A groundbreaking ceremony for a new parish hall will highlight the annual fall bazaar this weekend at Mater Dei-Holy Name Catholic Church in midtown Topeka.
The bazaar will take place from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Mater Dei Catholic School, 934 S.W. Clay.
The Saturday portion of the event will include a Market Place, which includes a country store featuring homemade arts and crafts; a silent auction; a book nook; homemade baked goods; and a concession stand.
A bonfire with roasted marshmallows will be available from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the school parking lot during the S’more & Sangria Social. For $5, attendees can receive one sangria or cider, a s’more kit and caramel apples. Beer will be sold separately. The silent auction Saturday evening will include a wine auction. Organizers say admission to the family-friendly event is free, with items available for purchase.
A traditional turkey dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Mater Dei school, with eat-in or take-out options available. The cost is $9 for those 13 and older and $4 for children ages 4 to 12. Children 3 and under eat free.
The country store, silent auction, book nook, baked goods, food concessions, basket booth, cake walk, sugar poker and kids games will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Raffle tickets will be available both days.
On Sunday, Nov. 5, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for the Mater Dei-Holy Name parish hall immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass at the church, 1104 S.W. 10th. The parish hall will be located just west of the Holy Name church building.
The completion of the Mater Dei-Holy Name parish hall is part of the first phase of the Sowing Seeds of Faith capital campaign, a $1.4-million fundraising effort to support needs at both Holy Name Church and Assumption Church, 204 S.W. 8th, which together comprise the Mater Dei parish.
Also included in the first phase will be taking down the bell towers at the Assumption Church, which have deteriorated over time and need to be removed because of safety issues.
Phase 2 of the campaign will include necessary tuck-pointing at both Holy Name Church and Assumption Church. Phase 3 will include replacing the Assumption church bell towers and establishing an endowment fund that church leaders say will ensure the Mater Dei faith community will continue to thrive for generations.
To date, church officials said, more than $930,000 has been committed to the campaign.
“There has been a great response to the capital campaign,” said the Rev. John Pilcher, Mater Dei’s pastor, “and I am encouraged for the future of our parish.”
