Emotions ran high Sunday in Lansford as the St. Katharine Drexel parish hosted its final Mass before consolidating with St. Joseph Parish in Summit Hill.

From the outset, it was clear the 10:30 a.m. celebration would be special.“We’re going to take our time,” Father Kenneth Medve said. “There is going to be more music, the homily is going to be a little longer. Let’s do this right.”In April, the Diocese of Allentown announced the consolidation of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Katharine Drexel parishes into St. Joseph Parish, Summit Hill.Our Lady of the Angels Academy in Lansford is also closed."It’s difficult," said Art Williams as he handed out bulletins before the Mass. "I used to attend St. Ann’s in Lansford and I’ve been here for the past eight years. You never like to see a church close, but I know understand how it is here in the Panther Valley."The church’s closing also weighs heavily on Mike Vigoda, who worked so hard to become "part of the family" at St. Katharine Drexel.Vigoda has now seen three of his churches close."I lead the league in that department," he said. "I’m not a sitter-downer. I like to be involved and when I first came here, they wouldn’t let me do anything. But I plugged away and plugged away and was accepted. Now, I’ll end my time here as an usher and passing out bulletins. I’m really sad today."Check back later for more on the final Mass.