Auburn church’s mission, flower festival honor Assumption of Mary

St. Mary Parish in Auburn has planned several events to mark the Aug. 15 feast of the Assumption of Mary, the parish’s patroness.

St. Mary’s annual parish mission will take place Aug. 13-15 at 7 p.m. at the church, located at 15 Clark St. in Auburn. Father John Quigley, OFM, will speak about “Life After Pentecost” and will look at the early church through the epistles of St. Paul.

Father Quigley also will celebrate the 9 a.m. Masses on Aug. 14 at St. Hyacinth Church, 61 Pulaski St., and Aug. 15 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 301 Clark St. His talk on the final day of the retreat will be the homily during a 7 p.m. Mass at St. Mary on Aug. 15. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano will celebrate the Mass, which will be sung in Gregorian chant. The church will be filled with white carnations, which will be blessed during the liturgy.

This year the white carnation is the featured flower of St. Mary’s Flower Festival, which the parish hosts each year in honor of the feast of the Assumption. The white carnation was chosen this year because of its association with Christ’s Incarnation and the current Year of the Eucharist in the Diocese of Rochester.

The carnations and other white flowers will be on display Aug. 12-20 in the church. To purchase a carnation in memory or in honor of a loved one, contact the parish at 315-252-9545.

The festivities in honor of Mary will conclude Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. with a living rosary and candlelight procession at the outdoor Marian grotto at St. Francis of Assisi Church.