Diocese of Erie, Pa., celebrates 150 years of faith

Published: 2003-10-24

ERIE, Pa. (CNS) -- Jim and Dawn Petro drove three-and-a-half hours from Hawk Run to Erie to help celebrate a birthday. It wasn't a grandchild's special day that brought them. The Petros came to St. Peter Cathedral Oct. 19 to help the Diocese of Erie celebrate 150 years of faith. "This brings our smaller faith community to the larger faith community," said Jim Petro, who, with his wife, is a member of St. Agnes Parish, Morrisdale, where they perform service ranging from being eucharistic ministers to teaching confirmation classes. "It's a privilege to be Catholic," said Dawn Petro as she stood in the back of the cathedral minutes before a Mass of thanksgiving, taking in the music, beautiful flowers and people from all over the 13-county diocese who, like her, had come to celebrate. "This is a celebration of faith and good works," declared Erie Bishop Donald W. Trautman, main celebrant and homilist, in his opening remarks. "We give thanks to almighty God for the Lord's presence in our midst all these years."

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