Submitted Photo

Blessing of the grapes took place on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Silver Creek. Father Dan Fiebelkorn led a prayer of gratitude for the bountiful grape crop and for the safety of those who harvest the grapes. Grape growers of the parish brought in baskets of this year’s crop to be blessed. The daily Mass was in memory of William Sek, who grew up on the family’s Hanover grape farm and passed away last year. He was the son of Dan Sek and Winnie Peters of Silver Creek. Grape harvest in Chautauqua County is just beginning and the Silver Creek Festival of Grapes is taking place this weekend.