St. Catherine's Annual Parish Picnic: A festive mosaic of faith, family and friendship

Loretta Cuccia provided a report of this year's Parish Picnic:

A brilliant blue sky and mild temperatures provided a picture-perfect setting for St. Catherine's annual fall picnic. This year's theme, "Many Cultures: United in Faith" transformed the Parish Center grounds into a virtual international games motif. Flags representing a diverse assortment of countries and states decorated the bounty of food and festivities. A steady stream of more than 350 guests arrived by car, on foot or via Deacon Tony's Reliable Golf Cart Service.

Parishioners contributed a cultural variety of potluck plates from pierogies and kielbasa to southern pulled pork, plus a multitude of delicious pies and other sweets. The ice cream ladies were dishing it out to folks of all ages and the traditional picnic fare of hot dogs and hamburgers grilled by representatives from various parish ministries helped ensure that no one left the party hungry.

Attendees participated in several activities, including the Knights of Columbus Soccer Kickoff station and Beer, Wine and Sangria Garden, and danced with their significant others to parishioner Martin Guilfoyle's Irish band, "Reel Fire." There were also adult, child and family games where participants raced to collect international stamps in their "passport" as they competed in games at several "Nation Stations."

Patti's mosaic stepping stone craft kept all the children "hopping." Just a stone's throw away from the craft corner was local henna artist Catherine Lent, who dedicated hours of creative designs on the wrists, shoulders, and hands of the young and older who wished to sport this beautiful temporary body art. Other activities included potato sack races, volleyball, spoon-n-egg race and 50/50 raffle, which landed the winner a $567 cash prize. The silent auction of many wonderful basket prizes and the prayer shawl ministry's homespun wearables, kitchen towels, and bookmarks -- all contributed to the communal atmosphere.

We have not one, but two photo galleries of the event.