The fourth weekend in July is host to some great local activities, including our own special parish picnic featuring Mass in the Grass. Following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we began holding this event again last year and it was a huge success. In 2022, between 500-600 people joined us for an outdoor Mass event followed by dinner, games, and activities for everyone.
“This is a whole parish event!” says Rex Yabut, who coordinates this great event. “We invite all of the ministries of the parish to sponsor booths of food and drinks or games. We have a band and bouncy houses. There are balloons and face painting for kids, along with organized games like volleyball. It is a whole family affair and we just have a great time together.”
Thanks to the generosity and service of the many ministries in our parish, this event is a huge success. In the past, different ministries have done different things — such as the Knights of Columbus cooking the food, St. Martin’s Alumni roasting corn, the Vietnamese community providing desserts, the Adult Ministry hosting a beer garden, and the youth groups sponsoring different games and activities for the kids. This is truly a community-wide event that brings everyone together.
“We love having the people from all the different ministries involved to sponsor the different parts of this event,” Rex says. “It shows what a community can do when we work together. It takes a lot of volunteers to be able to hold an event for this many people, but that is the great thing about our Saint Michael’s community!”
The celebration begins with Mass starting at 5 p.m. Food is served immediately afterward and all are invited to take part in the fun and activities.
“Families set up their picnic blankets or lawn chairs,” Rex says. “The band plays a few sets while everyone mingles and enjoys the activities and food and drinks.”
This event is a fantastic opportunity to evangelize by inviting friends and family members who may not otherwise regularly attend church. With a beautiful outdoor Mass followed by food, fun, and fellowship, it is an event that welcomes anyone and everyone to come and join in community with each other.
Please invite your family and friends and plan to join us on July 23!
