RANGELEY — Lac-Megantic has been in the thoughts and prayers of many since the train derailment July 6 that killed dozens of residents and devastated the Quebec town, area clergy members said this week.
Five churches will hold an interfaith service at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Church of the Good Shepherd to pray for Lac-Megantic and to honor the first responders, said Jud Pealer, pastor of the Episcopal church.
Fire Chief Tim Pellerin and Steve Philbrick of the Rangeley Chamber of Commerce will share their thoughts and pastors will lead prayers, he said. There will also be music.
A reception will follow and there will be a chance for monetary donations to be made to the Lac-Megantic Relief Fund set up at Franklin Savings Bank and Camden National Bank to help the Quebec city.
Several Lac-Megantic officials were invited but declined because they are focused on recovery efforts and the more than 40 funerals for those who perished in the oil-train disaster.
Many people in the Rangeley area remember how Lac-Megantic used to look, Pealer said. The Canadian town is 65 miles from Rangeley.
“They’re stunned when they hear details of how it’s changed,” he said. “Part of the service will be a recognition of that and how vast the need is.”
Father Paul Plante said the service will be an expression of togetherness and concern for others. There’s the same kind of closeness that was felt when he met with the husband and family of lost Appalachian Trail hiker Geraldine Largay of Tennessee.
“It’s not just our little parish,” but vacationers and others who visit the Rangeley area, he said.
Father Plante is the pastor of St Lukes Roman Catholic Church in Rangeley, Our Lady of the Lakes in Oquossoc and St. Johns in Stratton, a parish that borders the Quebec parish.
Father Plante said he wrote to the priest and congregation of the Lac-Megantic area parish to tell them, “We are brothers and sisters … you haven’t been forgotten. We’re praying for you.”
abryant@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.