Delivering holiday meals

By William T. Clew
The Catholic Free Press

Michael Grenon has delivered meals for the Bishop’s Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to homes for years.
He said he started when he was about 7 or 8. Of course, he didn’t do it alone then. His father, David, did the driving and the whole family came along. That included Michael, three older sisters and a younger brother.
It was a family tradition, Mr. Grenon said.
It still is.
These days he brings along his three daughters: Alexandria, 14, and 8-year-old twins Courtney and Danielle. His wife, Brittany, has helped but lately she has stayed home preparing the family’s meal and celebration.
Mr. Grenon said he has delivered meals on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but on recent Christmases, including this year, he will be at home with his family. He said he probably will get back to delivering Christmas meals when the children are older. Now, while they are young, he said, he doesn’t want to pull them away from their Christmas morning excitement.
Catholic Charities and Bishop McManus host the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. In addition to those dinners that are delivered, there is a sit-down dinner at noon in the Cenacle in the basement of St. Paul Cathedral, where 140 or more people enjoy turkey and all the fixings with Bishop McManus.
Those who are delivering meals to homes arrive at 10 Hammond St., Catholic Charities’ headquarters, at about 8:30 or 9 a.m.
The hot, packaged, meals are loaded into the back of cars. Volunteers also receive index cards with the addresses of those who are getting the meals. In past years more than 1,600 meals have been delivered. Sometimes more than one meal goes to an address. But often just one person is at the address.
 The meals are ordered in advance, so people know he is coming, Mr. Grenon said. People are happy to get the meals and to see people, especially the youngsters, he noted.
He praised the work by Jerry Geddes who, with others, does much of the planning. He said he usually has some familiarity with the neighborhood where he is delivering. The route usually is in Worcester, but it has included parts of Millbury and Auburn. He said he and his children finish their rounds by noon and then head home for their own holiday meal.
He said he has delivered as few as eight or as many as 25 meals.
In addition to it being a family tradition, Mr. Grenon said, it is a good lesson for his children in giving back and helping people.
Mr. Grenon and his family are members of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough. He said all his children have attended St. Bernadette Elementary School on the east side of Northborough. Alexandra has moved on but the twins still are there, he said.
As always, the Bishop’s Annual Christmas dinner will be served at noon Christmas Day in the Cenacle.
 Buses will provide transportation to and from the cathedral for those who want to dine with Bishop McManus.
 Volunteers who want to help with home deliveries should report by 9 a.m. to the Catholic Charities main office at 10 Hammond St. Volunteers to help serve the dinners at the cathedral should report to the cathedral by 11:30 a.m., according to Susan C. MacMajor of Catholic Charities, dinner coordinator.
Those who wish to make donations to help defray the cost of the dinner may do so by sending contributions to Catholic Charities, 10 Hammond St., Worcester MA 01610.