MENDOTA – The Holy Cross and Sts. Peter & Paul Evangelical Team had a special “Welcome Back (to Mass) Weekend” on Sept. 25-26.

On the Feast of Assumption, Aug. 15, an initiative was begun – 1,000 Acts of Kindness – in which it was hoped to reach 1,000 acts of kindness by members of the parish for people in the community. The target date for completion of the initiative was Sept. 26.

Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka helped to celebrate the special weekend with a bilingual Mass at noon on Sept. 26 at Holy Cross Church. Parishioners and friends were also able to attend any of the regularly scheduled Masses at Holy Cross, Sts. Peter & Paul, and St. Theresa during the weekend in celebration of the return to in-church services. This was also an opportunity to welcome “Bishop Lou” into his role as newly-appointed Bishop.

After the noon Sunday Mass, a Welcome Back Social was held from 1-5 p.m. at Holy Cross. Attendees were able to enjoy a delicious lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers/cheeseburgers, brats, potato salad, creamy coleslaw, potato chips, ice cream treats and beverages. The lunch was catered by Sullivan’s Foods and the ice cream was provided by Schwan’s.

There were also plenty of games played by the young and older alike, including bingo, corn hole, three-legged race, a backyard game that combines horseshoes, bocce ball and bowling, bucketball, flickin’ chicken, ring toss and lawn darts.