Coming Together: A step toward unity NATCHEZ — The monthly church open-house event known as Coming Together will be held at Assumption Catholic Church at 10 Morgantown Road in Natchez on Sunday, Jan. 13. The congregation is inviting interested persons and families in the Natchez community to join them in this interfaith activity from 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Coming Together, now in its third year, began in September 2005 at the initiative of the interfaith committee of St. Mary Basilica. Its purpose was/is to create opportunities for Natchez residents to become acquainted with the churches in their community.
The program consists of an assembly in the sanctuary for welcome and prayer, an overview of the denomination and the history of the local congregation, a guided tour of the facilities, and a time for fellowship and refreshments.
In its first year the program was hosted by downtown historic churches – First Presbyterian, Jefferson Street Methodist, Trinity Episcopal, AME Zion Chapel, Holy Family, St. Mary Basilica, St. John United Methodist, and The Jewish B’Nai Synagogue.
In its second year, the program was hosted by the following churches: Christian Hope Baptist, First Baptist, Rose Hill Baptist, First Evangelical Methodist, Beulah Baptist, First Assembly of God, and Parkway Baptist.
Since September 2007, the third year of the program, the Coming Together event has been hosted by Community Chapel, New Hope Missionary Baptist, Union Baptist, and Natchez Church of God. Grace United Methodist Church will host the program on Feb. 10.
The opening devotional Sunday, Jan. 13, will be led by Father David O’Connor, pastor of Assumption and St. Mary parishes, and the historic perspectives will be presented by Ferdie Passbach and Donnie Verucchi.
Assumption’s congregation had its beginning in 1904 with the arrival of a group of Italian settlers in Adams County. They were ministered to by pastors from St. Mary Cathedral.
Under the guidance of Father Patrick Hayden and Bishop John Gunn, the first Assumption Church was built in 1913. Priests from St. Mary continued to minister to the congregation, known as the “Italian colony,” until 1957 when their congregation became a full parish with its own pastor, Father Thomas Tuite.
The first frame church was replaced with the present brick building in 1960, and the parish hall (Tuite Hall), named after its first pastor, was built in 1989.
The Assumption congregation has had to face a new challenge in recent years because of decreasing numbers of priests. The congregation has had to adjust to the services of a part-time pastor.
But strong leadership by their elected pastoral council, the altar society, and working committees provides meaningful programs and activities for the congregation.
