On Friday, 5 April, 2024, the congregation of St. Michael and All Angels’, Deer Lake, hosted the Annual Easter Party for the Deer Lake Vera Perlin Association for Community Living. The Vera Perlin (as it is locally known) has been active in Deer Lake for over 50 years under the leadership of “The Hayden Sisters,” Louise Beck, Irene Hewitt, and Myra Spence. It has been tradition over the years that we host the Easter Party, and this year was no exception. In sharing a meal, the telling of the Easter Story, a treat from the Easter bunny, and of course a sing-a-long with the Wildwood Singers from Cormack, all who gathered had a very enjoyable time.
Without any doubt, the congregation looks forward to this event every year as not only do we have parishioners who are part of the Vera Perlin, but we love hosting all of them for such an event. All that has to be said a few weeks before the event is that we are doing it, and everyone will literally bend over backwards to make sure that this event goes off as very successfully as it does ever year. The joy and the happiness that is felt by the clients of the Vera Perlin brings feelings of happiness and satisfaction that words cannot express.
Personally speaking, I have a fondness for the Vera Perlin, as in the 1990’s my late sister had employment as a respite worker for those who have intellectual and physical disabilities. Due to this, all that someone has to say in question form is that it is “For the Vera Perlin,” and I cannot say the word “no.” Although we may look at such people as being “disabled,” they have the greatest ability to show to the wider community, and to the Church, the love of God, and the love that we should have for one another. We look forward to other ways in which we can work with the Vera Perlin and without a doubt, next year we will do this again.
