If it's a little brighter around St. Aloysius Church on Saturday night, don't be alarmed. It's all to promote goodwill and contribute to a good cause.
Members of the church will light up more than 700 candles in white paper bags as part of Family Centers' Hope Lights Lives project.
St. Aloysius members raised $1,500 over a month to purchase the luminary kits, containing white bags, water containers, stickers and small candles that create luminaries. The luminary bags will be placed around the St. Aloysius' block, including Cherry, Maple and Park streets as well as South Avenue, making the street remarkably bright for a few hours. Other communities in Fairfield County will light luminaries Sunday.
"It's sort of a parish-wide thing. It's a beautiful symbol around Christmas time," said Stephen Pond, deacon at St. Aloysius and director of its youth ministry. "The weather is going to be good. We'll assemble and get them ready."
This is the parish's second year of participating in the Hope Lights Lives project, which benefits the Center for Hope and the Den for Grieving Kids. The groups' assist adults and children living with critical illnesses, grieving losses or coping with traumas.
"I think light symbolizes faith, hope and love," Pond said. "We want to light up the block and give people a good feeling. It provides a feeling of hope and optimism."
Pond said it also coincides with St. Aloysius' Star program, in which families purchase clothing and gifts for needy families.
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