27 April 2017

Catholic Chaplain's Ministry to Circus Workers on Final Tour

"The congregation, numbering about 50, gathered for their last Easter Mass together on the DCU Center's arena floor.

"The chaplain, Father George 'Jerry' Hogan, borrowed one of their colorful boxes to use as an altar. The altar cloths and his chasuble sported circus images. Costume designers had sewn pieces of old elephant blankets together to make his stole.

"The backdrop suggested the reason for such an unusual liturgical environment: The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus had come to town to offer shows on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

"But it isn't all 'fun and games' for performers and other circus workers, some of whom attended the Mass before the Easter shows. While 'they've always performed during Holy Week,' they are now going through the paschal mystery themselves, Father Hogan told The Catholic Free Press, newspaper of the Diocese of Worcester.

A recent Catholic News Service article carried by the Boston Pilot, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, profiled Father Hogan's ministry.

To access the article in the Boston Pilot, please visit:

Boston Pilot: Catholic chaplain accompanies anguished circus workers on final tour

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