Homage was paid to St. Therese on Sunday during the 40th annual Shower of Roses Festival in New Columbus with about 10,000 people turning out.

At the outdoor service at St. Therese Shrine, Brother Stanislaus Reybitz of Bethlehem led the tribute to St. Therese, as rose petals were showered on worshippers from a helicopter.

Bishop Joseph McShea of the Allentown Catholic Diocese was the celebrant of a late morning Mass in the church to open the festival. Monsignor Agnello Angelini, pastor, and Monsignor David Thompson, vicar general of the diocese, were the celebrants of the benediction held at the grotto shrine adjacent to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, host of the annual event.