AUBURN - Visitors to Mary's garden Friday afternoon floated around bouquets like so many butterflies, moving from one burst of color and perfume to another at St. Mary's Church.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Jenna Nila, 7, of Auburn, looks at bouquets of flowers at St. Mary's Church in Auburn Friday.
Jenna Nila, 7, of Auburn, looks at bouquets of flowers at St. Mary's Church in Auburn Friday.
At 11 a.m. music attracted people to a Flower Festival to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, patron saint of St. Mary's Church, on the eve of the holy day of her assumption. People entering the church were struck by the orderly variety and beauty of the blooms. A number of nosegays perching on poles bordered the center aisle toward the altar.
Volunteer “floral designers” had attended parishioner Anne Marie Cosentino's workshop to replicate a design created with flowers and fern by Cosentino with professional results. Cosentino Florists also provided large baskets on pillars at the altar.
“All local area florists were invited to contribute hanging baskets for the eight pillars in the church,” Sally Corcoran, festival chairperson, said.
Greg Lawson, church custodian, painstakingly hung each one.
A Skaneateles florist as well as two from Seneca Falls supplied flowers, as well. From Clifton Springs, a florist married in the church brought a bouquet for the tabernacle, too, Corcoran said.
Corcoran said that she eventually had 60 helpers.
“What's really impressive is how many people can work together in a willing manner to make this presentation in God's house,” she said.
Last year there were 47 floral contributions and she estimated there are about 200 this year.
“It brought tears to my eyes when I walked in,” parishioner Peggy Pease said. “When I saw it, I knew how hard they worked, since February. I just love my church. We're a wonderful parish.”
The Rev. Frank Lioi, pastor of St. Mary's, said the idea came from his time in Europe.
“When I was at the American College, a seminary in Leuven, Belgium, the cathedral in Ghent had an annual begonia festival,” he said.
A cathedral in London also had a flower festival with two million blooms in 2005.
Once music was added to festival in Auburn, he said, it became almost essential to the event, as people come to listen and spend some time in quiet contemplation.
Clustered around the baptismal font, which flowed steadily, large potted plants of all varieties provided a perfect setting on Friday for “Vivos Trio,” the flute, cello, and violin trio playing Pachelbel's “Canon.” On a pedestal to their left stood a statue of Mary, surrounded by her garden, various bouquets made up of many of the 700 varieties of flowers, herbs and plants that have a Marian association.
A special feature of this year's festival was a memorial wall of flowers behind the altar. This evolved from parishioners' requests the year before, asking for a memorial to loved ones.
Many people came earlier,
during the morning service, said Sandy Lent, parishioner and committee member. A few ladies from the Boyle Senior Center even crossed the road and were waiting at 8 a.m. to buy something at the small gift shop located at the back of the church for the first time this year.
“We made $78 in 15 minutes,” she said.
Volunteer Joanne Romano stood ready to help customers pick out an angel pin, bookmark, card, or candleholder as well as a number of religious items. Volunteers took turns to take care of the shop.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
Volunteer “floral designers” had attended parishioner Anne Marie Cosentino's workshop to replicate a design created with flowers and fern by Cosentino with professional results. Cosentino Florists also provided large baskets on pillars at the altar.
“All local area florists were invited to contribute hanging baskets for the eight pillars in the church,” Sally Corcoran, festival chairperson, said.
Greg Lawson, church custodian, painstakingly hung each one.
A Skaneateles florist as well as two from Seneca Falls supplied flowers, as well. From Clifton Springs, a florist married in the church brought a bouquet for the tabernacle, too, Corcoran said.
Corcoran said that she eventually had 60 helpers.
“What's really impressive is how many people can work together in a willing manner to make this presentation in God's house,” she said.
Last year there were 47 floral contributions and she estimated there are about 200 this year.
“It brought tears to my eyes when I walked in,” parishioner Peggy Pease said. “When I saw it, I knew how hard they worked, since February. I just love my church. We're a wonderful parish.”
The Rev. Frank Lioi, pastor of St. Mary's, said the idea came from his time in Europe.
“When I was at the American College, a seminary in Leuven, Belgium, the cathedral in Ghent had an annual begonia festival,” he said.
A cathedral in London also had a flower festival with two million blooms in 2005.
Once music was added to festival in Auburn, he said, it became almost essential to the event, as people come to listen and spend some time in quiet contemplation.
Clustered around the baptismal font, which flowed steadily, large potted plants of all varieties provided a perfect setting on Friday for “Vivos Trio,” the flute, cello, and violin trio playing Pachelbel's “Canon.” On a pedestal to their left stood a statue of Mary, surrounded by her garden, various bouquets made up of many of the 700 varieties of flowers, herbs and plants that have a Marian association.
A special feature of this year's festival was a memorial wall of flowers behind the altar. This evolved from parishioners' requests the year before, asking for a memorial to loved ones.
Many people came earlier,
during the morning service, said Sandy Lent, parishioner and committee member. A few ladies from the Boyle Senior Center even crossed the road and were waiting at 8 a.m. to buy something at the small gift shop located at the back of the church for the first time this year.
“We made $78 in 15 minutes,” she said.
Volunteer Joanne Romano stood ready to help customers pick out an angel pin, bookmark, card, or candleholder as well as a number of religious items. Volunteers took turns to take care of the shop.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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