Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Northwest Side Churches Mark Good Friday with Stations of the Cross

NORWOOD PARK — For nearly 25 years, Margaret Kardaras spent every Good Friday marking the Stations of the Cross by walking from church to church, reenacting Jesus Christ's final hours.

So when she died last year, her daughter Susan Kardaras Fink, knew that she would make the pilgrimage in her mother's honor.

"It's very spiritual," Kardaras Fink said, as the group of about two dozen people walked behind a simple wooden cross. "It is a way to really experience your faith."

Others said the ecumenical walk, which started at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and included stops at New Hope United Methodist Church, Norwood Park Lutheran Church, St. Alban's Episcopal's Church as well as Resurrection Hospital and two retirement homes.

"It is a way to build community," said Liz Okayama, a member of New Hope United Methodist Church who has been participating in the walk since 2000.

Christians believe Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, and is celebrated by Christians of all denominations. The Stations of the Cross prayerfully re-enacts Jesus’ passion, from his betrayal by Judas, condemnation by Pontius Pilate as well as his death and entombment.

Sponsored by the Norwood Park Ministerial Association, the walk has been held for nearly 30 years, although attendance has dwindled in recent years, said leader Bob Moldenhauer.

Sarah Agtarap and Dione Corsilles brought their 9-month-old son Jonah to the walk, keeping him occupied with snacks and toys while they prayed,

"This week is a very important to me and to our family, and we wanted to find a way to mark it," Corsilles said. 

Having just moved from Seattle to the Chicago area, Agtarap and Corsilles said they wanted to do more than just go to church to celebrate Good Friday, and thought the walk would give them a way to check out local churches.

"It's nice to be part of this," Agtarap said. "You can see people living their faith."