"Hard Hats" And "Soft Hearts" Mark "Spirit Day"

Publicity chair & fellow Knight Outside Saint Anne's Church on the Sunday before "Spirit Day" (held on Saturday, Sept 13), the fashion of the day was the wearing of bright yellow party "hard-hats" similar in style to those worn by construction workers.

Msgr. "Father John" Gilmartin, Pastor and members of the Spirit Day Committee, distributing refreshments and colorful balloons, were "revving up" parishioners to support the Spirit Day/ Big Bucks Sweepstakes and urging them and their youngsters to attend the approaching "parish day of days."

It was all part of an intense three-month "See you later, elevator" ad and promotion campaign, primarily in the Garden City News, urging parishioners and friends to attend the annual parish spectacular and contribute to the construction of a Church elevator to aid the parish elderly and handicapped in attending Mass more easily. The drive sought similar benefits to older and handicapped members of parish organizations and attendees at the new Saint Therese Chapel on the lower level.

The success of the effort was reflected in the sale of 621 "Big Bucks" Sweepstakes tickets with a total value of $77,625.00, half of which, $38,812.50, was awarded to "Big Bucks" winners and a similar amount to the Church elevator elevator construction fund.

Paddy Noonan and McAuliffe family "Spirit Day/Big Bucks" cash prize winners included: Grand Prize: Tom and Anne Walsh and Five Second Prizes respectively to Mary Caristo, Michael Crowley, Ken & Caroline Gerasimovich, Joe & Sandy Leahy and the Reeves Family.

A welcome addition to the great music program at the show was a performance by famed accordionist and Irish stage show packager, Paddy Noonan who will perform here with an all-star cast in "A Musical Taste of Ireland" in McCloskey Auditorium at 1:30 P.M., Sunday, Nov. 30. Returns will help fund "Msgr. John's Knights" scholarship grants to Catholic high schools for young parishioners.

Attendance this year seemed to reach a new all-time high at the Five O'Clock Outdoor Mass with standees greatly outnumbering those seated by a wide margin. With ever-darkening clouds accumulating above, "Father John" openly expressed confidence in his media weather predictor. And, the skies remarkably held tight once again for the most beautiful and calming celebration.

Co-Chairs of Spirit Day "Father" John took time out to thank, among others, the "Spirit Day" Publicity/Promotion Chair, the "Spirit Day" Chairs/Directors and their spouses, Msgr. Costello's sister, Alice, and all who take time out daily to pray for the many ailing members of this most grateful and caring parish.

Ticket Sales Sharing the day Fun for all ages Preparing for mass Altar servers Sweet Shop Parish Ministries Moms selling Mums Spirit Day Committee School friends share the day Singing along with Paddy Noonan The Gang having fun Father John & young hardhats It's all fun and games Picking the winning "Big Bucks" ticket 5 p.m. outdoor Mass Father John offering mass