A Successful St. Nicholas Feast Day!

There was a special feast day celebration this past Tuesday at Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Families and children gathered to offer their time and talents as a way to give back to others in the community - just as Saint Nicholas did. In fact, the children even received a special surprise visit from St. Nicholas who shared stories and filled 66 of theishoes with tasty treats!

The fourth-century bishop is recognized for his many acts of charity and giving to others. One known story is when Nicholas helped a poor man who was the father of three daughters. Without dowries to provide for his daughters to marry, the man was deeply saddened and concerned. Nicholas secretly gave the father three bags of gold so that his daughters could be married.

As a way to celebrate good will and charity, families at this week's St. Nicholas Celebration made blankets and special Christmas ornaments. These gifts will be given to individuals who are homebound or in nursing home facilities. Many will be delivered during the parish's Family Caroling event on Saturday, December 17.

That's not all. Parish children also helped assemble some 40 FUN PACs that will be given to families in need throughout Boone County this month. The FUN PAC project is an effort, shared with the Caring Center, that will offer family-friendly activity and game kits, featuring snacks and even movies, to others. These packages will not only serve as a great gift, but they will also encourage positive family gatherings for those in need.

St. Alphonsus' Youth Ministry will also be helping provide FUN PACs this year, as they are holding their own special collection and will use gathered funds during a shopping adventure where they will purchase FUN PAC supplies and Christmas gifts for another family in need this year.

Well there you have it. A successful family event brought smiles to parish children and will bring joy to others in our community - just as St. Nicholas would have done.

Thank you to all the families that participated in this year's St. Nicholas Celebration and for the parish's youth ministry members who will continue to offer gifts during their FUN PAC collection and shopping trip.

Upcoming parish family events include Family Rosary and Movie Night on Friday, December 16 and Family Caroling on Saturday, December 17.

Read about these and other events this Advent