One of the ways our parishes are engaging Halloween is by having a table at the downtown Trick-Or-Treating events, where we will not only give out candy, but also, saint prayer cards.

We have some saint cards from “The Catholic Woodworker.” catholicwoodworker.com/collections/prayer-cards. As well as from “Portraits of Saints,” www.portraitsofsaints.com.

So, we will be at:

• Trunk or Treat – Downtown Ackley; Thurs., Oct. 27, from 4:30–6 p.m.
• Halloween Howl – Downtown Hampton; Sat., Oct. 29, from 5–7 p.m.

Besides the sweet candy and saint cards, we will also be giving out invites for people to stop by and visit our Churches on Halloween night to see our “Saint Garden.”

What is this Saint Garden?

Another way we are engaging Halloween is through setting up a “Saints Garden,” in front of each Church. This will be an outdoor autumnal decorated display that will feature pictures and brief information about a variety of saints with images colored by our kids in Faith Formation. We will also have “jack-o-lanterns” with various “Christian Symbols” carved by our parish youth.

We are encouraging people of the community to stop by and see it, and children will again be able to get sweet candy and Saint Cards here as well!

Oct. 31, 5–7 p.m. at both St. Mary’s in Ackley and St. Patrick’s in Hampton.

If any of you would like to volunteer to help with any of these (be at either downtown events or Saint Garden to help give out sweet candy and Saint Cards), we’d love to get you involved! Please contact Jolene Harms or the parish office, and let them know if and when you would like to volunteer!

Also, amidst the spookiness, remember to keep the “Hallow” in “Halloween.”

“All Hallow’s Day” that is All Saints Day, is a holy day of obligation, so it bears the same obligation to attend like a regular Sunday. So, plan ahead now for your Mass options:

• Mon., Oct. 31 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s, Ackley
• Tues., Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s, Hampton

Lastly, on October 31, from 8 p.m.–midnight at St. Patrick’s in Hampton, the Church will be open for Eucharistic Adoration. I’ll say more about this in an upcoming column.

Peace,

– Fr. Kevin

PS: If you missed my talks at the Rustic Brew in Hampton but would like to hear them, I will be giving the same talks on Sat. Oct. 22 and 29 at 8:30 a.m. at the ACKLEY Civic Center. The event will feature coffee and treats from Chairish Life Coffee Shop.