WELCOME to St. Willebrord Catholic Church community on this St. Willy Jam Sunday! It is a joy and a pleasure to be able, once again, offer an event at which the community worships, prays, sings, dances, eats, relaxes, and enjoys each other’s company. I know that many people were sad to not have the chance to participate last year.

As everyone in leadership knows, I always try to emphasize the community-building and friendship-building that happens at parish events like this. Yes, there is the fund-raising aspect, too, but that is a natural occurrence at an event where people are having fun and contributing to the joy of others.

Of course, at our multi-cultural, Catholic parish community, the mix of cultures, languages, traditions, and the diversity of people displays a rich quality of our family of faith. In our present age when there are so many violent, racist, and/or homophobic tragedies, St. Willebrord faith community has another opportunity to demonstrate Gospel-based hospitality, inclusiveness, and tolerance.

Please express your gratitude to those you see working at the event. They are volunteers! They are your sisters and brothers from the parish. They have dedicated themselves to months of planning, organizing and preparing for the day, and have worked hard to execute a successful picnic. Please tell them that you appreciate their efforts in building the Kingdom of God in a fun-loving and creative way.

Peace, Fr. Andy