From staff reports

The annual Italian Festival in Epiphany Parish, Brick, is returning this weekend with a two-fold mission.

Not only will the festival commemorate the Feast of the Assumption, the parish will be taking cash donations for the town’s age-restricted community known as Greenbriar, which was devastated by recent floodwaters.

“We at Epiphany know that as a parish it was our obligation to be the face of Christ in this time of need not only for our parishioners but the entire Greenbriar 1 community,” said Sharon D. King, parish director of media affairs.

Nearly 8 inches of rain fell in the Brick area Aug. 13, according to the National Weather Service. A state of emergency was declared in the 55-and-older community, as police took part in water rescues. Many seniors returned to their homes only to find them uninhabitable or rooms and belongings buried in 3 to four feet of water.

All of the donations from the festival will be taken to Greenbriar in the coming week, where Father Michael Santangelo, parish pastor, will present a check to volunteers organizing relief efforts, King said.

The Epiphany Parish festival, now in its 18th year, runs through Aug. 19. From 5-10 p.m., take part in  rides, food, vendors, a Mary’s Prayer Garden and more. There will be a 4 p.m. Mass on Aug. 18. Church of Epiphany is located at 615 Thiele Road, Brick.

For additional information, or to donate to the Greenbriar community, contact the parish at (732) 458-0220.