Canyon Church Hosts Senior Enrichment Program

St. Ann's Catholic Church offers weekly activities, meals, and fellowship for local senior citizens.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:50pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a senior citizen playing bag baseball (cornhole) against a backdrop of other lifestyle objects representing the Senior Enrichment program, such as a meal tray, exercise equipment, and playing cards. The image uses a bold, neon color palette and heavy black outlines to transform everyday senior activities into a modern pop art composition.The competitive spirit and community camaraderie of Canyon's Senior Enrichment program are captured in this vibrant pop art illustration.Canyon Today

St. Ann's Catholic Church in Canyon, Texas has launched a successful Senior Enrichment program that provides a weekly gathering for local seniors. The program includes exercise classes, group activities like bag baseball, educational speakers, and a home-cooked meal. Attendance has grown to 45-55 seniors each week since the program opened to the public last October.

Why it matters

The Senior Enrichment program at St. Ann's aims to improve the quality of life for Canyon's senior citizens by offering them a chance to socialize, stay active, and learn new things in a welcoming environment. In a city where many seniors may live alone, the program provides an important opportunity for community and connection.

The details

The Senior Enrichment program runs every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm at St. Ann's Catholic Church. It begins with 40 minutes of relaxation and exercise led by program president Marla Gales, followed by a home-cooked meal that meets nutritional guidelines. After lunch, the seniors participate in group activities like bag baseball, card games, and educational presentations on topics like technology and estate planning. The program is funded through grants and donations, and is open to all senior citizens in the Canyon community.

  • St. Ann's Catholic Church launched a pilot Senior Enrichment program for its own members in June 2025.
  • The program was opened to the entire Canyon community in October 2025.
  • Attendance has grown to 45-55 seniors per week since the public launch.

The players

Marla Gales

The president of the Senior Enrichment group at St. Ann's Catholic Church, who leads the exercise and activity sessions.

Catherine Fischbacher

A regular attendee of the Senior Enrichment program who enjoys the fellowship and group activities.

Lila Thayer

A participant in the Senior Enrichment program who attends primarily for the balance and strength exercises.

Cindy Gales

A volunteer who praises Marla Gales' efforts in making the program fun and engaging for the seniors.

Sharon Scott

A Senior Enrichment participant who describes the program as "absolutely wonderful, so much fun, great for seniors, socialization and great food."

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What they’re saying

“Seniors are competitive; they are almost ruthless.”

— Marla Gales, President of the Senior Enrichment group

“I enjoy the fellowship.”

— Catherine Fischbacher

“She (Gales) makes exercising fun. I am here for the balance exercise.”

— Lila Thayer

“Marla takes such an active part in it that everybody really enjoys it. She works hard at making it fun for everyone.”

— Cindy Gales, Volunteer

“Absolutely wonderful, so much fun, great for seniors, socialization and great food.”

— Sharon Scott

What’s next

The Senior Enrichment program plans to continue offering its weekly activities, meals, and educational speakers to Canyon's senior citizens. The program is also exploring ways to expand its reach and potentially partner with other local organizations to serve more older adults in the community.

The takeaway

The Senior Enrichment program at St. Ann's Catholic Church demonstrates how a community-driven initiative can successfully address the social, physical, and educational needs of local seniors. By providing a welcoming space for fellowship, activity, and learning, the program is enhancing the quality of life for Canyon's older adult population.