Area Catholics took their faith to the street Sunday.

More than 250 people from at least three congregations were joined by Bishop William Callahan of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for the fifth annual Eucharistic Procession.

The group walked two miles, from St. Peter Catholic Church, 2224 30th Ave., to Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4400 22nd Ave., singing and reciting prayers along the way.

Special prayers for the community were offered during stops at at the Moose Club, 3003 30th Ave.; Chase Bank, 2901 Washington Road; Washington Park, 1821 Washington Road.

“It is a way to bring our churches together to pray for the community to be protected,” said organizer Gerta Fleming, of St. Peter. “We are making people aware of our faith and our intention to pray for everyone — believers and non-believers.”

Fleming and Karen Kaiser, from Holy Rosary Catholic Church, organized the event, which has grown to include more churches over the years. This year, an invitation was made to St. Mark Catholic Church. Prayers were also recited in Spanish this year in recognition of the Hispanic participants from that church.

Fernando Rosales, who attends St. Mark, said the Hispanic community was pleased by the invitation and happy to walk in the procession.

“I am just so elated that this is bringing us all together,” Fleming said. “I grew up in Germany, and they always had these processions. As a child I was always so taken by this. I could never understand why they didn’t do this here.”

As part of the ceremonial walk, the Eucharist, or host which symbolizes Jesus Christ, is carried under a canopy in a special container called a monstrance.

Steve Kollman, who helped carry the canopy last year and joined the procession again this year, said he enjoys the event.

“I think it’s good to display our faith,” Kollman said. “It shows that we are willing to stand up and say what we believe in.”

Thereasa Lukaszewicz walked for the first time this year.

“It is important to have faith and practice your religion,” she said. “The Eucharist is very close to my heart. It is the source and summons of my faith.”

The procession ended with fellowship and refreshments at Holy Rosary. Fleming said it was the largest turnout since the inception of the event.