Interview by Adam Van Brimmer
The following is an excerpt from a “Difference Makers” podcast interview with Bishop Stephen Parkes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Comments have been condensed in the interest of space.
Full episodes are available at SavannahNow.com/podcasts or through mobile device podcast apps by searching “Savannah Difference Makers”.
Question: You are one of two priests bishops actually in your family, as your brother leads the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Are we to assume that you grew up in a devout home?
Stephen Parkes: Growing up, faith was always important. That said, I ve often thought that we were not a particularly devotional family. We prayed before meals. We went to mass on Sunday. I had the opportunity to go to Catholic school from first grade through eighth grade. But otherwise, our family was into many different things, many different activities. Church was always important. Church was always a priority. And my parents
Area churches taking safety precautions for Ash Wednesday services The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in downtown Savannah will hold three Ash Wednesday Masses and will limit each mass to 300 people per service. (Source: WTOC) By Zach Logan | February 17, 2021 at 7:07 AM EST - Updated February 17 at 7:07 AM
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - February 17 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the first day of Lent.
For many Christians, it’s a holy day of prayer. Typically, many would attend special Ash Wednesday services, but the pandemic is causing churches to alter their plans.
For many people, Ash Wednesday means going to church to receive ashes on their forehead. But many may be wondering how churches plan to do this safely.