Saint Francis Xavier Parrish has been part of the Junction City community for 150 years.

In honor of their Patron Saint Francis Xavier has invited the community to join them on Saturday, December 3rd for the Feast Day Celebrations.

“It’s a good time and a nice opportunity for all of us to get together to celebrate Saint Francis Xavier, our Parrish and  the reality that our Parrish has now been a part of the community for 150 years,” said Father Gale Hammerschmidt.

The celebrations begin at 8:00 am Saturday with mass at the Church. At 9:00 am registration begins for the Two Mile Fun Run that begins at 10:00 am and is followed by the highly anticipated Frozen Plunge at 11:00 am.

“I would like to say I got roped in to it, but I’m foolish enough that it was actually my idea,” said Hammerschmidt. “I thought, ‘how could we have a great time on December 3rd and what do people do in the middle of December’ and I thought ‘well, they jump in the lake’; so we’re excited about it, but I’m trying not to think too much about it – I’m doing all the mental exercises I can to not think about [it].”

Hammerschmidt said he’s praying for a warm November and a warm December 3rd weekend.

After the Frozen Plunge, a catered lunch from Cox Brothers Barbecue will be served.

While this is a fundraising event, Hammerschmidt said he just wants the community to have fun. “We’re off to a really great start, I’d like to hope we can get to at least 10 or 12 thousand dollars, that would be a real boost to our school…it’s quite the good fundraiser, but again, it’s just a good time.”

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School has raised $6500 so far.

The Saint Xavier’s Day Celebrations will be Saturday, December 3rd.

For more information visit https://saintxrams.org.