Bunch offers fun at Saint Thomas More Parish

Intermountain Catholic

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Members of the Fun Bunch gather to plan events for the group.  IC photo/Laura Vallejo

SANDY — Three years ago a group of 55-and-older parishioners started a social group at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

At the time, the parish didn’t have a group for seniors. Louis Bertran and his wife were new to the parish, and Father David L. Van Massenhove, pastor of St. Thomas More, approached Louis Bertran with the idea of forming this new group.

"Fr. Dave asked me to see if I could start a senior group here due to my previous experience on other groups," said Bertran.

To choose the group’s name, a poll was taken. Every name on the list received just one vote, but ‘The Fun Bunch’ received two, so the name was born.

"A lot of what we do is still experimental; we started doing activities and started having fun," said Bertran.

For example one of the Fun Bunch’s activities is a soup dinner, to which participants bring their own dishes in the hope of winning a prize.

"We give each participant a number so they can display it on their dishes and people will vote for the favorite one. At the end we count the votes and give prizes to the winners," said Bertran.

The group has about 60 members, and last week they started calling other parishioners to invite them to participate. The Fun Bunch is open to all the parishioners of St. Thomas More.

"Fr. Dave has been very supportive," Bertran said. "Everyone in the parish is more than welcome to join us."

"It’s a Christian group where we all have a common ground and even with little things we all have a lot of fun," said Judy Little, who participates in the group with her husband, Bill, as the membership directors.

"I enjoy being with people that are relaxed. It’s just a good program for people to have fun in," added Bill Little.

The group has their own column in the parish bulletin every week, announcing the upcoming events such as an upcoming trip to Wendover.

"For $15 we get the bus, we get a buffet on a Friday which is the seafood buffet; we get coupons, a lot of things for a very cheap price," said Bertran.

Also planned for November are a wine, cheese and games event; a Christmas party is planned for December.

The group has a board that gathers every month to discuss all the activities, concerns, suggestions and things for the group to do. Committee members are Connie and Louis Bertran, Bud Mease, Marie Varoz, Shirley and Art Wasek, Beverly Lords, Veronica Florin, Millie Gallagher, Cathy Trentmon, Judy and Bill Little, and Carol Stormy Lupus.

"I think is a good group," said Art Wasek, who is part of the trip committee with his wife, Shirley. "We have a lot of fun. We have a lot of activities to bring the people together and it is fantastic."

For more information about the Fun Bunch and their activities call 801-942-0742.