MADISON — The fourth annual Diocesan Family Picnic will be held Sunday, July 26, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Bishop O’Connor Center, 702 S. High Point Rd. in Madison.
The event will feature food, fun games for all ages, live music, and an address by Bishop Robert C. Morlino. There will be a potluck-style picnic with burgers and brats provided by the Knights of Divine Mercy. Each family is asked to provide a dish to pass; tableware will be provided.
“The picnic brings together Catholic families of all ages for a fun day of fellowship,” said Andy Galvin of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC), which sponsors the picnic along with the Knights of Divine Mercy.
“It’s a unique event and connects people to the diocese. And for the kids we’ve got the biggest slip and slide in the diocese,” said Galvin.
There will also be an information tent with materials from programs, organizations, and offices in the diocese, including Our Lady of Hope Clinic, St. Ambrose Academy, Schoenstatt, 40 Days for Life, Relevant Radio, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, ConQuest, Lighthouse Media, the OEC, and more.
Since the College Connections picnic scheduled for July 14 was cancelled, college students and their families are encouraged to attend the picnic and look for a table providing a “spiritual survival kit” from the Office of Vocations and the College Connections Program. College Connections participants are asked to register for the picnic online at www.madisondiocese.org/oec and contact Ben Emmel at 608-821-3115 or via e-mail at ben.emmel@straphael.org
The Knights of Divine Mercy are sponsoring a raffle to support the picnic and other projects. The grand prize features tickets to the Green Bay Packers’ 2009 pre-season game. Other prizes include tickets to UW Badger football and men’s basketball games. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the picnic or by calling 608-846-9390.
Those planning to attend the picnic should register at madisondiocese.org/familypicnic or call Marie Lins at 608-821-3160. Maps with directions to the center are available at the Web site.