So, I was recently asked to express what Corpus Christi parish means to me for a presentation to be given at the Lawrence History Center. I started writing some thoughts, and here is what I came up with.

Holy Rosary Church means “home” to me. As countless others in the Merrimack Valley, I was baptized in this beautiful place of worship. I was beyond blessed to have parents that started taking me to Mass at Holy Rosary at a very young age. Therefore, I received the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation at this beloved church. My husband and I were married there 48 years ago, and we continue to attend Mass there and volunteer whenever and wherever we are needed.

It’s more than a church to me; it represents years of strong faith, love, tradition and devotion. My grandfather was the sexton at the church many, many years ago. He took exceptional pride in caring for every aspect of the building and the school as well. His attention to detail was impeccable as he ensured that everything in the church and school was spotless. My grandmother cooked for all the priests, a minimum of five priests residing in the rectory. She and my grandfather lived a life of true faith, love and devotion to God, and they passed those values to my mom and me.

My parents taught me the meaning of faith and love and what it truly means to live in the light of Christ, all while attending Holy Rosary Church every week, every holy day, and every other parish occasion.

When the fire burned the rectory, people outside the parish community would say, “what a terrible thing to have happened”. My response is to look at the miracles of what happened that night. For example, if the fire happened later that night, I fear that Father Mawn would not have made it out alive.

Our beautiful church had no fire damage, thanks to the countless devoted firefighters who worked tirelessly to ensure our place of worship stayed safe from the flames. I truly believe the Holy Spirit descended that night and saved both Father Mawn and our parish.

That’s what faith does… it lifts you up from the flames.

I am blessed and humbled to be a part of such a devout and united community, and I feel privileged and honored to worship God in this beautiful parish. Whatever the future holds for our church, it will always remain in my heart and soul as my faith “home”.

Nothing can take that away.

Connie Pickles