Above: Participants in the Witness Walk, held on Good Friday, April 3, started the walk in front of St. Ambrose Church in Endicott. Photos by Kathy Hamilton
By Connie McKinney
Contributing writer
Joyce and Chris Carlsen never miss the Witness Walk held on the streets of Endicott every
Good Friday.
“People will remember the significance of the Easter season,” Chris Carlsen said. “It’s a testament to our history of being a Christian and a follower of Jesus.”
The Carlsens were among approximately 20 people who participated in the Witness Walk held on April 3. This was the 30th anniversary of the event. Deacon Paul Heiland of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott led the Stations of the Cross. Those participating paused at various spots throughout the streets of downtown Endicott for the stations. They sang verses of “Were You There?” while walking from station to station.
“We’re showing people that we believe,” Heiland said.
Those participating in the Witness Walk pause for one of the stations.
The Witness Walk is held every Good Friday, rain, shine, or snow. Those participating this year made the walk under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60s.
Father James Cesta, a former pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Endicott, started the Witness Walk in 1996, said Kathy Hamilton, director of faith formation at Our Lady of Good Counsel and junior high youth minister at both Our Lady of Good Counsel and Our Lady of Sorrows in Vestal. Cesta now serves as pastor of St. Mary of Mount Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish in Utica.
“It’s especially important to be out on the streets so that everyone can see that Christ died for us,” Hamilton said.
Bob Cargill has attended the Witness Walk for at least 25 years. He always tries to make the event, he said.
“It’s the aspect of Christ dying for everyone — the poor, the oppressed,” he said. “This is just a very quiet but overt way of saying what today is all about. Easter Sunday means nothing without Good Friday.”
Some of those attending the Witness Walk have attended all 30 walks, including Joan Hanrahan. Now in her 90s, she can no longer walk the entire event but attends at the beginning and then returns to her car, where she follows along with the stations on her own.
“It’s the least we could do is take a walk,” said Hanrahan, a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel. “It’s just a big prayer.”
Joyce Carlsen agreed.
“It’s evangelizing,” she said. “People will sometimes blow their horns and wave.”
Participants took turns reading aloud at each station. The stations all had a theme of social justice.
The fifth station is about Simon helping Jesus carry his cross.
“God, our Creator, we all need help at times,” those attending prayed. “Like Simon, help us to reach out to Jesus in others.”
The sixth station is about Veronica wiping the face of Jesus.
“God, our Creator, help us to reach out to care for those who are tired, sick, or elderly. Like Veronica, we do this for Jesus,” those participating prayed.
Those participating ranged from small children riding in wagons or strollers pulled or pushed by their parents to senior citizens. Entire families made the walk, including the Hrehor family.
Eleanor, 5, and Gwenivere, 3, rode in a red wagon pulled by their father, Stephen Hrehor. Their mother, Bethenie Hrehor, walked alongside them next to the couple’s 6-year-old son, Theodore. He read aloud at one of the stations.
This was the second year the family participated in the Witness Walk, they said.
“We just want to be a model to our kids about doing something special on Good Friday, especially showing our faith to the community,” Bethenie Hrehor said. “Our faith is really important. Jesus made such a big sacrifice for us. It’s always worthwhile to make a sacrifice of our time.”
