"Annual Parish Picnic" Sunday, May 18th, 2003

Picnics at St. Joan of Arc are joyous occasions, if only because they are exciting celebrations of life. There are things to do and see; many delicious things to eat. But it is a wonderful celebration primarily because of the many people who congregate to make it so. It is a big event because of the many persons attending. But it is a momentous event because of the many little things and unplanned surprises arising spontaneously among those who just naturally make it a memorable celebration.

It happens year after year. But as often as they happen, there is nothing like a SJA picnic! No matter what the weather is like, even in the rain, it is always an opportunity to have fun. There is always a great quantity and variety of food provided. But far and away, the greatest ingredient are the people who come: those who come bringing food, those in the neighborhood who are invited each year, especially those people whose planning and efforts go into making it another grand picnic.

Arriving two hours before the picnic was to begin, I was impressed by the teamwork in transforming the gymnasium into a picnic grounds for serving food, eating, dancing, and using the trampolines provided for the children. Large gas grills were set up outside for roasting the brats, hamburgers and hot dogs. I was especially delighted to see people whom I hadn’t seen in two years or more.

When people began arriving two long rows of tables were filled with the many salads and picnic fare for those wanting to eat right away. Brats and burgers had been cooked ahead and kept in warming ovens to support the initial deluge of hungry participants.

Some people sat down around tables set up in the gym. Others found comfortable places on the floors or outside ground to socialize and enjoy the food provided. Among the ‘little things’ I observed was the particular concern by those cooking the meat. All of the hamburgers were cooked until no trace of pink was evident: a concerted group effort to assure that all the beef would be well done. There was also the kindness of those who brought cold beer and salads to the persons cooking over the stifling hot grills.

There were many choice pictures of people enjoying themselves in very special ways. I recall the young boy who had both hands placed in the outstretched hands of the stature of Joan of Arc, his eyes looking intently into her face. Several children were writing messages and making pictures with chalk on the parking lot surface. Children bounced on trampolines until exhausted. There were couples dancing by themselves to the music of Cyril Paul, along with groups of five or six, all holding hands; dancing to that same music. There were also babies being held… enjoying their first dance.

Ray Tanis is a farmer, masquerading as an engineer, with a passion for writing... Kids are grown, so concentrates on sunflowers and pumpkins. Ray loves writing poetry and music.

Roseann Rogers is the principal on the parish staff coordinating the many efforts which bring us together. But she is the first to give most credit to those who respond to make it happen, as well as those who respond by coming to enjoy such a community gathering. A lot of work; but so much more fun…

Thank you, St. Joan’s, for another amazing picnic!

Nancy Lynch says, "Joy is being a wife, Mom of fourteen, eight with varying disabilities and living at home, Grandma of thirteen, and Great Grandma of three. Serenity is listening and watching the ocean, alone, at our home on Maui. Passion is friends, photography, reading, swimming and children.