On Monday, Nov. 25, St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School in Westbury hosted its 11th Annual Thanksgiving Liturgy and Luncheon for senior citizens.

Seniors from the local centers, including Westbury, Salisbury, Carle Place, the New Cassel Nutrition Center, Senior Connections, Magnolia Gardens and The Regency attended. The day began with Mass in the school chapel celebrated by St. Brigid's pastor Rev. Ralph Sommer and assisted by Rev. James Stachacz. The school chorus provided music during the liturgy.

The seniors joined the students in the cafeteria for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and freshly baked pies for dessert. In addition to acting as ministers of hospitality throughout the day, the older children also served lunch and handled the cleanup. Many parent volunteers where also on hand to prepare and serve.

After lunch, children in nursery school through third grade treated the seniors to poems and songs.

This yearly event began as a way for the students, faculty and staff of St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School to say "thank you" to the senior members of our community. It has grown from 50 guests the first year to over 250 this year.