By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

On New Year’s Day around Sacred Heart Parish, Bay Head, activities such as watching football games and the Mummers Parade are put aside. Instead, parishioners focus on the Corporal Works of Mercy by reaching out to people in need.

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From 1 to 3 p.m., the doors to Msgr. Casey Hall are open wide, where guests from the community and surrounding towns are warmly welcomed to feast on a specially prepared meal, dance and sing along to the live music provided by an area disc jockey, participate in games and just simply enjoy one another’s company and friendship.

Parishioner Maureen Van Derspurt, a Sacred Heart parishioner, told of how the New Year’s Day Fellowship Dinner is part of an ecumenical outreach in which area churches of varying faith traditions “each take a holiday” and host a gathering for residents of Bay Head and nearby towns, Point Pleasant Beach, Brick and Whiting.

“And New Year’s Day is when Sacred Heart Parish hosts our dinner,” said Van Derspurt, who coordinated this year’s dinner with her husband, Thomas.

As the long line of people started filing in to Msgr. Casey Hall, Van Derspurt quickly noticed that the preparations for the expected 120 people had increased to a surprising 152, prompting a core of the 45 volunteers and even the pastor, Father Michael O’Connor, to set up four more tables with chairs and place settings for their additional guests.

“We welcome everyone here on New Year’s Day,” said Father O’Connor, noting there are various reasons that bring the guests to his parish. Some are homebound and have minimal opportunities to attend a social outing; others are “lonely” and appreciate the chance to celebrate the holiday with other people.

Van Derspurt sang the praises of the volunteers, all of whom were parishioners, as well as local businesses for their hard work in preparing for the day, manning the kitchen, serving the meals and beverages and, of course, cleaning up. The assortment of foods, including the main dishes, salads and desserts, were donated, and the disc jockey, Ed Austin, could not imagine spending New Year’s Day doing anything but helping out at Sacred Heart.

“I make a living at a job I love,” said Austin, who is a music teacher in St. Peter School, Point Pleasant Beach, and is involved in the parish music ministry. On the side he describes himself as a “one-man band” disc jockey. “Today helps me start off 2015 in a right way,” he said.

Trish Mullins, who assisted Austin with the sound board, added how happy it made her to share her love of music with the guests.

As nine-year-old Blaik Slavinski, and his seven-year-old sister, Ivy, both students in the parish religious education program, poured cups of soda and bottled water, their father, Dave, spoke of how important it was to have his children actively involved in service projects.

“Here they get to see, meet and help people who might be going through a tough time in some way, and hopefully this will help them to realize how fortunate they are…that they have a good home and a family who loves them,” he said.

The remarks given by guests about the Fellowship Dinner overflowed with sentiment and appreciation.

“The people are most sociable and couldn’t be nicer,” said Louise Hagensen, a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, who was with her husband and son.

“I’m having a wonderful time,” added Lynn Mitchell, also a Whiting resident. “It’s wonderful to be out with people on New Year’s Day. I’m looking forward to coming again next year.”