Faithful hold rosary walk in Minersville

Oct. 24—MINERSVILLE — The faithful walked Sunday in downtown Minersville, praying the rosary while hoping to bring the world a little more comfort.

"This world needs the Blessed Mother," said Diane Sinkovich, of Minersville. "The world is a mess."

She said that fixing what is wrong with the world isn't easy but it is worth trying. She doesn't know what the answer, but believes that praying will help.

The Holy Family Parish, which is a combination of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Matthew the Evangelist churches in the borough, held the rosary walk.

This is the fourth time that the pastor of Holy Family Parish, the Rev. Jason Stokes, has led the annual procession in the borough. The walk is held on a Sunday in October near the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

The faithful believe that in 1917, Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to three children near Fatima, Portugal. She urged the world to repent but also gave a hopeful message. Among other things, she asked for prayers.

Before starting the procession, Stokes thanked all who came.

"It's good that we are here today to pray," he said.

At around 11:30 a.m., participants left the Holy Family Parish office, starting on Lewis Street, down to Fourth Street, then to Sunbury Street and back to the front of the office, which is on Sunbury.

At the front of the procession were two men carrying a sign from America Needs Fatima urging people to join in praying the rosary for America.

America Needs Fatima is a nationwide initiative that works to spread the message of Our Lady of Fatima, honoring the Catholic miracle of the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The walk in Minersville, in which about 45 people participated, ended at 11:57 a.m., but that didn't mean their work was done.

Stokes said the walk is important to bring attention to the parish, community and the world.

"There's so much negativity in society these days; it's a way to bring some positivity to it," he said of the walk.

John Mennig, of Auburn, was there with his daughter, Ava Mennig. He prayed for the expansion of faith and for good health, both physical and mental.

Teresa Miller, of Pottsville, attended because Mary asks them to pray the rosary.

"Prayers are so needed for our world," she said.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023