Father Steven Bertonazzi, parochial vicar of Incarnation Parish, joins members of the “Pink Ladies” and other seniors for a dance at the Fall Fling in Mantua.
MANTUA – Wearing Islanders and Devils jerseys in Flyers country, Frank and Rosemary Duras were easy to spot at the senior Fall Fling on Halloween morning.
Formerly of North Jersey, the two now reside in the Diocese of Camden, attend Incarnation Parish and take part in its Prime Timers senior ministry. When they learned that their parish was partnering with VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden for the fall party, they suited up – no skates or pads required.
Frank Duras said the couple finds friendship and companionship at such senior events. “It gives us something to look forward to.”
Rosemary Duras smiled as she looked around at the orange tablecloth-wrapped tables, people wearing colorful outfits, and the DJ – dressed as a pope – playing Neil Diamond and Righteous Brothers tunes. “I’m astonished at all the costumes; everyone looks great.”
The two hockey fans were looking forward to showing off graceful moves not on the ice, but on the dance floor. “We were just in Vienna two weeks ago, learning the waltz,” Frank Duras said, grinning.
The four-hour event, which drew more than 100 seniors from across the Diocese’s six counties, entertained attendees with raffle and door prizes, a costume contest and games such as a guessing the weight of pumpkins and the number of candy corn pieces in a jar.
“It’s such a happy day,” said Christine Willard, VITALity’s manager of parish-based senior social Programs, adding that she was grateful for the collaboration with Incarnation’s senior ministry in co-hosting the event.
Willard and Deacon Jerry Jablonowski, VITALity’s executive director, mingled with guests and even joined them on the dance floor. So, too, did Incarnation’s priests – Father Raymond Gormley, pastor, and Father Steven Bertonazzi, parochial vicar.
The Prime Timers director, Flo Curley, and her fellow parish volunteers were decked out in 1950s pink jackets and chiffon pink neck scarves, easily recognizable for fans of the “Grease” musical and its iconic “Pink Ladies.”
Events like the ones offered regularly by her senior outreach, and the Fall Fling, give older generations security, Curley believes. “They know someone’s going to be there for them.”
Across the room, Dorothy and Edward McKeaney, from the Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill, filled out spooky crossword puzzles while crossing their fingers for some raffle prizes.
With bat ears and a purple and orange shirt that said “Trick or Treat,” Dorothy McKeaney did the majority of the talking, with her husband playing the part of a silent skeleton.
“This is all very nice. The music’s great, and we’re going to take some pictures,” she said.
Terri Gartner, who recently moved to Mantua from Pennsylvania, heard about the event from some senior friends. A Catholic, she couldn’t conceal her excitement at finding not only this event and the senior community present, but a place to practice the faith that she loves.
“Here, getting together, we forget about the bad things and only think about the good things,” she said. “I’m blessed to be meeting so many people. I’ll be looking for this Sunday’s Mass times at Incarnation, for sure, now that I found this.”
Toward the end of the Fall Fling, prizes were given out: cutest costume went to Barbara and Larry Woods from Incarnation, who were dressed as Jessie and Woody from the “Toy Story” franchise; funniest was awarded to Rose Hartman from Incarnation, who went as Winifred Sanderson from “Hocus Pocus”; and most creative wen to Nancy Citrino of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Sicklerville, who was a 1920s flapper.
Each winner won a basket of fall goodies and $25 gift card.
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