Last week, we had a party to celebrate the grand opening of our new studio on the North Side of Pittsburgh. It was a great time with many clients and friends. Father Michael, of St. Mary of the Mount was among our guests.
Father Mike told me about the celebration his church was having to unite the parishes from St. Mary, St. Justin and the Deaf community. It’s been my pleasure to photograph a number of weddings that he’s officiated, so I was very happy to be able to join them and photograph their Inaugural Mass.
Here are some of my favorite photos from the evening:
Bishop David Zubik was the lead celebrant of the mass. He led the priests and laity in prayer before the service:
The mass began with a processional of the precious objects from St. Justin parish:
Father Wally of St. Justin signs for members of the Deaf community. He’ll be staying on at St. Mary of the Mount:
Holy Water from both St. Mary and St. Justin parishes was co-mingled in a baptismal font to symbolize the joining of the parishes:
Bishop Zubik blessed the congregation with holy water from the font:
It was a long, emotional process to join the parishes. Bishop Zubik expressed his appreciation to both Father Mike and Father Wally:
I really enjoyed photographing the members of the Deaf community. They were so gracious and welcoming to me. An interpreter signed for a man who doesn’t see, so he gets his sign language through his sense of touch:
There was a lovely meal afterwards – along with some impromptu dancing!
