Atlantic City parishioners create new program for seniors

Saint Monica Parish in Atlantic City has launched a new program called AC Gulls (God’s United, Loving, Lifelong Servants) to provide local seniors with fellowship, learning, and social activities. The program consists of weekly three hour meetings where participants can share their faith, listen to guest speakers, and play games.

A committee of five seniors, including parishioner Blanche Toole, designed the program to help older adults meet new people and spend meaningful time together. The idea began this past summer when Toole and other women in the parish expressed interest in playing Mahjong and requested to use the parish hall from pastor Father Robert Hughes.

The AC Gulls program is open to seniors of all religious backgrounds, including Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Muslims. Parishioners Marilyn Kirkland and Maryanne Martin stated the program is designed to be inclusive to follow the call to love neighbors.