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More than 100 cars filled with parish families rolled through the St. Patrick Parish parking lot in Larkspur April 29 displaying messages of appreciation for Msgr. Michael Padazinski, pastor, and Father Andrew Ginter. The event was part of the “Uplift Your Priest” campaign launched by an international vocations ministry program during the pandemic. (Photo by Christina Gray/Catholic San Francisco)
April 30, 2020
Christina Gray
Catholic San FranciscoFor a few horn-honking, sign-waving, balloon-filled minutes, St. Patrick parish families and the priests that shepherd them seemed able to forget their collective troubles.
At noon on April 29, more than a hundred cars rolled noisily through the Larkspur parish’s parking lot with colorful messages of appreciation and affection for Msgr. Michael Padazinski, pastor, and Father Andrew Ginter. The surprised priests waved at the procession from the rectory’s upper deck.
Parishioner Reena Rosskopf told Catholic San Francisco that the idea came together in about a week with inspiration from an “Uplift Your Priest” campaign launched April 20-May 1 by Vocation Ministry, an organization promoting parish-based vocation ministries in North America.
The campaign was specifically designed to inspire lay Catholics to support and encourage their priests who are now on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Priests are being called into great heroic action by offering sacraments to the sick and dying, finding creative ways to serve parishioners and maintaining empty parishes, which can give them a feeling of loneliness,” parishioner and event organizer Barbara Cavalier wrote in a letter to all parish families.
Msgr. Padazinski and Father Ginter were treated to lunch and received an orchid as well.
“It truly was a lift to me and another indication of how blessed I am to a part of this incredible faith community," Msgr. Padazinski said after the parade. "Our people at St. Patrick and undoubtedly elsewhere truly miss being able to gather together to worship and receive the gift of Christ himself, especially in the Eucharist."