Take Time Off Before Time Runs Off!

Dear Parish Family,
I am very excited about our upcoming Annual Parish Picnic, which is to be held on Sunday, August 9. The objective of the Parish Picnic is to foster fellowship and community spirit within St. John’s Parish, as well as offer a great opportunity to come together as a family of faith and share a wonderful time of dialogue, food, fellowship, and fun.

We will begin our picnic by celebrating Mass outdoors at 10:30 am on our school grounds. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow parishioners who attend Mass at different times. Worshipping God surrounded by the beauty of creation helps us recognize the Creator in all things. It creates a relaxed and welcoming setting, especially for all the families and guests. It is a visible sign of our parish family coming together in joy and unity. I believe that an open-air liturgy adds a sense of festivity and joy, perfect for a day of celebration like our parish picnic! Our 5 pm Saturday choir and 5 pm Sunday choir will provide us with beautiful liturgical music.

No picnic is complete without great food, and ours will be no exception! After our joyful outdoor Mass, the Knights will fire up the grills and the food committee will prepare delectable food so we can share a delicious meal as a parish family. Get ready to enjoy some classic picnic favorites at this year’s parish picnic! Our menu is sure to satisfy every appetite:
Pulled Chicken – Tender, flavorful, and slow-cooked to perfection.
Hot Dogs – A classic choice for all ages, ready for your favorite toppings.
Baked Beans – Sweet and savory, a true picnic must-have.
Pasta Salad – A refreshing side dish full of flavor and color.
Coleslaw – Crisp, tangy, and a perfect complement to the main dishes.
If you would like to bring a dessert or fruit to share, your contribution would be more than welcome! Thank you! There will be plenty for all, and it’s a great way to share your gifts and get a taste of others’ favorites too. Please be sure to label your dessert with the name and a list of ingredients, as this helps those with allergies or dietary needs to make safe choices. If you bring gluten-free desserts, please label them clearly, and keep them on a separate table to ensure everyone can enjoy them safely.

Suggested donations: Last Name A-F: Watermelon (bite-sized)
Last Name: G-L: Any Fruit (bite-sized) Last Name M-Z: Baked goods

There’s fun for all ages at this year’s parish picnic! Come ready to play, laugh, and maybe even win a prize or two. Here’s what we have planned so far:

Family & Kids

• Family scavenger hunt around the church grounds (faith-themed)
• Community mural where parishioners can draw or write what St. John's means to them
• Kids' temporary tattoo station (St. John's-themed tattoos)
• Sidewalk chalk area
• Bubble play area
• Four square

Open Play Lawn (All Ages): 
The idea is to have these available as open-play activities throughout the afternoon rather than organized tournaments, so families, teens, and adults can join in whenever they’d like.

• Volleyball
• Cornhole
• Ladder Ball

All Ages

• Bingo 

Come join the games and bring your best picnic spirit! Reserve your spot! The deadline to RSVP is August 3. RSVPs are required so we can give an accurate count to our food committee. The cost of the picnic is $5 per person, or $20 per family. Visitors, parishioners, neighbors, and friends are welcome to enjoy the festivities! Bring the whole family for some fun! Bring picnic chairs or lawn chairs. We have tents ready to go.

This wonderful event is not possible without your generous support. It needs lots of hard work from parishioners and volunteers. Are you looking for ways to act like Christ calls us to act and help with our amazing parish picnic? Well, look no further than volunteering to help with set up, games, and/or clean-up. All tables, chairs, tents, and anything else that will be set up for us to enjoy the picnic must come down right after the picnic is done. We are asking for people to volunteer to help clean up. If you are available, please contact our Parish Office.

Let’s come together as a parish family and celebrate the gift of community. We hope to see you there!
May God bless us.
Father Sadhanala