From Charlie Brown’s Pumpkin Patch to a Pumpkin Patch of
Patron Saints, the parking lot of Sacred Heart Church in Manassas became a
Halloween haunt for the third annual Trunk or Treat Oct. 30.
Dianne Anderson, outreach coordinator, said the Respect Life
Committee began Trunk or Treat as a family activity to end Respect Life Month.
As it has grown, other groups have participated.
This was the first Trunk or Treat for Mary Beth Murphy and
her daughter. Their car became a Pumpkin Patch of Patron Saints. She pasted
pictures of saints on paper pumpkins, along with a scarecrow and a white picket
fence.
“I thought it was important that the children knew the
meaning behind Halloween,” said Murphy. “It’s very important they know about
the saints. It’s seasonal and Catholic.”
Marguerite Crokus brought her granddaughter. “I thought it
would be a nice introduction to the church,” she said. Her granddaughter’s
family recently moved to the area. “It is important to get involved in things
outside the Mass, and she was very excited, making decorations all week.” Her
trunk theme was cobwebs.
Children collected candy and treats from the 22 cars in the church
parking lot. Games, such as pumpkin bowling, tossing neon rings on witch hats
and throwing eyeballs in cauldrons, also were part of the evening.