Hogs and Holy Water
Motorcycles, chaps and bearded men clad in leather jackets aren’t the usual thing people think of when it comes to an Easter tradition, but its exactly what will be found April 3 in downtown Port Arthur at the 15th annual B.J. Stelly Memorial Bike Blessing.
More than 540 bikers descended upon the Seafarer Center, 401 Houston Ave., Port Arthur, last year to receive the annual blessing by Father Sinclair Oubre, pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Port Arthur, and director of the Apostleship of the Sea for the Diocese of Beaumont.
“We’re praying for great weather. Many people in the larger motorcycle community use the Bike Blessing as the beginning of their Easter observance,” Father Oubre said.
“It’s also an opportunity at the beginning of the motorcycle season to ask God to give protection to all of us who are getting back on our bikes,” he added.
Registration for the bike run will begin at 8 a.m. Registration fees are $20 for every rider and every passenger. A gumbo lunch is included with the registration fee.
Gumbo and live music will be available at the pavilion on the 500 block of Proctor Street throughout the day.
The bike blessing is sponsored by the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center, and all proceeds from the event will go to the center.
“The Seafarers’ Center is an outreach by the community to welcome the tens of thousands of merchant sailors who come to the community of Midcounty and Port Arthur every year,” Father Oubre said.
To register early, click here to download the registration form and mail to the Port Arthur International Seafarers Center, P.O. Box 1646, Port Arthur, TX 77641-1646. For more information, call Father Oubre at (409) 749-0171.
The Apostleship of the Sea of the Diocese of Beaumont is supported by the Catholic faithful of Southeast Texas through the Bishop’s Faith Appeal.
Click here to download flyer (pdf)
Click here to download registration (pdf)
