On December 3, 2016 we met for our class project at St. Margaret Mary in Lomita. Our next class will be on December 17th at Alemany High School.(Please click here to read all of our experiences of the bi-monthly  Deacon formation classes)

Our project was to help serve a Christmas lunch to families with Special Needs members. After the families arrived, signed in and had their picture taken with Santa, we greeted the families and escorted them into the hall where cookies, ice cream, popcorn, hot chocolate and coffee was served.

There were games, a petting zoo, a fire truck, an ambulance and a police car that those present could  tour and/or interact. There were also Christmas songs sung by a choir.

Those who were present with special needs varied in age from 3 to over 60 years. The families were not just from St. Margaret Mary  parish but from other surrounding parishes and the community was also invited to attend.

.Candy and Jay escorted a number of families. They were shown the games and other outside activities prior to being brought inside for food and music. After the families were settled in, Jay kept an eye on Anthony for his mother.  Anthony was in his mid-30’s and his mother had difficulty walking. Jay would check on him from time to time to ensure that he was doing OK and then report back to his mother.

We all helped prepare the lunch. Some prepared the cheeseburgers, others put the meal together and some took the meal inside for the guests. Candy helped to prepare & wrap the cheeseburgers while Jay transported the grilled hamburgers from the BBQ to where they were assembled.  Over 400 cheeseburgers were prepared and served to the 200 plus attendees.

When all of the fun was over and the gifts were passed out, we stayed and help put things away.  At Holy Family this is referred to as the “ministry of the chairs”.

Smiles, laughter, songs and dancing abound. It was a great day!

And our Diaconate Journey continues…

If you have any questions about what we have experienced in the diaconate (aka “that deacon thing”), please ask us or send us an e-mail to gbmom_01_02@yahoo.com.

If you are interested in becoming a Deacon or a Deacon Couple for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please contact:

Diaconate Formation Office Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241 213-637-7383

Candy & Jay Krueger, Diaconate Formation, Year V,
Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA