Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Vigil at Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

A few portraits from an assignment at the beginning of the month.  Parishoners at Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini church in Scituate, Massachusetts have been on an around the clock vigil inside the church since the Archdiocese of Boston announced that they would be closing the parish seven years ago.  They stay in shifts, an hour here, a few hours there, and with at least two people sleeping in the church overnight.  For seven years.  The parishioners are afraid that if the Archdiocese close the church then it will be sold off to pay for settlements stemming from the priest abuse scandal.

It's not my first time covering the vigil but it is the only time that the light was in my favor.  Natural light, in the late fall and winter is hard to come by in New England.  But we have had a great streak of warm days and clear skies.  Thankfully this assignment was at 3:30 meaning the light was streaming through the incredible stained glass windows that adorn the church.  So I worked them and I think the results were pretty nice.

Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, stands for a photo inside the church nave on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, sits for a photo inside the church nave on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey

Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, sits for a photo inside the church nave on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey
Jon Rogers of Scituate, MA, parishioner and spokesperson for The Friends of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, stands for a photo outside the church on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Rogers and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure.  Photo by Matthew Healey
George P. Kelly of Scituate, MA, long time parishioner of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini church, sits for a photo in the vestibule of the church while sitting vigil on Thursday, December 1, 2011 in Scituate, Massachusetts.  Mister Kelly and his fellow parishioners have held an around the clock vigil inside the church since 2004 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced that St. Frances Cabrini was slated for closure. Photo by Matthew Healey