Submitted by Historic Old St. John’s Church
On the occasion of its 200th anniversary, Historic Old St. John’s Church in Utica recently received a Papal Blessing from Pope Francis.
The church will culminate its yearlong schedule of bicentennial events with a gala on Sunday, Nov. 4. The day will begin with a special Mass at 1 p.m. at St. John’s, concelebrated by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham and Pastor Buehler.
The Mass will be preceded by a procession of church and community groups including the Knights of Columbus. The music for the Mass, selected by Angela Bonomo Nassar, will feature the church choir and instrumentalists. Choirs representing the church’s refugee groups will also sing at the Mass. Many priests, nuns, and other religious who have served St. John’s in the past will attend.
The reception and dinner is set for 3 p.m. at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro. On display will be a 200-year time line of the church, the Papal Blessing, and a letter of congratulations from Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan. All are welcome to the Mass and dinner. Tickets for the dinner may be purchased for $25 at www.historicoldstjohnschurch.com. Tickets are also available through Oct. 28 after Masses at St. John’s: 4 p.m. on Saturdays; 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays.
