Nothing brings a community together like a picnic, and St. Joseph Parish isn’t letting a little snow on the ground stop it from hosting a picnic for everyone in the Homewood-Flossmoor community.
The parish will host its Winter Picnic Saturday, Jan. 24, from 4 to 10 p.m., but in deference to the chill outside, the event will be held indoors throughout St. Joseph gymnasium and school, 17949 Dixie Highway in downtown Homewood.
in their picnic attire at the Holiday Lights in
Homewood festival Dec. 5 promote the St. Joseph
Parish Winter Picnic set for Saturday, Jan. 24.
(Photo by Eric Crump/The Chronicle)
Visitors are encouraged to dig out their summer clothes and enjoy the summertime festivities. Each room throughout the school will be transformed into an activity destination for all ages: A delicious Cake Walk (Room 101), Kids Games (Room 102), “Trip Down Memory Lane” Memory Books (Room 103), Bar and Lounge (Room 104), and Bingo (Rooms 109 and 112).
The Parish has focused its social media efforts on reconnecting past and present alumni and parishioners and offers an opportunity for all to meet up face-to-face at the Winter Picnic. Homewood-Flossmoor residents are invited to attend also, as St. Joe’s has served the community since 1912 through 23 unique ministries.
The event serves as a fundraiser to help the Parish continue the work they love – sharing and caring for the community for over one hundred years.
“Residents of Homewood have all benefited in some way from the presence and ministry of St. Joe’s on Dixie Highway for over 100 years,” said Alissa Opyd, a member of the event committee. “We want to say thanks, come on in, and how can we help in the future? We want those who are occasional parishioners to experience the sense of community and service we provide year-after-year.”
The raffle will range in cash prizes from $100 to $10,000. Organizers suggest purchasing tickets in advance at the Parish’s website: http://posjhomewood.org/. Raffle tickets may also be purchased at the Rectory after all Masses and at the entrance doors of the event.
The silent auction will take place from 7:30 to 8 p.m. during the intermission of Midnight Band’s performance from 7 to 10 p.m. A few highlighted items for bidding include a pair of Blackhawk tickets with seats just 11 runs up from the Hawk’s bench; two front row passes for the NPR Chicago radio program, “Wait Don’t Tell Me”; and four at White Sox U.S. Cellular Field with a parking pass and waitress service.
Credit cards, checks and cash will be accepted from bidders.
This event will also be fun for children. The Kids’ Game Room will feature activities and prizes throughout the day, including video game contests (Madden Football & 2k Basketball), checkers and chess, loom bracelet crafts, and two movies on the big screen shown at 5 PM and 7 PM: Big Hero 6 & Frozen, respectively.
For more information about the event, visit the St. Joe’s Facebook page and the parish website. All are welcome. All are invited. Plenty of free parking in the St. Joe’s lot located next to the School.
