A Bronx parish group offering Catholic widows and widowers support, companionship and healing celebrated its quadranscentennial.
The Catholic Widows and Widowers of the Bronx celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday, April 29 at Scavello’s on the Island with a cocktail hour, open bar, complete dinner, fresh fruit, cookies, cake, wine and soda.
The silver jubilee featured plenty of singing and dancing to live music performed by DJ Mike Menna.
To commemorate this momentous occasion, a delicious anniversary cake topped off with blazing firework candles was served.
The support group, which is based out of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, helps grieving Catholic widows and widowers find a new lease on life.
“I felt very welcomed when I joined the group in 2003 and I’ve seen a lot of members successfully overcome their grief and be able to fully enjoy their lives,” shared Connie Anderson, Catholic Widows and Widowers president.
The support group meets on the third Monday of each month at the lower level of OLA Church on 1634 Mahan Avenue.
The evening begins will Mass at 6:30 p.m. followed by a reception.
Anderson said everyone is invited to attend the club’s social evenings.
Coffee and cake are served in celebration of the members’ birthdays for the month.
Every first Friday at 6 p.m., members celebrate a Mass dedicated to the deceased spouses of that current month at OLA’s convent chapel.
All names are read aloud at the Offertory of the Mass.
Anderson noted that the First Fridays and Communion Breakfast are not open to the public.
Following the service, members enjoy a savory dinner at a restaurant.
Restaurants they have used include Patricia’s of Tremont, Fratelli Restaurant, Lucca Restaurant, the Wicked Wolf, Martin’s Restaurant and Patsy’s Pizzeria.
All Catholic widows and widowers are welcome to observe the monthly meetings and to join the group.
“What’s important to know is that this isn’t a bereavement group and we try to keep everyone’s souls active by moving forward,” said Anderson.
Members enjoy many fun social activities like Halloween, Christmas and birthday parties; daytime trips to casinos; visits to such locales as Washington, D.C. and the Canadian Rockies; picnics; cruises; lunches and dinners.
Members also enjoy monthly events like a summertime lunch in July courtesy of Barino’s Deli, an Ice Cream Month social in August and a Pizza Month celebration in November among others.
Anderson noted that there is a $30 annual membership fee for joining the group.
The Catholic Widows and Widowers of the Bronx’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. inside OLA Church Hall.
The group is planning a six days and five nights trip to Nashville, TN from Thursday, September 27 to Tuesday, October 2.
Tickets are $899 per person for a double-room occupancy and $1,138 for a single. The event is open to the public.
For additional information, contact Anderson at (718) 829-8142.
