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Our Annual Parish Picnic: A “Welcome Back” to Life and Worship as a Faith Community
Mark your calendars! On Sept. 12, at 10 a.m., the annual Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish Picnic returns. Canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this parish-wide event is intended to welcome everyone back to Mass, the sacraments, and to life as a community.
“I want to express my gratitude for the example of faith everyone has shown in these challenging times,” says Fr. Bill Bruning. “I just want people to come together, enjoy one another, have fun, pray together, and experience hope. Our focus is to gather together as family again.”
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Held at the upper parking lot between the church and the school, the morning events will commence with an outdoor Mass.
“The Eucharist is the lifeblood of our faith,” Fr. Bill says. “It is the ultimate antidote against death. Also, when we gather together, we celebrate the Body of Christ. We are the Body of Christ.”
It is at this time that two important gestures — removed from the Mass during the pandemic — will be reinstated: the greeting of our neighbors and the sign of peace. Both are expressions of the deeper reality that, as Christians, we do not stand alone. We are dependent on one another to live the full life that Christ intends for us.
This special Sunday liturgy is intentionally aimed at unification. It will be the only Mass offered that day. Due to the convenience of routine, we often attend the same Mass every week and miss the opportunity to meet parishioners at other Mass times. “We are one family, not four individual families at each Mass,” Fr. Bill says. “We want to mingle outside those groups, get to know one another, and celebrate our faith.”
Following Mass, there will be plenty of time for fellowship. The Knights of Columbus and other volunteers will be grilling burgers, serving picnic foods, and offering prepackaged, pandemic-friendly fare. There will be inflatables for the kids, games, volleyball, and a dunk tank.
Overflow parking for the picnic will be available at the Shawnee Mission School District Center for Academic Achievement. A shuttle bus will transport attendees to and from the picnic. Those with physical limitations are encouraged to attend, as well. A four-wheel gator will provide passage right up to the seating area. Once there, the parish youth group will be serving those who require special care.
For those still feeling vulnerable, the 4 p.m. Saturday Mass will remain on the schedule for that weekend. Also, all Sunday liturgies will continue to be livestreamed — this service will not be dropped. Queen of the Holy Rosary intends to remain a pandemic-safe space.
We are looking forward to this special time of faith, fun, and fellowship. Parishioners of all ages are encouraged to attend. See you there!
