LARKSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local church is celebrating a big milestone.Saint John the Baptist Church in Larksville is marking more than 125 years of service since the parish was founded.
Parishioners, past and present, showed up for a mass on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary and honor the church's legacy.
"I wish this church very many, many years to come," Annette Fetchko of Larksville said. Fetchko is a lifetime parishioner of Saint John the Baptist Church. She's been involved with the church for more than 72 years.
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"My parents were very involved in Saint John's, for all the bazaars, functions, and everything else. We, as family members, always helped," Fetchko told 28/22 News.
Parishioners gathered in thanksgiving on Saturday as Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph Bambera celebrated the 125th anniversary of the church, a year after the milestone was reached.
"Bishop did a wonderful job. He gave us a lot of inspiration and a lot of advice to go forward," Fetchko said.
"The bishop is the shepherd of our diocese, and he's the shepherd of all of us, so to know that the head shepherd takes the time, I mean, a hundred and some parishes, and the diocese serves so many counties, that he took time out of his schedule to celebrate what we're celebrating. So, it's always great to have your head shepherd with you," Reverend Gerald Gurka, pastor of Saint John's, explained
The parish actually waited an extra year to celebrate, since Father Gurka was recovering from an illness last year.
"It's just like when there's a birthday, you don't want to celebrate without the birthday person, so that's how I take it, that we all cherish each other. I was humbled, and that's awesome that they did that because they didn't have to wait," Reverend Gurka commented.Both pastor and parishioners were grateful for this show of community at their mass.
"I am glad the Saint John parishioners came and helped celebrate this most special day," Fetchko said.
"I think that's what family's all about, and that's what a parish family is all about, that you want to be together, and I'm just so thankful for that," Reverend Gurka added.
