On Monday September 6th at St. Joseph Manor' on the grounds of the Our Lady of Sorrows Convent, 261 Thatcher St., from 11am-6pm will be the annual Labor Day Picnic. Traditional Lithuanian and American food will be available for purchase along with Live bands, games of chance, antique car display and kids games including: Moonwalk, 9-Hole Mini Golf Course, Radar Speed Pitch and more. Parking is available for $5.00 and the weather outlook for Monday is expected to be mild in the 70s and sunny.
The Picnic's proceeds will go to benefit the residents and clients of St. Joseph Manor Healthcare in Brockton, a non-profit organization. The Sisters founded St. Joseph Manor Nursing Home in 1965 and remain active in its operation and mission to this day.
The first Labor Day picnic to benefit the good works of the Sisters of Jesus Crucified of Brockton,Ma, primarily a Lithuanian congregation, was held in 1946 and was attended by thousands of people. The Sisters lived in the Convent and educated pupils at St. Casimir School in Brockton. The pupils were Lithuanian, those of Lithuanian decent and parents who wanted their children to get a quality Catholic education. The school merged with St.Edwards in 2007 and became Trinity Catholic Academy which opened in September 2007 and serves over 400 students, pre-k through eight grade.
The Sisters organized and worked the picnic until the mid-eighties, when it was canceled after the city would not grant a license for wine and beer and for small gambling games like nickel pitch. Restarted last year with attendance over 4000, this years turn out is expected to be even more. There will also be a con-celebratory opening Mass in the Sister's Chapel at 10 AM.
