HAMLET— Police had an unplanned part in the Palm Sunday Mass at St. James Catholic Church thanks to an escaped equine.
Parishioners were at the church for a special service commemorating the story from Matthew 21:1-11 of Jesus Christ riding through the streets of Jerusalem a week prior to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.
Jerry Lindstrand, who has been a parishioner since 1991, said this was the first year the service included a donkey. He says he was inspired by seeing one at a church in Florida where he and his wife, Connie, attended a Palm Sunday service before setting sail on a cruise.
“Ever since, I’ve wanted to do the same for Saint James but didn’t know where to get the donkey,” Lindstrand said. “One of our Hispanic parishioners was able to arrange it for this weekend.”
Lindstrand explained that the St. James mass begins outside with a blessing of the palms and a Gospel reading, after which the entire congregation processes around the church singing the Hosanna hymn.
“It was during the singing that the donkey began braying as if he was singing along,” Lindstrand said. “It was pretty cool.”
Evidently the donkey was enjoying the singing a little too much, got excited, and broke free afterwards.
The Hamlet Police Department was called to the scene to capture the runaway donkey.
Officer Alec Rushing took the unusual call at 11:02 a.m., never expecting what he was about to hear.
“The call came out from a passerby and said a miniature donkey was on the loose near the Catholic church on Highway 74,” Rushing said. “I was very dumbfounded when it came out. I said, ‘Really? A donkey?’ It was a very interesting call for sure.”
Palm Sunday is extra special to many, and even donkeys want to be free to join in.
There is a first time for everything, and this is one Sunday that Saint James Catholic Church and the Hamlet Police Department won’t forget.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct a transposed Bible verse. 9:46 a.m. 3-25-24
