday observance for 26 years.
Masiello commended this year’s cast, which includes some 28 high-school-aged young people, and their willingness to carry on what has become a treasured parish Good Friday tradition. She praised the young people for their commitment of time to attend two two-hour rehearsals each week during Lent and lending their talents in helping to coordinate props, assemble costumes and set up the stage in church where the performance is held.
“The kids take it very seriously,” said Masiello, noting that event always draws a large crowd. “They feel that journey of love with him every step of the way.”
St. Gabriel Parish is all but one of many parishes around the diocese which have their young people from youth groups or students in religious education programs participating in Living Stations of the Cross performances.
In St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, the Living Stations has been a tradition that spans close to 20 years, according to Kathy McBurnie, parish pastoral associate and youth minister.
McBurnie said this year there are 30 high-school aged youth group members who will participate either in the presentation itself or helping out behind-the-scenes with lighting, props and greeting parishioners as they enter into the church. The parish music ministry also assists in the presentation by providing organ and guitar music as well as a cantor. The Living Stations is directed by two adult advisors, Audrey Krastins and Mary Critelli.
Other parishes around the diocese to present Living Stations of the Cross i are:
March 30, 7:30 p.m., St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 31 Asbury Rd., Farmingdale. Each station will include a reflection given by a teenager’s point of view.
March 30, 7:30 p.m., St. Rose of Lima Parish 16 McClean St., Freehold. Contact [email protected]
March 30, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Parish, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River. Contact 732-349-0018, ext. 2204.
March 30, 7 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton. The presentation will take place in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3816 E. State Street Ext. Mercerville. Contact: [email protected].
March 30, 7 p.m., Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, 137 W. Upper Ferry Rd., West Trenton. Contact: [email protected]
March 30 and April 6, 7:30 p.m. St. Catharine Parish,108 Middleton Rd., Holmdel.
March 31 and April 1, 7:30 p.m., St. Mary Parish, 1 Phalanx Rd., Colts Neck. Contact 908-902-4250.
April 6 – Good Friday
St. David the King Parish, 1 New Village Rd., West Windsor, 7:30 p.m. Contact [email protected]
St. Gabriel Parish, 100 North Main Street, Marlboro, 8 p.m.
St. Mark Parish, 215 Crescent Parkway, Sea Girt, 7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish, 376 Maple Place, Keyport, 7:30 p.m.
St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold, 7 p.m. A “soup supper” will follow the presentation.
Nativity Parish, 180 Ridge Rd., Fair Haven, 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary Parish Youth Group, Barnegat. The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary of the Pines Church, Manahawkin. Contact 609-597-1071.
St. James Parish, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington, 7:30 p.m. A music program will precede the Stations beginning at 7:15. Contact 609-737-0122.
St. Theresa Parish, 450 Radio Rd., Little Egg Harbor, 8 p.m. This year, the Stations will be interpreted for the members of the parish community who are hearing impaired. A free-will offering will be collected for the Senior Scholarship Fund. Contact: [email protected]
St. Barnabas Parish, 33 Woodland Rd., Bayville, 8 p.m.
On Palm Sunday, April 1, the youth group in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, 42 West Main Street, Moorestown, will present The Seven Last Words of Christ at 7 p.m. Contact: [email protected]
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