HOBART – Christmas came early at St. Bridget as parishioners shared their generosity with needy families and came together to celebrate the season on Dec. 20.
The day began with the distribution of food and holiday gifts to 30 local families by the parish’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter. “We received the families’ names from the Hobart Food Pantry and they represented from one to eight people,” said SVDP chapter president Steve Camacho, who led a group of “elves” rolling carts of food and gifts out to the recipients’ cars to load them.
“We had 77 children in our families and placed gift tags on an Angel Tree at church that included three ideas for toys, and each child got a pair of pajamas, too,” said Camacho. “All the tags were taken and returned, many with all three wishes fulfilled. Our parishioners are pretty generous; we are even giving away a bicycle.”
Diane MacDonald, SVDP vice president and past president for seven years, said, “Each family received $300-$400 in food and gifts. Our parishioners have been more generous this year than they have ever been, I’d say.
“One little girl asked for a ‘Frozen’ costume, a scooter and a baby doll, for instance, and she received all three. Teenagers received gift cards, and one parishioner, Phyllis Gresser, made winter hats, gloves and scarves for every child, while parents also received knitted caps, either from Phyllis or from donation boxes placed in the church,” added MacDonald.
“We also gifted two senior citizens from our parish, and provided gift cards, hats and gloves, and children’s gifts for five families whose names were provided by the Missionaries of Charity in Gary, probably close to $200 each in gifts,” said MacDonald. “We also prepare and deliver a full meal on the second Thursday of every month for up to 20 women and children sheltered nightly by the Missionaries of Charity.
“Times are so tough; we also maintain a giving box outside so those in need can access nonperishables like pasta, cereal and canned goods 24/7,” MacDonald noted. “I love doing this. It’s the best part of my ministry. People are so grateful; sometimes this is the only Christmas gift the children receive.”
Camacho agreed. “Everybody should help out as much as they can, that’s what the SVDP does. We’re all volunteers, and we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t like helping out,” he said.
The day of sharing continued at St. Bridget after the Saturday afternoon Mass, first with a prayer service led by Father Ben Ross, pastor, at the outdoor creche set up inside the gazebo in front of the school with lights. He blessed the creche and the crowd with holy water and then led them indoors for a bountiful potluck dinner featuring entrees provided by St. Thomas Knights of Columbus Council 1347.
“The food is good,” said parishioner Cameron Reveter, who enjoys attending parish events with his family throughout the year. “It feels like family here,” he added.
“We came last year and enjoyed it, so we returned,” said parishioner Elaine Sliz, who attended with her husband and brought a dessert. “I like attending Mass on Saturday and also coming to the Knights of Columbus fish fry dinners.”
Siblings Brandy, 23, and Britney, 22, Lesczynske, also of Hobart, returned this year to St. Bridget, their home parish, after exploring other Catholic parishes and Christian churches, and are glad to be back. “It didn’t feel like family,” they said of the other churches while dining with their mother and fellow parishioner, LeeAnne Perunko, and their aunt, Linda Day.
“I had a lot of questions (about the Catholic Church) and Brandy has been teaching me,” said Perunko. “She reads the Bible every day and has really helped me.”
Day said she likes Father Ross “because he has a sense of humor and while he seems shy, I see the Holy Spirit in him.”
Her son, Daniel Day, agreed. “I like Father Ben; he has a friendly approach,” he said.
Father Ross demonstrated his personal touch by gathering dozens of children around him after the holiday meal to read “A Charlie Brown Christmas” aloud to them, carefully showing them every page as the Peanuts character shared the true meaning of Christmas with his friends.
Added entertainment was provided by religious education students in kindergarten through fifth grade, who formed a chorus to sing “The First Noel,” “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells,” complete with sound effects and while wearing halos, wings and crowns.
“We practiced a lot; every Monday,” said Nayeli Anguiano, 9, who tabbed “Jingle Bells” as her favorite offering. The fourth grader also said that Lent is her favorite season at St. Bridget, with the church decorated in “a lot of purple.”
St. Thomas Knights of Columbus Council 1347 took the opportunity at the party to honor its Christmas Poster Contest winners and participants with certificates. Submitting winning entries following the theme “Keep Christ in Christmas” were: Kindergarten – Atlee Sales; Grades 1-2 – Elleen Sales, Grades 3-4 – Zoe Zegaczewski; and Grades 7-8 – Alexandria Hensel. Also recognized were contestants Abel Sales, Clare Meagher, Lily Balnius, Antonio Recio, Eric Burke and Karissa Baker.
To highlight the evening, Santa Claus arrived to present gifts and listen to the wishes of every excited child.
“My favorite thing about our parish is how loving and caring it is,” said Erica Wojihoski of St. Bridget. “Everyone is very helpful. They do things for all of the other parishioners.”
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul meets in the school building at St. Bridget at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month, the first day for a business meeting and the second day for a spiritual gathering. New members are welcome; call Camacho at 628-0177 for membership information or the parish office at 942-6441 to request help.
Caption: Children in religious education classes at St. Bridget, kindergarten through fifth grade, shake bells as they sing a rousing version of “Jingle Bells” at the Hobart parish’s Christmas party on Dec. 20. Close to 200 parishioners and their guests enjoyed a bountiful potluck dinner and holiday entertainment, including a visit from Santa Claus. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
