St. Therese's Parish Picnic - Branford, CT

This weekend we were honored to attend St. Therese's in Branford, CT Annual Parish Picnic.































St. Therese's, the gem of the east shore, was established in 1927 in its first location on Thimble Island Road in Branford, CT.   In 1968 the Parish moved to its current location on Leetes Island Road in Branford, CT.  In 2006 Monsignor David Walker was named the Parish's sixth Pastor.

The Church's mission statement reads as follows:

The mission of Saint Therese Parish is to further develop and sustain a Christian community in which parish members of all ages, individually and together, grow in faith, worship, and service and to celebrate and extend to everyone the Gospel messages of love, hope, and justice.

Their annual parish picnic exemplifies just that!  Parish members, as well as their guests, happily gather every year to celebrate their faith, and enjoy the final bounties of the season.  This year, over 100 adults and 25 children gathered on the lawn of the Owengo Beach and Tennis Club in Branford, CT to once again enjoy the hospitality of the congregation.

Unfortunately, the 2011 parish picnic was cancelled due to Tropical Storm Irene's pounding of the east coast that day (8-28-11). Instead the congregation held a fall festival on the parish property in its place a few weeks later. It was a common theme today to think of all those who suffered at the hands of Irene and to remember where we all were a year ago at that time.  So many lost their homes, suffered property damage, or, at the very least, went days without power.

Today's weather was reason to celebrate - it was a beautiful 80 degrees with no humidity and a wonderful breeze coming off Long Island Sound.  It was a day to rejoice!

Everyone was enthusiastically greeted on arrival and "checked in" by members of the wonderful Parish office staff.

We started the day with clam chowder, hot dogs, and hamburgers...

 ...as well as many delicious salads and sides, all prepared by good Christian woman (one of my favorite lines from Steel Magnolias) and, of course, good Christian men.

Everything was delicious - and I need to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the men and women who take the time out of their busy schedules days and weeks ahead of time to begin preparations for this wonderful picnic.  Also a big thank you to all those who work the picnic, year after year.  Please know that your service is very much appreciated!

This year's parish picnic also featured the music of the Larry Ayce Band who serenaded and entertained all in attendance with some classic country music, as well as some "oldies".  

There were even some who braved the grass surface to dance!

There was time to quietly reflect

and the opportunity to visit.

All in all - it was a fun day for everyone!

and the day ended with some terrific desserts!

We were all able to enjoy some quality family time...

and catch up with old and new friends.

St. Therese's Parish

105 Leetes Island Road

Branford, CT 06405

203.488.2998

Thank you to Monsignor David Walker of St. Therese's

and 

Jane Rosenthal, owner of Owenego Beach and Tennis Club

for hosting a wonderful event and gathering!

Visit St. Therese's and tell them Home Place sent you!

For additional pictures visit:

Home Place St. Therese's Picnic 2012

Home Place St. Therese's Picnic 2013

Home Place - St. Theresa's Picnic 2014

Home Place - St. Therese's Picnic 2015 

Did you attend any picnics this week?
Does your parish have an annual event that you attend every year?
I'd love to hear about them in the comments section below!