MSMM board member Colleen Reilly, and her husband Jim, have taken a leadership role in recreational activities at Mustard Seed. They have been organizing men’s volleyball games; family game nights; and other events.
On Sunday, February 7, Collen and Jim took a group of our kids snow tubing. Orange County operates a fine snow tubing facility at Stony Ford County Park. For a small fee, kids and adults spend the day going up and down the hill in large plastic tubes. A fine day was had by all.
Lined up at the top of the hill.
Warming up by the fire in the lodge.
The group got home in time to see the Super Bowl. Sisters Pam and Fran, who are not normally big sports fans, did express happiness that New Orleans won. It would seem only appropriate for a religious community to support the Saints.
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From Thursday, December 17 to Saturday, December 19 Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry held the annual Christmas Store.
The Christmas Store is one of the major Mustard Seed fund raisers. Throughout November and December, contributions are brought to the ministry from several local churches; VFW’s; Knights of Columbus; and many individual donors. The contributions are in the form of new clothing; toys; tools; kitchen appliances; sheets and blankets; and various other items. The merchandise is placed on display and migrant families are invited to do their Christmas shopping.
The donated merchandise is sorted to be placed on display.
After sorting the items are displayed and are ready for the shoppers:
The families come in to shop:
Our kitchen staff provided the families, particularly the kids, with cocoa and cookies:
One of the several Nativity scenes on display at the Mustard Seed house.
Our good friend and supporter Father Boland visits the store.
And a surprise visit from Santa Claus adds to the festivities.
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Parishoners and members of the Holy Name of Jesus Church in Valhalla, NY visted Mustard Seed on Saturday, December 12 with donations of several car loads of gifts for the annual Christmas sale. The Christmas sale is a shop set up by the nuns from donated items, which are then put on sale for members of the Migrant community. Holy Name of Jesus Church is one of several organizations who donate to the shop.
Members of Holy Name ready to leave for Mustard Seed
Some of the gifts brought by Holy Name. They are later sorted and catagorized by Mustard Seed board members and volunteers.
Holy Name members who delivered the gifts pose by the Mustard Seed Christmas tree.
On the same day, some men from the Lion’s Club dropped by to take some kids and their families for holiday shopping. Below are some photos of the Lion’s Club group and some of the kids.
The Christmas sale is December 17 to 19 at the Mustard Seed house. We will post some photos of the event soon.
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On November 7, Mustard Seed held our second annual Harvest Dinner at St. Francis de Sales parish hall in McAfee, NJ. 180 people enjoyed a meal of chicken; rice; tamales; pork; and refried beans and more as well. Our chefs Margarite, Patty, and Emma worked from 9 AM to 6 PM to prepare the dinner, and, as expected, it was outstanding.
We reprised the Day of the Dead table which we first celebrated last year. Dinner goers brought photos of deceased loved ones who were memorialized. Jenny and Rachel dressed in their formal quinciera gowns and demonstrated some of the ritual involved. Zenia and Edith gave talks about their experiences growing up in the Mustard Seed family.
Our guests were very gracious and anxious to come again next year. Everyone went home well fed and possibly a bit more knowledgeable in Mexican culture.
Our chefs Emma; Patty; and Margarite
Photos and memorabilia of deceased loved ones on the Day of the Dead table
Some of the 180 in attendance enjoy the dinner.
Rachel and Jenny in their quinciera gowns.
Edith Gonzalez recounts her time as a Mustard Seed "kid". She is now a Mustard Seed Board member.
Zenia, a recent high school graduate, also spoke about her Mustard Seed experiences.
Members of the board on the serving line.
Diners appreciate Jenny in her gown.
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On Saturday, October 24, Mustard Seed hosted a procession and ceremony in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of the ministry, and has interceded to help and guide the mission of the ministry; especially in the building of the pool.
According to tradition, the image of Our Lady appeared miraculously on the front of a peasant’s cloak. The image still exists and is displayed in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. She is likely the most popular religious and cultural image of Mexico. She is said to have appeared to Saint Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City between December 9 and 12 of 1531.
In the present day, Mexican and Mexican-American families share a statue of Our Lady, and it is sent from one home to another. It remains at any given home for a week. Our Lady is now housed at Mustard Seed for the week from October 24 to November 1. Saturday, October 24 was a day of rain and clouds but the heavens guided Our Lady and her many followers. A beautiful ceremony welcomed her and the rosary was recited in her honor. Father Boland was present to assist in the ceremony and bless all who attended. Children gathered in their traditional clothing to welcome Our Lady and celebrate her beauty and presence. A feast was then served to commemorate the special moment.
The procession of Our Lady
The statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe is life-size and she will be on display in the great room at the Mustard Seed house until November 1, 2009. She is enclosed in a glass case containing the Mexican and American flag and is adorned with rosaries and honored with live flowers.
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