Two Parishes Work Together to Provide Meal to Hamlin & Brockport Communities
By Joanne Michielsen
The holidays are a time for giving and togetherness. In that spirit, the Catholic Parishes of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS) in Hamlin and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brockport are hosting a Free Thanksgiving Dinner with all the fixings, open to the entire community, on Wednesday, November 11. Two seatings will be offered at 1 and 6 p.m. at SEAS Church, 3747 Brick Schoolhouse Road, Hamlin. Reservations are required.
Last year, Fr. Joe Marcoux, who serves as Pastor of both parishes, reached out to Irene Goodwin and Carol Dady and asked them to coordinate an event at SEAS that would extend beyond the boundaries of the church building. He wanted the two parishes to work together on an event that would show the wider Hamlin population that their church is a welcoming community.
“Together, we decided that a free Thanksgiving-type meal might appeal to any neighbors who may be experiencing food insecurity or loneliness, as well as anyone curious to know more about this vibrant little church at the crossroads of the East and West Forks of Lake Road in Hamlin,” said Dady.
SEAS had successfully hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for its parishioners for many years, so expanding beyond the church family seemed doable. Dady noted, “We had a good model to work from.”
It takes many hands to both prepare a meal and host an event of this scope. “St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church has a history of being a generous community,” Dady said. “When we put out a request for volunteers to help with the dinner, the response was enthusiastic. It included folks from both parishes. We got together to make a plan and form committees. Each committee, in turn, has been working diligently to create a successful event.”
Now in their second year organizing the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Dady and Goodwin anticipate welcoming more than the 250 people served last year. They said the community response was most gratifying as both parishes came together in fellowship to meet many new faces. They ask that you share this invitation with others, as all are welcome.
Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by November 1 with their preferred seating time (1 p.m. or 6 p.m.) and the number of people in their party. Reservations can be emailed to churchdinner.rsvp@gmail.com, texted to 585-737-2134, or made by scanning the QR code.
“We hope that our neighbors will join us for a free Thanksgiving Dinner,” Dady said. “We look forward to welcoming you.”
