St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Cleveland held its 25th annual Three Kings Feast on Dec. 6, an event where parishioners celebrated and hosted community members to share gifts of time, spirit, and talents.
The event attendance has more than doubled over the years when 300 guests were first served in 1989 to nearly 700 in 2014.
After a blessing from Father Mike Nolan was given and translated into Spanish, a hot Christmas dinner menu was served during a live musical performance of Christmas carols. After the meal, 255 families received a warm blanket, and nearly 400 children received a toy as well as had the opportunity to speak with Santa Claus. Seating started at 11 a.m., but guests started lining up outside of the Parish Life Center at 6 a.m.
More than 200 parish volunteers participated. Months of planning preceded shopping for food and gifts, decorating, cooking, serving, entertaining, and cleaning-up to make it a special afternoon for the guests. Specific parish groups participating were Knights of Columbus Council 4572, Women of Faith, Boy Scout Troop 133, Hispanic Ministry, and the St. Thérèse of Lisieux youth group. The volunteers also were fed after the guests finished.
For more information about St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church, visit www.sttheresecatholicchurch.org or come to the church at 900 Clingan Ridge Drive NW, Cleveland, TN 37312.
