ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH

            We have gotten the okay to begin the restoration of Iverson Hall.  Unfortunately, it will not be completed in time to have the Pumpkin Patch this year but we will be ready for the 2010 Pumpkin Patch.  Thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing all you next year. 

            The Pumpkin Patch is our yearly fund raiser.  In the past we have put this event on to help raise money to payoff our church debt which we have now done.  The event is now held to help raise money for the much needed renovations of Iverson Hall which we hope to begin in 2005.

       We start early in the summer getting ready for the Patch.  It starts with sending out letters to various business organizations in St. Bernard Parish asking for a donation.  We have many who have helped with donations for several years.  A few of our biggest donors are McDonalds, Kebbler’s and Winn-Dixie.  Each child who comes out to the Patch on a field trip is provided some Pumpkin Juice (orange drink from McDonalds) and cookies that are donated from Kebbler’s and Winn-Dixie.   

      The next step is sending out letters to daycare centers and schools in the surrounding area.  We have children not only from St. Bernard Parish but also from Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemine Parishes attend the Patch every year.  September is a busy time with all the schools calling in to reserve their day and time for the field trip.  When the first of October arrives we begin decorating the hall and the field.  The week before the Patch opens the truck arrives with thousands of pumpkins.  Once you attend the Patch you can easily see that it is a success because of many people working together. 

      When the schools arrive the students watch a video inside the theater set up in Iverson Hall for about 25-30 minutes.  We have shown a variety of videos over the years such as Charlie Brown’s It’s a Great Pumpkin and Elmo’s Halloween video. 

Following the video the children next go on a hay ride for about 10 minutes or so. 

Next is the trip to the Pumpkin Patch to select their pumpkin. 

Each child is given a bag to carry their pumpkin in along with a coloring book and small pack of colors.  Many of the schools bring a picnic lunch to stay and eat on the church grounds – weather permitting. 

This year's Pumpkin Patch will begin the week of October 11th.  Sponsorship letters have been mailed out.  Letters to daycares and schools will be mailed in August.  Remember to call John at 682-0980 early for your reservations. 

            We had another successful year with lots of volunteers - a few a pictured here.

Please click on the following maps for directions to St. Bernard Catholic Church.  The first map is of the Metro Area and the second one is a closer look at the St. Bernard area.

                                           

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