Thank You

– SeptemberFest Tribute and Thank You –

Once more we are on the other side of what was again one of the more record breaking September Fest Weekends we have had.

As you can imagine, the success of this Carnival is an extraordinary time consuming and passion driven event. For months prior to that first ride being set in motion and that first scream of a child’s delight, our committee members were hard at work meticulously planning for the Fest success. One of my favorite passages from the Gospel is when Jesus explains: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” Thankfully, the rain did not fall nor the floods come, but certainly a superabundance of sunshine which drew a
superabundant crowd of people. What I enjoy most about this weekend, is taking countless laps around the parking lot and seeing and hearing people having an enormously wonderful time. If you as parents receive thorough enjoyment when your children are happy, minus the cotton candy stomach
aches, we cannot even begin to imagine the joy that God feels, the joy God is when events like the Fest are successfully pulled off. And the people in place who build this Sept Fest House, I cannot say enough about. More than just organizing an event, having any number of meetings and discussions and ordering/collecting supplies, this is about bringing other people, especially families an experience of happiness, fun, excitement, and family and friend bonding. Sadly, this year we were without the services of the real life Bob the Builder, Bob Palumbo who went home to our Lord only months ago. Anything that needed to be put together, there was Bob hammer and drill in hand almost single handedly putting the Carnival Booths up. However, with Bob coordinating perfect weather duty from Heaven, this allowed others to step up to the plate, swing and connect for the fences in grand slam fashion. As great as it is to have a good time and to contribute to others having a good time, it is also a reminder that this
is not to be a one weekend, one time a year event. We need to maintain the momentum of being a thriving, involved, invested and devoted Church community. Those sleeves remaining rolled up and everyday living in the Spirit of Jesus Christ who said: The Son of Man has come not to be served but to SERVE and give His life as a ransom for many. This He has done, so incredibly modeled for us, and now we must do every day especially Sundays. Having mentioned the awesome weather of Fest Weekend, at the writing of this letter, we remember the people in the Caribbean who were slammed by Hurricane Fiona and the many who remain in harm’s way of Hurricane Ian. As fortunate as we are, me must share that fortune, even if only by way of our prayers, which pack the greatest punch and power of love and assistance there is. This week we celebrated the life and service and holiness of Saint Vincent, the Apostle of Charity who reminds us: “Since Christ willed to be born poor, He made himself the
servant of the poor and shared their poverty. He went so far as to say that he would consider every deed which either helps or harms the poor as done for or against himself. Since God surely loves the poor, he also loves those who love the poor. For when one person holds another dear, he also includes in his affection anyone who loves or serves the one he loves. We must then try to understand the poor and weak. We sympathize with them. Therefore, we must try to be stirred by our neighbors’ worries and distress. We must beg God to pour into our hearts sentiments of pity and compassion and to fill them again and again with these dispositions.” Your generous support of September Fest and participation has allowed us not only the opportunity to generate funds to improving the overall condition of our Church
inside and out, but also to provide assistance for those who are in need. Thank you for your continued support and being such visible role models of our awesome Faith, reserving our greatest thanks to our All Star Team
Hall of Fame Group of Do GREATERS:
Event Chairs – Jeremy Redgate and Dan Ford
Food & Supplies – Miriam Cass, Diane Kane, Mike DeMato
Volunteer Coordinators – Jennifer Cullinan, Deirdre Sikora, Carlotta Elliott, Terri Pisseri
Kitchen – Michael Kane, Jim Guzzi, Michael DeFilippo
Main Food – Laura and Marc Kavulich
Pizza Fritta & Fried Oreos – Bob and Barbara Karosy, Jeff and Donna Pond
Grinders & Ziti – Bob Sherwood, Josh and Irene Orosz
Beer & Wine – Kevin Cullinan, Matthew Colangelo
Ice Cream – Ginny and Mark Bentley
Bingo – Mary Garbe, Reini Knorr
Parish Raffle – Meri Glifort, Lisa Alberico
50/50 Raffle – Donan Meyer, Dina Sullivan
Set Up & Break Down / Electrical – Duke Sherwood, Matt Tomis, Dermott Mahoney
Grounds Clean Up – Kevin Walsh, Tim Ward
Security – Greg Matera, Ron Fiske
Ride Ticket Sales – Lou and Pat Bleggi
Finance – Dale and Fran Lichtenberg
Sponsorships – Megan Quinn