Florida Catholic | ‘Fun Raisers’ Focus On Families

‘Fun raisers’ focus on families

Programs centered around the Countess de Hoernle Gathering Place at St. Jude Parish generate bonding profits for families.

LINDA REEVES | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PALM BEACH BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 04.25.08

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Western-themed family night dinner, band, dancing.

When: Friday, May 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: St. Jude Parish, 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton.

Cost: From under $12, sold after Masses or reserved by calling 561-392-8172.

BOCA RATON | These days, Harry Fear is not wearing a sports coat as he has traditionally done at St. Jude Parish, where he has volunteered for the past 17 years.

As a matter of fact, he was spotted during Lent in a captain’s cap and white deck shoes. And this month during a visit to the parish, the Florida Catholic found him wearing a black silk kimono with an embroidered orange dragon on the back.

“I ordered it,” he said about the silk attire. “It is from Japan.”

What is going on at St. Jude? The fancy apparel is all part of the parish’s new “fun raiser” events and monthly “family night” gatherings.

The parish is attempting to bring busy families closer with the idea that those families that eat together bond through conversation, comfort and good times.

“It is about time we did it here at our parish,” said Father Michael Driscoll, St. Jude’s pastor, as he hung a Chinese lantern as part of decorations for an April family night event themed “Chinatown Revisited.” “We never had a facility (until now).”

The parish is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Countess de Hoernle Gathering Place, an outside pavilion that seats 500. The pavilion is used for parish functions such as the monthly family events. Coffee is served in the gathering place after Masses. Students from St. Jude Catholic School use the tables in the outdoor area to eat their lunches.

The facility is made possible through donations and funding from Countess Henrietta de Hoernle, a resident of Boca Raton and avid supporter of the community. She has contributed support to more than 140 area organizations, including Hospice, St. Joan of Arc School and Lynn University.

“We opened it a year ago (at) Easter,” said Fear. “We came up with the idea of the family nights. We had an Italian one. During Lent, we had seafood. We don’t make any money. We break even.”

The profit may not come in financial gain through ticket sales, but organizers hope families can set aside the demands of work, school, soccer practice and dance classes once a month to benefit from the evenings.

“It is about getting the families together,” said Elaine Ebner, a volunteer who helps to organize the evenings. “The food is good. The meals don’t cost much. We have volunteers helping and serving. The children can play on the church grounds, and the parents can socialize.”

The Friday-evening gatherings have varying decorations and menu items depending on the theme.

Fear used his imagination to come up with a Western theme for May. He won’t give away any secrets regarding his outfit, but by his past record, guesses are that he will probably be sporting cowboy boots and a Western hat for the evening.

“We are having barbecue,” he said about the May event. “It is all about having fun.”

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