i ! g Bishop Robert Clune (right) walked with the procession under a ceremonial awning, carrying a beautifully ornate cross. Bishop Clune was the Marion Year celebration's special guest. See story for details. The looks on these children's faces tells a story unto itself. These are the kids, who endured more than an hour of standing in one place, wearing long red gowns, trying not to fidget, while It was an important day for area Roman Catholics, and somehow, the weatherman managed to provide a few hours with no rain--just enough time for the open air celebration of Marion Year Devotions to take place. Although the rain poured down all morning, and later on in the after- noon, the skies were dry during the service, which started at approx- imately 3 p.m. in a field at Goreski Summer Resort on Scugog Island. More than two hundred Catholics showed up for the event, a celebra- tion of the Virgin Mary. The Pope had asked Catholics all around the world to mark the occasion, and host Church of the Immaculate Con- ception did just that. Two thousand people were ex- pected to attend, but the cold, incle- ment weather obviously vetoed the trip for travellers who live outside the range of Durham Region Catholic Churches. However, those who did attend were in fine spirit as they enjoyed a procession leading through the trailer park, a Living Rosary, and Homily and Benediction by Bishop Robert Clune. "I know the weather conspired against us this morning," the Bishop said in his opening remarks. He also commented on the Papal visit to Fort Simpson N.W.T., taking place on the same day. His main purpose, though, was to describe the importance of Mary to the Catholic Church. Calling her "our model of faith and virtue,' he detailed a capsule of history, in- cluding her name, Immaculate Conception. "So it is most appropriate that the Church of the Immaculate Concep- Volunteers It's a happy occasion when the child of a single parent family is matched with a Big Brother. Big Brother officials are all familiar with the example of a waiting for the procession of Marion Year festivities to begin, They were up to the task, however, and managed to carry the cross without a problem. A job well done! WITH YOUR FUNNYBONE. A SURE AUDIENCE PLEASER: Available in BETA & VHS 0 R © 68 WATER STR PORT PERRY 50 Sunday to Friday Saturday - 10 AM to 9 PM Also available at 76 Baldwin St.. Brooklin "WHOOP! MAKES OFF VERY, VERY FUNNY GUARANTEES LAUGHS, - GANNETT NEWS SERVICE, William Wolf 985-9888 Noon to 8 PM ¢ for outdoor service tion in Port Perry should host this celebration today," the Bishop said. The procession, he added, was symbol of man's history of pilgrimage, and of the journey through life to God. } Father Alfred Grima led the many spectators through prayers featuring the participation of many local people dressed up for the oc- casion in white gowns. A group of children, all dressed in red gowns, formed a large cross. Music was also an important part of the service, provided by a guitar player, a solo male vocalist, and the many voices of part of a Ukrainian congregation. needed 13-year old who was referred to Big Brothers by the Bronx Children's Court. He had been described as a bright, likeable, boy. He had never known his father, and spent most of this time alone--watching television while his mother worked. Because of a shortage of volunteers at the time, the boy was never matched with a Big Brother. Shortly after this, the agency lost contact with the boy when his mother moved. Ten years later, on November 22, 1963, people around the world learn- ed the boy's name: Lee Harvey Oswald--the gunman who shot and killed United States President John F. Kennedy. It can be tragic--for the child, the family, and society--when a child grows up without knowing the warmth and security of having an adult partner during an important time of life. September is Big Brother month in Canada, with 172 member agen- cies presenting special events to help attract adults to serve as friends to children from single- parent families. It is impossible to determine if matching the young Lee Harvey Oswald with a Big Brother might have changed the course of modern history, but agency officials and volunteers still wonder--as they ponder the future of thousands of youngsters on today's waiting list. More information about Big Brothers of Canada is available by calling the agency in your communi- ty, or the toll free-number 1-800-263-9133. the place for ... CHICKEN & RIBS featuring ... Salad Bar, Children's Menu 655-8911 £ 3 %