Attendees carried a large wooden cross throughout downtown Marquette to draw attention to three important social service agencies and three worldwide issues, explained Bob Railey, priest at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

“It’s symbolic,” Railey said. “This is the day when Jesus carried his cross through part of Jerusalem.”

The first issue addressed during the Cross Walk was religious fractionation.

“The fact that there are not only so many denominations within Christianity, but so many disparate faiths throughout the world and in every community,” Railey said.

Bob Railey, priest at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Marquette, begins the Good Friday Community Cross Walk with a prayer this morning. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

Second was a pursuit for justice, which was symbolized by a stop at the Marquette County Courthouse.

The final issue addressed was the environment.

“That is symbolized by our last stop, which is the overlook to the Lower Harbor,” he said.

Other stops included Room at the Inn Warming Center to celebrate their ministry to the homeless, a stop at the Harbor House run by the Marquette Women’s Center to celebrate the ministry to domestic abuse survivors, and a new stop this year at Pathways Community Mental Health.

Pastors from the Messiah Lutheran Church, First Presbyterian Church and the Marquette United Methodist Church were all in attendance at the walk.

Good Friday is an important milestone for Christians, Railey said. The event is an opportunity for the multiple denominations of the faith “to show that at least we share these concerns with each other,” he added.