By Kathy-Ann Gobin
NEWTOWN – Thousands of people are expected to line the streets for the only Labor Day Parade in the state and greet Grand Marshal Monsignor Robert E. Weiss as he leads the 61st parade through Newtown.
This year the theme of the parade is, “Deeply Rooted in our Community.” The parade steps off at 10 am from the War Memorial, processing down Main Street, Glover Avenue and ending on Queen Street in front of the judging stand.
“It was time to honor a man who has deep roots in our community,” said Melissa Kopcik, Vice-President and Participant Coordinator of the Newtown Labor Day Parade. “He has always been steadfast in his commitment to the residents of Newtown and beyond.”
Typically, clerics and politicians are not considered for the role of Grand Marshal but Monsignor Weiss, who recently celebrated 50 years as a priest – 24 of those years at St. Rose of Lima Parish on Church Hill Road – exemplifies the meaning of true community spirit.
“It’s a great honor because they always pick someone who has contributed to the community and I am humbled and honored by it to be sure,” Monsignor Weiss said.
Affectionately known as Monsignor Bob, he is a familiar face around town often seen frequenting town shops or the grocery store and always willing to stop and chat, Kopcik said.
St. Rose of Lima Parish is deeply rooted in the community under the leadership of Monsignor Weiss, the parish hosts a food pantry for the town, engages in fundraising for various charities in the town and Msgr. Weiss has shepherded the town for healing following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.
“He’s a pillar of the community,” Kopcik said. “He is a faithful navigator who is true to himself and the people of this town and surrounding towns.”
Weiss is no stranger to the parade, having participated in the town’s parades since he arrived in Newtown more than two decades ago. One of his favorite parade memories was celebrating the town’s tercentennial in 2005.
“We had 300 parishioners dressed up as presents walk down Main Street,” Monsignor Weiss said. “It was a birthday party, we had to have gifts! We won a lot of awards that year.”
This year has special significance as well since Monsignor Weiss will be retiring. He will be surrounded by the community he so selflessly serves especially his parish family, as the St. Rose float will be adorned with 16-inch red foam roses with parish family names on them. Each family could purchase a foam rose to adorn the float. The idea was so well-received they sold out of foam roses to build the rose garden float reflective of the parade theme.
“We wanted to have a way for as many St. Rose parishioners be a part of the parade as possible,” Monsignor Weiss said.
The Labor Day Parade will feature the town’s fire departments, high school band and pep squads. The Shriners, pipers, drum corps, clowns and much more will also be a part of the parade.
Weiss is expected to be riding in a 1914 steamer car decorated in roses, escorted by the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard.
Much like the theme of the parade, this community event is rooted in Newtown’s history.
“It’s wonderful to see the smiles on the spectators faces as the parade processes on Main Street,” Kopcik said. “It’s nice to see the joy this event brings to the community and how it brings the community together.”
Photograph courtesy of the Connecticut Post
