MONROE - "Heal Our Bruises" is the theme for the Apostolate to the Handicapped Christmas dinner and Mass Saturday, Dec. 4 at Monroe High School.
This will be the first Apostolate dinner and Mass held after the death of Apostolate to the Handicapped founder Monsignor Thomas Campion. The annual event has been held in Monroe since 1971.
The program began in 1968 with about 60 guests and now includes more than 1,200 people who come from southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Iowa.
Some even come from as far away as Chicago to attend the event.
"We can follow Jesus by caring for the disabled - caring about them and for them, touching them, listening to them, believing in them," says the Apostolate's website, apostolatetothehandicapped.com.
Planning for the Christmas dinner begins almost immediately after the Apostolate's spring program. Preparation has become a little easier over the years because volunteers know what needs to be done. It takes hundreds of volunteers to make the day a success.
They drive buses, cook meals, bake cookies, work on the planning committees and serve food, among countless other jobs.
Hugo and Heidi will begin entertaining at 9:30 a.m. and will continue during and after the Mass. Bishop William Bullock will concelebrate Mass at 10:45 a.m.
The disabled will bring the gifts to the altar and the bishop during the Mass.
A traditional Christmas dinner will be served following the Mass and Santa Claus will make his annual appearance with gifts for everyone.
This will be the first Apostolate dinner and Mass held after the death of Apostolate to the Handicapped founder Monsignor Thomas Campion. The annual event has been held in Monroe since 1971.
The program began in 1968 with about 60 guests and now includes more than 1,200 people who come from southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Iowa.
Some even come from as far away as Chicago to attend the event.
"We can follow Jesus by caring for the disabled - caring about them and for them, touching them, listening to them, believing in them," says the Apostolate's website, apostolatetothehandicapped.com.
Planning for the Christmas dinner begins almost immediately after the Apostolate's spring program. Preparation has become a little easier over the years because volunteers know what needs to be done. It takes hundreds of volunteers to make the day a success.
They drive buses, cook meals, bake cookies, work on the planning committees and serve food, among countless other jobs.
Hugo and Heidi will begin entertaining at 9:30 a.m. and will continue during and after the Mass. Bishop William Bullock will concelebrate Mass at 10:45 a.m.
The disabled will bring the gifts to the altar and the bishop during the Mass.
A traditional Christmas dinner will be served following the Mass and Santa Claus will make his annual appearance with gifts for everyone.