By Emily Clark
Which ones to choose? Maybe a few cinnamon spice snowballs and a chocolate chip bar? Or some M&M cookies and pieces of peanut butter fudge? That was the sweet dilemma for parishioners at St. Joseph Church in Shelton last weekend as the Women’s Devotional Group held their annual Cookie Walk fundraiser. With 41 varieties of cookies and a holiday-themed raffle, this event drew scores of people after each Mass looking for some special treats for Christmas.
Members of the women’s group as well as several others each baked 10 dozen homemade cookies for guests to purchase at the Cookie Walk. According to parish trustee Mary Jane Paris, the women outdid themselves this year, breaking their own record of 22 varieties last year.
“We baked like gang busters!” she said. “Each year it keeps getting better, and everyone looks forward to it.”
Before getting in line to choose their cookies, parishioners received gloves and plastic bakery containers donated by Inline Plastics. They then began the “walk” around the outside perimeter of large rectangular tables, all adorned with holiday décor, mini Christmas trees, and poinsettia garland. Deciding which cookies to choose was the hard part though each tray of sweets included a small sign indicating the cookie name. When finished, guests weighed their treats and checked out. “It’s a wonderful event and very popular with the parishioners,” Paris said. That was evident as crowds surrounded the tables Sunday morning, making their selections.
Though the Women’s Devotional Group has been in existence for over a decade, the Cookie Walk began just a few years before the coronavirus pandemic. Paris and the other members credit Fr. Michael Dogali, pastor at St. Joseph, for helping the group – and the event – become rejuvenated.
“Father is and has been our biggest supporter, spiritual guide and terrific leader through our good times and challenging times,” Paris said. After Mass, she said he told the congregation that he had blessed all the cookies, then joked, “And there are no calories!”
Photos by Patrick Clark
With funds raised from the Cookie Walk, the group is able to offer Fr. Dogali a substantial donation for improvements throughout the parish, including new curtains in the hall, reupholstery for chairs on the altar, and updated security locks. Paris said, “All of our fundraising efforts and profits are used for on-going special projects.” Approximately $2,700 was raised from last year’s event.
Cookie Walk chairs Elaine Gaetano and Gloria Wardell were hopeful this one would also be a success. “It’s a joy working all together and baking for the good of the parish,” said Wardell.
In addition to this annual event, the Women’s Devotional Group holds spiritual and social activities throughout the year, all connected to their mission of “sharing faith in action through prayerfully planned activities and fundraiser events in support of our parish and our pastor.” Monthly meetings promote spiritual growth and personal development, bringing women into a closer relationship with Christ. Past activities have included talks from the sisters of the Apostle of the Sacred Heart and from priests at St. Jude Church in Monroe. Next spring, they are planning a one-day retreat. “It’s a great team of women we’ve got here with great leadership,” said Paris.
Begun as a cupcake fundraiser for the church years ago, the Cookie Walk is now a favorite among Women’s Devotional Group members and parishioners alike, said Wardell adding, “It’s a treat for everyone.”
