The first Mass at St. Anthony’s was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1911. The Parish has been celebrating its centennial since Christmas Eve 2011.
This weekend the centennial and the Feast of St. Anthony were celebrated with a Mass attended by many Religious Societies and local dignitaries.
La Banda played as they entered the Church for Mass.
The Grand Procession followed the Mass and we split into two bands because of the many people processing. We had one band leading the front and another band in back to follow the Saint.
It is the back band’s duty to ensure that a “Marcie Reale” is played facing any house that displays a statue or poster of St. Anthony.
We also played for a beautiful 95 year old parishioner sitting on her front porch smiling, waving, and thanking us.
Of course it’s always touching to play the “Marcia Reale” for the Tocco family. They are always at the same corner circling an empty chair – the poignant symbol of a departed Red Band member, Frank Tocco.
It rarely rains when the Saint comes out of the Church and this year was no exception. It was sunny and hot making for weary musicians who had just completed 3 gigs in hot weather over the past 30 hours.
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