church decorates w/food baskets n gives to needy

[rosey7415]

Fruit baskets adorn church, feed hungry By REBECCA AUBUT Standard- Times


NEW BEDFORD — Parishioners decorate their sanctuaries for special occasions, but for their holiday decorations, the congregation at St. Francis of Assisi is making it an occasion to do something special — decorating two pedestals with fruit baskets that will be given to those in need.
Inspired by the Gospel of Matthew:25, the Rev. Kevin Harrington, who has been at St. Francis of Assisi since 2002, explained how the fruit baskets first decorated the church in November during the 50th anniversary of his predecessor, the Rev. Albert Ryan, during the Feast of Christ the King.

"I thought it would be a fitting gesture for some of the people who are less fortunate," said the Rev. Harrington, citing the Gospel that gave him the idea. 'Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.' That's what inspired me to do this fruit basket because that's the Gospel that's read. So having read that, and having this 50th anniversary we were having for the former pastor, this would be a perfect gesture; around us we don't lack for people in need."

Two pedestals were set up and filled with fruit, which went to two families directly after the Mass. But as one family was set to receive their basket, they decided that it should go to someone else they felt needed it more.

"This is the kind of thing that happens. The person we were giving it to immediately said there was someone else that was more needy than them, which was really nice," he recalled. "That's the kind of thing that happens in the neighborhood, people look out for each other. That's something nice about human nature — 'Why me, and why not someone else who is more needy?'"

The fruit baskets also inspired a lifelong parishioner of the church, Dr. Jauna Souza, to help procure fruit from an outside source for the Christmas display.

A big help, said the Rev. Harrington, who explained how the Christmas fruit baskets would have come from contributions given to the church's flower fund. Buoyed by the positive feedback and success of the last month's fruit donations, he is looking to double the number of recipients.

"The first time we did it, it was a modest display, and we were able to give two baskets," he said. "For Christmas it will be more elaborate, and we will be able to help four families."

As with the first donation, half the number of baskets will go to congregation members, and the other half will be donated to families in the church's West End neighborhood.

Plans are underway to make the fruit basket decorations and donations a part of the annual Easter celebrations, as well as continue to be provided annually for the Feast of Christ the King and Christmas.

[rosey7415]

i am not a regular church goer.......oh no!!........i hear many groans out there in fvland......lol this may be something that happens at a lot of churches, i don't know.....but if not it is a great idea, don't you think? maybe inspire others?

[homesteadmamma]

I think it's a wonderful idea.

[annertak]

Hmmmm....While I think this is a wonderful idea, I can't help but wonder why they still have a flower fund? I guess my first thought would be to give to many more families by actually spending the flower fund, as flowers are not as important to me as eating!

(but I do think it was a great idea! )

[Monroe on a Budget]

That's a really neat idea. I think Thanksgiving would work well for the timing when church decorations are typically fall / harvest anyway.

[Michelle]

I think it's a wonderful idea

[kittykatstrong]

What a great idea.

[Jellybeanz]

I think it's an awesome idea. Not a churchgoer myself so I don't know if this is common or not. Really cool idea, hope more churches start doing this, there are so many needy families right now.

[LuvMyHubby]

I think that this is a very nice idea.