Father Brian Dowd reads a prayer to 200 attendees outside Queen of Angels Church (source: Walt Storck, 2012)
Dec. 6, 2013 By Jon Storck
More than 200 Christians participated in a carol singing procession down Skillman Avenue on Wednesday night.
The event was organized by five local churches and was a celebration of St Nicholas Day, a saint best known for gift-giving.
The event starting at the grounds of Sunnyside Reformed Church (48th and Skillman) with the lighting of the church’s outdoor Christmas tree. Attendees then walked down Skillman Avenue—with many holding candles–toward Queen of Angels Church.
The participants during the procession sang traditional Christmas carols such as What Child Is This? and Away In A Manger. Two traditional Spanish carols were also sung.
The crowd extended for several blocks while the voice of Nicholle Bittlingmeyer, from the Queen of Angels choir, led the singing. The scene and atmosphere fit the very words of one carol: “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
Once at Queen of Angels, the story of the birth of Jesus was read. The participants gathered around a nativity creche that had been erected outside the church.
After singing and prayers were complete, St. Nicholas (better known as Santa) arrived, which came as no surprise since the festival is essentially a tribute to him.
Santa listened to each child’s Christmas wish list, while the adults drank hot chocolate and ate cookies.
The St. Nicholas Day event was the 3rd held by the five churches.
The event was sponsored by Father Brian Dowd of Queens of Angels Church, Pastor Neil Margetson of Sunnyside Reformed Church, Pastor Joshua Hollman of Christ Lutheran Church, Father Joseph Jerome of All Saints Church, and Pastor Jon Storck of Grace Fellowship Church.
