Long-Time St. J&P Parishioner Wins the $30K Raffle

Halloweekend Race Rescheduled for Dec. 2 as Jingle Bell 5K

by Barbara Gallagher

(November 16, 2006) All it takes is one ticket to win, and that was all it took for long-time parishioner Claire Kubasik of Larchmont to receive $30K from the Saints John and Paul Halloweekend Raffle on Saturday, October 28. The raffle was a key part of the church’s second annual Halloweekend Festival, a major fundraiser for the parish. Tickets were sold at $100 each and the winner could choose between the All New Lexus IS 250 from Lexus of Larchmont or a check for $30K.

Long-time parishioner Claire Kubasik receives her $30K raffle winnings from Father Brian McWeeney of Sts. John & Paul.

“If I win in two years, I’ll choose the car,” Ms. Kubasik remarked. “But right now I could use the money to pay a few bills and plan a nice trip for myself.”

A retired mother of four children, all of whom attended Saints John and Paul School, Ms. Kubasik was not present at the Family Movie Night when her winning number was drawn from over 700 other tickets. When she received a phone call from Associate Pastor Father Joseph Nahas later that evening, she didn’t believe him. It was only later the same night when parish secretary Charlotte King called her that she realized she really was a winner.

“I thought someone was playing a joke on me during the first phone call,” she said. “But when Charlotte called, I knew she was telling the truth.”

Last year’s winner was also a dedicated parishioner of the parish, Thomas Webler of Larchmont, who attended Saints John and Paul as a child and raised his kids there. He won a 2006 BMW 3 Series sedan from Pace BMW in Mamaroneck.

Church pastor Father Brian McWeeney stated, “It has been a wonderful experience for me as pastor to present the winning raffle prizes to two such dedicated and active supporters of Saints John and Paul and all its activities.”

When asked about her thoughts on the Halloweekend Festival, which primarily involves younger families at the church, Ms. Kubasik said, “I think it’s a fabulous way to bring the parish together and offer so many activities that the whole community can enjoy.”

Runnin’ Scared Race Becomes the Jingle Bell 5K

While the Halloweekend Carnival and Cabaret Night drew big crowds inside the church during the rainy weekend of October 28, the 5K “Runnin’ Scared” race had to be postponed due to dangerous running conditions. The run has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 2 and has been re-named the Jingle Bell 5K. As with the Runnin’ Scared race, there will be a one-mile fun run at 9:30 am and a 5K run at 10:00 am, both starting from the lower church parking lot. All those who were registered for the Runnin’ Scared event are automatically registered for the Jingle Bell 5K and one-mile run.

Registration for the rescheduled race is still open online until November 30 at www.sjpchurch.org by clicking onto www.active.com. The entry fee is $25 prior to the race and $30 on December 2. All race participants receive a free continental breakfast at the church; a winter cap; and a runner’s bag full of goodies. Check-in starts at 8:00 am in the church auditorium for both runs, with the one-mile fun run starting at 9:30 am and the 5K race starting at 10 am. Santa Claus will join the start of the one-mile fun run. Children’s arts and crafts activities and a Christmas movie will also be offered in the auditorium.

In the spirit of the holiday season, a coat and toy drive will be held for St. Elizabeth’s parish located in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. Father Peter Pomposello, the former Associate Pastor of Saints John and Paul, is now assigned to St. Elizabeth’s and will be participating in the Jingle Bell 5K.

Refunds are also being offered to those who registered for the Runnin’ Scared race who cannot participate in the Jingle Bell 5K. These registrants can e-mail Carolyn Fay at csabatinifay@verizon.net for more information on receiving a refund and/or arranging pickup of their t-shirts from the cancelled race.

For more information, visit www.sjpchurch.org or call 834-5458.

Barbara Gallagher is a parent volunteer at Saints John and Paul.

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