Pocono News Section

Another Church Holds Final Mass

Another Church Holds Final Mass - Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 6:20PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 @ 06:20pm EST
KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY - A Kingston church community is coping with the loss of their 108-year-old house of worship.

Saint Mary's Annunciation Church on Zerbey Avenue held its final mass Sunday afternoon.
The parish raised its collective voice in praise one last time.
It was a packed house of worship for the closing mass.

"I feel bad. Why did this church have to close?, " said Mae Perles of Kingston, the church's oldest member.
She's belonged to St. Mary's Annunciation since the day she was born 98-years ago.
It's also where she married and saw her family grow in faith.
"All my children, 6 of them, were christened here."

Among them, Patricia Fetko, who experienced both joy and sorrow in this spiritual place.
"I was married here, my son was buried from here."
Saying goodbye to Saint Mary's annunciation is a struggle for her.
"Very hard," said Fetko as she fought back tears.

For one-time parishioner Paulette Pecukonis it's that same sad feeling down deep in her soul.
She was also a member of Saint Hedwig's Church in Kingston that closed 2-years ago.
"Sad, very sad. It's hard to get used to," said Pecukonis. "Hope it doesn't continue."

One by one, parishioners approached the altar to give a symbolic kiss farewell.
And for Mae Perles, one final milestone -- locking the church doors for good.
"It's a beautiful church and I've been here all my life and I worked at a lot of bingos. I've done everything here... cooked, made pierogies, everything," said Perles. "All that's gone now, for nothing."

Saint Mary's Annunciation parishioners walked about a half-mile after mass to Saint Ignatius Church.
They'll merge with that church's congregation under the Diocese of Scranton consolidation plan.