To The Leader

 

Mark your calendars!  The Annual Holiday Gift Shop and Luncheon of the Saint Mary Altar Society will be held in the Parish Hall at 912 Cherry on Thursday, November 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  In addition to the BBQ Chicken Luncheon, the ladies of the Altar Society will have homemade baked and canned goods, frozen entrees, a Silent Auction, crafts, candies, jewelry, gifts, and much more for sale on that day.

The Altar Society is a service organization of Saint Mary Catholic Church.  History shows that it began in 1883 when nuns had to come by horseback, or horse and buggy, all the way from Beaumont to properly maintain the altar of Saint Mary Church. This rigorous trip was frequent and had to be a burdensome trip for the women as the terrain was swampy and without good roads.  

The crossing of the Neches River apparently had to be done at Collier’s Ferry.  The Collier’s Ferry site is still in existence in Beaumont, beginning just off Pine Street.  The nuns eventually taught the ladies of Saint Mary Church how to do the altar work they had been performing so diligently and thus, the Altar Society was born. 

Today, the Altar Society does much more than just maintain the altar.  Their presence and participation are felt in almost everything the church does.

The BBQ Luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is $8.  This includes half of a chicken, potato salad, baked beans, homemade cake for dessert, and tea.  Take-out orders are available, and containers will be furnished. 

Come and spend some time browsing in the Gift Shop and have a great BBQ luncheon with chicken prepared by our Knights of Columbus.  Bring a friend and enjoy the fellowship.