The focus of this column is to report the many good things happening today in our local parishes. We are so fortunate here in Auburn to have so many great people of various walks of faith. It makes me proud to be part of such a giving and caring community. I hope to highlight the many ways in which we celebrate our parish life, our love of God and each other, and how we reach out to help each other. It is also my hope that in some small way through this column, we can welcome anyone who has been away from their faith and wishes to come back. So many times, we long for the peace and safety of God's loving arms, yet the road back may seem difficult or confusing. It is simple. We all know that each of us have troubles and we all make mistakes. God loves us all so very much and is just waiting to welcome us all into his loving embrace. If I can help anyone find their way back home, please call or e-mail and I will be happy to help.
I have contacted each of our local church leaders and asked if they could assign someone to regularly send me your parish news. If I have missed anyone, please forgive me, and please be sure to contact me with your news.
Wednesday, June 8, the Holy Family Parish Life group gathered in front of the church for flower planting. Special thanks go to Sue Buehler, Dolores Manzone, Sue Marullo, and Al and Josie Nicolella for their contributions. Please enjoy the beautiful flowers when you drive by or visit the church.
Saturday, June 11, I was privileged to help out at the SS. Peter and John Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen on Genesee Street (next to the post office). Holy Family Church sent a group from their Social Ministry Committee to help out. Any parish or group may sponsor a Saturday by donating $25 (they sure can make $25 go a long way) and five workers. The Catholic Daughters of Auburn does this once a month.
What a wonderful experience this was. I went there assuming that we would just be serving soup and sandwiches. Wow, was I surprised. I witnessed faith in action as many dedicated, caring volunteers prepared a lovely luncheon buffet for those less fortunate. There was fresh fruit salad, romaine lettuce salad, homemade chicken soup, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, ham salad sandwiches, barbecued turkey sandwiches (similar to pulled pork) and countless desserts of cakes, pies, donuts, bagels, along with coffee and juices.
Often in the summer months, they will barbecue hamburgers and hotdogs. Mary Anne, the very kindhearted woman in charge, explained how she buys turkeys when they are on sale for 19 cents per pound and freezes them for later use.
Also deviled eggs and macaroni salad are inexpensive but popular. She rounds up baked goods and desserts generously donated by Wegmans and P&C, and homemade soups donated by local restaurants such as the Holiday Inn and Balloon's, to name a few. They serve an average of 80 people each week. I saw great tenderness as the workers coaxed children to take the sweet fresh fruit salad, because it is a food they are not used to having. And the kindness of the gentleman who called them by name and gave them freeze pops before they left on such a warm day. They are a fantastic group of people who made everyone feel right at home; especially Leon, who liked to tease "the rookies." I hope to have more information about this wonderful social ministry project later in the summer. Hat's off to SS. Peter and John parish. When we each do a little bit, wonderful things can happen.
Monday, June 13, Holy Family held its annual volunteers picnic in the gym. Rev. Jim Burke hosts this event every summer to say thank you to the many volunteers.
He is in charge of the barbecuing and always does a wonderful job, despite all of our joking with him. In attendance were volunteers from all aspects of parish life: ushers, lectors, Eucharist ministers, Clothes Closet and Catholic Shop workers, weekly collection volunteers, CYO workers and all committee members such as the Parish Council, finance, Parish Life/Social Ministry, and buildings and grounds. A wonderful time was had by all. Special thanks go out to Father Jim and to Margaret Lepak, our parish administrative assistant, for such a nice treat.
On the weekend of June 18 and 19, Holy Family parish collected bags of groceries to donate to the Cayuga/Seneca County Action agency. We do this approximately five times per year and Karen Dellonte of the CSCAA is always so very appreciative of the variety of foods we help provide to those who need them. Often it is the poor working families who need this extra help, because they are not eligible for any other assistance programs. God bless you Holy Family for your kindness.
God loves you. Send me your good news.
"Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same loving God who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She enjoys participating in parish life and social ministry work.
Wednesday, June 8, the Holy Family Parish Life group gathered in front of the church for flower planting. Special thanks go to Sue Buehler, Dolores Manzone, Sue Marullo, and Al and Josie Nicolella for their contributions. Please enjoy the beautiful flowers when you drive by or visit the church.
Saturday, June 11, I was privileged to help out at the SS. Peter and John Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen on Genesee Street (next to the post office). Holy Family Church sent a group from their Social Ministry Committee to help out. Any parish or group may sponsor a Saturday by donating $25 (they sure can make $25 go a long way) and five workers. The Catholic Daughters of Auburn does this once a month.
What a wonderful experience this was. I went there assuming that we would just be serving soup and sandwiches. Wow, was I surprised. I witnessed faith in action as many dedicated, caring volunteers prepared a lovely luncheon buffet for those less fortunate. There was fresh fruit salad, romaine lettuce salad, homemade chicken soup, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, ham salad sandwiches, barbecued turkey sandwiches (similar to pulled pork) and countless desserts of cakes, pies, donuts, bagels, along with coffee and juices.
Often in the summer months, they will barbecue hamburgers and hotdogs. Mary Anne, the very kindhearted woman in charge, explained how she buys turkeys when they are on sale for 19 cents per pound and freezes them for later use.
Also deviled eggs and macaroni salad are inexpensive but popular. She rounds up baked goods and desserts generously donated by Wegmans and P&C, and homemade soups donated by local restaurants such as the Holiday Inn and Balloon's, to name a few. They serve an average of 80 people each week. I saw great tenderness as the workers coaxed children to take the sweet fresh fruit salad, because it is a food they are not used to having. And the kindness of the gentleman who called them by name and gave them freeze pops before they left on such a warm day. They are a fantastic group of people who made everyone feel right at home; especially Leon, who liked to tease "the rookies." I hope to have more information about this wonderful social ministry project later in the summer. Hat's off to SS. Peter and John parish. When we each do a little bit, wonderful things can happen.
Monday, June 13, Holy Family held its annual volunteers picnic in the gym. Rev. Jim Burke hosts this event every summer to say thank you to the many volunteers.
He is in charge of the barbecuing and always does a wonderful job, despite all of our joking with him. In attendance were volunteers from all aspects of parish life: ushers, lectors, Eucharist ministers, Clothes Closet and Catholic Shop workers, weekly collection volunteers, CYO workers and all committee members such as the Parish Council, finance, Parish Life/Social Ministry, and buildings and grounds. A wonderful time was had by all. Special thanks go out to Father Jim and to Margaret Lepak, our parish administrative assistant, for such a nice treat.
On the weekend of June 18 and 19, Holy Family parish collected bags of groceries to donate to the Cayuga/Seneca County Action agency. We do this approximately five times per year and Karen Dellonte of the CSCAA is always so very appreciative of the variety of foods we help provide to those who need them. Often it is the poor working families who need this extra help, because they are not eligible for any other assistance programs. God bless you Holy Family for your kindness.
God loves you. Send me your good news.
"Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same loving God who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."
Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She enjoys participating in parish life and social ministry work.
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