April 12, 2009 Lay-led Easter service at St. Frances Cabrini Play video

(NECN: Stephen Iandoli, Scituate, Mass.) - The sounds are similar to those heard in churches across the country this Easter Sunday. And it is a flock with a following. But, once again, there was no "official" leader of this Holy service.

The scene at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Scituate was like so many others in New England. Passionate parishioners worshiping on one of the highest holy days in the Catholic Church. The glaring difference: the absence of a priest.

The roughly 250 people packing Sunday's service are actually used to the scene. Since the Archdiocese of Boston closed this church, along with dozens of others in 2004, parishioners here have held vigil. So it is the fifth straight Easter a lay-led service has preceded the egg hunt.

Their request for Easter Mass denied year after year, The Friends of St. Frances Cabrini, with past and upcoming national media coverage of their situation, said this could be a sign of the future.

Jon Rogers said parishioners at St. Francis are willing and able to continue lay-led services as long as necessary.

NECN’s Stephen Iandoli reports.