Cookie Day (11/16/2025)

It’s Cookie Day at our parish church this weekend. A couple of we women bake up several batches of cookies, and everyone is offered a cookie as they leave church. As you would guess, it is one of the most popular weekends for children.  But you’d be wrong if you thought it was only the children that look forward to this weekend every year. The adults appear to have broader smiles than usual. And there isn’t the usual dash for the parking lot. Yep, cookie day is a favorite for multiple reasons.

And why do we give cookies away once a year, you may ask. It is in hopeful anticipation of a great “Cookie Walk” – the only fundraiser for our Council of Catholic Women. We give a cookie away as a “pay it forward” hoping that those who received it will get in the spirit and donate a batch or two of their favorite Christmas cookies or candies. The event is not just a fund raiser. It is also a huge community builder among our members and even within our larger local community.

And with the monies raised, the women are able to serve the community in so many meaningful ways: minister to grieving families by providing funeral luncheons and a grief support group; offering scholarships to our parish students; providing assistance for our youth’s faith formation; gift bags for families baptizing children; welcome bags and visits for parish newcomers; donation to our women and mother support agency for formula and diapers; provide Secret Santa gifts for family in need. It’s amazing how far the money goes within the community.

Thinking about all that can be done and is done in Christ’s name for love of others is certainly incentive for individuals and families to donate a batch of cookies or candy. Most PIPs (people in the pew) want to be of service. Sometimes we need to offer manageable opportunities for families to participate. Donating a batch of cookies or candies is manageable. Attending the sale and buying a box of cookies or candies is manageable.

Sometimes we need to “invite” others to participate in Christ’s ongoing salvific mission that continues. Sometimes we need to make our invitations “sweet” to attract more. The LORD asks us to daily seek to make a difference for His glory and for love of Him and one another. Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together especially when it makes everyone smile?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.