NEW PARISHIONERS WELCOME DINNER

October 16th, 2000

Roseann with Newcomer

As we've come to expect, Roseann had done another tremendous job of organizing the event; coercing some capable volunteers; planning food, etc. When we arrived it was clear she had personally made sure everything was done: tested the wine; readied tables; assigned volunteers; relaxed; tested more wine....

The kitchen crew!

Norine Larson, "Mistress of Ceremonies"

Norine Larson served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening, and what a superb job of getting people to talk to each other; and later on, to reveal some fairly intimate moments: even one of her own!

New arrivals were given a sticker (placed on their back) with the name of some famous (or infamous) celebrity; to determine from questions to others 'who they were'. This prompted at least one objection from a child insisting: "No, that's my mom!"

A catered meal was served cafeteria style along with a good variety of beverages, plenty of seconds, assistance with young children's dinners from very helpful volunteers, and many extra pieces of cake.

The high point of the evening turned out to be the statement parishioners at each table had to share with each other; with a chosen 'winner' from each table then reciting their tale to the entire gathering. The statement to consider: "To look at me, you would never know ________". Wow! What revealing (& creative) responses! Can you imagine someone telling us: "To look at me you'd never know that I did hair transplants for the mob! And No, I can't tell you whom. If I tell you, I gotta kill you!" Or, "To look at me you would never know that my professor of Law was... Bill Clinton!" Kudos to Norine for one of the best 'ice-breakers' ever.

The winning Newcomers

The untold story of the evening: "To look at him, you'd never guess that George (yes, THAT George) was the only one we caught snitching wine out of the kitchen!!" He said it was the very first time (!) so we had to let him go...as if we had a choice: he was absolving the rest of us!

Over at the 'bar' we were placing bets on who was having the most fun. For awhile it seemed it was our photographer for the night, Peg LaSota. She caught the joy of so many hugs, those swapping stories, or celebrating new and old friendships. We eventually concluded we'd never been anyplace where complete strangers told more stories about being caught with their.....well, you simply had to BE there! With the hilarious reactions to such stories we know many new parishioners had more fun than they ever expected...which was the very purpose for this welcoming event.

Ray Tanis is a farmer, masquerading as an engineer, with a passion for writing... Kids are grown, so concentrates on sunflowers and pumpkins. Ray loves writing poetry and music.

These are the kinds of moments that really make life at SJA worth living. If you missed this one, sign up for the next one...and the one after that, too. Be assured, Roseann won't turn you down. She'll just put you to work!

Peg LaSota is interested in the biographies of parishioners... any suggestions?? She also loves studying piano, recorder, Spanish, and of course...singing in the choir!