This is a welcoming party that is held every year in the Hospitality Hall. This year, for the first time, Steve Friedrichs(center) was the man in charge where formerly, Rosie Rogers spearheaded this event.
Steve has graciously accepted this new responsibility of being the host with the most who responds to good natured teasing with his own super sharp sense of humor as he takes on the added duty of “Shared Ministry Coordinator” along with the “Nursery Coordinator” duties.
With his constant smile and good humor, he moved his crew around capably and efficiently as the normally bland hall turned into a dressed up party room with table cloths and Fall centerpieces with candles lit and in place.
The kitchen hummed with activity as the volunteers arrived ready to work. Steve had requested a Small Christian Community group to volunteer for this endeavor along with some of the “regular” volunteers that gave that little edge of experience to make things move smoothly along.
Those hard working volunteers made a great showing. They divided their duties from kitchen and wait staff to visiting and welcoming the new members of the community. They gave out nametags, participated in an opening game and answered questions.
After all was over, they moved into being a speedy cleanup crew with smiles and laughter and a request as to when they could do this again?
The new parishioners who arrived in family groups were as enthusiastic as the worker bees. They signed in, took brochures and found themselves at the table with appetizers and the beverage table asking each other a limit of three questions to see if they could figure out what name was on the name tag placed on their backs.
This is a perennial game where the goal is to get strangers talking to strangers. Kathy and Frank DuRocher are the ones responsible for coming up with those famous names written on those nametags for this game.
Even the children were involved if they wished to be. Some of the children were playing in the well-equipped nursery where two of St. Joan’s best ‘baby tenders”, Kristen and Leah Kremer, were ‘On Duty’.
Then the microphone exploded with the resonant voice of Norine Larson(center of picture), St. Joan’s very own best emcee in the business. After opening words of welcome and a blessing prayer, Norine directed people to approach the cafeteria styled tables loaded with lots of goodies that Cathy Myers’ catering service “TLC” had supplied for this dinner. The spread included dishes such as chicken and wild rice, generous servings of Rigatoni and the kids’ all time favorite, ‘Mac ‘n Cheese ala Cathy’.
A huge salad and delicious bread and rolls completed the menu with desserts of various bars and cakes to follow. Kitchen helpers stood behind the tables to assist anyone needing help.
After the dinner was over, Norine returned to the microphone to encourage each table to compete with other tables in answering questions about St. Joan’s. One of the questions was, “How many members has St. Joans?” I didn’t know that St. Joan’s has 10,000 members.
There were staff members, parish council members and volunteers dispersed amid the guests and aiding them with their answers to the questionnaire on the tables. When the toll was taken, not too many people had the answers correct, including the staff members that had surprised looks on their faces. It was all in fun and there were many laughs and with Norine at the podium, one could hardly take anything too seriously.
Then all were asked to finish this statement: “If you were to look at me, you would never guess that I __________________."
The amazing answers that came out later in the evening were surprising and fun and each one who volunteered an answer received a “valuable” prize – the St. Joan of Arc music CD; and a treasured St. Joan of Arc cap with logo.
Some of those…” guess that I….” answers were interesting: “that I was one of triplets”. Another, “that I donated a kidney…” ; a little frail looking girl about 11, “that I play football” ” …that I used to baby sit Dan Chouinard”. There were many others, but the sense that I received is that this is a group full of energetic and dynamic people coming into our parish which will add to the richness we already have by leaps and bounds.
Each year when I attend this function as a helper, I see the numbers of more youthful families and it gives me hope for the future of St. Joan’s to see how we are growing and know we will continue this growth.
The response to this year’s invitation was exceptional and the weather cooperated. I noticed another reason for hope since our new pastor, Fr. Jim DeBruyker, was in attendance. He too, is a new parishioner and his presence along with Fr. Jim Cassidy made the evening a feel-good time for both St. Joan of Arc’s new and old parishioners.
St. Joan’s transition time is nearing its end and we are now at the beginning of a new and exciting era in the on-going story of this unique and wonderful parish that portends good things for the future of its members.
The word must be spreading somehow because there were 175 new parishioners who came to this party just for signing their name to a piece of paper that says in essence. “I want to be a part of the parish of St. Joan of Arc.
Some years ago, our former pastor, Rev Harvey Egan was summoned to speak to the current archbishop at that time about some infraction for which Harvey was being dressed down. The wise archbishop’s question was this, “Tell me, Harvey, how is it they keep on coming?”
Harvey’s answer was simple and ended the conversation with this retort. ”If it isn’t the Holy Spirit in action, I do not know what else it could be.”
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