Plymouth parish holds blessing for bikers

By Karen Champney

Pilot Correspondent

PLYMOUTH – It is after Mass on a warm, bright spring Sunday. The parishioners of St. Bonaventure have left in their cars for home, and the parking lot is empty, except for Father Bob Deehan, who was waiting to impart a blessing on some people who are active in local charities and help out the parish.

Suddenly, up came the roar of numerous motorcycle engines and soon the church parking lot was filled with over 125 motorcycles, many of them Harley-Davidsons. The riders looked as tough as nails. They all came to the parish to receive a blessing for safe keeping on their future rides; they all took the blessing seriously and desired to be blessed.

That was the scene May 4 in the parking lot as South Shore motorcycle enthusiasts, many of them members of the bike club “Manomet Mystery Riders,” attended the “Second Annual Blessing of the Motorcycles” at St. Bonaventure Parish in Plymouth.

A line of motorcyclists snakes into the distance as they wait to ride past St. Bonventure pastor Father Bob Deehan to be sprinkled with Holy Water as part of the parish’s “Second Annual Blessing of the Motorcycles,” May 4. Pilot photo  by Karen Champney

Manomet Mystery Riders vice president, Dean Laitinen, of St. Bonaventure helped spearhead the blessing with the input of other club members. “We contacted Father Bob and asked him if he would be interested in doing a blessing, like the one that is done in Gloucester for the fishermen.” said Laitinen.

Club member Tom Cole, a parishioner of St. Bonaventure, spoke of his desire to receive a blessing at the beginning of the motorcycle season. “This blessing is traditional for motorcyclists. We like to have ourselves blessed at the beginning of the riding season.” said Cole. “This is a reassurance that God is with us on our rides, every day, in this life.”

Cole has been an active participant at St. Bonaventure for eight years. “The Church is important to me and my family. My 10-year-old daughter, Shannon, rode on the back of my bike today, because she wanted to be blessed by Father Deehan. As a Catholic, that’s important.”

Dick and Joyce Tupper, members of St. Peter Parish in Plymouth, also attended the blessing. “To have my bike blessed is important,” said Dick. “To know that God is watching out for me and my wife makes us feel safe on the road. After the blessing, the bikes are driving to the Vietnam Veteran’s in Taunton to donate money collected by the bikers. It was a $5 donation to be blessed today and it goes to a good cause.”

Father Bob Deehan has been pastor at St. Bonaventure for the past six years. He was very happy to minister to the bikers. “I loved it… I loved watching the bikes in the parking lot. I felt from the riders a sense of a real deep appreciation for being blessed.” Father Deehan was impressed with the number of bikers who attended. “Last year it rained and we only had seven bikers. Today we have, at last count, over 125 bikes! I felt a sincere openness from the bikers to receive a blessing. Their faith was shining through on a beautiful day.”

During the blessing, Father Deehan prayed that God will give the riders a “prosperous journey and experience God’s goodness and be courteous to all.” He asked the Lord to remember all those riders affected in motorcycle accidents, that they would be healed.

Sister Jeremy Horgan, SJC, resides at the convent at the parish, and read a passage from St. Luke to the riders. “I enjoyed participating in this event,” said Sister Jeremy. “I’ve been at St. Bonaventure since 1980, and this is the second time Father Bob has done the motorcycle blessing.”

According to Sister Jeremy, the Manomet Mystery Riders work with her throughout the year on donating to Church charities. “At Christmas, this group of riders adopts a needy family from the parish and shops for Christmas gifts for the family. They return the gifts, all wrapped and ready for Christmas day. They also help out on Thanksgiving. The Manomet Mystery Riders are a good group of people… over the years I’ve gotten to know quite a few of them and I am impressed with their sense of helping others.”

After the readings, the bikers formed a line that stretched through the parking lot and roared past Father Deehan, one by one, as he sprinkled them with Holy Water. After the last rider had driven past, the parking lot was empty. The Manomet Mystery Riders were heading off to help those in need, with God looking over their shoulders on the road!

Copyright © 2004-2006 Archdiocese of Boston; all rights reserved