S.E.T. and a Successful Picnic Party!

S.E.T. and a Successful Picnic Party!

This weekend members of our Sunday Experience Team (SET) will be speaking at all the Masses as we kick-off the new Saturday 5:30 Mass at St. Martha to serve our Collaborative and beyond. One of the goals for our Pastoral Plan’s top priority of Strengthening and Growing the Sunday Experience was the formation of this team to learn about Catholic liturgy and consider ways to draw us all more into active participation in the Mass and the community with whom we celebrate it with each week. Please consider the SET speakers’ appeal for more volunteers to share in the lay ministries at all the Masses: Lectors, Altar Servers, Music Ministers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Ushers and Greeters are all needed. Please contact the office of the parish you most often attend to find out more information.

As you saw on last week’s bulletin cover, our parishes recently had the park in Plainville center bustling with activity! People from St. Martha & St. Mary Parishes gathered and marveled at the beautiful day as field games and raffles were set up, and teens began face painting for the kids. As music from The Kickin’ Back Band filled the air, the smell of burgers and hot dogs from Dale’s Pig Pickin BBQ drew people to gather for the food and music.

A couple hundred kids, teens, and adults of all ages from both parishes enjoyed the "Picnic Party” - this year's theme for our annual shared social event. This wonderful event was possible only because of the dedicated preparation and service of many people (too many to name them all). With the leadership of co-chairs Anne Lesnik and Trudy Gately and t he entire Collaborative Picnic Team, the faithful support of the Knights of Columbus Councils in both parishes, the many teen volunteers from our Youth Ministry, Confirmation program and beyond, and all the other parishioners who gave of their time and talent.

We are all grateful to the Kickin’ Back Band for their country and party music, and to the Town of Plainville for making the park in Plainville center available to us, which provided a playground and open fields as well as the dining pavilion and gazebo for the musicians. Special thanks to all who offered discounts and donations to make this important community-building event affordable for everyone: Trish Bergevine/Berkshire Hathaway Home Services; Tom Black; Cataldo Family/Cataldo’s Hardware; Anna DeGuzman; Knights of Columbus Plainville & Wrentham Councils; Simonne Favaloro; Rita Feil; April Frey; Cheryl Germano/Escada Salon; Tammy McCoy; Stefanie Nineve; Carol Rotondi, and other members of the Picnic Team. We are grateful to all of these people, and to all who partici-pated in this fun experience of Christian community!