St. Maria Goretti Hosts Candlelight Vigil For Opioid Abuse

The Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative's St. Maria Goretti Church hosted an ecumenical prayer service and candlelight vigil Sunday for those affected by opioid and substance abuse.

As we face -- both individually and as a society -- the devastation of the opioid and substance abuse crisis, we see our communities, schools, government, and law enforcement struggle with prevention, treatment, and punishment options. Last Sunday evening, our Lynnfield, Peabody, and Wakefield faith community gathered to offer another component towards healing ... prayer.

Rev. Robert Bacon of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Dr. Laurence Heckscher of the New England Pastoral Institute, Rev. Glenn Mortimer of the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church, and Rev. Nancy Rottman of the Centre Congregational Church joined the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative's Fr. Paul Ritt and Deacon Tom O'Shea in leading this prayer service.

Three amazing speakers -- Emily Solomon, Brian Austin, and Pierce Aliberti -- shared their moving and painful stories, and gave witness to the healing power of God.

Those in attendance were asked to write down on an index card the name of someone who has known the struggles of addiction. These cards were dropped into a basket and incense was burned over them, offering up the pain and suffering, while the interfaith clergy extended healing hands.

With the large Paschal candle -- a symbol of Christ’s light dispelling darkness -- as the source, individual candles were lit, one person spreading the light to the next, until the darkened church was filled with flickering light. This represented the hope that individuals provide a chain reaction of healing and hope.

Jayson Cote, Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative's Director of Music, and Grace Ferri provided the music.

It was an evening of song and tears, light and darkness, stories and silence ... and hope.

Photos by Marie Lagman and Bethany Kilroy

Left to right: Reverend Nancy Rottman (Pastor, Centre Congregational Church in Lynnfield), Dr. Laurence Heckscher (New England Pastoral Institute), and Father Paul Ritt (Pastor, Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative) surround the Paschal Candle which represents the risen Christ, a symbol of light dispelling darkness; Candlelight spreading through the nave of St. Maria Goretti Church, symbolizing the hope for healing; (left to right) Steven Kent and Deans House of Recovery co-founder Pierce Aliberti.