Sep 11, 2009 4 min read

For 20 years, this special devotion to the Blessed Mother has been a fixture in Uniontown. The tradition continues as the Altar-Rosary Society of St. George Maronite Catholic Church announces Sept. 20 as the date for the 20th annual Rosary Walk, a special event among Uniontown’s Catholic churches.

“To me, it’s a joy to see the same people coming. They’re still involved and looking forward to it,” said Pat Rodgers, who coordinates the walk with Dorothy Sanner.

The annual rosary walk began in 1990, when the Rev. Gregory Mansour, then pastor of St. George and now bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron, challenged the altar-rosary society to devise a special program to honor Mary, the Mother of God. Jack Morrison, a young seminarian from Connecticut who worked with the group, suggested the rosary walk, which makes use of the rosary, a string of beads that Catholics use as a devotion to Mary. A prayer is said for each bead.

During the rosary walk, each of the five decades of the rosary is said at a different Uniontown church. Participants can either walk to each of the downtown churches or drive.

This year, the walk begins at 2 p.m. in the Garden of Prayer of St. George Maronite Catholic Church, Lebanon Terrace, when the St. George Altar-Rosary Society will lead the first decade of the Glorious Mysteries. The Rev. Tony K. Akoury is pastor.

The second decade will be recited at St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, East Main Street, led by the Marian Club. The Rev. Thomas J. Wesdock is pastor.

The group will then proceed to the Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Pennsylvania Avenue, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, where the Christian Mothers will lead the third decade. The Rev. Michael J. Crookston is pastor.

The fourth decade will be recited at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church, Mill Street, with the Altar Society leading. Pastor is Monsignor Michael W. Matsusak.

The fifth decade will be led by the Rosary Altar Society at St. Mary Nativity Roman Catholic Church on North Mount Vernon Avenue. The Rev. Micah E. Kozoil is pastor.

The group will then proceed by private car to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church on Walnut Hill Road and conclude with a Litany to the Blessed Mother at the outdoor shrine. The Christian Mothers will lead these services. Benediction will follow in the sanctuary. The Rev. Alexander Pleban is pastor.

According to material provided by Sanner, the rosary walk started with different dates but has taken place on the third Sunday of September since 1992. In 1994, hand-made rosaries made by members of St. George Altar-Rosary Society were distributed. Handmade rosaries continue to be made available at each walk, donated by Marian Women. Rosary cards donated by the Timko Family of Somerville, N.J., are also distributed as are prayer cards donated by Haky Funeral Home.

The intention of the first walk, explained Sanner, was a thanksgiving and to petition for blessings on the city and all of Fayette County. The intention then shifted to honoring Mary.

Bernardine Yespak and Denise Horvath planned and implemented the first rosary walk, Sanner reported. Horvath remained for two years while Yespak remained for six.

Sanner and Rogers then became coordinators, with Sanner serving 17 years and Rogers 15 years. They began planning for this year’s walk in April. Announcements are sent in early spring to the six Catholic churches in the Uniontown area along with letters to their Christian Mothers or Altar-Rosary Society groups.

Rogers said, “Without the cooperation of all these churches, it couldn’t be done. The churches, altar-rosary societies and Christian Mothers – all these groups participate with us,” said Rogers.

City officials are also notified of the date and walking route.

Rogers noted the work of the police at the walk, “They’ve been most helpful. They stop traffic and move people back and forth. A lot of people are coming in cars but there are still a lot of walkers. We have quite a good cooperation from the city.”

A follow-up letter is sent in mid-summer to the churches, related groups and about 50 Catholic churches in the surrounding areas and others who request information.

About 300 people attend the walk annually, including some who have not missed any of the walks.

Sanner wrote, “Community participation is the primary element, which has made this rosary walk successful for the past 20 years and we look forward to many more years of success.”

Asked about the 20th anniversary, Rogers said, “It makes me proud of our church that we kept this going. When somebody comes and thanks us, even though I’m tired, I feel good about it.”