The Peru Gazette

We couldn’t have had a more perfect day for the walk. The beautiful weather on Sunday, October 9th helped bring a great turnout for this year’s Annual Walk of Faith. Thank you to all the participants and volunteers for making this such a great day. (Click here for more photos) 

Here are some of the comments from walkers when asked “What did you like best about this year’s Walk of Faith?

“Walking with people of all faiths”
“God’s gift of good weather and the two charities”
“Meeting members of the Faith”
“The weather was pretty. I liked that I was walking with family”.
“The food”
“Sense of Community, beautiful weather”
“The People”
“meeting and talking with different people”
“The fact that participates walked together instead of some going well ahead of others”.
“The feeling of family’
“It was beautiful out the weather was wonderful and everyone was together”
“The opening and closing ceremonies”
“It wasn’t a race, just people walking as a faith group’.
“The Community Participation”.
“Enjoyed meeting old friends.”

There were two guest speakers at this year’s Walk of Faith. Joining us from the North Country Mission of Hope was Bonnie Black. Bonnie has traveled to Nicaragua 17 times and is President of the North Country Mission of Hope Organization and Terry Moore from The Peru Community Church’s Jamaica Project.

Our Walk of Faith Planning Committee includes members from St. Augustine’s Church, The Peru Community Church, Catholic Daughter’s of the Americas Court St. Monica 2598 and Knights of Columbus Council 7273.  The Walk of Faith has been a great way to get to know other parish and faith community members and  members of our local community.  The 2011 Walk of Faith Committee consists of Pete and Karen Glusko, Linda Manchester, Gary and Julie Liberty, Vicki and Ken Defayette, Lottie Gillen, Nancy Fagan, Jane Woods, and Fr. Alan Shnob.

It takes a lot of great people, organizations, area businesses and community members to come together for our event. We cannot thank everyone who helped make this event a huge success.

The first Walk of Faith was held on Oct 20, 2007 as part of the year long celebration of St. Augustine’s Parish 125th Anniversary year.  The walk was 7.2 miles and began at St. Patick’s Oratory on the Patent Road and finished at St. Augustine’s Parish in Peru, NY.  Last year, the Walk was shortened from 7.2 miles to 2.7 miles. Feedback from walkers suggested that we try a shorter route so our Walk of Faith Planning Committee decided to give it a try.  The shorter distance was welcoming to walkers again this year.

Here are some of the comments from walkers when asked “What did you like best about this year’s Walk of Faith?
“Walking with people of all faiths”
“God’s gift of good weather and the two charities”
“Meeting members of the Faith”
“The weather was pretty. I liked that I was walking with family”.
“The food”
“Sense of Community, beautiful weather”
“The People”
“meeting and talking with different people”
“The fact that participates walked together instead of some going well ahead of others”.
“The feeling of family’
“It was beautiful out the weather was wonderful and everyone was together”
“The opening and closing ceremonies”
“It wasn’t a race, just people walking as a faith group’.
“The Community Participation”.
“Enjoyed meeting old friends.”

In addition, Lots of participants on this question commented how they loved the weather and the great turnout.  Other participants loved the relaxed completion of the walk where they could enjoy company with other walks and refreshments.

Here are some of my opening remarks  from the opening ceremony/welcome:
“Jesus is the light, the truth, and the way. He died for us so that we may receive Eternal Life. When we walk by faith, it is in God’s grace…. In today’s world people are influenced by many things often living for wealth, honor, praise.  God does not want us to be influenced by these things. To live in our faith is to live simply. Today we will walk together with members of our Community to remember the faith of our Christian ancestors who walked before us. Celebrating faith many years ago was a great sacrifice. Many times to attend Services Christians had to walk great distances.

We are all on a different faith journey. We never know where our faith will bring us. Sometimes in our busy and chaotic lives, it it easy to forget our Faith. We often wonder how we will be at peace with ourselves. Today let us try to separate ourselves from this anxiety and trust in God whom has made all things possible and teaches to “Be Not Afraid”. Today’s event is dedicated to the members of our faith community who have walked before us, thoses who cannot be here today due to illness, as well as our friends in Jamaica and in Nicaragua.”
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The thank you below is NOT complete, but in case you need some of the information, here it is:

The 2011 Walk of Faith would not have been possible with out the help of our volunteers, the support of our community, and let’s not forget All of our Walkers!

I would like to especially Thank:
The Catholic Community of St. Augustine’s and St. Patrick’s and The Peru Community Church for coming together as a Faith Community and coordinating this wonderful event. In addition, I would like to especially thank:
Our 2011 Walk of Faith Planning Committee which includes members from The Catholic Community of St. Augustine’s/St. Patrick’s, The Peru Community Church, Knights of Columbus Council 7273, and Catholic Daughter’s of the Americas Court St. Monica 2598. The 2011 Walk of Faith Planning Committee Members are Pete and Karen Glusko, Linda Manchester, Gary and Julie Liberty, Vicki and Ken Defayette, Lottie Gillen, Nancy Fagan, Jane Woods, and Fr. Alan Shnob.

Our Guest Speakers: Bonnie Black (The North Country Mission of Hope) and Terry Moore ( The Jamaica Project).

John Ryan and The Peru Gazette for promoting and featuring information and articles on the Walk of Faith.

Len Jozwiak for his beautiful pictures.

Jeremiah Papineau and Denton Publications for featuring an article on the Walk this weekend in The Burgh.
The Press Republican for featuring our Event in the paper.

Carol La Porte and Plattsburgh State University Communication Department and Cable Channel 17 for promoting this event on our local television station.

Don McBrayer (DonYo) for promoting the event on our Parish website supplying our sound system and music for today’s event.

Roberta Evans for preparing our programs.

Adirondack Coffee Roasters for the Coffee.

Forrence Orchards for the Apples.

Frosty Springs Bottling Company for the Bottled Water.

The Town of Peru, Town of Peru Fire Chief Brian Westover for promoting our event on The Fire Station’s Community Board.

Amanda Connelly from The Peru Community Church and Peggy Banker from The Catholic Community of St. Augustine’s and St. Patrick’s for promoting the Walk of Faith in bulletins and on their Parish Website.

Grand Knight Pete Glusko and All The Members of Knights of Columbus Council 7273 for help in coordinating, sponsoring today’s event , providing refreshments, and volunteering.

Bob Patnode and Karla Downs for preparing and serving refreshments.

All The Members of the Catholic Daughter’s of Americas Court St. Monica 2598 for coordinating, sponsoring today’s event, and volunteering in various capacities.

For our Safety, I would like thank The Town of Peru Fire Chief Brian Westover and the Peru EMT”s who were here with us today.  In addition, our crossing guard, Norman Torrance and John  “Jack” Lawliss who ensured all walkers return safely.

Anne Torrance, Sue Ston, who helped wherever needed.  Thank you.

And I would like to also thank anyone that I may have missed.  There are so many people that help put together this event.  Without each one, this event would not be possible.

Until next year,

Christa Reyell
2011 Walk of Faith Chair