From the Stratford Star: Prayer vigil April 26 for Blue Star Families

The Blue Star Mothers and Families of Stratford Inc. will hold its fourth annual prayer vigil service honoring the men and women of the U.S. military Sunday, April 26, at 4 at St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church, 1300 Stratford Road.

The theme for the vigil is —Wake Up the Pride,— and will include patriotic songs and religious hymns, interfaith prayers, a candlelight ceremony, and brief addresses by state and local officials.

The ceremony is open to the public.

Mothers and fathers, spouses and children of local military personnel will be recognized during the prayer vigil in the church, then will be received at a coffee and cake fellowship in the parish hall.

The Blue Star Mothers and Families of Stratford was founded in 2003 by mothers who had children serving overseas as a support group for the families of servicemen and servicewomen. It is not affiliated with the Blue Star Mothers of America.

Among its activities, the Blue Star Mothers and Families of Stratford Inc. collects goods to send to soldiers overseas. The organization also maintains an honor board on the green of the Stratford Town Hall that bears the names of those who are currently serving from the town and some nearby communities.

This is the third time this annual vigil has taken place at St. Joseph’s of Stratford National Catholic Church. Several mothers from the parish are active in the Blue Star Mothers and Families of Stratford.

More information may be obtained from Kathy M. Sullivan at (203) 377-0676.