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December 10, 2017

St. Cecilia Parish throws birthday party for Jesus

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

 

Children from St. Cecilia Parish sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus, Saturday, Dec. 9.

WILBRAHAM – On a snowy afternoon, families gathered at St. Cecilia Parish in Wilbraham for the ninth annual “Birthday Party for Jesus,” Saturday, Dec. 9. The Knights of Columbus Council 10195 sponsors the party each year.

“The reason we started this is the Knights of Columbus have a theme, ‘Keep Christ in Christmas.’ We wanted the focus to be on Jesus’ birthday,” said Fred Ferraro, past grand knight of Council 10195.

Each year, more than 100 children attend the free party, held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. inside the parish center. The Knights of Columbus rent bounce houses, set up games, and have plenty of religious crafts on hand for the children to complete. Parish volunteers, including teens from the youth group and faith formation, help serve the food and play with the children.

“It’s wonderful. People bring their kids. We have a wonderful time and we remind them that we’re celebrating the birth of Jesus,” said Father Daniel Boyle, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish.

St. Cecilia parishioner Kim Nowicki made a special cake to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

Just like any birthday party, there was a special cake to celebrate the occasion, made by parishioner Kim Nowicki, who is married to Deacon Andy Nowicki. The mother of four made a manger scene out of fondant for the top of the cake. Towards the end of the afternoon, all of the children gathered around to sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

“We’re certainly not in competition with Santa Claus, that’s for sure. But just to remind the children that everything we’re celebrating at this time of year and through the season of Advent leading up to Christmas is all for the greater honor and glory of God, and that begins with the birth of Christ,” said Father Boyle.

The children in attendance certainly understood that. Thirteen-year-old Matthew Tillberry attended the party with his three younger brothers.

“The reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to celebrate the coming of our savior,” he said.

When asked what he wanted for Christmas, Connor Tillberry said, “for kids in an orphanage to get a home.”

The reason for the season was well understood at the Jesus’ birthday party.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.

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