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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Carl Frank smiled as he looked out at attendees of the church he calls home.</p><p>Frank, who has attended St. Nicholas Church his entire life, said Good Friday services are much more than simply a ritual; they are an opportunity to focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus.</p><p>A local attorney and fifth-generation parishioner of the church, Frank said the day&#8217;s services were part of three important Catholic services during the week.</p><p>&#8220;First, Holy Thursday, in which we remember the Last Supper, Good Friday, when we remember the passion and death of our Lord,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And then, of course, Easter when we remember the resurrection.&#8221;</p><p>The Rev. Don Williams, who led the service, said the week isn&#8217;t simply about a series of rituals, but about becoming better disciples.</p><p>&#8220;The purpose of today is not to reenact, but to proclaim,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Williams encouraged attendees to acknowledge and embrace the cross, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace and bringing hope to a broken world.</p><p>As light flickered through ornate stained glass windows, the church, almost completely filled, seemed to become especially quiet as those gathered took a minute to focus on the spiritual meaning of the upcoming holiday.</p><p>Many participants said they would visit three churches during the holy day, a tradition they said hails back to their childhood.</p><p>Many young people attended the service, taking opportunity to spend time with their families in a prayerful setting.</p><p>Christa Franckiewicz, 19, a student at King&#8217;s College, was enjoying time with her family, extended family and friend.</p><p>Anna Macko, 19, a student at St. Francis University, was enjoying her break from school to remember the reason for Easter celebration.</p><p>&#8220;Sitting here in the church, remembering the death of Jesus, is a humbling experience,&#8221; she said.</p><p>As a wooden cross was carried to the front of the church by altar servers, the congregants became quiet, with Williams encouraging attendees to focus on the redemptive suffering of Jesus.</p><p>Before closing, he led parishioners in the Serenity Prayer, asking for the serenity to accept the things they cannot change, the courage to change the things they can and the wisdom to know the difference.</p><p>A Spanish Good Friday Service was also held at the church later in the day.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Area faithful attend Good Friday services, pray for wisdom and peace