Church faithful continue vigil at St. Rita’s

Phillip Penna leads members of the Roman Catholic Faithful of North Bay, a group of former parishioners of St. Rita’s, Corpus Christie and Saint-Anges, throught a sunrise prayer service Sunday on the steps of St. Rita’s Church on Douglas Street.

Lining the steps of St. Rita’s Church on Douglas Street with lilies dedicated of members of the Roman Catholic Faithful of North Bay gathered to find solace in each other and mark the holiest day on the Catholic calendar.

The group, made up of former parishioners of St. Rita’s, Corpus Christie and Saint-Anges, held an Easter Sunday sunrise prayer service to once again demonstrate that they are steadfastness in the fight to have their beloved parishes (St. Rita’s and Corpus Christie) re-opened.

"We're here to clebrate the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and we're, we're wanting to do that here at St. Rita's," explains Spokesman for the group Phillip Penna.

"And we're looking forward to the day when the doors are open and we can do it here. So we're here out of an act of faith and love, but also an act of like we were here before an act of support for one and other."

"So on a day so important to us we felt it was important for us to gather. To be with each other even if just for a short period of time to give thanks to God for his grace and his great gift of his son and a new life that he has given us and so we want to share that together this morning that's why we're here.

"Again we are going through a very painful time, this has been difficult for us to have our churches closed and we've found comfort in each other.

When the three city churches closed in December of 2010, the former parishioners launched an appeal the closures of St. Rita’s and Corpus Christie to the Vatican claiming that church law in the closures of city churches was not followed.

Penna told the group the community support has been overwhelming and that they have raised enough funds to pay for the lawyer for St. Rita's case and well on the way to covering the cost of the lawyer for Corpus Christi's case.

He says the case is a first for Canada and as things move forward they have reason to hold out hope.

"We're doing very well."