What started as an offhand comment about how parishioners who attend the Saturday Vigil Mass don’t have any donuts or anything to gather for has turned into an event worth adjusting your weekend plans to attend. One weekend, after Fr. Troha invited those who were at Saturday evening Mass to come back on Sunday for donuts with their fellow parishioners, he approached Elayne Kramer about putting something together for after the Saturday Mass instead.
First, it started with inviting Mass attendees down for pizza after Mass, then it evolved into meals with different types of interesting events.
“We have had Google Earth nights where Sister Josephine or Father talk about different parts of the world that they have been to,” Elayne says. “In the spring, we grilled and made hot dogs, burgers, and sides. This fall, we had sloppy joes and a bonfire. We prayed the Rosary and brought a big screen out to show a movie for the kids while we made s’mores. It really has just become a great weekend event that everyone is welcome to come to.”
These events take place on the same weekend that donuts are offered after Sunday Masses. Parishioners are invited to either attend Saturday evening Mass and come to the events afterward or just come to the events that begin immediately following Mass and continue to attend their regular Sunday Mass times.
“When it comes to the pillars of stewardship, we have found that the pillar of hospitality is so important,” Elayne says. “It brings us together as a community. We share our beliefs, we grow in friendship, and we make each other better disciples of Christ. When we can tie these events into things surrounding the Mass, which is the source and summit of our faith, it is even better.”
This ministry is growing and could use a few more volunteers involved to put the events on. Currently, the events are being put together by the social committee and a couple additional dedicated volunteers.
“We have found that people start coming to events, meet others, and then come back and try new things in the parish,” Elayne says. “We just have to invite them and they tend to become more active in the parish after that.”
By offering a weekend once a month that is filled with hospitality events, the community of the parish continues to grow bigger and the people come together more and more. The Saturday events are open to anyone who wishes to attend and parishioners are continued to be encouraged to enjoy donuts after Mass on Sundays and have time to visit with the people who are sitting in the pews around you each week.
There will be no Saturday events in December due to the Anniversary Breakfast, but watch for announcements as they return in January.
Anyone interested in helping out with these events may contact Elayne Kramer at the parish office, 440-942-4500.