Thread: They walk for forgiveness

They walk for forgiveness
(http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article)

April 7, 2007

By RYAN PAGELOW rpagelow@scn1.com

WAUKEGAN -- Despite a biting wind that felt more like Christmas week than Easter week, more than 1,200 faithful walked three miles from Immaculate Conception Church to Holy Family Parish in a Good Friday re-enactment of the final hours of Jesus.

Dressed in winter coats, they walked for forgiveness, for tradition and to give thanks.

Carlos Sanchez of Waukegan walked with his six kids to thank God for his recovery from an accident installing a fireplace in February that left his right arm and torso with second- and third-degree burns.

"I brought the whole family to give thanks that God gave me a second chance and we're together again," Sanchez said.

He also said he brings his kids so they can continue the tradition of re-enacting the Stations of the Cross, which is common in Latin America where most of the spectators on Friday have roots.

Wearing a winter hat, scarf and gloves, Rev. Armando Ramirez of Holy Family said not even the cold would deter parishioners from coming out for the Passion of Christ. The day devoted to the Virgin of Guadalupe Day on Dec. 12 is the only religious holiday that rivals the number of people that come out for the Good Friday celebrations in Spanish each year.

"Whether raining or snowing, the people will still come out into the street to accompany us," Ramirez said. "Hispanic people identify with sacrifice."

This is the first time the community of the three churches Holy Family, Immaculate Conception and Queen of Peace have united to hold a Stations of the Cross procession in the streets of Waukegan. In previous years, re-enactments have been held in Belvidere Park and in the parking lot behind Holy Family.

Friday's procession, including more than 30 actors in costumes, started on West Street, went west on Julian Street, north on Ash Street, west on Porter Street, then south on the bicycle trail to Melrose Avenue heading west, south on Orchard Avenue, west on Dodge Avenue and south on Keller until finally arriving at Holy Family Parish.

Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus and the parish's youth group directed spectators where to walk.

An ambulance was called for someone who had a seizure along the way but otherwise the procession of 1,200 people was smooth, said Sgt. Anthony Joseph of the Waukegan Police Department.

"Besides the traffic congestion we didn't have any problems and we're happy with the outcome," Joseph said.

Maria Camacho, event coordinator, said people are already talking about planning next year and adding some English to the Spanish dialogue.

"I don't know if bilingual is the word. We'll have some parts in English and some in Spanish," she said.

Because the Biblical story of Jesus is so well known among the Catholic faithful, it's not necesary that they understand every word of dialogue, she said, and points to the popularity of Mel Gibson's movie "Passion of the Christ" which was in Aramaic with English subtitles.

Pushing a stroller, Ana Maria Vazquez of Waukegan, said she comes to the Stations of the Cross re-enactments every year.

"My mom always taught me to continue this tradition," Vazquez said. "So I'm teaching my kids."

Maria Camacho, event coordinator, said people are already talking about planning next year and adding some English to the Spanish dialogue.

"I don't know if bilingual is the word. We'll have some parts in English and some in Spanish," she said.


Well isn't that kind of them...I think I posted it here -on March 17th we had a Health Fair at a school and the ad said that there would be English translation available. Gee thanks.

Urgh. I was reading the News Sun this morning and saw this article. Seems the only news in Waukegan any more is about Hispanics. You know what really annoys me? Why do people have to single themselves out like this:

"Hispanic people identify with sacrifice."

And why does it seem that they are using Holy Week, the holiest of times for people of the Christian faith to further their political agenda? Got news for them. Hispanics are not the only people who identify with sacrifice. The rest of us just don't need to draw such attention to ourselves. Grrrrrrr.

I really do miss the old Waukegan. There was a guy on Waukegan's Town forum who said that Waukegan has a way of getting into your heart. I can really identify with that. It saddens me to see what it has become.

Welcome to ALIPAC Disillusioned.

Originally Posted by CCUSA

Welcome to ALIPAC Disillusioned.

Thank you.

Maybe it's because I saw a couple of different articles and saw the pics....but this whole scene bothered me. I'm surprised there hasn't been a public outcry over this display. I mean they complain about a plaque or a picture and these guys literally whipped the person playing the Jesus role as well as literally a crown of thorns and literally 3 men hung on crosses at a street corner. I don't know.....I'm Christian and I didn't like this.

http://www.waukegan.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6872

Our town's board had a long discussion about this event. Plus you can see two more pictures...

Welcome disillusioned! Another waukeganite.

You are on the town board eh?!

Originally Posted by fedupinwaukegan

http://www.waukegan.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6872

Our town's board had a long discussion about this event. Plus you can see two more pictures...

Welcome disillusioned! Another waukeganite.

You are on the town board eh?!

I am not a member of the town forum, at least not yet. I lived in Waukegan for many many years though, so I keep up on their news.

As for the "procession", I think it is yet another example of culture clash and why the rest of us feel threatened. I just attended a ceremony similar to the stations of the cross. It was contained within the church and we disturbed nobody else. The procession shown in those pictures was not contained in any church, and I think if I still lived in Waukegan and saw all those people marching down my street in front of my house I would have about flipped. Let's not even get going on whipping the guys on the crosses. Wasn't Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" rated X at first because of the graphic portrayal of Christ's execution? Why would we make such a display public? I don't know, because I did not see the movie. I felt it was too violent and I did not care to see it, which is my point. I had a choice. How much choice does someone have who happens to live on a street where those people were marching? Grrrrrr.

The language thing really gets under my skin too. I used to attend a church in Waukegan that, over the years, became almost exclusively Spanish speaking. People call Americans arrogant, but I really think that foreigners who come here and expect us to learn THEIR language, is pretty darned arrogant.

Why would we make such a display public?

That's what I don't get. I'm all for relegious freedom but this crossed the line to me. Blocking traffic and the whole nine yards. It just didn't sit well with me.

Why would we make such a display public?

Honestly, I think they are taking every possibility to gather and let us know that they are a force to be reckoned with. After all, this was a peaceful church gathering right? No one could accuse them of carrying banners and Mexican flags...just some nice honest decent Christians gathering in a large crowd.....

To get their point across. See us, Hear Us, We are not going anywhere!
A form of intimidation. And it worked from some of the posts I read there.