St. Anne’s hosts
stellar Spirit Day
For the parish at St. Anne’s, one its most popular events is its Annual Spirit Day. This year was no exception as the congregation came together for the 12th straight year on Saturday, Sept. 20. Hundreds visited the rides, games and food vendors set up in the church parking lot on New Hyde Park Road that afternoon and evening.
“It’s difficult to say exactly how many individuals actually attended Spirit Day, but we believe we had close to 1,000 visitors,” said Monsignor Thomas Harold, pastor of St. Anne’s parish. The Spirit Day festivities are a true celebration of unity and faith with a wide variety of activities to bring parishioners closer together in a joyful setting. That community spirit is celebrated at 5 p.m. each year with a solemn outdoor Mass.
“We love to see families come for the rides and games and then stay with us to celebrate the Mass together,” adds Harold. “It’s a beautiful expression of what is important to us: family, community and faith.”
The finale of the evening was the Big Bucks raffle drawing. With 1,000 tickets sold, the main winner was eligible for the maximum prize amount of $25,000. This year’s winners were Jim and Bunny Meehan. Five other winners each won $5,000.
“The money will help us complete payments on the air conditioning installation and sound system upgrades in both our auditorium and cafeteria,” explained Harold. “These improvements dramatically increase the usage and comfort of our parish facilities for the many groups that meet there, from school children and their parents to social ministry groups that support seniors, and the special needs community among others.”
The Church of St. Anne is located on Dartmouth Street in Garden City. For more information about Spirit Day, or joining the St. Anne’s Parish, please call the rectory office at 516-352-5904 or view www.stannesgc.org.
