Red and pink were the colors of the day when St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church played host to a full house of guests for the annual Valentine’s Day senior luncheon.

While the JRP & Co. Band sang and played oldies on the stage, plates of fresh-cooked meals were served to the guests seated around tables decorated with colorful floral centerpieces. Among the volunteer servers were the seventh-grade students of St. Anthony of Padua School. Knights of Columbus members like Les Thomas and Bill Labiak, in turn, served coffee and water to the guests.

Senior luncheons, presented by the church’s Ministry of Caring program, also recognize such special events as the birthdays of those in attendance. On Wednesday, the limelight went to parishioner Mary Carrigiet who was celebrating her 100th birthday that day. As a half-sheet of white chocolate cake was wheeled in, a grinning Carrigiet stood flanked by Father Patrick Walker, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, his predecessor Father Richard Morse who is now pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Oakdale, and Father Dante Dammay, assistant vicar of St. Anthony, who then asked everyone to extend their hands over the centenarian celebrant as a special prayer was offered for her. The prayer concluded with the guests singing “Happy Birthday” followed by Sister Ann Venita Britto, Minister of Caring coordinator, assisting Carrigiet in cutting the birthday cake.

Among the many guests were residents from The Commons, Leisure Manor, Prestige Senior Living, and members of several area churches. They also included the sister and brother-in-law of Sister Ann, Betty and Carl Powell, who are visiting Manteca from Calgary, Canada, where they live.

In addition to the JRP & Co. band, which is made up of friends Pete Villanueva, Ruben Gonzalez, and Gary Affonso, the Valentine’s Day entertainment was provided by four-year-old Alani Mullinet, a preschooler at St. Anthony’s, who serenaded the guests with several songs. Assistant vicar, Father Camilo Garcia, also took the microphone to sing religious Spanish songs including a number that he performed rap-style.