The confirmation class of Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville hosted the Friday-night Living Stations of the Cross during Lent as part of its annual retreat on March 1.
Students carried the candles and processional cross from station to station in the church as the Way of the Cross was narrated. Each of the 14 stations was depicted in a freeze-frame-type scene with costumes and props, while a brief narration was read. The lights were turned off between each station as the participants prayed the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, and Glory Be before turning on the lights for the next station. The concluding song was “Were You There” led by Ember Reid, and then the people attending were asked to leave in silence. Adults assisting were Bella Cruz, Chris Sontag, Bob Pelletier, and Susan Collins, director of religious education and youth ministry at Notre Dame.
Carrying the candles and processional cross were Tania Martinez, Jenifer Mendez, and Edward Cedillo. The narrators were Ember Reid and Anthony Vazquez. Andres Vazquez portrayed Jesus, Grady Constant was Pilate, Parker Wood was the Roman soldier, Anali Diaz was Mary, Kevin Moreno was Simon, Yamileth Reyes was Veronica, and the weeping women of Jerusalem were Kaylee Cedillo, Isabella Juarez, Wendy Mejia, Andrehina Moreno, Genesis Hernandez, and Emelin Valenzuela. The lights and props were by Anthony Gonzalez, Jonathan Hernandez, Leoncio Aguirre, Adline Porcho, and Cara Frost.
Students at the retreat attended daily Mass, made rosaries, prayed the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, created anagrams of their patron saints, and wrote a letter to Diocese of Knoxville apostolic administrator Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre. Teaching sessions included breaking down the subjects of Palm Sunday through Pentecost, baptism, the Eucharist and holy Mass, the sacrament of confirmation, and Catholic social teaching.
Meals were provided by the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women, and Hispanic ministry. The catechists for the students for the 2023-24 school year are Kristen and Russell Girton and Bob Pelletier. The sacrament of confirmation is scheduled for the 11 a.m. Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, celebrated by the pastor of Notre Dame Parish, Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS.
