What started as a casual conversation among some moms at one of St. Mary’s Youth Commission meeting last summer has grown into an all-out fun night for mothers and sons.

The discussion started with how some boys watched their sisters get all dressed up and go to the daddy-daughter dance and how much they would love to take their mom to a dance, too.

Everyone loved the idea. Initially, we simply called the event a Mother-Son dance and the title evolved from there into a Mardi Gras themed event and the catchy title grew out of that theme. Imagine dozens of elementary and middle school-aged boys enjoying themselves at a dance. Now imagine that their eager dance partners are their own mothers. That’s what’s happening on this memorable night.

Our first Mother-Son Mardi Gras MOMbeau will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the O’Connor Family Life Center, 613 Main Street. The event is designed for moms and their sons from 3 years of age through eighth grade. The dress code is “dressy — church clothes,” or you can even get dressed up in formal wear. There will be music, king cake, light refreshments, and tons of fun. Pictures will be taken for $10.

CYO members and their parents will turn the O’Connor Family Life Center into a fun Mardi Gras ball venue and there will even be a second line dance at the end of the evening — just like they do down in New Orleans. So bring an umbrella to dance in the second line and wear your dancing shoes so you can dance the night away with that special little man in your life. There will also be a son dance off contest and the winner will be crowned King of the MOMbeau!

Proceeds benefit the St. Mary CYO. Our youth participate in community services and activities throughout the year, such as working at the Stewpot, delivering poinsettias to the homebound, collecting donations for the Natchez Adams County Humane Society and the Stewpot, and so much more.

Part of the proceeds from this breakfast will help send the youth on their next Catholic Heart Work Camp mission trip next summer, which will be in Nashville, Tennessee.

There are 40 teens and 11 adults attending camp this year, and we are so grateful for the fabulous support of our parish and our community, for without you all the many things we do with our youth at St. Mary would not be possible.

This youth trip provides service opportunities to restore homes and hearts, feed the hungry, lift the spirits of children, bring joy to the elderly and disabled, and offer assistance while partnering with social agencies. Our youth grow so much on these trips — helping them become better leaders of tomorrow.

The event’s ticket prices are $20 for advance family tickets and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at St. Mary Basilica’s church office or from a member of St. Mary’s CYO. We want families to enjoy their time together make great memories. If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Lambert at 601-445-5616 or stmaryyouth@cableone.net

Carrie Lambert is an organizer of the St. Mary CYO MOMBeau.