The long-declining St. Augustine Easter Parade was held today. -- attendance was up and for the first time in four years there was a marching band.
Organizers reasonably changed the day of the parade from Easter Sunday to Easter Saturday, after complaints from marchers, business owners and the families of police officers. The change happened after listening to people.
Several years ago, I learned that all 55 uniformed officers in SAPD were required to take at least four hours of their Easter Sunday to provide traffic direction and security. to the Easter Parade. This scheduling insensitivity long prevented officers from ever enjoying the holiday with their out-of-town families, no matter what their seniority.
I reported their concerns to then-Mayor Nancy Shaver and others, who shared them with event organizers. Event organizers happily changed the day. Problem solved.
But there's always a sorehead. In this case, apparently several soreheads, who reportedly complained about not having the Easter Parade on Easter Sunday.
These cavils come from a local family and juvenile court judge, Circuit Court Judge John Alexander, head of three local Knights of Columbus councils, which reportedly boycotted today's Easter Parade.
I find it offensive that K of C, led by a local judge, identifying himself as such, would obtain front-page publicity in the St. Augustine Record, bellyaching about giving SAPD officers Easter Sunday off to spend with their families, based on theological misinterpretations or misaanthropy. I find the Knights of Columbus groups' response to be bullying. The Kof C needs to apologize.
This is appalling. It reminds me of when Bishop Fulton J. Sheen said in response to anti-Catholic bigotry directed against JFK, expressed by Norman Vincent Peale, stating inter alia, "I find St. Paul appealing and Rev. Peale appalling."
Apparently, Judge John M. Alexander conflates or confuses his role as a judge with his role as a Catholic layman.
Former City Commissioner William L. Leary once explained to KKK members, "I was elected to make secular decisions," responding to racist homophobic preacher Doug Russo, who called Gays "Sodomites" and called for us to be put to death, quoting the Bible, at the December 10, 2012 City Commission meeting where sexual orientation was added as a protected class under our Fear Housing ordinance.
This is appalling. It reminds me of when Bishop Fulton J. Sheen said in response to anti-Catholic bigotry directed against JFK, expressed by Norman Vincent Peale, stating inter alia, "I find St. Paul appealing and Rev. Peale appalling."
Apparently, Judge John M. Alexander conflates or confuses his role as a judge with his role as a Catholic layman.
Former City Commissioner William L. Leary once explained to KKK members, "I was elected to make secular decisions," responding to racist homophobic preacher Doug Russo, who called Gays "Sodomites" and called for us to be put to death, quoting the Bible, at the December 10, 2012 City Commission meeting where sexual orientation was added as a protected class under our Fear Housing ordinance.
At least Judge Alexander is a Catholic, and not a Klansman.
But in the future, his Honor should not speak publicly for K of C using his judge title. See Canon 5 of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct:
But in the future, his Honor should not speak publicly for K of C using his judge title. See Canon 5 of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct:
From the St. Augustine Record:
A high-ranking official in a local Catholic organization said members will not walk in today’s St. Augustine Easter Parade because the event is not being held on Sunday.
Local family court Judge John Alexander leads a local assembly of the Knights of Columbus, which includes members from four local councils. At least some Knights of Columbus members recently decided not to participate in the parade after event officials announced the date change.
The parade will begin today at 9 a.m. at the Old Jail Museum at 167 San Marco Ave. It had previously been held in the afternoon and on Easter Sundays.
Alexander said the period from Good Friday to the following Sunday morning is a time of Christian mourning, and Sunday is the time to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
“You’re celebrating the risen Lord on the day He hasn’t risen,” he said.
The three Knights of Columbus groups that have opted out are the 4th Degree Bishop Verot Assembly, the 3rd Degree Fr. Rene Robert Council 11046 and the 3rd Degree St. Thomas More Council 7121, according to Alexander.
The groups issued a statement on the matter, which echoes Alexander’s concerns:
“The Easter Festival Committee decided to move the time honored Easter Parade from Easter Sunday to Holy Saturday morning, when Christians are mourning the death of our Savior Jesus Christ. The parade has been held on Easter Sunday for over 50 years. This move was unnecessary and unprecedented.”
Sandy Tilton, president of the St. Augustine Easter Week Festival, wrote in an email to The Record that logistical challenges with more people and traffic in the city were part of the reason behind decision.
“Change is hard and making the decision to move the parade to Saturday was not an easy one. ... We are looking to the future now and are excited that this change appears to be so positive. We have more entries this year than in previous years. For some of the entrants, it’s their first parade. Now that the parade is on Saturday, they are able to attend,” according to Tilton.
In 2018, the city began requiring parades to be held between 9 a.m. to noon on weekdays or Saturdays. But the resolution didn’t make a provision for Sundays because of the Easter parade, city spokesman Paul Williamson said. However, the city has encouraged the parade to move to Saturday.
Having it in the afternoon meant eliminating parking for patrons of local businesses on the parade route, Williamson said. He said police also have to work the event, which might mean spending time away from families on Easter if it’s on a Sunday.
About 45 entries will take part in this year’s parade, Parade Director Dave Chatterton said. Those entries include new additions, such as the St. Augustine High School marching band.
Joan Taylor, who helps with the St. Augustine Easter Week Festival, said that other parades have to operate on Saturday because of the city’s regulations.
“It’s only fair,” she said.
2 comments:
I agree Ed..small and petty of the K.C. however, one fair point in that I am not sure whether the reporter or the Judge was 1st to use the judicial title? Yes, it would be improper for the judge to use his title when issuing a private and religious statement. I'm not sure that's the case here though vs the reporter addressing the well known local judge as...a judge?
In anyevent, hooray the parade was moved to Saturday and geez ..aren't the religious folks supposed to be in church Easter Sunday and with their families vs a parade?
The parade was never supposed to be a biblical event - instead, it is a celebration of the spirit of Easter which in all fairness is correct to hold the day prior to Easter. There is nothing wrong with saying hey, its going to be a great day tomorrow, lets celebrate the great day now and tomorrow you all go to church, have a day off and spend time with your families.
Pretty darn scary that a judge has such a petty and small closed mind...wow! VOTE HIM OUT!!! ( just like nut case Roy Moore in AL)
Longtime Cathedral-Basilica priest Fr. Tom Willis reportedly advised the K. of C. that Easter Saturday is not a holy day of general obligation, but it boycotted anyway. Why? Can someone explain it to me?
As Bill Clinton said in his Second Inaugural, "Nothing great was ever accomplished by being small."
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