By Beth David, Editor
A total of 322 motorcycles participated in the annual Blessing of the Bikes by St. Joseph Church in Fairhaven on Sunday, 6/25/23. The bikers gathered at Fort Phoenix, rode past St. Joseph on Spring Street, then for a long ride through back roads, ending up at the Ice House in Fairhaven for food and music. In front of St. Joseph Church, Fr. Columban Crotty ret., SS.CC; and Fr. Jeremy Sabugo, ss.cc of St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven, blessed each bike, rider and passenger with holy water as they rode by.
The gathering at Fort Phoenix had a festive air as bikers waited for the parking lot to fill up.
Derek Pelletier, 30, was on his first Blessing of the Bikes, but definitely not his first bike run, and he was joining his father Steven, who has been to “lots” of blessings.
“To support a good cause,” said the younger Mr. Pelletier.
The elder Mr. Pelletier said he attended St. Joseph School.
He likes the organized rides, he said, because he sees old friends, and meet new people.
He likes “everything about it,” he said. “It’s all good.”
Kathy and Rich Souza ride together, and have been riding for “many years,” he said.
They joined the ride “to get blessed,” said Mr. Souza.
“To get blessed and help support the school,” added Ms. Souza. “And we run into a lot of old friends.”
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Click here to download the 6/29/23 issue: 06-29-23 Homecoming_NFIA
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