Parishes join forces for cash raffle, St. Paddy’s Day event

February 15, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

March 16 UPDATE: Organizers for Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day sing-along, potluck and raffle drawing have announced that dancers from Green Mountain Performing Arts’ Celtic Company will be part of the program.

Brenda Caforia-Weeber shared that news, with a subtle reminder that everyone is a wee bit Irish on St. Paddy’s Day: “We are so very excited to announce we will feature GMPA Irish/Celtic dancing throughout the afternoon to complement the fabulous Irish music sing-along with Father Matthew O’Rensch, Sergio O’Torres and Eric O’Weeber!!”

The site of many community events, St. Leo's parish hall sits behind St. Andrew's Catholic Church on South Main Street. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

The local Roman Catholic Church parishes of St. Andrew’s in Waterbury, Our Lady of the Snows in Waitsfield, and St. Patrick's in Moretown together are holding their first annual Cash Raffle fundraiser in four years. 

Winners will be drawn at the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration sing-along and potluck set for 3 to 5 p.m. on March 17 at St. Leo’s Parish Hall in Waterbury. The event will include traditional Irish tunes led by local musicians Sergio Torres and Eric Weeber along with Fr. Matthew Rensch, pastor of the three churches. 

Raffle organizers aim to sell at least 200 tickets. Cash prizes will be a first prize of $5,000 or 25% of ticket sales, a second prize of $2,000 or 10% of ticket sales, and a third prize of $1,000 or 5% of ticket sales. 

Tickets are $100 each with the winners drawn at the March 17 event. Winners need not be present to win. A total of 300 will be printed. 

Proceeds from the raffle fundraiser will be put towards capital improvement projects at the three churches and shared with various charitable causes in the Waterbury and Mad River Valley area.  

Purchase tickets with a credit card online here. Churches will have fliers with information on purchasing tickets with cash or checks. If not all are sold by March 17, the remainder will be available at the St. Patrick’s Day event. 

The community is invited to the sing-along potluck where admission will be by donation. It will be an alcohol-free event.   

For more information, contact Brenda Caforia-Weeber at 802-371-7176 or bcafweeb@gmail.com.