WESTFIELD - Typical Good Friday services are often solemn and held in a church while churchgoers go through the Stations of the Cross. The churches of Westfield gathered Friday in a not-so-typical fashion, outside in downtown, to go through the 14 different stations.
The Stations of the Cross were observed as cars passed by on Route 20 in the village. The churches of Westfield came together to present the Stations of the Cross through "The Way of the Cross." The service started at Moore Park in the village at noon with the first station. Each subsequent station was at a different stop throughout the village, either at a church or an intersection of streets.
The journey is supposed to resemble the journey that Jesus took while carrying the cross prior to his crucifixion, according to Matthew Golibersuch, pastor of United Methodist Church.
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Individuals gathered in downtown Westfield for “The Way of the Cross” Friday afternoon.
"It's a neat gathering," he said.
Approximately 50 people gathered and walked throughout downtown Westfield making stops at the First Presbyterian Church, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, St. Dominic's Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church and Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. Different individuals took turns carrying a cross between stations and reading. For each of the 14 stations, a prayer was offered.
The tradition in Westfield has been taking place for the past 15 years, according to Golibersuch. It has continued to give residents a chance to feel as if they were walking the journey along with Jesus while he carried the cross.
"It brings (residents) together," Golibersuch said.
Stops along the route, besides the churches, included the intersections of Elm and East Main streets; Union and East Main streets; East Main Street and McDonald's; Franklin and Clinton streets; Franklin and Washington streets; Washington and North Portage streets; and North Portage and Main streets.
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