28 Marian Helper • Fall 2025 • Marian.org There’s a real-life picnic story behind Gospel Picnic, the Marian Fathers’ first foray into children’s video programming, posted weekly on DivineMercyPlus.org, their exclusive streaming website. “The idea came from my brother, Dan, and his wife, Julie,” explains the host of Gospel Picnic, Fr. Andy Davy, MIC. “They have six children, and were looking for practical, little things to do that can have a big impact in terms of imparting the faith. They started a tradition of reading the Sunday Gospel while picnicking before their Saturday movie night.” Fast-forward a few years, and Gospel Picnic was born. Since its debut in November 2024 and with more than 40 weekly episodes to date, it has steadily built an audience, with parents across the country grateful for the wholesome fare. Storytelling “By combining puppetry, storytelling, and animation, Gospel Picnic helps children anchor the Sunday Gospel in their hearts and minds ahead of time, so that when they hear it proclaimed at Mass, it’s not just ‘blah-blah-blah,’ but something they already know, love, and understand,” says Stacey Box, executive producer and head of the Marian Fathers’ video department. “Plus, it’s a lot of fun.” Each 6-10-minute episode (posted on Wednesdays) opens with a catchy title song (“Gospel Picnic let’s begin!”) followed by Fr. Andy inviting young viewers to sit at the picnic table and listen to his reading of Sunday’s Gospel. A question from a child about the reading follows, and Fr. Andy’s response. The show concludes with Fr. Andy’s “homework,” which encourages young viewers to continue reflecting on the Gospel, and asking, for example, for them to try to attend Eucharistic Adoration, think about one way their family can “spend time getting to know Jesus’ voice,” or even write a letter to the pope! Episodes are visually appealing, with colorful graphics and animation to bring the Gospel story to life. And there are puppets, most notably “Fr. Carlos,” whose priest garb was made by a Visitation Sister. Father Andy discovered the By Julia Rose Gospel Picnic Let’s begin!
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