The annual All-Area Catholic picnic will begin July 16 at 2 p.m. in Shelter #1 of the Greenbrier State Forest, south of I-64 Exit 175 Caldwell-White Sulphur Springs.

Hosted by the Alleghany Highlands Council 8689 Knights of Columbus, the picnic is open to all Catholics and their families in the Alleghany, Bath, Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, and eastern Fayette county area.

“We are pleased to once again sponsor this,” notes Perk Berry of White Sulphur Springs, grand knight of the Alleghany Highlands Council, who added, “The Knights will be providing the hot dogs and hamburgers, all the fixings for both, all paper products and plenty of soft drinks and bottled water.”

“Those planning to attend are asked to bring a covered dish, if possible,” Berry added.  The gathering will conclude around 4 p.m. with a Vesper service, led by Father James Conyers, pastoral assistant for St. Charles Borromeo parish in White Sulphur Springs and St. Catherine of Siena parish in Ronceverte and chaplain of the local Knights of Columbus.

Earlier that day during the 11 a.m. Mass in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Father John McDonough is scheduled to be installed as the new pastor for St. Charles Borromeo and St. Catherine of Siena parishes as well as St. Louis, King of France, mission in Lewisburg, St. John, the Evangelist, Chapel in Sweet Springs and Church of Mary Immaculate Chapel in Williamsburg.

Father Paul J. Wharton, VF, dean of the Beckley Deanery, will officiate at the installation Mass and the picnic will serve as the social for this major event.

For information on the picnic and the installation Mass, contact the office of the Catholic Churches of the Greenbrier Valley 304-536-1813 or the Knights of Columbus 304-645-1373.