St. Frances hosts welcome back picnic

St. Frances de Chantal R.C. Church of Wantagh held a welcome back picnic last Sunday to invite parishioners back to church as restrictions have been lifted and full-capacity mass has resumed.

“It’s an exciting day that we’re finally back at church with all of the people and we’re welcoming them home so we can celebrate together in church, in family, in love and God,” Deacon Bob O’Donovan said at the event. “We thank everyone for making this possible.”

The picnic was started with a procession into the parking lot led by the Nassau County Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. The parishioners were all coming from a noon mass of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“This is a wonderful gathering and we are enjoying each other and some great food,” Associate Pastor Stanislaw Choragwicki said. “We are trying to gather people together again and feel comfortable and enjoy our faith.”

The picnic featured games and activities for children including a bounce house and a magician. The playground and gym in the school were open as well. Live music was played by fellow parishioners during the event.

The event was free, though a raffle and dunk tank for picnickers was set up to help raise money for the church.

“The idea of the picnic was wildly welcomed beyond my imagination,” said Reverand Seth N. Awo Doku. “It was as if everyone had the idea in their minds and they were waiting to let it out.”

The Wantagh Volunteer Fire Department was in attendance and had all of their equipment ready for young parishioners to ask questions and learn about the job that they do for the community.

Along with an overflow of snacks and beverages served, the Knights of Columbus Council 6526 were also present to cook up hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken for everyone to enjoy.

“We are very excited to be here today,” Russell Merendino, past grand knight said. “As part of the church, we do what we can for where we are needed. You can’t beat a day like today and it’s a great day to get together.”

The members of the Knights of Columbus were eager to get involved in their church once again.

“This church welcomes everyone with open arms,” past grand knight Kevin Hoffman said. Our Pastor is a great man. I’ve been coming here for over 30 years and I love it.”

In-person masses resumed last summer for St. Frances de Chantal, O’Donovan said, but the community wasn’t asked to return until last week.

“It feels so joyous to be back in person,” O’Donovan said. “It’s great to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”

When it comes to church, there’s nothing like being in-person, Doku said.

“The best way is to come together as an assembly of believers,” he said. “We break bread and we receive communion. When we do it by streaming, listeners can only hear the word of God but do not receive communion. There is something incomplete about the ceremony.”

The church always tries to get together, he said, and it’s more important now than ever since they haven’t been together in so long due to the pandemic.

“We always have fundraisers and get-togethers but since the Covid-19 pandemic, we haven’t had many,” he said. “It’s great to be back together in mass and celebrating as an assembly of believers.”