Catholic church celebrates anniversary

By MARTY MADDEN mmadden@somdnews.com

Jesus the Divine Word Catholic Church recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary.

According to a release submitted by parishioner Megan Vera, the occasion was marked with a parish picnic on Oct. 6, 2024. The Huntingtown church is led by the Rev. John Dakes.

Dakes shared his thoughts on the celebration saying, “The theme of the picnic, was ‘So Rich a Harvest,’ highlighting the harvest of God that has gradually grown and produced good fruits in both our church and in the community.”

The theme was on display, too, by the way so many wonderful people, all volunteers, joined to make the picnic a welcoming and enjoyable festival for everyone in attendance, he said.

The release stated that “the fruits of the harvest were seen in those who for months worked behind the scenes in its planning phase and in those who came out to either set-up, clean-up, or work the different activities.”

“The picnic was a blessing for us and a day I will remember for a long time to come,” Dakes said. “It is events like this that remind me how much I love being a pastor to God’s people.”

The picnic included food, a bake-off, pie eating contest, crafts, face-painting, games and more. The pumpkin goodwill offering raised almost $1,000 for Birthright. The decor of the picnic was beautiful; embracing the harvest theme with pumpkins, wheat, and flowers, as well as incorporating oysters to celebrate 30 years.

Church members offered special thanks to the JDW picnic committee, especially co-chairs Angela Banyasz and Barb Oursler, the JDW parishioners and staff, as well as local farms Swann Farms, Zehner Farm, Brickhouse Farm, Dahlia Vine Flower Farm and Miller Farms, the Knights of Columbus, JB and the Pit Crew, Stoney’s Seafood, Nick’s of Calvert, John Reed and Leeann Stedman.

To learn more about Jesus the Divine Word Church, visit jesusdivineword.org or call 410-414-8304.