St. Elizabeth's Men's Day 2011 ~ Mary T. Walker, The Roving Reporter

Sunday, October 9th was a bright, beautiful day. As I entered the church through the basement, my eyes were filled with the beauty of the decorated tables, colorful yellow flowers and the smell of bacon cooking. It let you know that it was indeed a special day of celebration. It was Men's Day!

Even the Kitchen Committee members, Lucy Thompson, Gloria Johnson, Stephonia Owolabi, Carolyn Nash, Peggy Beverly and Barbara Randall were dressed color coordinated in black and yellow as they prepared the morning treats. We are always grateful for each of them.

Entering the Sanctuary, things were buzzing with the rosary being said and preparations were being done for the morning worship. Parishioners, families and friends were gathering with greetings, smiles and the excitement of the day. The choir area was taking on a different look as the newly formed "Men's Choir" members were taking their places. Eugene Ponton, Phil Brew, Tommy Smith, Peter Thompson, Odell Mealy (Pete), Cliff Wright, Sam Walker and Larry Williford under the direction of Kim Ford with Scott Stell on piano. The choir delighted us with their selected songs, moving us to sing with joy and sometimes be moved to tears. Could this possible be the start of a newly formed choir???


Fr. Francois started the Mass with joy and this was to be the theme to permeate throughout the service. It was a time of togetherness to praise God and to celebrate and honor the wonderful men of St. Elizabeth, and to thank God for each of them. We were blessed with reflections from Jay Schwermer and Tommy Williams. Shelton Jones gave a history of the Men's Group that has continued over a 25 year period, starting in the days of Fr. Mike.

Each of us had to be touched as Shelton, on behalf of each man and perhaps, each of us members honored Larry Williford as a "Friend and Big Brother" for his love and devotion to the Men's Group and to St. Elizabeth's. Shelton presented him with a "Fried Chicken Fund." In my personal salute to Larry, I can only say "Nobody does it better!"


We were spiritually fed during the Mass and later, it was a time to celebrate with food cooked and served with love. God must have been smiling and saying, "Well done, my servants of St. Elizabeth's, well done!"

To my beloved church family, we must never lose sight of our purpose on this special corner in Highland Park. We stand in nothing but sheer gratitude for our men and for this Men's Day, 2011!


~ Photos by Amy Williford