Day of prayer held in McKeesport

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Religious leaders from the McKeesport Area Ministerium encouraged city residents to participate in a “community day of prayer” Friday.

“This has been a difficult time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pending election, the quest for racial and social justice, for loss of employment and a general feeling of anxiousness in our nation,” Ministerium spokeswoman Gladys Hunt-Mason said. “We are asking you to join us to uplift these concerns together in prayer.”

The Rev. William B. Meekins Jr., Ray “Brother Ray” Beard and Auberle Spiritual Leader Boniface Igba were joined at Kennedy Park in downtown McKeesport Friday for a prayer service by Mayor Michael Cherepko, City Administrator Tom Maglicco, state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, and his wife Linda, state Senatorial District 45 manager Alison Piccolino, city financial officer Matt Gergely, mayor’s assistant Jennifer Vertullo and others. 

Hunt-Mason, who offered prayers and readings, attended the service via telephone.

The group prayed for those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19, those currently battling the virus and those who are financially hurting as a result of pandemic restrictions and shutdowns, voters who will be heading to the polls on Election Day, those currently hold or running for office and those who have felt the pain of racial injustice.

Beard offered a “prayer for racial justice.”

“It seems like after this past week, we’re needing to see that more than ever,” he said upon asking the crowd to pray for justice.

“Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes or behaviors,” Beard said during his prayer. “Open our ears to hear the cries of those who are wounded by racial discrimination. … Show us the courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven.”

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