In a continuing, year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary, St. Patrick Church of Kennett Square held a play day on Sunday afternoon at the Kennett Area YMCA. Several hundred of its parishioners attended.

Each month this year, the church has marked the Jubilee with a special event. This month they engaged the Y to permit them the use of the facility just hours before the Y’s annual one-week “enhancement’ shutdown.

Families came for fellowship, refreshments and an event called “Beat the Padre.” This involved inviting the kids to compete in silly games, and as a conclusion to challenge the priest, Father Chris Rogers, for the championship.

At the end of the day, Rogers earned the trophy for his skill in bouncing ping-pong balls into plastic cups. In his humble acceptance speech, however, he praised all his competitors and blessed the entire congregation.

Coming up on the docket for the church’s Jubilee Year are a pumpkin carve at the church’s yard in October, and a gala banquet in December.