SS. Frances and Clare to present ‘Voices of Easter’ drama during Lent

By Mary Ann Wyand

Bring tissues in case you cry, and prepare yourself to experience the story of the Crucifixion in a personal way.

During Lent, SS. Francis and Clare parishioners in Greenwood are presenting a dramatic interpretation called “Voices of Easter” based on Christian author Woodrow Kroll’s “The Twelve Voices of Easter.”

The public is invited to the free Lenten reflection series, which begins with a two-hour retreat from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10. The series continues at 7 p.m. on Lenten Fridays—including Good Friday—and concludes each night with the Stations of the Cross at the church, located at 5901 Olive Branch Road just east of State Road 37.

Father Vincent Lampert, pastor of the Johnson County parish, asked adult faith formation team members to plan a spiritual reflection program before the traditional stations during Lent.

“People today have so many demands on their time,” he said. “Recent years have seen a steady decline in attendance at Stations of the Cross during the Lenten season. One of the goals that I have as pastor is to create a parish for the 21st century. This means looking at new and creative ways to help folks develop a stronger relationship with Christ.”

Father Lampert said he is “hopeful that incorporating the ‘Voices of Easter’ with the time-honored practice of the Stations of the Cross will enable the people … to view this Lenten season in a new light. It is wonderful that our adult faith formation team is taking the lead on this project, and incorporating parishioners of all ages and walks of life.”

Lianne Iacoli, a member of the faith formation team, said some presenters have cried during rehearsals and she believes the Holy Spirit is helping them with their dramatic ­interpretations.

Presentations scheduled for the Feb. 10 retreat are “Judas—Voice of Betrayal” by Chris Earnhart, “Peter—Voice of Denial” by music director Bill Hill, “Mary Magdalene—Voice of Adoration” by Lindsay Smith, “The Centurion—Voice of Affirmation” by Rick Ormes, “Joseph of Arimathea—Voice of Courage” by Dean Stecher and “Thomas—Voice of Doubt” by Jim Ladd.

Bill Geiger portrays “The Chief Priest, Abishua—Voice of Deception” on Feb. 15 and Dave Wolf plays the part of “Caiaphas—Voice of Condemnation” on Feb. 22. David Loesch shares the words of “Pilate—Voice of Evasion” on Feb. 29 and Ryan Myers is “The Thief—Voice of Faith” on March 7. John Kneebone presents “Cleopas—Voice of Assurance” on March 14 and Terry Iacoli represents “The Mob—Voice of Hatred” on Good Friday, March 21.

The Lenten series is a reverent and visual way of bringing the Stations of the Cross alive, Lianne Iacoli said, and people who have listened to or read the Gospel narratives of the Passion for years will experience Christ’s suffering and death in new ways.

“It’s very moving,” she said. “We’re praying and asking that the Holy Spirit will use these people to reach the hearts of every person sitting there and make it come alive to them.”

Earnhart has memorized his role as Judas and wears a noose around his neck, she said, while others inspire emotion even though they read from the script.

“There’s something about each one of the presenters that relates to us,” Iacoli said. “Once we add the music with the reflections then go into praying the Stations of the Cross, I think it will be very powerful. We’ve been praying rosaries for [the success of] this program. … Our most important guest is the Holy Spirit.”

Hill said Father Lampert will present a reflection during the Feb. 10 retreat, and there will be instrumental and vocal music each night of the series.

Preparing for his presentation as Peter “helped me reflect more on that journey that he took down the road of denial,” Hill said. “It’s given me a chance to really [think about] his role with Jesus.”

Faith formation team member Molly Gunther suggested that the parish present an adaptation of Kroll’s play.

“This is an account of the individuals that were in the presence of Jesus in his ministry and at his Passion,” Gunther said. “They are realizing what has happened, and this is their voices giving testimony of what they did or didn’t do, what they saw and how they felt at the time. We hope this will engage the audience into realizing that these voices are really themselves.”

(For more information about the “Voices of Easter” series or directions to SS. Francis and Clare Church in Greenwood, call the parish office at 317-859-4673.) †