Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Harrah hosted a New Year’s Eve celebration for the Feast of Saint John Bosco. The parish celebration was done in conjunction with the religious education program and was held in the Saint Teresa of Avila Family Center under the “big top tent” following the Bosco theme.
The night started with prayer from Deacon Jim Black, an introduction of Saint John Bosco (played by parishioner James McKay), and a dinner.
During dinner, McKay, as Saint John Bosco, introduced his “Bosco boys,” who would go from table to table to conduct various tricks and illusions, much like the Bosco boys of the 1800s. One Bosco boy even rode his unicycle.
After dinner, Saint John Bosco told the story of “his” life, recapping how he lost his father at an early age, forcing his mother to support him and his siblings.
Raised in a life of poverty, Bosco always had a passion to help other children find hope by catching their attention with things like juggling, storytelling and acrobatics. He believed that God had blessed him with these special talents, and he wanted to share them with others.
Bosco began performing free shows, where he always started and ended with prayer. Bosco later was ordained a priest so that he could continue a life of ministry, focusing on orphans, preparing them for the sacraments.
In addition to forming the Salesians of Don Bosco, “The Bosco Boys,” he co-founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, now known as the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco.
McKay talked with the children of the parish about how Saint John Bosco’s life and ministry is still alive and helping children today. He ended with a prayer focused on the children, their families and the parish community, and concluded with a Hail Mary, dedicated to Mary Help of Christians.
The Saint John Bosco Feast Day celebration was one of many events the parish has hosted to help educate the children and their families about the lives of the saints. They have celebrated Saint Nicholas, Saint Valentine and Saint Lawrence with special themed dinners showcasing their lives and how people can follow in their footsteps.
The parish has also had saint themed events like a Saint Teresa of Calcutta workday, where parishioners served families lunch and then worked together to improve the parish grounds.