NORTH ANDOVER — The Rev. Vartan Kassabian served at St. Gregory Armenian Church for only six years, but the late priest's legacy will live for a long time.
A monument was erected in the church's memorial garden patio and blessed by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan March 7. Kassabian's son Megerdich "Mgo," a stole-bearer, assisted in the service. Kassabian died March 12, 2009, at age 52.
More than 150 people attended the event, including a large group from Providence, R.I., where Kassabian was raised.
He was in the middle of a building campaign when he passed away. Jaffarian Hall was renovated with the installation of a new floor, windows and ceiling.
Phase two of the project included the renovation of the sanctuary, hallways, classrooms, office and downstairs rooms.
In addition to celebrating services and overseeing the renovation, Kassabian led holiday food drives for The House of Hope, a shelter in Lowell.
A new pastor has not yet been named at St. Gregory and services are celebrated by the Rev. Vazken Bekiarian.
Walk to raise money for Cor Unum
NORTH ANDOVER — Members of St. Michael Church will walk two miles April 25 to retrace the journey taken by priests from St. Patrick's Church in Lawrence who rode a horse and buggy to celebrate Mass in town.
The walk is part of St. Michael's 140th anniversary this year.
North Andover's first recorded Catholic Mass was celebrated in 1756 by Jesuit missionaries in the fields where the Cochichewick Brook and the Merrimack River unite. As the Catholic population grew through the 19th century when the industrial revolution flourished, faithful from North Andover would travel to Lowell and later to Lawrence to celebrate Mass.
Instead of Catholics going to Lawrence, priests from St. Patrick celebrated Mass in the Union Hall beginning in 1846. The group soon outgrew Union Hall and purchased land on Water Street for $800.
St. Michael Church was dedicated on Nov. 19, 1869. Three years later, St. Patrick Church was erected as a parish with St. Michael as its mission church.
For the next 28 years, priests from St. Patrick would travel each week to North Andover to celebrate Mass at St. Michael.
Participants of the commemorative walk on April 25 will raise money for Cor Unum Meal Center.
Religion listings
Ballard Vale United, 25 Clark Road, Andover: Women Lenten Study Sundays, until March 28. Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. with study from 9 to 10:15 a.m. The group will use the book "Food & Faith" by Wendy Whiteside. Cost, $7.
Christ Church, 25 Central St., Andover: Book discussion, "The Economy of Grace," by Kathryn Tanner, Fridays during Lent, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel, 17 Boutwell Road, Andover: Rabbi Edward Friedman leads several adult education courses: Talmud class, Sunday, 9:30 to 10:20; introduction to the prayer book, 10:30 to 11:20 a.m.
Faith Lutheran Church, 360 S. Main St., Andover: Annual Lenten suppers with members of St. Paul Episcopal of North Andover is Wednesday at 6 p.m. Worship follows at 7 p.m.
First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St., Methuen: Covenant classes for people who want to become members or want to learn more about the church, meets March 28, 5 to 6:30 p.m. New members will be received April 18.
First Congregational, 6 Church St. Kingston, N.H.: Learn the core biblical values of the Christian faith Sundays during Lent at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m.
Mary Queen of Peace, 200 Lawrence St., Salem, N.H.: Liturgy of the Word for children Sundays at the 10 a.m. Mass during Lent. Stations of the Cross and soup Wednesdays through Lent at noon.
New England Bible, 60 Chandler Road, Andover: Women's Bible study on the book of Revelation March 25, 10 a.m. to noon. They will watch and discuss the DVD series, "The Inheritance."
Redeemer Lutheran, 163 E. Haverhill St., Lawrence: Lynda Diamondis speaks on, "Conclusion 'About Face,' " Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Religious Society of Friends, Forest Street Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen: Quaker meeting is Sunday at 2 p.m. For information and directions call 978-397-6340 or visit www.lawrence-andover-quakers.org.
St. Anne, 26 Emerson Ave., Hampstead, N.H.: "Disciples in Mission," Scripture study and discussion using the upcoming Sundays gospel readings Tuesdays through March 30, 10 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. Registration, $6.
St. Augustine, 43 Essex St., Andover: Members of the religious education middle school grades and the Senior Ministry host stations of the cross for peace, March 26, 3 p.m. Soup is served afterward.
St. Augustine, of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 136 Ames St., Lawrence: "All I Have Done for You," a musical about Jesus' last days performed by teens, is March 27, 7 p.m. and April 2 at 11 a.m. Free.
St. Christopher Episcopal, 187 East Road, Hampstead, N.H.: Bible study on the Gospel of Luke is Sundays, following the 10:15 a.m. service.
St. John the Baptist, 110 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill: Morning prayer service with Deacon Tom Anthony, Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Anthony also leads exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by evening prayers on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
St. Joseph, 40 Main St., Salem, N.H.: Members of the choral ensemble sing while lectors read about the passion of Christ in "Lent, In Story and Song," March 26, 7 p.m.
St. Lucy, 254 Merrimack St., Methuen: Rachel Voiland leads a Lenten program on, "Our Lenten Journey Winds Down: It's Time to Rediscover God's Love for Us," on March 26, 6 p.m.
St. Luke United Methodist, 63 E. Broadway, Derry, N.H.: Grasp, the musical praise group from First United Methodist Church in Rochester, N.H., performs March 27, 6 p.m. St. Mark the Evangelist, 1 South Road, Londonderry, N.H.: Scripture studies on the psalms Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
St. Monica, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen: Renowned Catholic author Patrick Madrid leads a day-long workshop on apologetics, the theological defense of Catholic doctrines on March 27, 8 a.m. to 3p.m. Tickets are $20 this weekend or $30 thereafter. For tickets go to www.catholicquest.com or call Jan at 978-851-9885.
St. Theresa, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen: Cardinal Sean O'Malley celebrates Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of the parish's 10th anniversary, May 23, 11 a.m. Dinner dance follows at Michael's Function Hall in Haverhill.
South Church, 41 Central St., Andover: The Rev. John Zehring leads Lenten book study on "Discovering Jesus," on Tuesday, 7 p.m.
The Rev. William Waters leads an interfaith Lenten service is Wednesday at noon. Luncheon follows. The service is sponsored by Communities Together, who is collecting children's underwear, diapers and pull-ups to distribute to agencies working with needy families.
Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Creative Sabbath service written and led by members of the temple's senior youth group, March 26, 7 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal, 26 White St., Haverhill: The Rev. Jane Bearden discusses the 1979 Book of Common Prayer used in the Episcopal church Sunday, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. On the other Sundays, they use African Bible study method, a series of three readings by different people of the same passage, followed by a group reflection on the passage and a group discussion.
Unitarian Universalist, 6 Locke St., Andover: The Rev. Lara Hoke, pastor, along with Thea Shapiro, director of religious education, lead an orientation session for people interested in learning about the Unitarian Church and how the congregation works, March 28 after the 10:30 a.m. service.
West Parish, 129 Reservation Road, Andover: Merrimack Valley Woodwind Quintet performs chamber music Sunday, 3 p.m., with Linda True on flute, Ron Dann on clarinet, Jiffi Rainie on French horn, Brad Morse on bassoon and Roxann Nickerson on oboe. Joyce Painter Rice on the organ and piano. Donations accepted for the youth mission trip.
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