Birthday Party for Jesus

The General Board Meeting minutes of February 7, 1995 mentioned the first proposal for a Santa Lunch, an activity for the children. This project was approved and was held for the first time at St. Bernard Church Hall on December 2, 1995. Kathy Brunn and Meg Lee were the first co-chairmen. In 1997 the activity was renamed and called the "Birthday Party for Jesus". It continued at St. Bernard through 1998 and was then moved to St. Sebastian Zwisler Hall in 1999.

In 2002 and 2003 there was no party, but it was resumed again in 2004 and continues to the present time. The party now involves a variety of activities such as face painting, a cookie walk, pictures with Santa, storytime, balloons, and a raffle of baskets filled with various items for children. Children are asked to bring a small layette item for the Layette program and in turn receive some basket raffle tickets to use. Lunch includes pizza, salad, and juice, and the meal concludes with a birthday cake for Baby Jesus.