Parishes offer a variety of programs for seniors

Photo courtesy of People Program
Three participants in the People Program's annual Spring Showcase show off their original artwork. After the challenges posed by the coronovirus pandemic in 2020, the People Program will resume its in-person classes for seniors in September at its New Orleans and Algiers locations. Go to www.peopleprogram.org for registration information. 

All Saints
ALGIERS

Trailblazers Senior Ministry
This ministry is designed to meet the needs of senior citizens with opportunities to socialize and obtain valuable information that affects their lives. Meetings held every second Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Althea Holmes Center, 300 Ptolemy St., New Orleans (behind the church). Chairman: Alvin Griffin, (504) 361-8835.

Ascension of Our Lord
LAPLACE

Silver Crusaders
Senior citizens, 55 years and older, meet, socialize and pursue mutual interests and activities. Volunteer opportunities for the church are available. Meetings are held on Wednesday afternoons, and field trips are scheduled accordingly. Contact: Thelma Kugler, (985) 652-3616.

Divine Mercy
KENNER

Divine Mercy Mature Adults 
DMMA is open to all seniors in Divine Mercy Parish. The goals of the group are three: spiritual, financial and social. Members enjoy field trips, a themed dinner fundraiser and participation in parish activities. The meetings are a mixture of information, playing a Bingo-like game and refreshments. Call the parish office at (504) 466-5016 for day and time of meetings.

The Sociable Seniors 
A fun-loving fellowship organization for those 50 years of age and above, the Sociable Seniors meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at noon. They enjoy their meeting time together, with refreshments and bingo at each meeting. The Sociable Seniors contribute groceries to the St. Anthony Ministry for the needy at Thanksgiving time. If you are interested in joining, call the parish office at (504) 466-5016.

Most Holy Trinity
COVINGTON

Holy Mackerels Club
Seniors gather in friendship, faith and fun. Meetings are held on the first Saturday of the month after the 4 p.m. Mass. Contact Vernon Sprawls at (504) 615-6970.

Our Lady of Divine Providence
METAIRIE

Silver Wings Senior Group
Seniors, 55 years and older, pray together, share information, help others, go to lunch, make local trips and have one major trip a year. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. Annual membership dues. Contact Janice Tassin at (504) 467-3571.

Our Lady of Prompt Succor

WESTWEGO

Widows and Widowers Group 

Meets outdoors, weather permitting. Guest speakers when available. More information at (504) 341-9522.

Fatima Rosary Group

Meets the third Monday of each month at 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church to pray the rosary, followed by devotions to St. Joseph and the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. All are welcome.

Our Lady of the Lake
MANDEVILLE

Faith and Fun
For the over-50 age group. The objective is to be a community of faith-sharing and fun, to help and care for senior members and to contribute to the welfare of the parish. Members host crawfish boils, picnics, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner and other events. Meetings are every other month. Dues are $25 per year. Contact Leon Toups at (985) 624-3868.

People Program, Inc.
NEW ORLEANS/ALGIERS 

Provides creative and intellectual activities for people ages 50 and older. More than 100 classes are offered on the east bank (Lakeshore campus, 2240 Lakeshore Drive) and the West Bank (Holy Spirit Parish, 6201 Stratford Place, Algiers). The People Program recognizes the need for creativity, learning, fitness and socialization in a caring environment. This unique community contributes to a sense of well-being and enjoyment for the seniors it serves. Cost for the fall and spring semester, which is 15 weeks long, is $200 for an unlimited number of classes. Call (504) 284-7678 for more information. Registration forms are downloaded from the People Program’s website, www.peopleprogram.org, completed and mailed in with your check to the Lakeshore location.
 

St. Agnes
JEFFERSON

Boomers and Beyond
Open to seniors ages 50 and over. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Marquette Activity Center (MAC), next to St. Agnes Church. Outings are planned almost every month at many different Louisiana attractions, parks, plays, dinners and cultural events. Meetings also include a small meal. Annual dues are $10. Parishioners from other churches are welcome. Contact the St. Agnes rectory at (504) 833-3366.

St. Andrew the Apostle
ALGIERS

SAGES (St. Andrew’s Gregarious Elders)
Parishioners, 50 years and over, meet on the third Monday of each month at 11 a.m. to hear a guest speaker. Entertainment, raffles, door prizes and refreshments are included. A SAGES Mass is celebrated on the second Saturday of each month at 4 p.m. Dues are $10 annually. Contact Karen Niklaus at (504) 392-4994.

St. Angela Merici
METAIRIE

Young at Hearts
Membership is open to St. Angela Merici parishioners ages 55 years and older. The goal of the organization is to provide for the spiritual, cultural and social enrichment for each member. Members also support parish activities and programs throughout the year. Meetings are at noon on the first Thursday of the month from September through May at Lakeshore Playground, Meeting Room #3 (across from the gym). For more information, contact Carol Gutelius at [email protected].

St. Anselm
MADISONVILLE

SAGA (St. Anselm Golden Agers)
SAGA is a social group for those 55 and above. SAGA enjoys eating out a few times a year and assists the church as needed. SAGA meets the first Wednesday of the month in St. Joseph Hall at 11 a.m. for a covered-dish potluck with an occasional speaker. This is a fun group that welcomes new members. For information, call Iris at (985) 875-2649.

St. Benilde
METAIRIE

Cher Amis
The Cher Amis are a social group open to people 50 years and older. Meets on the second Tuesday of each month, except during the summer. Hospitality and activities both on- and off-campus are planned throughout the club year. Contact the parish office at (504) 834-4980.

St. Charles Borromeo
DESTREHAN

SCB Grandparents’ Club
Grandparents of St. Charles Borromeo School students and other caring family members help with fundraising and social activities to benefit the school. Annual dues are $10. Contact: school office at (985) 764-9232.

St. Clement of Rome
METAIRIE

Young Elders
Seniors 50 and older meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m. in the parish center. Members enjoy spirituality, socializing, refreshments and games at all meetings, and occasional luncheons, bus trips and speakers. They also enjoy a potluck lunch special once a year. Dues are $15 per year. For further information, contact Wendy Rogers, president, at (504) 460-3080.

St. Edward the Confessor
METAIRIE

Hilltoppers
Membership is open to all Catholics, 55 or older. There are monthly luncheon meetings and parish and community activities. Contact Jay Vallelungo at (504) 330-8979.

St. Francis of Assisi
NEW ORLEANS

OWLS Group (Older Wiser Livelier Saints)
The group addresses the spiritual, social and cultural needs of parishioners, ages 55 and older. Members participate in monthly meetings with speakers, day trips, Day at the Races, Oktoberfest and Christmas luncheon. For more information, call Melisa Rey at (504) 227-3766 or email [email protected]. All are welcome, from within the parish or the wider community.

St. Francis Xavier
METAIRIE

SFX Sharing Program
Comprehensive program for community seniors to exercise mind, body and spirit. Members can enroll in a variety of 18 classes, pop-up classes, luncheons, social activities and much more for one fee. The program includes exercise and strength-training classes, French, senior talks, genealogy and spirituality of the Bible. Games include barbu, bridge, canasta, gin rummy and three levels of MahJongg. Watercolor painting and piano are also offered. The program includes two semesters (spring and fall) and an abbreviated summer schedule taught by volunteer instructors. Cost for a new member is $55 for a calendar year (dues are not prorated) and $45 for a renewal member. Contact Carol Pritchard at (504) 835-6809 or [email protected]

St. Gabriel the Archangel
NEW ORLEANS

Trumpeteers Bingo
Parish and community elders gather every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to play bingo with prizes, fellowship together with a light lunch, providing an opportunity for seniors to socialize and meet people with common interests. Contact Velez White at (504) 282-0296.

St. Genevieve
SLIDELL

Golden Age Club
Meets on the first Monday of the month at 1 p.m. Bingo and snacks are provided during meetings. A monthly bus trip helps raise funds for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Contact: Claire Crawford at (985) 288-0504.

St. Jane de Chantal
ABITA SPRINGS

Widow/Widower Group
Provides an opportunity for those who have lost a spouse to share prayer, spiritual enrichment, encouragement and social activities. There are occasional guest speakers or visits to local shrines, churches, museums and restaurants. Regular meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Barre Center Library. Call the office at (985) 892-1439 or Mary S. Francis at (985) 290-9170.

St. Jerome
KENNER

Seniors are very active, serving as extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, ushers, ministers to the sick and lectors and serve on the Unity and Hospitality Committee as altar servers and in the Altar Society.

St. Joseph the Worker
MARRERO

Young at Heart
The ministry is centered on parish life and offers numerous opportunities for spiritual growth, social interaction, intellectual development, community service and fun. Membership is open to anyone age 55 or older or whose spouse is 55 or older. For information, contact Ursula Allen or Ben Jeffery through the parish office at (504) 347-8438.

St. Mary of the Angels
NEW ORLEANS

Young at Heart Bingo
On the third Thursday of the month at noon, play bingo with prizes, have lunch. Group gives seniors a place to meet new people. Contact Peggy Lee Williams at (504) 416-3071 or Vera Landry at (901) 653-8059.

St. Matthew the Apostle
RIVER RIDGE

Joy Ministry (Just Older Youth)
The JOY Ministry offers monthly activities for those 50 and older: Socials, concerts, museum tours, luncheons, retreats, day trips, games, fitness and more. Contact: Dianne Varisco at (504) 737-4537.

St. Peter 
COVINGTON

Homebound Ministry
Elderly parishioners who are homebound and unable to attend Mass are brought holy Communion by extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. Contact Lisa Bayham at (985) 892-2422.

Homebound Prayer Warriors
The homebound of the parish are asked to be committed prayer warriors for the parish with a special intention specified each month, one of which is to pray for all of the parish’s ill or homebound. Contact Lisa Bayham at (985) 892-2422.

Eleventh-Hour Ministry
When the coordinator of the ministry is informed of imminent or recent death, calls are made to three (or more) of the prayer ministry members who are asked to pray for the dying or recently deceased person. The rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet are the most frequently used forms of prayers. Contact Kathy Barre at (985) 892-2422.

NAIM
The St. Peter Parish NAIM Ministry provides spiritual, emotional and social support to the elderly who have lost their spouse. Members meet once a month. Contact the rectory at (985) 892-2422.

Young at Heart Ministry
Ministry of the parish whose members 55 and older meet from August through May for social, spiritual and service events that foster family within the parish community. The matriarchs and patriarchs of the parish have open arms and kind words for others, especially before and after Mass.

Sts. Peter and Paul
PEARL RIVER

Grand Adults of Sts. Peter and Paul (GASPP)
The objective and purpose of GASPP are to provide social and spiritual activities, such as a potluck on the first Monday of the month.

Widows Support Group
Group meets monthly to help support each other in any way that is needed. Meetings are held on the third Friday of the month.

St. Rita
HARAHAN

Silver Trotters
A social and service organization for persons 50 and older. The group offers potlucks, socials and bus trips throughout the year. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month in the school gym at 7 p.m. Contact the church office at (504) 737-2915.

Grandparents’ Club
The Grandparents’ Club helps grandparents become involved in the lives of their grandchildren through school functions. The group takes field trips, makes baked goods and assists with the St. Joseph’s Day altar. Contact the church office at (504) 737-2915.