AREA TOWNS – On Monday, June 22, Bishop John McDermott began a walking pilgrimage for Vocations, traversing across the state of Vermont on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. He was accompanied by Fr. Scott Gratton, the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Burlington. The two began in St. Johnsbury, at the eastern terminus of the trail, with the objective of concluding at the western terminus in Swanton, on Saturday, June 27. (In the Catholic church a vocation is a divine calling from God)
courtesy photo
Local parishioners of Mary Queen of All Saints, located in Hardwick, Greensboro and formerly Craftsbury, met with Bishop McDermott and joined him for a local stretch of his walking pilgrimage. The bishop attended holy hour at St. Norberts Church this past week on Tuesday at 6 p.m., also attending a 7 a.m. mass Wednesday, June 24.
Mary Jane Fradette, of East Hardwick, said there was a large group of people in the vestibule for the Mass at St. Norberts Church.
In speaking with the bishop, Fradette says, since he first left St. Johnsbury, he has seen a deer, a skunk, some moles, as well as the usual chipmunks and birds.
“He did say that when they went back up to the Depot, they would gather before they walked and say a prayer with the intentions for vocations. Yesterday he told me that they stop at every mile marker and wait for everyone walking to catch up, and they say a prayer again for vocations,” Fradette wrote.
“He also said yesterday that he’s hoping to do it again next year except for by bike and leave from Swanton ending in St. Johnsbury. He thanked everyone for coming out, but was anxious to get back on the trail.”
Bishop McDermott and Father Gratton intended on finishing their daily walks by 4 p.m., and will then close the day with a 6 p.m. Holy Hour (Adoration, Confession, and Benediction) at a nearby parish.
This pilgrimage walk is a personal endeavor of the bishop and Fr. Gratton to raise awareness for vocations, and the Diocese of Burlington did not provide any support services for other individuals who may choose to join them on the trail.
