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SS.C.D. display takes visitors back to the beginning |
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Front Page -
Front Page Story
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Written by Tom Chapin
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Saturday, 21 November 2009 |
Fr. Justin Pino shows the display of past vestments worn by priests in the Roman Catholic Church. Black use to be worn for funerals and Good Friday. The past vestments are on display in the history room in the Wehrle room, which is part of the 125th anniversary celebration of SS.C.D. (Photo by Tom Chapin/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — As part of its 125th anniversary, parishioners at Ss. Cosmas & Damian Roman Catholic Church are enjoying a parish history display prepared by Fr. Justin P. Pino, parochial vicar.
"Not only can people look at the exhibits, but they can touch things and read them," Pino said. "They can hear and see video. The historic display is something that touches all of the senses.
"If I had something they could taste and smell, we'd do that, too," he added.
Pino has spent many hours on collecting parish photographs, church artifacts and donated items to place on display, which is located in the Wehrle Room, adjacent to the church.
"We have a mini-museum here in the Wehrle room," he said. "Eighty percent of the display we had in the church, a lot of people donated items and let us scan photographs."
Pino added that the church has more than 500 photographs in its computer.
"We still have all the originals, but in the digital age, it's good to have," he said.
Collecting and displaying historical material is nothing new for Pino. When the Diocese of Erie turned 150 in 2003, Pino served on the committee, creating its year-long archival display museum. And as a high school student, Pino was involved with revamping the Coalport Area Coal Museum.
"Every parish I've ever been assigned to, I've created a heritage room or some other kind of archival something," he said.
Pino said while the facade and appearance of the parish has changed in 125 years, what has remained constant is the great dedication and holiness of the people.
"If a horrible fire would rip through the building tomorrow, the church would still be here, because this is a very strong community," he said. "If we know where we've been, we can find out where we are going."
Pino said parishioners are enjoying the photos on display, especially if they find one of a relative, friend or themselves.
Also, there are many class photos dating back to the early 1900s from SS.C.D. School.
"I think in a historic display, it's nice to have the photograph with the actual item right next to it," Pino said, adding that the church also has several DVDs — compiled from old movie footage from the 1940s when the new church was actually constructed — documenting some of the events that have occurred over the years, including recent events.
Pino said Msgr. Joseph Turner, who served as pastor in the 1940s and led the parish in construction of the present church, enjoyed shooting movies.
"It's 1942 movie coverage in color," he said.
Other items include copies of the ledgers, where parishioners actually rented the pews in which they sat.
"In 1896, four dollars was the yearly bill to rent a pew in the church," Pino said. "Usually, you stayed in the same pew the entire time you belonged to the church. No one else ever sat in it."
Some of the artifacts also illustrate changes in the church, such as past vestments that are no longer worn by priests while celebrating Mass at SS.C.D.
"The black vestments would have been worn in the 1940s and 1950s," Pino said. "Good Friday and funerals, priests would have worn black. Now, we wear white. This is a style of vestment you don't see anymore."
Parishioners have donated all sorts of letters and photos for the 125th anniversary display.
"It has been said many times that ‘history repeats itself,'" Pino said. "If we know what happened in the past, then we can help to shape the future. Maybe in 25 years, someone else will be here, putting together another historic display of SS.C.D. artifacts."
Anyone who would have a photograph or artifact that could possibly used in the historic display should contact Pino at the church office.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 23 November 2009 )
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