St. Patrick's Parish Hosts 5K Run

St. Patrick's Parish in Chatham Borough will host its first 5-kilometer run Saturday at 9:30 a.m., the latest in the month-long series of community-building events  under the banner, "Many Hands, Many Hearts, One Community."

The run falls near a date that caused much emotional pain and reflection in the community, the one-year anniversary of the murder of the Rev. Edward J. Hinds in the kitchen of the church rectory. The church intends to not only look back upon the life of Rev. Hinds, as with his memorial service one day prior to the run, but to build and renew the ties to the community and within the parish through coordinated outreach efforts.

Rev. Robert Mitchell, the current pastor of St. Pat's, explained the reason for the 5K Run and the community-building initiative as a whole. "The purpose [for Many Hands, Many Hearts, One Community] is two-fold: first, to remember Pastor Hinds, but also to build a greater sense of community in the wake of the loss," he said.

The church held a community picnic in September and an Oktoberfest dinner earlier this month.

The event is sponsored by private contributors and friends of the church, with varying degrees of financial gifts ranging from personal donations of any amount up to and more than $1,500 for Platinum level patronage. The funds that are raised will have a special purpose as Mitchell explained. "The donations are directed toward the Fr. Ed Hinds Memorial account. The funds will help renovate and memorialize a parish center in Fr. Ed's name."

Approximately 500 runners have signed up for the run so far, and that number continues to grow. While registration has gone on for several weeks, participants can sign up until Saturday at 7:30 a.m., at St. Patrick's School at 45 Chatham St. The cost of registration is $25.

There will also be a one-mile Fun Run at 9 a.m., for those who are unable to meet the rigors of a 5K race. Registration for the Fun Run costs $15. Further details about these activities can be found at the St. Patrick website.

Before the race begins, a short prayer service with appearances from Borough Council members will take place.

Other events yet to take place as a part of this outreach include a sold-out appearance from inspirational speaker Immaculee Ilibagiza on Oct. 27, and the production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" on Oct. 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. and an afternoon performance on Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 for seniors and students.

The memorial Mass on Friday night at 7:30 p.m., precisely one year after the death of Rev. Hinds. After the Mass,  there will be a second ceremony rededicating the St. Patrick's Parish Center with the name The Rev. Edward J. Hinds Parish Center, and the church has raised money to refurbish specific parts of the center in need of repair.

All the events have been geared to provide a spiritual and communal reconciliation in the area. The hopes are that, rather than being diminished by the weight of last year's tragedy at St. Patrick's, the church can build, grow and aspire to Rev. Hinds' quote that subtitles the entire Many Hands, Many Hearts, One Community series:

"...It is a dream where each person can find a home, a community in which they belong, whether young or old, rich or poor, conservative or liberal, single, married, divorced, separated, man or women. We have too long been separated into like-minded groups and have lost the true sense of Church in which all are one and the diversity and giftedness of each is essential for the vibrant life of faith."