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St. Michael the Archangel Woodstock, GA
March 25, 2023 - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
The Family Center came alive with the sound of excited children’s voices. There were bunny pancakes, led by our main chef Joy Crowder, and thanks to our two “Knights in Shining Armor” Frank and Deacon Wayne, we were able to add bacon, as well as fruit, to this year’s menu. Rita DeFrank, our bunny gamer, and Karyn Karnhard, our bunny crafter, provided lots of fun and activities for the kids. Evelyn Castellani lead the face painting crew, while Cathy Mansour was our photographer extraordinaire. The day wouldn’t been complete without our resident bunny herself, Maria Shepherd, who once again put on the bunny suit and entertained everyone. To all the sisters, brother Knights, and teen helpers who came to help, thank you all. You truly helped to make this a great event.
February 20, 2023 - Tutus and Tiaras
The Columbiettes came together for an evening of fun and laughter. We all came in our finery and favorite tiaras. The princess theme continued with pink punch, pink sprinkle cookies and cupcakes, and other pink treats. Sisters spent the evening making tutus for children in the local hospitals. There was tulle everywhere, in a rainbow of colors, so sisters were able to create the perfect tutu to lift a little girl's spirit. We had a great turnout, and an even better tutu total - 171!
October 29, 2022 - Parish Picnic
The Parish held its annual picnic, and once again, the Columbiettes were masters of the ring toss booth. The kids loved the game, coming back multiple times to try their luck. We handed out numerous prizes, and were sure to include everyone's favorite prize, dum dum suckers. Of course, the game wouldn't have be possible without the 100 beer bottles everyone so generously emptied for us. A big thank you to all the sisters who came to set up/tear down, and all those who worked the game.
June 13, 2022 - Officer Installation
Congratulations to our new officers for 2022-2023! President - Maria Shepherd, Vice President - Joy Crowder, Secretary - Kathy Evans, Treasurer - Rita DeFrank, Financial Secretary - Liz Laxson, Sentinel - Mary Binicewicz, Past President - Valerie Wheeler.
A special congratulations to Mary Mendez who was selected as our Columbiette of the Year. She is truly a wonderful example of what it means to be a Columbiette, serving her parish and community, and being a woman of great faith. Cathy Mansour was also honored as our Columbiette Angel for all of the special projects and pictures she creates for us.
April 13, 2022 - Parish Spaghetti Dinner
If it's Holy Wednesday, it must be time for the Annual Spaghetti Dinner! Maria Shepherd and Kathi Fly chaired this great parish event. Joy Crowder was our chief pasta cook, assisted by Bernadette Towe, while Mary Binecewicz and Chris Heusinger worked sauce patrol. We served about 200 parishioners, in under an hour, so a big shout out to all who worked the serving lines and to the runners who kept the food trays filled. A special thank you to Mimi Huminski and Howard Shepherd for manning the drink stations, Joe Pelusi for traffic control, and Lee Jaggie for helping our disabled guests with their food trays. Thank you Knights for trash and clean-up detail. Father Larry was very happy to have this event back after several years of COVID shutdown, but probably not as thankful as the local firehouse which got all the loftovers!
April 9, 2022 - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Bunny Pancakes, Easter Eggs, and the Easter Bunny, oh my! Breakfast with the Easter Bunny was a great event with over 150 people in attendance. With bright tablecloths, colorful balloons, and a new Easter Bunny House, the Family Center looked like Spring had finally arrived. A big thank you to Susan Radek for her leadership in chairing the event again. Joy Crowder, Rita DeFrank, and Mary Binicewicz were on pancake duty and their new and improved bunny pancakes were a hit with the kids and adults alike. Rita also did double duty as the craft chairman, helping the kids with their "chicken craft". Thank you to all the sisters who showed up to help decorate, to help clean-up and all the jobs in-between, from face painters to pancake servers, game helpers to balloon inflaters, and of course, all the donated eggs! Lastly, the event couldn't have happened without our own Easter Bunny Maria Shepherd. A big thank you for her putting on the suit and for all her patience as the kids sat on her lap. What a great start to Holy Week!
January 8, 2022 - Blue Mass
The auxiliary hosted a special Blue Mass for all first responders - Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and EMTs. The mass was to honor and pray for the first responders and to thank them for their service. A special wreath was brought in by a sheriff and a firefighter, while the gifts were brought up by a firefighter and his family. Father Larry gave a beautiful homily to thank the first responders and offered a special prayer for those in attendance. The Columbiettes and Knights provided a joint honor guard. Sisters handed out black knotted rosaries and thank you cards to the first responders. A cookie reception was held after mass to finish off the event. It was truly a special event to honor our heroes.
November 15, 2021 - Backpack Project
Due to the great success of last year's project, the Columbiettes chose to participate in a second backpack project. Sisters were asked for item donations, and once again, the sisters came through in a big way. There were mounds of socks, scarves, gloves, toiletries, and many other items needed by the homeless. We then gathered in the Family Center for a special "Backpack Stuffing Party". When we were done, we had sixty backpacks filled. They were donated to The Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Organization to be distributed to homeless veterans throughout the county.
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December 4, 2021 - Breakfast with Santa
Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa arrived at St. Michael's to a very enthusiastic crowd of over 300 children and their parents. The Knights treated everyone to a pancake breakfast while the kids all anxiously waited for their turn on Santa's lap. Maria Shepherd once again donned her Mrs. Claus costume and spent the morning reading Christmas stories to the kids. This year she was joined by our favorite elf in braids, Dr. Donna Alexander, who flitted about the room handing out candy canes and playing with the kids.
Many sisters helped spread holiday cheer by helping the children with their creative "masterpieces" at the coloring tables. It was a great parish event that saw many happy faces and one tired Santa!
September 11, 2021 - 9/11 Memorial Mass
We gathered together for a special mass in honor of the
twentieth anniversary of the terrorist attack on 9/11.
Prayers were offered for the victims and their families.
The Columbiettes and Knights joined together for a
special honor guard for the mass, presenting a wreath
upon the altar. After the mass, they led everyone to the
9/11 memorial. Taps were played by a bugler, followed
by Father Fausto leading us in prayer. After the ceremony,
several parishioners gathered to say The Rosary at the
memorial. It was a beautiful and touching ceremony.
June 19, 2021 - Parish Anniversary Party
St. Michael's celebrated its 25th Anniversary as a parish. The Knights and Columbiettes hosted a special picnic reception. The Knights grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, while the Columbiettes provided homemade desserts. Several sisters worked the dessert table, while others worked the drink tables. Sisters also decorated the Family Center into a festive party room, with colorful tablecloths and bright balloons. Despite the rainy weather, we had a large turnout of over 350 parishioners. A good time was had by all. Here's to another wonderful 25 years!
August 7, 2021 - Initiation Ceremony and Ice Cream Social
We had a large turnout, with over 70 guests, to include several State Officers, Supreme Officers, and sisters from St. Catherine's Auxiliary in Kennesaw. Not only were we able to celebrate being back together, but we were finally able to bring new sisters into the auxiliary, and bring them in we did. We welcomed 19 new sisters into our auxiliary! Our State President, Katie Saldarriaga, presided over the ceremony, and helped present the 2021 Georgia State Columbiette of the Year Award to our own Clare Marcum. Way to go Clare! We also presented Past President Jewels to our Past Presidents Dolores Broughton, Tish Burns, Susan Radek and Beverly Galanek as a special thank you. Once the ceremony was over, we all enjoyed an old fashioned ice cream social, complete with hot fudge, whip cream, and all the fixins. What a great afternoon!
June 12, 2021 - Clergy Appreciation Dinner
The past year was especially stressful for our
clergy. We showed our support and appreciation
with a special dinner for our priests, deacons
and their wives. Chef George prepared the
delicious meal, while the Columbiettes
transformed the conference room into a formal
dining room, complete with linens, crystal and
china. From all the smiles, I think it was a success!
June 7, 2021 - Officer Installation Ceremony
Our new auxiliary officers were installed by our District Deputy, Past State President, and Father Larry. Congratulations to Maria Shepherd - President, Joy Crowder - Vice President, Paula Pelusi - Secretary, Liz Laxson - Financial Secretary, Rita DeFrank - Treasurer, and Mary Binicewicz - Sentinel.
November 16, 2020 - Backpack Project
The Columbiettes participated in a service project to benefit the homeless. Sisters were asked to send in donations, and send in they did! The tables were overflowing with socks, gloves, hats, toiletries, snacks, first aid kits, and many other items for the backpacks. We had hoped to fill 36 backpacks, but ended up filling 60! The backpacks will be donated to The Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program who will distribute them to the homeless veterans in our community.
October 19, 2020 - Prayer Blanket Sew-A-Thon
Sewing machines were sewing, irons were ironing and everyone was happy to be back in business. After many months of being shut down, it was a great way to get together again. Father Larry even stopped by to bless the blankets and encourage all of us to "work faster". We completed several dozen blankets which will be given to anyone in need of physical, emotional or spiritual healing.
January 11, 2020 - Father Larry's 25th Anniversary of His Ordination
Father Larry celebrated the silver anniversary of his priesthood with a special mass and reception. The Knights and Columbiettes provided a joint honor guard for the mass, which was officiated by all three of our priests, and assisted by all three deacons. After mass, everyone was treated to a dinner featuring all of Father Larry's favorites - Chili, Cornbread, Brownies and Ice Cream. The Family Center was very festive with blue, white and silver everywhere, and featured a balloon arch with giant "25" balloons. Joe Lemmo provided the entertainment by roasting Father Larry. After a beautiful speech by Maria Shepherd, the Columbiettes presented Father Larry with a new set of vestments. A special tag was made for the vestments to commemorate his special anniversary. It was a great party and a great way to thank Father Larry for everything he has done for the church and the Columbiettes.
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December 14, 2019 - Wreaths Across America
The auxiliary purchased four wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America Program, a program that works to provide wreaths for every veteran's grave in all military cemeteries across the country. On Wreaths Across America Day, several sisters joined in with many other local volunteers to help place the wreaths on the veteran's graves. It is a very moving day as we honor those who have served and especially honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
September 14, 2019 - Knights Dinner Auction
The Knights held their annual dinner auction, their largest fundraiser. The Columbiettes were asked to donate desserts, and donate they did. The tables were overflowing with so many goodies! The sisters were also needed to help decorate. Several sisters helped decorate the tables, while others helped put up dinner posters around the room. The Family Center looked great and the tables were all so festive. The dinner auction was one of their most successful ones and the Knights were very appreciative of all our help.
August 5, 2019 - First Degree and Ice Cream Social
Who screams for ice cream! We do! The evening started out with a First Degree where we welcomed six new sisters to the auxiliary. After the degree ceremony, we installed Father Luiz Alvarez as our new Columbiette Chaplain. Once all the business was finished, it was time to move on to the fun - the ice cream social! What a great and yummy way to welcome all our new sisters and to reconnect with the old! We even had a few "visitors" - Father Larry and a few Knights who came for the leftovers. A fun evening for everyone.
June 2, 2019 - Father Adam's Anniversary Reception
The parish gathered for a special celebration - Father Adam's 25th Anniversary of his ordination. The family center was decorated in lots of bright, cheerful colors. The serving tables were overflowing with special treats - donuts, breakfast breads, pastries, cookies and his favorite, cream puffs. To top off the fun, polka music filled the air.
The Columbiettes presented Father Adam with a special basket filled with all his childhood favorites. Thank you Barbara Francissen for the homemade kolachy cookies and Mary Binicewicz for the homemade pierogies and sweetbread. Father Adam also received two new pairs of crazy socks - one covered in popsicles, the other with pierogies.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Father Adam's reception so special. I know that he was deeply touched and very appreciative.
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May 10, 2019 - Rosary Ministry Milestone
The Rosary Ministry reached a milestone - 10,000 rosaries made! When the ministry first began, we made only a few rosaries each month, afraid that we wouldn't be able to give them all away. What a difference three years makes. The ministry now makes hundreds a month, with many sisters making the rosaries at home. Maria Shepherd, master knot maker, just completed her 2,500th rosary! The rosaries now go to not just our church and local ministries, but to ministries around the world. With everyone still knotting away, it won't be long before we hit the 20,000 mark!
February 4, 2019 - Tutus and Tiaras
The Columbiettes gathered together for a fun night of laughs, lots of pink, and an opportunity to release their inner princess! Everyone came donning their favorite tiara and spent the evening making their dream tutus. The tutus were for Tutu Capers, an organization that provides tutus and capes for local children in the hospital. Not only did we come dressed as princesses, but we were treated to princess themed goodies - tiara shaped cookies, pink sprinkle cupcakes, and a nice fruity punch. In the end, we made 77 tutus! I'm sure they will bring some smiles to some very deserving kids!
January 27, 2019 - Woman of the Year
Congratulations to our very own Beverly Galanek
for being named this year's St. Michael's Woman
of the Year! I can't think of anyone more deserving than this wonderful lady. She served as Auxiliary President, 2016-2018, and did it with lots of sweet southern charm. A lady with a big smile and an even bigger heart! Congratulations Beverly. You do the Columbiettes proud!
She will be honored by the Archdiocese at a ceremony this April.
October 2, 2018 - Novena Reception
The Columbiettes hosted a reception following the last night of our Novena - Prayers for Healing of the Church. The parishioners were asked to bring finger foods, and bring they did! The tables were overflowing and everything was delicious! Thank you to all the wonderful sisters who helped set up, serve and stayed to clean up! Father Larry was very appreciated of all our hard work and support.
September 28, 2018 - Hope Center Work Day
Several sisters spent the morning at Seeds Thrift Shop just "sortin', taggin', and hangin' " all the donations. Our work days are always a lot of fun and a great way to spend time with our sisters while helping to support a great cause.
