WEST WARWICK — Saints John and James Parish-St. Mary’s Mission recently held their Funny4Funds fundraising event at the Elks Club in West Warwick to raise money for repairs to the parish building. The event was coordinated by parish leaders working in conjunction with Funny4Funds, an organization that helps fund comedy-based fundraising events.
The night included a series of stand-up comedy routines by local comedians, a silent auction and raffles, raising $27,286 for repairs around the church, in particular the purchase of a new organ for Saints John and James. Both members of the parish as well as those from surrounding parishes attended.
“It’s a great turnout,” said Father Nicholas Fleming, the pastor of Saints John and James parish-St. Mary’s Mission. “It’s a great event. Catholics, we are meant to have fun together. We’re supposed to build community. It’s not all just praying in church. It’s praying, and then building community.”
“Everybody did a great deal of work,” said Mike Osenkowski, one of the event organizers. Thirteen members of the organizing committee pitched in to help. “It brings people together. All the people from the parish are here, conversing with each other … talking to your neighbor who sits next to you [in the pews].”
